{how-to: gilded party animal cupcake toppers}

. . . quite possibly the most simply chic & ingeniously fun idea ever: a menagerie of plastic animals and candle holders, a drill and a little gold spray paint, and before you know it, it's party time . . .















{you will need:}



plastic animals

plastic candle holders

drill with 1/8″ drill bit

pliers

gold spray paint

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{steps:}



1. use any type of plastic animal you can find, keeping in mind the size of the cake or cupcake you are planning to top; ones with a flat back work best



2. with the pliers, hold the animal steady, and drill a hole straight down, being careful not to come out the other side; the hole only has to be deep enough for the candle holder to fit



3. spray paint the animals in a few light coats, rotating them to cover all sides; note: gold/metallic spray paint will work fine without primer, but if you are using regular spray paint for colour variations, be certain to use a plastic spray paint or a primer for plastic, and always test one first



4. spray the candle holders to match



5. put on your dancing shoes & pop open the champagne

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previous how-to's:



h a i r

* a side chignon

* a classic chignon

* a double-knot



e v e r y t h i n g e l s e

* a braided brass hex nut bracelet

* a sweet nothings garland

* a classic english hand-tied bouquet

* summery ombré napkins

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{additional credits: all instructions [with edits] & images by jenny from hank & hunt for the sweetest occasion}

{décor inspiration: mirrored vanities}

. . . mirrored beside tables & shoe displays, desks, consoles, and even coffee carafes and shoes . . . as with chandeliers and bits of gold, there is something about mirrors that add such elegance, and while vanities have always been ultra-glamorous, when mirrored, things are elevated to another level entirely. . .

{p.s.} more mirrored vanities here & here


{images: country living via the paris apartment; interior design by mary mcdonald, via decorati & the decorista}

{holiday inspiration: tinseltown}

. . . and as a perfect foil for all the glittering & glamorous gold recently: shimmering silver pine cones and sparkling numbered votives, and for good measure, a bit of silver tinsel atop a pair of peeptoes for nights merry & bright . . .




{images: 1 - scan by this is glamorous, olivia morris shoes, photography by hugh stewart for british vogue december 2003; 2 - photography by sandra aslaksen; 2 - numbered glass votives by cox & cox via bliss}