Birthday party under the “Big Top”!

There was a time when "kid's birthday party"' meant a cake, some balloons and maybe
pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. When I was a little girl my birthday party was a modest
affair in the basement. Not anymore. My sister and I have been planning my nephew's
party for weeks, we've chosen a circus theme - - - and we’ve been relentlessly incorporating
this theme in every element of the party, including invitations, music, games, craft
projects, snacks, cake, entertainment, favors and of course the table setting.



The circus has always been a part of my family’s tradition. I can remember the high-
wire artists performing their death-defying acts, the sugary, billowing cotton candy,
the popcorn, the ponies and the clowns. Some traditions just seem to slip away in the
churn of modern life but the joys of the circus is something that we wanted to pass
down to the next generation.



With easy-to-make treats, old-fashioned games, and party decorations to delight kids
of all ages, we let the sights and sounds of an old-time circus inspire us.



Birthday parties are often big events in children's lives but the bottom line is for children's
parties to be special and fun, whether they're simple home affairs or themed extravaganzas.



Source of inspiration/images: Country Living magazine

Showered With Style: Event Planner, Tara Guerard's baby shower

A baby shower is supposed to be a happy occasion, so why do so many people cringe at
the thought of attending one? Sometimes it's even the mother-to-be who is thinking of
an excuse to leave before it starts. To make a baby shower the pleasant experience it should
be for everyone involved, it's important to have a plan beyond some snacks and the opening
of gifts. However, traditional shower activities -- bottle bowling or name games, for example,
shouldn't be on the schedule. They're the things that make people cringe most.



If you're hosting a shower, just do your best to throw a party that fits the mother's (or the
couple's) style. That is exactly what the women of the event company Soiree did when they
planned a baby shower for their boss, Tara Guerard. They took into consideration that Tara's
taste is a little bit more modern with some traditional aspects. Nothing too silly. And in honor
of the modern mom-to-be, the women dispensed with the fussy and froufrou for a thoroughly
elegant garden party celebration.



Tara Guerard, event planner and author of Southern Weddings, has built a reputation for
putting on parties that are memorable as they are detailed. Her friends and colleagues returned
the favor when they planned her baby shower. To read all about Tara's fantastic baby shower
and to get advice for hosting your own flawless fete, pick up a copy of this month's Southern
Accents magazine.

Tabletop Fashion Week: "This is my cup of tea"

The tables are set and I couldn’t be happier. This fall, buyers return to the Big Apple for the
semiannual New York Tabletop Market. This weekend the showrooms around Madison
Square showcased all the newest tabletop lines and designs that will be hitting retail next
year. I was fortunate enough to visit many of the showrooms and I invite you to join me
this week at Toast and Tables where all my post will be revealing some of my favorite new releases.



ROYAL ALBERT CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF DESIGN
After hearing about the upcoming international launch of the 100 years of Royal Albert
collection, I had to visit their showroom first. Using ten patterns, Royal Albert is introducing
a new collection of products; the patterns are unique and reflective of popular designs and
international events over 10 decades. When leaving the showroom I received a great
parting gift - - - a teacup, saucer and plate in the Festival pattern (1950). It's beautiful, I'll
be sending it to my mom and I know she is going to love it! She is an avid collector of
tea cups, her display in the kitchen is stunning and this will fit in quite nicely.



(shown above: 1950/ Festival: Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 at the tender age of just 25. Her
coronation was seen the world over. The post-war era saw bolder florals signifying a re-birth, with many designs
using typically English flowers. Festival features pretty harebells, with the blue of the flowers in the background
and boarders. All items from the 100 years of Royal Albert collection are packaged in unique deep pink and
burgundy Royal Albert hat boxes with illustrations of all ten patterns).

Looking at Royal Albert's signature delicate florals in many of the patterns, I immediately
started to think about how many of the products would look on a table at a Tea Party.
I love Tea Parties and think they are suitable for many celebrations. When you'd like to
host a party that isn't as involved as a dinner party, a tea party can be the answer. It's an
ideal format for a bridal shower or a little girl's birthday celebration.



(above: In many parts of the world, tea time is an honored tradition of refinement and elegance. When you're
planning a tea party - - - adorn your table with your best china, silver, and linens. These add polish and grace
to the occasion, and in our "paper cup" world they remind us fondly of earlier times, images: Country Living
magazine).



(above: What children tend to enjoy most about tea is the ability to participate in a storybook tradition, that
is why I love this "Alice in Wonderland" theme party photographed by the amazing Jessica Claire! Throughout
history, children have found a pastime in holding tea parties, inviting their stuffed animals to the table and
practicing proper etiquette. Children and delicate china may not seem compatible, but something about the
elegant environment encourages kids to feel more grown-up and act accordingly, images: Jessica Claire).

Every year my mom's church has a tea party, I hope next year she pulls out her collection
and sets a table using the new tea cup and saucer that I'm sending her. Whatever your
reason for hosting your next tea party, enjoy a cup for me!

Going, Going, GOWN!

By the time the ring's on your finger, the date's set, and you're shopping for “The Dress”; I’m sure he loves you just the way you are, right?



So I’m not blaming Chip for my weight loss frenzy; but from the moment he popped the question, my thoughts went to "The Dress" and the fact that I refuse to buy one until I get down to my “idea size”.


(l to r: Mesu bowls, set of 6 nesting bowls, $49.95, Studio Panepinto; Yum Yum dishes, set of 4, $22.00)

Like many brides-to-be in New York City, I’ve signed up for the “Brides Boot camp class" at New York Sports and hired a trainer. During this time, exercising regularly is never easy but eating right is even harder. That’s why I’m loving the set of Mesu bowls - six porcelain bowls, each marked with a symbol indicating the quantity of food it can hold so you can finally measure your portions. I also think the Yum Yum dishes are great as well.



So rather than popping pills, trying starvation diets and over exercising I think the best thing to do is learn about food choices and portion control to aid me in my beautiful-body quest. Before you know it the pounds will be going, going, gone!

Tableware for Mommy + Baby: 2 Cute!

My Sister’s having a baby and I couldn’t be happier! She’s having a boy! I, of course, will be purchasing his first dinnerware set. There's child dinnerware offered in a large selection of styles and prices and for the past week I’ve been pulling my hair out over what type of dinnerware to get for my precious nephew. Just last month, I stubbed across an amazing article in Cookie Magazine entitled, “table for two” and realized that the possibilities for child dinnerware are endless.

Parent Akiko porcelain dish, $103, Kenzo, La Cafetière, (866) 853-5788.
Kid Dahlias paper dessert plate, $4.50 for eight, Caspari, Plum Party.

So for the new Moms, whether your child is sampling cereal for the first time or digging into spaghetti and meatballs as only a toddler can, you'll need dinnerware and utensils. Child-friendly dinnerware is easily found. Finding dinnerware that is both adequately durable for the most rambunctious of toddlers and also visually appealing to adults is a little more challenging. However it doesn’t have to be, the selections featured in Cookie Magazine lets you mix and—more important—actually match cool, sophisticated styles for you with correspondingly cute versions for them.

Parent Zelcova wooden lacquer plate, $195, Toshio Fukuda, Takashimaya, (800) 753-2038.
Kid Veneerware nine-inch bamboo plate, $8 for eight, Bambu, Plum Party.

Parent Carolina Verde porcelain charger, $75, Marc Blackwell New York, (212) 696-2827.
Kid Taylor melamine sectional plate, $30 for four, Pottery Barn Kids.

Parent Snake enamel-on-copper platter, $135, Kiln Enamel, Vivre.
Kid Zebra ceramic plate (comes with a cup and a bowl), $48, Little Bug Lounge.

Parent Black Forest bone-china plate, $85, Dibbern, Clio.
Kid Learning to Fly by Marimekko melamine plate, $8, Zak Designs, Stein Mart for stores.

Parent Bunny Toile ceramic plate, $12, J. Willard, Smith and Hawken.
Kid Bunny Family enamelware plate, $9, Golden Rabbit.

Parent Mangold glass dinner plate, $35 for four, Sagaform, (856) 626-1340 for stores.
Kid Palms melamine salad plate, $5, Zak Designs, LaPrima Shops.



Parent Rehabilitated dinner plate (various materials), $65, Sarah Cihat, Clio.
Kid Pippin Park bone-china plate (comes with a cup and a bowl), $75, Lenox, Kate Spade.

Parent Mer du Sud dessert plate in Ocean, $18, Kiss That Frog, P.O.S.H..
Kid Key West salad plate, $2.50, Zak Designs, LaPrima Shops.

Parent Buffalo China square salad plate, $8, Oneida.
Kid Mickey Everyday small plate, $3, Zak Designs, LaPrima Shops.

Parent Barbara Berry for Wedgwood Musical Chairs 10-inch plate, $150 for four, Wedgwood for stores.
Kid Ghost plate set, $20 for plate, bowl, and mug, Bodum, (800) 232-6386