Seashell Inspired Surprise 40th Birthday

A sweet friend of mine, Cosette is turning 40!  I personally don't think there is a better birthday present for a friend who "is not a big fan of  surprises" then to throw them a surprise party, do you?  So another darling girlfriend of mine, Brittany, and I got together over lunch and plotted to do just that, Surprise Cosette! 

Her hubby is taking her to Hawaii for her birthday so we played our design of the table off their trip. We went with sophisticated beach, seashell, Hawaii theme.  We picked colors we thought reminded us of her.  She always seems to wear and look good in cool colors.  Teals, blues, greens...

I went on a mission shopping for inspiration (that's usually how I come up with my ideas) and Brittany went on a mission to organize restaurant (Tommy Bahamas), a  Gluten/Dairy Free Cake and a set list for our party favor of the best music of 1972.  Tommy Bahamas, the cake and the CD rocked!

Here's what we came up with...

Look at the fabulous view in the background!  I love where I live.

Labeled wine glasses to personalize table
and for seating arrangements.

Sea glass, paper flowers, drift wood, candles, burlap runner
all add texture to the table.

Party Favors: Box of seashell soap
and a CD from the best music of 1972, the year she was born.
The menu of what we were serving for the night.

Had to add some 40 Starfish printables.

She was surprised and ever so grateful and
we all had a little too much fun.

 Happy 40th Birthday Cosette!