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Friday Fashion {The Beach!}

{1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10}

Cool kids at the beach.

We're beach bound this Memorial Day Weekend.  I see snow cones, sand castles and starry nights ahead!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

 

 

Party Planning ~ the centerpiece.

Every party needs a centerpiece.  Big or small.  The centerpiece to our party was the dinner table itself.  What a beauty she was.  For your party, it might be the birthday cake, a group of balloons, or a pretty floral arrangement positioned just right.  Big or small, it makes a difference.  For us, the hand-dipped butter knives, hand-crafted place cards, and all that napkin & ribbon deliberation really paid off.  

And the flowers, oh the flowers.  Aren't the chair garlands AMAZING!  Sullivan Owen, get to know her.

All these photos are courtesy of Sullivan Owen, florist extraordinaire.  See her blog post here.

 

• placecards - NJW Calligraphy 
• napkins - crate and barrel
• ribbon - JoAnn Fabrics
• menus - Happy Menocal
• votives - Sullivan Owen

 

 

 

Party Planning ~ Decor

Lesa and I tapped into every online and in-store resource would could think of when it came time to talk decor.  Most important to her were table linens and important to me were artistic touches. 

After many days and even more contenders, she settled on the most delicious purple tablecloth ever seen {French linens + French restaurant = ooh la la}. 

And, after many hours trolling Etsy, I found nearly everything else we needed.  One thing to consider when turning to the web, is mail time.  Neither of us wanted to pay express ship for anything and overseas deliveries and mom-pop handcrafted goods all need plenty of lead time.  We timed ours perfectly.   Here's a collage of inspiration, selected goods and dreamy wishes that all had a hand in forty.

flatware.gown.letters.ribbon.calligraphy.placesetting.macarons.flowers.balloon.washi. 

 

A few special touches that are inexpensive and easy: 

• photo gallery.  Include random shots of the guest of honor.  Ours included a mix of us as a pair spanning from young to old.  Include the embarassing and unflattering, skip Rated R or gross.  I picked up a group of vintage frames at my local thrift store.  They were cheap, cheap.
• washi tape.  it's a fun, easy way to dress up picture frames, blank walls, random tables, gift bags and more.
• vintage flatware.  We ransacked at least 10-15 local vintage/thrift stores to turn up 12 butter knives to dip in pink glory.  They were pennies to purchase and easy to make.  I loved them at the table.
• balloons.  While our room didn't include them {we simply ran out of time!}, penning random words, thoughts, stanzas and drawings are a fun way to bring a balloon to life.
• color.  Pick a color and stick to it.  The wash of pinks and purples in our space made a beautiful palette.

 

 

 

 

 {chair garland photo, tablecloth}

 

behind-the-scenes.

 

 

 

 

 

Wind sprints in the East Coast's largest {and most fabulous!} mall, over the course of one-hour at closing time, is an awesome workout.

That's 2,793,200 square feet!

returns. must. get. done!

check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{am I the only one with a peculiar habit of constant returning?}

  

Wednesday, I'm in Love

courtyards.

 

tablets.

 

 

accoutrements.

 

bags.

 

 

{What do you love this Wednesday?}

 

 

 

 

 

Party Planning ~ Happy Menocal.

{our amazing menu}

So, I've shared my thoughts on stamp placement and dream team meetings, today I must mention Happy Menocal.  An AMAZING artist who wowed us every step of the way.   I had the timely good fortune of seeing her work at Coco + Kelley and knew she would be perfect for our event.  A few quick emails later, she signed on and my lovefest began. 

Menus.  We wanted unique, hand-crafted menus.  Happy's are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.  Lesa was obsessed {obsessed!} with a signature herald and I with clean design.  Together, those  elements meant our menu would be a star.  Our meal featured a Chef's Tasting menu, so we wanted simple clues of the meal to come and left the entire design up to Happy.  The final result was absolute perfection.   For me, they made the table.  We gifted copies to the Executive Chef, Pastry Chef and Lacroix Manager and a framed copy will soon hang in my kitchen.   Original menu art...wheeeeee!!

But, any great party needs more than just menus and much later into our design plans, we discovered we needed Happy again.   

One detail we thought of late in the game and then couldn't settle, was that of a welcome board.  Our party was held in a private room positioned at the end of a hall.  We wanted a clue to our guests that they had arrived.  Six-days out, I found a chalkboard artist that looked ideal.  I LOVED his work.   Unfortunately for us, he was booked solid and remained true to his standing clients {not even tempted by cash!}.  So, back to the drawing board.   

{image via customchalk.com}

One night, late in the hour, I had a thought - why not ask Happy to create another piece.  But what?  Lesa and I had gone 'round and 'round talking through every combination of sentiments and words {twins, Cheers!, To Us...}, but nothing stuck. 

Then, in a moment of clarity, I had it.  Our cake!  Why not ask Happy to paint our cake.  It was perfect.  The cake we requested of Chef Ortega was GORGEOUS and it captured so many things about the night ~ pink, celebratory, feminine, fun...   But, would she do it, was there time, and could we afford her??

Yes, yes and yes!  Lay your eyes on this beauty.

 

Upon sharing an early draft, Happy noted a brilliant idea to exacto-knife the cake and surface mount it on complementing paper {we ultimately decided on plum ~ how appropos!}, thus allowing the artistry of the ruffled icing to shine.  That detail, along with the little penciled white sparks, had me soooo in love.  

We received the cake portrait mere hours before the event and headed straight to Old Man Ramsey for framing {it would eventually sit in an easel at the restaurant}.  Now, those who know us, know Hayes has antique hoarding tendancies and has amassed more antique frames than any art lover could possible use.   Well, get out the feather duster, our cake needs a frame!  Lesa and he selected a gorgeous, unique design that showcased the cake beautifully.  I loved it.  This picture really doesn't do it justice. 

 

With Shakespeare expressions, an ease of manner and more artistic talent then should ever be allowed, Happy paints pet portraits, custom heraldry, people, things, places, and I'm sure anything you could dream up.  Consider her the next time you need a gift or a menu or a portrait.  I just can't sing her praises enough.  Thank you, Happy.

Thanks Dad!   {you'll see more of Old Man Ramsey in our commissioned poppop portrait wall}

 

~ Happy Menocal ~

 

 

{menu and cake image by Happy Menocal}

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kid Corner {Wougie & Pip}

Max {2.1 years old} ~ maxi bear, wougles, bubby, bubbles.  Such a big kid now.  You LOVE your mommy and have just the sweetest way.  Getting wet, chasing bubbles,wrestling laundry, and splashing in the hose.  You play so well with you and will share with sister, too.  "sister", "I did it", "milk", "found you!", "mickey mouse" and just the sweetest little nod.  You're such a joy.  We love you baby boy, more and more each day.  kisses monkey.

Emerson {4.7 years old} ~ miss pippy, my ladybug, angel, squiggles, little girl.  My baby is such a lady now, I can't believe how you've grown.  Extra hugs, even more kisses, I want to live these fleeting days.  reading at bedtime, bouncing and racing, learning to ride your bike, wishing for the beach.  If every heart was a pure as yours, this place would be pure magic.  "Shane.  I love Shane", "Will Wyatt be there", "can I have a rabbit and a dog and a bird and a fish and 3 cats and some cows...", "Are fairies real?".   I love you little girl.  I love you little girl.  I love you, yes I do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Planning ~ the basics

Get ready to party.

This week I'll share my take and tips on how to party right.  Warning: look away if you can't be bothered with details. Me, I can't get enough of the pesky things. :)

The bones of any good fete start with the basics:  food and drink.  Sure, a lively guest list is important, but once the guests arrive, spirits and snacks keep things alive.  Naturally, great attention was given to each for our party.  So much so, in fact, that we made a last minute venue change that cost us new invitations and express-fee $$ from our Calligrapher.  It. was. worth. it. 

Lacroix was a star. 

Let's start at the beginning.  We scheduled a meet and greet with the Lacroix Dream Team - Executive Chef Cichon, Pastry Chef Ortega and Restaurant Manager M. Merlini and covered everything under the sun.  Balloons got nixed, oysters got added and pink ruled the table.  The gracious gentlemen embraced our need to cover the details and Lesa and I both greatly appreciated their willingness to meet and talk forty. 

Selecting the right venue and, more importantly, finding a good match of talent and personality goes a long way to the success of any event.   So does getting to know your space.  I snapped these shots and sent them along to the florist for design planning. 

Other success bits to consider -   

spirits.  Have a signature cocktail to greet arriving guests {ours, veuve clicquot pink}

sweets!  Here is where Lesa and I, co-hostesses, disagreed.  I wanted a selection of sweets at cocktail hour, she did not.  Because it was important to me, we did.  And I'm so glad.  Aside from being absolutely delicious, the delicacies added such a pretty element to the decor.   Chef Ortega and crew outdid themselves.  

restrictions.  We worked in advance with the chef to cover all our guests needs.  i.e. some non-meat, some non-seafood, no social statement foods {veal, fois gras}, and no innards {non adventurous eaters} Oh, brother!

table seating.  We opted for place cards {gorgeous place cards!} and took great care in considering who sat where.  We ended up with couples together and it worked.  As she approached the table and noticed place cards, my sister hopefully exclaimed, "Oh, do I get to sit next to my husband?"

fun.  Keep it fresh!  We included a round of shots to close out the cocktail hour {so perfectly chilled!}, a twin quiz between courses to engage the table, a tour of the kitchen, and a videographer and insta-camera to capture the action. 

moodboards & style.  Inspiration is everywhere, take advantage of it.   I'll share a glimpse of my favorite pinterest party ideas tomorrow.

flowers & candlelight.  Dim lights and fresh blooms make a room.  We engaged two florists whom sent proposals.  While sweets were important to me, flowers were so to Lesa.  She had high standards and both submissions were spectacular, but in the end Sullivan Owen {Best of Philly Mag winner} was our choice.  Her use of floral garlands and glittery, mercury votives/vases won our hearts.  This was her initial mock-up.

  

 And one area where we struggle, in party planning and in life, is swift decision-making.  Both Lesa and I aren't great at it.  And, with so much involved, the details can pile up so don't get bogged down.  Keep decisions quick and stick to 'em.  Of course, practice makes perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Fashion

 A perfect look, inspiration for tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 {seen here}

 

 

'round here.

{emerson's pressed flowers}

Busy.  We've been busy. 

• sleepovers.  Emerson slept at Grandmom's and spent hours crafting and cooking with her and the aunties.  Bug beaches, suprise parties and lots and lots of chocolate chips.  Read more about that and see photos of the adorable bug beach at Creative Anchorage.  Miss Pippy's imagination is genius!  Sweet girl.
• flowers.  Emerson and Max love flowers.  I often get hand-picked blooms and bouquets from our backyard.  Lately, we've been pressing.
• travel.  I can't wait to share photos from our trip to L.A.  We had the BEST time.
• party.  Last night's late night work included a table/placesetting mockup.  Wow.  It's GORGEOUS.  We're on the hunt for THE perfect ribbon.  Divide and conquer.  If you're out there ribbon, we'll find you.
• party.  details, details, details, and yes, more details. 
• friends.  Billy Webb hung out with an age-old friend last night.  This morning was a cruel reminder that 40 + late night + work = we're not young anymore.
• kids.  This morning was also a reminder of how much I adore my little ones and when one heart aches, so, too, does mine. 
• next week.  I"ll be back at it more regularly next week, and look forward to it.

 

{bug beach photo from Creative Anchorage}