Canadian Hostess Blog

Creative Sweet Displays

As a passionate chocophile and an interior design junkie, I wanted to start this post by showcasing the unique interior of this amazing chocolate shoppe in Paris - Patrice Chapon's Chocolaterie. There is no doubt that the textured metal walls and the huge copper kettle lights create so much drama and pizazz and add to the overall visual impact. This place definitely goes on my bucket list. I have to admit that regular tables and cake stands are no longer the coolest way of serving or displaying desserts. Thinking outside the box when it comes to presentation is really important and so much fun. I came across a couple of untraditional and creative presentation ideas that I wanted to share. I love the idea of replacing the traditional dining tables with antique chests and buffets and distressed bookcases. Wagons and retro trucks could also be a great and creative food display especially for those who plan rustic theme weddings. Taking it outdoors and using various objects like books, suitcases and old cutlery boxes create layers and add interest. I also love the idea of using picture frames as part of the display design.

The Chapon Chocolate store (Source)

Antique Bookcase (Source)

Blue buffet (Source)

Distressed bookcase (Source)

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Wagon Display (Source)

Retro truck display (Source)

Outdoor dessert table with hanging lanterns (Source)

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Creative dessert display with antique picture frames (Source)

Parisian Couture Themed Party

This past weekend, my little Mademoiselle turned 8. My daughter is in French Immersion school and loves pink, poodles, and jewelry, so we decided that a Paris-inspired party with lots of bling will be the perfect fit. We chose a traditional Parisian colour palette of black and white and light pink and we incorporated lace and polka dots to give it more texture and glamorous feel. Paper Glitter on etsy designed the custom invitations. They were lovely pink passports with an invitation and a boarding pass inside. The party had lots of DIY elements from the front door wreath, made out of ribbon and cupcake liners, to the super cute shoe on the cake and the fancy favour bags. My favourite caketress Amanda from Bluebird Cakes designed these stunning sugar cookies which matched perfectly my party stationery. The details on the cookies were so exquisite and beautiful that the kids wanted to take them home and not eat them at the party.
As a memento from this tres-chic Parisian soiree, each girl took home a hand crafted purse filled with jewelry and the boys received " Build your own Eiffel Tower" kit. We served a variety of cheeses, croissants, fruit, raspberry lemonade, red velvet cake with cream cheese filling, oreo pops, chocolate cupcakes and sugar cookies. I absolutely love this theme; it was the perfect fit for Julia's vivid personality and style.

Bizous,

Vania

Vendors List/Resources
Event Planner and Stylist: Vania Asenova
Sugar Cookies and Cupcakes: Bluebird Cakes
Custom Invitations and event collateral: Paper Glitter Etsy Shop
Dress: Gap Kids
Headband: Jewelry and Baby Bling by Dara on Etsy

"Oh Boy" Baby Shower

I am one of those people who love everything about babies. I mean, isn't everything baby just so adorable? I love their innocent eyes, curious expressions, the smiles and the chubby cheeks. I have to say that planning baby showers is probably one of my favourite event planning activities. My neighbour and a close friend had her third baby in March. After having two girlrs, she was so happy to welcome to the world her miracle baby boy. She asked me to do the dessert table for her baby shower. When I asked her about the event theme, her answer was "Simplicity". I wasn't surprised - she is a little bit shy, quiet and modest, so I knew that "simplicity" and "natural elegance" would be the best way to describe her dream dessert table.

The colours we chose were beige, chocolate brown and light blue. It was very important for me to incorporate her beautiful baby boy to the design, so I took a couple of black and white photos of little Kevin the week before the event. We wanted the table to look less feminine, so we decided to use manzanita branches instead of flowers. I wanted to place a few blue birds on the branches, but unfortunately, I forgot them at home (by the way I was really mad about it). We served: Swiss Chocolate Cake with chocolate ganache, salted caramel macarons, florentines, pretzel turtles, oreo pops and mini blackberry trifles. The cake was super easy to make and incredibly delicious, so for all chocolate lovers out there, here is the award-winning recipe. Bon Appétit!

Green with Envy

This dessert table was inspired by the significance of March 17 and the glamour of the Full House Lottery's grand prize one dream home. Full House Lottery is the fundraising venture of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and the University Hospital Foundation in Edmonton. Every year, the lottery kicks off with a celebration at the grand prize homes. This year, the lottery launch happened to be on St. Patrick's Day, so green was definitely the colour of the event. We wanted to use a shade of green that is soft and elegant and in some way complements the sophisticated interior of the home. My favourite caketress Amanda from Bluebird Cakes designed this gorgeous cake, the mini cupcakes and the oreo truffles. The salted caramel and the pistachio macarons were purchased from the Duchess Bake Shop.
The Full House Lottery dream homes are absolutely spectacular these year, so if you are interested in checking out the latest home trends, visit the three dream homes, located in Windermere.

Glam, glam, glam!

This blog post is for all ladies out there that love the sparkle of diamonds and the glam influence in dream spaces, fashion and event design. The images below are inspired and influenced by the Old Hollywood era. This event design is stunning, lavish, opulent, sexy, timeless, sleek, alluring, and incredibly elegant.

Photo via Dustjacket Attic

Reception via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Hollywood-inspired tablescape via House to Home

Glamorous interior of a Melbourne boutique, Green with Envy, designed by David Hicks

Photo via Dustjacket Attic

Source unknown

Dessert table by Angela Saban Design

Vintage Brooche cake via Julia Baker Confections


Bejeweled wedding bouquet (Source)

Bejeweled cake by Jennifer Stonebarger Designs


Image via Habitually Chic

Image via Elle Decor

Retro Circus Birthday Party

Well, this was FUN- putting together a circus themed party for my son's second birthday. This event planning experience brought me back to time when the "Circus was in Town". I grew up is a small town in Eastern Europe, and I still remember the excitement of hearing the circus trucks honking their horns and letting us know that the greatest show on Earth is coming to our little town. Cotton candy and candy apples were the best treat for me and my friends!
As a kid, this was a very special time for me, so I wanted to create a dessert table that is fun and playful and captures the nostalgic look and feel of that era.
I bought a really cute printable birthday package from Dimple Prints via Etsy that I used throughout the party. For the invitation, I filled ziploc bags with coloured gumballs and placed the invitation details on the wrapping. Amanda from Bluebird Cakes designed this incredible circus cake and the elephant cookies to match the printables. The details on the cake and the cookies were unbelievable. I also served: popcorn, candy apples, oreo pops, candy and white chocolate covered strawberries. I found the inflatable Bozo (The World's most famous clown from 1960s) and the matching money banks in Winners. They matched my colours so well. We played different carnival games and I think everyone had a great time, especially me!

Here are some photos from the party.