Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Mother/Daughter Vintage Picnic

I had found this beautiful mother/daughter vintage picnic on Thoughtfully Simple sometime last year and bookmarked it to come back to post on my blog. Now that Mother's Day is approaching again, it's time to start looking for creative ways to celebrate.

Often times, we get so busy styling an event, and we focus the most energy on pulling all the design elements together. Then when all is said and done we show off the perfect color palette, or coordinated tablescape.

But to me, the perfect event involves more than just the design elements.

Events are lifetime memories that you are creating for your loved ones, your friends and family; or for your clients if you are a professional party planner.

That's why I like to look behind the eye candy to find the real reason for the party.
What, or who, are the celebrating, and why?

I've thought about this post on Thoughtfully Simple for so long. You see this picnic was planned by a mother for her college bound daughter, to enjoy the inspiring mother/daughter relationship that they share.

For relatively little money she created a memory they will both cherish the rest of their lives. What a well-designed and lovely afternoon they spent together before they both venture into a new chapter in their lives.

Lisa inspires me to always continue to develop this type of closeness with my daughter.

My original source: Thoughtfully Simple
Stylist & Mom: Lisa Pearson
Photographer: Blubel Studio

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Royal Wedding ~ Tea Party Ideas for Kids

I have to admit that my 5 y/o daughter, may have gotten a touch of Royal Wedding fever from me. Tonight when she stepped out of the bathtub and into my room I had one of the royal wedding specials covering Princess Diana & Prince Charles' wedding on the TV.

and she was mesmerized...

she just stood there and asked "Mommy, who is that??"

I told her it was a real princess, and she was marrying a real prince,

she stood there for what seemed like forever,

then I told her that there was going to be another royal wedding we could watch together that will be televised on Friday. She was sooo excited.

So after she went to bed I did some googling, and if you haven't seen the Royal Wedding Tea Party Ideas for kids on DisneyFamily.com you are missing out!

How cute is this Princess Kate Paper Doll!?
Ready to download, print out the Kate doll, the gowns and the gloves.

There is also a printable child~size tiara, and kid friendly ideas for cupcakes and more!!

My daughter told me before she went to sleep that when she gets married she wants to be a princess. I told her she already is...she's God's Little Princess.


Monday, April 25, 2011

The Royal Wedding ~ Party Printables & Champagne Cupcakes!

Well this is Royal Wedding week and love is definitely in the heir!!

I am having so much fun seeing the trends out there for Royal Wedding watching parties that go from pajama parties, to a royal high tea, and everything in between. So many creative and fun ways to celebrate the wedding of the century!

These daring party circles created by Kim of The TomKat Studio would be the perfect addition to your celebration.

Head over to Kim's blog and you can download your party printables, as well as get a link for the recipe and tutorial for these Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Filling. YUM!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

FREE DIY Easter Egg Hunt Printables

If you are planning an old-fashioned backyard egg hunt, these FREE DIY printables designed by Design Editor would be a great accompaniment to the fun!

Hop over to Design Editor to start your downloads!

Petter Cottontail Hops into the Secret Garden

I love this Peter Cottontail Hops into the Secret Garden styled photoshoot by Marcie of Celebrating the Moments. There are so many great DIY and inexpensive ideas to draw inspiration from such as....the $1 section of Target {one of my personal fav's}; Dollar Tree store, and lots props from around her house that she pulled together.

You have to head over to Celebrating the Moments to see more photos of this darling shoot, along with credit and links to where she sourced out her party items.

Rustic Easter Dessert Table

With all the brightly colored Spring tablescapes and/or Easter pastel colors we have been seeing this time of year, this earthy, rustic Easter tablescape featured on Amy Atlas' blog is a welcome change from the traditional color palette.

Click here to see the original feature on Amy Atlas' blog.

Sweet + Simple Easter Brunch

It's Easter weekend already, but it's never too late to draw some inspiration from other talented stylists around the globe. I found this sweet little Easter spread on The Sweetest Occasion. All the way from Italy this Italian bed and breakfast styled shoot has so many charming details, including sweet treats tucked in glass jars, sprigs of colorful Spring flowers, darling Easter eggs and little pink teacups.