Be Our Guest

It's no secret that I have a 90s obsession. Please take me back to the days of gel pens and Tamagotchi pets on my keychain. At least we are #blessed that chokers, crop tops and acid wash jeans are making a comeback. But the most important thing that came out of the 90s was the epic era of Disney classics. I mean between 1990 and 1994 we were given The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King and a little life changing flick called Beauty and the Beast. 

I was OBSESSED with this movie. My parents like to tell the story of how when I was 3-years-old they took me to Disneyland and I saved all my money (which has to be like child abuse because wtf was I doing managing my own money at 3?) and the only thing I wanted was the yellow Belle dress that I proceeded to wear until it was a tattered faded mess and I could not physically fit my head through the neck hole anymore. 

For my 4th birthday party my dad built an elaborate castle out of cardboard boxes that was extraordinary, and my mom made a Mrs. Potts 3D cake that was equally incredible. 

In honor of my birthday this year, Walt Disney blessed me with the greatest present of all; a Beauty and the Beast live action revival with none other than Hermione Granger and an actor with the same first and last name as my husband. If thats not some kind of universal sign that the movie was made for me, I'm not really sure what is.

Although I no longer own my Belle dress, I set out to throw a birthday party brunch Lumiere would be proud of. I hosted my girlfriends at my apartment before heading out to a matinee showing of the movie.

For food I served a champagne punch (duh), chocolate covered strawberries, potato casserole, egg casseroles (s/o to Lisa! Even though it wasn't a teapot cake...) 

AND "The Grey Stuff." 

But it really was SO delicious. Literally just vanilla pudding mix, chocolate pudding mix, crushed up Oreos and a shit ton of whipped cream. Throw some edible pearls on top and you have an actual masterpiece. 

For decorations I went pink and whimsical, because after all, it was my (2)7th birthday party. 

I got the plates, napkins, cups and forks (THAT ARE GLITTER) at Hobby Lobby. And made the enchanted rose out of a large glass jar and a fake flower from the floral department. Belle came from Party City. 

I bought a plain triangle cut banner from Hob Lob and added glitter letters and sticker rhinestones for the "Be Our Guest" sign. 

I also found some hidden treasures in the Target dollar section. The "Treat Your Self" cups (no party is complete without a Parks and Rec reference), tassel streamers, and the most wonderful balloons (that were $3!). However, I will disclose here that Luke was not happy about them because apparently they cost $11 each to fill with helium and you know "helium is scarce" and all that. But tbh they were super worth it. 

And last but not least, like any good (2)7th birthday party, there were favors. I found princess bags at Party City and filled them with movie candy, an adult beverage and crowns for us to obnoxiously wear downtown.

Fingers crossed that for my 28th birthday the Mulan live action film will be released and I can make all of my friends dress up as Geishas and sing "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" at the top of their lungs with me. Here's hoping at least.