nina is ninety
This is my grandmother, and this is my favorite photo of her. It also happens to be the photo she gave my grandfather when they were dating. "To Bob: With all my love, Nina" He liked it too. They were married for over 60 years. My grandfather passed away five years ago, but grandma is still chugging along.
My aunts decided to throw grandma a big party for her 90th birthday. We sent out save the dates, using another favorite photo of mine, back when she was a young mother of three. Somehow she still managed to look amazing (I'm loving the dress, the necklace, the hair.. so beautiful, my grandmother).
The invites featured three different photos of grandma, when she was a young girl with her pixie cut, when she was in high school, and on her 25th wedding anniversary (still gorgeous, and that was while raising 10 children!).
We decorated with more old photos, with paper circles in different sizes and shades of green. Just punch a hole in each side and thread onto some embroidery thread.
Instead of a guest book, we printed out cards with different photos from grandma's life.. (there are so many beautiful old photos of my grandma, this seemed like a nice way to showcase them). As people came to the door we asked them to take a minute and write a quick note to Nina.
And then we hung them from green embroidery thread with paper clips. It was fun to watch the wall grow as the party went on and to see all the photos there together... a life in pictures. We'll make these into an album after the party so grandma can read through them whenever she likes.
My favorite note, from a boy who grew up with my grandmother. "Nina - If I had been five years older, Bob wouldn't have had a chance." (Bob, of course, is my grandfather. And yes Don, I'm afraid you missed out!)
01.26.2010
Reader Comments (72)
I love the Note to Nina cards. My daughter is turning one and I think it would be sweet to do that for her. Hopefully she can enjoy them when she is 90! Do you mind sharing where you got them printed at or if there is template you would share! :)
I am new to your blog, but I have already found so much inspiration on your site! Thanks for sharing!
What a truly beautiful way to honour your grandmother. All the loving detail that has gone into the preparation for her party shows her how much you all care. Beautiful. And stylish! Lovely.
Hi Brooke! What a lovely tribute to your Grandma! I love all the details. Thank you for sharing all the great details.
Do you have any photos of her now? I would LOVE to see one!
this idea is so...wonderful!!
i hope, someone would do this for me on my 90th birthday.
That is so beautiful, it's given me chills! Such a wonderful way to celebrate what appears to have been an amazing life! And still going on of course! She must have been so pleased
This is so sweet and beautiful. It just made me cry a little thinking about how much it must of meant to your grandmother. Good work.
how amazing! she is quite beautiful & makes me wonder how she {and many other women} did it...raising ALL of those children while looking so beautiful and put together?! thank you for sharing...I can feel the love that she was given. happy birthday to her!
wow! what a beautiful and thoughtful celebration of a very special woman! thanks so much for sharing!!
Brooke--It was a great 90th for Nina (my Mom) but a big part of what made it nice was our resident graphic designer--you. Thanks for all you do (including the album you made but didn't mention) Dad
Congratulation to Nina! Ninety is awesome!!!
What a wonderful way to honor such a stylish, fantastic lady. I'm sure she was absolutely thrilled...
This post really makes me miss my Nana, who passed away in 2008. She was another sassy, spirited woman with great style.
Oh, B! It looks wonderful! Have we told you "thank you" lately? You better be alive when I turn ninety.
this is so, so awesome. Well done.
This is amazingly adorable!!!!!!
wow!
This is such inspiration. My Grandmother will be 83 in April. I think I'll email my Aunt and see if there are plans for a soiree in her honor. And then, I think I'll take some of the inspiration garnered here and create a photo wall for her.
Thanks for sharing this!
This is all so cool. I loved every picture, the decorations, and the notes to your grandmother. It's all so thoughtful, unique and beautiful - all at the same time. Makes me miss my grandmother even more than I do.
Thanks for sharing!
What great ideas! My grandmother is turning 80 this summer. You've inspired me to share some ideas for the party!
This is SO cool. I love what you've created for this event! Wow. So meaningful & special. I am totally bookmarking all of your work on this as inspiration for the future. :)
And - the book is amazing too. Such a pretty layout.
Love love this !! no seriously I adore this whole thing!! I specially love the cards!