Lilly Pulitzer Shift (Also love this one and this one!) / Emma’s Lilly Pulitzer Baby Shift / Jack Rogers (Platinum white on sale; white on sale; cork on sale; brown on sale) / Mitch’s Vineyard Vines Shorts c/o / Mitch’s Ralph Lauren Button-Down
First, I have to thank John, Kira, Maureen and Emily for taking these photos. I learned very quickly that actual first birthdays are nothing like what you see on Pinterest, haha; in real life, they’re chaotic and messy and sticky… and they call for all hands on deck. So thank you, friends and family! These snaps mean the world to us.
Anyway, Emma’s first birthday was a success! We held it at a nearby city park because we wanted to keep things simple and easy. The theme was Elmo, since Emma is obsessed… and we ordered about 15 too many pizzas, no thanks to the Pizza Calculator. Let’s just say the Larkins are going to be eating leftovers for months. ;)
I really think Emma loved the day, though, which makes my heart happy. No, she wasn’t a fan of the Elmo cupcakes that we painstakingly made the night before. (Probably should have made her a giant Goldfish cracker, in hindsight.) But she was so happy playing ball with Tom, rolling around in the grass with the other kids, and taking the contents out of all the goody bags and then putting ’em back in.
Side note: The Elmo cupcakes were really easy. We just used white cake mix and vanilla frosting, and dumped a TON of red food coloring in… and then we used red sprinkles and pushed these plastic Elmo rings down into them. Amazingly simple and the kids got to keep the rings, which they loved!
I have to be honest: I’m completely wiped from the weekend, so this tired mama is off to bed. (Eyes currently drooping.) But tonight, as I write this, I’m feeling incredibly grateful for our family and friends who fill our little girl’s life with love here in the Windy City. Life is wonderful here because of you. And I can’t wait for her East Coast celebration next weekend!
Boo Bear, we love you. Happy birthday!
Here’s the video that Mitch made for her, in case you missed it. :)
PS — This is the most versatile dress I own, and it’s a stretchy cotton material and can easily be dressed up or down. I never feel overdressed or underdressed when I wear it. Couldn’t recommend it more! Runs TTS. (I’m wearing an XS, which is what I usually wear in Lilly–and all–dresses.) And so many Jacks on sale: platinum/white on sale, white on sale, cork on sale, and brown on sale.
Shop the post:
Lilly Pulitzer Shift (Also love this one and this one!) / Emma’s Lilly Pulitzer Baby Shift / Jack Rogers (Platinum white on sale; white on sale; cork on sale; brown on sale) / Mitch’s Vineyard Vines Shorts c/o / Mitch’s Ralph Lauren Button-Down
So cute! What a fun day and so wonderful to have friends and family help you capture such special moments!
Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com
Supper cute – happy birthday miss emma! Wishing you another happy birthday party on the east coast!
I still can’t believe your baby is ONE! So crazy! Looks like a fun celebration. Way to go on the Elmo cupcakes!
Happiest of birthdays to Emma! I have been following you Kelly since before she was born and it seems that 1 year has flown by. Wishing Emma a year of happiness, great health and lots of Elmo!
so cute Kelly! I was so bummed that event started at the same time, would have loved to be here! i still can’t believe she’s one!!
This is so cute! Watching Emma grow up the past year has been wonderful!
Blessing to this next year of her life! Thank you for all the lovely photos!
Bridget | ambercoloredroses.wordpress.com
So sorry I missed this, Kelly! Looks like Emma had the best 1st birthday!!!
xoxo,
Lauren | http://www.lakeshorelady.com/
Happy Birthday, Emma!!! Looks to https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5d7823d24753b91e138eea88c63a43f100d1a8195fee1593413a8af578181cdb.jpg me like the perfect little party with friends! We also celebrated a big birthday in our house. Our youngest, Jason, turned 13 yesterday. ❤️
I love this so much! great job on the cupcakes! I love your Lilly dress (and Emma’s!!).
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
Love the pics of your sweet fam! Also I’m hoping your callista dress will be included in the APS!
Happy 1st birthday to you too! You made it!!!
Love the zipper on the neckline of this dress so you can adjust it for different occasions. It’s almost like having more than one.
sara(dot)k(dot)kidd(at)gmail(dot)com
These are so incredibly cute jennyleonard210 at aol com
Happy Birthday Emma!
meganfmerrill at gmail
This is my newest Lilly dress, I love how versatile it is!
Emma is the cutest!
ang_park@yahoo.com
So close to sharing the same name and birthday! I love the how low key this party was – it’s so easy to get caught up in planning and go way over the top. It’s so great to see someone focusing on what matters (family & good memories) rather than obsessing over tablescapes and invitations.
Emmapavano(at)gmail(dot)com
Such an adorable family and birthday party! Pizza, Lily, and Elmo cupcakes! What more could a girl want?
Little Lilly shifts with their matching bloomers are the best!
Happy Birthday Emma!!
sarah (dot) tully85 (at) gmail (dot) com
I don’t get it! You even make a bunch of pizza boxes look adorable! I seriously need your camera and maybe even camera accessories recommendations! As always you are all styled to perfection! Happy belated bday Emma! Jennee.nee(at)gmail(.com)
Awe so adorable!
Love the Navy Shift!
elizabethlee659 (at) gmail (dot) com
Can’t go wrong with an Elmo theme! Happy birthday, Emma!
Peace, Sarah
simplysarahs.blogspot.com
Adorable!
Mkingeter(at)gmail(dot)com
Your navy shift is my #1 pick this year ! So classic and timeless Lilly.
Well we’ve reached the end of me stalking your posts and feeling like a complete weirdo commenting on them all :)
Amberrosegarriott(at)gmail(dot)com
Looks like so much fun! Can I tell you that I loved the series Mitch did on his baby delivery story? It was sooo funny, yet there were moments that were very touching. I enjoyed reading it so much that I made my boyfriend read it. Thanks for all the great content :)
1 year is such a fun age! Enjoy each moment of it.
Love that dress as well! My navy Essie dress is my go to! Dress up with wedges or down with flats!
Too cute!
Classic navy shifts are the best!
Cate8781@yahoo.com
Emma is so precious! Looks like a great party! sarahbrookekreger at gmail dot com
So sweet! Rideout.meagan(at) gmail (dot) com
Those cupcakes are the cutest!
looks like someone had a fantastic birthday party full of family, friends, and Elmo. You’re little girl is precious!
ebaldwin (at) seymourems (dot) org
What a fun party!
I need that navy shift – so cute and versatile!
Beautiful family! It looks like your little angel had a great time! :)
summergirl4evr(at)gmail(dot)com
Looks like a fun day! Happy Birthday Emma!
yeagera12(at)students(dot)ecu(dot)edu
Emma (and the cupcakes) are adorable! What a sweet milestone.
Can’t believe Emma is 1 already! Beccabecca10 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I love all of her first birthday pictures! What a wonderful day!
meladams757@gmail.com
Nothing wrong with pizza for breakfast!
Jenniferleespicer (at) gmail (dot) com
Love it! So cute! Lilly giveaway entry kitejoy8(at)gmail(dot)com
Happy belated Emma!
yep. ya’ll are adorable! Looks like everyone had a great time!
krkernes (at) gmail (dot) com
#allthatmattersistheytastegood
Leonardc0906 (at) gmail (dot) com
I like the navy blue dress, especially since navy blue is my favorite color!
This is gorgeous! What a wonderful party
rebekahgriffin77(at) yahoo(dot)com
I love Lillyyyyyy <3
lindsayjean1 (at) rochester (dot) rr (dot) com
Those cupcakes are adorable!
Love the shift that you have on, navy is always such a classic color. Today I tried on a shift with zippers in the front and back–I think it was called the Jane shift. I was very tempted to buy it, but I ended up letting it go. Also I love that Emma had Elmo themed cupcakes!! I’m a big fan of Elmo too.
How did she not get frosting all over her darling Lilly dress?!?! I’m amazed! ;)
oops… here’s my email emsinjin (at) yahoo (dot) com
What an awesome first birthday! You are always so stylish #goals
Love that navy shift! I have it in white. I wear it all the time! Shelby.Davitt (at) gmail (dot) com
Seeing those pizzas and cupcakes is making me hungry! Looks like it was such a fun day!
What a special day!
pizza and cupcakes… sounds like my idea of a perfect birthday!!!
love your dress so much! hallieanderson17(at)gmail(dot)com
So cute! Xoxo
absolutely precious!
Oh my gosh, the picture where she is almost falling asleep, bottle in mouth, dirt all over, and frosting on her face is adorable! I would have to say that’s a picture of a successful birthday party :P
em_runningwild(at)yahoo(dot)com
All so beautiful
That Lilly print was the perfect camouflage for bright frosting :) Christy (dot) Nemi (at) gmail (dot) com
Happy Birthday!
laurenachoi(at)gmail(dot)com
Aww, adorable–birthday parties at home or somewhere else low key are the best, in my opinion. I generally had them at home when I was little and want to do the same for my kiddos one day!
sarah(dot)lyon1(at)gmail(dot)com
What a fun party!
The cupcakes look great!
love your dress! so classic!
carlypellegrini (at) gmail (dot) com
happy 1st bday emma!
gretchenlaland (at) gmail (dot) com
This is adorable! How perfect is Emma’s dress for this occasion?! So festive!
victoria(dot)lang(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh that is such an adorable party!!
Super cute!! The elmo cupcakes look adorable.
Your dress and Emma’s are perfect! Can’t believe she’s a year already! Best blogger baby :)
A poem for Kelly, Mitch, Emma and Noodle!
Larkin fam – you’re my jam!
You make me wanna move to Chicago/
And get my own little Noodle doggo/
We’d go to the park and watch Emma swing/
then head home to play guitar and sing/
I’m not a math gal, but would help grade for Mitch/
We’d knock those tests out in a cinch/
Then head to the shore ’cause we’re beach peeps/
I bet Kel could get us some Lilly jeeps/
And speaking of Lilly – I hope it’s not silly/
To win this gift card would be SO COOL – even chilly!
I’m a fan of you four and can’t wait for more/
Nap time with Kelly makes me so jelly/
You’re a cool mom and wife/
I love seeing your life/
Catch you on the ‘Gram/
I’m a huge KITC fan!
-Elise
Eliselake14(at)gmail(dot)com
That’s a lot of pizza! Looks like it was a great party. I just had a party for my youngest last weekend. He turned 9.
Happy Birthday, Emma!! Here’s another joke :)
What goes up and down but never moves?
The stairs!
Email: kelseyrhammond(at)icloud(dot)com
absolutely adorable! Love the ideas! Thank you for the opportunity! Abushdorf(at)ufl(dot)edu
I just found your blog today, and I’m already obsessed with your life, you have an incredible fashion sense, and I can’t wait to see more of your posts!!
So cute! It looks those Elmo cupcakes were messy! She is so precious, I love when you post about Emma on your Instagram story, she is darling!
Glad to see a slightly more realistic depiction of a first birthday!
So cute!!! I’m Can’t sleep I’m too excited!!! Gold is my neutral, pink is my everything! Life is a party…dress like it! Nicolelovesjuicy (at) gmail (dot) com
Super cute!!
sheenna.mckenzie(at)yahoo(dot)com!!
So cute! cameronljordan(at)gmail(dot)com