Nearly ten years ago, I had what I thought was a brilliant, punny idea: An original Barbie-Q!
Specifically, I wanted to host a birthday party barbecue where everyone would dress up as a Barbie of their choice.
I had an idea in my mind of what it would look like — but I never lived in the right venue, and never had the right people who would participate.
That is until I moved to Utah.
When, after nearly two years, we finally had our yard installed this Spring, I knew immediately that this would be it. This would be the start of an annual birthday tradition:
The Original Barbie-Q.
The Original Barbie-Q
To say the first Barbie-Q was a success would be an understatement.
Out front, I welcomed friends with a hand-lettered sign of the Aqua persuasion. (If you’re an 80s or 90s kid, you’ll totally get that reference!)
I couldn’t have asked for a better group of partygoers to help me ring in my 32nd year.
My friends showed up dressed as Safari Barbie, Prepster Barbie and Ken, Picnic Barbie and Ken, Surfer Ken, Missionary Barbie, Nurse Barbie and Doctor Ken, and, the star of the show, The-Kids-Got-Ahold-Of-This Barbie.
To serve pink lemonade and prickly pear margaritas, I obviously needed my trusty bar cart — which I decorated with a Barbie silhouette I printed at Costco and framed in an inexpensive Ikea frame.
Served on a table covered in Barbie shoes and perfectly pink flowers from Smith’s grocer, we ate mini burgers cooked by my hubby, drank delicious pink drinks, and opened the candy bar early in the night.
The candy bar even included these adorable lipstick candies — which are nothing like the ones we had as kids, but since they don’t make those anymore, I worked with what I had!
I had my neighbor Tauni help me print out these adorable Barbie silhouettes on her Cricut, and I applied them to these adorable boxes, which I then filled with pink popcorn and animal crackers.
Then, Tauni even whipped up these delectable baked potato cups for the occasion!
Last but not least, Swig cookies had to make an appearance! Not only are they pink, but they’re my favorite!
I forayed into sewing by making my own bean bag covers for my cornhole set, which we coupled with my hand-painted croquet set and some lawn games.
Life Size Barbie Box Photo Prop
A few weeks prior to the part, my husband and I created a life-size Barbie box photo booth. We used corrugated plastic from Lowes, glitter paint, and hinges to erect it, and with the painting it too less than two hours total.
We all had a blast taking photos in the booth, Barbie hands and all!
Cakes by Ashley
And, finally, my favorite part of the evening, we had custom cakes by LivingBeaUTAHfully Ashley — the most scrumptious cakes you’ll ever taste! She covered one in Sweetapolita sprinkles and it was the star of the show!
I’d told Ashley I didn’t like Barbie cakes because they always looked so cheesy… But oh my gosh did my girl come through! She made me – by hand – the most gorgeous and classy Barbie cake, with my coloring and all! Now that’s a true friend, people!
Best Birthday Ever
What was expected to be a 2ish-hour party ended up lasting nearly six hours! Well into the wee hours of the evening!
It was seriously one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had, and it was all made possble by my wonderful friends’ willingness to go all out.
I’m so grateful to have found not only the perfect yard for entertaining, but also a community of the greatest friends a girl could ask for.
Are you one to host dress-up parties?? If you’re not yet, this is a good one to start!
