Wednesday 10 November 2010

{yummy mummy - Katie from 'The Ivory Social'}

{Samuel’s first birthday party - Delicious Bee dessert table}

{mini bee pops}

Hi lovelies, tonight we have another fabulous {guest blogger/yummy mummy}, I would like you to meet the super talented party stylist Katie from {The Ivory Social}.

There is a huge focus right now on styling the perfect dessert table, having said that Katie has executed every event to perfection. I’m loving the {Bee} party that Katie styled for her son's Samuel 1st birthday. The yellow and grey palette is divine as well as the honeycomb backdrop, the mini bee pops, the adorable cupcakes, the honey macaron tower, the homemade honeycombs and did i meantion that this amazing party was featured on AMY ATLAS BLOG! {congrats}.

Katie celebrated {Halloween} in style with this amazingly spooky dessert table. Divine colour palette, amazing styling, gorgeous glitter pumpkin, marshmallow ghost tower, handmade tissue backdrop were just some of the highlights for me. And we can't forget to mention this gorgeous ruffled table skirt {made by Katie herself}, which is part of her signature look.

Below i have handpicked a selection of Katie's favourite styled parties. Thanks Katie for being our {special guest} on MLJ blog today!

Enjoy the interview below! xx

{Spooky Halloween Dessert Table}
{dusted ghost pops, marshmallow tower & oreo spiders}

Tell us a little about YOU, the woman behind The Ivory Social?
I am a mother to two fabulous little boys (who sometimes drive me a little nuts), wife to the most beautiful, kindest man (who supports my love of gimmicks), and owner of The Ivory Social- a bespoke party styling company.
I am a control freak…who vacuums everyday- not too sure why as the three darlings (yes husband included) think the floor is the place for everything.
I made at least 15 batches of macarons before I was happy with the perfect little lovlies- and have mastered….for now
I love to entertain- enough said who does not
I love to make lots of different foods, cakes, sweets etc- but don’t eat any of it.

When did you launch your business/website/blog?
After I had my first son 4.5 years ago, I started an accessory business called Pink Theodore, I did this up until my second son was born and felt a little “bowed” out. I taught a few girls how to make some hair accessories and they are now quite the popular little bow makers now.
I started styling parties about 3 years ago, it has been very busy, hectic and crazy. Being the control freak, I tend to do everything myself from the design concept, the tag design, the food prep, making the cakes, the sewing and all of the other fun things that go along with it.
I am about to launch my interiors website (completely on another avenue to anything else)- it is called TheodoreMade and will stock some amazing pieces from all over the world as well as come custom made pieces.

What was your inspiration for starting your own business & who/what inspires your work?
The party styling is definitely a word of mouth thing. People seen some of my work through friends and then booked a party and then their friends.
I am frequently asked to make cakes, but I have absolutely no training what so ever in cake making, it is the work of wise old Google that has taught me much of what I know!

I am continuously learning and always inspired. I think there are SO many talented Aussie ladies out there at the moment- Sharnel Dollar Designs, Tracey Lau, Scissors Paper Cake, Juli from Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats. Overseas obviously Amy Atlas, The City Cradle, The Caketress (Oh gosh Lori is amazing!)- this list could go on forever!

I am continuously inspired by interior designers too- I think Kelly Wearstler is the bees knees, Jonathan Adler, Sarah Richardson- locally I cannot pass Black & Spiro- these are the people who ignited the passion for interiors in me, hence the store (TheodoreMade) and why I am studying Interior Design next year!

What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
Apart from meeting some very talented girls who make me squeal with such happiness, the kids at these parties just stare with such wide eyed amazement, it is the most innocent and beautiful thing. At our Halloween party, I overheard our beautiful friends daughter whisper to the my son, “this is the best day ever, I’ll remember it forever”. Creating memories that will grow with the child is the best and most satisfying part.

What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?
AMY ATLAS!!!!! When I got the email saying she wanted to feature the bee party, I almost hyperventilated. Everyone was asleep, it was 11:30 at night, and I could not stop smiling.

Can you tell us your favourite handmade item you have brought recently?
I recently bought some Little Green Apple bows, they were divine- have not taken the “katie” bow out- the colours are gorgoues! I also bought a Mookah pouffe thing for my sons bedroom. Mon Tresor also made some custom headbands for me which are stunning!

What are your long term goals for your business?
I am trying to limit the amount of parties I take on due to time constraints and the new business venture. Long term goals would be to set up the store for TheodoreMade.
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling online?
I think advertising, whilst expensive, really does pay off. Persevere, you may not have a gazillion sales in the first week, but once people realise your products are amazing they will stick with you, SERVICE is key and always communicate with your customers.

Name your three favourite party themes and tell us what do you love about them?
Oh gosh- I have two boys, but am such a girly girl. I love it when I get to style girl parties.
I love a good tea party, I think bee parties are great and are gender neutral and I seen a party with balloons and hot air balloons and rusty keys and pinwheels and goodness knows what theme it was but it was heaven!

Do you have a favourite trend?
I think you cannot go past a ruffle. Put it on a cake, table skirt, carnation LOVE!

What is your favourite place in the world?
Hahahah wrong person to ask, I have a husband who travels the world all the time, but the furtherst I have been is Noosa :)
I cannot wait to experience travel with my family. I want to take them to watch me shoe shop in New York, shoe shop in Paris, and watch a shoemaker make some more shoes for me in Italy :)

If you could be a super hero or cartoon character who would it be?
Maybe Brittany the chipmonk- I definitely sound like one on our answering machine!

Info:
{The Ivory Social}
{TheodoreMade}


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{Tyler's 4th birthday party - Circus Elephant Dessert Table}

{Easter Dessert Table}

{Deamy High Tea Dessert Table}

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