At the beginning of the year, my daughter, Anabelle and I were anxiously awaiting American Girl’s announcement of the 2016 Girl of the Year. Last year, Anabelle’s An American Girl in Paris Patisserie party was inspired by the 2015 Girl of the Year, which was a perfect fit for us seeing as we love all things baking and Paris-related! So, it goes without saying that we were excited to see what this year’s theme would be and we just couldn’t believe it when Lea Clark was debuted ~ an adventurous girl who loves travel and photography and whose life is changed after a trip to Brazil ~ my native country! Last December, I styled Maryellen’s Fabulous 50’s Diner Play Date inspired by the doll Maryellen Larkin, so I thought it’d be fun to provide some fun ideas for a tropical get-together.
I was inspired by the fun, bright colors of Lea’s wardrobe, as well as the overall rainforest motif. I used the bamboo backdrop I originally used for our Aloha Vintage Luau and paired it with a burlap tablecloth for a more natural look. I found the super cute colorful leaf banner in the Target Dollar Spot and I added some faux jungle leaves to make it more tropical.
Lea has an incredibly adorable oceanside fruit stand, which I just had to incorporate into the table design! The contents of the fruit stand also inspired our menu. As opposed to the more heavy Brazilian food I offered in our Let Me Take You to Rio party, we opted for a lighter spread. For drinks, we offered fresh fruit smoothies, then also offered an abundance of fruits, from bananas to mangoes to kiwis. We served individual açai bowls with toppings, such as granola, blackberries and strawberries presented in coconut bowls. Then, some traditional Brazilian salty snacks included pão de queijo (cheese bread), coxinha (shredded chicken wrapped in a fried dough) and polvilho chips. I loved offering more refreshing and healthy treats as opposed to a sugar-filled dessert table!
Another fun aspect of the table was that it was more interactive than usual. Not only were the girls able to play with Lea’s fruit stand, but they were also able to make their own açai bowls and try out all the Brazilian goodies, transforming the table into a stand of their own!
Anabelle and I were so super excited to have so much in common with the newest addition to the American Girl family! Though Anabelle has been down to Brazil to visit twice before, she was rather young and has few recollections, so I love being able to share more cultural traditions with her with Lea. And we can’t wait for the movie to come out! Have you had a chance to check out Lea Clark and all her fun accessories?!
This post is sponsored by American Girl, but as always, all ideas and opinions are my own!
Merci Beaucoup!
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What a cute playdate idea for little girls. I bet my nieces would love this.
Thank you so much, Robin! 🙂
Girls love these dolls! This looks like it was an awesome party!
They certainly do! Thank you so much, Milena! 🙂
First off your daughter is beautiful. I am loving the tropical theme of this girl playdate. So much fun and makes me feel like I’m in paradise.
Oh, thank you so very much, Rebecca! I truly appreciate it! ♥
I am in Canada and I get this catalogue sent to me all the time. Those dolls are just so cute.
Aren’t they?! It’s a happy mail day in our home when we receive our catalog! 🙂
That doll is just so cute. I love theme — and your daughter really looks like she’s enjoying herself.
Super fun theme! Thank you so much, Alicia! 🙂
What a cute idea!
My daughters have a couple of American dolls too. I should do a Canadian twist on this with poutine and maple syrup.
Ooh, that would be super fun! It’s a fun way to incorporate traditions! Thanks so much, Heather! 🙂
Aww, great job on the theme! I hadn’t heard of those Brazilian snacks before. They look so good!
Thanks so much, Liz! Definitely some of our fave snacks! 🙂
How cute! What a great theme, my daughter would flip over this!
Awww, thank you so much! We had a lot of fun! 🙂
That banana bowl is awesome! What a fun playdate
Thanks so very much, Laura! 🙂
Lea does have a colorful wardrobe. 🙂 The theme here is great, it looks like fun for sure for playdate time. 🙂
Right?! We love all the colors and patterns in her clothes! Thanks so much, Rosey! 🙂
I have always loved your parties my friend as you pay such attention to detail. This party is so cute and I remember when my daughter LOVED the AG dolls — well she still does, it’s just that she’s getting older and not being played with as much 😉
Oh, you’re the sweetest, friend! Thank you so very much! I truly appreciate it! Anabelle’s obsessed with American Girl dolls! ♥
What a fun play date idea. Looks like so much fun!
This is AWESOME! Faith is working on a Wild At Art party sale!