Gracylu Originals

Ooooh I am in love with these custom headpieces and accessories!

My friend, Tristain, designer and maker of these fun and classy, heirloom custom hair pieces are perfect for stylish girls from infants to adults! She even has a bridal boutique line!

You simply must go to Bows and More by Gracylu to see more of her beautiful

eye-candy; or find her fan page on Facebook for more images and designs.

Photography credits: Kristine Woolf; Photography by Meg; Snell Photography; Mark Eric Weddings; and Rose Bailey Photograhy; Simplicity Photography

{Real Party} Retro Bridal Shower

Such a fun, 50's retro feel to this make-up party photo shoot styled by Melanie

of Lucky and Lovely. It could easily serve as inspiration for a bridal shower, bridesmaids luncheon or vintage wedding theme.

Credits

Post and photos found via Ruffled Blog

Photography by Aregrayline

{Real Party} Vintage Nesting Baby Shower

This ADORABLE Rustic Nesting Baby Shower was found on Pepper Design Blog

and I just fell in love with the entire theme and all the personal details.

How perfect is a "nesting" theme for a new mom-to-be?!

Every little element of this baby shower was handmade and the tutorials for all the

projects, including the handmade chandelier, paper flowers, no-sew table runners and

napkins, cake stands and hot-cocoa guest favors are featured on Pepper Design Blog so you

will definitely want to head over there to get all the DIY tips and tutorials!

A friend's backyard served as the perfect setting for the rustic, vintage tone they were

trying to create. The beautiful outdoor gazebo served as the central focus point.

Details for the baby shower include such ideas as hanging mason jar lights, a crockpot

coffee bar, a handmade hot cocoa favors, thrift store tea sets and lots of candles!

The mason jars were filled with rice and votive candles and hung by twine at

varying heights - a detail that is a little bit rustic, a little old-fashioned, and a very

economical resource for lighting. Jar candles are a great addition to tables throughout

the landscape of any event.

The table settings inside the gazebo featured mason jars, milk glass vases, teal

fabric remnants (made into table runners and napkins), vintage glass (colored glass

and mis-matched tea sets) and wildflower-esq arrangements. A beautiful combination

of colors; turquoise, burnt orange and yellow.

Miniature bird nests and Nestle candied eggs became the perfect table setting focus.

Vintage glass bowls held centerpieces full of wildflowers (ranunculus, daises, poms

and hypericum - or coffee beans) to tie in the rustic look; and dark orange flowers popped

against the teal paisley print of the table runners.

The crockpot coffee bar was a fun addition to the nighttime shower, and included Chai,

Cafe Latte, and Hot Chocolate lined up with delicious toppings like marshmallows,

chocolate dipped spoons covered in sprinkles (an easy DIY!) and hazelnut cookies. The backdrop was a paisley fabric remnant find that matched the theme.

The dessert buffet accompanied the coffee bar and is choc full of fun DIY ideas: white

cake plates, accordion rosettes, book pendant decorations, wine bottle buffet sign

holder, handmade flowers and a manzanita branch holding two little nests.

The desert bar was full of delicious goodies such as homemade biscotti, key lime

bars, cajun brownies, muffins, madeleine cookies and mini bird nest cupcakes (complete

with coconut and candied jellybean eggs)!

They made round accordian rosettes out of big sheets of handmade paper and hung

them at varied heights behind manzanita branches. Here is a link to the tutorial for

DIY white cake stands from thrift store finds.

Another DIY project was the hot cocoa favors. Each packet included a few tablespoons of Ghiradelli hot chocolate, a handful of miniature chocolate chips and a couple of handmade marshmallows. The card stock label was folded over the top of each bag and stapled shut.

The mini cellphone bags were purchased from Michaels and the labels were printed from

a home computer and cut with scalloped scissors.

Thrift store tea cups made the perfect votive candle holders especially when filled

with brown rice (to catch the wax as well as add a decorative filler).

This party is AMAZING and choc full of fun DIY projects. Head on over to

Pepper Design Blog for all the party photos and DIY tutorial links.

This baby shower and all the handmade personal touches are just beyond wow!!

The Forster Mansion - Grand Re-Opening

Today we had the great pleasure to attend the grand re-opening of the

Forster Mansion, an exclusive 100 year old Spanish style estate in the heart of San

Juan Capistrano. This venue, which accommodates up to 175 guests, is beautifully intimate, elegant and holds endless possibilities in designing your special event. Whether you're planning your wedding, a corporate party, or a personal celebration, this perfect and private venue with fantastic food, elegant surroundings and impeccable service awaits you.

As you can see by my photos above, we were greeted with tasty treats and beautiful decor

at the open house. Jay's Catering, one of the largest and most established full service catering and special event company's did a phenomenal job with the cuisine.

Among the delicacies we enjoyed were Cranberry Mimosas, Crab Cake Sliders, and

Wasabi Mash Potato Martini's (see photo above). Along with tray passed hors d'oeuvres

and a champagne & juice spritzer bar, Jay's Catering served up a custom bruschetta bar

and yummy dessert buffet.

What an amazing afternoon!

Below are images of prior events at The Forster Mansion ~

just a little virtual tour inspire you!

The Parlor

The Copper Kitchen

The Porte-Cochere

The Wine Cellar

Credits: image (1) ~ Luxist; image (2) inspiration board ~ me; images (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) ~ Gabriel Ryan; images (8, 9) ~ Forstermansionevents.com; image (10) Luxist; image (11) ~ Forstermansionevents.com

Lunch @ RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Yesterday we were fortunate enough to enjoy a leisurely and delectable lunch at the newly renovated RAYA, (former Restaurant 162' at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel).

RAYA, a restaurant concept by acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval, showcases Coastal Californian seafood with a sophisticated blend of Latin-inspired styles and flavors, with ingredients from around the globe. RAYA's menu features a wide variety of local, sustainable and organic seafood and delicacies from Southern California.

RAYA reopens to the public tomorrow, May 24, 2010.

Please see the information page RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

to see their entire menu and specials, hours of operation, and additional details on the entire resort and all the wonderful amenities they offer.

Here is a sneak peek of my savory Lobster Salad (butter poached lobster, sweet

potato puree, baby spinach, yuzu-port reduction)

which was paired rather nicely with a savory glass of champagne!

Free Printable Milk + Cookie Favor Boxes

Found on The Sweetest Occasion are these fabulous DIY Milk + Cookie

Favors created by Paper Crave.

These printable milk carton favor boxes, "report card" recipe cards, and envelopes

help create everything from school-themed children's parties, teacher appreciations,

baby showers, picnics in the park, vintage parties, or even late night "to go" snacks for

wedding guests.

Place baked goodies in the favor boxes for guests to take home, and include the recipe

for the goodies and other favorites in the report card envelopes so they can make their own yummies long after they've finished yours.

[Tip: wrap baked goods in oven parchment or waxed paper before placing in the favor

boxes so any butter or oil in the treats won't leak onto the box].

Additional decorating ideas:

Use the recipe report card envelopes as place cards for each guest by adding labels with their names to the front.

Use bowls of apples or bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils (for adult parties where pointy things aren't an issue) to create table centerpieces.

Set up a coloring station with boxes of crayons and coloring pages for a fun activity for both children and adults.

Write the party menu on a chalkboard, and hang it on the wall or place it in some other prominent area where everyone can see.

Download your free milk carton favor box / recipe cards / report card envelope templates

{Real Party} Owl Themed First Birthday Party

I'm going to be posting some owl-inspired parties in the coming weeks. I just love the

idea that you can use the theme for a baby shower ("whoo is going to have a baby") or a birthday party ("look whoo is turning one") or even a valentine brunch ("whoo loves you");

or in this case the party invitation was inscribed "it will be a hoot"!

In any event, I think it's an adorable theme and you can customize it in so many different

color palette's as you will see in my upcoming posts!

This adorable birthday party was planned by Kallie with Kallie Brynn Photography.

She chose a color scheme of peaches and pinks and added owls for fun. Be sure to head over to Kallie's blog to read about all the DIY details she incorporated (including the handmade cake topper), a touch I think it so sentimental for a first birthday party!