How Does She? {Exclusive Interview With Shelley Coates}

 Does this adorable party look familiar?

How about now?

Now?

Do you remember this smash cake shot?

And these details...

 You may remember this darling party I mentioned a few months back...

With the cutest "club" sandwiches...

I absolutely adore these two parties by Shelley Coates of How Does She.

Not to mention, she is just downright sweet and down-to-earth. I was totally enchanted with her candid interview below, and hope you will be as well. This is one creative and stylish mom to watch.

{Question} Shelley, please tell us a bit about How Does She?...when did it launch, what is it, how can we use it?

{Answer} HowDoesShe launched in November of 2009.  We just had our one year birthday and celebrated with a fancy schmany dinner with our husbands. We decided we had deserved a nice night out. :)

{Question} How did you get involved with How Does She, and what is it about the site that inspires you?

{Answer} Two of my dear friends and I decided it would be fun to have a database on information featuring women who inspire us. We are so amazed at all the talents women have, and we wanted a site that housed brilliant ideas from others.

                     {tutorial on spontaneous party box here}

{Question} When looking for sources of inspiration, where do you look, or what do you do?  

{Answer} I look to other people.  Sure, I have a few creative ideas up my sleeve,…but the vast majority of my creative inspiration comes from others.

                        {brilliant MUST SEE Tooth Fairy idea here}

{Question} You have thrown some pretty amazing parties for your children...do you have any background as a professional event designer? Even if not, what are some helpful tips you could share with our readers in regards to designing their children's parties, based on your experiences designing your own? 

{Answer} Heck no! I have no experience. I can’t hold a candle to the pros.  I just like to pretend I can hang with Kate Landers, Tom Kat, and Amy Atlas.   They are my inspiration for all things festive.   

               {Mini Lemon Meringue Cupcakes here}

The few things I have learned is to stay with one or two colors, stick with a theme, and keep your eyes open months in advance.  The ideas will grow and grow if you plan enough in advance. (Watch out, the budget grows with it)!

                      {tiered cupcake platter tutorial here}

{Question} Let's get to know Shelley a bit... 

Favorite Color: Blue

 Favorite Blogs/Websites To Visit Daily: My list is ridiculously huge.  A few of my obsessions are: Giver's Log, Life in the Fun Lane, Isabella & Max Rooms, Enjoying the Small Things, Make it and Love it, I could go on, and on, and on...

Favorite Mail-Order Catalogs: Williams Sonoma, Pottery barn, Pottery Barn Kids

 3 Favorite Shops: Macy's, Baby Gap, Hobby Lobby

 Favorite Dessert: Just one?!  Anything baked.  I’d take a warm fruit dessert over a chocolate cake anyday.

                      {Toddler Boy Room on a Budget here}

 {Question} How have you managed to keep your priorities straight, managing family, work, and keeping yourself together? Any helpful hints for our readers?

 {Answer} Oh boy.   Why must you ask this?  I feel guilty whenever I am asked this question. Truthfully this is something I am working on daily.  I am getting better!  My family is my top priority so I try to blog and work in the mornings before they wake up, or while they are napping. 

                       {Pinkalicious party feature here}

Most days I pull myself together enough to look decent, but the honest truth is sometimes I have to remind myself to put on a bra at noon!
 

                     {napkin dress tutorial here}

{Question} What is your absolute most favorite creative thing to do?  

 {Answer} Gifts. Sentimental gifts.  Blankets, photo gifts, memory gifts, etc. I love giving things to people they aren’t expecting that they LOVE.  Does my heart good.  I love receiving creative sentimental gifts too.  Just ask my husband. His recipe box gift last year was stellar!

{Question} What is your favorite aspect of your children's parties?

{Answer} The pictures.  I love the fact that after the party is all over, I can look back on a ‘picture perfect’ party.  My events don’t always go as perfectly as planned, but the pictures, they create the magic. They make me smile. I always create photo books of my children's parties, so when they are older, they can look back and feel the magic too.  Hopefully the books will remind them how much I love them.

               {Oreo Cookie Sucker Tutorial Here}

{Question} Can you give us any insight or hints as to what we might see featured on How Does She, or any new projects for you in the works?  

{Answer}  I’m already dreaming up my children’s parties for this next summer. I've been in the baking mood lately so expect some delicious recipes soon. Oh!!!  We were just featured on Disney!! Shhh we haven’t even told our readers yet! You can see the Disney posts here, here, and here.

{Question} What is the BEST piece of advice you have ever received? 

  {Answer} To treasure every stage and season of life.  Because you will miss it.  (That silly country song, ‘you’re gonna miss this’ makes me cry every single time I hear it).

                   {Little Guy Tie here}

{Question} For busy moms, do you have any advice on how to incorporate their passion into their daily lives?  

{Answer} Make time for things you are passionate about. Just do it. It will help to keep you sane. Find a little 'ME TIME'.  Always prioritize, and keep prioritizing. (I'm telling this to myself).

                      {Creative Ways To Spill The Beans here}

{Question} Where can we stay up to date with How Does She?

Website

Facebook

Our weekly newsletter is the best way to get some HowDoesShe love!  You can sign up on our home page under 'follow us'. We often send out adorable free printables by chickabug!!!

A HUGE thank you to the amazing Shelley of How Does She for this terrific interview! What a great read, and cannot wait to see what you do next!!!!!

Tutorial: DIY Christmas Trees as seen in The Nutcracker Suite Ballet {Signature Party}

Easily Enchanting!

I absolutely loved making these pink trees for my Nutcracker Suite Ballet {Signature Party}. I wanted to use beautiful trims that you would normally see on a ballerina's costume, as well as things that added a hint of sparkle and texture to the table.

I went to my local fabric store, and picked up some pom pom trim, netted trim, and also used some tissue festooning and tinsel. {you can get these trims at JoAnns Fabrics, tinsel at Target, and festooning I sell in my shop}.

 

I selected a variety of shades of pink, with a touch of silver. The sky is the limit here. I did my trees all one color and material each, but you could easily alter colors or materials to create a pattern!

 

I used a variety of white styrofoam cones from Michaels for the trees. They varied in height from about 7" tall to 20" tall! You can mix it up to fit your space.

***Here is the trick*** If you want to use the cones again and again (maybe doing a different color-scheme next Christmas, or later use them for another project entirely), LEAVE THE PLASTIC WRAP ON! This way you can attach your trims to the plastic shrink wrap (which is much easier than attaching to styrofoam anyway) and re-use!!!

Starting at the base of the cone, work your way up wrapping the trim of your choosing. I used double-stick tape behind the fabric or tinsel trim in the front and back, completely hidden. Be sure to wrap your layers close together so no white styrofoam shows through.

When you get to the top, wrap a bit of extra trim and tape together, front to back. You can also add a larger pom, glittered paper star, or another decoration to top off your tree!

More ideas? Use yarn, ribbon, twine, fabric, felt, tulle, cupcake wrapper flowers or mini tissue poms...the sky is the limit!

I hope you enjoy making your festive trees!



Hailey Rose {Exclusive Interview and Surprise Giveaway!}

Excited to introduce you to Hailey Rose of Brydferth, and feature a surprise giveaway for credit to her shop! {giveaway at end of post}

Hailey Rose designs absolutely gorgeous fabric roses that adorn hair clips, headbands, purses--even shoes! She is a strong supporter of hand made items and opened up for us here in her interview.

 {Question} Tell us how you came up with your business name, Brydferth?

{Answer} I wanted something unique and meaningful. I wanted to choose something that went back to my family heritage. Being Swedish Welsh and English primarily I decided to find a word that meant something lovely. I ended up with the Welsh word for Beautiful, Brydferth.

{Question} How did Brydferth come about--what was the inspiration to open your shop?

{Answer} My beautiful Grandmother Rose and the towers of fabric at the fabric stores inspired me. I've always loved fabric and my grandmother always had roses all around her and even made some roses to go on her hats that she would wear. I never learned how she made hers but they certainly inspired me to try my hand at making my own version of them.

{Question} What inspires you and each of your products? Have you been a crafter all of your life, or is this a new hobby?

{Answer} Nature. I love being outside with the animals, the trees.... Nature is the greatest architect so I like to spend my time absorbing nature. I think I've spent much of my life being a "crafter." I paint a lot, trees being my favorite subject. I love photography and take many pictures trying to capture that perfect shot of nature at its greatest. The fabric roses are a more recent hobby that I enjoy very much which again feeds my adornment of nature.

{Question} Your fabric roses are just beautiful, sweet hair accessories (I am a fan!!). Is there one you have made that is a personal favorite? If so, please describe, and tell us why you love it so much!

{Answer} Every little rose I make is special to me. Once finished I analyze its layers, curves and design and each one is dear to me. I hope that my roses make others happy as they do me. My favorites are the over the top couture necklaces, anything on a stretchy headband and anything on a hair clip. Oh but the shoe clips are so fun and the earrings are great and I love the bracelets. I guess they are all my favorites.

{Question} Your products are uniquely branded on the bottom with your logo, stitched!!!! My goodness, it is brilliant and a beautiful touch. How did you come up with that idea?

{Answer} If there's room then I embroider my shop name to each piece. My darling husband bought me my first sewing machine Christmas 2009. When he went shopping for one I told him it had to be a Singer and it had to have the ability to embroider letters. He did a good job with his search. I'm not sure how it came up in my head, it just feels like it's always been there. I would like to get a fancier sewing machine that would allow me to do smaller fonts so that way all pieces would have the unique stitch but for now it's just the larger pieces.

{Question} We would love to get to know a bit more about you:



Your favorite color: Purple, Blue and Black


Your favorite line of clothing: Anything at Anthropologie I love. OH, and FRYE boots. :)

Your favorite online shop:  I have many Etsy shops that are my favorites. Depends what I'm looking for. TheFancyLamb has great vintage goodies and I love the cuffs that LaTouchables and PonderandStitch make. VioletReaction has pretty jewelry for a super great price. And I love TimelessPaper name placements. There's more but those are some off the top of my head.

Your all-time favorite movie: True Romance


Favorite dessert: Creme Brule` or cupcakes.



{Question} The holidays are coming up...will we be seeing any new holiday hair accessories in your shop?

{Answer} I'm trying to add more things in reds, golds, greens and silvers for the holidays. I'm not much one to sketch ideas first... I have to have fabric in my hands and some music on and things just come together by themselves organically.

{Question}  Your darling fabric hair roses come on clips and headbands, and in a variety of sizes and colors. Do you do custom designs/fabrics? And are they for adults and children (thinking matching mother-daughter ones here!)

{Answer} Custom designs or ideas are always welcome. If you don't see what you're looking for in my shop then don't be bashful about sending me a message with your ideas. I'm easy to talk to and it's always a fun experience for both sides. I am happy to track down fabrics, send samples of fabrics, and send you as many pictures as you'd like.

{Question} What are three blogs or websites that you read every day?

{Answer} 

 http://sweet-as-a-candy.blogspot.com

http://www.timelesspaper.com/blog

http://www.stylemepretty.com/

{Question} Why are handmade products so special to you? Do you often buy handmade?

{Answer} Buying handmade is important to me because I want to support the artists directly. I don't want everything I buy to be made in factories by people who are referred to as numbers or dollar signs. I like having unique things that have been lovingly handmade. The customer service is usually the best too!

{Question} We all want to know: Any new products you will be launching in the new year? What are you future plans for Brydferth?

{Answer} My head is filled with ideas and thoughts. There is always new things being added to  Brydferth. I try to keep ahead of seasons by adding new colors and designs so its best to keep checking back. And remember, if you don't see exactly what you're looking for... contact me and I'll make it custom just for you. I'm thinking to work on making some purses adorned with roses so keep checking the shop.

{Question} For those of us who are thinking your fabric roses would be the perfect stocking stuffer, how early should they order to make sure they can get their goodies by Christmas?
 
{Answer} We all know that mail slows during the holidays so it's best to get your order in as soon as possible. I recommend 10 days before Christmas if you're in the U.S. and 20 days before Christmas if you're outside the U.S. If you have a custom order in mind then I need additional time to get your order made.
 

 
I discovered Hailey Rose's shop Brydferth when searching for perfect accessories for the Wizard of Oz party with The TomKat Studio. She is the designer who created the precious gingham rose hairclips and headband shown below...stunning!
 

And now, a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY sponsored by Hailey Rose of Brydferth!
 
Hailey is generously offering a $20 credit to her shop, with complimentary shipping within the domestic US (if you are internationa--do not worry--you too can enter! The shipping fees will be deducted from your total credit).
 
In addition to your shop credit, you will receive one darling blue and white gingham hair clip as seen in our Wizard Of Oz Party with The TomKat Studio!
 
 

 
Here's how to enter:
 
1) Visit Hailey Rose's shop, and come back here leaving a comment with your two favorite items.
 
AND
 
2) Become a fan of Kate Landers Events, LLC (if you already are, thank you!)
 
AND
 
3) Become a fan of Brydferth
 
That's it! Please leave a comment after completing each of the three steps.
 
For an additional entry, leave another comment on this post tell us what new items you would like to see added to Hailey Rose's shop!
 
This is a short giveaway! You have until 11:59pm EST on Monday, November 22 to enter, so hurry!

Rainbow Dessert Table {Stylish Guest Party Feature}

Pauline from The Party Studio and Sophisticated Yum was so sweet to allow me the opportunity to debut her cheerful and sweet rainbow dessert table, with some great inspiration for your next event!

The rainbow theme was carried throughout the dessert table.

A personal favorite detail are her "rainbow jelly cups"--they are just a marvel to look at!

And how simple and sweet are the rice krispie balls with colorful coated chocolate candies at the base and sweet flags attached the the white lolli sticks?

A very popular trend of the moment are these old fashioned milk bottles with pink beverages and fuchsia/white striped paper straws. Lovely to sip, and see!

These adorable rainbow toadstools with vibrant baking cups add a touch of whimsy to the table--absolutely darling!

A trio of the traditional clear apothecary style vessels with colorful candy. I like how Pauline used a single color and candy type per jar, and non-traditional rainbow colors.

Another hot trend is the cake bunting, and I just adore the multi layers of rainbow cake. Yum!

Here is the dessert table, all pulled together. Love the lollipops in the grass, and light pink accents softening the overall look.

A big thank you to Pauline for sharing your lovely dessert table with us! 

Here are some great dessert table styling tips to take away from Pauline's Rainbow Table:

1. Use Fresh Fruit: I love how Pauline added some natural sweetness to her table with the fruit cups.


2. Don't be afraid to use non-traditional colors for a traditional theme: Pauline used lots of classic pink for her rainbow party, as opposed to sticking with the "traditional" rainbow colors. It turned out beautifully!


3. Don't be afraid to mix rainbow treats and solid color treats: I love how there were the rainbow jelly cups and rainbow cake, however there was also light pink drinks and solid colors of candy in jars--the mixing of this provided for a fun fresh look.


4. Simple White Cake Stands and Platters Are The Perfect Base: Pauline allowed her desserts to shine, and used white stands to compliment them beautifully, not compete.



Again, a big thank you to Pauline for your darling inspiration!!!! Beautiful job!