Snow White Table Design

I am a purger by nature. When something has completed its use in my house, out it usually goes. I am now in the mist of retiring many of my older table settings and princess costumes to make room for the new ones. Yesterday I spent the day with my photographer Sam, who was photographing some of my new designs. Here's a picture of the new Snow White table that I designed a couple of months ago. It will eventually have a few more subtle components added to it, but I was able to put this together for a last minute party. Everything centered around the owl tea set. When I found it, I new that it would be perfect for this theme. The fabulous centerpiece was designed by my favorite local floral designer. I wanted something with a woodland feel to it. The pot looks like a tree stump and there is dried hydrangea, lichen, moss, faux burch, twigs and branches and mushrooms in it. The table linen is a silvery blue, taffeta-like fabric which compliments the plates, owl cups and centerpiece perfectly. I have to say that I really love this design!

The Gown!

While during one of my buying trips a few weeks ago, I found this fabulous gown that I purchased for my faerie Nicole to wear next fall. Unfortunately though, it did not fit as she tried it on during Sunday's photo shoot. I immediately realized though that it was meant for Lisa instead. Look how absolutely beautiful she looks in it. I had tears in my eyes as she modeled it for all of us.

Behind the Scenes

Terri, Jennifer & Snow White

This past Sunday, my CC Partner and I, held our 2nd annual CC gathering at Meadowood Resort, in St. Helena. This is the 2nd year that we've been fortunate enough to meet at Meadowood with our staff. The day was simply amazing. Every now and then the stars will align together and things will magically unfold--this was the case for us. The weather was perfect, the food delicious, and the setting of course stunning. We all felt like kids that were given the keys to Disney Land, as we were granted access to this magical place all day. This year's focus was a photo shoot. Hiring Scott Fischbein, a San Francisco based photographer, our shoot lasted over 8 hours! As we slowly sort through the photos, they are amazing and we cannot wait to add them to our sites.

Fairytale Brought to Life

Rachael Weisz as Snow White

Every morning I wake up to a picture of Rachael Weisz dressed as Snow White. This picture is what I use as my computer's screen saver; I just think it's the best. It is from a collection of photos taken by Photographer Annie Liebowitz, for Disney's Year of a Million Dreams campaign.Below are some others that I really like. Which one is your favorite? And which one do you think is most truthful to their character?

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens as Aurora and Prince Phillip

Scarlet Johannsen as Cinderella

Julianne Moore as Ariel and Michael Phelps as merman


Jennifer Biels as Pocohantas

Introducing Our Gentle Clown

Up until now, my party themes have been designed for children ages 4 through 10. Lately however, I have been receiving a number of calls for 1st Birthdays and for parties for children 3 and under. So when one of my clients in Sausalito called me and asked if I would provide a clown for her younger daughter's second birthday, I decided to do it. Since I did not offer that character at the time or have a whole lot of time to plan, I immediately conferred with my CC Partner, Jennifer, and the two of us quickly sent the 911 emergency call to our seamstress and the three of us designed a costume together. Here are a couple of pictures from that day.

Just What I Needed

Things did not look very good for me this morning. Between my kids arguing before school, DH getting upset, and computer issues, I just wanted to run and hide. However after fixing the computer and being able to get back online, I opened a bunch of waiting emails. On Sunday, I hosted a Garden Faerie party for a little girl named Nadine, in Marinwood. These are the emails from both her mother and grandmother and thought I would share them because they just made my day--if not week.

"Terri, yesterday I was trying to think of how I could put into words how wonderful you and Fairy Willow made Nadine's birthday party so amazingly enchanting. Our children, our family, our friends were still talking about the party, at home, at work, and after work. I would also like to thank you for allowing the adults to be included in the Garden Fairie fun--this too made the party even more extroadinary. Your company seems to be a gift of just what is needed in the world today, keeping the innocent imagination alive in all of us."

Susan (Nadine's Grandmother)

"Terri, I have to admit when my mom told me about this idea for Nadine's birthday, I was a bit put off. I pictured a fake fairy arriving to greet my girls, and some silly games and that was it. I NEVER in my wildest dreams could have planned a more perfect party, and to have a REAL LIFE FAIRY was just the greatest gift for my 5 and 3 year old. Fairy Willow was just amazing. The girls absolutely loved her, the games, the magic, the face painting. My 3 year old has NEVER sat so still and been in such awe. Her magic fairy she caught in the garden (activity we did) has gone everywhere with her. It slept with her last night, went to daycare today, and the magic she performed last night left them talking till they fell asleep. The stories and experience will last a lifetime. Truly, truly the best birthday ever. And please thank Willow for painting the adult faces too, they absolutely loved being involved. Thank you so much!

Alicia Marie
(Nadine and Kerri's Mom)