Event and Dessert Table Styling by Amy Atlas

Lawyer turned dessert table designer and event planner extraordinaire, Amy Atlas creates stylish and sweet displays that quickly become the highlight to any fete’.  I find these images so inspiring! (photos from Amy Atlas)

This particular display was for a corporate event but I can see it working for a sophisticated birthday party or wedding with a black / white color theme.  Some reasons this display looks so fabulous and some keys to creating an impactful dessert display for yourself are listed below:

  • Keep everything (frosting, vases, flowers and linens for example,) strictly within the selected color theme
  • Consider the background.  Where is the table going to be placed and how will the background coordinate?  Consider adding a strip of wallpaper or painted background to a temporary plywood backdrop or framed art piece for example.  Or try lanterns or an ornate mirror in the background for optimal photo ops.
  • Add dimension and think layers.  Place items behind and in front of each other rather than on one boring line and remember to think 3dimensionally by varying the heights to add interest.
  • Vary texture.  Just like when creating an outfit, mixing textures and patterns, creates visual interest.  Here you see a contrast between smooth frosting with bumpy, rough-edged pretzels and intricately patterned chocolates with dotted dice chocolates.
  • Desserts should be different sizes.  Notice how the large modern patterned cake contrasts with the smaller bite-sized pieces.

Have any other tips to creating a memorable dessert table?  Is anyone else inspired to look for excuses to create their own dessert table?

Style Diary: My NEW Styling Project for Glamour.com

I was recently assigned a project by Glamour.com to style from my own closet and email a few photos of outfits I thought would fit with the “hot summer looks” category.  (Could an assignment get any more fun?!)  It is for an upcoming “feature story about scorching hot outfits to try this summer-think flirty, fun, bright or tight…something (I) would wear on a big night out or festive daytime activity.”

Here is an excerpt from the Glamour.com editor:

Please email me back with a few photos of outfits you think would fit with this category, along with fashion credits (what you’re wearing and where you got it) along with a quote about why you think this is a good example of a hot summer outfit or what you love about it. The photos should be fairly hi-res, if possible, and they should be a full-length image of your whole outfit.
We’ll of course include your name, website name & link back to your site in the story, as we have in previous (similar) stories:
 
 

Here is what I just submitted.  Let me know what you think they’ll choose.

Outfit description:

What screams hot summer more than bright, sunny yellow?  I love this dress because it is high on style yet low on price.  I styled the flirty frock by contrasting its bold and feminine look with neutral, edgy accessories and shoes. And I had to add the matching, yellow-titled Glamour Magazine.  What better accessory is there than your favorite read?

 
Outfit description:
dress – by Daisy bought at Necessary Clothing for $36.99
chain stilettos – by Pour La Victoire bought at TJMaxx for $149.99 (normally retailed for $300)
accessories – bought from Accessories Plus, a jewelry boutique in NYC (everything costed only around $50)

 
 
 
Outfit description:
For a hot summer look that is girly glam, something you might see Blair Waldorf in, I pulled this damask printed, jade frilly cocktail dress, added a matching bow clip in my hair and wore my bow shoes.  The chain bracelets are inspired by the Chanel purse which I adore because it came with a detachable pearl chain strap and brocade mini-mirror for touch-ups.
Outfit details:
strapless dress with bow: Phoebe Couture bought at TJ Maxx for about $80
bow hair clip and bracelets:  Claire’s boutique! haha my secret is out.  I love a cheap find!
purse:  Chanel (gift)
patent leather bow heels:  JC (bought at a Korean boutique for around $50)
Outfit description:
This trendy asymmetrical dress with flashes of neon yellow would go great with basic black but for an even more interesting look, I paired it with purple shoes and a green clutch to accent the colors in the print.  Lastly, I attached a sparkly brooch in the letter of my last name to my purse making it all the more personal.  I’m all about mixing the high and low as you can see from the prices below.
Outfit details:
printed dress – BCBG Max Azria bought on sale for $340
green clutch – Liz Clairborne bought at some discount retailer for less than $30
black diamond brooch that I applied to the purse – bought at a Korean boutique
purple shoes – H&M for about $20
drop earrings – bought at Off 5th $80
What’s your favorite?

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