Celebrations
with a point of view.
Every one of these started as a sentence about the person it was for. The styling came after, and stopped before it got precious.
Birthdays
First birthdays through the loud single digits. Kid-led themes, adult-proof food.
Milestones
Naming days, house-warmings, half-sarees, graduations, quiet anniversaries.
Design
Tablescapes, paper goods, signage, styling, and one good handmade thing.
From the camera roll.
The one-cake first birthday
Twelve people, a linen runner and wildflowers from the corner shop. We stopped adding things the moment it felt like her.
A Kidtopia birthday
A CoComelon theme, kids with full faces, and parents who finally got a full plate.
Two Bluey shirts, one happy face
Six Walmart trips later, we found a Chilli-sized shirt. Worth every trip.
A party full of episodes.
In this episode, Drishva turns 3
A Bluey cake, a balloon arch, and a kid who finally understood what the number on top meant.
Bluey and Bingo cupcakes
Two dozen cupcakes, each with a face. The first thing the kids grabbed, before the cake was even cut.
The buffet line
Catering trays on a white table in the backyard. Nothing fancy, everything warm, seconds for everyone.
Photo booth backdrop
The Heeler house on four taped-together panels, a foil “3” balloon, and a basket of props the kids fought over.
Adopt a Floppy
Every kid went home with a Floppy bunny and a name they chose on the spot. The sign said “make her your own.”
Granny glasses and Keepy Uppy
Sunglasses, balloons, sticky geckos, every favor tied to an episode she could name by heart.
Sticky gecko station
Throw the sticky gecko at the wall, then try to catch him. The only game that needed no explaining.
Details, details, and more details.
The bangle bar
“Please take a pair of bangles as you bless the mom-to-be.” Every color of the rainbow, and everyone left with clinking wrists.
Mom and Dad, round two
Gold silk, a white veshti, and a flower wall doing its absolute best. The calm before the aunties arrived.
Blessed, and showing off the bangles
Turmeric on her cheek, jasmine in her hair, and a lap full of family. This is what the whole day is for.
The mom-to-be, seated in state
Coconuts, marigolds, and a golden hour portrait she didn't have to ask anyone to take.
Henna and a hundred bangles
Peacock henna, glass bangles stacked to the elbow, and the good silk. Details, details.
A shawl for every guest
Two dozen lilac shawls, rolled and banded by hand the week before. Nobody leaves a valaikappu empty-handed.
The tag that said it all
“Thank you for wrapping our family in blessings.” One printed band, one marigold wreath, zero glue-gun injuries.
Jasmine for your hair
“Please take one and adorn your hair.” Fresh jasmine and banana-leaf packets next to the candlelight.
Favor bags, peacock pink
Gold peacock feathers on hot-pink silk, stuffed with lilac. The favor table did not survive the first hour.
Sweets to send them home
Laddu and mixture packed individually, because nobody at an Indian function should have to share a sweet box.
Three conversations, one celebration.
The story
You tell me about the person. I ask too many questions.
The plan
One direction, one moodboard, a list of what we're not doing.
The day
I style, set, and stay long enough to see it used.