Birthday parties are my favorite thing to plan! I normally don’t plan big lavish parties for myself, but hey… you don’t turn 40 everyday. I wanted to plan a wonderful evening with friends and let them know how much I love them all! I highly recommend planning your OWN 40th birthday because it sure takes your mind off of getting older! ha.
The best part about having a September birthday is the weather. I have always wanted a pretty outdoor dinner party, so I moved just about every chair, plus a few of my neighbor’s chairs, into my backyard for the big night!
I hope you enjoy photos from my birthday party. Today, I’ve got a great giveaway and will have more giveaways with details about the party later this week. So be sure to check back again soon!
Outdoor Party Table
I did everything myself. Yes, I moved 30 chairs, about 5 tables and made most of the decor. My friends are SO worth it!!
I found some pretty vases and candles half off at Michaels, then bought grocery store flowers and paper lanterns for my table. I love bright colors so pink, orange and purple were a no brainer for this girly girl!
My centerpiece was branches from a tree, spray painted black with silly photos of myself. I wrapped the glass vase with ribbon to hide the bottom which had rice in it to hold the branches. I also designed little wine glass labels for each friend.
Gifts to Celebrate Friendships
My party was all about celebrating my friendships. It’s not very often that I see many of these women, so I wanted it to be a special night.
Each guest was surprised with a beautiful hand-stamped heart Vintage Pearl necklace on her plate. I love The Vintage Pearl! Check out their lovely jewelry here. Erin, the owner of The Vintage Pearl, was so sweet and also included a beautiful “Living Locurto” necklace for me as well! Thanks Erin!!
Gussy Sews made the most awesome party favors ever!!! Aren’t these bags adorable, fun and bright?
Gussy made these especially to match my party colors. I love seeing them all together. She make the most beautiful products. (Scroll down for a gift from Gussy!)
Dessert Table
It’s not a birthday party with dessert! My friend Christy from C-Star Cakes made me the MOST amazing cake ever!!
How fabulous is this cake?? It was chocolate of course. Thanks Christy for doing such a wonderful job!
I just bought simple mini cupcakes and added pretty flags to them.
Party Decorations
The party decorations are my FAVORITE part of planning parties!! I saw this picture tree on Pinterest from a wedding and thought it would be perfect for a milestone birthday party. I attached little sayings and photos of my friends. Some from long ago and some new.
I even made a chalkboard sign for the menu. I’ll show you how I did this later. It’s super easy!
My girlfriend made the best Sangria! Of course I had to have cute signs to go on the table:-)
It’s not a 40th birthday without a little silliness! Guest could help themselves to some gum and atomic fire ball candy!
(I’ll make these designs available for you soon!)
Outdoor Movie
For the after dinner entertainment, I created an outdoor movie theater in another part of my yard. Yep… more chairs to move! I sure got my workout that day! ha!
I set up my photography backdrop stand and projector. We watched Bridesmaids and had some fun laughs!
I snapped this photo during dinner so I could remember what a special night it was to be with such wonderful friends!
Thanks so much to all of you who came and made it so much fun!! I missed those of you who couldn’t be here. You might recognize Laurie from Tip Junkie on the left and my girlfriend D’Ann was great and took photos for me. Yay!
Party photos by Amy Locurto and D’Ann Wright.
Now, I have a party favor for you! A $100 Giveaway!
Because I couldn’t invite ALL OF YOU to my party, you can still get a party favor.
Gussy Sews is giving one lucky reader a $100 gift card to her shop! You can choose whatever you like. YAY!
Click here to enter the giveaway.
Stumbled upon your site tonight while semi watching tv. Love the sayings and designs. I’m turning 40 this coming sept 5 and wonder if they are available for downloading.
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Hi there!
I have a friend turning 40 next week. I love your printables for this party idea. Are they available to download?
Thanks! (and belated happy 40th!)
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I would love to use these designs for my upcoming 40th birthday party. Are they available yet?
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40th Birthday Party Ideas http://t.co/wjSjJPbT #party
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I think it would be perfect if you can dress up more formal like wearing prom dresses http://bit.ly/uhOeQt. But it was still impressived. Congrats!
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cool.
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What a gorgeous event this is. Looking at your pictures makes me want to attend. Love the cake, the theme, the necklace, everything. Well planned party! Belated!
Jarrod
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Are these designs up? I’d love to do the same!
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I’m turning 40 in 9 days, this is great inspiration – happy belated birthday!!!
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Happy 40th Birthday. You look amazing! @livinglocurto RT Bright and fun 40th Birthday Party Ideas http://t.co/BOVATrAi
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Amy – Happy 40th!!! And what an incredible party. I love the bright colors and the selection of colors. My friends and family are throwing me a 40th birthday and I forwarded them this link of your idea. What a great one. Are the printables available yet? Please let me know, I’d love to use your bright lively idea, as opposed to all the black that is out there to choose from. Thanks again for another bright idea! – Ronda
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Thanks for linking up Amy! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2011/im-lovin-it-wrap-up-great-ideas/
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
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Fabulous 40th birthday!! Amazing!
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This post was amazing, and the pictures were awesome. I’m trying to plan a first birthday party for my daughter in a few weeks and this gave me a few ideas. I’m not nearly as creative with making stuff myself as you are, but I think my wife can pull a few of these decorations off. The movie at home idea was fantastic too, we might have to try that for a future adult party. I tried getting people to send me ideas for the party on twitter, but all I got were some pretty wacky ones that are way out there, like this one, which i just posted on my site: http://daddybydefault.com/bad-birthday-party-ideas-2-dirty-diaper-pinata-2/
Anyway, thanks for the real ideas and decorations.
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40th Birthday Party Ideas: http://t.co/0gp0BF2O
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LOVE the colors & decor. Happy 40th!
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Fabulous!
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Awesome party. Such fun and what a gorgeous group of ladies. Can’t wait to celebrate mine in a few years! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Incredible and beautiful! You did a fabulous job. What a gorgeous group of friends! Thanks for the inspiration. I have a few years to go, but what a fun idea!!!
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What a beautiful evening you planned! I love the bright colors, SOO much more sophisticated and fun than a black and white 40th party. You have a real talent for party planning, Amy. The details are always fabulous–so glad you were able to celebrate YOU.
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Amy Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 8:27 am
@Adrienne in Ohio,
Thanks so much Adrienne!
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Looks like you had a wonderful birthday! You are so amazingly talented and I bet your friends had a wonderful time celebrating with you! God bless!
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Amy Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 8:27 am
@MissCaron,
Thanks for the birthday wishes:-)
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Love this 40th birthday party Living Locurto. Happy Birthday Amy!! http://t.co/zIBLHEOd
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From the looks of it, you had a super special day!
Couldn’t be much better with all your friends and family there, they can make everything special for us. Thanks for sharing your birthday photos! 
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40th Birthday Party Ideas | Living Locurto – Printables, Recipes …: Fun ideas for a 40th birthday party dinner… http://t.co/vDnBhvgV
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you did a fabulous job Amy! I wish I could have been there…..but I was in spirit!
I LOVE all the colors, the pictures of you all around, every little detail.
I LOVE that vintage pearl necklace!
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Amy Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 8:29 am
@TidyMom,
Wish you were there too!!
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