HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WE!!!

Nope, that's not a typo. Because today is coco+kelley's birthday, and it's no longer just me around here - it's definitely a 'we'! Between contributors, all you fabulous readers, amazing interns, supportive friends, and fellow bloggers, I've had a lot of help in growing this blog and business in the past year. It's officially a team effort, and we're officially celebrating!

I launched coco+kelley in May of 2007... which means we're heading into our 5th year around here with some very exciting plans. We'll start by adding a few more contributors, moving into offices by the end of the summer, giving the blog a little facelift, and bringing you more original shoots produced in collaboration with some very talented Seattle friends. Are you excited yet?? I hope you'll continue join me along the way!

Thank you for being a part of this incredibly journey! Who knew when I started this blog four years ago what it would be today? I couldn't be here without all of you!

*images via unkown, {this is glamorous} and paul costello

THE FETE...

I've been teasing you all with shots from my birthday dinner over the weekend, and am so excited to finally share them with you! Shall we begin with some bubbly...?

When my 30th started to approach, I knew that I wanted to celebrate it with an intimate dinner for my closest friends, and that I wanted it to be perfectly 'me'. I started out thinking that I wanted mostly black and white with metallics for the tabletop, but when I saw the cover of the latest Martha Stewart Weddings, I knew that a pop of pink and red would add the perfect punch of color!

My second piece of inspiration? The gorgeous Kate Spade heels that I barely snatched up before they disappeared forever. Their multicolored glitter reminded me to add that touch of playfulness to the table... in fact, I'd say the entire look was influenced by that infamous Kate Spade style.

And here it is!! The gorgeous tabletop! (If I do say so myself.) It's exactly what I envisioned in my head and I couldn't believe how well it turned out considering that the pieces all came together that morning. 


Of course, I couldn't have done it without the help of some very talented and wonderful people, like my florist, McKenzie Powell (whose arrangements are still making me smile sitting on my desk as I write this post!) and my photographer Char Beck who obviously did a fantastic job!


I also couldn't have completed this look without the help of my good friend Sheena who owns a boutique rental company called Totally Tabletops. Her polka dots made the setting! I'm lucky enough to have restaurant in my family - my father owns a little Italian place called Rialto here in Seattle - and he was kind enough to let me take over for the day.... and night. (What are dad's for, right?) And finally... a HUGE thank you to my amazing intern, Jennie, who basically just kicks ass at being my right hand gal. 

I'll be putting more photos up on the coco+kelley facebook page later today - there are so many good ones it was hard to choose and I want to share them all, so be sure to swing by this afternoon!

Thank you all for your birthday wishes, and there will be plenty more birthday celebrating to come this week!

xoxo,
cassandra

IT'S BIRTHDAY WEEK!!

Hellloooooo party girls and boys! This weekend was a fabulous kickoff to my birthday week (with my real birthday being tomorrow!) and I can't wait to show you the photos!

We'll also be celebrating around here with giveaways every day and lots of pretty little things, because that's what birthdays should be all about! Presents and pretties!

(Like loads of pink balloons and dreamy party frocks!)

So pour yourself a little glass of champagne, slip on some sassy heels, and get ready for some fun as we celebrate birthdays and get ready for Halloween too!

xoxo,
cassandra

IT'S PARTY TIME...

I've spent all day running around in preparation for this weekend's birthday celebration! The tabletop is set, the champagne is chilling and the mani pedi's are scheduled. Now it's time for a quiet night in before the celebration tomorrow!




One thing you can bet on... lots of shimmer!

Have a fabulous weekend my loves! I wish you could all be there with me to celebrate... but of course I'll be sharing lots of photos next week.

xoxo,
the birthday girl

*images by craig mcdean

IT'S MY PARTY...

A few weeks ago I shared with you the initial inspiration board for my birthday... well, since then let's just say I've decided to glam things up a little more with some rockstar personality and punches of color...

Still thinking that the palette will be a lot black and white with touches of metallic, but I'm also wanting to incorporate some vivid reds and pinks too! Plans are underway for a festive tabletop for the intimate dinner and a little transformation of the venue we'll be taking over for the after party. I can't wait to share it all with you!

*images via lonny mag, the chanel paris-shanghai collection, she is frank, tom binns and kate spade

HAVING A BALL: A SWANK HOUSEWARMING WITH KEVIN SHARKEY

So, the post that should have gone up on Monday, had I not hiding in bed with the flu (thank you for all your well-wishes!) would have let you know that it's just under two months until my 30th birthday. (Yikes!)  And I've decided that the only good thing about this, of course, is the the chance to put together a fabulous little soiree!

Well, as timing would have it I found my first bit of inspiration in the housewarming party Kevin Sharkey (SVP and Executive Editorial Director of Decorating for Martha Stewart Living and Executive Creative Director, Merchandising for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia!) threw as a part of his big apartment reveal. What I love about Kevin's style is that it's eternally tasteful but surprisingly playful at the same time...


Kevin set a swanky mood with metallic balloons covering the ceiling and a bathtub filled with Veuve and lined with nibbles. And, if you're going to party in the bathroom, you might as well make the shower a lovely little scene of indulgence with piles of Hermes boxes, right? (I might prefer mine filled with birthday gifts, since my one lonely box may not do the job.)

The tiers of Oreo cookies literally takes the cake as one of my favorite details of the party. Topped with sparklers it's such a fun (and pretty!) way to indulge in a childhood favorite (complete with milk, of course!).

But the best part has to be the entertainment for the evening...

The most glamorous game of ping pong I think I've ever seen in my life! Keeping score on mirrors with Chanel lipstick? Yes please! (Did you notice that gorgeous reflected view?) Monogrammed orange paddles? Naturally. A dirty martini, sparkly little cocktail dress (that's Alexis Stewart, by the way!) and a killer serve completes the night.

So, what is it exactly that I'm inspired by for my own party? The ability to combine this fun and casual atmosphere with cocktail attire and glamour, of course! Sounds a little bit like my interior design style, no? Well, plans are in the works and I'm not going to give anything away just yet, but here's a little more of a peek at some ideas...

Silver straws, gold lined cupcakes, dancing the night away, maybe some balloons a la Sharkey and a decadent deco feel. Stay tuned my dears... the countdown is on!

*photography courtesy of martha stewart, straws via brook farm, cupcake photo via flickr, invitation design by hello tenfold