<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8857-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1087" alt="when i'm 64 party" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8857-2.jpg" width="344" height="500" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;">My amazing mother turns 64 this week, and when she mentioned that no one had ever really thrown her a birthday bash, I couldn't think of a better way to thank her for her tireless support than to host a "When I'm 64" party in her honor.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8855-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1086" alt="record cake stands" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8855-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I had so much fun putting together the decorations for this party. <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kgboehm/beatles-party/"> Pinterest</a> will be my undoing, but until that day, I'm going to keep crafting away.  I created these cake stands from 2 clear glass candle holders that I found at <a href="http://restylechicago.com/">Restyle</a>.  Using some spray paint I had for another project, I painted them pink.  (Note to self: do not attempt this in the house ever again!  We had a pink cat, a pink kid and a pink basement floor.  Oops!)  Once they were dry, I used hot glue to attach some old records that I found at the thrift store for $1 a piece.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8838-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1084" alt="cupcake toppers" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8838-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The cupcake toppers were designed by 2 talented artists on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SugarTreePress?ref=custom_order_convo">Etsy</a>.  They also did the invitations, and I was able to use both the toppers and the invites as printables for other decorations.  The psychedelic buttercream matched the decor perfectly.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8843-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1085" alt="beatles party" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8843-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Inexpensive frames from Ikea provided great color contrast and a home for the invites/ printables.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8914-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1097" alt="64 party" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8914-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Yes, mom, we do still need you &amp; we will still feed you.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8871-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1090" alt="octopus' garden salad" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8871-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I wish I could say that I was super creative in coming up with the menu and names, but I found tons of great ideas online.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8944-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1100" alt="yellow submarine sandwiches" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8944-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My Aunt Barb suggested yellow submarine sandwiches, and the idea turned out to be genius.  Not only were they easy to assemble for a crowd, but they fit the theme perfectly.  I even created yellow submarine toothpicks!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8903-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1095" alt="fruit dip" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8903-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The ever popular brown sugar &amp; sour cream dip made this dish a hit.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8868-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1089" alt="BLT dip" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8868-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Guests couldn't get enough of this dip, and it could not have been easier to make.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8866-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1088" alt="IMGP8866 (2)" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8866-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8945-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1101" alt="i am the egg man" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8945-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">goo goo goo joob</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8935-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1098" alt="submarine straws" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8935-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My sweet mother-in-law found these yellow submarine straws at Michaels!  How could we resist?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8898-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1094" alt="beatles birthday banner" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8898-2.jpg" width="500" height="297" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">No birthday is complete without a banner.  This one matched the soundtrack for the party, provided by my brother-in-law, Alex.  Alex- we wish you could have been here, but thanks for the music!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8912-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1096" alt="64 party" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8912-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The centerpiece came together with a adorable pic of my mom on her first birthday in 1951 and lots of things I actually had around the house.  The great thing about doing so many parties and photos is that you start to collect lots of goodies that can be repurposed.  I picked up the watering can at a garage sale and spray painted it pink as well.  My awesome neighbor, Heather, helped me create the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-vinyl-bowl-56472">record bowls</a>.  It was so simple and fun to do one night after the kids went to bed, over a glass of wine.  You aren't supposed to put unwrapped food in them so I just used them for the decor.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8886-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1091" alt="balloon wreath" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8886-2.jpg" width="446" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This <a href="http://www.mommyscraftobsession.com/2013/06/diy-party-balloon-wreath.html">balloon wreath</a> was tedious but fun and so worth the effort.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8891-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1092" alt="IMGP8891 (2)" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8891-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8893-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1093" alt="IMGP8893 (2)" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8893-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8980-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1102" alt="DIY tutu" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP8980-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">During another moms craft night, my friend, Christy, walked me through <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Non-Sew-Tutu">how to make this tutu </a>for O's outfit.  O picked the colors, and I paired it with a navy blue outfit from Old Navy that became the base for a Sergeant Pepper iron-on patch.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP9005-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1103" alt="john lennon cutout" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMGP9005-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The birthday girl came dressed for the era -- she even donned false eyelashes and an Audrey Hepburn-style hairdo.  Cardboard cutouts and a photo op can be a great way to document all of the party goers.  But, beware: when you get a couple of drunk (and sober!) old ladies together, your cardboard cutout of John Lennon might never be the same!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday, mom!  You are absolutely the most fun and most incredible 64 year old I know.  I love you.</p>