Bunny Cakes

Angry Bird Party

I hate to say it, but I don't have too many details to share about the boys' Angry Bird Birthday party.  The party was held a 'cyber club', so I didn't need to do anything for the decorations.  The cupcakes were simply topped with an Angry Bird figurine and some mini M&M's.  The goodies bags contained candy along with an Angry Bird key chain (perfect to adorn backpacks)--but that's it!  I feel like I hardly did anything this year for the boys party, but I guess they are getting older.  Good thing my nephew only just turned 1!  Here are a few pictures...

-K

Angry Bird Birthday Party Invitations

This year when planning the boys' 9th birthday, I hit a brick wall--the boys.  They were adamantly against a theme.  "We're too old for a theme," they claimed. "You can never be too old for a theme," I countered, but they didn't budge.  I knew they would give in when tempted with an appropriate theme, but we hadn't yet found it.  Months went by.  My party planning needs were busily satisfied with my nephew's first birthday (robot party).  His party came and went.  A week till their birthday, still no theme.  This time I was distracted by a nasty toothache (and some painkillers).  Then finally it hit me, like a bomb from the sky dropped by an angry bird!  An Angry Birds party theme was agreeable to everyone, the boys were even excited by it.  I made quick work of the invitations, then we hand-delivered them to our guests (we had no time to waste).  Here is look at the final *Angry Bird Invitations* and address labels.

-K

Bunting Cake

The boys turned nine last Sunday!  We had a nice family lunch to celebrate (their party will be later this week).  Of course we had to have cake!  I made a 4 layer cake with alternating devil's food and funfetti layers.  To decorate the cake I added a simple bunting made with red & white bakers twine and decorative tape (from Martha's craft line).  I could have used paper or ribbon to make the bunting, but the tape came in the perfect variety of colors and patterns.

The inspiration for my cake (and a far more lovely version) is this pink rainbow cake from Call Me Cupcake.

One day I hope to make a cake just like it!

-K

Robot Party

As you my know, my sister has a thing for robots.  So when it came time to plan her son's first birthday, she naturally selected a robot theme.  The inspiration for the colors (orange and blue) and theme was an incredible robot quilt she sewed for O's birthday present (see below).  The centerpiece for the party was a dessert table with a 'robot' cake.  She commissioned her friend and expert pastry chef, Heather Roth from Love and Butter Bakeshop, to create the cake and gave her full design control.

On the day of the party, A and I busily set up dessert table leaving a space for the cake.  We followed Amy Atlas' lead and used M&M's on our trays to bring in a punch of color--simple and impactful.  We bought donut holes and shortbread cookies to replace the macarons which weren't in stock (always order ahead) and the decorated sugar cookies which didn't come out right.  We were able to 'customize' the shortbread cookies by dunking them in blue and orange royal icing, they turned out quite nice and tasted delicious (very easy to do).  Then the cake arrived.  Neither A nor I were prepared for Heather's masterpiece.  We both had anticipated a layered cake with a little robot figure on the top, but Heather's creation was a lifesize duplication of the robot from the invitation.  It was stunning!  The final detail of orange and blue bunting (sewn by A) finished off the *Robot Dessert Table*.

Other details from the party included more orange and blue bunting hung around the house, 'Sweet Bytes' take-home favors (originally we planned to have 'O' and '1' sugar cookies, but replaced with the favorite chocolate chip cookies), a beautiful bib (again, made by A), robot napkins, and orange and blue balloons.

Here is a picture of the robot quilt made by A and inspiration for the party. The robot quilt is from Boo Davis's Dare to Be Sqaure Quilting book. A said that she really enjoyed making the quilting and that the pattern was well written and very easy to follow. The quilt is very impressive in person and is the size of a twin bedspread. 

A picture of Heather's drawings for the robot cake...

And finally, my favorite picture from the party...Oliver in awe of the robot cake!

-K

Customized Party Napkins

We just celebrated O's first bithday yesterday!  It was a lovely and festive affair.  Before I show you the day-of pictures, I wanted to share some details.  Whenever I am hosting a special event, I usually get a custom stamp made (I lke to use Impress Stamps).  Having a rubber stamp allows you to emblelish almost anything you want with your party motify.  An quick and easy thing to do is to create your own custom napkins.  For O's party we created orange and blue robot napkins.  All you need is your stamp (it doesn't have to be custom, there are some great stamps already available), a fresh ink pad (I like Color Box), paper napkins, a flat surface with room to layout your napkins so they can dry and a little time.  The work goes by pretty quick and before you know it you will be all done.  After you transfer your image to the napkins make sure you let them dry, I usually leave them overnight to dry.  Your guests will love them!

-K

Robot Party Invites

Baby O is turning one!  It is hard to believe that almost a full year has gone by since the lil' guy came into the world.  To celebrate his first birthday, A and I are planning a blue and orange *Robot Party*.  In addition to the robot theme, there is a sub-theme of blue and orange banners.  Allie actually sewed a bunch of banners to decorate for the party, they look so great.  For the invitations we designed a simple long card with a robot holding a balloon standing under a banner garland.  The back of the card is orange with white O's and 1's--this is a nod to bytes and bits, as well as, 'O' for Oliver and 1 for his soon-to-be age.  The cards were mailed out in silver envelopes from Paper Source with address labels bearing the banner (a prelude to the invitation).

-K

A Sweet Shower

I came across this truly *Sweet Bridal Shower* in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.  The shower is for Dylan Lauren of Dylan's Candy Bar (and daughter of Ralph Lauren) and is full of fun & yumminess.  Darcy Miller, the Weddings Editor for Martha, did a fabulous job planning the party.  I love the colors: hues of  pinks and a pop of yellow.  Also, she used a simple D heart P motif, which would be easy to do if you were throwing a shower.   Enjoy the eye candy...

For all the details, check out the full story here.

 -K

Birthday Brunch for Grandma

This past weekend we celebrated our mom's 28th birthday.  The boys thought this was funny and according to the them, A & I would not exist if that were the case.  All I can say is they better not laugh in August when it comes to celebrate my 28th birthday!  

To celebrate the occasion, we did what we normally do...brunched and ate cake (I wish I could do this every day!  I would even settle for once a week).  The cake was kept simple with a single flower in the middle and a beaded border.  The table was also kept simple with 3 orchid stems in a vase surrounded by a few floating orchids in mis-matched dessert cups.  Orchids are so beautiful on their own, they don't need any other flower or require any fullness to make the arrangement look great.  This simple setting would also be perfect for Easter.

-K

Fringetastic

I recently used the eye-catching images of Confetti System's work in a flyer to promote an upcoming event at work.  Now I am completely obsessed with them.  I am now plotting some serious DIY to recreate their tassel-laden garlands so I can have them at our event.  I was a little on the fence, since the event is a week and a half away, but when I picked up the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings they had a whole spread on the creative use of fringe.

Here are some fav Confetti System pix...

And some highlights from Martha Stewart Weddings...

I will keep you updated on my DIY progress.

-K 

Just Desserts

As Thanksgiving approaches I am reminded of two things I am thankful for: (1) desserts and (2) people who love what they do and are amazing at what they do.  The intersection of these two things is Heather Roth (formerly Heather Chittum), who is an *Amazing Pastry Chef* and all-around super great person.  Lucky for us Washingtonians, she has started her own business and is now taking orders on custom cakes, cookies or anything else sweet you can dream of.  Heather was awarded Pastry Chef of the Year in 2008 and was recently a contestant on Bravo's Top Chef Just Desserts.  She is also a good friend of Chef M, A's hubby.  Her website for Love and Butter Bakeshop is still in the works, but you can check out her facebook page.  Here are a few of her lovely creations...

Many happy desserts!

-K