Hooray Magazine

A Perfect Pastel Christmas Par-Tea

December 22, 2015May 19, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

We’ve all heard the phrase “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”, but for years I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my holiday season as pastel all possible. Typically defined by red and green, Christmas isn’t all that pastel friendly, but every December I find more ways to celebrate RAOP style. Last year I started a collection of treat-themed decorations, and a few years before I bought myself a tiny pink sparkly tree, but there’s always been something missing: a pastel Christmas party!

After almost a month of waiting I’m so thrilled to finally be sharing the Pastel Christmas Par-Tea photoshoot. I dreamt up this styled tea party with Sophie from Kitten and the Bear, and together we reached out to some of our favourite local talent. One by one the dream team came aboard, each offering something unique and sparkly to the tea that was too sweet to resist.

On the day of the shoot we all met at Blush and Bloom’s floral studio, a space that smelled like roses and Christmas cheer all at once that morning. We unpacked boxes of sparkling flamingo sugar cookies and christmas tree cucumber sandwiches topped with gold leaf stars. Next we hung the stocking with care, sprinkled glitter in each of the model’s hair, and added a few pink birds to Blush and Bloom’s wreath creation.

In the end everything came together so flawlessly that it truly felt like Christmas magic- from the glittering wardrobe to the sugary sweets table, it truly was a perfect Pastel Christmas Par-Tea.

Tea has a way of bringing people together, and we highly recommend you find the time this holiday season to get all dolled up with your besties and enjoy a hot cup, some sweets, and maybe even a cocktail (or two!)

Credits //

Stylist and Director: Random Acts of Pastel

Co-Director + Buttermilk Scones and Artisan Jam: Kitten and The Bear

Photography: Sounds Like Yellow

Florist: Blush and Bloom

Sweets: Sweet Bake Shop

Tea Sponsor: Sloane Tea

Watercolour Details: Johanna Martin

Calligraphy : Alena Ravestein

Party Supplies via Meri Meri

Originally published on the Hooray Magazine Blog

Sips, Sweets & Snacks

Spiced Rose White Hot Cocoa

December 14, 2015December 14, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

Tis the season for swirling snow, warm hands tucked safely in mittens, sleigh rides, and sugary delights. We’ve had the holidays on our minds for months here at Random Acts of Pastel, and these days you’ll find us in the studio whipping up festive magic like pastel elves almost constantly.

Though it’s not really an intentional Christmas tale, this time of year always has us dreaming of the magical world of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Full of enchantment, The Chronicles of Narnia sparked our imagination both as children and adults, and more importantly, it introduced us to the wonder of Turkish Delight.

Inspired by snowy white winters and pink cubes of sugary goodness, this spiced white hot cocoa recipe is sure to keep your fingers toasty, and we dare you not to smile to yourself when you devour the Turkish Delight garnish!

Scroll down for full recipe…

Ingredients //

½ cup White Baker’s Chocolate
1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk
1 tbsp cardamom pods
2 cinnamon sticks
2 drops of rosewater

Recipe //

Makes two cups of cocoa

1 // Melt the white chocolate into the soy milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

2 // Once the chocolate is fully melted, add the spices and lower the temperature as much as possible (just to keep the mixture warm)

3 // Let the spices steep for at least 15 minutes, or as long as possible. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the milk.

4 // When you’re ready to serve, strain out the spices and add the rosewater (to taste). Pour into your favourite teacups or mugs, add a cube or two of Turkish Delight to the saucer, and enjoy your cup of holiday cheer!

Originally Published on the Hooray Magazine Blog

Get Creative

DIY Glitter Dipped Mason Jars

November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

Throughout the holidays and beyond I firmly believe in the motto “put some glitter on it.” Everything’s better with a bit of sparkle, from hairstyles to place settings to home decor, and I’m always looking for new ways to bedazzle and bejewel. My most recent creation? Glitter Dipped Mason Jars!

I originally dreamed up these beauties to use as vases for a “You’re a Gem” themed event I styled with Birchbox a few months back, and the response was so great that I figured I’d share my method with the masses so everyone can make their masons glittery and magical. Incredibly simple and oh-so-pretty, this DIY is perfect for adding a bit of festive feeling to vases, trinket jars, or whatever other glass object your heart desires. The best part? When paired with fresh blooms these make the perfect holiday hostess gifts!

Supplies //

Mason Jars
PVA glue
Glitter
PaintBrush
Glitter dish big enough to fit the bottom of the jar
Glue dish (same size)

Method //

1. Mix up some glitter in a dish – we used all different sizes and shapes of silver.

2. Mix your PVA glue in another dish and add a tiny bit of water to thin it out.

3. Paint a fairly thick even layer onto the bottom edges of the jars (avoid the very bottom where it sits on tables).

4. Roll the bottom of the jar around in the glitter until evening distributed. (TIP: the larger the glue ‘peaks’ the better it will pick up larger sized glitter).

5. Sit on cardboard and allow to fully dry before filling with flowers, fresh-baked sugar cookies, etc!

Originally Published on the Hooray Magazine Blog

Sips, Sweets & Snacks

Sprinkle Dipped Ice Cream Cones

August 29, 2015August 29, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

The season for ice cream is still in full swing, and though there’s nothing wrong with a couple of scoops in a pretty sundae dish, we all know the best way to eat ice cream is atop a sweet cone! With that in mind, we decided to dress up a few cones nice and fancy for our recent Disco Ice Cream Social photo shoot, and we loved the results so much that we thought we may as well share the recipe!

Ingredients //

Sugar cones
Belgian white chocolate
Rainbow sprinkles

Instructions //

1 // Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pour your sprinkles into a shallow dish or two. Set aside.

2 // Add about 1-inch of water to a double boiler (or a saucepan with a metal bowl nestled atop). Heat over medium-low heat, slowly stirring the chocolate so it melts into a smooth consistency. White chocolate has a lower melting point, so it can seize easily.

3 // Dip the edge of the cones in the melted white chocolate, then lightly dust with sprinkles while the chocolate is still melted.

4 // Place the cones upside down on the paper-lined tray, and place them in the fridge, allowing the chocolate to set for at least 15-20 minutes.

That’s it! The only question left? Two scoops or three!?

Photos by Paige of Bicylette. Content originally published on Hooray Magazine’s blog!

Dear Diary

I’m Loving: Hooray Magazine’s Ophelia Bridal Shoot

September 11, 2014June 22, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

As some of you may already know from my Pinterest, I’m totally completely wedding obsessed. I have so many ideas, thoughts, hopes and dreams surrounding my own fictional wedding, and I love flipping through engagement shoots and bridal magazines in my spare time.

Recently I came across a matrimonial editorial so beautiful it seems almost other worldly, and I immediately wanted to share it with all of you. Recently published within the delightful pages of Hooray Magazine, this shoot was the love child of photographer Lara Hotz , stylist Stefanie Ingram, and flowers by Jardine Hansen, and it’s all kinds of perfect!

Entitled “Ophelia”, I can guarantee even the most hateful of wedding haters will be swooning over this hauntingly gorgeous collection of photos.