DIY Stocking Favors

Every party needs handmade and personalized elements so for Pete's 70th In Luau of Christmas party we made these stocking favors for guests to fill with candy. Here is how you can make some (for next year) or apply the concept to a design that fits your party...

Step 1: Gather your materials. In this case we used 1/2 yard each of red and green Hawaiian floral fabric and 1 yard of navy blue fabric (for the trim and backing). Using a less expensive solid backing is cost effective but doesn't compromise the look you're going for. You'll also need a rotary cutter, self-healing mat, ruler, sewing machine and thread.

Step 2: Print out a template in the size and shape of your favors (like this stocking one from Martha Stewart) or draw your own. Trace enough shapes for a front and a back for each favor. We made 16 stockings so there were 8 of each color for the front and 16 navy blue for the back.

Step 3: Measure the top of your stocking and cut out a rectangular piece for the "flap" of each stocking. We used pinking shears on the edge to give them a more decorative look.

Step 4: Pin the fold to the wrong side of the fabric (align it with the top) and sew approximately 1/8-1/4 inch seam just along the top side.

Step 5: Now flip the blue over so that it is now on top of the pattern and pin the backing to the stocking so that the flap and the right side of the fabric are sandwiched in the middle.

Step 6: Stitch along the edge of the stocking (see in the picture how the fabric is wrong-side out) but DO NOT stitch along the top, otherwise your stocking will be sewn closed.

Step 7: Trim any excess edge.

Step 8: Flip the stocking right-side out and iron flat.

Done! See how easy?

Lindsey's Red Hot 30th

Saturday night was Lindsey's Red Hot 30th birthday party in San Francisco. The evening began in one of the suites at the Clift Hotel, located just minutes from Union Square.
Below is the view from the room on the 14th floor. It was gorgeous at dusk!
Rooms at the Clift have a sleek, modern style and we didn't need to do much to dress up the suite. Add a few red feather boas and some candles and voila!
A champagne toast kicked off the festivities.
Guests met at the room and the birthday girl opened gifts before heading downstairs for drinks.
A twist on the traditional candy buffet, we chose to do a candy cocktail bar.
Guests could mingle, enjoy champagne, and make their own favors.
Red Hots (of course), sour cherries, Boston Baked Beans, various hard candies and rock candy served in cocktail and bar glasses.
A few cinnamon candles for a flickering accent.
Perfectly placed in front of the mirror to maximize the red impact.
The Clift Hotel is home to the Redwood Room lounge where the ladies stopped for the first round of drinks. The sultry and sexy red decor of the Redwood Room helped continue the "Red Hot" theme throughout the evening.
When you think "San Francisco" you can't help but think cable cars-- we rented one for the evening to take the ladies around town.
The trolley picked up the group from the hotel and took a tour of downtown San Francisco.
Next came dinner at Boboquivaris, continuing with "Red Hot" locations. In addition to the party being seated on the top level of the restaurant (pictured below) the waiter was French-- does it get any hotter? We can't take credit for that one.
After dinner the trolley drove the ladies to Johnny Foley's to dance the night away. The birthday girl was treated to the entire bar singing happy birthday while she was seated on one of the pianos.

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

We were honored to get to be a part of your celebration.

Christine's Baby Shower

Here are some photos from Christine's Baby Shower! We are starting with dessert, just because we can.

Christine knew she wanted Sprinkles cupcakes and chose red velvet and dark chocolate. We adorned them in Lu Lu black and white damask Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers.

The mommy-to-be also knew she wanted a modest candy station for guests to make their own favors. There were only 16 guests so we offered a selection of licorice, chocolates, taffy and jelly beans. Enough, but not over-the-top.

Pink candy was not difficult to find in October, thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Favor labels were custom made for the occasion by Sarah + Abraham and were also used on the cookie favors used for guests' place settings.

A pink and black damask table full of sweets.

When seated, guests were treated to onesie-shaped sugar cookies with pink royal icing. Each favor contained one large onesie, one mini-onesie, and one mini-heart shaped cookie. The large onesie cookies had a black polka dot design and the "F" on the mini-onesie stood for the guest of honor's last name.

Centerpieces were clusters of pink gerbera daisies in white vases surrounded by damask votive holders. (We'll show you the secret behind those DIY votive holders next week!)

We always go into an event knowing things may not exactly happen "according to plan" and this baby shower was no exception. Although when we finalized details for the party with Christine, her mother (who was the gracious hostess of this event) had other ideas about how the tables should be arranged. Instead of using two long rectangular tables situated beneath a canopy for guest seating, she wanted to use these three round tables (shown above) and use the rectangular tables and canopy for the buffet line for the food.

We made it happen-- even if it meant plastic table cloths on the round tables. Sometimes you just have to go with it!

Regardless of logistics, Christine had a beautiful baby shower that was made even more special by the attendance of her family and friends. The party lasted well into the evening and we are pretty sure not a single Sprinkles cupcake was left over.