Event design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

There are so many events in life, big and small, worth celebrating. This is Kate Landers, here to share with you a personal event, along with some tips on creating your own simple and unique party.

Our son Noah was diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly and torticollis as an infant, and underwent treatment including a helmet. You can read about our story here.

When Noah completed his physical therapy and helmet treatment, we decided to host a little celebration! You can also celebrate your own “Hooray!” moments, such as running in a charity race, performing in a recital or finishing a thesis, with very little prep time. Here’s how we did it:

1. Simple Decorations: In our light green and blue color scheme, we decided on two simple decorations for Noah’s party: Fluffy tissue poms on the cake table and surrounding floor (no need to hang from the ceiling with fishing line – this kept set up very quick) and a “Hooray for Noah!” garland.

2. Handmade Party Products: Handmade party products are on-trend, whether you craft them yourself or support your favorite handmade party business. My dear and incredibly talented friends of Icing Designs custom-created pennant garlands with festoon trim, ruffled crepe and hand-glittered letters, along with matching invitations, cake topper and rosette pins reading “Hooray for Noah!” for guests to wear.

3. Ruffled Cake: If you follow wedding and party sites, you’ve probably seen many ruffle frosted cakes. Whether frosted on the sides, top or all over, they add a festive touch. We went with a pale blue cake ruffled only on the sides so the cake topper would stand out.

4. Bamboo Cutlery & Paper Party Products: Finally, opt for simple and classic paper party products! I love using the ever-popular bamboo cutlery at my events. We kept ours plain, but there are many options to decorate with tape, stamps, glitter and more. In addition, we used rectangular paper plates with coordinating napkins. The best part? Each place setting fit perfectly into a darling matching paper favor bag, creating a pretty display of meal essentials that guests could easily grab. Noah absolutely LOVED sliding the plates in and out of the bags, so it served as a surprise dose of entertainment for the littlest guests!

Lastly, don’t stress with steaming those fabric table linens… a simple white table works perfectly. We even repurposed a desk drawer to display the place setting pouches as described above. These touches kept everything so simple, especially due to a quick and easy set up and clean up!

I am THRILLED to say that Noah’s helmet is nothing but a memory now, and we cannot wait for our next “Hooray!” moment as an opportunity to gather loved ones and enjoy cake and laughter.

RESOURCE LIST

• Styling, Design & Photography: Kate Landers
• Banner & Cake Topper: Icing Designs
• Party Supplies: Happy Wish Company

Event design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Kate Landers here to share some celebration inspiration for spring, my favorite time of the year! One of my very favorite childhood storybooks for spring is about a fluffy white rabbit, and these desserts were inspired by a rabbit’s white cotton tail. Read below on how to get this look for your Easter celebration!


1. The Coconut Cake Bite Tower WCreating the dessert tower is incredibly easy and is sure to wow those you serve it to! You can use cake bites, cake pops or even donut holes!

To achieve the look shown, you will need approximately 4 dozen 1″ cake bites, 1 styrofoam cone (4″ diameter at base by 8″ tall) or to keep everything edible, a frosted rice krispie treat that mimics that shape, and several small toothpicks. Insert a toothpick on a slight angle upwards into the styrofoam starting at the base. Attach a cake pop onto the toothpick, and repeat for the entire bottom of the tower. Work your way up to the top until finished.

Display on a petite round dessert pedestal and you are ready to serve. I had some lovely embroidered blush cloth napkins on hand, perfect for guests to hold under their cake bite to catch any loose coconut.

2. Rabbit Printed Details Loralee Lewis has a gorgeous printed white rabbit collection seen here that utilizes a soft blush color. I used an “EASTER” banner to hang behind the tower, a small dessert sign and some favor carton labels (details below). Simple yet sweet.

3. Cottontails-to-Go There are many spring holidays I remember heading for a relative’s house for an afternoon dinner, and being very hungry in the car on the way. These “coconut cottontails” are a perfect sweet treat at home or on the road to hold you over. It was important to me that special take home packages were provided for guests so they could enjoy while heading to their final holiday destination. The white ice cream/soup cartons from Think Garnish work perfectly! In addition, Loralee’s labels are a lovely fit for the lid and to wrap around the carton. You can personalize them with guests’ names or simply print with a seasonal sentiment.

4. Spring Flowers There is something so cheerful about spring blooms. Hyacinth, rannunculus, tulips…and adding a small bouquet of these limited-avaiable-stems to the dessert table set the spring tone. They look beautiful arranged in a vase, small pitcher or urn.

RESOURCE LIST

• Styling, Design & Photography: Kate Landers
• Paperie: Loralee Lewis
• Coconut Cake Pops: Jasmine of Cakes with Jaz
• White Favor Cartons: Think Garnish

Kate Landers here, thrilled to share Valentine’s Day dinner party inspiration and free exclusive printable gift tags courtesy of the incredibly talented designer, Loralee Lewis. It is with great joy that I can take this opportunity to introduce you to Loralee (whose favorite holiday happens to be Valentine’s Day!) and her latest collection, debuting right here on Layla Grayce. Loralee is founder of her self-named business, Loralee Lewis, a company specializing in event paper and fine stationery for special events. She also serves as the party editor of Babiekins Magazine. When she isn’t designing wedding suites or styling photo shoots, you will likely find her trying to keep up with her four small children.

Design, Styling & Photography by Loralee Lewis

I asked Loralee if she would design a few free printable Valentine’s Day gift tags exclusively for Layla Grayce readers, and she said yes! I wanted a sophisticated yet simple design, using soft pink and another color such as grey, gold or emerald green. I knew with very few guidelines, she would create something absolutely perfect. Two of the gift tag designs feature sweet love phrases, which Loralee suggests can also be use yearlong attached to favors for weddings, baby showers or a girl’s first birthday.

Design, Styling & Photography by Loralee Lewis

In her own words, “Paper gives hosts and hostesses the chance to express themselves and their personalities beyond flowers and a table setting. When done correctly, paper can bring an event to life! Each paper item is adorned with cheeky phrases, such as ‘Take Me. I’m Yours.’ to keep guests on their toes. My goal is to create paper people will cherish for a lifetime, tokens of happy memories.”

Design, Styling & Photography by Loralee Lewis

Much like other admirers of Layla Grayce, Loralee values quality and exceptional design. She is always innovating and creating new paper items for that “wow” factor. Stay tuned as Loralee will be releasing a digital Summer Party Resource Book in the coming months, and the expansion of her event paper products, including her newest item, the personalized favor boxes you see here in this shoot. I look forward to printing these tags myself, adding some silver german glass glitter and raw silk ribbon to attach to gifts for my loved ones. Click here to download the gift tags.

Design, Styling & Photography by Loralee Lewis

Event concept, design and styling: Kate Landers Photography: Liza Voll

Event concept, design and styling: Kate Landers Photography: Liza Voll

Event concept, design and styling: Kate Landers Photography: Liza Voll

Event concept, design and styling: Kate Landers Photography: Liza Voll

Event concept, design and styling: Kate Landers Photography: Liza Voll

This is Kate Landers, thrilled to share with you a most darling personal event: our son Noah’s First Birthday Celebration! As an event stylist I have always recognized what a milestone event a first birthday is. As a mom, I have experienced first-hand the emotions and tremendous joy that comes along with celebration the first twelve months with your little one. I invite you to enjoy the beautiful images that captured a most perfect birthday celebration.

1. We opted for a very intimate family affair, 15 guests. Also, for the sake of Noah and other little ones, we kept the party at a manageable length of one hour.

2. We held the party mid-afternoon, offering a simple menu of birthday cake and a few special sweets, doubling as party favors, on the dessert table. This is also keeps your party within a reasonable budget.

3. Hiring a professional photographer allowed us to relax as parents, and feel fully present for this special day. It was an investment I highly recommend. Liza was able to capture precious moments as well as event details I normally would fuss over as a stylist.

4. Noah has a favorite giant teddy bear that he loves to tackle and snuggle, who served as inspiration for the party theme. The soft blue, yellow and tan color palette kept the event sweet and “baby”–celebrating his first 12 months of life. Loralee Lewis created a most darling paperie collection that everyone adored.

5. I thoroughly enjoyed hand-crafting (with my husband Ryan’s help!) pom poms for party hats I made. They were also displayed as soft toy balls, paired with the yellow polka dot boxes representing baby blocks, making for crafty centerpieces.

6. Noah had his very own “smash cake,” while guests enjoyed a soft blue ruffled cake filled with whipped cream and strawberries. Smash Cakes are fabulous for that infamous first birthday portrait!

7. Garden chairs and floor-length table linens created a clean palette for styling this event. The 3′ white balloons from The TomKat Studio also filled the celebration space with white. I used wide satin ribbons to tie them to the back of chairs, making them perfect for little guests to carry home.

8. I fell in love with the “Noah” banner created by Loralee Lewis, and we now have it hanging in his room, a charming way to remember this milestone celebration.

9. Inviting long-distance friends and family members to create items for the party can be a wonderful way to celebrate your child’s party with them. My dear friend Lynn made the gorgeous fine-wale pale blue corduroy overalls Noah wore, while my good friend Ruth monogrammed them.

10. Guests signed cards leaving “Warm Fuzzy Birthday Wishes” for Noah to read and enjoy for many years to come. I cannot wait to put together his first birthday book, another way to let the celebration continue!

RESOURCE LIST

• Styling & Design: Kate Landers
• Photography: Liza Voll Photography
• Custom Table Linens: Sweet Tea and Linen
• Paperie: Loralee Lewis
• Tableware, Party Supplies & Favor Packaging: The TomKat Studio
• Custom Cookies: Bambella Cookie Boutique
• Chocolate Covered Oreos: Le Bonbon LA
• Fondant Krispie Treat Toppers: Edible Details
• Party Horns: Oh Goodie Designs
• Peg Doll Cake Topper: Craft That Party
• Caramel Corn, Butterscoth Candies & Lollipops: Hammonds Candies
• Yellow Polka Dot Favor Boxes: Pamela Smerker Designs
• White Cake Stands: Rosanna Inc at Layla Grayce
• Embroidered “Noah” Party Hat: Shawna Brockmeier Styled Events
• First Birthday Subway Art Print: Dollhouse Paperie By Dolce Drive

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Kate Landers here to share with you inspiration for a stylish way to celebrate the New Year! Mint green and metallic gold were huge in fashion and home decor the mid-20th century, and I am smitten with their comeback for 2013. Take a peek at this modern take on a retro-inspired New Year’s Eve party.

TULLE: It isn’t just for dresses and petticoats anymore. Whether you choose to hang tulle poms in the air or skirt a dessert table with layer upon layer of this frothy fabric, it is an inexpensive yet highly stylish way to decorate your party space.

MINT & METALLIC GOLD: Metallics are often associated with New Years parties and fashion. How perfect to pair one of the hottest colors, mint, with metallic gold for a modern take on a long-lived tradition for a 2013 celebration. I adore the invites & paper products by Loralee Lewis, perfect for this party.

CELEBRATION TABLE: Introducing a new take on a dessert table…a celebration table, as featured here, displays party horns, hats and confetti along with bubbly & cake. I find this to be a fabulous way to display gorgeous party decorations and attire, sure to strike up conversation.

PARTY ATTIRE: In addition to a traditional party hat, offer your guests glittered crowns and chic fascinators to add a more stylish accessory to make their look festive.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY NEW YEARS EVE: We love celebrating New Years with the entire family. I encourage a few family-friendly activities, such as “make your own midnight mix” where children and adults alike to create their own confetti pouch to toss when the clock strikes twelve. For the menu, offer sparkling cider in child-safe glasses for children and offer champagne at the bar.

SPARKLING CELEBRATION: Add some sparkle to your party with glittered tulle poms, starburst napkin rings, glitter-paper party horns and hats, as well as edible glitter on “2013″ cookies as featured.

CELEBRATION TABLE: Add some sparkle to your party with glittered tulle poms, starburst napkin rings, glitter-paper party horns and hats, as well as edible glitter on “2013″ cookies as featured.

TISSUE DECORATIONS:Vintage honeycomb tissue balls are making a big comeback in weddings, baby showers & holiday celebrations. I love the mint ones we used here. Also take a look at a hot trend: a tissue tassle garland, making the perfect backdrop for the celebration table. And a personal favorite: the tissue fringe lantern: a nod to the ball drop in NYC, this festive decoration is perfect on New Years Even, hung overhead.

THE PERFECT NYE CAKE: Strawberry Pink Champagne Cake. My personal favorite cake, this is a perfect dessert to serve your guests as they prepare to ring in the new year. I love how it looks on the Rosanna, Inc cake stand, available at Layla Grayce.

STYLISH PAPER PLACEMATS: I love the trend of paper placemats at more sophisticated table settings than your favorite local diner. They make fabulous “trays” to display party hats, party horns, desserts as well as the purpose for which they were intended. Line them up to make a table runner! These gold confetti placemats are perfect for New Years.

SIPS WITH WORDS OF WISDOM: I loved attaching resolutions and inspirational words on custom printed paper flags, to the decorative paper straws. A great way to spark conversation.

RESOURCE LIST

• Styling, Design & Photography: Kate Landers
• Cake Stands & Pedestals, Placemats, Napkin Rings: Layla Grayce
• Paperie: Loralee Lewis
• Tulle Tablecloth: Sweet Tea & Linen
• Tissue Fringe Garland: The Flair Exchange
• Tissue Fringe Lantern: Pom Tree
• Custom Cookies: Bambella Cookie Boutique
• Cake: Edible Details
• Party Horns & Tulle Poms: Icing Designs
• Custom Crowns, Party Hats & Fascinators: Prop Shop Boutique
• Mint Polka Dot Paper Straws & Tissue Honeycomb Balls: Shop Sweet Lulu

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

It’s Kate Landers here to discuss a fabulous celebration: A Simply Darling “Sip And See,” and share a favorite summer “sip” recipe for Cucumber Mint Lemonade!

A Sip and See is just as simple as it sounds: Guests come and “sip” beverages and have a chance to “see” the precious newborn baby. Typically the event is held approximately 1-2 months after the baby is born. Unlike a baby shower, you rarely will play games or see the mother “showered with gifts” off of a registry (though guests may choose to bring a present for the little one). Decorations are minimal, and guest lists are usually small.

Many find a Sip and See is a lovely party for a second-born child, as etiquette usually calls that you don’t usually have more than one baby shower for a mother. I personally LOVE this traditionally Southern celebration, and am here to share a few ideas for hosting one yourself. Soak in all the inspiration from our mint & white gender neutral Sip And See.

SIMPLE DECORATIONS: Often decorations for a Sip And See are simple and sweet. No need to go all out as you might for a lavish baby shower. I chose honeycomb tissue balls and placed them casually around the base of the table. A vintage decoration that is making a big comeback–and in the perfect shade of mint, it reinforced the color-scheme! I also used four sweet honeycomb tissue rosettes and placed above the table.

CLASSIC ENTERTAINING DETAILS: White floor length table linens (I took a simple floor length white table cloth and styled with a charming rouched swag adorned with mint green satin ribbon, similar to this table seen here), a white cake stand and clear pressed glass goblets and pitcher are all entertaining must-haves in my book, and are perfect for this precious party..

STYLE YOUR “SIPS”: with solid mint green paper straws, and add waterproof (and weatherproof!) flags to add some charm.

SIMPLE MENU: No need for an elaborate menu here. Often hosts of a Sip And See serve beverages and light appetizers or a charming cake like ours, decorated with mint ribbon and topped with fresh flowers from our garden. (Garden bouquets are perfect to decorate your home with for a Sip And See.)

SOUTHERN COMFORT: Hand held fans to keep cool, hand sanitizer for guests to use before holding the baby and a comfortable rocking chair for the new mom to comfort baby are all must-haves. Another fabulous old tradition to make new again: Hold the sweet newborn in a gorgeous bassinet like this one, or a moses basket, close to mom.

Cucumber Mint Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients:

• ~ 1/2 gallon lemonade (store-bought such as from Whole Foods, or homemade)
• ~ 5 large cucumbers (4 peeled and coarsely chopped, 1 unpeeled, sliced)
• ~ 1 small, fresh bunch of mint
• ~ 2 cups ice

Directions:

Pour lemonade over 2 cups of ice into your favorite pitcher

Blend the 4 peeled and coarsely chopped cucumbers, as well as 12 fresh mint leaves, until liquified. Pour mixture over sieve into the pitcher of iced lemonade. Stir.  

Add slices of unpeeled cucumber and additional mint leaves (I prefer 2/serving) as garnish.

RESOURCE LIST

• Kate Landers {event concept, design, styling & photography}
• Loralee Lewis {rosette banner, beverage sign & straw flags}
• Shop Sweet LuLu {tissue honeycomb balls & paper straws}
• Holly’s Sweet Hobby and Edible Details {faux fondant cake}
• Sweet Tea & Linen {custom table linens}

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Event concept, design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

It’s Kate Landers here, and I am absolutely thrilled to debut my latest personal event with you, our son Noah’s Baby Dedication. I have found there to be a shortage of inspiration online and in print of Baby Namings, Baptisms, Christenings and in my case, a Baby Dedication. It was a joyous challenge to create something unique and personal for this very meaningful event, and it’s a sheer delight to share it with you!

THE MEANING OF YOUR CHILD’S NAME CAN MAKE A PERFECT THEME: Noah’s name means “peaceful, restful, calming” and that is the exact effect he had on me during my pregnancy. I wanted to use the meaning of his name as a theme for our event, and therefore picked the visual symbol, a white dove carrying an olive branch, for printed details.

A NON-TRADITIONAL COLOR-SCHEME: I selected white and tan as the color-scheme for Noah’s Baby Dedication. It has a very sweet, soft, soothing effect, which carried through the theme of his name throughout the event details.

USE SIMPLE WHITE ELEMENTS FOR AN ELEGANT AFFAIR: I highly recommend floor-length white table linens, white cake pedestals and platters, as well as white decorations. I consider these investment pieces, as they can be re-used for other events in the future, coordinating with almost any theme or color-scheme!

USE A MIX OF CUSTOM AND STORE-BOUGHT PRODUCTS: I saw Kara of Kara’s Party Ideas use white eyelet for her son’s Baby Blessing last year, and I knew I wanted to use this as inspiration for our own baby dedication. The eyelet paper lanterns, paper rosetttes and favor bags are all available at large discount craft retailers online. Mixing them with custom printed banners and gorgeous ribbons, it can take something beautiful to an entirely new level.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: We opted for a very intimate gathering with a catered at-home luncheon. The dessert table offered guests beautiful custom cookies, fondant-eyelet-topped cupcakes, as well as a simple yet stunning cake. I was careful to keep the number of desserts under control, allowing me to display everything with room to spare. I have learned that sometimes too many desserts can distract the eye, taking away from the simple beauty of a dessert table.

INCORPORATE RE-USABLE DECORATIONS: You will note that beautiful stunning fabric wreath from our baby shower {from She’s Kinda Crafty} was given a facelift with a new gorgeous ribbon – another example of how a classic white item can be used for a variety of celebrations.

BLESSING BOARDS: I also created “Blessing Boards,” which you will see in the background of the dessert table. Guests each wrote a little blessing for Noah and inserted it into one of the eyelet envelopes on the boards. These boards are now in Noah’s nursery, and we look forward to reading them to him every now and them, reminding him of all those who love him!

RESOURCE LIST

• Kate Landers {event concept, design, styling & photography}
• Dollhouse Paperie by Dolce Drive {custom party printables}
• Holly’s Sweet Hobby {cookies & dove cake topper}
• Edible Details {fondant eyelet cupcake toppers}
• Rossana Inc at Layla Grayce {cake stands}
• Polka Dot Market {white gable boxes}
• Sweet Tea & Linen {custom white table linens}
• Martha Stewart Crafts {white eyelet lanterns, rosettes & favor boxes}

Photography: Robert Caplin

It’s Kate Landers here, sharing a personal interview with Amy Atlas, sweet stylist extraordinaire. Sweet tables have become quite trendy at celebrations across the globe. Amy is one of the pioneers who started turning a simple table of desserts into a stunning work of art. You may recognize Amy and her work from her appearance on NBC’s The Today Show, or from her many features in several print publications such as Real Simple, Martha Stewart Weddings, O Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, as well as thousands of blogs. She has been a personal inspiration to me and my work, I am so grateful she has shared such talent and inspiration with us all!

Photography: Gemma Comas

Photography: Gemma Comas

Photography: Gemma Comas

• Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. What is it about designing sweet tables that drove you to start a business out of it? My father was my original partner in sweets and then there was my grandmother who was an incredible baker – I learned how to bake in her kitchen. So for me, desserts and sweets were always a source of happiness. Originally it was a hobby and then it organically grew into a business through word of mouth. Because no one had taken the Viennese table to the next level, I recognized that there was a niche that could be filled. Since dessert is the final vestige of a lovely gathering, I thought it should be the most memorable.
• It is apparent from your blog and across the web that sweet tables are increasingly popular at all sorts of celebrations worldwide. What do you think sweet tables add to events making them so popular?
  It is a fantastic way to send your guests home with something sweet to remember the night.
• What was your inspiration for writing your new book?
  A few things inspired this book, the first being my love for baking (and cookbooks). I’ve had ideas of dessert tables that I wanted to create for years that I needed to get on paper. My readers were also a big inspiration to me – I wanted to give them a step-by-step manual so they could create their own dessert tables at home.
• Any hints you can share with our readers of what to expect to find in your latest labor of love? I wrote my book to give people approachable tips and tools to create their own memorable dessert displays. It is a baking book, paired with crafting instructions and styling tips. I deconstruct each of my displays so readers can see how they are made. Readers can use the book as inspiration, mix and match recipes and crafts from different sections, or recreate the entire displays. There are displays for intimate parties with a few friends all the way to to large, extravagant weddings. It makes a wonderful gift!

For a sweet ending, a surprise giveaway! One lucky reader will win a copy of Amy’s new book, Sweet Designs: Bake it, Craft it, Style it. Leave a comment on the blog and we’ll choose a winner at noon on Friday, May 4.

Thank you for your participation, the giveaway is now closed!

Design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

Design, styling and photography: Kate Landers

It’s Kate Landers here, excited to share with you a spring themed dessert table I was asked to design exclusively for Layla Grayce! I am completely smitten with the new Rosanna products, as well as a spectacular new line at Layla Grayce, Pip Studio. This theme and color scheme works beautifully for Easter, but also is perfect for baby & bridal showers, a birthday luncheon or Mother’s Day brunch. All the textures (from linen ruffles to ceramic hobnails) keep it fresh and current, while still maintaining a classic look.

DESIGN INSPIRATION: This dessert table was inspired by the stunning Pip Studio table cloth which features bird, butterfly, branch and floral silhouettes, in a fresh white, pale aqua and soft linen color scheme. Note how the gorgeous cookies, cake and cupcakes were all created to mimic these designs and are artfully displayed on Rosanna white cake stands and compotes.

BACKDROP: I’ve always adored the look of Pine Cone Hill Ruched Linen Platinum Pillow Shams, so I had Sweet Tea & Linen create a custom backdrop in a similar design to make this table feminine, romantic and oh-so-Layla Grayce. The best part is it will repurpose perfectly as a headboard or wall art to use at home all season long.

LAYLA GRAYCE PRODUCTS: Many times I find mixing products from different artisans creates a spectacular end result. For this dessert table, we used the gorgeous Pip Studio table cloth, as well as the following items from Rosanna to display our sweets: Les Petite Sweets Large Compote, Small Compote, Medium White Pedestal, 2 Small White Pedestals, Bon Bon White Footed Cake Stand, and a personal favorite I used for a vase: Les Cookies Jar (this cookie jar was absolutely perfect to show off our pretty ranunculus and tulips).

The great thing about these white Rosanna products is they mix beautifully with white platters I already have at home. I used mini cupcake stands and oval cookie platters from my personal collection to keep the budget in check, and it worked out beautifully.

DESSERTS: I absolutely love a beautiful cake as a centerpiece, and this one turned out to be simple yet stunning. The edible bird’s nest is beautiful on a clean white fondant covered cake. In addition to the cake, I had white coconut cupcakes topped with fondant robin’s eggs, coconut jellybeans, french macarons, and a personal favorite–custom decorated cookies! Check out the beautiful hand-iced bird silhouette cookies, a lovely match to the table cloth. The edible 3-dimensional white flowers on pale aqua cookies are almost too beautiful to eat! The butterflies, ruched swirls, and dainty floral designs all compliment each other, but varying shapes give them a bit of contrast.

PRINTED DETAILS: Everyone’s favorite striped paper straws were a must, and Loralee Lewis provided the most beautiful cream and white ones with coordinating straw flags. I recommend having them printed with the event date and name of the guest of honor. I also wanted some dessert signs to identify the different flavored cookies. I knew that with the romantic ruffled look and feel of the table, rosettes would be perfect. Loralee created stunning double-layer custom dessert tags that I could easily stand by each dessert, serving a purpose and adding style as well.

I kept everything minimalist for this table, wanting it to be a real source of inspiration for your spring event. Note that keeping all items on the table crisp and uniform in white makes them easy to reuse, such as re-purposing the cookie jar as a vase for fresh spring blooms. Will you be hosting an event this spring? I’d love to hear about it!

RESOURCE LIST

• Kate Landers {design, styling & photography}
• Sweet Tea & Linen {custom fabric backdrop}
• Edible Details {fondant faux cake and fondant robin’s eggs on cupcakes}
• Holly’s Sweet Hobby {fondant bird’s nest cake topper, dogwood, 3-dimensional butterfly and eyelet cookies, 3-dimensional large white edible flower cookies}
• Bambella Cookie Boutique {butterfly shaped and bird silhouette cookies}
• Dainty Delights, Inc. {ruched loop cookies, dainty aqua/khaki/white flower and butterfly cookies}
• Loralee Lewis {paper straws, straw flags and rosette dessert tags}
• Bokolette {french macarons}

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Images: Liza Voll Photography

Who knew a girl who lives the color pink, fabric ruffles and pearls could fall in love with baby blue sailor suits and masculine fonts?!?! It’s Kate Landers here, debuting my very own baby shower! I was beyond thrilled to learn we were expecting a baby boy. Visions of hand smocked rompers and a vintage pram with sparkling silver spokes filled my head. I soon became aware that you CAN have a classic, romantic, sophisticated and timeless baby shower, regardless of the child’s gender. The images, beautifully captured by Liza Voll Photography, tell much of the celebration story on their own.

INSPIRATION ABOUNDS: A monogram family heirloom silver baby cup and my Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake Collection juniper berry diaper bag provided inspiration for the details of the shower (and also made a fabulous decoration on display!) My vision of smocked romper cookies, edible saddle oxford baby shoes and classic baby block Rice Krispie treats came straight from the armoire and nursery. All were hand-crafted in the most extraordinary way imaginable. A vintage-inspired pram from a thrift shop and charming rocking horse (also from our nursery) fueled the idea for more of these perfect and utterly darling cookies. I adored the dainty details! A gorgeous wreath inspired by the fabrics used in our nursery (baby blue toile and crisp white quilted diamond linens) introduced guests to the theme as soon as they walked up to the door.

SET THE STAGE: Serving as a focal point of the shower, the darling edible delights on the dessert table were a highlight of the event. Amazing designers generously provided many of these treats and the finished display speaks volumes of how successful this collaboration was. I simply adore the monogram sterling silver baby cup, silver rattle, white lamb and my diaper-bag-inspired cookies and Rice Krispie treats. I got goosebumps when we placed the sweetest fondant buttons on petit fours and baby bottles on mini carrot cupcakes. Coordinating pacifier mini cupcake toppers added a bit of whimsy to the dessert table, and French macaroon pop “rattles” were a guest favorite.

DELICIOUS DETAILS: Designer and friend Brittany took on the great challenge of creating a stunning fondant cake banner and matching cupcake toppers, all designed to coordinate with the gorgeous custom printed paper details created by the spectacular Loralee Lewis. I fell in love with Loralee’s petite rosette cupcake toppers, but had no more cupcakes to put them on! But I realized how perfect they would be for favor box adornments, and they fit perfectly on the custom printed mini gable boxes I ordered from friend Pam. A few trendy elements like silver striped paper straws were mixed with vintage-inspired silver urns to keep the beverage table fresh.

THE MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP: I must share the greatest lesson I learned from this event: the power of teaming up with party designers or friends who love to design and entertain. I knew I would have a hand in designing my own baby shower (an etiquette no-no), and was also aware that hosting and executing a shower on the scale I imagined would require the help of women passionate for party design. Jenny and Christy stepped up to the plate, traveling from near and far, to co-design, coordinate, set-up, execute and break down the event. They worked so very, very hard, and threw me the perfect shower. For many weeks we worked together as a TEAM, each coming up with brilliant ideas (such as Jenny’s idea of signing baby blocks instead of a guest book) and setting up a perfect dessert table (thanks Christy for your vision!). Party planning can be overwhelming, and pairing up with others not only relieves stress, but also can create a celebration far greater than you ever imagined.

Images: Liza Voll Photography

RESOURCE LIST

• Loralee Lewis {all printed designs & details, from banners and favor box rosettes to dessert table signs and invitations}
• Lynlee’s Petite Cakes {edible pacifier cupcake toppers and edible Petunia Picklebottom “Cake” inspired diaper bag rice krispey treat toppers}
• Edible Details {edible cake banner and matching “N” cupcake toppers}
• Cakes and Kids {edible button petit four toppers and edible petite baby bottle dessert toppers}
• Dainty Delights, Inc. {rocking horse, sailor suit and vintage pram cookies}
• Holly’s Sweet Hobby {fondant covered-rice krispey baby blocks, gum paste baby saddle oxford shoe cookies, fondant smocked romper oval cookies}
• Crazy About Macarons {french macaron pop “baby rattles”}
• Sweet Tea & Linen {white custom tablecloth}
• Party Starters {custom stripe and gingham printed mini gable favor boxes}
• A to Z Celebrations {custom pom-pom trim gift table topper}
• Bambella Cookie Boutique {custom Petunia Pickle Bottom “Cake” diaper bag-inspired cookies, lamb cookies, silver rattle & silver baby cup cookies}
• She’s Kinda Crafty {custom fabric wreath}
• Christy {co-designer, stylist and host} inspireddesign44.blogspot.com
• Jenny {co-designer, stylist and host} bugger-dixonline.blogspot.com
• Liza Voll Photography {all images} www.lizavoll.com