If you are looking for a great fall decorating idea then look no further this one is not only super easy but it's also eco-friendly. I have done this one for spring & fall parties, bridal showers, baby showers and weddings. I usually use the top of the martini shaker (it's the perfect size for tealights) or a drill for pumpkins but now I found this great candle carver. Love!!!
Light up your life (or your table) with this great LED Table Runner. You can dress up any drab table or buffet with this great reusable LED table runner from Sylvania which provides up to 10 hours of illumination. What a great idea and a great way to set the mood of your next party.
Tape it's not just for packages anymore. Ditch that plain packing tape for a vibrant, patterned version. Seriously, have you ever come across such adorable and practical sticky tapes? These delightful tapes definitely make sending and receiving packages (and packing boxes) more fun and creative. I think the next time I wrap a gift I am going to wrap the entire box in this charming tape. There are just so many ways that you can use this tape. Just think about the next time you throw a baby shower; tape it around the favor boxes to add a little extra color or for the holidays this year - how festive will that box of cookies look taped with this tape?!? Ok I know what you all want to know...Where do I get it?? The answer is Tapeswell and handful of other places. So, just remember if you are ever in a bind, "Tape it Up!"
The last few days here in LA have been scorchers so last night we made a pitcher of these yummy cocktails. They are the perfect mix of Wild Blueberry Mixer, Lemon Drop Mixer and vodka. They are absolutely refreshing!!!
1 part Stirrings Wild Blueberry Mixer
1 part Stirrings Lemon Drop Mixer
1 part vodka
Garnish: Stirrings Lemon Drop Rimmer
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Cover and shake vigorously. Pour entire mix (including ice) into rimmed glass.
OK, I went to a party last weekend that a friend of a friend's hosted and I have to say I was shocked...If I had to guess I would have thought it was one of my husband's fraternity brothers who was hosting this event. So I decided to write today's blog in honor of all the lazy hosts I have ever met - so pay attention if your idea of hosting a party is opening a bag of chips and throwing them in a bowl. Oh and of course we can't forget my favorite red Solo cups which definitely says, "Gee, we went all out for you." So let's be honest unless you are one of my husband's fraternity brothers, this kind of hosting is unacceptable - nor does it make your guests feel special.
The key to hosting a fun party is to make your guests feel like they were your first thought when planning the party. When they arrive they should feel welcome and honored to be a guest in your house (not an afterthought).
I have put together a list of some quick tips to make your minimal efforts look like your are the Hostess with the Mostess. With touches this cute, you might even be able to talk your friends into cleaning up afterward.
1. Forget the Flowers
Flowers are the standard go to centerpiece but they can get pretty costly very quickly. I like to use fresh fruit or vegetables; such as artichokes, pomegranates, apples or lemons. Buy what's in season. Simply stack them in a bowl or vase. If you are having a dinner party you can use a sharpie to write each guests name on an apple for example.
2. And now starring..."Ice"
Make ice cubes for the party, but add mint sprigs, berries, marachino cherries or edible flowers to the cavities before freezing. Then you'll have pretty and fun ice cubes to impress your guests.
3. Dress up a drink
Add a theme or ID to glassware with simple embellishments. Drink umbrellas, metal stirrers or stickers can be used to dress up your drink. They can also serve another purpose by marking whose glass is whose. Garnishes like colored sugar or salt, shaved chocolate or edible glitter on the rim are also a great way to dress up your drink. Invest in a citrus zester so you can make long lemon or orange curls from the rind.
4. Serve it up, baby
Even if you buy an already made appetizer tray at the market be sure to take it out of the plastic tray that it came in and put it on your own serving tray. Serve your drinks and food on trays this makes people feel like they are really being catered to. You can pick-up inexpensive serving trays from just about anywhere - Ikea has some great inexpensive entertaining items and there's always your local consignment shop for fun finds. I have a friend who has the most interesting collection of china - it's absolutely gorgeous and not a single piece matches.
5. Turn down the lights
When the lights go down you know the real fun is about to begin. Candlelight is an inexpensive and easy way to set the mood. You can also buy different colored light bulbs to help set the mood of the evening. I had a Sex & the City party and we replaced all the white bulbs for pink ones. You can usually pick these colored light bulbs up at your local hardware store.
Bonus Tip: Have your guests participate!! For all of you lazy hosts - this means less work for you. You can actually assign guests to help you with something. For that shy friend, have them help you refresh guests drinks - this gets them mingling and not sitting on your sofa all night. For that control freak, have them let you know when it's time to take something out of the oven, tell people where to put their coats or let you know when the cd needs to be changed. I know this seems crazy but the more people are involved in the party the more fun they tend to have.
Don't be shy...Share some of your low-maintenance party ideas!
Give your party a sweet look with these playful and easy-to-assemble candy centerpieces. No party is complete without decorations, and no table is set without a sensational centerpiece. Whether celebrating a holiday or a special occasion such as a wedding, baby shower or birthday, you can make a fun and delicious candy centerpiece. In addition to adding pizazz to your table, candy centerpieces can be easily transformed into a dessert table or favors for your guests. Just scoop a few colorful candies out of these great clear canisters into a cellophane bag and tie with a decorative ribbon and voila you have an instant favor. You can even play a shower game by having guests guess the number of jelly beans in a jar. This theme is definitely one that can multi-task in so many fun ways. This is one dee-licious party!
I don't know about you but the thought of scrapbooking has always been an overwhelming thought for me. Even though I have been to the local scrapbooking store plenty of times to purchase scrapbooking paper and other doo-dads the only thing I have ever used any of it for was for decorating event & party tables; With the new online photo service How Fast They Grow, you can put together an absolutely adorable scrapbook in no time and easily organize all your images into a gorgeous album.
Start by choosing a cover and template style from a range of options such as baby, wedding, family or just for fun themes. Then upload your images to the site and you're all set. The best part is you can just make one page at a time instead of committing to a whole photo book.
Its ingenious Digi-Scrapbook service offers an online solution to preserving special moments with minimum fuss.
Assemble a page in seven minutes or less. There are templates, a drag-and-drop demo, plus albums and protector sheets for sale. Once you’re finished, you can share with friends or order hard copies.
Hey, there’s a first time for everything. I really couldn't believe how easy it was and how adorable the album turned out.
Nothing says party quite like Paper Lanterns. They really are the modern day version of paper streamers but so much more chic. You can use them to decorate just about any occasion...And I do. I have used them for baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, birthday parties, garden parties, luaus, fiestas...You get the idea. I really could go on and on about how many occasions you can use these perfect whimsical creations but I won't. I've included a few pictures for you to be able to get some fun ideas in hopes this would help to get the creative juices flowing. It has for me. After tonight I have decided to throw a girl's brunch and I am going to decorate with these great paper lanterns. Too fun! Plus I have about 6 bottles of champagne in my fridge that I am dying to crack open for mimosa's...Yum!
(How sexy is this table?!?! This is one of my Martha Stewart favorites.)
GETTING STARTED
THE GUEST LIST
PRE-PARTY PREPARATIONS
DAY BEFORE THE PARTY
DAY OF THE PARTY
PopFlowers are always in season! Just imagine: gerber daisies for your February wedding; dogwoods in December! They’re ideal for table decorations — centerpieces, balloon weights, napkin rings, placecard holders, fancy swizzle sticks at the bar!
Flower arrangements from PopFlowers are made of dirt-resistant, lightweight polypropylene and require no care other than an occasional wipe with a damp cloth. The handmade flowers come on coiled wire stems that can be changed to vary the arrangement. The flowers are 100% hypoallergenic and fragrance-free; the manufacturer recycles all post-production waste. The product is shipped using minimal packaging, which is itself biodegradable.
