Pink & Yellow Spring Brunch

Kate of Studio LIME Design sent me these pics of a pretty brunch she hosted for mother's day.  The simple modern design would work perfectly for any ladies get-together and has some ideas that are easy to re-create.  I particularly like the pink and yellow color combo, and the recycled cans painted, tied with ribbon, and filled with flowers.  Read on for what Kate has to say about the brunch... 

"I wanted to host a sweet and simple brunch for my mom and mother-in-law to honor them and show how much my husband and I appreciate all of the hard work, dedication, and selflessness they've displayed and modeled for us {new parents ourselves!} over the years.

My tablescape was inspired by the beautiful and soft springy colors that surround us at this time of the year. I used a pale yellow fabric to cover my place mats and some brighter pink and yellow fabrics/ribbons to cover the vases holding floral blooms to infuse a little more color to my table. A large lantern with candles was used to anchor the table.

At each mothers' place setting was a ceramic pitcher filled with a floral bouquet and a simple white frame holding a picture of her with her children from a long, long time ago. This was a special touch for each guest of honor, added to springy vibe of the table, and doubled as each mom's Mother's Day gift as well.

Each guest also had a mini menu tucked inside their brunch napkin listing the eats for the day. The hit item on the menu was a "Banana Nut French Toast," which couldn't have been more simple to make {tips on my blog}. And mimosas were served to kick off the brunch because what's brunch without mimosas?!?!

I also created a sweets bar using the sideboard in my dining room. I propped a fabric covered backdrop to add a pop of color and a twig tree with hanging crystals. On to the good part -- the desserts -- mini powdered doughnuts, sugar cookies with flower fondant toppers, and a pound cake with cream cheese frosting to top it all off. One of my favorite quotes, which explains the awesome responsibility we have as mothers so perfectly, was also added to the dessert spread."

Thanks for sharing the lovely brunch with us, Kate.  All these ideas can be used in bridal showers, birthdays, and baby showers as well!

Paper items & styling - Studio LIME Design

Fondant Cake Toppers - Two Sugar Babies

Swing Into Spring Sweets Table

Get ready to SWING into Spring with this pretty dessert table sent to me by Natasha of Fete Fanatic.  Natasha designed this table for her event studio space (The Flair Factor) in order to celebrate Spring being in full "Swing."  The addition of the "swing" display makes me giddy with joy!

I love that all the sweets shown here can be homemade or store bought.  Great for budget-friendly parties as well as last minute gatherings.  This is what Natasha has to say about the tablescape:

"I'm not a graphic designer, so I selected a festive fabric and used it throughout my design... As you can see the theme is Spring's in Full "Swing"! I accented the sweets table with a vibrant fabric as my starting point. To reflect my theme, I used a serving tray as a "swing", and hung it using jute twine so it will be elevated above the table. Sitting on the swing were can cakes wrapped with the same fabric used on the table and twine. Fresh rose petals were sprinkled on the swing for a fresh spring feel and to tie in with the centerpiece from the tablescape.

Sweets included assorted gumballs, ribbon candy to compliment the vibrant color palette, strawberry tootsie rolls, lemon heads, lemon tarts, strawberry and vanilla cupcakes, assorted meringues. I embellished the vanilla cupcakes with an edible DIY swirlpop cupcake topper made from marshmallow straws! Last but not least, Lemon flavored water was a must to balance all the sweets on the table! Lemon yellow drinking straws were embellished fabric flags. Of course... the same fabric!"

Thank you so much for sharing your table with us, Natasha.  I'm sure everyone will love it as much as I do!  And for a coordinating Spring tablescape design visit here.

Take Away Tips:

• Use a vibrant fabric fabric to infuse interest and personality to the decor.
• Hanging paper rosettes are the new "poms".
• Serve simple food in interesting ways to make it even more special.
• Hang a "swing" display for an unexpected focal point.

Spring Celebration Shoot With DIY Details

I have such a pretty inspiration shoot to share with you today that's just right for a bridal shower, or girly birthday celebration.  This idea was designed and photographed by Lou of Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, and has some cute crafty details that are sure to inspire you!

Lou combined an eclectic mix of fabric patterns to create a table runner and napkins.  Sweet felt "puffy hearts" were sewn with a simple stitch and are a focal point throughout the display.  A variety of ribbons are used to tie around chairs, silverware, and centerpiece vases {recycled cans that have been painted}.

One of the most adorable features on the table is the place holders, made by sewing a monogram on a small piece of felt fabric, and tied around a painted egg cup using bakers twine.  Such a great touch that adds handmade charm to any occasion!

The dessert table does not disappoint as it utilizes a dresser and fashions a drawer into a flower "vase."  A banner hangs above, made of scrap fabric and bakers twine.  Doilies and more felt hearts are scattered across the table, and a mini bunting tops the cake. 

Not only are the colors and flowers in this design gorgeous, but these are all ideas you can re-create for your own charming party!  Thanks Lou!

May Pole Party Ideas

Add a traditional symbol to your Spring celebrations by incorporating a May Pole.  This is a fun and whimsical touch that can be used in children's parties as well as weddings.  Here are a few ideas to try: 

Errect an actual may pole outdoors for the children to dance around at a birthday party, or down the aisle at your wedding.  You can see a tutorial for making one on Mommy Blessings.

Desserts are made even prettier when displayed with a skewer & ribbon 'may pole' topper.

Ribbon wands mimic the may pole and are a fun favor for the kids, or an alternative for guests to wave to the bride and groom instead of throwing rice or blowing bubbles.  Find an easy tutorial on Polkadot Bride.

To carry out the theme even further, create ribbon chandeliers, tie the backs of chairs with ribbon, or hang a ribbon backdrop.  Happy May Day!

Photos:

May Poles: left, right

Cake, cupcake

Wands: left, right

chandelier, chairs, backdrop

Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt {Part 2}

An Easter Brunch deserves a special table for the adults since the kids have all the fun with egg hunting and eating treats.  You can catch the sweets table and kids table in Part 1 of this inspiration shoot to get ideas there.  This table is a bit more sophisticated and would be ideal for any Spring brunch or luncheon, as well as Mother's Day. 

(click on photos to enlarge)

As usual I began the place settings with my white plates.  These are a great investment for anyone who enjoys entertaining, as you can design easily around them, and food always looks best on this "blank canvas."  Purple doilies found in the $1 bin of Michaels were a great way to add color and a nice base for the place card holders to sit on.  The addition of a simple yellow cotton napkin placed under the plate was all that was needed to complete the look.

The cuppies from Jimemmajack are playful and decorative as they sit on the rim of coffee mugs at each place setting.  Pretty name cards from the Chickabug Easter set are placed in nest card holders filled with wrapped chocolate eggs.   

The centerpiece is pretty simple as it is a small vase filled with pink and yellow carnations, and white daisies set inside a bird cage from Michael's.  Flanking this were 2 smaller bird cages filled with chocolate malt eggs.

Favors were inexpensive and easy to dress up with $1 flower seed bags from Target.  The rustic jute bag was adorable but needed some pizzazz to sit on our brunch table.  I simply cut panels of fabric to size and attached it along with a circle tag using the jute tie already present.  The butterfly & hummingbird flower mix inside will remind guests of the festive time they had!

The nice thing about hosting a brunch like this is that you don't necessarily have to do all the cooking yourself.  You can provide the specialty cookies, drinks, and the main dish - such as a honey baked ham - and have your guests bring the side dishes to go along.  For a brunch, it's a good idea to serve a mix of items that reflect both breakfast and lunch.  Pastries, fruit, mixed salads, and breakfast meats can all be incorporated. 

You can see the recipe for these ham & cheese phyllo cups I made.  These are a delicious way to tie your guests over while anticipating the main course.

Make sure you visit part 1 of our Easter Brunch to see the sweets table and kids table!

Spring Parties E-zine

You won't want to miss Bird's Party's latest online magazine (just click on the picture above) with so much inspiration for Spring entertaining.  Contributors include Bird, Celebrate Today, Branco Prata, The Party Wall, Haniela's, and my self!

Inside you'll find some amazing vendors, a Mexican Fiesta (in non-traditional colors), a "little outdoorsman" birthday party for a little boy (by yours truly), an Alice in Wonderland theme, a cupcake party, and so much more.  There's also a chance to win over $100 worth of prizes, and a special promo code for Bird's Party printables.

So, go ahead and get comfortable, and simply click on the photo to open the magazine.  Cheers!

'Shabby Chic' Style Birthday Design

Today's feature looks as if it is straight out of a photo shoot for Country Living magazine, although it is actually a dual birthday celebration.  I shouldn't be surprised, though, since it is the work of Jess of Pen n' Paper Flowers.  I think I love it so much because it combines party design concepts with interior design concepts....2 of my favorite things!

I adore all the gorgeous vignettes above, as well as the dressed-up 'antiques' and accoutrements.  Jess spread the pink and yellow colors throughout with the use of fabric and food, and I love that she used the small frappuccino bottles I've talked about here, as part of the favor bucket!  You can visit Pen n' Paper Flowers for more details on this delightful party.