Longtime readers may recall our family “rule” about kids’ birthday parties: we plan to throw them at ages 1, 5, 10, and 16. Well, let this be an encouragement that sometimes, even the rules you set for yourself can be broken! When Dave’s siblings all decided to head South the weekend before Azelie’s third birthday back in February, I jumped at the chance to throw a party for her. We’ve never celebrated a birthday with aunts/uncles/cousins before, so the opportunity was too sweet to pass up! She enthusiastically requested a unicorn birthday party, which quickly proved a rich area for inspiration—so many cute, colorful ideas out there to pull from. As with most of our at-home parties, we kept things pretty simple, focusing the decor on our dining nook and adding a few fun little details for the kids (unicorn ring toss, anyone?). An armful of “unicorn gypsophila” bouquets from Trader Joe’s were the most serendipitous finishing touch!

Sources: Azelie’s party dress / Streamers / / Iridescent cups / Unicorn sprinkles / Rainbow paper plates / Unicorn napkins / Unicorn balloon / Pink scalloped napkins / My pink mules

P.S. Take a peek at past family birthday parties! Azelie’s Laduree-inspired first birthday, Charlie’s racecar-themed fifth, Charlie’s train-themed second, and Charlie’s Winnie the Pooh-themed first