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.

I wish I could live in this party! Congratulations Veronica!

xoxo!! LL

CREDITS:

Concept & Design: Twink + Sis

Photography: Alissa Noelle Photography

Guest of Honor: Veronica Lombardo

Florals: Iris & Daughter

Desserts (Cake, Tarts & Donuts): Whisk & Whittle

Gem Cookies: Holly Fox

Furniture Rentals: Circa Vintage Rentals

Tabletop Rentals: Borrowed Blu

Signage: A Dapper Line

Craft + Instruction: Makers Mess

Balloons: Koyal Wholesale

Piñata: Prospect Goods via Bracket

Candles: Yummi Candles

Wicker Water Pitcher: Maison Midi

Hexagon Platters, Candle Holders, Vase: CB2

Moroccan Wedding Pillows & Old Fashioned Glasses: Anthropologie

Ice Bucket, Tongs & Berry Cups: Crate & Barrel

Game Prizes: Compartés

Game Stationary: Paper Source

Gold Game Pencils: Etsy

September 04, 2015

INSIDE JULIETTE LEWIS' SUMMER SOLSTICE BIRTHDAY DINNER

September 04, 2015/ Laurén

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Before the summer officially ends, I wanted to share an inside look into one of our favorite parties of the season. On the longest day of 2015, we celebrated the birth of our beautiful and talented BFF, Juliette Lewis, with an ethereal, Summer Solstice-themed dinner party. We were so unbelievably honored to have the party featured on Elle Decor and MyDomaine - two of our favorite sources for home decor and lifestyle inspiration.

This radiant birthday girl was so fun to plan a dinner for. I asked her what her favorite style was and she said "Romantic -- like Romeo and Juliette." So we put together a palette of purples, brass, vintage dishes and lacy linens to create that.

Both Sis and I love a bare, solid wood table. It's our preference for most events these days. The slotted wood bistro chairs (all from Classic Party Rentals) added a clean, European charm to the garden setting.

Most of these gorgeous tabletop items -- including the mis-matched vintage dishes, brass flatware, candlesticks, napkin rings and linens were sourced from the amazing Borrowed Blu.

I love adding other "live" elements to the table, in addition to flowers. For this one, a combination of figs, plums and lichee went perfectly with the summery, romantic vibe. We always find that guests are more than thrilled to take fresh produce home to enjoy when the party is over. I love that it doesn't go to waste!

A little secret: These gorgeous (and legit!) amethyst crystals that added such beauty to the table - they're from Amazon! They also made great parting gifts for the guests. I love decor that does double duty!

I kept driving myself crazy, laying awake a night, wanting to have another modern and interesting element included in the table design. That's when I decided to "ombré" the candles down the table. I ordered four different shades from Yummi Candles (they have the best candles) and used about 6 per color. I LOVED how it came out. I also want to say that you can almost never have enough candles. The tables that really speak to me have an abundance of candles. Go big or go home yo.

Checkin' things out. It's good to look at things through some kind of camera to see if it's making sense from a photograph's point of view. Sometimes I will realize "Whoa! That's really sparse" or "The flatware crooked!"

For the evening's signature drink, I made one of our favorites -- hibiscus cooler. It's a really refreshing drink -- great warm summer days (and nights). Pick up some organic hibiscus tea from Whole Foods or your local health food type store. Brew the tea and add raw agave (or whatever sweetener you prefer) to taste. Cool and pour over ice. Done!

I make this in huge batches for parties. It's easy to make but don't wear clothes that you care about while making it - the color is super bright and stains! To make a large batch, boil a huge pot of water, put a box or two worth of tea bags in and then sweeten with agave to taste. Then put on a ton of ice, only when you are ready to party. I serve it in one of my big drink dispensers so guests can just help themselves. Got some boozers coming? Keep a bottle of vodka or gin around for them to spike it up!

Cocktail modeling is my favorite job.

For the dessert table, I draped an antique desk, that I inherited from our Nana, with more of the vintage lace. I made the yarn backdrop from basic cream and gold colored yarn purchased at Joann Fabrics. I measured, cut and knotted rows of ten strings, making the middle row the longest and coming up bit by bit on each side to make a V shape. I liked the romantic boho vibe that it gave.

Our girl Emily from Whisk and Whittle outdid herself again with the most beautiful, and GLUTEN-FREE, confections. Her cakes are works of art. The large cake in the back is a berry shortcake and the shorter cake with the cute "Little Shop of Horrors" guy on top is some seriously relish carrot cake. To make sure the chocolate lovers got some love of their own, she made salted chocolate chip cookies and brownies. We had a lot of fun eating dessert that night!

Look at all those gorgeous goddesses!

Massive thank you to all who helped make this evening so magical! Love you, JL!!!! xoxoxo!!

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CREDITS:

Party Design, Florals, Signature Drink + Custom Backdrop: Twink + Sis

Photography: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

Tabletop + Linens: Borrowed Blu

Misc. Tabletop: Twink + Sis' Own

Furniture Rentals: Classic Party Rents

Desserts: Whisk and Whittle

Candles: Yummi Candles

Amethyst Crystals: Amazon

Backdrop Materials: Joann

April 28, 2015

THE COOLEST CAKES ON INSTAGRAM

April 28, 2015/ Laurén

I feel like there is the most amazing cake renaissance happening right now. Some cake makers are really taking it to the next level and creating the most daring, artful masterpieces I have ever seen. I also love that the more natural, less junky cake is also taking a front seat in the "cake scene." Here are some of my favorites, currently on Instagram, for your viewing pleasure.