I told myself I wasn't going to make a big to-do out of M's first birthday celebration, but then Wes Anderson created a cinematic masterpiece bursting with pastels and pastries, the brilliant Grand Budapest Hotel, and that promise went out the window.  The party's theme was based on Mendl's Patisserie, the baker of the decadent Courtesan au Chocolat in the film, but the keys and tassels, pastels and florals, and green apples and Zubrowka Mule cocktails were all subtle nods to the film (at least I think I achieved subtle…  I stopped just short of the pin-the-birthmark-on-Agatha party game).  I may have gotten a little carried away with the details, but as the owner of an event design company and the mother of the birthday girl, it's hard not to.  

If you're a GBH fan, or just looking for party inspiration for your little one's upcoming celebration, see below for some of my favorite details and vendors.  Thank you to L Photo Austin for the gorgeous shots!    

My dear friend and owner of design shop el Choffel designed the invitations and custom stamp used for the boxes.  She recreated the Mendl's logo, turning it into "Mercer's Patisserie" with a special inscription in place of the Mendl's address.  The invitations, printed on folded square cards and tied with blue baker's twine, were to be opened like a bakery box, and were complete with apple postage stamps on the front and a "to be opened with the greatest care" sticker on the back.  The ladies at Antiquaria created a custom rubber stamp with the artwork from the invitation and, with the help of a few incredibly wonderful friends, I stamped over 100 pink bakery boxes to use as decoration and favors.

A year's worth of monthly "birthday" photos using Zoe B Organic Milestone cards.

Toilet paper roll crowns wrapped in Rifle Paper Co. gift wrap.

The Birthday Girl in her (almost) birthday suit.  

Birthday Girl dress by Anais & I.

Party shoes (and perhaps the best baby shoes EVER) from Freshly Picked.  

No Grand Budapest Hotel themed party would be complete without a Boy with Apple Photo Booth.  Floral fabric backdrop from Ikea. 

Rifle Paper Co. Botanicals Banner.

The divine confection this entire party, and the film, revolves around - the Courtesan au Chocolat.  Light-as-air pastry filled with rich chocolate cream, then dipped in glaze and set together with buttercream.  I promise you, they are even more delicious than they appear to be in the movie.  A bit time consuming (okay, A LOT time consuming), but completely and utterly worth it.  I ran out of time to decorate them with icing swirls and beads but I don't think my mouth noticed.  

"One" cake topper by Pink Poppy Party Shoppe. Tissue tassel cake topper by spool + ink {handcrafted}.

Vintage skeleton keys found on BHLDN for a shockingly reasonable price.  Pink tassels were handmade using baker's twine… DIY tutorial coming soon!  Metallic dot burlap from Joann Fabrics.

Tassel fan garlands… see my DIY here to learn how to make your own.  

Piñata by spool + ink {handcrafted}, or you can follow my DIY here.  

Mercer's Truck rides were available for the under-3-feet-tall crowd.  The truck was constructed out of a really, really large Amazon box and a lot of pink spray paint and brown duct tape (there's a kid's battery-powered ride-on SUV under there).  

A primary colored ball pit just wouldn't do… this one was filled with pastel soap bubble ball pit balls.

Tissue fan decorations from Shop Sweet Lulu.

Party Favors - patisserie boxes filled with crossed key cookies.

Need more?  Complete photo album below.

Photography // L Photo Austin

Event Design and Handcrafted Decor // spool + ink {handcrafted}

Invitations and Stamp Design // el Choffel

Custom Rubber Stamp // Antiquaria