VINTAGE CAMPING BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR BRIXTON'S 3RD BIRTHDAY

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

PICNIC BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JUSTJARED.COM FOUNDER, JARED ENG

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

TWINK'S FAVORITE SUMMER PARTY PINS

I loved Sissy's summer party pins in yesterday's post. For me, this month is all about enjoying amazing food, drinks and ambience with the people I love (but frankly, when is it not?). Here are the pins that inspire me to revel in this final month of summer.

Half Baked Harvest's Cherry Ginger Beer Vodka Soda

Flowers and tablescape from The Lane Floral & Food Styling Workshop

Naco Party via Camille Styles

Dinner party in Sweden via Renée Kemps

The Judy Lab's Woodland Forest Cake

Happy August! xoxo!

TWINK'S JULY FAVORITES!

Summer really is the best. It feels like a 24/7 party and everything is just a little more fun. So in my summery state of mind, here are my picks for July. xx

Givenchy stud-embellished sunglasses via Barney's New York

Photography by Beau Patrick Coulon

Half Baked Harvest food blog & recipes

Wax & Cruz Ixchel Beach Blanket

Norah Weho

Mario Luca Giusti Acrylic Tumblers via Maison Midi

JULY 4TH CAKE ON ELLE DECOR!

CLICK HERE to read more and get the recipe on ELLE Decor!