the kids party we wanna crash–because COLOR!

HEDLEY & BENNETT X TWINK + SIS EASTER

text by   SHANI SILVER photography by   MARY COSTA

Anyone currently stuck in party planning doldrums is about to get a swift kick of color, courtesy of Ellen Bennett of Hedley & Bennett, and Marlan Willardson & Laurén LaRocca of Twink + Sis.

The trio teamed up for an Easter-perfect party that’s got more color than a Crayola box–and that’s a good thing. Crafted with kids in mind, one look at these photos and we can’t help but wish we were knee high to a grasshopper, too. These little ones had a blast. Read on for event inspiration in any (every) color you crave.

HOW DID THIS (COLOR DRENCHED!) EVENT COME ABOUT? We wanted to do a really fun Easter party for the kids. Laurén (Twink + Sis) has been friends with Ellen (Hedley & Bennett) for many years and we love everything she does so thought it would be a great collaboration.

WHAT WAS YOUR PRIMARY INSPIRATION? We love bringing organic elements into our events so flowers, fruit and vegetables were a priority, especially because Ellen is so passionate about vibrant food.

We had the idea of bringing a farmers’ market look to the food table and Ellen thought to have the decor span the color spectrum.

The bright ranunculus and lemonade in practically every color of the rainbow then made those colors pop even more.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ENTERTAINING OR DESIGN ELEMENT USED HERE? We had so much fun coming up with which fruit and vegetables fit into the spectrum color scheme, while keeping in mind the Hedley & Bennett and Twink + Sis design aesthetics.

We pulled mood boards together and then let the season dictate our choices by shopping at the farmers’ market.

WHAT IS ONE COMPONENT OF THIS PARTY READERS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY TRY FOR THEMSELVES? The lemonades and juices!

Make a batch of organic lemonade and “color” them by making purees of fruit.

We used cherry, strawberry, blackberry and cucumber purees for the lemonades, and then freshly squeezed orange juice on its own to complete our rainbow.

WHAT OVERALL AESTHETIC WERE YOU GOING FOR? We knew we wanted a “garden” to run the length of the craft table. It ended up being the perfect spring element and showcased the Easter eggs beautifully.

We set out to have ribbons hanging — to give a Maypole backdrop effect — and Ellen had the idea of using Hedley & Bennett apron straps and turning it into an incredible, angled ombre installation, which Iris + Daughter brought to life.

ANY DIY SECRETS TO THIS SETUP YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? The garden! Is there anything better than bringing the garden to the table?

To recreate the look at home, pick up some flats of wheatgrass, remove them from their trays and place them right on the table — dirt and all (place clear cellophane under the plant dirt to prevent any damage to your table).

Add colorful eggs and flowers (in florist water tubes).

WHAT WAS THE BEST KIDDO REACTION YOU HEARD DURING THE EVENT? When we told our own kids (Mila, 3 and Brixton, 2) that they were going to get to have cake.

They were so elated that they went into a hug fest! They may be a little sugar-deprived.

WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN PART OF THE DAY? The kids — looking beyond adorable outfitted in their Hedley & Bennett aprons — taking full advantage of crafting with Makers Mess, decorating vegan-, grain-free-, refined sugar-free- cookies with Sweet Laurel Bakery and chalk-drawing with A Dapper Line.

An 8 year-old guest came up and said, “this is the best party I’ve ever been to!”