June 01, 2015

BRIXTON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

June 01, 2015/ Laurén

I can't believe it, but my baby boy just turned 2! And as Sis and I are gearing up for Brixie and Mila's rager this weekend, I'm reminiscing on his 1st birthday last year. It was one of the most fun and special days ever!

All photos by One Eleven Photography.

I wanted to create an animal-themed party with whites, light blues, mint green and silver. I took inspiration from OH HAPPY DAY and created "party animals" by making fringed party hats for each of them. They were my favorite element of the party.

I purchased plastic animal figurines from Amazon and made mini party hats from card stock and tissue paper from Paper Source, and attached them with a glue gun. I love the way they turned out! To create some height, I placed the animals on kraft paper boxes of varying sizes, that I purchased from Etsy. I also purchased the fringe banners on the main table from Etsy. The blue striped cups, napkins and plates are from Shop Sweet Lulu. The extra large white balloons are also from Shop Sweet Lulu. I used twine as balloon string and cut my own tissue fringe in sea blue and green, white and silver.

I wanted to make B's first birthday a celebration for all of our friends and family. I had to think of a location that would comfortably hold over 100 friends and their kids. The Franklin Gardens of The Manor Hotel in Hollywood, was a perfect hidden gem, with expansive grass and waterfalls.

I purchased extra large white balloons and made my own fringe by cutting tissue paper from Paper Source. I had my local balloon shop blow up all of the balloons and brought in my own twine for them to tie the balloons to.

I made my own organic, low-sugar lemonade and hibiscus iced tea and used my Pottery Barn drink dispensers for easy group serving.

I filled silver buckets from Pottery Barn with sparkling water and flat water.

It was important to me to have great food that both adults and kids would enjoy. We had ComidaLA there making their delicious South American food - arepas filled with organic meats and slaw, as well as rice, beans and quesadillas.

I like to have a lot of food and snack options! Especially with the large age range of the party. I made a huge fruit salad.

I filled treat bags from Paper Source with organic popcorn and chips and I put a variety of organic yogurts on ice for the little guys.

The birthday boy and Grampie.

Mila partying it up.

Not the prettiest ball pit ever, but I made a last minute purchase from Amazon and filled a blow-up kiddie pool with balls. I also purchased animal beach balls, from Oriental Trading Company, for the kids to throw around the large grassy area. It was a all a big hit.

The Giraffe Bouncy house, from Magic Jump, was also a hit.

The main attraction at the party was the awesome children’s music duo, The Beat Buds, who perform and engage the kids with songs and instruments that they can participate in. And their songs are really good!! Even the adults enjoyed them.

Gluten-free cupcakes and donuts were from Erin McKenna's Bakery (formerly Babycakes).

Small kraft bags, purchased from Etsy, were filled with animal sunglasses, stickers, bubbles and mini animal figurines. The sunglasses were a big hit.

Happy Birthday, Brixton!

Event Design: Twink + Sis
Photography: Jenna Elliott, One Eleven Photography
Venue: Manor Hotel, Franklin Gardens
Catering: ComidaLA
Cupcakes & Donuts: Erin McKenna's Bakery
Fruit & Yogurt: Whole Foods
Chips & Popcorn: Gelson’s
Balloons, Baker’s Twine, Cups, Plates & Napkins: Shop Sweet Lulu
Wooden Forks, Plastic Animals, Glue Gun: Amazon
DIY Tissue Fringe, Animal Hat Paper, Paper For Signs, Stencils for Sign: Paper Source
Favor Bags, Brown Twine, Fringe Banners, Kraft boxes: Etsy
Favor Bag Contents: Oriental Trading Company
Drink Bins & Dispensers: Pottery Barn
Vintage Glass Water Bottles: Sur La Table
Cupcake Stands,Large Silver Platters & Bowls: Town & Country Event Rentals
Pop-up tent rentals: AAA Rents & Events
Entertainment: The Beat Buds
Brixton’s Outfit: Muscle Tee - Nununu, Pants - Shampoodle Sweden, Moccs - Freshly Picked
Bouncy House: Magic Jump

February 19, 2015

MIXOLOGY 101 WITH PHARMACIE + 5 FABULOUS COCKTAIL SHAKERS

February 19, 2015/ Laurén

Recently, I had the privilege of taking a mixology workshop with Pharmacie founder, Talmadge Lowe. Starting out as an underground speakeasy, Pharmacie is now the go-to party "cocktail caterer," if you will. If you want to have the hottest, and classiest, party in town, you call Talmagdge and his crew to create the most delicious and inventive, craft cocktails, using the freshest of ingredients, to wow even your most discerning party guest. When I discovered that Pharmacie and The Unique Space had teamed up to deliver this workshop, I jumped right in. I have always fancied myself a "natural-born mixologist" but I have to admit I never really went beyond the "vodka cocktail/white rum mojitos comfort zone." And though my friends have given me much praise and elect me the cocktail creator for our dinner parties, I knew I could reach for higher heights and do better! My two hours with Talmadge got me there. I'm no longer afraid of scotch! I can make my husband a whiskey cocktail anytime! Tequila and I are now BFFs! I am more ready to party than ever! Here's a peek into what the class had to offer.

The Unique Space, all set up for class.

Long tables set with bar tools and fresh fruit and herbs for muddling.

Each student was given their own bar set and Pharmacie simple syrup to use during the class and to take home.

The array of spirits we were able to experiment with during the class.

My favorite part: Freshly made citrus juices and simple syrups ranging from pineapple to cilantro.

A couple of our delicious finished products using scotch and whiskey, respectively.

Now that you are amped to get mixing, here are my Top 5 Cocktail Shaker Picks to make your drink-making even more enjoyable.

The Harrison Cocktail Shaker from Pottery Barn is a beautiful classic, with monogramming available.

This gorgeous 24K Gold-Plated Shaker from Dwell will add tons of glamour and luxury to your cocktail crafting.

Probably the coolest, most Batman-esque cocktail shaker I've seen - The Black Nuance from Williams-Sonoma.

This stunning piece by Tom Dixon, via ABC Carpet & Home, takes bartending to a whole new, breathtaking level.

The sleekest of the sleek, Shelton Cocktail Shaker, via Bloomingdales, was created by design icon Arne Jacobsen in 1969 and is made in Denmark.

HAPPY MIXING!

February 17, 2015

THE PERFECT PAIR: GORGEOUS CHAIR TWOSOMES

February 17, 2015/ Laurén

Chairs: One Kings Lane (vintage), Knoll Saarenin Side Table: Design Within Reach, Pillows: John Robshaw, Persian Rug: Vintage, Sheepskin Throws: Pottery Barn, Artwork: Beau Patrick Coulon, Bad Photography: Me! — *Chairs: One Kings Lane (vintage),* *Knoll Saarenin Side Table: Design Within Reach, Pillows: John Robshaw, Persian Rug: Vintage, Sheepskin Throws: Pottery Barn, Artwork: Beau Patrick Coulon, Bad Photography: Me!*

Recently my family and I moved into a new house and the black, mid-century head-of-dining table armchairs no longer worked in the new space. So I was inspired to create a great little conversation nook with my two lovely vintage chairs. This had me on the lookout for the most gorgeous, interesting and special pairs of chairs. Here are some of my favorites. If only I could have ten homes...