June 13, 2016

MILA'S PEONY PICNIC BIRTHDAY PARTY

June 13, 2016/ MARLAN

It's Mila's birthday week! So I'm reminiscing and looking back. Here's a peek at her 2nd birthday. You may remember it from 100 Layer Cakelet (and as one of their favorite kids birthday parties of 2014). Hopefully, I've included a few here you haven't seen before.

All photos by Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography.

I had planned an elaborate balloon overhang, à la Geronimo Balloons, but my helium resource fell through. So I went to plan b by criss-crossing twine amongst the trees and hanging the balloons from there.

These were literally the last batch of coral peonies for the season.

I love this gold twine for the cutlery so much. I hope I can figure out something as good for Mila and Brixton's birthday party this weekend!

All resources listed here.

March 09, 2016

SPRING DINNER PARTY

March 09, 2016/ Laurén

Photo by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

I wanted to throw an early spring dinner party for my best friend's birthday and I knew I wanted to include grey (the birthday girl's favorite color), pinks and copper in the palette. We sourced all of our tabletop items from the amazing Borrowed Blu. To create a mix of glamour and earthiness, I paired grey marble chargers with wooden plates. I love the mix of copper tumblers, milk glass and crystal cut goblets. The antique silver flatware and candlesticks, added the perfect moodiness to the dinner, representing the transition of winter to spring. We added a lot of greens to the mix of pink flowers. It was an honor to have the party featured on MyDomaine! We have included extra, never-before-seen photos of the event here. All images by Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography.

A long farmhouse table and Victoria Ghost Chairs sourced from Town & Country Event Rentals set the stage for a laid-back glamour.

A single ranunculi and fern placed upon a natural linen napkin welcomed each guest to their seat.

I created the The Puckerberry Finn cocktail using muddled blackberries, fresh lemon, organic small-batch gin and elderflower liquor for the occasion. I garnished the drink with edible flowers and frozen blackberries.

In case the evening got chilly, I put together a basket of cream throws from Borrowed Blu, that guests could help themselves to.

Photos by: Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography

All Table-top Items and Cream Knit Blankets: Borrowed Blu

Wire Basket (for blankets): Rejuvenation

Dining Table, Victoria Ghost Chairs and Linens Napkins: Town & Country Event Rentals

Flowers: Twink + Sis

Candles: Bed, Bath & Beyond

Milk Glass Cake Stands: Sur La Table

Mini Donuts: Donut Friend

Puckerberry Finn Cocktail: Twink + Sis

Styled, Created and Hosted by: Twink + Sis

September 18, 2015

CIAO BELLA FRANKIE BABY SHOWER

September 18, 2015/ Laurén

My best friend Aubree is expecting her first baby, a little girl named Frankie -- due in just a few weeks! So last month we showered her with a "Girly California" themed-party, with tons of pinks and succulents. We were so thrilled to have the shower recently featured on Style Me Pretty Living. Today I wanted to share even more details of the event with you!

All photos by Jenna Elliott of One Eleven Photography.

We held the shower at the beautiful home of our friend, Paige Long. The shower ended up being on one of the hottest days of the year, so it was great that the guest-of-honor wanted an evening shower. We let the hot weather dictate the decor by minimizing florals and we opted out of making large arrangements (as we were afraid they would wilt too quickly). Instead, we used a ton of bud vases from our friends at Yummi Candles, mixed with Paige's stunning crystal cups, that she inherited from her grandmother. They added such a beautiful touch. I love having special items like that included in the decor! We used an abundance of succulents, which ended up being the crowd favorite and doubled as party favors! That's always a plus!

Because we decided to have the succulents be the main attraction, we focused on garden roses as the key flower. We used 4 colors (in the pink and coral families) of garden roses, and added peach stock and astilbe as accents.

Mary, one of the other hostesses, had a variety of beautiful wooden boxes that she had made for her wedding last year. So we repurposed them as decor this table scape, creating height and a cool earthy vibe.

We made the dip dye napkins by purchasing about 20 yards (we made 60 napkins!) of white gauze and pink dye from Joann Fabrics. To do this, cut gauze into 15" x 15" squares, bunch them up, fold them in half and dip only the first third of the napkin in the dye. Then place on some kind of plastic tarp (I used large garbage bags cut open). Allow to dry overnight and then wash on delicate. I washed these twice (on warm) as I wanted them to fade and bleed more. I loved the way they turned out!

The shower's youngest and cutest guest!

Dinner was a favorite of our group of friends -- ComidaLA's South American street eats. They made the most delicious summery, corn and avocado salad, special for us, as the perfect accompaniment to their gluten-free arepas. It was perfect summer party food.

I really wanted the bar to be a major showpiece. Because it was such a hot day, I knew a variety of ice cold drinks would be an important factor in our guests happiness. I was obsessed with these blush fleur de lis glasses that we rented from Town & Country. Again, we created height using wooden crates, and we put a "pink spin" on all of the beverages, to continue our girly theme.

We made cherry lemonade by puréeing fresh (de-pitted) cherries in the Vitamix and straining them. Then add the purée to your homemade lemonade and it's beyond yummy! The middle drink was strawberry-mint ice water and the right dispenser held the favorite of the night -- ror all of the non-pregnant guests -- a boozy watermelon aqua fesca, that was simply tons of watermelon blended with lime, a touch of fine sugar and water. Add fresh mint and vodka and you have got yourself a surefire hit! We also offered rosé procecco and sparkling water.

And then there's this. The dessert table. Whisk and Whittle killed it again with 4 cakes (gluten-free chocolate with cream cheese chocolate, lemon meringue, strawberry shortcake and carrot cake) and donuts. All more beautiful and delicious than the next.

A week prior the shower, some of us hostesses got together and had a "craft night" where we created 5 huge paper flowers (using a template from Tania Fischer). Not only did they turn out beautifully, but it was such a fun way to bond with friends when creating an event together.

To finish off the table we had to give a nod to baby girl Frankie! So we added this beautiful gold and silver acrylic bunting from our faves Meri Meri -- It read our evening’s hashtag #cioabellafrankie!

Sis and I would like to thank the other hostesses who helped to make this happen! Love you, Beth, Brandy, Brie, Jodi, Mary, Paige & Paige! We can't wait to meet you, Frankie!! xx

September 09, 2015

MUNCHKIN PRESENTS PARENTS' NIGHT OUT

September 09, 2015/ MARLAN

Donut wall AND Sprinkles Ice Cream? Yes, please! Kid-brand Munchkin threw a Parents' Night Out in LA last month. It looks like such a fun evening, filled with pampering, dancing, games, great food, bourbon-sipping and overall Munchkin merriment.