{countdown to the royal wedding: high tea}

. . . and with the royal wedding merely days away, there is talk of duchesse satin gowns and horse-drawn carriages and happily ever after, and if you're hosting a tea party to mark the momentous occasion, be certain to serve vanilla bean buttercream cake, scones and profiteroles, and vanilla & coconut macarons, of course . . .











{photography by natalie hunfalvay for hello naomi, here & here via 79 ideas}

{always elegant: classic camellias}

. . . have always thought that cake and champagne are perfect anytime, especially for unexpected occasions -- the near arrival of spring, saint patrick's day, or a sunny thursday in mid-march -- and especially if the champagne is vintage and the cake is tiers of pink fondant trimmed with royal icing, beautifully topped, of course, with wonderfully vibrant and beathtakingly lovely camellias . . .

{image: wedding cake with gum-paste camellias via martha stewart weddings}

{white & gold for all hallow's eve}

. . . positively smitten with the idea of white and gold for halloween -- delicate garlands made of lacy doilies and white pumpkins among gold confetti, silver flatware on white linen and elegant packages for stylish guests, tied in the most charming polka dotted ribbon . . .

{p.s.} brushed in gold

{photography by andrea dozier for hooray}

{party inspiration: summertime martinis}

. . . already imagining leisurely sipping fizzy drinks poolside, but for now, inspired by the idea of creating a rustic italian martini bar for summertime guests with crisp white linens, antique glassware and charmingly tarnished sterling silver bowls of ice . . .

{images: sunday suppers via the sweetest occasion}