I can't believe that back to school is just around the corner and that for some of you, it is just getting underway!

As the daughter of a retired teacher, I certainly know how short summer can be as they begin in-service and training days much earlier than the official back to school date. SO, I love to send my littles to school the first day with a little token of our appreciation. After all, who doesn't love getting sweet gifts!?!

When I stumbled upon these Oriental Trading apple eraser pencils​, the design wheels definitely started turning. We modified our 2015 apple tag design into a pencil tag format to coordinate with these fun apple eraser top pencils.

Simply print our PDF file onto bright white card stock, punch two holes at either end of the tag using a standard hole punch, and thread your apple pencil through the back.

​These fun back to school teacher tags are simple, easy to assemble, and a practical gift for your child to hand to their teacher(s) on the 1st day!

Download our FREE blank " An Apple for my Teacher" printable below, or personalize these tags for a nominal fee in our store.

This review is based strictly on my opinion. I was provided the sample free of charge by the company to provide my honest review. No other type of compensation was received. All ideas and opinions are my own.

When you child's birthday falls during the Houston summer, you definitely want to find creative ways to stay cool! And, that is exactly what Spencer's mommy did for her 1st birthday party. Kids splished and splashed in the front yard with a ton of fun wet and wild toys and activities....

When putting the design together for this birthday party, I was inspired by the simplicity of this sun image I discovered, so we used it enlarged as the dessert table's backdrop. To pull the color scheme and design concept together, we added balloons on poles to either side (Tip: balloons & outdoor parties don't mix well unless anchored down!), this denim table cloth and then for a pop of color and a bit of girly, we layered this amazing custom printed fabric from Minted over the table's front. The Happy Birthday banner was printed in ombre blue, perfectly coordinating with the custom designed invitation.

For the main cake, we mixed a simple "Spencer" pennant banner in pink/blue with a whimsical water droplet design and beach ball topper. For the smash cake, we kept things super simple and went with a light blue, water-like buttercream cake. For a touch more of whimsy and to win over the kiddos, we served mini beach ball cookies sitting in sand (aka brown sugar) and popsicle cookies displayed upright. And finally to keep things cool, we had a bucket of colorful popsicles on ice for everyone to enjoy.

The seated tables were also simple, yet super bright, cheery and practical. We fell in love with this yellow and white table runner found from an amazing etsy seller and decided to use it as our pop of color (plus, they can be used again as not 'kiddy'). For our centerpiece, we filled acrylic (not glass) fish bowls with plush, handmade beach balls. Not only were the beach balls fun to look at, they serve as toys to play with after the party; some of them even had rattles which are ideal for baby toys.

Guests each took home colorful sand buckets filled with summertime toys, each adorned with a favor tag reading, "Hope you had a Splash at my Birthday Bash".

Vendor Credits
Party Styling & Printables: Crowning Details
Backdrop: Created by Jackie
Cakes: Dessert Happiness
Cookies: Frost Bake Shoppe
Balloons: Jessica Zamora
Pink Fabric: Minted
Yellow Table Runners: Etsy (The Preppy Owl Boutique)
Handmade Beach Balls used in Centerpieces: Etsy (Dibbs On It)
Pink Sand Buckets: Shindigz

We just fell in love with the vintage kite inspired party collection offered by Minted and knew immediately where we would style it....in my good friend's garden doorway :).

The inspiration for the handmade fabric kites came directly from the party's invitation. We used the same blocking pattern and coloring, but added texture and dimension to the color scheme by choosing complementary fabrics for the kite patterns. For additional texture, we utilized both this textured burlap table skirt and the white floral petal table runner.

Our simple cloud cake was topped with a handmade kite, also inspired by Minted's invitation design. We found this great vintage copper pot and decided to flip it upside down to use as a cake stand. Simple cupcakes were topped with coral paper heart toppers and displayed on a custom made wooden cloud cupcake stand.

Cloud sugar cookies were stacked on a royal blue stand with a custom sign stating, "Come Fly with Me". And for added tabletop decor, we designed this blue kite print, personalized with the birthday boy's details as a keepsake.

The courtyard was decorated with the coordinating "Happy Birthday" banner from the Minted collection.

Overall, we just loved the setting, the simple, yet pulled together look and the general whimsical feeling of a kite themed 1st birthday party!

Vendor Credits:
Party Styling: Crowning Details
Invitation, Thank you Card, Table Art, Kite Fabric, Happy Birthday Banner; Cupcake Toppers, Table Signage: Minted
Table Runner & Table Skirt: Shindigz
Cake & Cookies: Frost Bake Shoppe
Photography: Saskia Matser