Are you inspired by all things vintage?  Pretty teacups, hydrangeas and full blown roses, lace and doilies?  If you’re hosting a vintage style party for a shower, birthday, charity event or simply because you love your friends, you’ll find a lovely range of vintage themed party supplies, decorations and accessories to bring this theme to life in your own home at Australia’s #1 online party shop, Pink Frosting.

Here are some of my favourites:

Clockwise from top:  Vintage style bunting flags in pretty designs with pink ribbon make gorgeous decorations for your party ceilings or the front of your buffet table; this vintage sandwich stand is such a pretty decoration for serving the daintiest of tasty morsels to your guests; guests will love to be invited to a high tea at your house with these pretty vintage teacup invitations in three different designs; Eat Me! Take One! Scrumptious! these fun vintage canape picks are the perfect way to display your yummy treats and give a high tea at the Ritz feeling to your soiree.

Shop the whole range of vintage party decorations and supplies at Australia’s #1 online party shop .

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

If you’re organising a party of any kind, there isn’t a nicer treat for your guests than a beautifully presented cupcake.  Of course, I am a little biased towards these little morsels of great taste and fun (just look at the Pink Frosting logo!), but cupcakes truly are an easy way to create a beautiful cake presentation for your celebration.  In my series of party presentation ideas, I’m going to look at beautiful ways to style up your party without too much investment in time or money – after all, most of our customers at Pink Frosting’s online party shop are busy, busy, busy and want to create a celebration that looks spectacular without spending days tinkering away making crafts.

To present a gorgeous cupcake for your party, first start with a standard cupcake.  This is my basic recipe:

• 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 125g butter, melted, cooled
• 2 x 59g eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 12 x 1/3-cup capacity muffin pan. Alternatively, line holes with paper cases. Combine flour and caster sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the centre.
2. Add milk, butter, eggs and vanilla to flour mixture. Using a large metal spoon, stir gently to combine.
3. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
4. Once your cupcakes are cool, frost them with a swirly buttercream.   Here’s our easy how to create a swirly buttercream top on your cupcakes demonstration.

Now you’re ready to present the cupcakes and make them suit your theme.  No matter what you are celebrating, Pink Frosting’s cupcake decorations shop has a huge range of themed cupcake toppers, decorations, racks and presentation stands, and cupcake wrappers to suit your style. 

Using cupcake wrappers is so simple!  They come flat packed, so take one end of the wrapper with each hand and hug the wrapper around the cupcake until the ends meet.  Then loop the smaller end through the slit (outside to inside so you’re hiding the ends) and you have a beautifully wrapped cupcake!  From there, you can place your cupcakes into a cupcake rack or stand for beautiful presentation instead of a cake, or if you’re using the cupcakes as favours, carefully place the cupcakes into a cupcake box and tie a coordinating ribbon around it’s centre.  Perfection and it only took about an hour from start to finish.

Here are some gorgeous cupcake wrappers presented perfectly for your inspiration:

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

This gorgeous little cupcake by Bettie’s Cakes just looked so much like it was made for Pink Frosting, I just had to share.  I couldn’t eat it – it’s too beautiful!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Spring has sprung and it’s time to clean out your wardrobe for the Summer season ahead and gather your fellow fashionistas for an afternoon tea with a difference!  Ask your friends to bring along their unwanted clothes and accessories for a clothes swapping party.  You’ll enjoy a fun afternoon with friends, and you may even find some fabulous new fashion statements!  Here’s our guide to a practical (you get to swap clothes with your fashionable mates) and fun (what better way to spend an afternoon than with champagne and your friends trying on clothes) celebration for no particular reason at all, or in place of a traditional baby shower, kitchen tea, hen’s party or even a Pink Ribbon fundraising party:

Invitations

Your friends will love receiving handmade invitations through the mail.  Try making your own invitations by adorning a plain piece of coloured cardboard with a little origami dress folded from beautiful paper.  Inside, inspire your guests with some cute words, such as:

Spring has sprung!  The grass is green!
The sun does shine!  It’s time to clean!
Fling wide your wardrobe, take a peak
It’s time to find that space you seek.
Those jeans too big, that skirt too small,
That dress that’s never fit at all;
That impulse buy you’ve never worn;
Those shoes (unscuffed), that shirt (untorn).
Let’s toast the darling buds of spring -
A clothes swap’s the thing – not shopping!
Wash and repair them, and join me
For tea, with sweet treats so tasty -
And a glass of bubbly!

Setting the scene

On arrival, ask your guests to unpack their clothes and accessories and place them in categories such ‘dresses’, ‘skirts’ and ‘handbags’.  You may like to print little category cards featuring coat hanger images and secure them to the walls around your lounge room with miniature clothes pegs and a bit of blutack.  Then hand your guests a glass of champagne and usher them into the afternoon tea room.

Decorating and styling

Set the table for a decadent afternoon tea treat.  For a whimsical table, start with crisp white linen as your backdrop and then layer vintage plates, cups, jugs and teapots with napkins in a riot of floral patterns.  Visit an antiques fair, your local flea market or (with permission!) raid your grandma’s cupboards to pick up plenty of vases and teapots to add personality to your table.  Or, if you don’t fancy scouring the local garage sales, choose a selection of sweet party themed plates, cups and napkins from Pink Frosting. 

Pick bunches of flowers right from your garden and fill a collection of vintage vases and teapots to bursting for a charming centrepiece.  If you want the afternoon tea to be a formal affair, add that extra touch of elegance with miniature Eiffel Tower place card holders, which can also serve as a charming memento of the fashion capital of the world for your friends to take home.

Entertainment

The clothes swap is the main feature of the party.  After your guests have enjoyed a glass of champagne and a few sweet treats, ask them to start browsing through the items.  You may like to set a limit to start with (say, each person can choose three items to start with so that no one goes home empty handed, and then another three, etc).  Ensure you have a number of breakout rooms for your guests to try on clothes.

Menus, catering and cocktails

Serve pink petit fours, watercress sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, mini pastries, fruit skewers, an assortment of muffins, quiches and cupcakes all washed down with tea and pink champagne!  If it’s a hot summer occasion, Pimms and Lemonade is the perfect tea party treat. 

Favours and gifts

Each guest will go home with some fabulous finds for her wardrobe, but show your appreciation with a miniature Eiffel Tower place card holders, which can also serve as a charming memento of the fashion capital of the world for your friends to take home.

The team at Pink Frosting have put together a category dedicated to helping you create the perfect clothes swapping party at their online party products shop!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Here are some of my favourites for serving sweet treats and hosting delectable dinner parties:

1950’s “Bernetti Original” New-York Early Designer-Couture Label in Steel-Blue Soutache-Swirl Embroidery Fortuny-Pleated Silk-Taffeta.

1950’s Pink-Roses Watercolor Floral-Print Taffeta & Sheer-Chiffon Overlay in Cocktail-Length Princess Sculpted-Pleats Bombshell Full Swing-Skirt.

1950’s “Sandra Sage Creation” Early American-Designer Label with an Elegant Sculpted Shelf-Bust Middle-Stripe Design Short-Sleeve Bodice

1950’s “Ann Kauffman” Early American Designer-Couture Label in Elegant Periwinkle-Blue & Mocha Watercolor Rose-Garden Taffeta with a Seductive Nipped-Waist Peplum Over-Sized Cuffs Collared Jacket

These stunning hostess dresses make me want to entertain IMMEDIATELY!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

We love tea parties at Pink Frosting!  Whether you’re hosting a baby shower, kitchen tea, a child’s birthday party or a Sweet Sixteen, a tea party is a pretty theme and suits just about any age group. Here are our top tips for hosting the perfect tea party:

• Host your tea party in the mid-afternoon when your guests have finished their chores for the day and have many hours to linger over a pot of exquisite tea and your decadent home-baked favourites.
• If possible, host your tea party outdoors in the prettiest garden setting possible. Make sure you have dappled shade, plenty of cushions on your furniture and blossoms blooming against plenty of green grass. Even if you can’t hold your tea party outdoors, a beautiful indoor space with plenty of natural light is the perfect complement to taking tea.  Set the scene with some pretty hanging lanterns, bunting and other delicate party decorations.
• Serve light savoury sandwiches along with beautiful homemade biscuits, scones and petit fours. Minted cucumber sandwiches on delicate slices of white bread (crust off of course), madeleines, clotted cream with scones and homemade jam (if you can spare the time) and an assortment of mini cakes from your local bakery are just the ticket. Bake up and buy up big, but don’t serve everything at once. This is a delicate celebration and you should serve your beautiful things in small quantities, prettily presented and replenish often.
• Serve your tea the old-fashioned way. Buy qualities leaves, brew your tea according to directions and serve your tea as if you are dining with the Queen of England. Learn the perfect etiquette for taking tea over at Pink Frosting’s party planning pages.
• Decorate with the prettiest crockery you can find. Nothing plastic. Nothing chunky. Nothing contemporary. Taking tea is all about vintage crockery (mismatched is fine), antique silver teaspoons, linen napery and pastel cake stands. Raid Great Aunt Ethel’s cupboards if you must!
• Have a small guest list. Tea parties are intimate. Not for 50 of your closest friends. No more than 10 people works best, in our experience.
• Give pretty party favours to your guests. Pink Frosting has some gorgeous little afternoon tea guest gifts to complete the party.

Inspiring tea party images by Sara Moon Photography.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Not only is this pretty table gorgeous for a kids birthday party, it is also gorgeous for a Pink Ribbon tea, a bridal shower or kitchen tea, or a baby shower celebrating a little girl. 

Other pretty Spring party favourites include:

• Bird Bath Place Card Holders are a whimsical way to seat guests at your party tables – perfect in a garden;
• Blue Butterfly Cookie Cutters make a sweet addition to any kitchen as well as a lovely favour for your guests;
• Flowers, Birds & Butterflies Double Sided Cupcake Wrappers make simple cupcakes a real treat;
• Pink Party Streamers help you make your party setting a little prettier and sweeter;
• Meant to Be Honey Bee Hive Candle makes a beautiful table decoration and take home favour for guests;
• Paper Daisy Hanging Decorations complete the picture as these swing in the breeze

Shop Pink Frosting’s range of Spring and Garden themed party decorations and supplies now >>

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

I have been testing pink frosting recipes for years.  Surprised?  The very reason I chose to name Pink Frosting, Pink Frosting is because pink frosting reminds me of special events, very happy occasions and fun moments with my nearest and dearest.  I’ve tried and tested so many pink frosting recipes over time, the calories would make you burst at the seams.  Now, I am declaring the best pink frosting recipe in the world is found!  Thank you, finally, Smitten Kitchen!

Swiss Buttercream

For a wedding cake (or most of one, depending on the size)
2 cups of egg whites (approx. 12 large)
3 cups sugar
5 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 pounds, 10 sticks)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For a 9-inch cake (plus filling, or some to spare)
1 cup sugar
4 large egg whites
26 tablespoons butter, softened (3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the tiniest amount, if you’re just practicing (or enough to cover and fill the 4-inch cake pictured)
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg white
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk egg whites and sugar together in a big metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk occasionally until you can’t feel the sugar granules when you rub the mixture between your fingers.

Transfer mixture into the mixer and whip until it turns white and about doubles in size. (Here’s a tip: when you transfer to the mixer, make sure you wipe the condensation off the bottom of the bowl so that no water gets into the egg whites. This can keep them from whipping up properly.)

Add the vanilla.

Finally, add the butter a stick at a time and whip, whip, whip.

Deb note: Do not have a panic attack when this takes a while to come together (though I did every time). One super-large batch took 15 minutes, but it did and will come together. Patience, young Jedis.

And, to make it pink:  drop in slowly, very slowly, red food colouring until you get your desired pink shade.  Voila!

The gorgeous pink frosting cupcake mosaic is from Sweet Jessie’s sweet blog.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Wedgewood Jasperware is one of those classic looks that just about every entertainer in the world adores.  I just had to share these gorgeous Jasperware inspired decorated cookie favours by Sweetambs on Etsy. 

Sweetambs cookies are made from a basic sugar cookie recipe, which is then flavoured with fresh orange zest, vanilla beans, and a hint of cardamom. The royal icing has a dash of vanilla extract to bring together the wonderful flavors of the cookie.   If you’re a reader from the US you will be able to order from SweetAmbs for your wedding or special occasion favors.   If you’re not from the US, then get out your sugar decorating kit and start practising!  I am determined to learn how to decorate at least half as well as this!

And these stunning little cameo inspired cookies!  Who could possibly eat them?

What a divine wedding or christening bomboniere idea.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Are you a fan of divine cupcake wrappers like I am?  If so, I’ve been scouring the libraries of cake designers, magazines, wedding blogs and more to come up with my favourite images of how the best in the business have used cupcake wrappers to transform beautiful cupcakes into spectacular works of art.  I have a garden bridal shower coming up which we will be decorating and styling, so I have been particularly looking for ways to use the Love Birds and Butterfly laser-cut cupcake wrappers.  Here are my favourites for your viewing pleasure:

Butterfly cupcake wrappers in lavender image by Pacific Weddings Magazine; Love Birds by FancyFlours; Rose butterflies by CupsNCakes; White butterflies wrapper with glitter butterfly tops by FancyFlours

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All of the gorgeous laser-cut cupcake wrappers are available at Pink Frosting’s online cupcake decoration store.  Gorgeous!

Happy Celebrating! watch fast and furious 4 in divx

Kathryn