Frolicking Equestrian Fest

All images by Amy Pennington Photography

Back in January, 417 Magazine asked me to put together a birthday shoot showcasing unique party planning ideas. It was a crazy time as I was trying to get the store open, and I was also newly pregnant among other things going on, but I never turn down exposure and press...and, I/you could say that party design/planning is in my blood.  Looking back, I can't believe I pulled it off or that I even made it thru that crazy time.  {Second trimester is ten million times better!}

After weeks of giving the "unique party concept" some thought, and many hours spent with Kendra's husband on the invitation design, sourcing items, scouting shoot locations, negotiating with owners, sourcing costuming & props, pretzel & treat design, favor creations, and finally loading and unloading everything...it all came together, as it somehow always does. We have one big photograph feature in the magazine, and we think it represents uniqueness, adventure and simplicity. Hope you enjoy~

Need some design/party planning help?  You know what I'm gonna say??  Call today!

I was happy to see the work in the magazine, but would like to thank the following people and companies for donating time, and talent.

Amy Pennington Photography

Libby Ferguson Equestrian Center

Justin Skinner {graphic design}, Kendra's {of Lonie Mae's blog} husband

ATC Theatrical {authentic costuming...vintage hats, ties, over-coats, suspenders}

Auntie Annes Pretzels:  Custom-made horseshoe pretzels

Eleanor's macaroons and cupcakes

Creative Direction: Kendra of Lonie Mae

Furniture Props and Favors:  Pickwick House {my store}

Brave Models: Sophie, Graham, Mabel, Ralph, Goldie, Albert, Harper, and Wilson

Shoot Day:

Of course, it was a freezing cold, grey, windy, sleeting day.  I wasn't prepared for the muddy, horse-manured ground either.  Before we placed the long harvest table for the backdrop, Kendra and I {bare handedly} grabbed handfuls of frozen hay clumps to spread on the nasty ground to prepare a set-up worthy of a shoot.  

The invites were made for "Sylvia Nell's third birthday party".  Sylvie actually ended up being sick the day of the her fake birthday shoot....which was a good thing, as I wouldn't have been able to keep a watchful eye on her while doing the set-up.  Will kept care of big girl and for consolation for big girl ...he's planning her real birthday party for next month...which I can't wait for you to see what he's been up to on that end!

Sylvia Nell's Third Birthday Party Invite

The backdrop was a quaint, chippy-white stable in the midst of a big corral of roaming horses at the equestrian center.  Not knowing anything at all about horses, I mistakingly set up all the cupcakes and candy on the table before everything else was unloaded.  So....while I continued going back and forth to unload the truck, I heard a loud glass-sounding breakage/crash.  When I heard it, all I could do was imagine the set-up of precious goods in total ruin.  Slight panic and deep-breathing, I rounded the corner to see that what had happened was that the horses must've instantly smelled the sugared orange slices and cupcakes and roamed directly to the set-up while I was out of sight.  Thankfully only a few vintage punch cups broke and a glass cylinder full of orange slices.  Running short on time, we barely pulled everything together before the photographer arrived.

The kids were great.  Shoot went fast, and we loaded everything back in a flurry as it began to snow.  I think I left everything in the truck and van for a solid week after that out of exhaustion.

Taylor-made pinata and hand-made equestrian ribbons

Horseshoe Shaped Pretzel, {Menu, and Placecard with Chevron Stripes}

Sweet-Cheeked Harper {our neighbor and grandson to owners of ATC Theatrical}

My neice Goldie 

My daughter's cupcakes {she bakes for Tea Bar and Bites}

Sophie and Goldie and the ring favor made with the logo of the invite {a horse}

Hungry Horse

Ring Favors w/horse logo

Ring Around The Rosies

Pin the Tail on the Pony 

Goldie's Place Card and Cupcake

Eleanor's beautiful Macaroons

More punch and Confections Alongside the Horses

Hope all is well with everyone!  Can't wait for spring and happy sunshine!!

xo

sharon

Pickwick House Pick-Me-Ups

{Imagery and Graphic Design by Nicholas Cloyd}

It's our first annual Easter Basket making workshop at Pickwick House.  We will be creating pretty little embellishments to make a unique urban-cottage basket for your little chick-a-dees. Guest artist, Katie Kring will share a inspiring history and how-to tutorial with pysanky eggs artistry.  We'll show how to incorporate home-made decorations, carefully selected hand-made goods + chocolates + candies, and vintage treasures that will create traditions for years to come.  AND...we'll also enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Tea Bar and Bites.  

We'll also have two new table scapes and stockpile of new goods to hatch into the store that day... including fresh-ious handmade table cloths from Lonie Mae and Becky Treadway.

When:  Sunday April 3rd, 2pm

Where:  Pickwick House, 611 S Pickwick

Cost:  $20 + the cost of materials {Feel free to bring your own basket to fill or you may purchase a basket}

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Image by Sesha Shannon of conveystudios.com/

Other News:  My little Sylvia Nell is about to turn three, while my oldest is preparing for her senior year in high school.  My, how time flies.  

And, we've just had two new projects with magazine features.  Earnshaws and 417 Home.The on-line links are listed below.

www.earnshaws.com/articles/whats-selling/2011/03/storybook-sensibility {Photography by nathaliebearden.com/}

www.417homemag.com/417-Home/Spring-2011/The-Best-Birthday-Party-Ever/ {Photography by www.amypenningtonphotography.com/}

Spring Fling Workshop at Pickwick House

All Images by Adie, of Twin Town Studios

The Spring Fling Workshop was held this past weekend in the brand new showroom at Pickwick House.  I have been so excited and looking forward to doing this for many months now...but when it came down to the thought of speaking, I got struck with some shake-nerves.  I am not a natural-born when it comes to speaking, but I figure I'll only get better with practice and I like that challenge, so I plan to keep doing these workshops.  Normally, I need a glass of wine to calm my nerves before presenting..., but with being pregnant, that wasn't an option.  By the time guests started arriving, oddly, my nerves disappeared. Everyone was so nice and just seemed happy to be here.  Patty Wingo, the amazingly talented culinary guest {star} of the workshop also lightened the mood with her spirit and "spirits"too...  her special spring fling cocktails.  She owns Simply Delicious and I had the wonderful opportunity to work with her last summer when she catered the wedding that is being featured in REAL SIMPLE Weddings {on news stands now}.  Not only has her food always been simply delicious, I am so impressed by her gusto and beyond personalized attention to every detail and carefully scheduled timing of events for serving fine cuisine.  She is exactly what every wedding planner dreams of for a caterer. 

While Patty shared refreshing drinks + recipes and how-to tutorials, I then shared a few table top inspirations and inexpensive DIY decorating tips.  Kendra of Lonie Mae {you need to follow her blog...by the way!} shared a place mat stencil how-to and then, lucky for us, we got to hear some inspiring feedback and ideas from the whole group.  The group was made up of artists, chocolatiers, and architects! Quite an impressive group!!

 Sweet-Sweet Adie of Twin Town Studios photographed {with her amazing-ness} all of the photos in this post. 

It was a good day.  We sold out of the workshop and even enjoyed our own little party! 

Green Thumb Hostess Take-outs 

Inspirer, Kendra Skinner of Lonie Mae

Honey-Dew Melon atop our Honey-Do List-Making Chalkboards

Pencils for note-takers...in a biodegradable coconut fiber pot

Our showroom 

Every guest took home a small chalkboard

Kendra's finished place-mats on yellow burlap

Patty Wingo's Virgin Champagne Recipe
A little sparkly/bubbly with Peach and Pear Juices

Spring Fling {hard lemonade infused with vodka, mint, and cucumber}
Patty has never shared this recipe, but she was so generous to share it with us!

You can't see it very well, but I wrote "Welcome to Spring" on the floor with Chalk

Looking forward to our Easter Basket making workshop on Sunday, April 3rd.

xo
sharon

Blooming At Pickwick House

As winter lingers and just keeps a hangin' on, all I do is gravitate to my favorite spring go-to's.  TULIPS.  What types of blossoms make you bloom?

This vignette, here at the store...to me is perfect blend of the two seasons melding together. The focal point of this photo is a champagne bottle from our store's opening.  And the funky elephant tusks are fun anchors.  The fresh orange tulips give-off happy to me.

Pickwick House

COME in to the store for a slice of spring and to see our new spring vignettes.  We have fresh flowers in the house starting at just $6.  Perfect gifts.  Along with many other things here.

Happy Weekend!

xo
sharon

Spring Flings at Pickwick House

I'm back and in full force mode for spring!  Busy with a few new clients and planning several workshops that are already starting to fill up.

Firstly, I'll be hosting a March 5th workshop {see invite above} in our beautiful new studio...lots of entertaining ideas that will be plenty colorful and plenty tasty.  Very tasty... because we'll have a special guest and friend in The House...local culinary star, Patty Lynch, of Simply Delicious.  She is the one that rocked it out with her yummy Southern Cuisine at the Euro Cirque Wedding we worked on together last August.  In case, you didn't know...that wedding is now being featured in REAL SIMPLE Weddings Magazine, on news stands for the 2011 calendar.  To see the full blog feature on that AMAZING wedding, click here.  

We're also super excited to be sharing our studio with others as a venue for private parties.  We'll be adding our special a la carte package rates to the web-site soon, so stay tuned.   Included in one of those packages, will be a complete fire-cracker package, where we do all of the one-of-kind designing, and decorating themed party for you.  A party that is all yours in an intimate setting...without it being your big hairy mess.

Nearing the end of March, we'll be hosting an easter basket workshop with food, fun, and music. You can craft your little sweetie's baskets, here.  We'll provide all the unique trimmings.  And you can either bring your own baskets or buy some from the store.  Stay tuned...

Hope you're enjoying the sunshine.

xo
sharon

Pickwick HOUSE Opening

Pickwick House 

Hey all!  We're so thrilled to finally be open at Pickwick House.  We had our soft opening on Valentines Day and it was a great success, thanks to all who came, and to all those {family, friends, and colleagues}who poured their hard work and talents into the building and into our little dream.  We were and are very proud to be here, finally.

Next week, I'll be sharing with you the infinite possibilities that we are envisioning for our showroom/design studio/event studio.  We have many exciting things lined up....including our first workshop scheduled for the beginning of March.  

I'd like to congratulate the following winners of last week's blog giveaway:

1.  Mine:  Charity Pritchard

2. Millie's:  Missy Wade

3.  Lizzie's:  Cynthia Lipscomb

4.  Rosie's:  Hillary Fisk

5.  Jeanies:  Jillian Ogden

6.  Julie's:  Christine Bonivier

You will each be receiving an email to request your mailing address.  Thanks so much for entering, and again, congrats!

Happy Weekend!  Be sure to stop by the store this evening for a showing of Julie Blackmon's work, champagne, and jazz..

xo

sharon

Countdown Finale: Gifts from Sixth Sister

How was your Valentines day?  Mine was loving.

Alrighty, now I know I promised a sixth day giveaway before Valentines Day, {our store opening day}, but we got a little behind schedule and were not able to begin moving furniture in to the new space until Saturday. We had a little over 48 hours to set the entire store up and be ready to open the doors for a soft opening afternoon party.  We're a little exhausted, but mostly just filled with happiness for how it fell into place and also turned out to be a beautiful weekend and day for opening.  I can't wait to share photos from the store and party with you.  It was a day I'll not ever forget.

My giveaway:  Two of my most favorite things...
1.  One of my custom designed, and created down-filled pillows from the line we carry at Pickwick House {all lovingly made to perfection by the talented artist, Kendra Skinner of Lonie Mae}.  This pillow is made with a zipper so you can unzip it when it gets dirty and throw it in the wash...even bleach it if you have to.  It's one of those pillows that will only get better with age and softer with each wash.  Value: $78.

2.  A beautiful little candle from a home-based company in California and I'll be carrying the line in the store as well.  It is hand-poured using soy wax.  The moroccan glass that the wax is poured into is, by itself so sweet, but the scent that is poured into it is even more sweet.  It comes in an assortment of light spring fragrances.  It also comes with a special box that has a gold stamped wax seal.  Value:  $32

Since I'm late in posting this and since it's been such a busy time for me, I'm extending the entry time to Wednesday, the 16th.

Tidbits I will share:

One of my favorite quotes:  I'm going to have to say one right now that sticks with me {is actually one of Will's favorites too}:  "You will make all kinds of mistakes, but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.  The world was meant to be wooed and won by youth."  --Winston Churchill

Currently obsessed with: reading about how to succeed in business and watching Syl dance.

What film I love:  Places in the Heart {Sally Field portraying a naive widower in the depression who struggles to hold onto what little they had and also provide for the family with their cotton field farm business}

Favorite Meal: Steak and Potatoes

Who I'd like to Meet:  Martha Stewart

Favorite memory growing up:  Dad taking us just us girls out for "girls club" in his little blue volkswagon.  We'd first go to the restaurant, Ebenezers and then to Swensons Ice Cream Parlor.

Also, my fifteenth birthday.  Mom hired a square-dancing caller and I had a hoe-down party at night with my friends on our driveway.
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That's it for today.  I hope you'll enter the giveaway.  I'll announce them on Thursday.

Have a great day.

xo
sharon