Dessert Table: Puppy Party

We've talked about the pooch at a party trend a few times, but I have to admit, this is the first doggie dessert table I've ever seen. I found this puppy party at One Charming Party and scooted over to photog Nicole Hill's blog for even more pics. For so many people, your pets are your kids and this party is full of inspiration for your "baby's" birthday.

I love the great mix of patterns here like the dog print paper, the plaid fabric, and the houndstooth envelope liners. The cute pups are great, too.

Have you ever thrown a party for your pet? If not, would you?

Dessert Table: Love is Sweet

Remember when I shared this Kate Spade holiday and this metallic New Years Eve dessert table with you? I noticed that both shoots featured a pooch at the party, and I wondered if that would be a new trend in inspirational shoots and even in home entertaining. As in, "Please attend our housewarming party, and bring your pooch along!"

Well, we're nearing Valentine's Day and I've got another pooch at a party dessert table for you. This graphic table, which was featured on Green Wedding Shoes, is all-white with splashes of vibrant red. Gourmet marshmallows, macarons, cakes, and cupcakes make a small, cozy sweets fest for two.

Don't have time for an entire dessert table? Simply add some wall decor and a small cake and cupcake at each place setting.

And the event wouldn't be complete without a little puppy love.

What do you think of the Pooch at a Party trend? Is it silly or sublime?


Be sure to come back for today's second Valentine's dessert table.


Photography – Gabriel Ryan
Desserts – Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach
Styling – Carolyn Chen of The Special Day
Floral Design – Dolce Design Studio
Ice Cream – Sweet Lucie’s
Stationery – Mintwich Designs
Accessories – Ban.do
Dress – Alisa Benay
Shoes – Vivienne Westwood
Linens – Wildflower Linens
Chairs – Chameleon
Producer – Be Inspired PR

Dessert Table: Have a Vibrant New Year

I don't want to send you into sugar shock, so we'll work our way up to today's glammed-out, super luxe shoot. If you loved the ease of those metallic champagne cupcakes, then this simple dessert table will be an attainable step up.

Inspired by This featured this Isari Flowers inspirational New Year's Eve party shoot. A few reflective surfaces, some gold and silver balloons, and one stunning cake make this fete simple, yet glamorous.

Mingle glass candle holders and gold foil-wrapped candies in apothecary jars to make a second, no-fuss dessert station. Don't have mirrored tables? Mimic the look by placing frameless mirrors on the table, and place your desserts and dishes on top of the mirrors.

Although he's not featured with the desserts, I wonder if dogs in chairs will be one of the new photo shoot trends of 2011. I shared this pooch at a party with you just last week.

Hopefully you didn't go into a gilded sugar coma, because I've got another sensational dessert spread coming your way today. Stay tuned.

Dessert Table: A Kate Spade Holiday

Yesterday, I shared this H&M-inspired favor idea that I created. As further evidence that dessert inspiration can come from anywhere, I bring you this Kate Spade-inspired dessert display by Styled Creative. The design team was blown away by a Kate Spade holiday window display, and enlisted photog Alison Conklin to capture these images for Style Me Pretty.

The chalk-drawn Christmas tree is a genius, inexpensive backdrop. Simply trace a tree onto kraft paper using an overhead projector. Gold, silver, and vibrant teal play nicely with blush pink to create a hip holiday vibe. Glitter-bedazzled forest friends add a whimsical touch.

This cake puts a glittery holiday spin on this art-y design I shared with you a few months ago.

I love, love, love Boston Terriers so I know I'd be tempted to give this cutey a cupcake of his own.

Next week, I've got another beautiful reader submission in store. As you gather with friends and family, be sure to take pics of your nephew gobbling up pie, the platter of cookies you made, or the cake your sister brought. I'd love to share them here, so email me at info {at} shaunayounge.com.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Winter Whimsy

Winter in Minnesota means skiing, sledding, broomball, and lots of snow. These hobbies and icy accents have a way of showing up in all kinds of events, and here are a few desserts that are Whimsical Winter done right.


Brooklyn Bride featured this glacial cake in the Week in Review. Somehow, the cake manages to showcase a plethora of winter symbolism without looking overly cutesy or cluttered.

Cakes 4 Fun created this jagged masterpiece using rice paper and edible glitter.

This Le Petit Atelier cookie is one of the most ornate gingerbread snowflakes I've ever seen. The swirls and silver beads make it an edible luxury.

Nothing says "Winter" like dogs in sweaters, right? Eleni's certainly thinks so.

I like the little dog cookies, but the sculptural, icy cake gets my vote. It's definitely a showstopper. Which one is your favorite winter-y design?

Today's the eighth day of the 10 Days of Craftsmas. I'll be back with the next DIY project of the series later today. See you then!