The City Sage

DIY Valentine's Tabletop: The Details

As promised, here's the scoop on how to recreate this incredible Valentine's Day tabletop designed exclusively for The City Sage by Kelly Oshiro Events. Aren't you amazed at all the clever details and budget-friendly ideas that Kelly came up with for this project?

The candlesticks cost $3 each at Michael's crafts, with another $2 for paint to match the color palette. All the crepe paper for the tablecloth and chairs was $3. To make the chair decorations, simply fold strips of crepe paper accordion style, then cut a heart shape--making sure to leave a point of connection in the folds so the hearts will be attached.

For the tablecloth, cut lengthwise and crosswise strips of crepe paper according to the size of your table. Lay out the long pieces and secure each at one end of the table using double-sided tape. Place books about half way down the table to keep the pieces in place. Weave in the first crosswise strip using an 'over/under' pattern, and glue each intersection of crepe paper with a glue stick. Continue to weave crosswise strips down the length of the table, gluing as before and moving the books as needed.

Says Kelly, "I love using translucent plates when something interesting is going on with the table linens." In this case we chose pink Depression Glass, which is surprisingly plentiful and affordable on the vintage scene; Kelly bought the stemware for $5 on eBay, and the plates are from a set I found at Goodwill for $12. Kelly layered wooden hearts (Michaels, $3 for 12) between the plates for an extra Valentine's Day touch.

Finally, Kelly used the existing pegboard on her wall to make this carnation heart. But you could do this at home with a piece of foam core cut to your desired shape and size--carnations are surprisingly sturdy to work with and can withstand some manhandling.

A huge thank you to Kelly of Kelly Oshiro Events for her time, her creativity, and her generous spirit. What a delight it was to collaborate with her! For more inspiration check out her blog and her featured work on Style Me Pretty. And also thanks to Tim Halberg Photography for capturing this project through his talented lens. Together the two of them have made my Valentine's Week a very happy one indeed!

Styling: Kelly Oshiro for The City Sage
Photos: Tim Halberg for Kelly Oshiro and The City Sage

DIY Valentine's Day Tabletop with Kelly Oshiro Events!

I'm more excited about this than anything else I've ever posted--it's my first editorial collaboration! And I owe it all to the amazing Kelly Oshiro of Kelly Oshiro events, who created this tabletop exclusively for us here at The City Sage.

Valentine's Day has so many different facets, and so much potential for crafting and decorating; it can be girly or glam, playful or punchy, sweet or simple. Kelly and I wanted to explore a look that went beyond hearts and roses to the true meaning the day: chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!

Of course while we were at it, we had to include plenty of scrumptious eye candy and easy, budget friendly DIY's. This entire spread was executed for about $60 using materials available at the craft store and around the house. My jaw dropped when Kelly showed me the final result!

Stay tuned later today for more photos and on how to get the look--including the DIY for Kelly's incredible woven crepe paper tablecloth. And in the meantime, tell me: what's your favorite spin on Valentine's Day decorating?

Update: More images and instructions here!

Styling: Kelly Oshiro for The City Sage
Photos: Tim Halberg for Kelly Oshiro and The City Sage

Prettiest Shop Ever: Cako Bakery in San Francisco!

Just in case you need a reason to visit the City by the Bay--other than a waffle date with yours truly, of course!--then Cako Bakery  is that reason. From the pink polka-dot walls to the cupcake chandelier suspended from the ceiling, and from the mouthwatering scents that fill the air to the rows of scrumptious sweets, Cako stimulates your senses while it satisfies your sweet tooth!

Just a tiny bunny hop from Union Square, Cako opened last fall and has been calling my name ever since. I don't need much (okay, any) persuasion to eat sugar, but an appeal to my girly side never hurts. If you have stylish stationery with swirls and squiggles in my favorite color, I'm yours for life.

  

Just in case you can't make it to San Francisco in time for a Valentine's Day cake-a-thon with me, you can still gain inspiration from this decor---wouldn't it make for a fresh and cheerful party theme? Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mini red velvet to eat...

Cako Bakery is located at 211 O'Farrell Street in San Francisco. All photos are by me!

How To Wear It Valentine's Day Edition: Kate Spade Spring 2010

The Look: Punchy Galoshes The Occasion: Turning a rained-out picnic into a puddle hopping party.
The Look: Tied with a Bow The Occasion: Smuggling caramel marshmallows into the cineplex.

The Look: Slim and Spotted The Occasion: Location scouting for completion of college tradition #3.*
The Look: Stripes on the Horizon The Occasion: Playing hopeless tourist to his hunky, knowing local.

The Look: Miss Hoodie The Occasion: Beating his pants off--literally--in a game of strip ping-pong.
The Look: Cuff 'Em The Occasion: 'Accidentally' crossing paths in every aisle of the grocery store.

The Look: Pinwheel Tweed The Occasion: Revealing your un-granniest granny panties.
The Look: Grape Arm Candy The Occasion: Stealing his heart by route through his stomach.

The Look: Cardigan Shenanigan The Occasion: Making casual/calculated eye contact on the Q train.
The Look: Sunny Ruffles The Occasion: Sneaking into his backyard after gleaning his address from a United Way fundraising list (not that I know anyone who's engaged in such heinous behavior!)

*When asked if he partook of traditions 1 and 2 during his oat-sowing years, Huz scoffs and replies, 'Multiple times.' We never had the courage for number 3.

All images courtesy of Kate Spade.

A Few Late Friday Links...

The weekend is officially upon us--and boy am I ready for it! Do you have any fun plans? Tomorrow night I'm going to a fundraiser with an '80's Prom' theme, and on Sunday I'll be at the Gump's Bridal Event. If you live in the Bay Area and you're as wedding obsessed as I am, come say hi! I'll be the busybody blonde with big glasses.

But first, a quiet Friday evening spent snuggling with the huz and catching up on my reading:

• In honor of The Feather Report's first birthday, the biggest and bestest giveaway ever!
• Lovely (and free!) printable Valentines Day candy wrappers. Is it almost the 14th already?
• I want to have a red-haired daughter so I can throw her a Raggedy Ann birthday party.
• Jane had better sleep with one eye open, because I'm totally coveting her shoes.
• Look up 'clean' in the dictionary and you will see this house.
• For years I played the flute, but I never rocked it nearly as hard as these guys.

All images courtesy of the incomparable Abby Try Again. Go to her shop. Plunder. Thank me later.