Baseball Bash

It's the World Series! In honor of the amazing games between the Yankees & Phillies, I thought I'd feature some of my favorite baseball ideas. Hopefully they'll help you hit a home run the next time you entertain!

It all starts with the perfect invite. Love these round baseballs from Luscious Verde, and these letterpress invites from Twig & Fig that use actual turf! Both available at papery & cakery.

Martha had a wealth of ideas on hosting a kids baseball birthday party. I adore these baseball cupcakes! She also gave ideas for a great party favors filled with with chocolate baseballs, baseball gum balls, Tootsie rolls, baseball-bat taffy lollipops, wax soda bottles, Smarties, and a pack of baseball cards, a whistle and lanyard. I think cracker jacks would be another wonderful addition!

Pottery Barn sells this fabulous glassware etched with your favorite team's name along with a monogram. There are pilsner glasses, old-fashioned, beer mugs and large bowls. You won't strike out serving food and drinks in these!

These stitched cufflinks are made from actual baseballs. I think they'd make the perfect gift for a baseball lover or even for groomsmen.

Hit it out of the ballpark with an awesome cake like this one, featuring a hat and playing cards from Confetti Cakes.

Hope these ideas have you swinging for the fences!

xoxo,

Niki

Think Pink Rocks!

October is breast cancer awareness month, which is something very close my heart. I'm sure almost everyone has been affected in some way by this horrible form of cancer. Both my mother in law and grandmother are survivors, which is truly a blessing.

My amazing friend, Elizabeth Weprin, has made beast cancer awareness her champion cause. She's planning a fabulous event in Boca this weekend!

In 2005, Elizabeth and her friend, survivor, Stephanie Robin founded Think Pink, to raise awareness about the BRCA gene mutation, early detection of and genetic testing for breast cancer, and to provide funding for screening, treatment and research.

The first Think Pink luncheon was held here in Boca Raton, and raised over $40,000. The proceeds were donated to two breast cancer related charities, JACOB International and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2007 the luncheon raised over $150,000. After so much incredible success, Think Pink launched Think Pink Rocks, an outrageously fun concert in Mizner Park in Boca.

Think Pink Rocks 2009, is this Saturday, October 3 at the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater at the Centre for the Arts in Mizner Park, Boca Raton. The concert will feature awesome artists: AKON!!!! Shontelle, Melanie Fiona, Kardinal Offishall, DJ Cassidy, American Yard, DJ Webstar!!! Tickets are only $30 and all money raised by THINK PINK ROCKS will benefit life-changing charities such as: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York; BRCH Women's Center for Breast Care; The American Cancer Society / Making Strides Against Breast Cancer; Reach Global / Jacob International; The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation; The H.O.P.E. Project; University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Even if you can't make it in person, you can be there in spirit by becoming a sponsor or donating, or even just "click to be counted" and spread the word to your friends.

Here are a few fabulous images from pink events to keep you "thinking pink" this week!







{via Style Me Pretty, Amy Atlas, Mika78 & Saks}

See you Saturday night at Think Pink Rocks!!

xoxo,

Niki

Autumn is Awesome!

Or so they say.... I'm pretty hopeful that autumn will be making an appearance in South Florida in the next few months. In the meantime, in honor of the first technical day of Fall, here are a few of my favorite Fall invitations, all available at Papery & Cakery right now!





















{From top to bottom: Pica Press. Mika78. Mr. Boddington's Studio. ModernPress. Julie Holcomb. Cheree Berry. Louella Press. Wiley Valentine. Twig & Fig. Studio Olivine. Smock. Oblation. Neah Bay Douglas. Elum. Luscious Verde. Egg Press. Dauphine. Delphine.}

Enjoy the fabulous foliage!

xoxo,

Niki

Burnt Sienna, Creme Brulee & Nomad

When Amy Atlas featured this "Missoni-inspired" dessert table on her blog last week I was blown away. I'm practically drooling over the amazing desserts juxtaposed to the phenomenal print. The paprika dusted truffles and the cupcakes were even made by Ali!

Apparently the hot pantone colors for fashion this fall are burnt sienna, creme brulee & nomad; in simpler terms: deep orange, cream and a muted grey. Here's my take on bringing more burnt sienna, creme brulee & nomad into your life.

This stunning invitation and wrap by Dauphine Press features a burnt sienna vintage scroll, 2 shades of ribbon wrapped on a metallic folder and chic grey (nomad) fonts. Come view it in person at papery & cakery.

If I were throwing a party in these colors, I'd use the burnt sienna for the florals, as an accent color. The creamy creme brulee and pale grey tones could dominate the rest of the decor. {Above images from Brides.com, Martha Stewart, Inside Weddings & Style Me Pretty}.

Grey is appropriate for brides as well as bridemaids. Monique Lhuillier incorporates a soft, dulled grey tone in her spectacular tiered skirt and bustier from her 2009 collection.

Combine orange florals with a muted palette with your cake, via April Reed.

Create a burnt sienna glow by setting these beautiful Indian-inspired votives on the table. Purchase these from paper-source.

And, of course, keep something in the perfect tone on your feet. Be it creme brulee, peep-toe Louboutins, Nomad t-strap Valentino pumps, or a burnt sienna pair of rain boots by Hunter.

Happy burnt sienna, nomad & creme brulee day.

xoxo,

Niki

Apples, Apples, Apples!

Things you bob for? Things you associate with back to school? Things that grow in orchards? Things you eat during Rosh Hashanah? Things that are delicious and also beautiful for decor?

No, this isn't the $100,000 Pyramid game! All of these things are associated with: APPLES!

It's autumn and that means apples are everywhere, from delicious pies to caramel coatings, from centerpieces to seating cards!

Is the apple motif your thing? Get yourself some letterpress apple stationery from Twig & Fig, available at Papery & Cakery.

Set a beautiful table incorporating apples into the decor. Use apples to support a cake plate, fill a long cylindrical vase, or just arrange them in rustic baskets for a freshly picked centerpiece. {via Project Wedding, Style Me Pretty, and Martha Stewart Weddings}

Serve guests in something lovely and elegant, like this apple honey pot from Michael Aram.

Feeling festive in the kitchen? Snack on these apple cake pops from Bakerella. Cooke up your own caramel-covered apples, (big or mini) with a recipes from Martha. Or just purchase these festive bride and groom candy-coated apples from Mrs. Prindables.

Take a bite out of seating cards with these apple-icious ideas from Project Wedding, Arak Kanofsky and Martha Stewart.

Let them eat apple cake! I just love this country dessert spread from a real wedding featured on Martha, as well as this sleek square chocolate masterpiece from Confetti Cakes.

Bon Appletit!

xoxo,

Niki