Wedding Rock!

One of the element's that I dreamed of incorporating in our wedding from the beginning of our planning was "rock". For those unfamiliar with this nostalgic British seaside treat, "rock" is a candy stick with words or pictures down the length of the stick. It comes in many flavors, but peppermint is the most classic. It's sold in beach resorts along the English coast and was the quintessential souvenir from your summer holiday. It was a favorite treat when I visited family in England or brought back by visiting friends. As my family is English, I incorporated English traditions throughout our wedding.

We started with a few companies in England but the cost of shipping was prohibitive. We were excited to find an artisan in Florida practicing the craft of rock making. Raley's Confectionary produced our rock and even sent great photos of the process. As you can see above, the large pieces of sugar in each color are pulled into long rods which are shaped into letters. The letters are then wrapped in more sugars before the log is pulled into long thin sticks. 

We placed the rock into tent cards which served as place cards for each of our guests. Our names throughout the rock were a sweet little surprise for our guests!

Hello, my name is ...

I had the pleasure of helping plan a baby shower for a great friend this past weekend. One of my contributions for the event was name tags for the guests. I love cute name tags for parties especially showers where many of the guests will not know each other. Not only do they help break the ice, but also make a great memento of the occasion. I have 6-7 hanging on my Christmas tree and love to remember the special event they were a part of.

Name tags also work great as place cards or escort cards depending on the occasion.

This weekend's shower had an ice cream theme so we had to have mini ice cream cones! Felt, pom poms and puffy paint chocolate sauce topped off with sprinkles and cherries. A simple card stock banner held each person's name.

These name tags are definitely not a boring sticker! These paper and ribbon flowers had leaves with the guest's name and relationship to the guest of honor.

 Name tags with a Mexican theme perfect for a Fiesta themed Bridal Shower.

Felt cows with paper straws were ready to celebrate at a milk and cookies Baby Shower.

Regardless of the theme, a cute name tag is something everyone will want to wear!

 

Happy 60th Birthday!

This weekend we hosted a fabulous Birthday party for a very special woman, my mother! It was an honor to celebrate her 60th Birthday with an al fresco Tuscan Dinner Party.

 

The scene was set on the back deck ... rich, vibrant fall colors of rust, crimson, gold, purple and brown carried through from the mums to the table centerpieces. Large bulb lights were strung high giving the air of street festival.

 



 

Alternating chairs were draped with coordinating pashminas which served to break the chill for the female guests and favors at the end of the evening.

 

 

 

 

The table was set with bright, crisp white linens, white plates and then a colorful centerpiece that ran the length of the table. Silk sunflowers, berries, and fall leaves were accented with pilar candles and twinkling lights. Each place setting was accented with a colorful menu outlining the culinary delights of the evening.

 

 

A bar stand greeted guests with a glass of red or white Italian wine upon arrival.

 

 

The Pastry Chef puts the finishing touches on the Birthday cake - perfectly decorated to fit the theme of the evening.

 

Twenty guests joined us to celebrate the guest of honor.

 

After dinner, we sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed delicious cake!

The first course was a trio of antipasti: Tuscan bruschetta, fresh fig with goat cheese and honey and a medley of marinated vegetables. The second course was fried ravioli with tomato drizzle and shaved parmesan.

 

The main course featured cornish game hens with vin santo and chestnuts, risotto and roasted baby vegetables.

 A fun panoramic shot of the table to end the post. Click the photo to view larger.

 



 

 

What's black and white and red all over?

A penguin themed Valentine's Day party!

These penguins are ready to party and celebrate the season of love. Check out the fun details of this table scape and check back next week for more party elements and DIY tutorials.

Decorations included black and white penguins on parade, red and white mailboxes ready to recieve valentines and lots of black and white ribbon details.

Each place setting was decorated with a coordinating party hat, penguin cup and heart.

Handsewn heart bean bags serve as decoration for each place setting and a cute take home favor.

Thanksgiving Tablescape

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Here are some shots of our Thanksgiving table decor. Homespun theme with burlap, ric rack and felt - inspiration came from felt leaf place mats and candle holders spotted at on a recent antique shopping trip.

Beware of Samhainophobia!

The invitations read as a warning ...

"Beware those who suffer from Samhainophobia (fear of Halloween) or Deipnophobia (fear of dinner conversation) because we're planning a dinner party with a Phobia theme - sorry to those diagnosed with Phobophia (fear of phobias)! Please plan ahead if you have Cibophobia (fear of food) because there will be delicious food and good company. Regardless of your Maskaphobia (fear of masks) costumes are highly recommended."

And party was definitely not for the faint of heart! A celebration of phobia and the objects of fear from spiders to death, this dinner party had something to instill fear in every guest!

The decor was inspired by an imagined "museum of phobia" which a variety of specimens! The table was full of jars, apothecary bottles and bell jars with snakes, spiders, bats, slimy eggs and potions. Place settings were black and white with skull and crossbone plates and black chargers.

 The room continued the Museum of Phobia theme. Each shelf was a "mini exhibit" based on a different phobia.

Each food item was based on a different phobia as well! Appetizers included a melon skull with prosciutto inspired by Necrophobia, fear of death; mushroom tarts for Mycrophobia, fear of mushrooms; and a cheese platter for Melissaphobia, fear of bees.

 I'll post the complete menu tomorrow!

Favors were white "spider web" cotton candy in honor of arachnophobia! 

 The party hosts!