around the world with bash by Paige 32

around the world with bash, please: california party


Hi guys! It’s been a few months of hibernating (if you call hibernating frantically working in our wellies out here in rainy LA), and we are excited to be back with a new Around the World with Bash, Please post. Guess where we are going this time? Yep, sunny CA, the good old Golden State. We are hoping our optimism brings the sunshine back out soon. With spring just around the bend, we decided to host a little planting party to scratch our green thumbs that are itching to get dirty. Using a touch of diorama fun, we brought the fixins’ to make terrariums! Shuffle in some good friends, a California wine tasting courtesy of Plonk, a farm-to-table spread from our friends at Heirloom LA and some homemade gnomes and it’s a good time! — Paige + Kelly


CLICK HERE for the full party ideas and tips for recreating this event in your home after the jump!




First up, we bought some crafting FIMO clay at an art supply store to make our own figurines for the terrariums. We chose to make mushrooms and gnomes, but of course, the sky’s the limit with what you can come up with. Pick out assorted colors, shape the clay into your desired figures and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Super easy, homemade and soooo cute for diorama making. Tucked into some garden moss, the little gnomes had our inner children playing forest fairies. Tip: Be gentle with the clay. It has a low tolerance for indentation. Roll nicely, shape delicately.

We purchased various glass containers, mason jars, bubble bowls and vases for our guests to choose their planters from. Stock up at your local flower mart (anyone can go) to get the best deals on succulents, cacti, air plants and any type of vegetation you want to plant in the terrariums. Buy a bag of cactus soil and some earthy textures, such as rocks, sticks, sand and crystals. Throw in some kitschy plastic figures like flamingos, squirrels, cowboys, princesses, wagon wheels, what have you, and let the imaginations run wild.


We chose to keep the food and drink locally inspired and heavy on the organic matter, even down to the most amazing homemade ranch dressing churned from buttermilk and creme fraiche. We were literally licking our spoons all night. We couldn’t find a recipe online, but we bet Heirloom LA would ship some to you! We topped it off with fresh apple pie and crisp wine. It was bountiful and festive. Our favorite wine was the Dashe Grenache. Order it here!




It was a super fun way to kick off spring and bring some fun into the small worlds of terrariums. They really do add positive energy and brighten up your office, bedroom, kitchen or anywhere you’d like to place them. Get your hands dirty, your creative juices flowing and enjoy the craft of planting a diorama. And try your hand at clay sculpture! It is very satisfying (and decorative) to make your own figurines. We’re off to create a Wonderland of rainbows and unicorns for our next planting. Cheerio!

All photos by Lauren Ross

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32 Comments

maison marigold

what a fun party…loved this unique post..how gorgeous are those homemade gnomes..and ofcorse the terrariums…would be great to recreate such a concept with a bunch of friends!!! thanks for sharing! xx meenal

createsomeart

I was wondering where you got the really cute round class terrarium jar. I am looking for something similar!

Thanks! Love the idea! I think I may host a party like this!

lily

Looks like so much fun…love all the plants and the terrariums, I have been wanting to make one for a while & now I am inspired!

xxLily

Phrag E

So adorable! I’ll be making some with my daughter this weekend.
Oh, I can’t wait to try that ranch dressing it sounds so yummy.

Elana

This looks like great fun! I live in LA and would love to attend events and workshops like this. Is there a way I can become a guest? Thanks!

audrey @ urbanic

This was an amazing party! I love the terrarium I brought home that night and apparently so does my 4yr old son who is very busy putting all of his own little characters inside the jar to meet the squirrels.

elizabeth antonia

thanks paige and kelly for a fantastic party! i love love my ‘gone with the wind’ terrarium i created that night. it is so true, every time i pass the table it brings a smile to my face. i definitely want to adapt this for my little girl’s birthday party (maybe her 4th or 5th?)

Jesse Lu

What a great party… When I first saw the gnomes I thought, ‘hey maybe I could make some out of fimo’ and there you go making them out of fimo. I’m totally doing this.

Wendy

I have 3 boys all under 4 and I’m dying to throw a party just like this…adults only! Great idea!

Christina

This is so freaking cute. I love this stuff. I never throw parties but with inspiration like this in my face I may just get around to it one of these days!

vidahatchback

These pictures are so fun! I need this photographer for my wedding!!

Kendra

So lovely! Almost as much fun as the party! My lovely terrarium sits atop my diner table bringing a huge smile to my face each morning.

katrina

this party idea is so cute! i have to replicate it. i want to make all that delicious food too!
by chance does the girl holding the gnome terrarium have a blog? she looks so familiar, but i cannot place it. love the color combination in her outfit! especially the dress!

amanda

I too would love to find one of those round glass globes for a terrarium. Could you tell us where you were able to find them?? please! i want to make one badly!

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