Where I find Inspiration

People often ask me where I find inspiration when I begin to style a party. I honestly find inspiration everywhere...magazines of all kinds, peoples' houses, fabric, books, online...the list could go on. but I do find myself turning back to this picture time and time again.

I first spotted this page layout while reading House Beautiful and I have already blogged about it here. I finally scanned in the actual image from the magazine to share with all of you! the color combinations are gorgeous! When I look at the picture, my mind starts turing with one party idea after another. I wish I could get my hands on the actual jpeg, so you could see the vibrant colors come through!

Thank you to LA PLATES for dreaming up such beautiful color combinations!

{Photoshoot} Swanky Swirls & Vintage Pearls

Sugarsticks Parties was asked to design a tablescape for a Swanky Baby Vintage spring line photoshoot and the result was absolutely swoon worthy! The theme of the party was "vintage with a sprinkle of Southern charm" and the shoot took place in an old pecan orchard which lent to the vintage vibe.

* All of the dreamy sources of the photoshoot are listed at the bottom *

You can read more about the gorgeous photoshoot here, on Sugarsticks Parties blog!

Vendor Guide:

Photography - The Picture Ladies

Outfits & hair accessories - Swanky Baby Vintage

Paper Goods - Sugarsticks Parties

Cake stands - Rosanna Inc.

Straws & baking goods - Bake it Pretty

Baker's twine - The Twinery

Logo cookies - Allyson Jane Designer Desserts

Burlap runner and napkins - Sweet Tea and Linen

{Tutorials} Personalized Halloween Treat Bucket

My crafty friend, Amanda, always comes up with the cutest DIY projects! This particular one even looks easy enough for me. I'm craft challenged!

Supplies: a plastic bucket, acrylic paint (orange, white & black), paint brushes, polyurethane spray along with tissue, ribbon, a gift tag and candy.

Directions:

First, spray the bucket with polyurethane spray. This will help the paint adhere. Next, paint a white ghost on the bucket. Then, using white paint, paint the monogram, name or phrase you wish to use. Also, paint the large white dots on the side; 2 coats.

Using the black paint, add your ghost face, "Boo" and "2010" to your dots. Then, apply 2 coats of orange paint to the monogram, name or phrase. Next, add letter "shadowing" to your lettering using white paint. Finish by spraying the bucket with polyurethane spray once again.

Now all you need to do is include a gift sticker, fill tissue paper with candy and tie ribbon on the handle for a BOOtacular Halloween treat!

This is such a cute and easy Halloween bucket you can make as a gift or even for your child's treat bucket! Thank you Amanda for sharing!

**Amanda found this particular bucket at HEB in the candy aisle.**

{Real Parties} A Very MAD Hatter Tea Party

If you are leaning towards the gothic side this year and are in the need for last minute Halloween inspiration, look no further! The lovely Chris of Celebrations at Home has designed a very MAD Hatter Halloween Tea Party that is perfect for your party.

Chris pulled this table together in less than a week and you can too! Lucky for you...Gwynn of Gwynn Wasson Designs created all the printables for the table (excluding the clock cupcake toppers) AND is offering them to you for FREE!!!

You won't want to miss LOTS more pictures on Chris's site as well as her Facebook page. No only does she share more photos with you, but she maps out a party plan that is easy to follow.

Happy Halloween Week!

Real Parties: Woodland Forest Birthday Party

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Kelly from The Party Dress and WH Hostess is a true talent and her latest children's birthday party for a 5-year-old boy is perfection. Kelly created a modern version of the popular whimsical woodland forest theme we have seen lately.

Focusing on an owl, toadstool, acorns and moss, a color palette of rusty red, olive green, chocolate brown and robin's egg blue was born. I love the clean-lined version of this cute theme and the rustic feel that in Kelly's words, was "oh so boy"!

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I have fallen for Kelly's centerpiece sticks which are the perfect addition to a kids party. At this birthday, cylinder vases were filled with moss stones and green lentils and topped off with one of the sticks.

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The children's table was set perfectly with a rattan placemat, lemonade bottles embellished with stickers and and box lunch. Each place setting also had a favor wrapped in the cutest way! The favor was wrapped in burlap fabric and tied with a polka dot ribbon and adorning gift tag.

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The dessert table stole the show! I adore the rustic, yet modern feel. To enhance the setting, Kelly used wooden boxes from Ikea in various places. Coordinating cupcake toppers, candy jar tags and woodland forest banner were found around the table as well. The children got to indulge in lots of yummy candy such as candy raspberries and swirl salt water taffy and custom cookies by the talented Allyson Jane Designer Desserts.

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Another picture of one of my favorite elements...the burlap wrapped party favors!

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I always get so excited when one of Kelly's parties lands in my inbox. We were able to collaborate on a girly monkey party not too long ago and we are both dying to see the pictures!!

And did you know that Kelly was just featured in InStyle Magazine as one of "best of the web" entertaining sources?!