food and parties

"The pink circus came to town for my daughter Marguerite's second birthday!" says Anne Ligeard Murat of New York-based children's party, paper, and gift site Clafoutis. "My daughter is very mischievous. She is full of energy and always trying bold acrobatics at the playground. In French we use the expression 'Marguerite fait le cirque,' meaning she is creating her own circus. She also loves pink, so voilà — we had our theme!"

While undoubtedly a kiddie affair, Anne put her stylish, sophisticated spin on the party, incorporating designer fabrics, a custom artwork, a beautiful cake topper, and vintage-y tutus, which she sells in her shop. There's much to love at this soiree (photographed by Violaine Rogasik), but young Marguerite definitely had a favorite element. "Her cake!" Anne says. "She loves chocolate, so we had a chocolate ganache with drizzling chocolate on top. Of course, she also loved the attention when everybody wished her happy birthday!" Keep clicking to see all the chic circus details.

Inspired by her daughter Ella's love for the newest Disney film Brave, Hana Lynch, a mom, blogger, and photographer, created a whimsical fifth birthday party that appeals to the inner rebel-princess in all of us. "I wanted the party table to evoke a sense of being within the enchanting forest that Merida encounters during her adventure," Hana says. "I created this feeling using natural elements like moss and tree stumps to display the food. The light-up 'wisps' gave it a magical touch." Add in an incredible cake; gender-neutral activities including a "haggis" toss, archery, and design-your-own coats of arms; and one adorable birthday girl, and you have one adventurous birthday bash! Keep clicking for all the incredible details.

Gear up for a sugar rush, because today is National Doughnut Day and we found eight recipes to celebrate. Commemorating the men and women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I, National Doughnut Day has been celebrated every first Friday of June since 1938. Preferring to ditch the fried (we're trying to be semi-healthy here!) we found baked recipes the kids will go crazy for. Stick with the classic or wow them with Oreos — today is a holiday, and you're about to make their morning!

Hey mama, turn your go-to pasta dishes into a Summer staple with these seasonal recipes. With the weather heating up, we found lighter versions of kid favorites that are perfect for pool parties, picnics, and BBQs. Better yet, these recipes are anything but from the box; they are made using healthy, seasonal ingredients that will make both you and the little ones happy. Between a "cool" mac and cheese to a colorful pasta salad, these recipes will have them asking for seconds without a sweat!

Pack for a picnic and head to the park; it's time for an adventure. The quintessential Summer activity (at least according to the movies), we found everything you need to make a picnic with the kids fun and memorable. Leaving nothing out, we've included it all, from easy recipes to outdoor toys the little ones are sure to love. Click through and start planning — this is the ultimate picnic checklist!

You can't have Summer potlucks, picnics, and holidays without pie, so we've rounded up nine sensational family pie recipes. From a no-bake ice cream pie to an American classic cherry pie, these easy recipes will help your family have your tastiest Summer yet!

The whole world seems to be on a quinoa kick (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has officially declared 2013 as "The International Year of the Quinoa"), so why not get your kids in on the nutrient-rich, high-protein fun? One of the best parts of quinoa is that it takes on the flavors of the food it's prepared with, making it the perfect complement to both sweet and savory recipes that will appeal to kids, including everything from meatballs and burritos to pancakes and cookies. Gluten-free, easy-to-prepare, and filling, quinoa might just be our favorite superfood of the moment, and after preparing these awesome kid-friendly recipes, your kids will most likely feel the same!

We're becoming more and more charmed by gender reveal parties, which lead themselves to so many cute and clever ideas for decor and treats. But this shower, set up by one of our favorite event designers Jesi Haack, proves that the gender-reveal concept doesn't have to be the center of your affair. In fact, if you want to create a bit of a spoiler (or throw your guests off track) by throwing a hot pink gender reveal party, by all means, go for it! Jesi, along with super florist JL Designs, baker extraordinaire Sweet and Saucy, and the paper princesses at Posh Paperie, created a bold, beautiful party, celebrating the relaunch of awesome party website Hostess With the Mostess, where gender reveal was just one more exciting element. Keep clicking to check out all the stylish details.

Mom-to-be Kim Kardashian has a big weekend on the horizon, with both her lavish LA baby shower and the season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians happening this Sunday.

Even if you didn't receive one of the elaborate ballerina music box invitations to Sunday's shower, check out 10 gift ideas that would suit the expectant Ms. Kardashian (and her superstar beau)'s baby-on-board just perfectly. And for a look back at Kim K's most memorable maternity looks, click here!