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}



Soiree :: Fashion Show Themed Baby Shower, Part 2

When we were brainstorming for this fashion show/brand launch themed shower we knew there were certain elements we wanted to capture, so that guests felt as though they were at an exclusive event.  We transformed our friend's loft into a pink boutique oasis.  Complete with a backdrop and runway featuring the "brand" logo, goodie bags lining each side of the runway, and a designer chair for the guest of honor.  We transformed the fireplace into a baby boutique with pink, black, and white clothes hung with glittered clothes pins.  And framed "Vogue" magazine covers featuring our gorgeous mommy-to-be and the "brand" to create a feature wall.  We had guests take polaroids with the guest of honor that they then added to the guest book/ brand look book and left a message for the mommy-to-be.   The look book was completed with sketches of baby clothes, fabric and color swatches, and handwritten design ideas.  And as requested by the mommy-to-be the books that guest brought were featured on another table.  We also had stations where guests designed a page of a fashion themed alphabet book, so that the new babe could learn her fashion ABC's, as well as a design your own headband station.  In addition to the usual baby shower games, guests played the celebrity fashion version of  "The Price is Right", and the wining team took home pink nail polish.  And each guest went home with a reusable pink shopping tote, which fit the theme perfectly.  As a finishing touch we created event staff lanyards for all the ladies that were hosting the shower with an extra special one for the mommy-to-be, and encouraged guests to Instagram/Tweet using the hash tags we created.  It was such a fun afternoon, with everything coming together perfectly, all for a very special mommy-to-be!

Soiree :: Fashion Show Themed Baby Shower

Today we're sharing the foodie aspects of the fashion themed baby shower we threw our gorgeous friend.  With a pink, black, and white color palette and ombre accents this gorgeous shower came together perfectly, thanks to the hard work of several amazing ladies.    The food table featured a pink ombre balloon wall, which really popped off the exposed brick wall.  Mirroring the pink ombre balloon wall was the gorgeous cake, with ruffles, and the phrase "Little Toes, Meets High Fashion".   On the menu: mini cupcake push pops, cucumber tea sandwiches  yogurt parfaits, rosemary potato muffins, mini quiches, deviled eggs, a munchkin topiary, and the main event: a waffle bar.  The waffle bar featured fruits, nuts, honey, chocolate, maple syrup, caramel sauce, nutella, jams, and whip cream.   Hop over to rnlMusings to see the fashion week inspire invitations we created for the shower. 

Soiree :: Fashion Show Themed Baby Shower

I'll be sharing the baby shower we hosted for our adorable friend Payal tomorrow, but first, the fabulous invites.  As the fashionista in our group of friends, we decided to throw her a fashion/brand launch themed shower.  The brand, the nickname she gave her adorable bump.  Inspired by a Chanel invite for fashion week, we created these invites complete with VIP passes, social media hash tags, and a request for books in leiu of cards.  We created these invites using A7 half moon enclosures  and envelopes from Paper-Source.

Girly Black and Gold

Love this color combination for the holidays.  It's perfect for the multitude of holiday soirees this season!



{Kate Spade iPhone Case | Regalia Dress |  Alexander Wang Prisma Flat Pouch | Jcrew Tuxedo Bows Bracelet | JCrew Starburst Bracelet}



Green and Black Engagement Party

Today's feature is the engagement party of my brother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law, captured by the talented Mike Fan.  We decided that,since he is a pharmacists and she is a soon to be optometrist, that we would play off their occupations in fun ways.  Thus the prescription bottle escort cards that doubled as favors filled with Jelly Bellys, and the Snellen eye chart that doubled as table numbers.  So excited for the both of them, and we can't wait to celebrate their wedding!

{photos via Mike Fan}