Coming Up Roses

A stylish Mother’s Day garden party on the porch is a sweet treat for spring

Text: Katie Underhill

Photos: Ashley Gieseking

May 2011

Photo Gallery

CUPCAKE COUTURE
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcake
Filled with strawberry jam and topped with a ring of chocolate ganache, chocolate curls, chocolate buttercream, strawberry buttercream and a hand-dipped chocolate strawberry

Champagne & Roses Cupcake
Filled with a champagne ganache and topped with a white chocolate buttercream in the shape of a full rose in bloom

Pink & Green Cupcakes
Topped with Jilly’s Madagascar vanilla buttercream and sugar glass spirals that resemble Dale Chihuly’s famous glass artwork

The month of May calls to mind a bouquet of beautiful things — warm weather, fragrant spring flowers, sunshine and more. So when two friends and their daughters, who are also friends, decided to celebrate Mother’s Day together, they planned a glorious garden party of cupcakes and tea. To set the fanciful springtime scene for this extra special occasion, hostesses Jen and her daughter, Julia, called upon designers Christy Ruegg and Dean Schroeder of Mary Tuttle’s, who fashioned a fun and feminine feast for the eyes that no girl could resist.

The ideal setting for this fabulous fête, an expansive porch exudes Southern hospitality and charm with its white woodwork and pale blue ceiling, reminiscent of those found in cottages tucked away in sunny Key West. To transform the space into a whimsical wonderland fit for a princess, Christy and Dean first adorned the ceiling fan with brightly colored butterflies and natural curly willow for enchanting ambience.

“We wanted something bright, cheerful and colorful,” says Dean of his vision for the table. “Pinks and greens provide the perfect color palette for the transition between spring and summer.”

To achieve this lush look, the design team added even more butterflies, perching daintily atop preserved boxwood and wasabi-green accessories and mingling with fresh-cut flowers, to enhance the storybook-inspired tablescape. Meanwhile, colossal cupcakes provided by Jilly’s Cupcake Bar, which more closely resemble sugary works of art, sit pretty and tempt guests with their splendid sweetness.

“The girls were so impressed when they saw the cupcakes,” says Jen’s friend, Carolyn. With wide eyes and big smiles, the girls were indeed in awe of the delightful confectionery creations. “The cupcakes are so pretty. We loved them!” say Julia and Carolyn’s daughter, Audrey, happily.

And Jen was also overjoyed with the captivating outcome. “I love the way Dean and Christy brought in the colors. It’s nature meets whimsical,” she says. “Carolyn and I have been friends for 10 years, and the girls have grown up together. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day.”

RESOURCES:
Mary Tuttle’s, designers Christy Ruegg and Dean Schroeder, 636-728-0480, www.marytuttles.com
Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Café, 314-993-5455, www.jillyscupcakebar.com