By Carrie Berk
About Carrie Berk
I’m an 8th grade Bar & Bat Mitzvah teen blogger for MitzvahMarket.com and live on the Upper East Side in NYC. I love fashion, soul cycle, theater, hanging out with friends, and cupcakes (I have a blog about them: www.facebook.com/PLCCupcakeClub). My Bat Mitzvah Project is for my dance teacher and friend, Elizabeth Maria Walsh, who died of a rare form of cancer at just 26 years old. Direct message me on Instagram (@carrieberkk) for information on how to donate, and follow me for more fun Bat Mitzvah photos!
Since my camp friend Hailey Levine is such a high-energy, outgoing, and fun-loving girl, I knew that her Bat Mitzvah would match her personality.
Hailey and Carrie
Hailey with her proud parents
She chose pink (her fave color) for the theme as well as the letter “H.” All her fellow Camp Hillard CITs got a big kick out of it and teased that the H was for Hillard!
When we first walked into the venue—Guastavino’s under the 59th Street Bridge in NYC—there was a huge poster of Hailey. So glam!
At the cocktail hour, we played a game called “Friendly Feud” where Hailey’s besties could answer trivia questions in teams. There was also a huge buffet serving a large variety of delicious foods, from sushi and sliders, to mozzarella sticks.
Signage included her name hung over the bar
Then it was time to go upstairs for the main party. I made a beeline for the Nail Art Bar. So cool! My friends and I had photos of our faces “painted” on our nails in less than 3 minutes!
There was a green-screen photo booth, and also a karaoke booth, where you could pick your favorite song and sing it with a friend. The best part: I got to take home a CD with the song to remember Hailey’s special day!
The boys surrounded the basketball hoops…and I have to admit, I shot a few as well.
After we danced and danced, we sat down to chill on white sofas and comfy chairs. I loved the giant “H” in the center of the lounge. Everything felt so special and customized for Hailey.
Hailey up in the chair for the horah
When it was time for dessert, they served vanilla and chocolate milkshakes. But I have to admit, I stole a bite of one of the adult’s plated chocolate lava cakes. It was sooo delicious!
Hailey’s cake was enormous and as beautiful as the Bat Mitzvah girl: pink, white, and gold details on multiple tiers. The inside was vanilla cake with milk chocolate icing, and my friends and I inhaled it!
For favors, Hailey chose grey hoodies and white beanies, all with a golden “H” emblazoned on them. Guess what I wore the next day?
As we left the party, guests were welcomed into a candy bar with sweets “to grab and go,” and invited to take home a slice from the pizza truck stationed outside.
I am so proud of Hailey and glad to have spent her incredibly beautiful Bat Mitzvah with her!
Vendors: Event Decor: Stefan Event Decor; Music Entertainment/Photo booth: Total Entertainment; Venue: Guastavinos;
Cake: Cakesbyandrea; Photographer: iNsYnc Photography; Party planner: Michelle Farber, mstudioevents; Dress: Mori Lee Sticks and Stones; Food Truck: Eddie’s Pizza Truck
Read more of Carrie’s blog posts:
Blog #1 here
Blog #2 here
Blog #3 here
Blog #4 here
