{Inspiration} My July Fourth Table Setting

This weekend, I decided to put together a table setting to hopefully provide you with some inspiration for your own July Fourth celebration! The classic patriotic color scheme played a part, but I tried to give it a slight twist by using navy and white nautical stripes as well as use a royal blue and white vase as the focal point.

I used red and cream kitchen towels which I found at Ikea to give the look a more vintage vibe. The napkins were placed in inexpensive patriotic pails from Target's dollar section.

I love the trend of brining the inside out, so I used one of our book cases as the dessert and beverage area.

IZZE sparkling soda (in red of course!) was set out along with semi-homemade apple pie cupcakes and fresh fruit to snack on.

I love the preppy striped cupcake liners that I found at Michael's and decided to top off the cupcakes with miniature sparklers. I will post the apple pie cupcake recipe soon!

And now for a more kid friendly version...

All I did was swap out the glass plates for paper plates and set them on top of white scrapbook paper place mats where I wrote each guests name on in blue marker. You could even go a step further and use plastic cutlery and glasses instead depending on the children's ages.

Happy July Fourth everyone! I would love to see pictures of your celebrations!

Sources:

Navy and white fabric - Ikea

White tablecloth - Distinctive Details

Patriotic pails - Target (dollar section)

Cupcake liners, sparkler toppers, striped ribbon, scrapbook paper & paper plates - Michael's

Kitchen towel napkins & white bud vases - Ikea

Galvanized 3 tier server - Pottery Barn

{Real Parties} A Vintage Circus

Kristina of Modern Frills sent me pictures of her daughter's recent vintage circus birthday and she could not have said it any better....the theme was a lot of vintage with a touch of circus in pinks and yellows.

Kristina handmade many of the party details including the mini bunting on the cake!

The lovely Kim of The TomKat Studio designed the vintage cupcake toppers as well as the party invitations and labels.

Party guests went home with cotton candy flavored popcorn...YUM!

There was also a favor table with little goodies and paper sacks (with the party logo of course!) for the kids to fill up with the fun items.

Ava, the very happy birthday girl!

Party Details:

* Photography by Karen Wright

* The TomKat Studio designed the invitations, labels and cupcake toppers

* Kid Cakes on Etsy made the fondant circles that adorned the cake

* Ava's pink knotted tutu came from Simply Sweet Shoppe on Etsy

* The pretty oilcloth was ordered from Chalkydoodles.

Thank you Kristina for sharing this lovely party with us! You can see more pictures at Modern Frills!

{Real Parties} A Buzz Worthy Party

This adorable modern bumble bee birthday party is another gem created by the delightful Kelly Lyden of WH Hostess and The Party Dress! I love the updated bee color scheme and the mix of modern and traditional elements.

Aren't these custom fondant cookie toppers to die for?! They were created by Two Sugar Babies who I have used before and loved!

The centerpieces were the perfect addition to the dessert table and lent to the garden party feel. Kelly used milk glass vases from Ikea and topped them with dainty daisy pomander balls.

WH Hostess created ALL of the paper good such as the cupcake toppers above and the straw embellishments seen below.

The "juice bar" is such a good idea and not to mention refreshing on a hot summer day! The hostess offered guests a choice of orange, apple and cran-apple juice.

To go along with the picnic theme, guests took home mini picnic baskets (found in the dollar section at Michael's!) which were filled with candy as well as a tin of bubbles complete with a pipe cleaner wand!

Congratulations Kelly for having your party featured on Hostess With the Mostess today! You can see the write up here or visit The Party Dress for more party details.

Party Details:

* WH Hostess designed all of the paper goods which you can find here - invitation, banner, cupcake toppers, gift tags and bubble tins.

* Custom cookie toppers by Two Sugar Babies.

* The glass juice bottles and white footed bowls can be purchased through Open Sky.

{Inspiration Board}: Mad for Madras

I love the look of madras if it is done right. The cotton fabric serves as perfect inspiration for an outdoor summer gathering. You could even use the plaid as your July Fourth backdrop if you find the right color combination. Layer it over a burlap tablecloth and you'll have the perfect outdoor setting.

The perfect picnic setup deserves the perfect outfit as well! I love this madras shirt from J. Crew and these metallic white cuff shorts by Alice + Olivia will dress up the outfit just a bit. These suede taupe sandals from Victoria Secret complete the outfit. I actually have them in black and wear them often!

images: melamine plate {boatman gellar}, red tulip arrangement { jl designs}, bonfire & table setting {style me pretty}, madras shirt {j crew}, white shorts {shopbop}, suede sandals {victoria's secret}

Cupcakes I Want to Bake

Over the past year, these cupcakes have been in the back of my mind. I would love to try them soon! The Snickerdoodle Cupcake from Bakerella not only looks delicious, but is cute too! The Apple Pie Cupcake that I spotted on Birthday Girl is something my parents would love and is an interesting twist on the classic dessert. The Ice Cream Cupcakes in souffle cups are precious and would be perfect at any summer gathering. Just bake your favorite cupcakes and top with your choice of ice cream. Oh how I love marshmallows! These Devils Food Cupcakes filled with marshmallow cream from Social Couture sound divine. And last but not least, Mint Julep Cupcakes (or try a margarita version) with a straw for a garnish!

Bake and enjoy!

images: snickerdoodle cupcakes {bakerella}, apple pie cupcakes {birthday girl}, ice cream cupcakes {martha stewart}, devil's food cupcakes {social couture}, mint julep cupcakes {hwtm}

{Real Parties}: Olivia's Christening Celebration

To celebrate the Christening and adoption finalization of their second baby girl, my friend Christine and her husband hosted the most fabulous Sunday brunch. {You may remember the gorgeous photos from the Christening celebration of their first adopted daughter}. As I have mentioned before, Christine is the owner of a chic wedding and event planning business here in Houston. So, it is no wonder that her parties are stunning.

Both of the Christening and adoption celebration invitations were amazing and designed by my talented friend, Hayley Hardcastle. Each invitation included a sentimental quote that brought tears to my eyes...

Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute,

You didn't grow under my heart, but in it.

~ Fleur Conkling Heylinger ~

Today I kissed an angel. I knew it from the start.

The first time my angel smiled at me, I gave away my heart.

Today I kissed an angel, this angel child of mine.

Though not of my creation, my child by God's design.

Today I kissed an angel, my heart is dancing wild.

A family, by a miracle, blessed by this angel child.

~ author unknown ~

Events in Bloom created all of the decor and the amazing Leslie Gaworecki of Goodlight Photography, captured all of the lovely photos.

Sneak Peek: A Party Fit for a Princess!

I have no words....besides the fact that I was blown away when my friend, Christine, sent me the above text of her daughter's 3rd birthday party table!! This was a princess party fit for a queen rather, and I will definitely share the professional pictures with you soon!

But in the meantime, check back later today for the stunning Christening celebration of Christine's youngest little girl!

It's Party Week Over Here!

{image via style me pretty}

So sorry for the lack of posts this week! This Friday is the birthday dinner party I was telling you about, so I have been busy taking care of last minute things. I will definitely share the photos with you when it is all said and done!

Hopefully I will get a Father's Day post up soon. I have a new idea for you...hint, hint...it involves the newspaper which is one of my Dad's favorite things to read every morning.

{I Spy} Cutout Flower Backdrops

{image via Utterly Engaged}

{image via JL Designs}

These flowers are absolutely stunning in my mind! Both are designed by event designer, Jesi Haack and she is definitely on to something. Dessert tables are all the rage. Here is a new way to dress up your backdrop.

July Fourth is Upon Us

July Fourth will be here before we know it! Besides the fact that Houston is pretty unbearable during the summer, I love this holiday because we always get together with family and friends at our ranch and consume lots of yummy food that blows my diet. Here is an inspiration board I put together to get you in the spirit.

Whether you are hosting friends at your house for an afternoon bbq or a weekend of guests, set the mood by sending out invitations. I love the modern touch of the navy and white trellis pattern on these cards found on finestationery.com.

Another way to get guests excited upon their arrival is to decorate your front door area. The ladies of Door Couture have some really fun ideas and offer DIY instructions.

William Sonoma always offers the neatest tools each holiday. I love their apple pie molds! Baking an apple pie has never been so easy...or cute!

Caspari is a go-to brand for me when I am looking for chic paper plates and accessories. I also often visit potterybarn.com for party decor inspiration. I love how they filled mason jars (which you can find at the grocery store) with simple blooms and tied coordinating ribbon around the top.

Have you seen Martha Stewart's patriotic collection at Grandin Road?! I love the dessert tablescape she created and the tubs and striped banner, especially, will add flare to your party.

Let the planning begin!

Celebrating My Birthday

It just occurred to me that I have not filled you in on the latest party that I am working on! Probably because the party is to celebrate my birthday and I do not like to make a fuss about myself. My husband and I are hosting a small dinner party next Friday and I am really looking forward to the delicious food and quality time with great friends. My parents gifted us with a private chef who will be preparing an amazing menu for us at our home along with a small staff to wine and dine us.

I really did not have a set theme or color scheme in mind. All I knew is that I wanted a formal evening to give us an excuse to get sitters and dress up! That's all I told my friend Hayley who quickly designed the most gorgeous invitation for me. Hayley hand wrote each invitation in her gorgeous calligraphy. Hayley was inspired by the butterflies that are on my Herend Queen Victoria China which we will use that evening. **The above image does not give the invitation justice as Hayley hand wrote each invite and the proof uses a computer font**

Like I said, I do not have a specific theme or color scheme going on; just an elegant evening with friends. If you have any thoughts or ideas, I would love to hear them!

Image credits: pie table setting, large banquet table and pink flowers (style me pretty), coffee & donuts (martha stewart)