2015 Dessert Trends

As we start a new year I thought I’d share some of the new trends I think we’ll see more of in 2015 on dessert tables!

Gorgeous and deliciously fun items – some not so “new” but refreshed in a new way such as these gorgeous floral lollipops and iced donuts!

I envision Meringue kisses, custom marshmallows, chocolates coated strawberries and chocolate pyramids will be seen alongside the firm favourites of macarons, cookies and cupcakes.

Are you in love with any of these new trends?

Will you be incorporating any into your 2015 parties?

Sources:

1. Lollipops   2. Donuts 3. Meringue kisses  4. Chocolate pyramids  5. Chocolate coated strawberry tower  6. Marshmallows

 

 

Party Invitations

I share a lot of party printables on my blog as they are a fantastic way to help decorate a party to fit a theme – all from one file to print at home

However I know sometimes you don’t need a whole printable range. You just want a printed fill – in invitation!

There are lots of cute ones around now online so you aren’t just limited to the themes you can find in the shops.

Here is a quick snapshot! If you like a style then click on the image – there are even more fill-in invitations to browse – I’ve just chosen a few themes and invites to showcase!

 

Gender or Theme Neutral Invitations:

There are some great invites if you don’t want to have a specific ‘theme’ for the party:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some cute themed invites for both boys or girls:

 

 

 

 

 

Girls Party Invitations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boys Party Invitations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of the above invitations can be found in stores listed in the Party Boutiques section of the Directory. If you are after printables, then please view the Customised Invitations and Printables category!

Happy party planning! x

Dessert Table Essentials

If you have just started to discover the world of dessert tables and candy buffets and want to start putting them together for your children’s celebrations (and other parties in your life) then there are a few essential items which I feel (as a mum, not a stylist) will help you style a dessert table.

Now of course I am by no means saying you need to have these items to prepare a dessert table or even need to have a “styled” look for a dessert table. Kids birthday parties can be just as wonderful with simpler items a simpler look or even no dessert table! However this is for those of you who DO want to put together a styled look dessert table.

*Click on the images to be taken to the relevant stores where an even larger range of items can be found for your dessert tables*

General tips:

HIRE: Where money and/or storage is an issue you may not wish to purchase the below items for use only a few times a year. In this case please visit the hire category on the Life’s Little Celebration’s children’s party directory to find businesses to hire candy jars, cake stands, tables and more from!

Someone on my facebook page had a great suggestion as well to share items amongst friends in order to help with the cost.

Another great tip shared on the facebook page is to purchase all your essential items in white so they can be re-used for all parties regardless of the colour scheme. I also would suggest buying items in pairs so that your table is symmetrical and coordinated if that is the look you are after.

Table and Tablecloth

Let’s start with the basics. You need a table! Now if your dining table or another table you own is a great size and can be moved easily then that is fantastic. Otherwise a simple trestle tables such as this from Bunnings for $69 will do and they have smaller sizes available too:

 

Next is the tablecloth which really sets a lovely setting for all your desserts! It is best to avoid plastic tablecloths or tablecloths that only hang down half way for your dessert table. Certain tables also look great without a tablecloth at all, so it depends on the look you are going for.

Purchasing a gathered or ruffled tablecloth can be an item you will easily use for each party and will also ensure it fits properly for a dessert table look hanging all the way down to the ground:

 

 

 

 

Cake Stands:

The next item would be your cake stand/s. I would suggest going with white cake stands for your main cake as well as 2 more smaller size cake stands that you can also use on your table to display items at a different height. The stores I have included in this post (as well as the other party boutiques on the Directory) also have a range of coloured cake stands and these are also great if you feel it is a colour you will use regularly in your parties.

 

Displaying desserts on different levels makes a great effect on a dessert table and cake stands is an easy way to make your desserts stand out.

A milk glass cake stand such as this, although more pricey than other options, does have a great height and quality and looks fantastic on a table:

 

 

Another lovely option for your main cake stand:

 

 

 

These smaller size cake stands (also available in a larger size) for $34.95 are a great option for displaying cake pops, macarons and other desserts where you could have one on either side of your main cake stand:

 

 

Perfect for a rectangle cake stand option:

 

Someone reminded me on my facebook page of a great tip Kara Allen of Kara’s Party Ideas shared on her recent tour of creating your own cake stands using a candle stick holder and platter on top. You can find tutorials online for DIY ideas such as this so definitely worth a google or pinterest search!

 

Candy Jars:

If you’re planning on regularly using candy jars on your dessert table, you could start off with 4-6 jars to mix on the table with platters and stands. You could also go with acrylic candy holders if you’re worried about little hands and breakages.

Click on the images to be taken to the stores to see more of a range:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risers & Platters

Risers are another important item to use underneath your cake stands and platters to display your cake and desserts at different heights on a dessert table. It is a shame when the desserts at the back of a table and the cake are not seen because they are all at the same height as the front desserts!

You may be creative with items around your house – for my first dessert table I found some dishes at home which turned upside down made fantastic risers for a candy jar!

However other options I like are cardboard suitcases, small wooden boxes/crates and timber boxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classic white platters are fantastic for along the front of your dessert table. I love melamine platters such as these as they are at the front of the table within easy reach of childrens hands and are unbreakable:

 

 

 

 

Drinks

Regarding drinks, purchasing a drinks dispenser (although it doesn’t have to sit on your dessert table) is another item you will use many times over. Dispensers such as these are wonderful as it is raised so a cup can easily fit underneath it:

 

 

 

If you want to go for mini milk bottles which are such a cute look at a kids party, these mini glass bottles are great for a slightly older child:

 

 

Plastic milk bottles for smaller children are sold from time to time at The Reject Shop. Online you can purchase these from overseas and they can be shipped internationally.

 

 

Of course another option is to use mini water bottles from the store and use a printable bottle wrapper to cover the label!

 

Dessert Holders:

As for the desserts on your table, I find mini dessert holders such as these are fantastic for items such as jelly or mousse!:

 

 

 

Tiered stands are another way of presenting desserts such as cupcakes and macarons, or also perfect for stylishing presenting savoury items. For a balanced look on your dessert table purchase 2 of the same design:

 

 

 

So there you have it, my round up to get you started with the essentials for a styled dessert table!

I hope you have found it useful to give you ideas of what to purchase whether it be online or in store. As I mentioned before – you by no means need all these items to create a dessert table. I have collected bits and pieces over the 3 years since my first child and also hired items when needed!

Enjoy the planning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Finds March – round up

Time for another round up of the party finds, inspiration and supplies I have been sharing on Facebook to ensure none of you miss out (despite Facebook making it more difficult these days for all my likers to see my posts!) I hope you enjoy this mix of items. Click onto any image to be taken to the source!

 

I shared my Tea Party supplies & shopping guide blog post which included these and many more items:

 

I also launched a new series of party theme inspiration boards thanks to Little Sweet Style. A circus themed inspiration board blog post kicked this series off:

 

 

I also introduced you to the Little Red Chick party boutique which is an online store AND a bricks and mortar store in Sydney with a large partyware range AND hire range! My blog post feature shares more of their products

 

I shared these fun products from some of my newest vendors:

 

 

 

This pretty dessert table was popular that I shared:

 

I always love sharing delicious treats on my page:

 

This circus party I shared has lots of great ideas if you’re planning for this theme:

 

Love seeing new party products emerging such as these unique felt ball cupcake toppers:

 

Click the below image to see the full range of some new cake stands available:

New range of cake stands – Mum’s Little Party Secret

 

Risers always help when styling a dessert table to create different heights and I shared the below custom made risers to help when planning your dessert table:

 

How fantastic are the patterns in these new paper tablerunners?:

 

Always exciting to see some new party tableware:

 

 

Character printables which are tasteful and not over the top are always great to see –  like these Giggle and Hoot party printables I shared:

 

 

These chalkboard birthday printables I shared were popular:

 

Often people are after unique and fun wooden cutlery, so I shared these fantastic Pirate spoons (one of many themes available):

 

Such cute Easter goodie bags I shared:

 

I hope you enjoyed the round up and discovered some new products or businesses to use when planning your next celebration!

x

Confetti Fair & Kara’s Party Ideas workshop – Sydney 2014

 

Last week I had the fabulous opportunity to attend the Kara’s Party Ideas workshop and Confetti Fair in Sydney. You can see the professional photos from this event on the Rosie and Rolf Photography facebook page. Most of the below are my own personal iphone pictures and they don’t do the beautiful styling justice!

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn some party planning tips from Kara Allen as well as meet with others in this lovely industry and see gorgeous styling, party products and ideas!

We were greeted by this amazing feather feature as we walked in to the beautiful Byron Kennedy Hall. Gorgeous!

 

 

The workshop was lots of fun (how could it not be with the fantastic Sugar Coated Mama co-hosting and creating lots of laughs!) with some wonderful party planning tips by Kara Allen which were also accompanied by a party planning folder filled with lots of practical tips. She provided advice which was useful for event stylists as well as “mummy stylists” like me.

 

 

She was friendly, sweet and down to earth and we were able to watch as she styled a table herself.

I won’t give too much away so as not to spoil the workshop for those of you yet to attend!

However we also received a wonderful party goodie bag filled with some fun party items.

Sarah from Sugar Coated Mama was a delight to meet and hear from in person. She doesn’t just talk party, she walks the talk! I loved this gorgeous stand she created:

 

 

We also heard from other wonderful speakers and panel members! Michelle from Inspired by Michelle Cake Designs provided some honest business advice. She discussed the importance of not worrying about what everyone else is doing and posting on facebook. Instead, focus on your client and what your client wants. If you please your client, then your reputation will grow as word of mouth is so important for your business. Even if you don’t like the cake or table etc your client wants you to create – still do it. You don’t have to post it up on facebook, but if the client is paying you then do what they want.

 

 

 

I thought this was such important advice as so many of us are integrating social media with our business and sometimes there can be a clash between what our facebook likers would enjoy seeing and what our actual client wants. As Michelle explains – most of your facebook likers won’t become business for you, so focus on what your client wants first!

 

 

There were lots of chances during the workshop breaks to have a browse of all the Confetti Fair setups and chat with everyone. It was lovely to meet up in person with the vendors on my directory, other people in the industry and meet some new faces and even some blog readers of my blog!

I have included some images in this blog post, however to see all the photos and stands pop onto the Confetti Fair facebook page.

Tiny Tots Toy Hire shared an array of some of their wonderful props they have for hire! As you can see Flamingos are still trending and made an appearance around Confetti Fair:

 

 

Lots of loveliness, inspiration and props:

 

 

 

Such an amazing Alice in Wonderland cake at the Little Wish Parties stand!:

 

 

 

Gorgeous vintage prettiness!:

 

 

I was able to view these popular light up toppers in person:

 

 

Purple made a feature at a few stands and I loved the ombre look created here:

 

 

What I love about Confetti Fair being a mum, is that it showcases ideas and products for kids parties (along with adult events).

This was a creative Art Party setup. Loved the kids table settings!

 

 

How clever are these colour in cookies?:

 

 

These mini honeycomb balls were so cute:

 

 

Such an array of partyware on display:

 

Sweet Health had their fabulous cookie mixes in a bottle at the fair and I took the opportunity to buy another mix to make at home with my girls:

 

 

 

Lots of unique chocolate favour ideas for kids parties, and smashcakes:

 

 

Some really cute party stationery on show plus I picked up some delightful fairy wings for my girls at the Hoot Invitations stand:

 

 

 

Such a unique setup by Mumma Cakes who sell DIY cake kits. I also picked up a DIY play dough kit for my daughter here:

 

Lots of toys, creative play and party game ideas:

 

 

These are just some of the stands at the fair and as you can see there was plenty of ideas and products to take in. My head was definitely in party planning mode over that weekend!

If you have the chance to attend the Kara’s Party workshops and/or Confetti Fair in your state, I highly recommend it! You’ll discover so much inspiration, products, ideas and tips which are relevant for ALL celebrations whether they be a baby shower, birthday party, Christening, engagement, wedding or other occasion.

You can find all the details on the Confetti Fair website.

 

 

 

 

 

*This is not a sponsored post*