I'm trying so hard not to sound like a goofy fan...but alas, I'm gonna fail miserably!! Yes my friends, I am still swooning after speaking with the one and only Darcy Miller on the phone last Thursday!
Perhaps best known as Martha Stewart's Celebration Expert and for her editorial work on Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and site, Darcy Miller is also a talented illustrator, author and mom to three gorgeous little girls.
Needless to say, she loves to create meaningful and memorable events; through attention to detail and exquisite personal touches!
Needless to say, she loves to create meaningful and memorable events; through attention to detail and exquisite personal touches!
So it's with great pleasure and excitement that we discover her fabulous tips and tricks in an exclusive, hand-picked Summer Daisy Party collection for OpenSky.com!
DIY Fun Daisy Birthday Party Ideas
Darcy is a fountain of inspiration to so many of us, and being able to talk to her was a dream come true and HUGE honor! We talked for a good 30 minutes about parties, DIY ideas, kids, and off course the stunning Summer Daisy Party collection she curated and styled for OpenSky.com.
The collection launches today and includes her favorite finds on this gorgeous theme, such as Darcy's Daisy Lollipops, Daisy Party Starter Kit, DIY Decorative Cupcake Stand Kit (one of my faves!), Daisy Punch Lid and Jars, DIY Party Favor Bundle, Yellow and White Gumball Favors, as well as tips and quotes from Darcy herself, to help inspired your next celebration!
Here's a synopsis of the interview:
1) Where did you draw inspiration from for styling this collection?
I love daisies and was excited to be a curator for OpenSky, so for this collection I was mainly inspired by my daughter Daisy's 1st Birthday Party, which was a daisy party to celebrate her summer birthday. It has always been one my favorite parties, and so I looked at some of the things I used at the time for inspiration.
I wanted to put together a nice collection of different kinds of items, for instance some people might want to just buy the Daisy Cookies, other people may want to take the Daisy Sticker Bundle and use them as cupcake toppers, place cards or to embellish favor bags - So one thing I wanted to ensure, was to list materials and easy daisy ideas to allow people to be creative with it, so you don't need to take a master class to enjoy and use the items!
2) Can you give any styling tips for helping readers re-create the look?
For me a lot of it is about ideas, picking a theme and a color scheme to help bring it together. I also think incorporating your kids in whatever it is, makes it more enjoyable. So really, my main suggestions is to sit down either with your kids, your bridesmaids and friends and get creative together!
Also not everything has to be in the shape of a daisy or have daisies on it - You could use solid yelllow or yellow polka dot, like the baking cups and folded cupcake liners in the Daisy Party Starter Kit, which I used as candy dishes. The fun thing is taking the materials and mix and match, adding your own personal spin on them, like using the Daisy Chip and Dip Bowl to serve colored candy or popcorn!
3) Out of all the scrumptious desserts you chose for the shoot, which is your favorite?
It's hard to pick, but I served the Daisy Cookies and daisy parfait at my daughter's 1st birthday, and I still find them lovely! You could also use the cookies as favors in a glassine bag, or on top of a cupcake like I did.
The main thing for me is how versatile these items are - For instance, you could use the Daisy Lollipops as a bouquet display in a glass cup, or on a napkin, or a place setting favor along with the daisy place-cards.
4) If you absolutely had to pick, what 5 items from the collection do you consider a "must have"?
Oh no! Not sure I can pick just five! Having said that, I do like the DIY Cupcake Stand Kit that comes with daisy punches because you can make so many different things with it.
The Daisy Paper Flower Kit is also one of my favorites - You can add the daisies on top of favor boxes, use them individually on a cup or stationery, use them to make a garland, hang around the table etc. The idea is that you get few ingredients to be able to mix and match how you want, to suit your event - Whether you are doing a wedding, summer party, bridal shower or lemonade stand with your kids!
5) And finally, what was the most enjoyable part of this whole process for you?
Some of the photos were shot at the Martha Stewart studios, and it was so much fun doing it that I decided to call my friends for cupcakes and lemonade afterwards!For me, one of the things that matters is seeing all the kids enjoying themselves, seeing how much fun they had with the crafting, cutting, punching, using stickers, eating the lollipops, going on the Slip N Slide...and generally just enjoying it and having fun together!
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As you can see, Darcy Miller is a fun, super inspiring and amazingly talented lady! And the fact she said she knew Bird's Party Blog and "loved the Olympics Party" I styled has just made my year!! She was also very kind and generous as to tweet about the party!! ;)
Check out Darcy Miller's Summer Daisy Party Collection over on OpenSky.com
I had the pleasure of meeting Darcy Miller at the Dreamers into Doers 2012 NYC Event this year. I can say she was incredibly generous with her time in answering all the question presented to her by our group even standing for photographs with her. She is such a genuine and nice person. Thank you for sharing this interview. I love her summer daisy party theme. I look forward to checking out her collection on OpenSky.com.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Lisa
I agree 100% Lisa!! She's so down to earth too!! She was interested in what i had to say and was keen to learn more about me too! Such a generous and warm lady! I'm sure you'll love the collection as much as I do! ;)
DeleteaMEI ESSA FESTA DAS MARGARIDAS COMO FAZER AS MARGARIDAS DO TETO??
ReplyDeleteCompra aqui: https://opensky.com/darcymiller?osky_origin=osm&osky_source=PR
DeleteLove love love this!! WIth a daughter called Daisy it especially appeals. Fab interview Bird and Darcy!! Xxxxx
ReplyDeleteGillian x
Hi, I was wondering if you can recommend a place in ny that teach how to be a event planner? I love party decor did would like to invest in some courses. Thanks for any tips . Eliane
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo and a real nice post, thank you also for the links.
ReplyDeletethis is so so beautiful. and your blog is amazing! just found you through blog catalog :)
ReplyDeletejust everything about ALL of this!!!!! CONGRATS my friend!!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE DAISIES :)
What a wonderful person! I watch her at Martha Stewart show and she is working so delicately that every tiny detail makes a party wonderful.She is my inspiration angel. I try to get some ideas from her. Thanks for the interview.It is very nice to see Darcy at your blog. Love , Derya
ReplyDeleteBird, that is wonderful! Loved reading the interview with Darcy! I've loved her work for years, & it is so cool that you got to work with her. The daisy collection is lovely!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent! I would have been all fan-girl and weak-kneed, myself. ;-) I absolutely love those white daisies painted on the yellow paper parasols. Inspired!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful ... and daisies are my most favourite flower!
ReplyDeleteHi Bird. This was such a great interview with Darcy! Nicely done:)
ReplyDeleteI,too,was lucky enough to get chosen for an interview with Darcy and agree she is just as sweet as can be.