RUN FOR THE ROSES: Kentucky Derby Party

Here are a few more shots of our Kentucky Derby party from a week or so ago.  The inspiration came from these amazing invitations and menu cards from Danielle Fiega at Pink Poppy Ink.  The plaid on the whole collection was what I drew from to create the table. 

I used a Scottish Plaid blanket as a table topper.  The placecards were handmade paper ribbon rosettes with guests names printed on them. 

Ceramic horse heads and rose balls served as centerpieces.

Navy and Burlap Tablecloths and Mahogany Chivari chairs from A Classic Party
Rental

Lucky No. 7 table number created by Pink Poppy Ink.  Basket weave leather flatware
and charger plates as well as vintage binoculars are some other details to help create the look.

For the chair ties, I made oversized award ribbons for each chair. I used Kraft paper and plaid fabric in a coordinating pattern. 

I found these mini Maker's Mark bottles (a staple of the Kentucky Derby) and chocolate Bourbon cookies and displayed them on a copper tray.  Here is the invitation from Pink Poppy Ink.  They were packaged in a brown Kraft box mailer.

Mini mint Julieps  in siver juliep glasses and horseman biscuits.

SNEAKY PEEKS

It's crazy busy over here so I thought I would post some really quick phone pics of what's been happenin'.  I'll post more when I can!

KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY

 

GREAT GATSBY PHOTO SHOOT

 

 

CARNIVAL BAT MITZVAH

 

DJ THEME BAR MITZVAH

 

 

FASHION BAT MITZVAH

 

 

"BIG THINKERS" centerpieces for IU Health

 

"YEAR OF THE DRAGON" Bat Mitzvah

 

 

 PRE-PROM DINNER PARTY

ADRIAN'S SUPER MARIO PARTY

 

I had the pleasure of decorating for a dear friend's son's birthday party. 

The birthday boy's name is Adrian and his party was a Super Mario Theme. 

 

 

Look at how cute he is!  This was his first look at the decorated room.

 

 

Here he is taking at seat at the head of the table on the mushroom stool.

 

The sign we made for him.

 

Candy Buffet for everyone

 

 

....and all the kiddos

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADRIAN!!!!

 

FAREWELL TO A FASHION ICON: Lilly Pulitzer

 

"LIFE'S A PARTY.....DRESS LIKE IT!"   - Lilly Pulitzer

 

Lilly Pulitzer is the mastermind and creative behind the whimsical sketches turned fabric for her stylish Palm Beach inspired clothing lines.  She said  "It all started with a juice stand".  Newly wed and plucked from her busy New York City life, Lilly found herself moving to Palm Beach and helping her husband run the Orange Groves. She set up a juice stand to sell to the patrons and often found her clothing to be stained with juice at the end of the day.  She eventually designed her own "work wear" to camouflage the fruit stains that the workday would leave behind.  Quickly people noticed her fashionable clothing and began to ask for it ....and that is how it all started.

 

The  print above chronicles Lilly's entire life. Lilly loved a good party and lived every day to the fullest.   Each little sketch is a memory or milestone in Lilly's life.  What a beautiful tribute to her accomplishments and life well lived.

 

 

 

I have been a long time fan of Lilly Pulitzer.  I love her prints, the way she brought beautiful bright colors together, her hand sketched designs, the creative Lilly store displays and her preppy but casual fashion sense. 

 

Below is my little tribute to Lilly.  These are mini dress forms (about 3' tall)  that I hand painted to mimic several of Lilly's dresses and prints.  I've used them as centerpieces for parties.  I thought it would be fitting to showcase these party dresses in her honor.

 

I'd like to think Lilly would be tickled pink...(and green).

 

HAPPY HAPPY EASTER!!!

KICKIN' IT WITH JOSH

Our party this weekend was for a  sweet, soccer lovin' goal keeper who is particularly fond of the European soccer teams.  Naturally, he chose a soccer themed Bar Mitzvah party.  For his placecards we set up two soccer nets (one for kids and one for adults) and hung their ticket placecards from the net.   There was a life sized photo of Josh in action that served as the "sign in". 

 

Each table was named one of Josh's favorite team.  His was Manchester United.

 



 

We dressed the tables in alternating black and white linen, topped it with a green turf topper and  displayed two types of centerpieces.

 



 

One centerpiece was this GIANT soccer ball suspended 5' in the air.

 



 

 

The other had 2 actual soccer balls stacked with the logo we created for the party in the middle.

Sarah with Classic Cakes created this cool birthday cake for Josh

Here is a pic of the candy buffet we created. The buffet was on wheels so that it could be revealed and rolled out later in the evening

Soccer ball bowls held the plentiful candy as well as glass cylinders with soccer socks pulled halfway up the containers.  Real soccer balls held the two kinds of lollipops that were offered. 

 

Black and white striped containers with Josh's logo, for stuffing with candy

 

We created a nearly 5' round sign to display at the party.

 

 

 

Here is Josh's custom candle lighting centerpiece.

 

 

 

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. "
- Pele

Congratulations Josh!!  On all of the hard work you put forth to become a bar mitzvah!!!