birdie’s first birthday
We celebrated Birdie’s first birthday last October with our family and close friends. My friend Cyn Kain came by to take these pretty pictures. Birdie is such a happy, happy little girl, but she erupts into absolute joy at the sight of a balloon, so we had many of those in all shades of pink tied off with pretty pink satin ribbons, as well as this girly #1 balloon, which was, obviously, the highlight of the party!
I labored over her smash cake, and out of fear I’d totally bomb the icing, made a trial-run cake the week before. The cake recipe I used is from The Back in the Day Bakery cookbook. It’s the classic vanilla cupcake Back in the Day Bakery is known for — a cupcake Jon and I enjoyed on a trip to Savannah a few years ago! I used two 5″ pans and stacked the cakes. The recipe yielded just enough batter to make both cakes and nearly a dozen more cupcakes. You can find the frosting tutorial I used here.
The cake pedestal is from Sweet Shop Lulu (I ordered the 6″ round stand), and the topper (a celebration candle kid) is from The Small Object; Sarah was kind enough to paint the hair color to match Birdie’s!
We were busy birthday elves crafting lots of pretty to surprise Birdie on her big day! My husband, Jon, made party hats for pumpkins (since Birdie’s birthday is in October).
Meanwhile I made a birthday hat for Birdie, mini pom pom garlands and big pom poms to hang from the ceiling. To make the pom pom garlands, I used this tutorial for napkin pom-poms and attached them to satin ribbon. I found along the way that the tissue paper from Paper Source is the best weight for pom pom crafting. I used the colors red, strawberry, blossom and poppy, which corresponded with the colors in Birdie’s invitation designed by Jennifer Wick at Minted.
My mom and I baked “1″ sugar cookies, dusted in glittery, pink sprinkles. We used this cookie cutter.
Inspired by Jon and Sherry, we made a first birthday time capsule, filling it with all sorts of things we collected and our guests gifted, from magazines, to a grocery receipt, to a newspaper. We’re looking forward to opening it when Birdie turns 18!
And that is how we celebrated Miss Birdie’s first birthday!
All photographs except the instagram photos by Cyn Kain
Southern Weddings Volume 5
We had such a great time working with Southern Weddings Magazine again, this time on a concept set at Tuckahoe Plantation in Richmond, using a classic palette of green and white accented by the palest blue. I can’t wait to show you more behind the scenes of this shoot (photographed by Katie Stoops), but for now, you can get your copy on newsstands or by ordering here.
The Hook’s Summer 2012 Wedding Special
Thanks so much to The Hook in Charlottesville (and especially to editor Stephanie Marie) for including me in the summer 2012 wedding special. You can flip to page 26 to read the full story. I’m honored to be included with such remarkable women! Thank you so much again, Stephanie!
some recent work…
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ~Robin Williams
{bouquets by me!; photos by katie stoops)
happy mother’s day
I had fun creating this quick + easy Mother’s Day D.I.Y. for Oh Joy! Hope you’ll pop over and have a look!
Happy Mother’s Day Mamas! xo
{photography by katie stoops}
a fete in blue and white!
Just a few instagrams as we prep for this weekend’s classic wedding in blue and white at Main Street Station…
framed signage in first image and certificate in last image designed by Miss Pickles Press
spring flowers
Just a peek of an arrangement I put together yesterday using camellia, quince, pear tree blossoms, daffodils and bells of ireland — many of the flowers were gathered from our yard. This is my favorite time of year, when the quince, daffodils and camellias are in bloom and the buds on the spring trees are beginning to open!
collecting
I’ve been busy gathering blue and white china floral vases and accent pieces for our clients, Nina and Adam; their wedding is just a few short weeks away. This is always the most fun time for me — seeing everything come together. Of course, the day before and the day of the wedding when we’re installing is the very best, but I love the anticipation that comes with this time in planning. The pieces we’re collecting are destined to become decor in Nina and Adam’s new home, which makes the act of collecting them all that much more special!
Shop the look at Revel
Have you visited Revel yet? It’s a new blog from the girls at 57 Grand, and today I’m contributing a shop the look story based on Katie and Max’s wedding. Shop the look is like an interactive inspiration board. You can click on the images to purchase the item pictured or one that’s very similar. I hope you’ll stop by today to check it out!
happy valentines day and a wedding full of heart!
Katie and Max’s May wedding at home last May on the Northern Neck was truly full of heart. From the brightly colored heart confetti that accompanied their letterpress invitations, to the hearts throughout the reception…along the walkway to the ceremony on the waterfront, handmade muslin hearts on each place setting, brightly patterned hearts on escort card tags…so much love was put into this celebration. Happy Valentine’s Day!
photography by jodi miller; design a collaboration between the bride, groom and merriment; floral + styling by merriment
