November 8th, 2012 No Comments

Finding Comfort with Sweets

Usually we post about interiors on Thursdays. But this last week has been so hard for my neighboring New Yorkers that we thought…a lot of people are just too overwhelmed to think of paints and furniture and throws, when they’ve just been without power for a week or are dealing with flood damage. So we thought we’d stick to sweet comforts this week- like cake. We’d like to share this blog we found called Sweetapolita. It has 2 wonderful recipes for Neapolitan cakes– an inside out cake and a 5 layer cake. Sometimes baking and giving baked goods … Read more

November 7th, 2012 No Comments

weddings: neapolitan color palette

I worked with baker Samantha Connell on this cake for InStyle. We wanted to come up with a sweet and classic neapolitan inspired wedding cake. When designing your cake with your baker, remember that each tier could be a different color, and/or piped a different way. Though you want to keep things related so it doesn’t look too crazy. We kept to stripes, polka dots and solids in brown, white and pink. Keeping to a color palette is very important when planning an event. It also makes your choices a bit easier when you are focused on a few colors. … Read more

November 6th, 2012 No Comments

candles don’t just have to be for birthdays

Using candles, especially in the fall and winter when days are shorter, always add excitement and warmth to gatherings. Whether it’s just an afternoon of sweets & coffee with your friends or a dinner party, candles make it seem extra special. We carry candles in over 15 colors and range in sizes from 6″ to 18″ to go with most any color palette. We had mini cupcakes yesterday in the office with hot chocolate. In keeping with our neapolitan color palette this week I put them out on a dark wood vintage tray and used pink paper circles … Read more

November 5th, 2012 No Comments

this week’s color palette: pink, white & brown

Most of us know this color palette by the name ‘neapolitan’, deriving from popular Italian desserts layering three flavors- chocolate, vanilla & strawberry being the most popular. This color combination is wonderful for parties and candy buffets. Candywarehouse.com has several neapolitan candies for you to give as sweets & favors for the holidays..and even stocking stuffers. Here’s a classic neopolitan candy bar that you can buy in bulk- a 24 piece box for $24! They even have salt water taffy and lollipops. Or if you want to do a candy buffet, you don’t have to buy candy … Read more

November 2nd, 2012 No Comments

trim your holiday tree with felt ornaments

Did you know we have felt christmas tree ornaments? I know Halloween was just Wednesday…but this is the time I’m always planning what I’ll use for Christmas decorations. We have felt bird ornaments in green and cream and felt balls in cream and red. Here are the direct links for easy shopping.  FELT BIRD ornament, FELT CHRISTMAS BALL ornament.

November 1st, 2012 No Comments

bring the outside in with ferns

Adding a print like ferns into your home can enliven your space and bring a sense of nature into your interior. Multiple botanical prints lined in a hall like pictured above is nice way to bring a cohesive design element into an otherwise dull space. Wallpaper is more of a commitment but a bold green fern print paired with whites makes a room look crisp and clean. If you don’t want to invest in wallpaper, try painting your room with a fern stencil. Or add simple fern print throw pillows to your bed or sofa. I love shopping … Read more

October 31st, 2012 No Comments

fern & woodland inspired cake

One of my favorite wedding cakes is this fern and woodland inspired cake that writer and editor, Celia Barbour had at her wedding on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. The cake is made of smooth buttercream-frosted tiers. Buttercream piped ferns, real acorns and oak leaves adorn the layers. Many printing companies can add almost any icon of your choice to tie all your details of your wedding together. Pictured below is an example of a fern invitation from minted.com. You could also use the icon on matchbooks, napkins and programs. Ferns and woodland elements (such as moss, leaves and … Read more

October 30th, 2012 No Comments

simple fern placesetting

Having friends over at the last minute and want to dress up your table setting? Place a beautiful fern in the center of your table and snip off some leaves to dress up each placesetting. Most of us have a fern either in our homes or on our patio, so you might not even have to run to the florist or store for fresh flowers. I placed two fern limbs secured with a ribbon at the base at each placesetting on top of a crisp white linen napkin. If you don’t have green ribbon handy even some kitchen twine would … Read more

October 29th, 2012 No Comments

this week’s color palette: fern greens

October 26th, 2012 No Comments

we’re loving RH’s faux fur for holiday gifts

Restoration Hardware has some great faux fur gifts this year…at great prices! We snagged several of these faux fur wine bags for just $9 each and faux fur scarves for just $29 each. We also love their faux fur blankets (bigger than a throw) that cover the entire bed, on sale now for $199 (originally $250). It feels so decadent to snuggle up in this soft fur. It not only makes a great holiday gift- but also a wonderful anniversary gift.