Love is {GOLDEN}

For those of you who don't know, I live in Iowa. I love my home state and wouldn't move away for anything...but...I gotta say...things can get a little dreary in the winter months. All the COLD, snow, being shut-in, the lack of "green" when I look out my front window...not very cheery. I needed something to perk me up :)

Luckily one of my fellow party gals had something up her fabulous sleeve! The UBER creative Genevieve of Superchickland threw down a super FUN  Valentine's Day Kandy Kone Styling Challenge....and I knew I wanted IN!



Each of the 8 participants had to come up with a dessert table theme and color scheme...and then Genevieve created 6 of her AHhhhhmazing CUSTOM Kandy Kones and sent them our way.

In Genevieve's own words:

The Challenge Deets!

1 ~ Challengers were asked to INCLUDE 6 custom Kandy Kones in a VDay themed display!

2 ~ They were asked to FILL their kones creatively!

  3~ And MOST IMPORTANTLY, they were asked to STYLE their kones in a unique, imaginative, trend setting way!

The judges!
Bird from Bird’s Parties, Courtney from Pizzazerie, Genevieve from Superchickland

 It was SO fun to see all the different concepts come to life! I never cease to be amazed by all the incredible party styling talent out there and this challenge was no exception. I feel honored to party with these SUPER CHICKS ;)


My theme: Love is {GOLDEN}


I wanted to work with a palette of pale pink and gold! I knew I'd be incorporating lots of vintage goodness...but honestly...I let this display flow pretty naturally.

I asked my talented friend Barb Conner, of Cross Creek Antiques in Fairfax {Simply Iowa}, if I could set-up in the front greenhouse of her shop. Barb has the MOST amazing antique shop EVER...I've spent a LOT of time there (I grew up directly across the street!) I venture down often when I'm in party planning mode...for inspiration...and to find the perfect party props :)

It was a chilly afternoon to be setting an outdoor display...about 13 degrees I think...but the sun was shining so that was a definite bonus! Barb did laps with me through her shop...pulling pieces to work into the dessert table...it was SO fun just watching things come together!

I've been working with some new Cake Pop decorating techniques, and this gave me the perfect reason to play with them some more! I made some with a golden "marbled" effect that really stood out.

These are my Pink Sparkle Pops! They were seriously shimmering in the sunlight...I couldn't even capture all that beauty in the photograph...these pops DAZZLE!

I almost always add some semi-homemade treats to my dessert displays. It's a nice way to add some variety to the table, without the stress of creating everything from-scratch. For this particular table, I added gold-tone food coloring spray to decorate some store-bought meringues and heart-shaped marshmallows. Easy Peazy!

I also added some small ivy topiaries throughout the scene for a little pop of color...and life!

Vintage lace...nothing sweeter.

No Valentine's Day table would be complete without Conversation Hearts! I love reading these things...some of them seriously crack me UP (clearly...it doesn't take much!)

 

I also want to thank my friend Kristi of Luella B. Photography and Design for working a little editing magic! I take my own party photos...but I'm by NO means a professional. Example...in the full dessert table shot you could see my silver 4Runner parked outside in part of the background - LOL! Kristi made my car magically disappear...for which I'm BEYOND grateful...it was one of those DUH moments when I got home and was looking through images. Lordy...I really am close to losin' it some days!

I hope you enjoy my submission! It was really fun to put together...and gave me a chance to play around in my kitchen...which I rarely pass up :)

Sources:
Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats  Display Styling, Desserts and Photography
Super Chick Studios Custom Kandy Kones
Simply Iowa  Vintage props, event location
Green Party Goods Striped paper straws (Cake Pop "sticks")

If you want to see the other submissions, links are included below! LOTS of party inspiration to look through!!!

~~~ Mint To Be ~~~ 

Submitted by Jasmine from IDEA! event + style

~~~ Cupid's Candy Shoppe ~~~ 

Submitted by Feather from Printable Parties to Go

~~~ Lovestruck ~~~

 Submitted by Melissa from Truly Chic Inspirations

~~~ I Pick You ~~~ 

Submitted by Lauren McKinsey

   

~~~ VDAY B.L.U.E. ~~~ 

Submitted by Talia from Luxe. Event Design, LLC

 

~~~ Bear Hugs & Kisses ~~~ 

Submitted by Nicole from The Party Animal

 

~~~ Love Is WILD ~~~ 

Submitted by JoAnne from oh goodie designs