Kiddo's Retro Modern Birthday and Dessert Table

Whew! Kiddo's 6th birthday has come and gone. Now that I'm rested up from all that designing, planning, and crafting, it's the perfect time to share some pics and projects. You know me, I had to DIY some cute stuff and design a dessert table to customize her bash, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. So, I created an inexpensive photo booth backdrop, a retro modern dessert table backdrop, some milk bottles, and a colorful dance floor for breakdancing.

The fab Sydnee Bickett captured all of the lovely details, and I'm sharing tutorials for the projects on Momtastic. I also give my 5 Tips to Makeover a Bland Birthday Venue, which helped us save some money. Check that out, and be sure to swing by to learn to make your own:

DIY Retro Diamond Paper Plate Backdrop
DIY Number Outline Birthday Photo Backdrop
DIY Retro Diamond Color Block Bottles

These little diamond color block milk bottles were another easy, inexpensive DIY. I wrote up the tutorial for Momtastic. Swing by for the how-to.

 

Last year, I made a little cake for her. This year, we had a million (read: 14) kids in attendance, so cupcakes seemed like a more manageable option.

This giant number 6 photo booth backdrop was easy and really inexpensive to make. You've got to check out my tutorial.

 

I danced as much as the kids, and this pic of my two girls dancing together makes me so happy!

Dessert Table: Macarons at Midnight!

It's that time of year, and another one is nearly over. 2013 is right around the corner, so my thoughts turn to glitter, sweets, and the big countdown. Last year, we participated in a progressive dinner for NYE. A ton of scheduling conflicts have kept us from doing a repeat, but I'm still in the mood for some yummy midnight macarons. Jade & Matthew Take Pictures captured this Gray Harper Event Maker dessert table filled with mini-champagne, colored popcorn, and sparkler topped macarons in all its festive sparkle.

What are you doing for New Year's? I think we'll be just hanging out at home doing a movie marathon once the kids are asleep.

pics via TKB

Sweet Idea: Candy Apples & Popcorn Balls

These sprinkle-dusted treats by Heather of Sprinkle Bakes are as pretty twists on classic sweets. I break out kernels and our popcorn popper at least 4 nights a week and experiment with fun things like M&Ms and butterscotch chips.

I just knew those two random bags of marshmallows I bought yesterday would be used for something yummy. Helloooo, popcorn balls!

images via Sprinkle Bakes

Dessert Table: Nautically Nice

When you think nautical, navy blue always comes to mind. Usually it's paired with yellow, red, or green, but this little gem for a girl's party matches the classic hue up with pink. Tracy of The Sweet Peach Paperie centered a pink ruffle cake among popcorn cones, custom anchor cookies, and cute cupcakes. A flag bunting and glass milk bottles with striped straws add adorable finishing touches.

images via Sweet Goosie Girl

Sweet Idea: White Chocolate Confetti Popcorn

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, then you already know that I've been making my own white chocolate popcorn for an after-dinner snack a lot lately. When I saw this little bit of extra flare today on Pinterest, it was a "Why didn't I think of that?" moment. Amy of She Wears Many Hats shared these lovely pics of her Party Popcorn.

Simply drizzle melted Candy Qwik or other hardening white chocolate over your lightly salted popcorn (I like Pop Secret's Homestyle) and dust the morsels with colorful sprinkles for a festive treat. You can even make some the night before Valentine's when your kids are asleep and put a little baggie into their lunch for the holiday. Now you know what I'll be munching tonight while watching Alcatraz and SMASH.

Guest Desserts: Parisian Chic

Hopefully, you liked today's first Chanel ice cream post. I'm back with a Guest Desserts feature from Shandra Ward of Signature Design Studio. She created this red, black, and white dessert table for a bridal showcase and submitted the design along with some insight into her creation.

From Shandra: When you think of Paris, you may think of intrigue, romance, and styl[e]. Our latest sweet buffet creation is inspired by Paris. We love Paris, it’s one of our favorite places in the world – the city, the food, the fashion, their language, everything! So it felt very fitting to create a stylish buffet that screams intrigue, romance and style.

More from Shandra: We chose a dramatic color scheme of black and white accented with red. This unsung color scheme is modern and sophisticated and anything but boring. With classic sweet treats and modern style, our Parisian Chic sweet buffet is truly an affair to remember.

Thank you for sharing your design, Shandra! I love seeing the displays you all come up with for your events.

Do you have a recipe, dessert table, or DIY project to share? Visit the Submissions page for all the details you need to see your works here.

Dessert Meets Design: XOXO Dessert Table for Mpls Photo Center

Yesterday, I shared some behind-the-scenes pics of photog Emily Steffen's workshop. Em asked me to design a dessert table for her students to photograph, and I was happy to do her that favor. She assembled a great team of talented women to pull off an inspirational wedding shoot, including Abby Rutchik of Mpls Photo Center, Melissa Stratton of Sadie's Floral, and Bethany Hway of b*spoke.

We set out to create a modern event using black, white, slate grey, and poppy red for the palette. This is the palette I created to help guide the vision. I also thought it'd be fun to incorporate an "xoxo" theme to tie the entire design together. For this table, I created a monochromatic cake, chocolate whoopie pies, and coconut cupcakes. I also designed xoxo popcorn boxes and candy bar wrappers to coordinate with the invitations and menu cards. Brownie balls, powdered donut holes, and macarons round out the selection.

Want to see the reception tables and the bride and groom? Here are a few shots, but be sure to check out Emily's blog for even more great pics.

This was such a great project, and I'm glad Emily invited me to join in the fun.

Contributors:

venue: The Mpls Photo Center
photography: Emily Steffen Photography
flowers: Melissa Stratton of Sadie's Floral
desserts: Shauna Younge Dessert Tables
styling: Bethany Hway
hair and makeup: Aubrey Thoren of Foiled Again Salon
bride and groom: Kayla & Elliot 
stemware, chargers and linen: Linen Effects

Dessert Table: Vintage Circus

You might remember this baby shower's Parisian circus dessert table that I shared with you last month. Today's circus-themed table, which was featured on Style Me Pretty, has a totally different, vintage vibe.  Tangerine Tree Photography captured all of the crafty details perfectly for this inspirational photo shoot by Moira Events.

The invitations set the stage for the theme, and let guests know to expect a much less stuffy, formal affair than your typical wedding.

Paper flowers were used to decorate the table and to create a crafty cake topper! A wire basket becomes an unexpected riser to elevate the cake.

Fun paper goods were used throughout the event to create a whimsical, care-free vibe. The bride's paper bouquet reminds me of the fabric bouquet I designed for Nonpareil Magazine. Be sure to check out the tutorial in the current issue if you haven't already.

So tell me, which one is more your style? The Parisian circus or the vintage one? 

Have a great weekend! I'll be back Monday with some great last-minute Halloween ideas.