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Events

School of Styling comes to Evia Lifestyle Center

If  you enjoy entertaining and throwing parties, and you live in the metro, I am sure you have heard of  The School of Styling. 

Usually, SOS holds their workshops in the north. Mostly, I see them in Makati, and while I don’t mind going to Makati for events, unfortunately, my schedule just has not coincided with some of the events that they have held in the past.

Luckily, last week, I was able to join one of their FREE workshops here in the south at the Evia Lifestyle Center. It is super close to our place, and some of my friends were going to be there as well, so I was really looking forward to the time we would have together learning more about how to style our own dessert buffets at home.

Indy Ycasiano is the creative half of School of Styling while she has a business partner who does the logistical, marketing side. Together, this tag team momma duo has churned out a series of events and workshops that every DIY’er would surely benefit from. Plus, we all know that DIY’ers like doing things together too! It’s where we find our inspiration…with each other…

If you would like to style your own dessert buffet at home the first decision you need to make is whether you would like an ASYMMETRICAL or SYMMETRICAL table.

Gelli's first birthday dessert buffet is a great example of an asymmetrical table.

Gelli’s first birthday dessert buffet is a great example of an asymmetrical table.

Even if my dessert table is asymmetrically designed, I still kept the cake as the focal point.

After all, the cake is the star of the show!

Our theme for Gelli's first birthday was based on a poem by Neil Gaiman, called Blueberry Girl.

Our theme for Gelli’s first birthday was based on a poem by Neil Gaiman, called Blueberry Girl.

 

Isn’t this one beautiful? It was just as delicious as it looks too. I loved that I was able to collaborate with Joanna from Cuppy Puppy for this dessert table too! She is amazing! She gets really busy though, and understands the balance between life and work balance, so if you don’t book her in advance, she might not be able to fill your order.

 

 

Attending the first @schoolofstylingph workshop in the south! There are slots still open for the afternoon workshops (2:30pm & 5:00pm) here at @evialifestylecenter. But sign up early bc slots are limited ? • • • #schoolofstylingph #thelittlewhisk #shedreamsinink #diy #dessertbuffet #southsnippets #cake #sweets #vistacity #evialifestylecenter

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Aug 23, 2016 at 7:58pm PDT

This photo from the day of the event at Evia Lifestyle Center, shows what a symmetrical table would look like. 

But no matter whether your table is symmetrical  or not, it is also important to not overload your buffet. You want to put a small sampling of all your desserts without putting all your 150 cupcakes on the table. You can make this easier on yourself, by having waiters or house help refill your sweet treats as the party goers enjoy the desserts.

You must remember, your dessert buffet is a showcase so, less is more.

Indy also shared that she finds it easier to sketch her table first. This makes so much sense doesn’t it?

You can achieve an even nicer look for your table by using different serving platters of different heights. 

image

This simple dessert table for Gia’s Red White and Blue themed birthday party was a combination of home made treats and caramel apples from Palms Country Club.

Don’t you just love how the different heights of the desserts give the buffet so much more depth? You can read more about how I put this birthday party on the piece that I wrote for Rappler to share my DIY tricks.

Even from afar, the eye is drawn both up by the tissue pom poms, and down by the custom ruffled table cloth.

Even from afar, the eye is drawn both up by the tissue pom poms, and down by the custom ruffled table cloth.

Another way you can add height is by using items you can hang from the ceiling or on the wall. This draws the eye up as well. Think flowers, tissue balls, balloons, or even candles.

I think with any dessert table planning and executing the idea is to Keep Calm and Carry On. We don’t want to get overwhelmed. This can mean collaborating and using different vendors for your desserts. Or this can mean something as simple as not putting everything out on the table all at once.

Here are some more tips when putting together dessert buffets large and small.

1.Consider your tablecloth/fabric. Use something interesting that fits with your theme. 

P1010348copy

Photo Credit: Janelle Barretto Squires

For example, for Gia’s 11th Birthday Party in the Mad Hatter Theme, the dessert table and dining table were all in one. I made tea sandwiches, bought a ton of tableware from Dapitan, ordered snacks and sweets from Palms Country Club and Cupcakes by Sonja, and borrowed the table cloth and accessories from Sonja as well. Doesn’t the black and white diamond tablecloth fit the theme perfectly?

2. Look for Printables ONLINE. There are lots of sites where you can download FREE printable clipart, or even ready made cellophane bag toppers and cupcake toppers. If you want someone else to do it for you, you can visit Ace Printing in BF Homes.

I was so thankful that my friend Vangie, was there to help me set up the dessert buffet. Sometimes, we just need a little help from our friends to execute great ideas!

All the printables from the stickers on the bamboo spoons, the cello bag toppers for the cookies, and the stickers for the lollis made my life so much easier because the online seller delivered them straight to my home! Photo Credit: KSnaps

You can also check out this Halloween post where my friend Tina found some printables online that she adjusted to fit what we needed for the collaboration on the dessert table.

3. It’s easy to add buntings and garlands that will add a bit of whimsy texture to your table. You can make these ahead of time, or order from Party in a Box from Maricel over at A Sweet Cottage. 

 

Elephant sweet treats buffet?? #asweetcottage #dessertbuffet #elephant #happywork #thankful #blessings

A photo posted by Maricel Mendoza (@asweetcottage) on Feb 15, 2015 at 1:00am PST

If you are feeling crafty and have the time, this is something you can do by yourself too!

4. Every dessert table has to have a backdrop. This backdrop can be the wall itself, if it has a detail that fits your theme. Or it can be made from plywood, pegboard, canvas or styrofoam. If you have a pipe and drape system you can just change the cloth according to your themed colors and reuse them again and again.

This is that same Halloween themed dessert table I did for the SoMoms one year that I mentioned up above where Tina created printables that coincided with our theme.

Here is what we came up with using the above peg for our inspiration.

This table was a collaboration between Gia, myself, Tina and Cai.

Thanks to the help of my friend Maricel (again) Gia and I were able to just use plain black cloth to pull this spooky look off.

Truth is, I always enjoy putting dessert tables together with the help of others. Everything is more fun with friends, right? Usually, Gia and I decide what we will bake to supplement what ever cake we will order. But even in the smallest of details, sometimes I need help from my friends. 

Check out the dessert buffet our team put together with all the readily available styling accessories on hand :-)

Check out the dessert buffet our team put together with all the readily available styling accessories on hand 🙂 Photo Credit: SOS

If you are planning to create your own dessert buffet at home, I have put together a small list of vendors that I love to use for our parties and gatherings. I have ordered from all of these wonderful bakers personally, and can vouch for the work that they do. I am a firm believer that what we like to eat should be equally as pretty as it is yummy. 

And, if you live in the south and are into doing things yourself? aka a southern DIY’er??? 

You should definitely check out the next sessions of the School of Styling at Evia Lifestyle Center. 

Oh. And if you do visit Evia, make sure to check out Another Story. We had lunch there after our workshop with the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed my Salted Caramel Cheesecake.

https://www.facebook.com/School-Of-Styling-Philippines

For Sugar Cookies and Cake Pops:
The Little Whisk

Desserts:
Pastry Armoire
Cuppy Puppy
Cupcakes by Sonja’s

Flowers:
Flowers By Aga

DIY Party in a Box:
Maricel Mendoza of A Sweet Cottage

For Printables, bag toppers, poster and more:
Ace Printmaster in BF Homes

Fun Paper Products and crafty supplies:
Paper Chic Studio

Photographers:
Jay Santos Photography
K-Snaps
The Little People 
Photography by Lianne

 

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Waterside @solaireresort’s BBQ Brunch Buffet has Waterside @solaireresort’s BBQ Brunch Buffet has all the southern fixings and more.

Grilled and smoked meats. Seafood and mixed drinks. Fried chicken and fish and chips. Starters include fresh salads, corn bread, nachos and more. But the kicker comes in the form of a Make Your Own Milkshake bar, and YES, you can order it spiked with your favorite liquor! 

Waterside is only one of quite a few restaurants that you can enjoy  beautiful weekend brunches with your favorite person, the fam bam, or your friends. 

Check out www.mommanmanila.com to see the full menu and what Nino and I enjoyed most.
Creating food together is one of our love language Creating food together is one of our love languages. We flow in the kitchen. I get excited and move too fast, and she grounds me, and slows things down. We can move around one another while still staying in sync. In our own kitchen, there is music that guides us and sets the tone for the meal. Gelli would be in the mix, the boys will set the table, someone makes dessert, and maybe @manila.gent  makes a drink. 

When we prepare our table together there is so much that goes into the process and the ingredients. This mindful movement brings me so much joy when we are all together.

Even more so when we attend classes together to learn new dishes too.  @themayakitchen1 has regular classes offering cooks of all abilities to learn something new when preparing meals for for our families.

Check out my new article on @rappler for @kitchen143 where Gia and I learned from Chef @cocoyventura a few new Pinoy dishes that will definitely be on rotation for #TeamGellibean.

Link in my profile: 

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/kitchen-143-learning-lovelokal-the-maya-kitchens-cooking-classes/
Crispy Pata. Is there anything better than perfec Crispy Pata.

Is there anything better than perfectly brined crispy fried pork? 

@manila.gent and I visited @viicsrestaurantph for simple Pinoy fare that hit the spot. Admittedly, after moving here so many years ago, I took a while to warm up to this dish that is one of Nino’s (and my mom’s) favorites. But every once in a while-I won’t feel guilty about indulging in this deep fried treat.

Happy to learn that we can also order for when Mom arrives through @foodpanda_ph too!
The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their doors! @manila.gent and I were privileged to visit the hotel on Friday night with some new friends and we were both so excited to explore some new digs in Manila.

Looking forward to bringing the family back soon!
We were a little early for therapy this morning, s We were a little early for therapy this morning, so @gelliaventajado got to spend a little time with @grace_loedin!

@thevanguardacademyph is still open for enrollment in their summer program, and has a full staff for all therapies and interventions. We really love her school and all of the faculty and staff. It makes a huge difference when you have confidence in the people you leave your child with for learning!
Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappl Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappler now!

Link in my profile!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/kitchen-143-dreaming-greece-try-making-easy-whipped-feta-dip/
Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGu Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGuardia, was picked up by one of my dearest friends and spent the entire day at the beach just catching up on LIFE.

It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

Just like I did, sitting in that beach chair, feeling the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, and watching the seagulls pick and the seaweed.

Thank you Candy! For the friendship, for dropping everything to come and pick me up. Drive me around and have dinner with me and Fayth. 

Wishing I was sitting on this beach with you right now!!!
Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of ma Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of many dishes that we enjoyed during #SundayBrunch at Waterside in @solaireresort .

From cornbread, to mom’s potato salad, melt in your mouth whisky cured short ribs, homemade sausages and more. This #BrunchBuffet had @manila.gent and I rolling each other out the door!

Hard to choose which was our favorite from the feast that was set before us!

Brunch is inclusive of some delicious drinks, some Southern smoked and BBQ Fare, and a most colorful sweet dessert buffet by way of Milkshake Bar!
Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy by @lumosprojector_ph!

Summer Lovin’ ain’t over for #TeamGellibean. Hop on over to www.mommanmanila.com to read my full review on how easy this #homeprojector is to use when you want to watch your favorite family film!!

Gelli and I have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Grease, and BTS Videos. Up next? The Sound of Music! 

Want to have your own #LUMOSRAYProjectoe delivered to your home? Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway, too!

Link in my profile!

https://www.mommanmanila.com/lumos-ray-projector-review/
Missing my @migaventajado The short time I had w Missing my @migaventajado 

The short time I had with this guy in Florida was definitely something I will look back on. Wish we had more time to explore and do some fun things on our own.

Gah. How is this kid 20 years old already?
I remember when he was little and he loved peanut butter, chicken nuggets, Kylie Minogue, and sitting on my lap. He was squishy, in tune with my feelings, and I was always worried that he might have an asthma attack in his sleep so I would nebulize him every few hours. He always looked at new experiences with gratitude and wonder, much how he did while we were in FL together.😍

Praying he continues to strengthen his faith as he grows. 🙏🏻👨🏻🙌🏻

Miss you Miggy!
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