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{The TomKat Studio} Tommy’s Crab Shack Party!

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I recently styled my son’s Crab Shack Party to celebrate his 5th birthday! The inspiration came from a Pottery Barn Kids crab towel, that he received as a gift a couple of years ago! I love the red, white & blue color scheme and it was so easy to find great things since his birthday falls between Memorial Day and 4th of July! The talented, Vicki of Vicki Lynn Photography captured all of the details of the party! I started by designing the little crab illustration and invitation!

 

Since I designed a fabulous dessert table for Kate’s recent party, it was only fair to design one for Tommy! I planned a full spread of yummy treats and paper goods for the party! As always, I was inspired by the queen of dessert tables, Amy Atlas! Whenever I start brainstorming a party, I go on a hunt around my house (and my mom’s) to find anything that could work for decorating. The red metal “T” and navy backdrop (new duvet cover) are from Tommy’s bedroom! My mom and I decorated a room in her house for the kids in a nautical theme, so I grabbed the white boxes, sailboat frames, life preserver & lighthouse to use for decorating!

 

I ordered the sweetest fondant little crabs from Decadent Delights for my cupcakes! The night before the party, while my mom and I were baking, we decided that Tommy needed his own little cake. We used two large ramekins to get the right size and shape for the cake I was envisioning! The little crabs, cherry sours, and cake topper I whipped up made it cute!

I enlisted the help of Kim at Sweeties for the fabulous chocolate covered oreo and oreo pops! She also sent the amazing white chocolate letters, spelling out TOMMY and they worked perfectly under the cake stand!

I used Allyson of Girly Gatherings make custom printed cookies using my party circle designs!
My mom & I made our first attempt at Bakerella‘s cake pops and balls! After a little practice, they turned out fabulous! The sprinkles are really forgiving for hiding imperfections!
{more tips coming soon in a follow-up post!}
Melissa from Decadent Delights also made the crab shaped cookies, which I used on the table as well as in cello bags tied with a tag for favors!

I made a welcome sign using a life preserver mirror from my mom’s house! The beach hut sign has been hanging around in my garage for awhile, and always comes out for the surf /beach/pool parties! Tommy wore an adorable custom crab shirt from Smitten & Company!

I enlisted the help of family and friends to bring some of the food, including my favorite layered salad, queso, tortellini salad and fruit pizza! We also served hamburgers and hot dogs, strawberries & cream, and lots of yummy treats!
{recipes coming soon in a follow up post}

Nautical details were placed throughout the house!

I continued the red, white & blue theme outside!
(see the towel that inspired the party?)
Lots of fun was had by all, with swimming, water balloon fights, delicious food & desserts!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy, Tommy!
Love, Mommy

Sources:
Party Designs/Styling: The TomKat Studio
Photography: Vicki Lynn Photography
Oreo Goodies: Sweeties By Kim
Custom Printed Cookies:
Girly Gatherings

Fondant Crabs & Crab Cookies: Decadent Delights
Custom Crab T-shirt: Smitten & Co
Hair Accessories: Whippy Cake

June 17, 2010

Post Date:

  1. Hazel says:

    This is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!! I love it all, such great inspiration for us all!! Tommy is so lucky to have such a talented Mommy!!

    Thank you so much for sharing, definitely great inspiration for my upcoming parties!

    🙂 Hazel

  2. To The Moon and Back says:

    Kim as always, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! You are amazingly talented and such great inspiration. Your kiddos must love the great parties you throw for them. Can't wait to see what you come up with next:)

  3. KK says:

    LOVE this theme!!! Such great inspiration, I'll tell ya! 🙂

  4. High Heels and Aprons says:

    All I can say is LOVE LOVE LOVE!

    Ally @ Girly Gatherings

  5. Amy H. says:

    Everything I thought it would look like but times a thousand! Wonderful job Kim.

    XOXO

    Thank you for inspiring.
    Amy

  6. Simply Creative Insanity says:

    What a wonderful party! Great colors and so fun! You are nothing short of amazing!

  7. Vana says:

    Amazing Kim! I expected nothing less from you!!! And your photographer friend rocks WOW!

  8. amber says:

    I see the little light house from homegoods! ANy idea where I can get a beachy sign like the one you have? It, colors and all, would be a perfect addition to the shower I am throwing!!

    Amazing job, girlie!

  9. staci @ lizard n ladybug says:

    This is just plain fabulous!
    Not that I'm shocked..all your parties are FAB!

    Such a good lookin' family too 🙂

  10. Brittany @ GreyGreyDesigns says:

    Absolute perfection–as always! I adore this theme. Totally original, and perfect for summer!

  11. A Few of My Favorite Things says:

    So so amazing! Your attention to detail is just stunning and I'm inspired by you as always. I can only imagine how much fun it must have been!

  12. Courtney says:

    WONDERFUL! All the details are just perfect!! (of course I expected nothing less from you!) Smart to have a photographer there too. I often try to play hostess AND photographer, and usually the photography suffers.

  13. Stacy Tucker says:

    OMG, Kim…. Absolute perfection! The details are stunning and I love the theme. So fun and summery. Happy Birthday Tommy.

  14. Lindsey {Bella Grace Party Designs} says:

    Great job Kim!!! I always love to see the family pics… you all look so happy! Super cute hair clip.

  15. Bea @ CancunCookies says:

    Great job! Love the details and colours…

  16. The "J" Crew says:

    absolutely amazing…as always!

  17. Tracy@affectionfordetail says:

    I love how the red and blue pop against the white. Sooo in love with the custom cookies. I see another amy atlas feature in your future!

  18. Brittney says:

    So adorable! I love all the little details. I think the printed cookies are my favorite!

  19. The Ivory Social says:

    This is absolutely amazing! How wonderful to see a stylish boys party in a brilliant colour scheme!
    Great job Kim, I am sure you have just started a new party trend- Crab Shack!

  20. sassypackrat says:

    What an amazing party! Beautiful job!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Kim, you think of everything! This is beyond well done, amazing, or fabulous… It's Brilliant!! Congratulations on this great party. I am definate that your son and his friends will remember it forever! You inspire me.
    Katie Herbold
    LaPalma, California

  22. Alexis says:

    Really an Award Winning party…not a detail was missed. Beautiful pictures!

  23. Melisa@projectnursery says:

    Bravo! You deserve a break. Another amazing bash. – M

  24. Mama Bird says:

    love it!! may have to do this for my sons party next year! fantab!!

  25. Style Me Gorgeous says:

    Looks fabulous Kim ! and you look stunning as always xx

  26. I run for cake! says:

    Adorable party! All of the details are amazing! I love the Crab theme!

  27. Kristy says:

    Looks SO perfect Kim and YOU look amazing! So glad you ended up getting a shirt for him, it's adorable:)

  28. 2littlehooligans says:

    amazing! what else can we say?!

  29. Emily says:

    SO amazing Kim! It looks amazing!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hair do dads! Im going to have to hop right over there 😉

  30. A To Zebra Celebrations says:

    Speechless! WOW! Your parties are incredible!! LOVE LOVE ALL OF IT!!!

  31. Queen of Tarts Cakes says:

    Kim, Congrats on your little boy's party and for sharing in all of the details! Looks like a lot of work paid off and the crab shack concept is super cute!

  32. Tara says:

    Amazing, amazing, amazing, AND amazing. Do you take interns?! I'll teach you all I know about shirts if you'll let me stand over your shoulder for 5 minutes. Oh, to be your shadow…that's not too much to ask, right?! Glad Tommy loved his crab shirt, and happy to be a small part of such a big day!

    xoxo,
    Tara

  33. Courtney @ Pizzazzerie says:

    You've done it again 🙂 LOVE LOVE LOVE!

  34. Rowaida says:

    Absolutely gorgeous Kim! everything looks perfect! Congratulations on his party! sooo inspiring

  35. Mrs A in the Cove says:

    Just wonderful Kim – another fabulous party for everyone to remember! Hope you have recovered! Leanne xx

  36. Amy @ Living Locurto says:

    This is so cute! I love those cookies, she did a wonderful job. I want to know how you can talk your son into these cute party themes?? All my son wants is Star Wars or Legos! ha.

  37. Nichcole says:

    AAAAmazing, you are an inspiration to all!! Love the attention to detail.

    Where can I find the ADORABLE silver cupcake stands?

  38. Double the Giggles says:

    Awesome! Who says little boys can't have amazing parties, too? You are so talented! I can only hope my little guys' 1st birthday party will be 1/100th of Tommy's bash!

  39. tonyastaab.com says:

    As if I should sound the teeniest bit surprised, but this is absolutely fantastic. You are truly amazing. Pottery Barn is truly inspiring isn't it.

  40. kristina says:

    Beautiful party!

  41. Shelley@DivinePartyConcepts says:

    As always it looks wonderful!!! What a special party!

  42. Anonymous says:

    beautiful— crabby chic!!!!!!

  43. SAMBELLINA says:

    So divine as expected Kim – congrats !! (Love that – Crabby Chic) 🙂

  44. Susan Crabtree says:

    holy crabby cuteness! love love love everything!

  45. Christi Bennett @ pisforparty says:

    Kim, as always, you did an AMAZING job!! I always look forward to seeing your party posts and what you come up with. Your attention to detail is great! Also, thank you for writing such great posts with lots of party information! It's always nice to see the how-to's, etc.

    ~ Christi

    PS – where did you get your white cake stand?? Love it!

  46. http://cancuncookies.blogspot.com says:

    Amazing work, Kim! Love the colour combination and details… the Layered Salad sounds gooooood!

  47. very married says:

    wow – i'm so impressed! Tommy is so lucky!

  48. Julie says:

    Just curious about where you got the red white and blue beach balls?

  49. Sally says:

    Hi, Kim.

    I have a quick question for you: where did you get the white liners for the Oreo cookies? I have used mini cupcake liners before, but the diameter of those is smaller than the diameter of the Oreos.

    Thanks in advance

  50. Love, love, love this party! And what a lovely family you guys are. =)

  51. TJ says:

    Have you considered using glass straws? They’re super classy and toxin free. I’ve seen a few brands out there. my favorite is simply straws, i love the travel case each straw comes with http://bit.ly/simplystraws

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