Creating a rustic dessert station

I have been to my fair share of barn weddings and parties. Having been born in Texas it is not uncommon to attend an outdoor/dance hall/ barn/arena event. They are charming and simple and pay homage to their natural surroundings. Today's post is all about creating a rustic styled dessert station that would work in a natural/outdoorsy setting. Most dessert stations are a bit flashy these days, but creating a more rustic one is possible with the right components. 

Paper decor. Use lots of paper accents. It is natural and simple and can really bring in the details and colors of your event.  

Find beautiful serving pieces. Think depression glass and flea markets. Nothing needs to match. Something borrowed, something blue could be the theme of a bridal dessert station full of loaned family serving pieces and borrowed recipes. Use unusual containers and be sure to plan ahead what dessert will go on what dish. 

Consider serving a specialty drink like raspberry lemonade out of glass bottles wrapped in natural paper and twine. You can even stamp the date or the name of the drink to the paper. Paper straws are another way to bring in color. Twine is a great accent for hanging lanterns or wrapping napkins. The hanging backdrop is created solely from paper. Be sure to create a backdrop for a dessert station so it is framed in and the details are on display. Natural branches like the one above provide a great foundation for creating a backdrop. 

Bring in color where ever you can. Cupcake wrappers, toppers, signage, icing colors or flavored drinks are just a few ways to really allow your colors to show up.   Don't be afraid to use variations of the same tone. Not everything has to be matchy matchy. Get creative.

Consider alternate ways of serving desserts. These mini mason jars blueberry crumb pies are the perfect size and keep the dessert bar looking good so nobody is shoveling spoons or leaving traces of pie crumbs everywhere. The dessert station has to be functional but still look good. Be sure to think of how guests will serve themselves and be sure to consider new or different ways to do so. 

Now go design your very own natural dessert station. 

Halloween Macaroons

I have found another excuse to buy macaroons. Yes, Halloween macaroons. 
Why you ask? 
Because macaroons are phenomenal.  

You know that question about being stranded on an island and what 1 thing would you take.  Macaroons. 
I could survive on macaroons. 

I actually had to ban myself from driving from Pasadena to Botega Louie LA (a 30 minute trip one way) just to buy these mini crack like pastries. I adore them. You should too. So please go out this weekend and find a Halloween inspired macaroon and treat yourself to their brilliance. If you are  in LA run to Botega Louie & have a rose macaroon for me. 

If you don't live in LA no need to worry. Macaroons are available online. 

These jet black and lavender blackcurrent white chocolate ganache can be ordered online from LeBonbonLA online at Etsy. They even do custom colors and flavors. Great idea for a party.

If you happen to be in NYC then head to Laduree. These stunning orange passionfruit macaroons are limited edition. They are stored in a beautiful black and gold box that you won't throw away. Ever. Laudree is the French bakery and currently has locations all over the globe.  Except in the states, where you have one option. The upper east side. 

I found these beautiful pumpkin and ghost Halloween macaroons over at poppytalk this morning. The post originated from a Japanese blog so not to sure where you can get these but I'm sure the photo can provide inspiration. I love the idea of having a day of the dead party. 

The colors are great. 

These apricot chestnut macaroons from Botega combine the richness of chestnut cream with the tart sweetness of apricot jam. 

These black licorice flavored macaroons have a bright green filling reminiscent of absinthe. How fun would these be with a witch themed dessert bar. Made to order and shipped from the LeBonbon store on etsy. 

These Caribbean chocolate chocolate ganache macaroons are from lette macaroons and can be ordered online as well. 

Now you have an excuse to get a macaroon. I expect nothing less than a weekend of indulging in these exceptionally beautiful and amazingly wonderful treats. 

Halloween Designer Party on a budget

 Oh Halloween.....what a great reason you are to throw a party. 

I am loving these simple ideas to create a beautiful party. Read on to discover the how & how much for these inspiring party ideas. 

Bake a chocolate cake, frost with white icing and crumble Oreo cookies on top. Cut out black bats from card stock in various sizes and glue to silver wire (found in the floral departments or at Home Depot). Create a cake stand by hot gluing a painted candlestick to a painted pie tin or a plate. Thrift stores are the best place to find these things.  

Serve drinks in mason jars - purchase at a big box store and reuse during the holidays for dried cookie mixes for the neighbors. Using a white fine tip marker and black card stock paper, create these adorable flags. Striped straws can be purchased on Etsy for $4.50 for 25.

Make these cheesecake shot size desserts with crumbled Oreo cookies and witch hats made from black card stock. Adhere the hats to extra paper straws cut in half. 

These sugar cookies can be semi home made. Buy store bought sugar cookies from a bakery and pipe in the details with colored frosting. Always pipe the outer part first to keep a barrier for the white icing. Flood the cookie with the white icing using a plastic condiment bottle from the local dollar store. 

Make sure each color is dry before adding another one. 

Capture great photos by creating this simple photo booth. Use metal tub (that can always be converted to a drink tub for later parties). Cut out paper flags from orange and black card stock and adhere all around the base of the tub. Using a white sheet or cloth create a backdrop accented with orange and black crepe paper. Have trick or treater's pose on the tub for a great photo op. Email or mail printed versions of each guest as a thank you card. 

Create this fun paper garland using a large paper puncher from Michael's. They can be a little pricey so be sure to print out the 40% off coupon from their website that is always available. Use card stock paper or swing by Home Depot or Lowe's and stock up on some paint chips. Cut out several black and orange circles and glue them to black string or clear fishing line. 

Create this simple centerpiece by spray painting small pumpkins in white and adhering lettered labels from an office supply or craft store. You can use use stencils and paint them on. 

Make mummy juice box's using white masking tape and hot gluing googly eyes. 

Freeze plastic spiders in ice trays - super cheap & fun way to make your party ever so detailed. 

Stay tuned all month for creative party ideas, DIY costumes & all things Halloween party.

Toddler Halloween Costumes DIY

My favorite thing to do on Halloween is pass out the candy. I love the costumes and asking each kid what he is. My favorite costume ever was a teenage boy that had glued barbie dolls all over his clothes. He was a chick magnet of course. This year I am outfitting a tween and a toddler and trying to find some creative costumes that don't involve the typical store bought themes. Here are a few of my all time favorite toddler Halloween costumes. 

If there could be an Ethel or a Ricky this would be priceless. 

Nothing more festive than a pinata. 

So cute and so easy to do. The ultimate thrift store DIY costume.

My all time favorite. My sister went as this one year and my daughter was a dalmatian puppy. 

 

DIY super hero costume cause every kid needs a cape. 

I love this idea. You can create the onesie out of a white masking tape. Great costume pair for siblings. 

Classic. 

Much better than the store bought versions. 

Just like the book.

I love this kids parents. 

                                          Biker baby - would be great paired with a biker babe.