"Celebrating the Journey"

Projects like this come along once in a lifetime…We received a call from a family based in New York who was looking to plan a celebration in Minnesota in honor of their child. In 2009, their daughter Emerson had been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.  At the time, they were living in Minnesota and began chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Years later after the long and steady journey the family has every reason to smile, Emerson’s prognosis is excellent and her most recent tests in March were clear. With no greater reason to celebrate, it was time to throw a party for Emerson. Children and children’s events inspire whimsy and dreams, but this celebration was truly like no other. Together with their friends and family, they celebrated “superheroes,” the friends and family who supported, the medical team who shared their skills and most importantly to Emerson who bravely fought and beat cancer. The event catered to kids and adults alike making the experience enjoyable for all those attending. Kids enjoyed customizing their own superhero wristbands, a buffet with all their favorites, snakes from the reptile zoo as well as a balloon artist. Each guest wrote personal notes to Emerson which then created a tree of wishes for this brave young girl with the promise of so much life ahead of her. Despite the heat guests were treated to a gorgeous view of Lake Calhoun and gourmet popcorn for their drive home.

Venue:  The Minikahda Club

Desserts:  Cocoa + Fig

Invitation Suite:  Paper Rock Scissor

Floral:  Spruce Flowers and Home

Decor Elements:  Apres Party and Rental, Linen Effects

Entertainment:  Level 11, Traveling Photo Booth, Highly Entertaining | Balloon Artist R.A.D. Zoo

Photography: Canary Grey, Jamie Schultz Photography

Hosting a Memorial Day BBQ

It’s the first weekend of summer and that means warm nights, the good company of friends and family, and dining al fresco!  This weekend’s weather forecast is looking great – it’s the perfect excuse to gather friends and throw an impromptu Memorial Day barbecue!  There is no need to stress about last minute planning because we’ve got you covered on the ask, the scene, the games, the food and the drinks. First things first, send out a virtual invite with Red Stamp invitations.  Friends won’t be able to resist attending your last-minute party when these adorable invites pop up on their phones.  As for the décor, keep it simple!  Throw white cotton linen on a table and round up some mason jars for flower arrangements, hanging lanterns and even glasses!  Keep your guests busy with games such as croquet, bocce ball and corn hole.  Or if your looking to get creative, turn your lawn into a huge Twister game!  For the food and drink, grill season is upon us – get inspired with some of summer's best cookbooks. Hit the Kingfield Farmers Market for fresh ingredients {it makes all the difference}! If the forcast is anywhere near as warm as reported, you better plan on providing lots of liquids.  Make it easy for them to help themselves to drinks by setting up a beverage station.  And for grand finale, cap off the night with gourmet s’mores for dessert!

Last, but not least, remember to relax and enjoy the kick off to summer in the company of good friends and family!

A Day at the Races: A Kentucky Derby Soirée

Attention Ladies and Gentlemen:  The most exciting two minutes in sports is quickly approaching!  That’s right, the Kentucky Derby is only a few short weeks away and we must admit, this is one sporting event that is oh-so-chic.  For those not attending, there is no need to get discouraged.  Grab your fabulously large hats and derby attire because Style-Architects has come up with tips for hosting the perfect Kentucky Derby soirée.

{ATTIRE}

Have your guests come dressed to the nines.  Set the stage with a beautiful dress {we love the yellow Monique Lhuillier dress shown above}, clutch and striped hat and have your guy in a classic, khaki cotton suit and plaid bow tie.

{À LA CARTE}

You can't go wrong with Watercress Canapés and mint julep cupcakes!

And if the cupcakes don't quite do the trick, imbibe you must. We all know that you can’t have a Derby party without Mint Juleps.  Create a beautiful, self-service bar of interesting bottles and garnish displays.

{DÉCOR}

Roses, roses, roses.  Create a show-stopping centerpiece, table runner or accent piece by simply affixing roses and greenery to a piece of felt.

Numbered silks can be made by visiting your local sporting goods store and heat transferring athletic numbers onto satin napkins.

The invitation, drink and menu cards, and additional printouts by Kayd Design are available here:

{Invitation}  {Menu}  {Menu Cards}  {Stir Sticks}  {Cupcake Tops}

And finally, to really capture the Kentucky Derby essence, create a walk-up betting window so your guests can place wagers and project the race onto a large white wall for easy viewing. This will certainly place you in the winner's circle!

A special thank you to Jack Strawn for the lovely photos!

A Valentine's Day Guide

Happy Friday, love bugs!  With Valentine’s Day only four days away, it is time to start making plans if you haven’t already.  Valentine’s Day is a time to show your appreciation for the people you love; however, we know planning something special and original for Valentine’s Day can be a lot of pressure. So in order to ease your mind and put you in the loving mood, we have come up with some ideas to make this Valentine’s Day one for books! For the adventurous couple. Get your hearts pumping while ice-skating at The Depot in Minneapolis then warm up with hot chocolate.  Or, if you’re trying to avoid the cold, head to St. Paul for rock climbing at Vertical Endeavors.  Finish your evening at the 50^th and France area with a cooking class at Cooks of Crocus Hill.For the hopeless romantics. Start your day on the right side of the bed, with breakfast in bed!  We suggest pastries from Patisserie 46, it’s like bringing a piece of Paris to your home {it is the city of love after all}. Be sure to pick up some unmentionables from Flirt Boutique or Room No. 3. And subtly suggest that your man goes to Style By Max to find something that sparkles.

Spoil yourself. You deserve a day to love and pamper yourself!  Start your day off with a HydraFacial at the Skin Klinic in Edina. The HydraFacial is deep cleansing, hydrating, exfoliating, and antioxidant rejuvenation treatment all in one. Trust us, you will love it!  After you are relaxed and fresh faced, get your hair and makeup done at the Beauty Lounge before heading to the Shops at West End for drinks and a movie with girlfriends.

For the food fanatic. We love the idea of making your Valentine’s Day dinner into a “taste of Minneapolis” event by going to different restaurants for each course.  Kick the night off at Marvel Bar in Minneapolis for aperitifs.  Next, make your way over to Bar La Grassa for appetizers - the Soft Eggs and Lobster Bruschetta is to die for!  For Entrees, we suggest going to the always amazing {and romantic} Café Lurcat.  Finish the evening with Nancy Silverton’s Butterscotch Budino at the 112 Eatery.

For the procrastination pairing. Looking for a last minute Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetie?  We’ve got you covered.  Head over to 50^th and France area for a one-stop-shop gift that is sure to please.  Get something sweet like a cupcake or a personalized cookie from Sweet Retreat, pick up roses at Garden Gate Flowers and don’t forget to get a sentimental card from Paperista!  Oh, did we mention that if you swing by all three shops, you save $15 on cards, flowers and cake from Paperista, Garden Gate and Sweet Retreat?  What a deal!

Throw a Chic Super Bowl Party!

Super Bowl Sunday is quickly approaching, and while we may not all agree on whether the Ravens or 49ers should win, we can all agree that Super Bowl Sunday is about much more than just the game… it’s about the party {and the commercials}, of course! So in order to assist you in throwing a chic Super Bowl party, we pulled together some fun and festive food, drink and décor ideas for the occasion. Ready, set, hike!

{THE FOOD}

We love the idea of adding your own flair to classic Super Bowl favorites.  Substitute pizza and basic tacos for a fun flatbread like the fig and prosciutto flatbread shown above {recipe by Todd English} or dry-rubbed salmon tacos with tomatillo-avocado slaw {recipe by Jeff Smith}.  Trust us, they are delicious!

Pretzel sticks, candy and popcorn are great additions for those that enjoy on going munching.  And who doesn't love Angie’s Kettle Corn!?

{THE DRINKS}

Keep the drinks simple.  Beer is a must at a Super Bowl party and for those who aren’t of age, we suggest root beer.  Our favorites: Sam Adams, Stella Artois and Killebrew Root Beer.

For a fun dessert-y drink, we suggest Guinness floats.  Guinness floats are oh-so-yummy and awfully simple to make {Guinness poured over natural vanilla bean ice cream}. Serve them in a mason jar with a striped straw for added flair!

{THE DÉCOR}

Downloadable decorating printouts by Kayd Design are available here:

{Bottle Covers} {Circle labels} {Candy Boxes} {Menu Cards}

The printouts are a fun way to personalize your Super Bowl party. Use them to wrap bottles, decorate jars or straws, make candy boxes and create menu cards! We recommend using cardstock for the printouts; it's easier to work with.

Color coordinate. Try to match the color of the bottle/bottle top to color of the print out. The symmetry of the color combinations adds to the fun of what you're drinking. The hint of brown in the kettle corn, the pretzel rods and the color and shape of the malted milk balls are a subtle nod to a football {at least in our world}.

Create pattern. Make patterns by arranging and aligning your party elements strategically.  We aligned the root beer and beer bottles in a pattern. Be sure to wait to arrange them until right before your party starts… no one likes to drink warm root beer or beer!

A special thank you to Canary Grey Photography for the lovely photos!

Cheers to the New Year

As you’re shopping for party hats, party favors and wardrobe sequins, don’t forget the most important part of the NYE party: the drinks! As that oh-so-famous midnight ball drop song comes on, make sure to cheers to the New Year with funky and festive drinks that will make your party memorable. Here are our top three suggestions: Think outside the box with the Mandarin Cocktail. This champagne cocktail is simple yet delicious. Get the recipe here.

We love the idea of infused vodka, creating a decorative centerpiece on its own. Try any of these delicious recipes from Prairie Vodka.

Ring in the New Year with the twenties-inspired throwback cocktail, the Brandy Alexander.

With casual drinking sometimes comes the casual hangover, and that is no way to start the New Year! Commence 2012 the right way with The Hungover Cookbook {Trust us, it really works!}