Posts Tagged ‘party’

Newer Entries »
Friday, November 6th, 2009

Earthy Apps

This image above features a logo, color palette and imagery style for Bella Sicilia’s new brand identity, by Denis Olenik. I saw it floating around on FFFFOUND! and it definitely caught my eye! The palette suits this company well, as the earthy tones reflect their commitment to high quality foods made from natural ingredients.

The olives and the mushrooms got my gears a-turnin’ and I set out on a hunt for some simple (and tasty!) apps that complement our palette, above. Really makes me want to set some time aside this weekend to try a few of these recipes.

Miniature napoleons with eggplant creme from Vegan YumYum
Spanakopita photo from DarbCU on Flickr , recipe from Epicurious
Green and black olive tapenade via Top Appetizer Recipes
Italian-style steamed mussels from My Gourmet Connection
Honey and chili glazed nuts recipe by Walnut Grove
Coconut shrimp recipe from My Recipes
Garlic stuffed mushrooms on My Recipes
Bacon wrapped dates on yumsugar
Luscious spinach artichoke dip on bfeedme
Mini Asian crab cakes from Martha Stewart
Lemongrass meatballs by Eat Local Northwest

Posted by Anjelica at 12: 58 am
Tags: , , ,
Posted in Food | No Comments »

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

One for the Forest

This happy little guy is a creation from Bosque, as seen on the bosque photostream.  Bosque is a particularly awesome new design studio based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that works with a wide range of media. From graffiti murals and print designs to 3D installations, tote bags and commissioned designs for Vans, the Bosque team applies their street art-inspired style in some pretty unique ways.

I loved this sticker design for its muted colors and its trees-make-me-smile message. Trees do happen to make me smile, and with the lovely fall leaves outside my window, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about applying this inspiration to an eco-friendly fall event.

The natural linen table runner below would look great with the Japanese Maple bonsai landscape, or any other bonsais you might find to match your style! I prefer a lot of the deciduous trees, but indoor bonsais would be a great takeaway for guests to keep in their own homes. Check out bonsai rental services in your area for the same look at a lower cost.

Photo-realistic forest wallpaper murals and votives wrapped in birch bark take things one step further in transforming your space into a woodsy sanctuary. Throw in some branches and other rustic details and you’re well on your way..

Screenprinted leaf table runner in natural/cream linen by elisabethbentz on Etsy ($68)
Manzanita candelabra branch from West Elm  ($99)
Hand-engraved pint glasses with branches and leaves by daydreemdesigns on Etsy ($28.50)
Screenprinted fig leaf napkin, also by Elisabeth Bentz ($18)
Sunrise dahlia, photo from Eiseman Color Blog
Woodgrain fabric in Chocolate from Aviary by Joel Dewberry ($9.50/yd at Quilt Home )
Birch votives with natural bark from Crate & Barrel  ($3.95-$9.95)
“Misty Forest” photo mural wallpaper by Murals Your Way ($5.57/sq ft for vinyl print)
Japanese Maple bonsai penjing landscape by Qingquan Zhao via Art of Bonsai
Natural pine cone garland from Wisteria via Remodelista
Rustic floral arrangements by Stephanie Elhayani of Seed Floral for Kevin & Paige on Once Wed

Posted by Anjelica at 12: 35 pm
Tags: , , ,
Posted in Décor | 3 Comments »

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Dessert Buffet: Chocolate & Cream

Dessert and candy buffets are all the rage at weddings and events this year. Photos of stylized buffets, like this one above from a Martha Weddings magazine spread, are almost unavoidable when doing party planning research. As someone who likes to bake and decorate, I’ve yet to come across a buffet of treats that seems difficult to replicate.

This blue, brown and wintery white tablescape is no exception. The linens are simple, the cake stands are plain, candies are in clear glass vases and the display pedastals for bite-sized goodies are clean and modest. This modern style uses enough basic pieces to allow even those with a tight budget to find a perfect match.

Below are some easy recipes for elegant-looking desserts that you can whip up in your own kitchen. For a smaller crowd, downsize your table and swap out some of the tiered cakes shown above for tiered platters with cupcakes or petit fours.

Clockwise from top left:
Whoopie pies from Gourmet magazine via Epicurious 
Chocolate marbled meringue recipe from BBC GoodFood 
Chocolate-dipped pretzels, photo by Schakolad, recipe from Robin Miller via Food Network
Chocolate ganache truffles by Culinate 
Foolproof chocolate fudge recipe on Hubpages  
Mini vanilla cupcakes by Mary Bakes 
Jordan almonds with a bronze candy coating from Patchi 
“Hot” chocolate cake spiced with cinnamon and cayenne pepper by Country Living 
Hazelnut chocolate linzer cookies from the LA Times 
English buttermints and brown sugar licorice from Fiona’s Sweetshoppe 
Boston cream pie recipe from Country Living 
Homemade marshmallows with toasted coconut by recipe by Ina Garten  

Posted by Anjelica at 2: 40 pm
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Food | No Comments »

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Dia de Los Muertos

When I saw this print from super-cool illustrator, Andrew Bannecker, I was immediately inspired.  One of his recent blog posts offers a peek into his studio, and it’s definitely worth checking out. This design, along with several other of his works, appear throughout the space with other eclectic pieces that any artist could admire.

The above print reminded me of a colorful Mexican fiesta. With El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) coming up on November 1st, I thought it was the perfect time to share some ideas for hosting your own party. Perfect excuse for sugar skulls and Mexican food with friends. Don’t forget the guac ! 

Clockwise from top left:
Turquoise papel picado banners from Casa Bonampak ($12.50 for 18 ft)
Black floral oilcloth from Denver Fabrics ($6.45/yard)
Seafoam dot oilcloth from Denver Fabrics ($6.45/yard)
Orange Icelandic poppies featured on Brides.com 
Metal wire votive holders from Target ($4.98)
Poblano risotto with garlic shrimp by What’s Cooking  
Roasted pork taco with Mole, recipe from FoodNetwork , photo by What’s Cooking 
Orange Vinyl Lace Placemat from Dream in Plastic ($1.49)
Laminated fabric trays from Simrin’s Surya collection 
Surya printed glassware in Ocean from Simrin  
Capri blue candle in a jar from Anthropologie ($25)
Lace strewn knob in sky blue from Anthropologie ($10)
Ceramic melon knob with antique brass from Anthropologie ($8)
Blackberry sugar skulls handpainted and sold by ArtofSkulls 

Posted by Anjelica at 12: 39 pm
Tags: , ,
Posted in Décor, Food | 2 Comments »

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Pink Ruffle Cake

Leave it to Martha to feature a simple 3-step “how-to” on the most perfectly iced cake I’ve ever seen.  Chances are, I wouldn’t be able to replicate this gorgeous confectionary marvel with or without a tutorial, but I appreciate their assumption that I could.
Since this cake is obviously deserving of a setting that’s comparably girly, I put together a few fantastic finds that would do our ruffles justice. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a pink-loving girly-girl, but there was just something about each of these items and photos that spoke to me!  The colors of the balloons and the pink depression glass are especially appealing.

Clockwise from top left:
Pink pom-pom decoration kit from Baby Favors & Things (7 for $19) or make your own with this tutorial from Martha Stewart
Candy favor bags designed by Amy Atlas
Cherry rock candy swizzle sticks from Oh Nuts! candy store ($.69 a piece)
Balloons from a Pretty in Pink theme party by Your Home Based Mom (tons of cute photos!)
Pink depression glass plates from teaforallreasons on Etsy via mcCalled.com
Swirled meringue puffs from a dessert table by Amy Atlas
Pink depression glass candy dish at Weller Store ($25)
Pink plastic tumblers from Target’s Spring ’09 collection via Such Pretty Things ($2.49 each)
Screenprinted hydrangea invitations by Parrott Design Studio on Wedding Bee Pro
Mini string lanterns on Hometown Evolution Inc. ($15.95 for set of 10)
Photo of pink peonies via Twirl and Taste 
Pink sweetpea arrangement on tanakawho’s photostream (via Flickr)

Posted by Anjelica at 10: 21 pm
Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Décor | 1 Comment »

Newer Entries »