baloonatic

i don't know if you know this about me, but i'm kind of super into balloons. i'd even go so far as to say that balloons are one of my top five fave inanimate, unnatural, non-food items. they're awesome.

balloons are fun, balloons make me smile and balloons are appropriate at basically every sort of event.

birthday parties? absolutely.

new years eve? of course.

weddings? why the hell not!?!

any given saturday? bring. it. on.

it's true.

once upon a time, balloons were only for babies and, but now balloons are for everyone! and that's mostly due to Geronimo!

founded in Seattle in 2010, Geronimo!'s amazing spherical masterpieces, coupled with signature fancy ribbons, have become a huge trend, but i'm sure i'm not the only one who believes this trend is nowhere even close to going out of style. this is one for the books, people.

i'm so obsessed with these balloons. so this post is basically just an excuse to be happy.

i mean, can you even imagine what it would feel like to be given one of these babies? and check out the valentine's day edition below! i. would. just. die.

dylan's candy bar bridal shower

today i'd like to share photos from an event i've been ooh-ing and aah-ing over for some months now. (and after you see them, i'm sure you'll understand why.) this bridal shower, (which comes from the truly unbeatable martha stewart weddings,) is that of Dylan Lauren, owner of the world famous nyc-based store, Dylan's Candy Bar, and daughter of designer, Ralph Lauren.

keeping with what i can only assume is the theme of her life, style and sweets, Dylan's shower oozes with whimsy, color, femininity and overall delight. the party seems like it matches the bride-to-be's personality and lifestyle... and how could anything be wrong with that!?

strawberry chocolate bars (personalized with the couple's initials) served as the invitations to this sweet affair.

this pink, white and yellow candy tableau welcomed guests to the party.
and that mosaic heart backdrop is made completely out of gum!

spectacular candy (i know, right?) rings from Barcelona-based bakery, Escriba were displayed (alongside oversize ring pops!)

Dylan (second from the left) and her guests enjoyed an impressive pink D ♥ P candy display...

... and made their own individual "I ♥ Candy" favor bags.

lemon drops were served with candy swivel-sticks on a pink jelly bean-lined tray.
there was also a bubblegum martini option!

salty, savory fries lended a gastronomic balance to all that candy...

... but for the more refined palate there were caviar ring-shaped snacks.

guests wrote well wishes for the couple... with awesome personalized, gold pencils.

and as a finishing and cheeky touch Dylan gave each of her guests a jewelery box with a candy necklace inside

(all photos sparkling here)

make an entrance!

i believe, for fairly obvious reasons, that location is the most important, foundational necessity for any good event. however, if you want to add a little spice to your party, it seems that all you need is some plastic and helium.

(sparkling here)

(sparkling here)

with a few balloons, and a touch of whimsy, you can take your entrance from drab to dramatic!

balloons

have you guessed yet?!? well, the weekend has long been over, so i guess it's about time i tell y'all where the heck i was at 6 am on friday...

i was at the 37th annual walla walla balloon stampede!! it's the biggest hot air balloon rally in washington state and it is just plain awesome. i helped a balloon take off this year, but for some reason my pictures are not uploading correctly, so i've posted pictures from last year instead. take a look...

(air being blown into the balloon by a fan)


(and some hot air post-liftoff)

(triangular balloon-made by hand)

(my absolute fave.)

(a peek through the trees)

(the best part is when they all liftoff and are in the air flying around together--there they go!)

(total magic.)

**all photos my own

it's a party

i couldn't help but share these pretty pictures from this awesome party shoot. Melanie from You Are My Fave always has the funnest, spunkiest event designs and this one sure does not disappoint. i seriously can't even begin to explain how badly i want to be invited to one of her parties...

(posen party sparkling here via here)