There’s a fine art to creating a children’s birthday party that is creative & stylish, yet still age-appropriate and centered on the kids. I think this princess-inspired dessert buffet designed by Amy Atlas for Brooke Shield’s daughter Grier struck the perfect balance. A sprinkling of wands & tiaras and a sparkly pink, rose and gold color palette gave the entire setup a magical air. Beautifully coordinated cookies, cupcakes & candies satisfied sweet tooths & made each little guest feel like a princess.

*Credits: Amy Atlas

Last weekend, I had the honor of helping a client with her daughter’s first communion celebration. Such a special occasion, & while brainstorming for the decor, I delved into my files for my favorite inspiration in an all-white color palette. While I love pops of color in even the most minimalist design, there’s something so serene & pure that makes an all-white palette perfect for a first communion party or baby shower. It can even be a surprisingly modern look for a chic dinner party by keeping the food, drinks, & decor an icy shade of blanc. Enjoy the eye candy…it’s a breath of fresh air!

*Images: {from top} White Dinner Party, Erin Quon; Dessert Buffet, Amy Atlas; Clematis Centerpiece, Martha Stewart Weddings; Balloon Centerpiece, Brooklyn Bride; White Place Setting & Dessert Liqueur Bar, Martha Stewart Weddings; Cupcakes, Style Me Pretty; Hors d’oeuvres & Wedding Cake, Martha Stewart Weddings.

Anyone else find it hard to believe we’re already welcoming March?! Not that I’m complaining…I get positively giddy when I think about spring being just around the corner! Today’s board is inspired by a fantastic new event I’m working on with Austin-based nonprofit, Lifeworks. Every year, this amazing organization provides education & housing to 10,000 individuals, and the annual White Party fundraiser is one of the hottest tickets in town. For today’s inspiration board, I gathered my favorite white-on-white images to get the creative juices flowing. Snowy hydrangeas, giant white balloons, & clouds of meringue…doesn’t it just scream summer chic? And by the way, that only-after-Memorial-Day rule? SO passé.

*Images: {Row 1} Cake & Liqueur Bar, Martha Stewart Weddings; Dessert Buffet, Amy Atlas {Row 2} Calla Lilies, Camille Styles Events; White Reception, Style Me Pretty; Staircase, Chanel Spring 09 Runway {Row 3} Stationery & White Table Settings, Martha Stewart Weddings; Model, Liz Ham.

Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without an Amy Atlas-designed dessert table overflowing with artfully-arranged sweets. I’ve noted my Amy Atlas obsession in previous posts here and here, but I couldn’t resist sharing these drippingly gorgeous shots that are appropriately themed “Love Is the Key to My Heart.” The bubblegum pink & soft grey palette is a refreshing alternative to Valentine’s red, and the tempting treats include key cupcakes, a macaron tower, ruffled buttercream cake, & loads of candy! Lucky for us, Amy shares a few of her tried-and-true tips on designing chic and sweet buffets…

Tell a Story
Take something that inspires you and create your dessert table around it. The design can be inspired from something as personal as a family heirloom to as simple as the pattern on the host’s invitation. Let the dessert table tell a story about the event so that the dessert not only becomes functional, but becomes part of the event design.

Keep it Simple
Keep the color palette simple so that the display won’t look too busy and make sure your serving pieces work well with the mood of the overall table.  Don’t stress about filling up your table with many different elements.

Sample Your Sweets
Always sample your dessert vendors before using them for your event. A beautiful cake is not always the best tasting cake! Pick desserts and candy that not only look good together, but provide a balance for your guests’ palate.

Give A Gift Bag
Provide goody bags for your guests as take-home desserts. It’s always a treat to give your guests something to remind them of how sweet the day was.

*Tips from Amy: Notes on a Party

*Photos: Belathee Photography

I’ve always been a bit shy of the color purple, but the gorgeous saturated shades on this season’s runways are definitely making me a convert. Today’s inspiration board is playful, feminine and undeniably passionate. Wouldn’t this palette be a divine alternative to pinks and reds for a Valentine’s Day fete? A sophisticated table setting overflowing with hydrangeas, confections wrapped in lacy paper and a chandelier of plum-colored lanterns create romantic ambience. And gorgeous calligraphy on a lavender envelope is a fitting carrier for your sweet nothings…sealed with a kiss, of course!

Images: {Row 1} Table Setting, Style Me Pretty; Sweets, Amy Atlas; Invites, Ceci NY {Row 2} Dress, coco+kelley; Table, Style Me Pretty; Lanterns, We Heart It {Row 3} Hydrangeas, Camille Styles Events; Baguette; Dress, coco+kelley {Row 4} Lavender, Style Me Pretty; Candy Box, Rebeccas Thuss.

Today’s inspiration board is a juicy pop of color to kick off the new year. Every winter when grocery stores stock boxes overflowing with candy-sweet clementines, I start eating my weight in citrus fruit. It’s so refreshing on a chilly winter day, and equally delightful when used as a coordinating motif for a January party. Hang tissue paper blossoms above the table for a whimsical dinner party, fill glass vases with an abundance of tulips the color of tangerines, & stuff favor boxes with candied citrus slices. Guests won’t be able to resist a self-serve bar of fizzy fruity libations; string Mexican paper flags overhead for extra whimsy. Go ahead & break out of the winter doldrums…Orange you glad it’s 2010?!

Images: {Row 1} Fizzy Bar, Martha Stewart; Tulips, Camille Styles Events; Desserts, Amy Atlas {Row 2} Favors, Shana Faust; Citrus, Cannelle et Vanille; Coat Check, Style Me Pretty {Row 3} Orange cups, Amy Atlas; Compass Invite & Tissue Flowers, Martha Stewart.

Just added to my inspiration files: this festive Thanksgiving dessert buffet by Amy Atlas, one of my fave food stylists on the planet.  I love that this display doesn’t take itself too seriously… in fact, it kind of makes me want to bust out the finger paints and make those turkey/handprint decorations I used to love making as a kid!

These itty-bitty caramelized pears would work just as well in a more sophisticated setting… in fact, I’m stashing this idea to use on a holiday dessert buffet I’m designing for a client’s party in December.

These turkey cookies & pilgrim cupcakes are so whimsical… I guarantee that adults will “gobble” them up as much as kids. (sorry, couldn’t resist that one!)

The little marshmallow flags are a simple way to add a pop of color.  I saw Giada de Laurentiis making the most amazing orange-scented marshmallows yesterday that would be perfect for this… but I digress.

I love how Amy used a bold “greek key” motif to tie the entire table together (those amazing sculptures are crafted from green mums!)  The bright colors look so Palm Beach-y, and the pattern reminds me of my favorite Tory Burch tunic.  Modern + cheerful!

So what’s the takeaway lesson as I set off on my own dessert table designs?  Choose a theme that reflects the entire party, and take it to a new level through color palette & pattern repetition in food, stickers, labels, & backdrop.  So yummy!

Today’s inspiration board is a little bit mod, a little bit Audrey -Hepburn-glamour.  Bold black & white pair graphic prints with silky fabrics, drapey bows, & elegant script.  This always-classic color combo is one of my favorites: the perfect palette for a black tie wedding, sophisticated dinner party, or an ooh-la-la weekend brunch with your favorite girlfriends.

Images: {Row 1} Seating Cards, Martha Stewart Weddings; XOXO logo, Snippet & Ink; Polkadot Blouse, Kate Spade. {Row 2} Black Heels, Krisatomic’s Flickr; Petit Fours, Amy Atlas. {Row 3} Place Setting, Brides; Calligraphy, Laura Hooper; Cupcakes, Le Cupcake.

Balloon Garland, Oh Joy

There’s something about a balloon dancing across a blue sky that captures a spirit of joie de vivre I just can’t resist.  Seems I’m not the only one with a balloon fixation: the trend is popping up (quite literally) everywhere from magazine shoots to weddings to dinner party decor.

Fashion Shoot, Vogue; Engagement Session, Style Me Pretty

Photography Inspiration. Scarlet balloons give a jolt of drama to a street scene fashion shoot.  This adorable wedding photo uses huge white balloons to capture the celebratory feel of the day.

F

Dior Cherie Ad Campaign

Design Inspiration. This Dior ad evokes all things whimsical: cotton candy pink, satin ribbons, & a bubble-hemmed dress that mimics the balloons carrying her over the Paris skyline…

Balloon Ceiling Garland, Martha Stewart; Balloons in Lawn, Wish Special Events

Party Inspiration. Let balloons rise to the occasion as a simple way to fill a big space.  Attach them to ribbons to make garlands for the ceiling, and dress up a lawn by letting them dance across the grass.  A simple color palette keeps the look sophisticated.

White Dessert Buffet, Amy Atlas

Oversized white balloons create a statement backdrop to a snowy dessert buffet.  Sweet as spun sugar!