October 06, 2017

TWINK + SIS HALLOWEEN DINNER PARTY

October 06, 2017/ Laurén

It's spooky season! We were so thrilled to have our Halloween dinner party featured on ELLE Decor. Today, I'm so excited to share even more images and details from our Halloween celebration with you.

THE DESIGN: We wanted to create a stylish and dramatic Halloween dinner party for the adult set. Something fun and festive, without losing the beauty of a sophisticated dinner party.

The first two key elements of our table were the black flatware and the Jarrahdale (light grey/green) pumpkins. Those two elements were actually the jumping off point for the whole design.

We purchased the pumpkins from a local pumpkin patch and they really made the table. We knew from the start that we wanted to forgo orange and do something a little more unusual. We were completely in love with these pumpkins and just wanted to cover every inch of the table in them.

Once we had settled on black and the pumpkins being key aspects, that dictated everything else as we moved forward. We added light grey plates, flowers in deep red/purples as another contrast to the lighter colors, and smokey brown (goblets) to finish it off. We also thought that using classic silver for candlesticks, vases and goblets, added a perfect moody touch.

We have a rule to always use fresh elements, wherever possible — even at our kids' parties. Whether it be pumpkins, flowers or evergreens, having an abundance of fresh, seasonal items really creates the most beautiful effect.

The plate decorations are actually chestnuts! We really wanted to have the flowers be a bit spooky and unusual. So when we came across these little brown monsters, we knew they would be the perfect unexpected addition to the table.

We loved the glass cloches. We placed some of the black birds, branches and the chestnuts under them. They created a great eerie vibe.

Make the most of your investment: Load up on heirloom pumpkins. Not only do they make great party decor, but they will keep your home festive all the way through Thanksgiving!

THE COCKTAIL: Our signature drink for the evening was “The Darkest Night.” It consisted of fresh muddled blackberries, bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup, topped off with sparking water. It was like a Halloween soda for grown-ups.

THE DESSERT: The cake was created by Whisk & Whittle. It was a two-tierd (gluten-free) chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. She created the spiders from marzipan and the web from spun sugar.

CREDITS:

Party Concept, Design, Cocktail & Florals: Twink + Sis

Photography: Sarina Cass of Red Anchor Photo

Cake: Whisk and Whittle

Tabletop sourced from: Borrowed Blu

Flatware: Classic Party Rentals

Candles: Yummi Candles

Skull & Blackbirds: Pottery Barn

Pumpkins: Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

June 01, 2017

VINTAGE CAMPING BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR BRIXTON'S 3RD BIRTHDAY

June 01, 2017/ Laurén

We love going all-out for our kiddos' birthdays. Since Brixton is such a huge Beatles and 1960’s classic rock fanatic, I was really inspired to create a celebration really tailored to his personality and interests, despite the fact that we had decided to have the party at a farm! With summer just around the corner I thought it would be really fun to create a vintage-inspired camping party.

We served a camping breakfast of breakfast burritos, banana-blueberry muffins, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. Campers sipped on fresh-squeezed orange juice and organic lemonade, as well as cold brew coffee for the grown-ups. Camping wouldn’t be complete without s’mores, so we added a “breakfast twist” by serving S’mores donuts, along with banana birthday cake -- topped with woodland animals, a mini canoe and fresh greens.

I had a lot of fun scouring flea markets and eBay for the vintage camping and summer camp items. We made our own table linens and napkins from various plaid and army green material purchased at the fabric store. I wanted to add a fresh element as well, so we added greens in tin cans, as well as leather-wrapped bunches, to the tables.

Underwood Family Farms is so beautiful and well maintained. There is so much for kids to do there. It completely takes care of the entertainment and activity aspect of the party, which is why we chose to have it there.

Credits:

Concept, Design & Drinks: Twink + Sis

Photographer: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Food: Hungry Bear Catering

Cake & S’mores Donuts: Whisk & Whittle

Signage (“Camp Brixton”): A Dapper Line

Greens: Iris & Daughter

Location: Underwood Family Farms

Vintage Camping Gear/Decor: Local Flea Market + Ebay

Plates, Bowls, Forks & Spoons: Leafware

Cups: Susty Party

Cake Stands: Aheirloom

Cake Toppers: Animals - Shleich - Mini Canoe - Ebay

Wooden Trays: West Elm

Stainless Steel Drink Dispensers: CB2

Glass OJ Bottles: Sur La Table

Binocular Favors: Shindigz

Table Linens/Napkins: DIY from Joann

Brixton’s Tank Top: Oeuf

Brixton’s Pants: Zara Kids

Brixton’s Shoes: Converse

June 01, 2017

PICNIC BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JUSTJARED.COM FOUNDER, JARED ENG

June 01, 2017/ Laurén

Left to right: Laurén LaRocca (Twink + Sis), Jared Eng (JustJared), Marlan Willardson (Twink + Sis)

We designed a picnic birthday party for JustJared founder, Jared Eng. Jared wanted a masculine and refined picnic party and we were all for it! Our goal was to make his guests feel like they were at a real, park-like picnic, with fun games and activities, but with elevated food and decor. Brace yourself for tons of photos (we had a hard time narrowing down on this one -- too many details!!!) and endless summer party inspiration!!

All photos by Sarina Cass of Red Anchor Photo.

Doing a birthday party for a man is something that we don’t get to do very often! We wanted to make it really festive and celebratory, yet sophisticated. So we really played up woods and fresh greens as our main focus. The food table was covered in wood crates, boxes and trays — the continuity of all that wood helped to set the tone. Then we sprinkled in a bit of white (serving pieces and pots) for a touch of modern contrast.

The Iris + Daughter hanging greens installation was one of the main focal points of the party — it was so fresh and alive — really stunning. The splash of copper in the custom signage (from A Dapper Line) added a fun, modern feel to the table.

Jared Eng with actress, Jaime King and her son, James Knight.

Jared wanted classic picnic food, so we went with Heirloom’s yummy sandwiches, a crostini station (filled with cheeses, breads and flatbread pizzas), a green salad, pesto quinoa salad and fresh fruit. We topped Aheirloom’s gorgeous handmade cake stands with eye-popping donuts from Donut Friend and the pièce de ré·sis·tance — an over-the-top, mega delicious caramel drip cake from Whisk and Whittle.

We love using sustainable palm leaf tableware from Leafware and it looked perfect paired with the pretty blue marbled napkins from Meri Meri.

Sometimes the smallest details make us completely giddy. This time is was all about the brass ants from Arteriors Home. Many guests (and our amazing vendors) were equally smitten. They were definitely a conversation piece!

We loved seeing Jared and his godson, James Knight, playing and having a great time together at the party. So so sweet.

The other main focal point of the was the large wooden boat filled with ice and drinks! We had so much fun with that. We made an organic mint lemonade, spiked with vodka and pre-poured them into mason jars. We sealed the jars and tossed them in with the ice (ready for guests to grab), along with a variety of other drinks. We parked a vintage bike behind it and added a cluster of Geronimo fringed balloons. It turned out quite handsome, and festive!

We had a variety of potted plants, succulents and cactus to place around the main food table and at various seating areas at the party. This is a great way to incorporate fresh elements without having to do floral arrangements, especially if your party decor is on the masculine side. You can either give them away as party favors when your guests leave or keep for yourself as home decor.

Weaving in some green into lounge chairs is a simple way to add a summery and festive twist to your outdoor furniture.

Jared really wanted to have blankets on the grass to make it like a real "picnic in the park." We are obsessed with the hand-woven Turkish towels from Odd Bird Company. We layered different prints in blues and greys, and added a mix of pillows on top for cozy lounging. We placed extra blankets in a wire basket where guests could grab one and make a “picnic” wherever they liked. He also wanted polaroid cameras so his guests could take pictures for him to have as keepsakes, so we put together some trays with the cameras and added other fun items like dominos, chips, popcorn and a pretty plant.

A staple for almost all of our outdoor parties -- mini kraft paper bags filled with kettle chips and organic popcorn (or whatever your favorite snack may be!) and place in a tray for guests to help themselves to. It's always a hit with adults and kids.

For your upcoming summer party, try placing some games around, in various locations, that your friends can partake in at their leisure.

Actress, Georgie Flores, presents Jared with his birthday cake, as his friends sang "Happy Birthday."

How about those blue ombré birthday candles from Knot & Bow? Too good!

Happy Birthday Jared!!! Thank you for having us be a part of this fabulous occasion!!

xoxo!!!

CREDITS:

Birthday Boy: Jared Eng

Party Design & Drinks: Twink + Sis

Photos: Sarina Cass of Red Anchor Photo

Location: Airbnb

Greens Installation/Potted Greens: Iris & Daughter

Copper signage (“Jared’s Picnic”): A Dapper Line

Turkish Towels (used as picnic blankets): Odd Bird Company

Food Table, Aculpulco Chairs, Ottoman, Cornhole, Giant Jenga - YEAH! Rentals

Wooden Boat, Vintage Bicycle, Bench, Tree Trunk Tables, Various pillows: Found Rentals

Balloons: Geronimo Balloons

Food: HeirloomLA

Cake: Whisk & Whittle

Donuts: Donut Friend

Cake Stands: Aheirloom

Plates & Forks: Leafware

Napkins: Meri Meri

Brass Ants: Arteriors Home

Ombré birthday candles: Knot & Bow

Mini Paper Bags (Popcorn/Chips Bags): Amazon

Ring Toss: Sunny Life

Trays, Bowls, Hexagonal Objects, Various Pillows: West Elm

Various Pillows: Target

Laurén's Hair: 901too

Laurén's Outfit: Sunglasses - 3.1 Phillip Lim via ShopBop, Top - SEA, Skirt - Current Elliott

Marlan's Outfit: Sunglasses - Tom Ford via Neiman Marcus, Tunic - Marina Rinaldi

February 06, 2017

BRIXTON IN IZZY & FERD SS17 COLLECTION

February 06, 2017/ Laurén

We are such big fans of Izzy & Ferd! I have been dressing Brixton in this organic, Southern California-based line since I discovered them at one of my favorite boutiques a couple of years ago. I met the designers, Cindy & Joe, at an event last spring and instantly loved them. I was so thrilled to have Brixton be a part of this shoot of their collection -- especially when the photographer is the incredibly talented, Nicki Sebastian. Here are some of Brixton's looks from the Pecos Bill themed collection for Spring/Summer 2017. I love these pieces!!

xoxo!!!

January 17, 2017

BOHO CHIC BACHELORETTE PARTY

January 17, 2017/ Laurén

One of our very favorite events EVER EVER EVER, in the history of Twink + Sis, was this boho chic bachelorette party, for my lovely friend Veronica. We were beside ourselves to have the soirée featured on Martha Stewart Weddings a few months back. I'm so excited to share even more photos and details here on T+S!

All images by Alissa Noelle Photography.

We had the party at the bride-to-be's house because her backyard is gorgeous and I have actually always wanted to do an event there. I am in love with her drought-resistant landscaping and fruit and vegetable gardens. It was the perfect backdrop for a ladies' night to celebrate her upcoming wedding. The idea was to have the bride's closest girlfriends for an evening of drinks, desserts and games -- an elevated bachelorette party.

Veronica's favorite color is purple, so we used that as the jumping off point for the color palette. We also had gems as a running theme throughout -- the piñata, cookies, hexagonal platters -- a nod to her diamond engagement ring.

I had this idea to create really unexpected floral arrangements that were not only visible from all sides, but also "spilling out," making for a super dreamy, romantic scene. Iris & Daughter did an incredible job bringing that vision to life -- absolutely blew it out of the park! It really looked like a fairytale! The acrylic boxes did triple duty by creating height and also providing a shelf for drinking glasses and party decor.

We wanted to party to have luxe layers of boho, as well as modern. We mixed gold and copper which added a glamorous touch. Our custom rope and tassels installation framed the single diamond-shaped piñata, and was draped throughout the dessert table.

The bride-to-be wore a fresh flower crown while relaxing in her peacock "throne." We served several desserts and Veronica's favorite drinks -- rosé and prosecco.

Whisk and Whittle made beautiful and delicious treats, including a marbled berry cake, topped with brightly-colored bohemian flowers, mini blackberry donuts and chocolate hazelnut tarts. We added in some gem cookies by Holly Fox to keep the diamond theme rolling.

A small, intimate party is such a treat. You can create so many lovely details when you don't have to feed and seat 100 people. We braided tassels from natural cotton twine for each person's goblet as an added touch.

The bride is Italian and her wedding was in Italy so we paid homage to that with this custom sign by A Dapper Line that read "un brindisi all bella Veronica" ("A toast to the beautiful Veronica").

We love some good games to get the party going. Our favorites are Scattergories, tailored to the theme of the event, and everyone's favorite -- THE QUIZ. (To learn more about our favorite bachelorette and baby/bridal shower games CLICK HERE).

We braided some of the leftover yarn from the rope installation to decorate the beautiful Compartés chocolate bars, that served as gifts for the game winners.

We made the seating area festive by added giant balloons with fresh greens and flowers. It made it feel girly and fun -- just like a bachelorette should be!

All of the guests participated in creating a beautiful woven wall hanging that was gifted to the bride at the end of the evening. Makers Mess (an art studio that comes to you!) provided an instructor and all of the materials needed to create the piece. We loved this because it was something that everyone could take part in (no matter their skill level) while still being able to chat and enjoy the party.