We’re thrilled to be featured in national blogs as well as other great publications!
NESTING INSTINCTS: RUSSIAN DOLLS MAKE A MAGICAL GENDER REVEAL
Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with Matryoshka (Russian) nesting dolls. One wooden doll with another little doll nestled inside… and so on and so on. My mother had a big, beautiful set that my grandmother had brought back with her from a trip to Russia. I loved to play with it. Opening each doll, lining them all up in a row, seeing how tiny they could get… it was mesmerizing.
It got me thinking what a delightful and unique gender reveal these dolls would make. A quick Google search turns up hundreds… many in traditional red and yellow lacquer but also in vivid purples, blues and greens – you name it. There’s even a little Darth Vader nesting doll; open it up to a little Storm Trooper that opens up to a tiny Boba Fett. I kid you not. But, I digress.
OH BOY WE THROW A GOOD PARTY!
Take a peek inside our Gender Reveal party that we threw for our very own Lead Merchant Manager Erin! We were not monkeying around when it came to decorating. Mixing in ideas from professional party planner, Laura Himmelein (who you may remember from her guest blog posts), we went with the sock monkey theme. Then we helped throw in fresh flowers of pinks and blues, fresh fruit and freshly baked themed cookies! Come along and relive the celebration with us.
PINKS OR BLUES? HERE, A LITTLE BIRDIE TWEETS THE NEWS!
I love the way bird themes and imagery can be used to naturally illustrate new beginnings. The birth of spring – or a new baby. Robin egg blues with pale pinks, soft and fluffy feathers… these combine to create whimsy that is extra perfect for gender reveals.
Here, birdcages, nests and wooden eggs make cute centerpieces for tables, as well as food and beverage displays. The fun secret: these wooden eggs open – perfect for your big announcement. I painted the inside and out in contrasting colors of pink and blue and slipped a gender revealing feather in each. Nestle eggs inside additional nests and sprinkle at the base of the centerpiece (and throughout the party).
Matters Magazine Fall Food 2014
GATHERING FRIENDS
PHOTOS & STORY BY KAREN DUNCAN. STYLING BY LAURA HIMMELEIN. RECIPES BY BEN SALMON.
When it comes to entertaining outdoors, keep it elegantly effortless and you’ll be in very good company.
Forget the fancy ingredients or formal setting. Party planner extraordinaire Laura Himmelein of Party Cake Party Cake designed and styled a pretty and functional way to take advantage of the last of the evenings we can spend out of doors. The Maplewood backyard of Kathy and Bill Kohlman of Skillman Doors served as our inspiration. Bathed in candlelight from functional and fabulous lanterns and chandeliers that are easily strung with ribbon in trees, this dinner setting will have your guests lingering long into the evening.
Matters Magazine Fall Food 2015
CAN DO FONDUE!
BY BEN SALMON, Kitchen a la Mode, South Orange. STYLING BY LAURA HIMMELEIN, Party Cake, Party Cake and LH Event Design, Maplewood.
Fondue is a fun and interactive way to mix up typical entertaining. But we’ve been doing it wrong. And we’ve been oversold. You don’t need a fondue pot—or four—just to have a memorable dinner party. Besides, you shouldn’t have to take up precious kitchen storage with something you’re likely to use just twice a year. All you need to make this mid-century modern classic work in today’s world is a good pot and some essential tools you either already have or should invest in. You’ll find that preparing for a fondue party is easier than making most meals. Since your guests assemble their own food, you won’t have to tinker in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the martini and garnish bar.
New Jersey Family Magazine
REAL NEW JERSEY BIRTHDAY PARTIES
BY JAMIE WISNIEWSKI
We asked local event planners for insider advice on how their best bashes come together. Steal these ideas!
Fairy Party: No one can resist the allure of wings and a tutu. Give her the fairy party of her dreams with these fun ideas from planner Laura Himmelein of Party Cake Party Cake, Maplewood.
Hot Rod Party: Little guys will love making their own craft cars, which double as party favors, too!