pie tasting party inspiration

Posted in parties by Anne

If you are like me, when you think of Thanksgiving one of the first things you think about is PIE! That’s right. Not turkey or stuffing, but pie. A couple months ago I shared a pie party inspiration board over on Organize and Decorate Everything. I couldn’t stop thinking about this collection of ideas and how perfect they are for the upcoming holiday, so I am sharing them here on Circus Berry today.

Here, you can find some variations of pie that might be fun for your gathering, as well as some fun ways to decorate and display your selection.

Let’s start with the food.

Pie comes in all shapes and sizes, including in pop form. So yummy and so easy, they definitely earn a spot at the pie tasting table. You could stand them up (cake pop style) or just lay them out on a rectangular white platter. (recipe and image via Bakerella)

Once everyone brings their contribution, top the pies with cute flags to label each. (image via Belle on Heels)

Some people just aren’t great with forming pie crusts. Hand pies displayed all in a row, in a box with some wax paper adds to the rustic feel and won’t give the lesser pie baker anxiety (like me!). (recipe and image via Hoosier Homemade)

Why not wash down that pie with coffee…they seem to go hand and hand. Set up a cute coffee station with some of your decor as a backdrop. (image via Take a Megabite) Use chalkboards as signage and keep your coffee condiments on ice. (image via A Night Owl Blog)

Cream pies, fruit pies, and crumb pies–whatever the offerings, display them in different dishes at different heights to add to the visual appeal. And don’t forget to tuck some homemade whipped cream into the mix! (image via Bon Appétit)

Use extra pie crusts to make Pie Fries and put out some dipping sauces to go with them. This might be the most clever pie-themed idea I have seen yet! (image via Dinner with Juile)

Mini Pies, just as tasty as their full-sized counterparts, make for a pretty display and might be just the right size for take-home treats. (image via Tara Guérard Soirée)

Now, let’s check out some serving and decor inspiration:

Start with the silverware. Check out all of the cool utensils from Sucre Shop. You can show off your earthy side and give the rustic feel with wooden forks. Plain or stamped, they add a nice detail. (image via Sucre Shop)

Coffee filter flowers match nicely with the colors, as well as the coffee station concept. For little money you can have something feminine and festive to deck your table. (image via A Pumpkin and a Princess)

Jute twine. Oh, the possibilities! Use as pretty ties on mugs or wrapped utensils; wrap the base of cake stands a couple times around; string your coffee filter flowers on there for garland. (image via Shop TomKat )

Whether it is finished, unfinished, or vintage, a wooden crate makes a great addition to rustic decor. Use one flipped over to add layers and height to your pie table. (image via The Wedding of My Dreams)

Set a pretty backdrop for your pie table or coffee station using layers upon layers of Doily Garland. Just make a length…or two…or ten (using your twine of course)…and drape away. (image and tutorial via CAKE.)

A book page table runner would make a pretty and unique base for all of those pretty pies to sit on, and since I have been wanting to do some book page crafts, this will probably be lining a table of mine for some occasion this fall. So pretty. (image via Little Birdie Secrets)

If you want a little more natural and a little less…frilly…try a fringed burlap (and glittered) banner for your backdrop. Or combine the Doily Garland with this one for the shabby chic feel. (image and tutorial via Yellow Bliss Road)

All of those pies means leftovers. Probably anyway. Send some home with the guests in Pie Favor Boxes, wrapped up with some of that twine, with a wooden fork tucked in. Now you have thought of everything. (image via Stephmodo; available at A La Modo)

Although I am not hosting Thanksgiving this year, I will be sure to use some of these ideas when I bring dishes to share!

20Oct2013

perfect pair party inspiration

Posted in parties by Anne

A couple of months ago, some friends and I decided to throw a shower for another friend and her husband, who are expecting twins. The occasion was set for October so the wheels started turning with pumpkins, apples, harvest, and all things fall popping in and out of my head. Ultimately, pears won…they would be in season in the fall and there is a fun little play on words with “perfect pair”.

The “pear” party was yesterday, and before I reveal the full details (soon), I wanted to share some images that inspired the celebration to come together.

You can see there are a lot of neutrals here. Brown, beige, cream, a little bit of black and white, and of course some green accents.

I love the Burlap and Lace party on Jenny Cookies, from the big, puffy pom-poms to the use of crates and suitcases to elevate the desserts.

This twist on the traditional cake topper made by Le Rustic Chic on Etsy is just the right amount of simple, rustic, and can be personalized for essentially any event.

Green Wedding Shoes featured the idea of using empty frames, usually saved for gallery walls, as a base for the dessert table. (I do have a thing for empty frames!)

Although a sit-down meal is not a part of the plan, I love the idea of place cards attached to something that can be taken home, like these shown on Sunset.

This fall baby shower featured on Amy Atlas Events is chock full of rustic ideas. You can see a lot of natural wood…boxes and benches, tables and stools. And that rag garland…just a little goes a long way!

I won’t deny how much I love paper garland. The natural heart garland by 10 Paper Lane on Etsy is so lovely and delicate enough that it wouldn’t be overbearing.

This Rustic Wine and Cheese party Celebrations at Home has just the right amount of rustic mixed with a little bit of modern. I am a big fan of the black and white mixed in!

Such lovely ideas and such inspiring images! I can’t wait to show you how the Perfect Pair party came together.

22Sep2013

inspiring celebrations {geometric rainbow bridal shower}

Posted in parties by Anne

Happy Sunday! Today I am sharing some party inspiration with you. This Rainbow Geometric Bridal Shower was for a friend a couple of months ago. She asked for something colorful, not at all flowery, fun, and maybe a little childish. Colorful geometric shapes are pretty hip, so it seemed the logical option. Here are some of my favorite features from the event:

The colorful geometric backdrop–I have seen geometric garland all over and was not mistaken when I thought how easy it was going to be to make it myself. If you have done buntings, banners, or dot/confetti garlands, than this geo garland is a no-brainer. Bright colored card stock was cut into triangles, then run through the sewing machine. We draped it against a solid wall and that was it! I was super excited to hear that my friend and her husband would be keeping the garland as part of their home decor!

The donut holes–Donuts and donut holes are cool, trendy, easy to eat, affordable, and if you get good ones, a fabulous treat. Displayed in the form of a tower, it was another star of the show. Some instructions for making a donut hole tower can be found here, but the long and short of it is to get a large styrofoam cone, wrap it in paper, and then again in plastic wrap. Starting at the bottom, insert a toothpick into the foam and attach a donut hole. Keep going, around and around until you reach the top.

The make-your-own mimosa bar was complete with Juices presented in swingtop glass bottles–Bright colored juices presented in simple carafes or bottles can also be a part of the decor. Disclaimer: I personally have an obsession with containers, of all shapes and sizes. That being said, a simple bottle or carafe can be used again and again, so go to Home Goods and splurge on the 4$ bottles for your next party. You will definitely get your money’s worth out of them. For this party we served orange, cranberry, and lemonade to go with champagne to complete the bar.

The handmade favors–They were also the vessel for the make-your-own mimosas. These champagne glasses were collected from local thrift shops at about 79-99 cents a glass. Again, a quick DIY with lots of flair. The full tutorial can be found at here.

The custom geometric cat fondant toppers—The bride special requested red velvet cupcakes, which were easy enough. When she requested cat fondant toppers, I was stumped momentarily. Then I saw a geometric cat on Etsy. Perfect! We got to honor her love of cats but still keep with the geo-rainbow theme.

The geometric rainbow paper printables–totally inspired by the garland, these menus (as well as the invitations that matched) were super fun to make. Lots of color, hip, and definitely not flowery or girly.

I am still in love with how this party turned out. It was a sweet, intimate affair with lots of personalization for the bride. Hope you enjoy seeing some of the highlights!

***DON’T FORGET to enter the***

CIRCUS BERRY FAVORITE THINGS BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY HERE!!!

Linking it Up:

Flamingo Toes

Or So She Says

Create & Inspire Party

DIY Showoff

Monday Funday

Block Party

Under the Table and Dreaming

Home Coming

30Apr2013

inspiring celebrations {butterfly picnic}

Posted in parties, spring by Anne

I was recently inspired by sunny, spring days ahead and the total girly-ness of my daughter (read: obsession with pink and purple and all things princess, butterflies, flowers, ponies, rainbows, cupcakes, and ballerinas). So taking advantage of pleasant weather, I coordinated a festive and girly play-date picnic for my daughter and one of her friends (along with the adults who like to indulge in sweets in the outdoors) this past weekend…complete with girly colors and lots of butterflies.

Much of the party style came from items found at the Dollar Tree. I made the food labels and the welcome sign with lots of girly-ness in mind. With those and a little DIY, a decked out butterfly-picnic party turned out to be very doable on a smaller budget (who doesn’t love that!?!?).

The gorgeous cake pops were provided by Sarah at CakePopLove. I pretty much just told her pink, purple, and butterflies and she came up with these lovelies! They were perfect and yummy and the girls loved them. As a matter of fact, so did the adults. There was a lot of, “Wow, those are really good!” Way to go Sarah!

The cupcakes were provided by my friend Krista of Rufflecakes. She is my go-to cupcake gal, always shining with her perfectly matched fondant toppers. The ombre purple butterflies were no exception. They turned out so pretty! (I kinda didn’t want to eat ’em…but I did.)

In addition to the delicious cake treats, we had Pink Punch, PB & J Bites, Mini Parfaits, and Berries.

Like the much of the rest of the party, the goodie bags (and the butterfly wings) were all butterfly themed items from the Dollar Tree.

Once the girl’s showed up and got their butterfly wings and their butterfly wands there was no stopping them. They flitted around like butterflies–giggling, chasing, and playing for hours.

It was little breezy, but a fabulous time for the girls. And they got to get out into the grass and run around…and around, and around, and around. Miss Moira loved being with her friend and has been talking about the Butterfly Picnic non-stop ever since!