Party We Love: Maddie's Allergy-Free 3rd Birthday Party

Good day, sunshines! When my dear friend Megan Carswell Gladden (ahem, sorority grand sister from my days at UNC Chapel Hill) pinged me a while back about covering her daughter's very first birthday bash (for her third birthday) I knew instantly that this party promised to be super-sweet and super-stylish. But, when Megan explained to me that this party was an extra-special celebration because it was the first time her daughter (who suffers severe food allergies) could enjoy her very own birthday cake (free of fear!), I knew I'd have to share this event with all of you.

Megan made her very own marshmallows, and allergy-free candy bar, and infused every element of this summertime party with her unique sense of style and sass.  I asked Megan to whip up these tips for throwing an allergy-sensitive soiree. I hope you enjoy her stunning photography (which is available to you in Atlanta!). . .and her tried-and-true mother's wisdom:

"Approximately 3 million children younger than 18 have food or digestive allergy in 2007 according to the CDC...One of the biggest challenges that parents of children with food allergies face is planning for their childrens’ birthday parties. Even more difficult, sending their children to others birthday celebrations. Not only do families with food allergy kids have to face hard decisions on an every day basis like eating outside the home, family gatherings, or play dates; we have to be ever vigilant at birthday parties due to the typical presence of the top big 8 allergens. For most, the threat of anaphylaxis and death looms in that slice of cake or the candy on display within arms reach.

As a mom who has seen with my own eyes my daughter’s own brush with death over a small taste of peanut butter at just under 2 years old, it was my mission this year to throw my daughter a beautiful birthday bash that was more a celebration of all she has been through in her little life (dairy, egg, and peanut allergies, ER visits, anaphylactic reactions, and asthma which is a common problem for kids with food allergies) Our goal was to provide all “safe” foods so she could have fun without mom and dad constantly looking over her shoulder and moving bowls from her little hands reach. It took a lot of planning and researching, but, in the end, it was an amazing day for our family.

If you are planning a birthday party or have food allergy kids attending your own child's birthday party, here are a few recommendations and tips that can make all the difference in making the food allergy child and their parents more at ease:

1. Please understand that all we want for our children is to feel normal and just like all the rest of their friends. If possible, take the time to talk with us about what food allergies our kids have and what you can do to help make things easier for us at your party. Please don’t be offended if we ask ahead of time what the cake “theme” or colors will be and what food will be served. Typically most kids with food allergies will have to bring their own special allergy friendly “treat” to eat and if we as their parent can decorate it to match the theme it really helps make the child feel like they are included in the party. Also, please do not be offended if we have to leave before the “ice cream truck” shows up or at the worst decide your party is just too dangerous for our child to attend. We are only making decisions based on the best interest of our children. It is life or death and that is what can be difficult for others to understand.

2 Think “beyond the bakery”. Although the traditional birthday cake or cupcakes will always make an appearance, think about serving items that you know will also be safe for the food allergy kids. At Maddie’s party, besides her nut, dairy, and egg free cake and cupcakes, I made marshmallow sticks with sprinkles that were a huge hit! I also served lots of fruit (watermelon and mixed) and did a candy bar with candy that I knew was safe for Maddie and her friends. Also, for the two friends whose children had food dye allergies and couldn’t partake in those goodies, I bought candy from Yummy Earth (free of allergens, gluten, and artificial dyes) and set up a private candy bar just for them. Small gestures go a long way with these kids. Last, please refrain from setting out things like nuts or chocolate candies that can be easily gotten into by the kids. Instead of colored m&ms’s for our candy bar, we used skittles instead which is safe for Maddie. Also, I believe the best gift “goodie” bags should be filled with non-food items as “take-aways”. Although we did allow the kids to fill their bags with the “safe” candies provided at the party, our bigger focus was on cute hairclips, an Alexander the Elephant food allergy coloring book (provided through FAAN) to teach Maddie’s friends about her allergies, and adorable crayons done in sunshine and butterfly molds to match our theme.

3. Last, keep in mind that your children’s party should always be about his or her friends and the memories they will remember about that party. The focus should not be about the food, but about the games played, the good times with our friends, and the celebration of another year of life. These years are so important in shaping our children and raising them to be compassionate and strong, confident little ones. I truly believe it all begins with how they see their caregivers treating others and especially their friends. Your compassion goes a long way with food allergy kids and their parents. Our day was incredible because we saw Maddie run around like a normal child, interacting with her friends, and smiling from ear to ear as she blew out the candle on her first ever professional “safe” birthday cake. It was a big celebration for many reasons and one in particular that I will never forget…that every day with her is precious and she is in so many ways our little 'sunshine'. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing vendors to pull off Maddie’s birthday party!"

MEGAN'S FAVORITE VENDORS

Cake, Cupcakes, and Cookies       
Cake in the Box Bakery (Atlanta’s only 100% nut free bakery)   
www.cakeintheboxbakery.com

“You are my sunshine” cake/cupcake toppers, party hats, pinwheels, invitations, and thank you notes
Mary Had a little party  www.etsy.com/shop/maryhadalittleparty

Fairy Garden Fancy Printable Labels
The amazing Kim at the TomKat Studio 

www.etsy.com/people/tomkatstudio

Sunshine Rosette t-shirt
Kristina of Modern Frills www.etsy.com/people/modernfrills

Custom Sunshine Cupcake Sugar Toppers
Two Sugar Babies   www.etsy.com/shop/TwoSugarBabies

‘You are my sunshine” banner
Love September www.etsy.com/shop/loveseptember

Tissue paper party poms
www.etsy.com/shop/PartyPoms

Orange Flower hair clip for the birthday girl
Dolce Vita Mia
www.etsy.com/shop/DolceVitaMia
   
Polka dot balloons
www.etsy.com/shop/polkadotmarket

Custom butterfly and star crayons
www.etsy.com/shop/lilbooandco

To view Megan's full gallery at M.C. Gladden Images, click here!

To learn more about food allergies please visit The Food Allergy and Anaphylactic Network (FAAN) at www.foodallergy.org.

Meet Chandelier: NJ BRIDES NIGHT OUT @ The Little Flower Shoppe

Here's a chance to get some bright ideas from Chandelier.


We're so excited that the super stylish gals at Ridgewood, NJ's Little Flower Shoppe have invited us to participate in their super-swank, super-intimate BRIDES NIGHT OUT event in a couple of weeks (Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 6PM). We're teaming up with their incredible designers, and some other likeminded pros including innovative (and chic!) caterer Marion Laraia of Cafe Amici, hair artist Haruo Noro, and invitation designer Meredith McBride Kipp (among others) to show the super-sophisticated set of brides in Bergen County, how to infuse their unique sense of style into their weddings in NJ and Manhattan. 


But hurry up and reserve your spot! This night's got a tight guest list. To RSVP, call (201) 652-7600.


Melissa and I can't wait to see you there! 

We love birch.

It's plain and simple. We are swooning over these beautiful birch creations (all natural, handmade pieces of beauty by Etsy-shop New Hampshire Wood Creations).

While the creative wedding gift card box (and keepsake) was the original piece that caught our eye, we just fell in love with this whole collection of ethereal goodies--mostly because they work in any setting, and all seasons (ski-themed wedding in Aspen? tented summer wedding at the farmhouse? autumnal feast in the barn? spring bridal shower in the conservatory?).

Sweet, naturally.

Finding your Solemate

                                                                                                                                                             Photo: Amy Shey Jacobs/Chandelier Events



Now here's a DIY idea that can work at almost any summer party or beachside soiree (ahem, destination weddings coming up this winter...):

A recent "Chandelier Event" we planned had all the makings of a perfect summer setting: an expansive, meticulously landscaped lawn; a gorgeous pool with room for an illuminated bar; and, well, perfect summer weather.


But our client confessed that the grassy knoll (as beautiful as it was) was cause of concern when it came to the safety of her friends' party shoes. So, we created a flip flop station featuring Havaianas in shades of gold, silver, bronze and summer white -- each tied with a trim of raffia. And for those attendees who preferred to keep their heels on, we supplied these nifty little inventions ("protective high heel caps") called Solemates. To dress it up, we took them out of their packaging and placed them in a hurricane vase (a touch that did not go un-noticed). 

Of course, not everyone can afford to gift their guests Havaianas--but these days, flip flops are on clearance at Old Navy, J. Crew, and lots of places online.

Here's to pampered feet... 

Hot on Houndstooth!

There's been tons of talk about black and white event motifs this week. In fact, three of our most recent clients at Chandelier have chosen black invitations for their soirees--including weddings! We've seen damask on the scene for some time, and polka dots too.

This week, we're feeling something a bit more "haberdashery": houndstooth!  A tad preppy, a tad masculine-meets-feminine--we're all over this pattern. Would make for a great table runner, wouldn't it?

We tried to find a houndstooth wedding cake to no avail (need to put that on the list of to-do's)...but we did discover these divine cookies.

Hmm....all this talk about houndstooth has got me thinking about herringbone.

Baby, Baby, Babyfaces!

 

                                                                                              Photo: Amy Shey Jacobs/Chandelier Events

I mean, really, does it get cuter than these kids? Well, maybe, but only if they're donning faces painted by Sharon Enlow (www.brooklynfacepainter.com). I credit my dear friend and chic urbanite bestie Selene with introducing me to Sharon. In fact, I anxiously await Sharon's presence at Selene's summer birthday parties so that I have some great shots for my own kiddie birthday bashes and holiday cards. 

This past weekend, Selene hosted the ultimate pirates-and-princesses bash for her children (complete with a ship-shaped juice box station, eye patches, and bubble-wrap dance freeze orchestrated by none other than Princess Arielle herself!). And while most of the mates and maids opted for make-up to match their nautical attire--my little guy opted for his own idea of mighty captain--Spiderman. 

Just had to share these photos I snapped! Don't you just want to jump into the shots and kiss their little faces. I melt!

And the ISES Big Apple Best Invitation of 2009 Award goes to....

We were so excited when we received news from our friend Lisa Ceci Hoffman of Manhattan's most exclusive couture invitation design house Ceci New York that the invitation and stationary suite we dreamed up together for Lori & David's wedding WON The 9th Annual ISES Big Apple Award for "Best Invitation of the Year".

                                                                    Photos by Shawn Connell of Christian Oth Studio

It was just about this time last year that I took my client Lori to visit Ceci New York.  She tasked me with finding just the right vendor do something luxe, yet totally out-of-the-box for her five-star farm wedding--without it being a "Hoe Down!". I knew that Ceci would be just the right partner to design Lori's wedding invitation.

Lori is famous for her annually-televised holiday cards often featuring her friend Regis Philbin and co-workers at LIVE! With Regis & Kelly and her dog Molly. We all shared a laugh as we quickly put a nix on sending a carton of eggs (not quite right, would ya say?). But a simple flat card -- not matter how beautifully letterpressed -- simply wouldn't be up for the job of inviting Lori and David's friends and families to their Blue Hill at Stone Barns nuptials, home of the James Beard-winning chef Dan Barber. The invitation had to be as special as the venue.

Was it a trifold card tied together with a golden pitch fork? Nah. Was it a bottle of wine? Not quite right (although Lisa has designed some amazing oenophile suites). 

And then it hit me--I said, half jokingly to Lisa, "can we brand -- as in burn -- the text of a formal invitation on a slab of wood?!" And, of course, Ceci said, "Absolutely!". And so a star was born. Lisa pulled out a number of wood samples, a box it could be packaged in, and a bound of raffia that would appear as hay. The companion cards were letterpressed with a map leading up to the famous farm at Stone Barns, and invitations to the satellite parties of the weekend. And just like that, we had a winner!

Lori and I felt like we hit invitation gold. Lori suggested a Farmer's Almanac would be a great theme for the Save the Date. Done. Lisa even found a way to get a silhouette of Lori's beloved Molly into the design. The designs were used for Lori's beautiful Ketubah:

Then came the escort cards. Lori and I tasked Lisa to create seed packet labels (tables were named after farm fresh produce, of course!) and the beautiful result was an escort table created by my team at Chandelier Events (who filled every last seed packet) and carefully placed them into individual pins into an antique trough filled with lentils created by the ever-fabulous Matthew Robbins!

Instead of table numbers or traditional name cards--I thought of belly bands on the menus--and Ceci designed the most beautiful belly bands I've seen featuring the same colorful etchings on the seedling escort cards. 

And, finally, the ceremony pieces (even the ketubah!) -- Lisa created the most beautiful programs that opened like the gates to the farm that mimicked the aisle that Lori walked down as she entered the courtyard for the twilight ceremony.

Needless to say, we are SO excited to see that Ceci New York was recognized for this stunning work....and thrilled that our creative vision was a thrill at the ISES Big Apple Awards. Here's the whole suite in a single shot!

See more of Ceci's work and sign up for her new online style publication, CECISTYLE, that's launching later this fall!

And we cannot wait to show you some amazing location-based details we're dreaming up for some events we've got in the cue at Chandelier. Stay tuned!