Soiree :: halloween + chili cook off

 This weekend we hosted a chili cook-off and Halloween party for the kiddos.  The kiddos didn't disappoint, we had a watermelon, an ice cream cookie sandwich, a ninja turtle, & the little Man went as a mad scientist.  Playing off his costume, I created a mini dessert bar around the concept of a mad scientist's laboratory.  The dessert bar featured candy, 'bones' (pretzels with mini marshmallows dipped in white chocolate), and delicious smores dip.  Guests could take home their treats in mini treat bags that read 'Organs for Transplant'. The laboratory came alive with custom signs, a page from a vintage neuroanatomy textbook, skulls, vials, a doll's face in a mason jar, and a fake heart under a bell jar that sat on top of a copy of Grey's Anatomy (the text book not the TV show). 

 The chili bar included fries (for chili cheese fries), baked potatoes, cornbread, Fritos (for chili cheese nachos in a bag), mini corn dog muffins, cheese, chives, and cream cheese.  Everyone voted on their favorite chili based on the following categories: flavor, aroma, texture, and color, and the winner walked away with the coveted golden spatula.  I added burlap, red plaid, and golden pumpkins to the table to add fall colors and textures, and used wired baskets and a pail as serving baskets to add a rustic feel. It was such a fun way to celebrate fall with our friends, I can't wait to do it again next year!

{Chili Bar sign via}



Chicago Indian Wedding

I love when I get to share weddings of the people I love.  My cousin, Jasmin, married her Mister this past March, and their wedding, captured by Almond Leaf Studios, is featured on Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book.  Jasmin did an amazing job creating a vintage ambiance to their traditional Indian wedding, and the 3 days of wedding festivities were so much fun.  And today we are sharing her travel themed bridal shower on rnlMusings.  Don't they make such a cute couple?  And to see these two love birds in action, you can checkout their wedding trailer below. 

Jasmin + Chan | chicago wedding film from David Whitlow Photography on Vimeo.

Soiree :: Travel Themed Bridal Shower

Today I am sharing my cousin's "Love is a Journey" travel themed bridal shower.  You can catch her beautiful wedding featured on Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book.  Since her fiancee is from London, and they met in Barcelona, and they've since traveled all over Europe, it made perfect sense to throw them a travel themed shower.  The shower featured vintage elements such as the par avion envelope boarders, vintage suitcases, crates, and  a boarding pass invitation.  Guests 'checked in' at the guest book table, where they took Polaroids with the bride-to-be, and as they left they stopped by the 'baggage claim' where individual wine bottle favors with luggage tags awaited them.  The cuisine was an international spread with wine parings, as indicated by arrows on a chalkboard runner, and beverages were served at the 'in flight beverage service station'.  And for dessert, her sister who is a phenomenal baker made international cupcakes, featuring the flags of the different countries that represented something special in their relationship.  It was such a fun and festive shower for such a wonderful couple. 

Vintage & Rustic Rehearsal Dinner

So the BIL (brother-in-law) and soon to be sister-in-law are hosting a welcome dinner this Friday before their wedding ceremonies.  Their welcome dinner is being hosted by extended family, and they have a beautiful outdoor space, which is perfect for the couple's rustic and vintage theme.  Imagine hay bales as seating around a bonfire, old whiskey barrels as high boys or the base for a smores bar, and drinks stations with mason jars for friends and family to toast the happy couple.  With any vintage and rustic theme natural elements play a big role.  Raw wood (barrels, and directional signage); jute, burlap, and twine (as table runners, or wrapped around tins or mason jars); cotton balls (as decor); vintage glass bottles (as decor or centerpieces).  Classic treats like spiked lemonade, iced tea, smore, and pies add the vintage element, and we love the idea of relabeling beer bottles your own brand of moonshine.  Create an interactive drink station using the beer bottles as a ring toss, where guests get a chance to wine a prize (or a drink) if they get a ring around a bottle.  This is a great alternative to corn holes, and adds the element of old school traveling carnivals.  Finally, add modern conveniences like an outdoor station with cool towels, shawls, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent for guests to stay comfortable.  

{Photo Credits: Top Row: Wood Signs, Drink Station; Second Row: Favor Jars, Bonfire, Barrel Table; Last Row: Baby's Breathe Centerpiece, Pie Bar, Glass Bottles, Cotton}

Old World Charm Baby Shower

Love this gorgeous baby shower with old world charm.  Complete with china and Persian rugs, this lovely baby shower featured gorgeous centerpieces, tulle, sparkle linens, and a biscuit bar.  A beautiful shower for a beautiful baby girl to be.

{photos via Grey Likes Baby}

Vintage Holiday Party

I adore this red vintage holiday party, that's both a little bit rustic and a little big glamorous.  Natural elements like berries, raffia, and pine cones are married beautifully with gold and glitter in this lovely holiday party.  Love the paper goods, me too, and you can download them for free here. 

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Stunning Vintage Bridal Shower

There are so many reasons I love this vintage & modern bridal shower.  Vintage suitcases, dresser drawers filled with goodies, scrabble letters, Chevron patterns, bling and pink peonies, oh my!  The first word that comes to mind is gorgeous, romantic, and delicious.  The gray, pink, sparkles, and chevron play perfectly together so that it's both visually stunning and romantic.  And I love the little details of this shower from the tiara, to the hand made paper rosettes, and beautiful seating areas and gift station.  The ladies at Modern Moment Design are amazing and did a beautiful job styling this shower.

{photos via Hostess with the Mostess}