In the beginning...

I am not too sure as to how it all began, but I do know that I was inspired to cook more authentic French food after having watched the film Julie & Julia late last fall. I got Julia Child's cookbook and set out to try one new recipe a week, which was both fun and challenging.

Meanwhile, I've developed a bit of an obsession over party planning.  I subscribe to several party planning blogs in my Google Reader so I read the feeds daily.  One day, while perusing the latest party ideas, I came across a French bakery birthday party for a one year old little girl.
Check out this amazing party on pen n' paper flowers blog. My heart skipped a beat as my daughter Claire's first birthday was fast approaching. I decided right then and there that I wanted to copy that party and personalize the concept to call it my own. 

So the vision for the party is this: Vintage Paris with feminine flair. Black & white photos of Paris interspersed with black & white photos of Claire throughout her first year.  White vintage-looking serving dishes and hot pink splashes here and there. As for patterns, I plan to use damask or toile to help create the classic look.