The Super Bowl is for Girls.

I love to make things that are perhaps a bit annoyingly girlie when heading to super bowl parties…  
While Petit Fours got the call last year, this year I made darling Powder Puffs!  Petite sponge-like cakes that hug sweet fillings like red plum jam and vanilla bean whipped cream.
The boys can have beer and wings…I’ll stick with champagne and French treats!
Xx.

Kara’s Current Obsession: Monograms and Crests, Oh My!

Many of us know about the delightful Sarah Drake for her beyond beautiful letterpress and engraved wedding invitations.  In addition to designing your save the dates, your entire wedding suite, programs and menu cards, you can enlist the boutique studio to create a charming monogram for The New You, dream up a custom crest for your growing family or even help with your budding business’ brand identity and logo!  
The fun doesn’t have to stop with the conceptual creations, however…
You can have Sarah help put together a beautiful tablescape…
I am obsessed with monogrammed dinnerware!  Here, for a more casual, everyday use Sarah will work your monogram into rustic stoneware pieces {made locally in Chicago!}.
If urban farmhouse isn’t necessarily your look – choose a more formal china pattern {for fancy dinner parties or to simply dress up Chinese take-out!}
Knobby linen napkins add a casual elegance to any table setting.
Sarah Drake can also work your monograms into bedding!
Yes. Please.
Now…why settle for a mundane monogram when you can have Sarah create a brand new family crest!!  {L.O.V.E the establish date – aka your wedding date!}
Then work your crest into your linens!
For perhaps a more simple idea, have them help with monogrammed hemstitch cocktail napkins {I have heaps of them!  And they also make fabulous hostess gifts!} or a simple, classic handkerchief.
  And the very best news?!  Sarah Drake can set up a custom registry so your family and friends can help you build your fancypants new monogrammed collection!
I’m obsessed.
{image credits} all images taken from Sarah Drake Design

Celebrate!

Although my social calendar of late begs to differ – most people know that I love love love hosting a good party.  Well, this Little Miss has as a bit of a milestone on the horizon:  I maaay turn 28…{again…for the third time?} next month.  This occasion will n.o.t take place at a gritty bar or club – oh gasp!…But is it really so awful to want to host your own birthday party?

While I may have to postpone the festivities until things slow down a bit {not to mention the fact that we were able to take advantage of one of my favorite sale websites: jetsetter.com and are, therefore, sneaking away for the only minute we have to breath in November}…but – if I were to host something:

I would want it fun – surrounded only by people I adore.  I would want it fancy – girls and guys must dress.  I would want it fantastically simple – with thoughtful drinks, delicious bites and dreamy details.
Well…I’m just a bit disappointed that Kevin Sharkey {the fabulous, famed designer that has been working with Martha Stewart Living since 1995} somehow snuck his way into my head and took all of my ideas and inspiration {wink wink} for an incredible home party!!
Anyway – enjoy these gorgeous photos from his glamorous fete – laden with a darling dose of humor:
 Guests were welcomed with a simply and effectively stocked bar cart.  I always always think it is best to offer fewer spot-on creations as opposed to feeling the need to provide copious options.   

What couldn’t make it on the bar cart was stylishly stored in his bathtub mounded with ice, certain to keep the Veuve chilled all evening long.  {What’s all that stacked up in the background, you ask??} 

OH THAT!!  Just a mere gazillion Hermes boxes, hanging out in Kevin’s shower.  So ironically beautiful.

Hooray!  I’m not the only one that loves a dressed up deviled egg!  Delish.

Well, if the eggs are a bit too pedestrian for you – the beautifully displayed caviar station is sure to impress.

And after feasting on a creamy caviar delicacy, fed from a mother-of-pearl spoon…it’s time to dunk!  Love love this Oreo cooke cake.  Must have glasses wide enough to dunk.

And now it’s time to get silly.  A fabulous and fancy lacquered dining table acts as the perfect local for a bit of table tennis.

Obsessed with the custom-monogrammed paddle.

Favors?  Nope…

Score-keeping writing utensils!

I will absolutely recreate this whimsy frame as an unexpected touch in the powder room!

And if the wee hours weren’t apparent enough, perhaps the deflated balloons may remind you what a fabulous….long….night you’ve had!
Happy whatever-you-want-to-celebrate!

{image credits} all images taken from martha stewart

The Mostest for your Hostess

I had a friend ask me about hostess gifts the other day and it got me thinking…Whether large or small, expensive or cheap, a little thought can truly go a long way when showing appreciation to your hostess for including you in her event {and certainly inspire a return invitation in the future!}  Here are a few of my current favorite hostess gift ideas!:

For a Casual Get Together:  A modestly priced bottle of wine {Kim Crawfod Sav Blanc is my favorite} is beautifully and simply dressed up with these charming engraved tags from Dempsey and Carroll.
For the Constant Entertainer:  A beautiful teacake dome from Juliska can be thoughtfully presented when paired with a home-baked treat {and used the next time she entertains}!
For the Busy Mom:  Encourage her to easily tidy up for your get-togethers with ease by presenting your girlfriend with these adorable ‘everything bins’ by Serena and Lily.  
For a Quick Solution:  Grab a few bottles of your hostesses’ favorite beverage and pair them with whimsical striped straws from Jack and Lulu.  Enjoy what’s last of the summer sunsets while sipping on the porch!
For the Coffee Addict:  A few tins of the absolutely delicious Sant’ Eustachio Coffee from a small cafe in Rome will keep her energized {for now?}.

For the Glamour Girl:  A bundle of flowers is always a lovely gift – but to show up with a pre-arranged bowl of blooms in a gorgeous vase like this Kate Spade rose bowl is the gift that keeps on giving.  
{image taken from lonny.com}
When You’re the House-guest:  When visiting Charlotte’s family in Sydney, they had us sign a guestbook that her parents had started decades ago.  To flip through the pages showcasing a multitude of residences  made me die to know Char’s parents’ life story.  Encourage your hostess to keep the book forever, have their guests write a bit about their stay and the activities enjoyed, so they can stroll down memory lane time and time again.
For the Potluck You Don’t Have Time to Prepare For:  A vintage dishtowel enveloping a few fresh demi-baguettes and a good jam is a simple and delicious addition to any get together. 
{image taken from marthastewart.com}
 
For the Girly Girl:  Select a few of your favorite nail polish colors and pair with a gift certificate for a manicure.  After your hostess ends the evening with dish-pan-hands in your honour, she’ll certainly deserve it!  {Here are my current Essie loves from left to right:  Tart Deco, Blushing Bride and Vermillionaire}
For the Day of the Large Affair:  Ding-dong-ditch your hostess the morning of her gathering.  She’ll no doubt be busy all day bustling around town, tidying up her home and preparing loads of details for the evening soiree.  Allow her to enjoy a hardy breakfast by putting together a basket packed with fresh scones, jams, juice, milk and note about how excited you are to join them later.
{image taken from marthastewart.com}
For the Little Lady Who’s got it All:  A simple and elegant cashmere throw can be used tossed on an armchair for an added punch of color, used as a wrap on an alfresco evening outdoors or brought on any flight to avoid the scratchy, questionable blankets the flight attendants hand out.  This versatile gift {from William Sonoma Home} is sure to impress.
For the Home Chef:  Allow your hostess to collect recipes in style with this charming recipe box from Dabney Lee.
For Her Coffee Table I – The Prep:  A Privileged Life – Celebrating WASP Style.  This ode to icons of elegant living {including Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy} is perfect for your boarding school roomie.
For Her Coffee Table II – The Francophile:  Paris.  Dreamy photographs by famed photographer, Elliott Erwitt, is sure to inspire her next trip to the city of lights!    
For Her Coffee Table III – The ‘Always Updating my Interiors’ Friend:  Hue.  This Kelly Wearstler book of glamorous and eclectic interior projects is coveted by those looking for style direction.
Hmm…It’s been too long since I’ve hosted a gathering…To our friends:  I take no offense if you borrow these ideas…come on over!! 

Dreams of Sweets…MY San Francisco Treat!

While I’m barely able to keep my head above water as I catch up from being away, I gaze longingly at the petite take-away card from one of my favorite pastry shops in San Francisco.  Am I tormenting myself?  Perhaps.  But I must do this little shop justice and spend just a minute gushing…

We initially stumbled upon Miette in Hayes Valley – quite simply because we couldn’t miss it!  Caroline’s apartment sits happily atop the charming storefront!  {The other location is housed in the historic Ferry Building.}  I know I use the word charm as an adjective quite a bit, but I must profess, this cutie little shop simply oozes charm and must have been part of the words origin!

Miette’s owner, Megan Ray, originally started the company at a farmers market.  She notes influences from candy stores in Vienna to the wild blackberries growing around her home.  Her ingredients {oh the joy of living in Northern California} come from local, family owned farms and mills and are most often organic and sustainably produced.

Miette is known for many things – among them their gorgeous house-made desserts:  cakes, cupcakes, tarts, cookies to name a few.  In fact, unbeknownst to my love-at-first-sight {and bite}, Conde Nast named Miette one of the Top Ten Pastry Shops in the World!  Sweet Goodness – what an accolade!!!

Here is some more eye candy…

I am a sugar-candy lover!  {Said loud and proud!}  Beautiful jars of candy are displayed in an orderly fashion, waiting for the taking.

Oooh…the macarons.  Even though famed Paulette Macaron is less than two blocks away, I have to say Miette’s macarons were absolutely noteworthy!

A childhood favorite:  Cotton Candy!  The adorable boutique also creates the crave-worthy airy confection made-to-order!  My favorite was the vanilla bean.

These crispy house-made graham crackers were to die for with a chilled glass of milk!

{Sigh.}  Well, lucky for me {and not my thighs}, their cookies, macarons and confections are all available for mail order.  Perhaps we should make it a weekly delivery?

Sweet Dreaming…

{image credits}  images taken from miette website.  cotton candy image from martha stewart

Bella Bell’occhio!

After an absolute dreamy girls getaway to San Francisco, I’ve come back to Windy City realities…And while I’m usually quite obsessed and proud of our city – I find myself yearning for the mass amounts of charm that San Fran seems to offer around every corner, down every alley and in each sweet cafe.

It’s only been mere days, and I already miss the cutie shops and needed a fix of vintagey Frency finds – so a quick spin around San Francisco based shop Bell’occhio‘s general store-esq website must suffice.  Here are some of my favorites finds of the moment…
Cutie black and white striped grosgrain ribbon is the perfect way to adorn signage, bind hemstitch napkins at your next dinner party or to knot around your keys to fashion a simple {and cheap!} key-chain. 
These adorable ultra-mini scalloped cards and matching envelopes are the perfect way to inspire little notes of gratitude or amour.
This French ribbon would look beautiful binding the stems of a bridal bouquet of fluffy garden roses, ranunculus and peonies.
In. Love. with these perfect blackboard oilcloth mats.  Use them to assign seating at your next dinner party or used on the buffet to label the elements of your unfussy feast.
Renny first turned me onto this charming red and white string.  It looks fantastic wound around parcels, wax-paper wrapped sandwiches to-go or doing absolutely nothin’ but sitting on the shelf!
These petite letterpress frames can highlight a picture, a phrase or a fabric.  I adore the girly embellishments!
Who needs to spend time fussing with fancy wrapping paper when these fantastic aqua and red boxes are available in varied shapes and sizes!
While I have already begun to dream of my next visit to San Fran {a branch of Bliss, perhaps?!}, it’s nice to know some of my favorite shops can still provide a remedy for an uninspired afternoon from afar.
{image credits} all images taken from Bell’occhio

Real Event…For Your Perfect Picnic!

I had the most charming and special event this weekend.  A client hired me to help design and plan her daughters first bridal shower at the Wit Hotel.  The mother of the bride is beyond sophisticated with fantastic style and to say I had a blast working with her would truly be an understatement.
The guest list was an intimate group of gorgeous girls, most traveling to Chicago for the celebration.  Because of the small party, I was able to have creative direction and attention to details that we rarely have with our typical client weddings of around 200!  Too much fun!
We selected a charming theme {I know, I know – you thought I hated themes!  In my opinion, themes are acceptable for less formal events like showers!} of a gardeny, summery picnic.  I partnered with one of my absolute favorite designers, Cheree Berry to create the adorable invitations and unique printables to introduce guests to the inspired event.  
The ladybug motif was chosen to appear in just a few understated places as a reminder of the brides childhood.
The added cutie tandem bicycle was an unexpected accent on the outside of the invitation envelope.
On the day of the shower, guests were welcomed by a petite table that hosted a verdant patch of wheat grass upon which I placed a packed picnic basket, a colorful bridal bouquet and the invitation to set the tone for the lunchtime event.
The small rectangular picnic-like-tables were dressed in textured white sorrento linens from BBJ.  The gorgeous summery centerpieces were created by my great friend David of Lush Designs.  He made custom long, narrow fabric covered boxes that hosted a textural and casual collection of the seasons finest:  dahlias, ranunculus, tulips and gorgeous foliage. 
I had adorable, coordinating placemats made that added a casual, whimsical touch.
The centerpiece of the buffet table was a fresh manzanita tree for added height, centered in the beautiful picture window.
The petite swing was yet another whimsical accent that guests loved!
The light lunch menu of gourmet treats was finished with miniature cherry pies completed with adorable latticework.
One of my favorite tasks was to put together amazing favor bags for all guests to depart with.  A collection of items included an outdoor entertaining cookbook, custom gingham picnic blankets, bamboo cheese boards with matching knifes and a collection of sweet treats from the brides favorite local bakery.  The beautiful and bountiful bags were the inspiration each of the girls needed for their next perfect picnic.

Spring Lunch – Pour Deux!

I adore the simple extravagance of this table, set in an unkempt field under a beautiful, blooming tree.  Simple crisp white linens, layered and knotted will make sure your cloths don’t get caught in the breeze.  I love the use of the worn rustic chairs with beautiful pillows for padding.  What’s on the menu?  I imagine a beautiful collection of warm breads and cheeses, petite scone sandwiches and gorgeous fresh berries for dessert.  And let’s be real…doesn’t champagne make everything better?
Love.
{image credit} taken from country homes and interiors

Derby Darling!

Freshly back from celebrating my husbands’ grandfather’s 95th birthday in sunny Florida, we’ve got to efficiently prepare for a big afternoon/evening.  The Kentucky Derby {one day my schedule will allow for a full day of fun and fashionable prepiness} and a big hockey game…{Blackhawks vs. Canucks – less thrilled, but I’m a good sport…}
In order to simultaneously unpack and freshen up for the evening, cocktails seemed appropriate {if not necessary?} – and what better way to celebrate the day than with a fresh Mint Julep?  {Mint taken from my moms’ thriving herb garden only hours ago inspired it all!}
I just finished the batch {pictured above}; the simple recipe taken from Epicurious :
3/4 cup sugar 
2 cups chopped fresh mint, plus additional whole sprigs for garnish
crushed ice
1 1/2 ounces good bourbon
…..
In a saucepan combine the sugar and 3/4 cup water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. 
Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the chopped mint, and let the mixture stand for a bit. 
Strain the syrup through a fine sieve into a small bowl, pressing hard on the solids, discard the solids, and let the syrup cool.
For each julep fill a silver julep cup or 10-ounce glass with some of the ice, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the mint syrup, or to taste, and 1 1/2 ounces bourbon, and stir the julep. (A frost will form on the outside of a silver cup.) 
Garnish each julep with 1 of the additional mint sprigs. 
Finish with a trimmed-down straw in order to enjoy fragrant sips.
Cheers!

Yumminess.

I’m not exactly sure why when the weather turns nice, I’m inspired to spend more time buried in the kitchen.  Desserts have never been my thing, but for some reason I’ve recently found myself craving the creation of some sweet treats.
A quick flip through the April issue of Martha Stewart was precisely what I needed…

Here was my version of Martha’s Mini Eclairs with Strawberries and Cream.  The light fluffy pastries were packed with subtly sweet whipped cream, jammed with macerated strawberries, fresh mint and finally dusted with a shower of delicate powdered sugar.
Delicious.