MORE IS MORE FAB: Sacha London Women’s Rosalind Platform Sandal, Kate Spade New York Miss Glitter Crossbody Bag, Kendra Scott Payton Earrings in White, Alexis Bittar Crumple Accented Lucite Bangle Bracelet, Frock by Tracy Reese Tessa Cocktail Dress LESS IS BEST: Plenty by Tracy Reese Black Cece Dress, Sam Edelman ‘Scarlett’ Pump, Devon Leigh Black Onyx in 24k Foil Earrings, La Regale Mesh Box Clutch

It’s the season for gifting, and we’re giving away a $100 Layla Grayce gift certificate each day! It’s a fun face-off where you vote for which items qualify as “a few of my favorite things.” Leave a comment below or on our facebook page to be entered to win the gift certificate. At the end of the day a winner will be selected from all comments posted here and on facebook (and no worries, you can be a winner even if your choice doesn’t finish as the top pick of the day). Every weekday through December 16th is a new giveaway, 10 in all. Happy holidays from all of us at Layla Grayce!

Congrats to Cathy F winner of our Day 5 Giveaway!

Photo credits clockwise from top: Lemonade stand via One Love Photo, Katie Brown Orchard beverage dispenser via Meijer, lemon image via Getty Images

Photo credits clockwise from top left: Lemon Truffles by Sue Sparks, TomKat Studio imprintables, Pink Lemonade Cupcakes image courtesy of Neural 9 for The Cupcake Bar, TomKat Studio imprintables

With summer just around the corner, lemonade stands are popping up on grassy front lawns everywhere, often accompanied by baked goodies and darling smiles you can’t refuse! It’s Kate Landers again, here to share tips for creating the perfect bake sale or lemonade stand, styled to offer customers thirst-quenching lemonade and melt-in-your-mouth goodies. It’s a terrific opportunity to raise money for your school or charity and help children to learn entrepreneurial business skills and community leadership. And presentation can go a long way!

• Dress The Part. Put on your favorite designer apron (one for you and your child!) not only to look fashionable, but also to protect your clothing from unexpected spills and splatters. One of my favorites is the Jessie Steele aqua and white polka dot apron.
• Styling Your Sips. Use a plastic beverage dispenser for your lemonade {garnish with lemon slices and lots of ice} so customers can serve themselves, and you conserve table space. Next to the dispenser fill a jar or vase with striped paper straws–it is amazing how much punch a simple straw can add! Frost flex plastic are my cups of choice, as they chill even on a hot day. I love the monogram Clairebella trays to carry goods in and out of the house.
• Trendy Baked Goodies. Home made treats are always a hit. In addition to the standard chocolate chip cookies and home made fruit pies, I recommend offering some trendy delights sure to “wow”: petite whoopie pies, cake truffles and pink lemonade-flavored cupcakes!
• A Perfect Presentation. Other than keeping a tidy table, decorate your space with a striped fabric awning, a bowl of lemons and a charming printable banner. Kim of The TomKat Studio created an exclusive banner, dessert tags and cupcake toppers for Layla Grayce readers to enjoy for your next summer lemonade stand or bake sale! {see printable files below}. The dessert tags help guests identify items and cost, and the cupcake toppers add instant style to your home baked treats.
• Pretty AND Practical Packaging. When it comes to wrapping up baked treats for your guests, get creative using colorful baker’s twine (available in almost every color you can think of) and paper doilies or treat sacks. Consider offering a stack of treats or mason jar of cookies for those who are in a hurry and don’t have time to hand select their sweets.

Enjoy this delightful opportunity to spend time with your child, raise money for your community or favorite charity and sweeten your summer!

With holiday entertaining around the corner, we’re looking for stylish ways to dress up a table to impress our guests. Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff, designers and co-founders of Anders Ruff Custom Designs, have created a classic Fall Harvest printable collection in earthy hues to add a special touch whether you’re sharing cupcakes at a school event or hosting a formal Thanksgiving feast. Here’s an exclusive first peek for Layla Grayce readers along with tips from Anders Ruff for transforming your table wear for the special occasion. And read on for details of a generous giveaway!

• Involve the whole family or even your guests in the design. Spend the month completing “I am Thankful” cards and use as part of the display – we strung them along the dessert table with natural twine and old-fashioned clothespins. We also displayed apples from a recent apple-picking trip on candleholders for a pop of color.
• Wrapping paper and patterned papers are an excellent and economical embellishment to use on table tops, buffets and box risers (see the dessert table). We wanted to use antique irish linens to keep with tradition, but created a rustic feel by making a table runner with a textured craft wrapping paper. The theme was carried to the favor, drink and dessert tables as well.
• Canning jars make perfect favor containers. We involved the children in making homemade cranberry applesauce. To make our favor unique, we layered in cranberry sauce into the jars to create a beautiful layering effect. We personalized and coordinated the lid with a logo from our collection.
• Dressing up your everyday dishes with a custom fabric charger gives a dramatic effect without breaking the bank. We secured burlap to cardboard cake rounds to make these chargers.
• Backdrops are a great way to transform your room for a thanksgiving feast. Find fabric and cover a large canvas or duct board (found at any hardware store) to create a dessert or food buffet backdrop. Tie in colors from your backdrop onto your tabletop.
• Consider a cider and wine bar for your beverage stand. We served spiced cider from an oversize Ball glass container. We dressed up Ball glass mugs with a stick of cinnamon and coordinated printed paper, and also detailed the wine bottles with raffia and logos from our collection.

It’s giveaway time! Anders Ruff is generously offering one lucky winner the entire Fall Harvest collection and this Customized Invitation Design (includes Anders Ruff personalization services). To enter, tell us your favorite thing about fall here or on our Facebook page. Contest ends at 6pm EST on Friday, October 15.

Congrats to Marissa, winner of our Anders Ruff giveaway!

Photography by Becca Bond Photography