Earlier this year, in July 2024, we held a movie night featuring Disney’s Moana, one of our family’s favorite films. When the scene with baby Moana appeared on screen, I couldn’t help but laugh at the resemblance to our own little Olivija—the hair, her playful expressions, and those wobbly first steps! With her first birthday approaching, I knew we had to make it a Moana-themed celebration.

We kept the party small, just family, but I wanted to add some special touches to make it memorable. So, I decided to make a Moana costume for Olivija by hand, using simple materials and a bit of creativity. Here’s how you can create a similar costume, along with some decorating tips that brought the theme to life.

What You’ll Need:

• Red fabric (about 50 cm) for the top
• White fabric (about 50 cm) for the skirt
• White pearls or small shells for decorating the top
• Large shells for decorating and photo props
• White frangipani flower for the hair accessory
• Needle and thread (or a sewing machine, if available)
• Paper and scissors for the Moana symbol template

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

I started by picking up 50 cm each of red and white fabric. You don’t need much for a baby’s costume! Though I had initially hoped to find tiny shells to decorate the top, I couldn’t locate any locally, so I opted for white pearls instead, which worked perfectly. If you can’t find shells, any small white beads or pearls will do.

Step 2: Create the Moana Top

Cut the Red Fabric: Measure and cut the red fabric to fit your baby’s torso, making sure it’s snug but comfortable. I shaped it as a simple rectangle to create Moana’s signature bandeau-style top.

Sew the Fabric Together: I hand-sewed the edges together, securing them tightly so Olivia could wear it comfortably.

Add Pearl Embellishments: Sew small white pearls (or shells if available) along the top and bottom edges for that island-inspired look. The pearls add a beautiful texture and sparkle, creating a beachy, tropical effect.

Step 3: Make the Skirt with the White Fabric

Find White Shorts as a Base: To create the skirt, I used a simple pair of white shorts as the base. It’s a practical solution that keeps the costume comfy for your little one.

Attach the White Fabric: Cut the white fabric into a rectangle to wrap around the shorts like a skirt overlay. Hand-sew or machine-stitch it onto the waistband of the shorts.

Add Moana’s Symbol: For the signature Moana spiral symbol, I created a small paper template, traced it onto the fabric, and cut it out. Since we were staying at a weekend house far from town, I made do with what was available and stitched the symbol onto the white skirt by hand.

Step 4: Craft the Flower Hair Accessory

I had found a white frangipani accessory earlier in the year and knew it would be perfect for Olivija’s costume. I didn't have a pink one as in cartoon but white one did the trick. If you can’t find a pre-made flower, you could create one by cutting flower shapes out of firm fabric or felt, layering them, and stitching or gluing them together. Secure the flower to a small hair clip or headband.

Step 5: Set the Scene for Photos

To enhance the Moana theme, I collected large shells as props for a beachy vibe. They turned out to be a hit with Olivija and her brothers! Olivija loved playing with them while I snapped plenty of adorable photos. Large shells or starfish make fantastic and affordable decorations that also double as toys and props for pictures.

Step 6: The Finishing Touch: A Moana-Themed Cake

No themed party is complete without a matching cake! We ordered a Moana-inspired cake, and as soon as the party began, Olivija, Artur, and Mateo couldn’t contain their excitement. The costume, the decorations, and the cake brought the theme to life, making it a magical day for our little “live” Moana.

Tips for Crafting Your Own Moana Costume:

• No Sewing Machine? No Problem! I made the costume by hand-stitching, which worked well. If you have access to a sewing machine, it’ll make the process faster, but hand-sewing works just as well for this simple outfit.
• Alternative Decorations: If you can’t find small shells, white pearls or beads give a similar beachy effect.
• Frangipani Alternatives: If you can’t find a frangipani flower accessory, you can make a DIY flower using white and yellow felt or fabric.
• Take Advantage of Nature: Large shells or even tropical-looking plants add a fantastic decorative touch without much cost.

Creating Olivija’s Moana costume and decorating for her birthday was an absolute joy. Watching her toddle around in her outfit with her brothers cheering on their “live Moana” made it a day we’ll never forget. I hope these steps and tips help you create your own magical themed celebration—no professional skills needed, just a little creativity and love! 😊✨

I've always loved arts and crafts, even though I never became proficient in any artistic discipline. When my son Artur's 1st birthday approached in 2018, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to dive back into my passion for crafting and decorating.

Embracing Brazilian Pool Party Traditions

Inspired by Brazilian "chácara" traditions—where families of all ages gather for barbecue, swimming, music, and fun—I decided to create a similar vibrant and joyous atmosphere for Artur's birthday. My husband’s family loves barbecues, swimming pools, and good food, which greatly influenced our theme choice.

Choosing the Perfect Hawaii Theme

We rented a house with a pool styled in Brazilian fashion in my home place in Niš in Serbia, perfect for our Hawaiian-inspired celebration. The "Hawaii theme" felt ideal, blending tropical vibes with the lively energy of a pool party. To bring the theme to life, we ordered a lovely Maui cake that became the centerpiece of our decorations.

Decorating with Love and Creativity

Decorating was a delightful challenge. Here’s how we transformed our space:

• Finding Unique Décor: It wasn’t easy to find a cane-like board to print Artur’s name, but after visiting a large decoration store, we found the perfect pieces.
• Floral Accents: We purchased little flowers to wear around our necks and to adorn the tables, adding a touch of natural beauty to the setup.
• Tropical Fruits: Incorporating tropical fruits not only enhanced the décor but also served as a fresh and vibrant addition to our menu.
• Cocktail Menus: I created a selection of tropical cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to complement the festive atmosphere.

Creating a Festive Menu

Our menu was a celebration of tropical flavors:

• Maui Cake: The beautifully decorated Maui cake was a hit, drawing everyone's eyes and appetites. I ordered it from the local patisserie Dela Bosa —a chocolate cake adorned with pineapples. I added a personal touch by designing the cake decoration myself and asking the lady to create it exactly as I envisioned.
• Tropical Fruits: Fresh pineapple, mangoes, and coconuts added a colorful and healthy touch to our food offerings.
• Cocktails: Tropical cocktails, including piña coladas and mojitos, were available alongside non-alcoholic options like fruit punch and coconut water.

The Day of the Party

The party was a memorable day that lasted about five hours. Artur enjoyed his special day, even though he napped for two hours, blissfully unaware of the lively festivities around him. We had fun decorating, laughed together, listened to great music from Moana, and enjoyed the company of family and friends.

Simple Steps to Create Your Own Maui-Themed Party

If you loved the idea of a Maui-themed birthday party, it’s easy and fun to recreate! Here are some simple steps to get you started:

Choose a Vibrant Color Palette: Incorporate tropical colors like teal, coral, and sunny yellow to set the mood.

Incorporate Tropical Decorations: Use flowers, palm leaves, and tropical fruits to decorate your space, creating an authentic island vibe.

Themed Cake: Order or bake a cake with a Maui or Hawaii design to serve as the centerpiece of your celebration.

DIY Decorations: Create simple crafts like paper leis, tropical cocktail menus, and decorative table settings to add personal touches.

Music and Entertainment: Play upbeat tropical music and include activities like a mini dance floor or a photo booth with fun props to keep guests entertained.

Final Thoughts

With a bit of creativity and enthusiasm, you can craft a memorable and joyous celebration for your loved ones. Embrace the tropical spirit, enjoy the process, and most importantly, have fun creating beautiful memories together. 🌴🎂

Before starting my story, take a look at this adorable manga-style drawing of a couple that I created using AI prompts here Artbreeder. I didn’t manage to make it look like us at all.🤷‍♀️ BUT It looks amazing and it is great what we can do nowadays and all the possibilities available! ✨

Serbian by birth, I have always been deeply passionate about languages and embarked on a continuous journey of self-discovery through exploring the world. From a young age, I was captivated by the melody of French, which led me on a path that transformed my life in unexpected and beautiful ways.

A Passion for Language and Travel

My love affair with languages began as a child, with French being my first love. Studying English alongside French, I became fluent in both, eventually majoring in French. Driven to perfect my skills, I started traveling at 19, each trip an opportunity to immerse myself deeper into the languages I adored.

By 23, I added Spanish to my repertoire, which opened doors to a whole new world. I became a French teacher and worked as a freelance translator and reviewer. Always eager to challenge myself, I began exploring Portuguese, intrigued by its similarities to Spanish. In 2015, I tried out some language apps to start learning Brazilian Portuguese—a decision that would set the stage for one of the most significant meetings of my life.

Our Unlikely Beginning

In 2015, my now-husband messaged me, hoping to practice his French. I replied briefly, but our conversation faded out until April 2016, when I decided to reply again, just before a planned trip to Prague. Our exchange instantly captivated me. We spoke about philosophy, and then he sent a recording of himself playing guitar and singing—a moment I remember vividly. His charm and openness intrigued me, and I was drawn to his thoughtful spirit.

The first time we met over video, I was immediately struck by his warmth, his deep love for the French language, and his dedication to learning the piano. Language could have been a barrier—his French was limited, and he didn’t speak English, so we began communicating in Portuguese. The challenge only added to the excitement, and we would spend hours talking, connecting deeply in our conversations.

Falling in Love Despite the Differences

When we met in person in August 2016, everything fell into place. Despite coming from different worlds—me, a Serbian with a fair complexion, and him, a Brazilian of mixed heritage—our bond felt natural and right. He’s quieter and more introverted, while I tend to be more outgoing, but we share the same values, which makes all the difference.

Incredibly, after just 10 days together, he asked me to marry him. I remember feeling both thrilled and scared; the pace and intensity of our connection felt almost surreal. But he was so calm and understanding, listening to each of my fears without a trace of impatience. That calmness, his readiness to listen deeply and offer advice, is one of the things I love most about him. From the beginning, he has been my rock, always there to support and encourage me.

I wondered how my family would react, but to my joy, they welcomed him warmly. We quickly realized we were a “perfect mismatch.” We may not look alike or come from similar backgrounds, but our differences make us stronger together. We share values, make decisions swiftly, and are always aligned on what’s important.

Building a Family Together

Our three children, Artur, Mateo, and Olivija, each carry a unique blend of our backgrounds. Artur, with his brown skin, has sparked some curious looks and even a few misguided comments in public. But these moments have only reinforced my conviction that love and family go far beyond appearances.

I’m grateful to see the world growing more open-minded, with interracial and international families like ours becoming more accepted. While some may see our differences at first glance, we see a powerful bond built on shared dreams, values, and trust.

A Perfect Mismatch

We didn’t match on paper or by appearance, but I couldn’t have chosen a better partner to share this life. He is my friend and the person I can rely on through every journey. Even our son Artur, though only seven, occasionally teases us by saying, “Serbia and Brazil do not go well together,” then laughs and adds, “but it is over right now.” His innocent humor is a reminder that, while we may come from different worlds, our family is beautifully whole.

Our story is proof that sometimes, love finds us where we least expect it—beyond similarities, in the depths of shared dreams.