Pepper Design Blog

Fun Inspiration: Robot Kids Party!

Check out this super-adorable Robot Party that Chenin over at Boutwell Studio recently threw for her son’s 1st birthday.

Each detail was carefully planned for Maxfield’s special day… from the handmade paper bunting and birthday sign to the robot party garland.

In Chenin’s words: “I think my favorite project was the flower vases, which I made out of recycled glass jars and dryer ducting.  We also had a Make-Your-Own-Robot Station, where kids (and adults, it turns out….) could choose a blank paper robot and decorate him.”

“Grace from Sweet Gems made the adorable cake… We had Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots for the kids to play and each child got to take one of these paper robot boxes home, which were filled with stickers, wind up robots and Pop Rocks.”

Oh how fun! I love the theme and all of the special details… what a neat kids party this would make at any age. Thanks, Chenin!

Part 1: A {Vintage Nesting} Baby Shower

Last week I had the honor of co-hosting a baby shower for a friend expecting a little boy! Friends and I have spent the past couple of months planning and dreaming up a vintage setting that would fit both mother and baby. (Adorable invites above created by co-host Lauren of L&Co just for the occasion.)

Since the shower was later in the evening, I took advantage of the daylight earlier in the day for a bit of ‘staging’ prior to the big event.

A friend of mine has the perfect backyard for such a rustic, vintage vibe. I adore her outdoor gazebo and used it as the central focus point:

Details include a handmade chandelier, paper flowers, no-sew table runners and napkins (all from fabric remnants), thrift store tea sets and lots and lots of candles!

Every little piece of this baby shower was handmade and I’ll feature tutorials in the coming weeks on how to replicate each of the projects.

Miniature birds nests and Nestle candied eggs became the perfect table setting focus. I found vintage glass bowls to hold centerpieces full of wildflowers (ranunculus, daisies, poms and red hypericum – or coffee beans) to tie in the rustic look.

The dark orange flowers pop against the teal paisley print of the table runners!

Since the shower was an evening festivity, we set up two dessert and coffee tables to serve as the gathering location for delicious treats and hot drinks (more on the crock pot coffee bar tomorrow!).

Friends helped me to stock the dessert buffet full of delicious goodies such as homemade biscotti, key lime bars, cajun brownies, muffins, madeleine cookies and mini ‘birds nest cupcakes’. More pictures to come.

We made round accordion rosettes out of big sheets of handmade paper and hung them at varied heights behind manzanita branches from our local San Diego area. I used this tutorial for diy white cake stands from thrift store finds (more details to come!) and cut apart an old book to help with vintage decor.

We had a wonderful evening full of honoring our mama-to-be, great conversation, a silly shower game and presents!

I’ve been so busy these past two weeks preparing for this shower and I’m so excited to share my hard work with all of you! I hope you enjoyed, and I can’t wait to share Part 2 tomorrow (including a cost breakdown to show how easy and affordable a diy shower can be). Happy Monday!

Get Your Fill… Cupcake Fill, That Is!

Cupcakes make the perfect little dessert be it for a wedding or kids party. But how to make them even more delectable and, oh, I don’t know, take it to the next level? How to add something unexpected and delicious – to make your dessert so much more than just a piece of ‘cake’? Fill ‘er up!

Here are a few finger-lickin’ ideas to make even the Hostess Cupcake officianado beam. Whether you’re a chocolate, lemon or chipotle (yes, chipotle) loving baker, these recipes are sure to get your attention (and those of your guests!).

“Why do you fill me up, fill me up, buttercup baby, just to let me down…”

I’m loving the sound of cappuccino cupcakes, and Brown Eyed Baker’s limoncello version must be heavenly!

My favorite way to fill cupcakes is by using a melon baller to remove a small piece from the center of each. Squeeze a small amount of filling (using a plastic zip lock bag with a pastry tip in one corner) in each cupcake hole and frost as usual (refrigerating between these two final steps can help keep your filling out of the frosting).

Ooooo how about these marshmallow, raspberry, mouse & chocolate options? Too many choices…

To really spice it up, try this Chocolate Chipotle del Muertos (with a dash of lime) recipe from Cupquake! Sure to knock at least a few socks off.

Marange smores and mascarpone filling, after the jump! Read more »