Back to School Party

Hello blogger friends! Its been quite a long time since I last posted on my blog and I have so much to share with you. Its been an unbelievably busy summer filled with weddings, showers and engagements. The most recent party I did was a "back to school" theme for a newly hired Kindergarten teacher. It was an adult party with a school/child like feel. You can use these ideas for kids or adults. Check it out!



Yummy red velvet cake. Everything was edible!



Milk and Cookie Bar

Mini milk jugs with red and white paper straws

Cake pops, cookie bar, personalized penicls and candy bars

Back to school themed cupcake toppers

Personalized candy bar wrappers and pencils



 I cut out 2" strip pieces of kraft paper and stamped an apple on it. Use double sided
 tape to secure the label.



Party favors were an assortment of candies. I stamped a small red apple on a tag and tied it with a red bow.



I tucked the menu into vintage library cards. I stamped "menu" on the front of the card.





{Dinner Table} Stacked books covered in kraft paper tied with red and white twine. Big bowls of apples lined the table. Personalized banner hangs from the head chair.
For the cutlery I wrapped a setting in a page from a vintage Beatrix Potter book. I then tied it with hemp twine of course!


Enjoy and be inspired! 



Out of Town Wedding Gift Bags

For so many brides the last thing they sometimes think of are providing their out of town guests with a welcome bag. I always recommend having the welcome bag waiting for your guests upon check in. Like many, the typical and most common style most brides end up doing is buying a paper gift bag and filling it with snacks and a wedding itinerary. I am hoping you will find inspiration and be a little more creative when creating your out of town wedding gift bags.

Gift Box



Line the inner box with the wrapping paper pattern of your choice

 

Don't forget to include a map of the area, wedding weekend itinerary and list of restaurants/things to do

My new obsession- Velvet ribbon {especially in pink!!}

Materials/Supplies

1. Box {Michaels Crafts}
2. Gift Wrap, pattern of your choice
3. Ribbon {I love the pink velvet ribbon I recently found at Michaels}
4. Glassine bags {Paper Mart}
5. Labels {You can create yourself or get them custom made My Own Labels}
6. French Macarons or homemade cookies {My favorite recipe here}
7. M&M's {mymms}
8. Map of the area
9. Wedding weekend itinerary with directions

Canvas Bag with your map

One of my favorite wedding bags for out of towners and your bridal party. These are designed by one of my favorite calligraphers Laura Hooper. If you are interested in more vendors that do custom wedding maps please contact me justine@prettydomestic.com.

Ideas for Gift Bags

1. Thank You card
2. Custom Water bottles
3. Snacks
4. Flip Flops {shower shoes for hotel bathroom, I NEVER leave home without them}
5. List of restaurants and Things To Do in the area
6. Wedding Weekend Itinerary
7. Mini Emergency Kit.  {Advil, Band-Aids, Pepto, Emergen-C}
8. Tissue Pack
9. Kids activities {crayons, coloring book}

Please contact me justine@prettydomestic.com for more ideas and vendor resources.

Its a Boy!

I love throwing baby showers and am always honored to be asked to coordinate or contribute an inspiration board. I would like to share with you one of my favorite "boy themed" baby showers. My gals over at On to Baby posted this on their blog. This technically can be used for a girl or a boy but I personally like this for a little boy :)

"Camping Theme Shower"
              

Acorn garland

Everything here can be found at your local sports and craft stores!

 How cute are the "sleeping bag" tortilla wraps and the "smores" cupcakes!!

Look at the gorgeous detail of the wood tree trunk inspired cakes. Stunning job by Sweet and Saucy

"Make your own Onesie"

 My friends over at Posh Paperie created all of the paper goods for the party.

      Photos by Gabriel Ryan

"Make your own Onesie" Shopping List

1. Plain white Onesies

2. Iron

3. Iron on transfers {animal shapes, ties, bowties, first letter of babies names etc..."

4. Buttons, bows, fabrics. Be creative!

Please contact me for event coordinating services. If you don't live in California and would like me help with your next party I offer "virtual party planning."

Red and "Kraft Paper" Brown Dinner Party

I recently hosted a dinner party at my house for 30 guests. The color palette was red and "Kraft Paper" brown. I was inspired from my own post back in March titled Planning the Perfect Dinner Party. I wanted to incorporate burlap table runners, candles, and red roses.

These were my Inspiration Pictures from Planning the Perfect Dinner Party.

My Party pics

For each persons place setting I first used a Kraft Paper envelope. Then I printed out each persons name on a self adhesive red round label. After the label was printed I used a vintage inspired cutlery stamp to finish it off. The silverware was tucked inside the envelope which was then wrapped in a red and white patterned napkin {tied with a bow of course}. The menu was placed behind the envelope and held together with a red and white twine bow.

I also used a vintage inspired "Bon Appetit" stamp for my menus. Again, never missing an opportunity for a bow :)

Party favors were homemade chocolate chip cookies. Cookies were placed in Brown Kraft paper boxes, wrapped with a red and white twine bow and a tag to tie everything together.

"Home Baked Love" tag to give people a hint as to whats inside.



Menu

Soup and Salad

Matzah Ball Soup Recipe Here

Strawberry and Spinach Summer Salad Recipe Here

Main

Cut up Herb Roasted Chicken Recipe Here

Brisket Recipe Here

Roasted vegetables Recipe Here

Tzimmes Recipe Here

Dessert

Fresh fruit Platter

French Pastries {Bakery bought}

Tea and Coffee

{Eric Shemtov Photography}

New "Pretty Domestic" Logo and blog design!

For the past two months I have been working on the "Pretty Domestic" blog and logo design. I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out! Carolyn Valentin of Life In Graz was the stunning designer who designed the logo and the blog design. She incorporated all of my ideas and came up with this gorgeous logo and design. I could not be happier.

You will notice the adorable silhouettes {house, girl, mixer, wedding cake etc...} on the top of the page. If you click on them they will link you to the different corresponding pages. For example, if you are interested in getting a  custom Inspiration Board click on the wedding cake logo. Also, many of you have been requesting more recipes. I have added a recipe link in which I will be adding some more of my fav recipes for you to enjoy and try at home.

The Pretty Domestic website is currently being worked on. There you will be able to find my different packages that I offer as well as pictures from weddings and events I have coordinated, styled and consulted on. I will definitely let you know when it is up and running! Enjoy and hope you like my new logo and blog design.

"Keep Calm and Hunt on" Bunny Party

I was excited to create a dessert table for a corporate "Spring" egg hunt party. The theme was "Keep Calm and Hunt on." Pattern and colors were inspired by Jonathon Adler. I incorporated a pink and white stripe fabric backdrop as well as a framed custom poster to tie everything together. The frame was picked up at a local thrift store that I sprayed a high glossy white. If you would like me to create a themed table for your next event please contact me! These are great for childrens Birthday Parties or showers. prettydomestic@gmail.com

 Fondant cake topper with pink and green fondant carrots.

Custom Sugar cookies

Homemade vanilla cupcakes topped with mod bunny fondant toppers.

Red Velvet Bunny Cake Pops



Vintage milkglass pedestal 

Beverage center with "Guess How many Peeps" contest.



Caged Peeps



Breakfast for Hungry Bunnies. Chinese takeout containers with teal and white twine.

Paper straws with custom straw flags "Spring Fever"

Water for thirsty Bunnies

Juice for Thirsty Bunnies

Please contact me prettydomestic@gmail.com if you would like help with your next event!

{Eric Shemtov Photography}

Party Planning Tips

{Amy Atlas Design}

Planning the perfect event doesn't have to be stressful. You can have as much fun as your guests! Follow these steps and enjoy the process.

PLANNING STEPS

Before the party

Initial Idea: 

Determine a date, time, location and guest list. This will be crucial for organizing your event including invites and securing a location.

Create A Timeline:

It's important to set firm deadlines for planning your event such as reserving a space, ordering food, buying decorations, and mailing invitations.

Create a Budget:
Include all expenses: deposits, entertainment, decorations, rentals, food and beverage, invitations, postage, and  photography.

Create a Theme:
This helps you determine the types of music, food, games, activities and beverages you will have.

Decorations:
Decorations should reflect your theme and can be tied in with your invitations, flowers, linens, paper goods, favors and entertainment. Themes are great for children's birthday parties, not necessarily for weddings. However, it is important to have an overall "feel" at a wedding or function without making it too kitschy.

Day of your event 
Your event itinerary plays an important role in smooth entertaining. {Set up should be done the day before if possible}.

TIME:  ACTIVITY:

______ Guests Arrive - Cocktails/hors d'oeuvres

______ Guest of Honor Arrives

______ Food is served

______ Entertainment

______ Dessert is served

RSVP ETIQUETTE

RSVP
The term RSVP stands for répondez s'il vous plaît and means "Please reply."

When do I Reply?
As soon as possible, ideally within two days of receiving an invitation. If it is a formal response card don't forget a simple "congratulations" or "how can I help" note written on the front  of the card.

Why Reply?
Hosts need an exact headcount so they can make sure they have enough food, drink and space for you.

DRESS CODES

Not sure what to wear to an event or what to specify on your invitation? These guidelines, listed in order of formality, will help you determine the dress code. And remember, it’s never inappropriate to ask the host or other guests what’s acceptable.

White tie/ultra-formal:

Men: Tailcoat and white vest, shirt and bow tie. Women: Long gown.

Black tie/formal:

Men: Tuxedos. Women: Dress (knee-length or long).

Semi-formal/informal:

Men: Dark suit, tie. Women: Knee-length dress.

Cocktail:

Men: Dark suit. Women: Knee-length dress or skirt.

Dressy casual:

Men: Sports jacket or collared shirt, pants. Women: Skirt or dressy pants.

Business casual:

Men: Collared shirt, khakis. Women: Dressy pants or skirt.

Casual:

Anything goes! Please remember though this is still an event someone has invited you to. Be appropriate.

More Rules to Dress By

• If an invitation indicates that a certain dress style is “optional” or “preferred,” you can dress slightly less formal.
• Informal means semi-formal, not casual.
• Hosts-  If you include a creative dress code, like beach formal or urban casual, be sure you give examples of what is, and is not, okay.

Why I love Vera Bradley

Yesterday I went into the Vera Bradley store at the Galleria in Glendale. I had been there before and was struck by the shear amount of detail the designer put into the interiors of the store. Blue and white buffalo check, toile wallpaper, toile tufted club chairs, painted French commodes, vintage brown leather ottomans...I was home.

I asked the woman helping me who the interior designer was for the store and she said it was Barbara Bradley Baekgaard . Barbara is the co-founder of Vera Bradley. She told me that before founding Vera Bradley she was an interior designer. It all made sense! I rushed home to try and find some of her work. I hit the jackpot! Barbara has an Inn in Florida called "Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley." Here are a few pics.

 

The "Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley"



The Lobby

 



Bedroom 1 {every guest gets a VB product waiting for them!!}

  



My Favorite!



Cute Bathroom

I think I could live here. To "support" the Vera Bradley empire I "contributed" my funds. I couldn't resist this weekend duffel bag. It is soo big and can fit everything you need for those little getaways with your sweetie. I got the "make me blush" pattern which is just too cute.


When I walked out of the store the sales person rushed out and told me she had one more thing for me. A water bottle with their newest pattern....What a great VB experience!

What is your favorite pattern?

xoxo Justine