Pepper Design Blog

{Pretty & Petite} Cupcake Inspiration

I’ve been so inspired by mini cupcake designs lately. They’re the sweet, petite version of their popular counterpart and are perfect for birthdays, showers & weddings. When Amber Vandervliet and her mobile cupcakery (aka Enjoy Cupcakes) was featured on Style Me Pretty, I just about found a little slice of heaven.

And what gorgeous eye candy? Simple cake stands stacked with assorted yummy bites have never looked so pretty or so darn easy to replicate.

Amber runs her business out of an adorable RV and is based in Southern California. Jose Villa captured this little photoshoot and his pictures are divine!

Can’t wait to include in a baby shower some time in the near the future! More delicious designs (in more ways than one…) and one of Amber’s recipes after the jump! Read more »

Event Inspiration Board: {Teal, Fuchsia & Lemon}

Welcome back to PDB’s second event decor inspiration board challenge. This is a little opportunity to share my favorite ideas for events emailed in by PDB readers! See round one (delightful green & grey bridal shower) for the start of it all. If you’d like to submit a party request – check out the About PDB page for email information! With so much going on over here in blogland, I’m hoping to step it up a notch to feature several more reader inspiration boards each month.

{Here’s the breakdown for today’s challenge}

EVENT: Bridal shower in April

THEME: Teal, fuchsia & lemon yellow

BUDGET: Under $200 for 20 guests

This shower was especially fun to pull together – my only criteria was to involve rich and colorful shades that made for a light-hearted and fun palette. With oh-so-many colors that fit that description, it was difficult to narrow down the choices… but I kept gravitating back towards a teal, fuchsia and lemon theme that at first glance appeared too bold and drastic… but I love the end result!

My suggestions:

DECOR: I love the look of these simple teal vintage vases featured on Style Me Pretty {you’re sure to find a thrift store similar look, even in a clear or white variety} filled with single bunches of tulips and roses. The yellow poms are perfect as well! These raffia drink stirrers by Martha are the perfect addition to a signature pink grapefruit cocktail {see below}. While Lollipop Events & Designs has nailed an ideal pattern for chair covers (it fits each of our colors!) I would be equally happy tying in a similar remnant strip as a table runner. I love Amy Butler’s coreopsis pattern {bottom of post} as another option.

WHAT TO SERVE: With our budget in mind, let’s keep it simple! Scheduling a shower at 3pm, for example, implies that you’re serving appetizers only and that guests should eat lunch prior to arriving. Give these Honey Fruit Tartletts and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms a try, along with a fruit and aged cheese tray with labels that match your raffia drink poms. A dessert bar is sure to win the hearts of all – these cupcakes by April Reed are pure eye-candy, but also offer delicious diy inspiration. Rock candy, lemon drops and homemade sugar cookies are dessert buffet options that fit within the color scheme. Use your extra vintage thrift store finds as containers or simple white platters and plates. A small and classy buffet is perfect for a shower!

Oh that was easy! I hope you enjoyed this quick breakdown and that the next time you’re looking for great baby or bridal shower ideas, you’ll give teal, fuchsia and yellow a try. Can’t wait to see the final event!

Cost breakdown:

-Table linens: $40 (neutral table cloths and remnant diy runners – no need to sew! try an ironed hem – in a patterned fabric)
-Centerpieces: $40 (vintage vases with mini bouquets of fresh flowers)
-Appetizers: $50 (tartletts, stuffed mushrooms with a fruit & aged cheese platter)
-Signature drink: $30 (pink grapefruit cocktail with handmade raffia poms)
-Dessert bar: $40 (candy, cupcakes and cookies)

GRAND TOTAL: $200

For more shower inspiration check out the ‘Entertaining’ button up there in the left hand sidebar, or click here. Happy Tuesday!

{Pink & Lace} Tea Party Cupcake Toppers

What is it about Valentine’s Day that makes me reminisce about tea parties… maybe it’s the vintage lace doilies, pink & red palette or delicious finger food treats. Lemon scones and mini buttercream cupcakes, anyone?

The super-creative Etsy artist JeanKnee makes these beautiful cupcake toppers by hand (see above) for just such occasions to add a little elegance to your petit fours, ice cream sundaes (served in tea cups?) and of course, cupcakes! How perfect for a bridal shower or little girl’s birthday party, too.

Check out her shop here. And don’t forget to mention you found your cupcake topper “sampler set” on PDB and receive 30% off of your order!

Oh yum. Now I’m ready for a cup of hot English Breakfast tea and an afternoon with the ladies…

Image credits: JeanKnee, Le Cupcake, Martha Stewart table setting, Martha Stewart tea cups