Alice in Partyland

What's more girlie-girl than an Alice in Wonderland-inspired birthday party? Young or old, this magical world entices all to put on their prettiest party dress.

Recently, a friend's daughter expressed her wish for an Alice-themed soiree, and though she, in true three-going-on-fourteen style, has switched to a ballet-theme, I thought I'd share some ideas I whipped up for her with you.

Madhatters, delight!

Required Attire: Invite the girls to wear their prettiest party dress; have boys wear funky hats and you can even have white bunny ears.

Be On Time: Plastic, giant clocks double as a fabulous invitation (or table decor). Set the clock to the arrival time, and include a note: that says "Don't be late for this very important date!" This one is technically the Tinman's heart (from the Wizard of Oz) but would totally pass for the white rabbit's timepiece.

Tea Cup Centerpieces: Hit the local flea market and pick up vintage tea cups and tea pots at a discount. Cut large blooms and display ever so elegantly on your table.

Play With Your Food: Tag food with whimsical signs like "eat me" and "drink me" or, write "eat me" on the cupcakes. Serve a variety of teas in mix-and-match vintage tea pots, and tea sandwiches of course! For the kids, turkey and cheese; pb & j; and cream cheese will do! For the adults, add smoked salmon and dill to the cream cheese, offer ham & brie, and even an olive tapenade.

Photo: Country Living

Seating is Everything: Don't gamble with your seating chart. Create DIY placecards using playing cards (black & red, or in girlie colors! I found these pink decks on Amazon.com for $3.49.). The box can double as placecard and favor.

Entertain them! A teapot pinata is a must for the little ones! Break out the shrinky dinks. And, if we're talking 21 and over, perhaps a Hookah??? I'm just saying. . .

With all this sugary-sweet fun, make sure not to dose off into Neverland (oops, wrong fairytale!).

The Real Weddings of New Jersey

Fans of Divalicious Dina on Bravo's salacious hit "Real Housewives of New Jersey" know that the interior-designer-turned-wedding-planner was featured on VH1's My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding a few years back. She married the M.I.A. Tommy, co-owner of New Jersey's Brownstone Caterers...with a no holds bar budget.

Normally, I wouldn't post celebrity gossip on Chandelier, but it's raining and hey, it's a guilty pleasure to watch Dina show-off her wedding planning prowess, Jersey Girl style. Thanks to my fabulous facebook friend Rachel, I've uncovered the four-part video for you.

Next week, I promise, class will return.

Cole Haan Hitches Up with Ceci New York

When it comes to wedding shoes, I caution my clients to consider form AND function when shopping for the right pair. Between photo shoots, gracing the aisle, and rocking out at the reception--why have to sacrifice style for comfort as the event goes on? And who wants to be aching before the cake cutting!

Enter Cole Haan's new bridal collection designed in partnership with Ceci New York, the luxury wedding invitation design shop headed up by Lisa Hoffman. The best part of these super-stylish shoes is that they come with Cole Haan's signature Nike Air technology. Yep, you heard me right! And, they're dyeable (they come with two swatches for testing). Browse their selection (which start at $298; although my favorite, the Rose Sling comes in at ka-ching $428).

Chandelier Tip: Worried about spending another cent? When you're back from the honeymoon, dye them black! It's like two shoes (and a sneaker) in one gorgeous stiletto.

Sweet City Candy!

Indulging your inner child at Dylan's Candy Bar -- and your credit card? Well, if you're planning to buy your favorite sweets in bulk, look no further than the new supplier Sweet City Candy.

Wholesale pricing once available to retail shops and party planners is now accessible to you, too.
Sweet City Candy carries a full line of bulk candy (swedish fish!), chocolates (the most delish non-pariels ever!), retro candy (we're talking candy lipsticks), nuts & dried fruits, wrapped candy, sugarfree products, packaged candy, count goods, novelties, boxed chocolates, cookies and seasonal products, ice cream toppings, pez dispensers, the list goes on and on.

Note:the prices on this web site are for minimum quantities. You can save by purchasing in full case amounts (bulk items only) please call for details and quantity pricing. Call TOLL FREE 866-971-3360.

(Disclaimer: this site is run by candy guru -- and my oldest childhood friend -- Lauren Sachs...but I use her all of the time for events because the pricing and selection is simply unbeatable.)

Recipe for a Great Party

This weekend, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a close friend's private cooking party to celebrate her birthday at New York City's Rustico Cooking. About 25 of us were invited for an intimate night of Northern Italian cooking and eating in this 4,000-square-foot cooking loft, complete with a state-of-the-art kitchens and spacious dining room, and a spectacular view of the Empire State Building.

We arrived to appetizers and delicious wine, and then teamed up to create a tailor-made menu. My husband and I chose to make the dessert course (semi-freddo) and entree (a Mediterranean sea bass dish), while our counterparts made the appetizer (crispy crab ravioli served over asparagus and mixed greens), and two sides (a spinach-artichoke frittata and roasted fennel). Chef/owner Michol Negrin and her chef Gerry Biordi led us through crafting these delicious eats in an organized, yet fun manner (and I actually learned something!). And then, we dined! On the food we made! And it was good!

I urge you to check this out for your next bridal shower, anniversary party or even corporate teambuilding event (if there are any these days). Call 917-602-1519 or email to inquire about hosting this unique food & wine event at Rustico Cooking. Bon appetit!

Introducing PB& J StaceyCakes

Listen up, sweettooths! My dear friend Stacey Shapiro of Brooklyn's StaceyCakes has introduced me to the best treat since Tiramisu...the PB&J cupcake!

That's right: this Park Slope-mama-meets-gourmet took this classic 1940's lunch staple into what she dubs a "perfectly delicious new “old school” experience." Vanilla cake is injected with real grape jelly topped with creamy peanut butter vanilla frosting--and she's even sharing her StaceyCakes recipe with mini-Martha's like you...

StaceyCakes Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes

12 of your favorite vanilla cupcakes

peanut butter- 1/2 cup (or more depending on how peanut buttery you like it)

butter-1 stick unsalted, soft

vanilla-1 tsp.

confectioners sugar- 2 1/2 cups

light cream -1/4 cup

your favorite grape jelly (or any other flavor you prefer)- 1/2 cup or so--enough to fill a dozen cupcakes

Place butter & peanut butter in a mixing bowl, add 1 1/2 cups sugar, then light cream and then the vanilla. Mix on medium until smooth & creamy. Gradually add remaining sugar and if needed a touch more light cream. Then add more peanut butter to taste if you like.

Put grape jelly in a pastry bag with injecting tip and inject grape jelly into middle of cupcakes (this was the fun part!). Then frost cupcakes with peanut butter frosting then eat & enjoy (this was the most fun part!).

And if you don’t feel up to doing any of this, you can always order them from StaceyCakes (917.545.9995 )! Don't forget to check out other awesome designs in her gallery.

Ring Pillow Redux

It's been a while since I posted an Etsy find--and this precious blue seersucker ring pillow was worth the wait! Totally feminine, absolutely fresh, and perfect for a summer wedding by the sea.

My favorite part of this design: you can customize it! Petal pink or natural wheat more your thing? You've got it. This design comes in a variety of colors, from white-on-white to country red stripes. Plus, you can pick the stud, from a pearl to a vintage cameo. And, at $38, this baby will spark some style down the aisle--without setting your budget on fire.

For more beautiful handmade ring pillows, check out Etsy.com's Ring Pillow gallery.