deviled egg "holder"

With Easter one week from today, the ever popular deviled eggs will be making it's annual appearance in abundance. Yum! I always have a problem serving deviled eggs though. They slip and slide all over the plate (and when they fall, they leave your pastel pallet Easter dress looking a little yuck.) Some people have the luxury of owning one of those fancy platters especially for holding deviled eggs. If you are like me though, don't fret.... here is a solution!

Awhile back we were eating at Blue Smoke in NYC, I snapped a quick picture of how they handle the annoying egg-sliding problem. (I'm sure they don't want their servers dumping deviled eggs on any one's Easter bonnet, now do they!?) While piping in the yolk mixture, you also pipe a dollop on the plate and then place the egg on top. Genius, right?!

pink + gold

Okay, this is not a new trend by any means, but I am currently obsessed. The pink and gold craze has swept me off my feet. The dual juxtaposition of the bold contrast of colors as well as the flat verses metallic contrast is just irresistible. I wanted to share a few of the beauties that have caught my eye lately.

I love the whimsy of the these favor bags. 

(Note to self: buy a gold Sharpie)

via 100 Layer Cake

This do-it-yourself wall art would be perfect in my daughter's room. Time to get out the glitter!

via Southern Bells

Of course, I can't have a post without cake. The elegance and detail of these cakes can be only be from the one and only Erica O'Brien. I'm hoping through our friendship, Erica's skill will rub off on me. 

 via Erica O'Brien Cake Design

Let us not forget the cookies, too. These are gorgeous! 

via Chef Eddy

Last, but certainly not least, my absolute favorite (which actually made me write this post). These dyed eggs are so timely too - Easter is right around the corner!

via Fabulous K

modern animal baby shower cake

This is a recent baby shower cake I made. For the animals, I used my Cricut Cake machine - They look much better than if I were to cut them out! The mommy-to-be's nickname is banana, hence the saying "Welcome Baby Banana". (Just wanted to clarify that she's not like Gwyneth Paltrow naming her children after fruit.)

valentine's breakfast for two :: pretty in pink

After winning the Pottery Barn Mystery Box Challenge last month, I was given another opportunity to do some more styling work with Pottery Barn products. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I decided to do a romantic Valentine's breakfast for two. All the items from Pottery Barn happened to be pink, so I ran with that scheme and created a "pretty in pink" display. 

For starters, let me share with you the specific samples that arrived on my doorstep...

Items #1, 2, and 3: The Homescent Collection - Heirloom Rose 

(Botanical Pillar Candle, Candle Pot, and the Potpourri respectively)

Item #4: Nesting Heart Bowls

Item #5: Bird Cage Lovebirds Salt & Pepper Shakers

Okay, now do you want to create a table for your sweetheart on the 14th? Beyond the products provided, everything else I already had. I hope this little set-up inspires you to be creative with things you have around your house. I walked from room-to-room and found a few props - a shower curtain, my daughter's hair bows, a very old cake topper (more on this later) and scraps of vintage paper. Use your imagination! Also, don't stress about the food; it doesn't need to be extravagant. Since it's completely acceptable to carb-load on a holiday (oh, that's right, that's just my own justification) I included a large chocolate muffin and brown sugar cream of wheat and strawberries. Some form of chocolate and strawberries are a must to any Valentine's spread, right?! To drink, I made a sparkling cranberry juice.

On a personal note, I found more inspiration from a few items I have from my grandparents' wedding day. I love this photo of their young faces as they started their life together. Maybe even more cherished though is their cake topper. Yes, that is their original cake topper from 1947! How romantic, right!? (Now, is there anyone who wants to try a bite of the piped frosting leftover on the bottom?)  

{Disclosure: All design and styling by A. Party Style, LLC :: Products provided by Pottery Barn}

stamped plates :: reader idea

Do you all remember my tutorial on stamping plates?  I continue to use this as a little extra detail at my personal events.

And now thanks to an A. Party Style reader, here is an expansion on this idea. Nicole thought about doing it on paper plates - Brilliant!! She sent over her picture and it worked beautifully for her daughter's first birthday. Thanks for sharing, Nicole! (And don't you just love those food tags!? Adorable!)

new year's eve

I will be on an airplane when the ball drops tonight. What are you all going to do? Hope it's more fun than that. Can you drink a bubbly beverage for me!? I am SO looking forward to 2013 - 2012 was a bit of a struggling year for us.  My husband got hurt, hospitalized and was out of work for 3 months. And just recently I was rear-ended at 40 mph and it totaled my car. 2013 has to be better for us! I hope the same for all of you.

Look at this cute idea from Bloom. It is so cute and kids would love it! 

pottery barn :: winner

Yay! I'm grinning ear to ear... I just found out that I am the winner of the Pottery Barn Mystery Box Challenge.  Thanks to ALL who voted! When I was asked to participate, I never expected to come out on top.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!