It is a truth universally acknowledged that...
.... some of the best parties are birthday parties!
At the end of August we celebrated our oldest daughter's 14th birthday with a Jane Austen themed birthday, focusing on the birthday girl's two favorite Austen books: Pride & Prejudice and Emma!
This brand new high schooler of ours decided to join the local high school's soccer team and ended up having daily doubles every day the week of her birthday - Run like Mr. Collins just proposed! ;)
In between her first practice and her second I took her to town for a birthday coffee and to stop at the store for some party food. While she was at her second practice we all worked together quickly at home to bake a cake, decorate, and pull together some party appetizers for a movie night. We started with the
BBC version of Pride & Prejudice and then watched Hallmark's modern day spin off
Unleashing Mr. Darcy. Even with very little preparation ahead of time it all came together!
.: Pride & Prejudice Inspired Birthday Banner :.
During her morning soccer practice I cut it out and hung it up. Everything takes at least ten times longer than it did before this cute little baby arrived, but the party decorations came together!
While I baked the cake our 12 year old helped decorate and update the letter board.
.: Emma Inspired Birthday Cake :.
My bundt pans have saved me so many times lately when I don't have the time or energy to be very creative but still want to pull together something special...
For this birthday I used my
Nordic Ware Cathedral Cake Bundt Pan and placed it on top of 2 - 9" Round Cakes, decorating it with fresh flowers, some frosting, powdered sugar sprinkles, and grapes.
.: Pride & Prejudice Movie Night Party Appetizers :.
Longbourn Layered Dip
The Ladies of Longbourn are diverse in their character.
Some are lighter in substance while others are more complex,
just like the layers of this dip.
Mr. Collins Cheese-ball
While its namesake is cheesy you may find this savory treat a little more sensible. Served with crackers.
Lady Catherine Kabobs
Her ladyship has been known to pierce through sweetness much like bamboo skewers pierced through fruit and cake.
Pemberley Salad
Almost as delightful as the grounds at Pemberley are the greens of Pemberley, especially when paired with pasta, chicken, and a creamy balsamic dressing.
Darcy's Decadence
A warm, rich, and chocolatey dessert fit for a man of good fortune.
Served with ice cream and caramel sauce.
Lydia's Lemony Libation
A sparkling lemonade and white wine punch.
Like Lydia it’s sweet but a little tart.
(Update: We made our punch with lemonade concentrate, 7-up, and vanilla ice cream. No wine included!)
.: Party Time :.
"I love you most ardently" 💕
#littlemissausten #prideandprejudice #allreadyforhersistersparty #hurryhomedaddy
I love how our seven year old is always on her tip toes!
I often don't even notice until I look at the picture later...
I love having teens!
.: Birthday Gifts:.
I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library...
The birthday girls gifts were basically a mix of (much needed) clothing and books:
American Eagle Flannel Shirts • Nike Fleece Skirt (like her sisters)
White Lace Dress (for her upcoming Confirmation) and Green Dress from Macy's
Some of her gifts doubled as party decorations, including her
new set of Jane Austen books. I've had quite a few of the Austen themed gifts stashed in my closet for years waiting for one of the girls to have a Pride & Prejudice Birthday. So glad to finally pull them out!
I love that all my girls still love to play with paper dolls.
This Pride & Prejudice set is the newest addition to their collection.
This loving big brother is the reason I was able to finish the birthday cake and be able to take any pictures of the party! He is one of the few people she allows to hold her when she's upset.
.: Fourteen Candles :.
Completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy...
Happy Birthday!