Such Pretty Things

Another Year, Another Cake Decorating Party

Some of you may remember that "Mini-mini-me" had a cake-decorating party for her birthday two years ago. We held it at a wonderful local bakery and the girls all had a blast. Just last week, I was discussing possible themes for this year's party with Mini-mini when she mentioned that she would really, really like to have another cake-decorating party this year. At first, I was a bit hesitant.  We've certainly done a lot of party themes over the years, but surely we could come up with something new and exciting? But, after some thought, I decided Mini-mini really should have what she wants. After all, It is HER birthday! And it really is such a fun party.

So, yes, we will be doing another cake-decorating party this year. But we will be doing things a bit differently.  For one, we will be having it at home this time around. The bakery was lovely, but I think it will be even more fun to do it ourselves. This way, we can have all the pastel prettiness we want!

I will, of course, be delighted to share all the details with you here. For starters, this is the invitation that we picked out (not our wording, but you get the idea). Isn't it just adorable!

It was designed by the very talented Sarah at Delight Paperie and we found them on Etsy. Her shop also has lots of coordinating items like stickers and pretty envelopes! I have a ton of decorating and favor ideas, so there will definitely be more to come in the upcoming weeks...

XOXO

Jessica

Audrey Saves the Day

Truth be told, Mini-me is a bit of a party-pooper these days.  This was the second year in a row that she outright refused to dress up for Halloween. This came as a great disappointment to her mother (moi), who LOVES to come up with pretty costumes each year. I suppose it was inevitable, but nonetheless, a bit disappointing. It would actually have been completely devastating if not for the fact that I still have my Mini-mini-me - through whom I can continue to live out all my tulle-festooned fantasies.  Ballerinas, brides, and princesses - we've done them all over the years. This year Mini-mini decided that she would like to dress up as Audrey Hepburn.  I had contemplated making a costume for her and then I found a gorgeous vintage prom dress on Etsy.

It was a stunning shade of Tiffany Blue, tea length, and sized in something like a double zero.  It was perfect...and with a few alterations, fit her beautifully!

We accessorized with some large Tiffany Blue pearls and some sparkly earrings...

Then we piled her long hair high up on her head and, as a finishing touch, added a rhinestone tiara.

I am so happy that Mini-mini-me loved her costume and that I had one more year to indulge in frothy layers of tulle. It all goes by way too quickly, but I remain hopeful that Mini-me will once again someday rediscover her inner princess.

XO

Jessica

Waiting Out the Storm

Like millions of others, we've spent the last few days anticipating, and then waiting out, Hurricane Sandy. We stocked up on batteries, ice, and bottled water and settled in for the long wait. I always find storms very anxiety-producing and the anticipation almost as bad, so I decided to get a few things to pass the time more pleasantly. Pale pink roses to counteract the dark and rainy skies.

My favorite French candles at the ready.

Bowls of fresh fruit.

And s'mores.  Gotta have s'mores.

We told the girls to put away the iphones and ipads and instead broke out the board games and playing cards.

We decided to all sleep downstairs in the family room last night - piles of pillows and blankets everywhere. It was scary when the high winds swayed our huge trees and sheets of rain pelted the windows, but it was also so nice to all be together.  All cozy and snuggled in. We awoke this morning to find that we had somehow managed to come out of this monster of a storm largely unscathed. I know from many, many hours of following the news just how lucky we are.  I cannot believe the devastation seen all along the East Coast and in my beloved hometown, New York City.

I hope that wherever you are, that you are safe and warm today.

XOXO

Jessica

{Half} Birthday Sprinkle Pancakes

I'm not quite sure of when we started celebrating the girls' half-birthdays, but it has become a sort-of tradition in our house. Yes, there are some years when life is crazy busy and I completely forget.  I guess that's why "Mini-me" threw herself a party last year - complete with invites, a cake, and presents that she got for herself! So, this year I was determined to remember. I didn't really want to bake a cake, but I recalled a recipe for birthday cake pancakes that Rachel Ray posted some years back and thought I would give it a try.

You can find the recipe here, but they are so easy.  You basically just make up a box of yellow cake mix and add lots of these to the batter...

For the "syrup", I just made some pink icing to drizzle over the top and then threw on some more sprinkles for decoration.

Add some pretty, colorful candles...

...and you've got a fun (half) birthday breakfast!

"Mini-mini-me" recently suggested that we start celebrating quarter-birthdays, too.  Such a lovely idea, I told her...but soooooo not happening!  :-)

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Collecting: Vintage Handbags

I have always had a special love of vintage handbags. It began as a young girl when my grandmother gave me some of her beautiful old beaded evening bags.  Hers were the kind that were so delicate and so intricately woven with teeny, tiny beads that they resembled a tapestry fabric. I will have to get them out and show them to you sometime, but today I am sharing these lovelies with you.

They actually belong to "Mini-Me" and she, too, has been collecting them since she was a very little girl.

She has amassed quite a collection over the years and I just love how they all go together so beautifully.  Quite a sophisticated color palette, don't you think?

Many of them are from the 1950's and 1960's. The Italian beaded ones are my favorites.  This one came from our recent trip to the Paris flea markets.

I've found that having a child start a collection of their own is a wonderful way to get them involved in antiquing trips. It gives them a way to participate in the activity and they also get to learn from an early age how exciting and thrilling "the hunt" can be!

I especially love the handle on this gold and white one and, if I'm lucky, "Mini-Me" may let me borrow it.  :-)

XOXO

Jessica

Happy Weekend!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend!

XOXO

Jessica

Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed

Why not make a special breakfast-in-bed for your mom (or wife) this Mother's Day? With just a few items, you can make her something lovely - without breaking out all the pots and pans or spending a small fortune.

Start with a pretty tray. I love this vintage floral one, but you can find many different varieties (at great prices) at your local flea market. It's practical and makes for a very nice gift.

Add a small bouquet of flowers.  These can come from the garden or the the grocery store...just put them in a little vase, glass, or tea cup.

It's nice to bake something from scratch, but you can also just pick up a yummy pastry (or two), like this almond croissant, from your local bakery.  Serve it on a pretty vintage china plate.

Then add a glass of orange juice and some fruit (like fresh berries or a pink grapefruit) and some coffee or tea. And don't forget the napkin! This one is cinched with a millinery rose pin from H & M!

So pretty, simple and inexpensive...and your mom will love it!

XOXO

Jessica

Spring Break Break

I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter and Passover!

I am taking a little time off to spend the spring break with my family and friends.

But, I'll be back soon and I'll have LOTS to share with you!

XOXO

Jessica

 

The Ice Cream Social Birthday Party

Hello All!  I do apologize for being MIA all last week.  It was not my intention, but Mini-mini-me's Ice Cream Social Birthday party ended up requiring my full attention! So, I thought I would show you some of the party today.  If you recall, the party was a sleep-over for Mini-mini and eight of her closest girlfriends. Since it took place primarily during the evening hours, I don't have well-lit pictures from the party itself.  But, I can show you lots of the little details. For starters, I kept the decorations really easy and simple - just hung up a bunch of pom-pom garlands and ordered a ton of pastel colored balloons...

The girls arrived and promptly changed into their PJs and set up their sleeping bags.  I had covered my family room sofas and rugs with lots of floral quilts - this served to protect my furniture (especially my white shabby chic sofas!) and made the whole room look like one big comfy bed!  For dinner we served pizza (from our favorite local pizza place) and veggies (not too popular).  After dinner, the girls decorated their very own evening bags.  I bought real, adult evening bags (collected from places like Target, TJ Maxx, etc...) that were very simple and gave the girls lots of millinery flowers, rhinestones, feathers, etc...to embellish them.  They did such an incredible job with them - I wish I had photos. :-(  After craft-time, it was time for the big event: Dessert!  We had to have birthday cake (a yummy, butter-cream rose covered one), but the main attraction was the ICE CREAM buffet!  I provided all the sundae basics (ice cream, hot fudge, pastel marshmallows, whipped cream, cherries, etc..)...and a "sprinkle bar"!

I put all the different types of sprinkles in cute little plastic bowls from Target (see, I've managed to fit in a Target Tuesday today, too!). They were only $1.99 for a set of four and just the perfect size...

I buy my sprinkles anywhere I can find them (grocery stores, cake-decorating shops, over-seas, etc..).  These pretty pastel non-pareils were from the Easter section at Target...

After dessert, the girls danced to music (Adele was very popular - LOVE her!) and watched movies. And just in case they weren't on enough of a sugar high, I set up a concession stand with boxes of movie-style candies and popcorn in cute little boxes. After much pillow-fighting and giggling, the girls finally went to sleep around midnight. We had some early risers (6 am) in the morning. For breakfast, I just served a variety of cereals, donuts, and bagels.  I had originally planned to make pancakes, but then I thought better of it.  :-)  When it was time to go, the girls all received a personalized "ice cream" tubs...

...filled with (yes!) more candy.

I ordered the ice cream tubs from Amazon and then made my own labels with scrapbook paper.

Each girl also received a delicious Ice-cream cone cookie from another one of our favorite local shops, Bundles of Cookies.

It was a really fabulous party and Mini-mini-me had such a wonderful time with all her friends. And hey, I even survived the experience.  Now, I think I just need to take a little nap...

:-)

Jessica

Heart Cookies

The girls and I made some heart-shaped sugar cookies this morning.

Pale pink icing with colorful sugar crystals...

And a cold glass of milk, of course.

Yummy practice for Valentine's Day!

XOXO

Jessica