All Things For All Parties

T.G.I.F. THE SEABREEZE

 
 
To say that it has been a tough week would be an understatement but as Booker T. Washington said, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."  This is so true and I never been more thankful that it's Friday and boy have I endured so now I am definitely ready to sit back and enjoy the "seabreeze."

Ingredients:

• 1½ ounces vodka
• 4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
• 1½ ounces Oceanspray cranberry juice
• Lime wedge

Directions:

Pour vodka into a chilled highball glass. Partially fill the glass with grapefruit juice and top with the cranberry juice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Yield: 1 serving

DIY Wedding Invitation Sources

  
Image by Wedding Paper Divas

1.  Do-It-Yourself-Invitations.com - This site has free templates, card making instructions.  Custom templates from $10.

2.  Minted.com - I love this site!  If you don't have time to Do It All Yourself than thisis the site for you...Pick out your invite, font, quantity and place your order.  What's super cool about this site is that Minted is a global community of independent graphic designers and an online store that prints and sells the best of their designs.

3.  Paper-Source.com - I am not biased but I did my wedding invitations through Paper Source and I still LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them.  They offer a colorful range of papers for the DIY-er and how to videos, as well as custom wedding stationery.

4.  MyGatsby.com - They have great paper supplies kits for DIY invites.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of 17 different kits, including blank stock invitations, outer envelopes and enclosure cards, starting at $1.59 per invite.  80-110 pound paper stock.

5.  WeddingPaperDivas.com - This is definitely one of the best sites for stylish, budget friendly invitations. They are considered one of the the premier online wedding stationery boutiques for couples of any style or budget. They carry all styles from the hottest new wedding themes and inspirational ideas to the most popular hues for this year's celebrations. 

6.  LCIPAPER.com - Wedding invitation papers, precut cards, vellum and craft supplies.

7.  ED-IT.com - ED/it's - The Complete Wedding Publisher software, $29.95, offers options for almost any type of wedding stationery; invitations, RSVP cards, menus,  programs.  Has a try before buy download option.

8.  InvitationsbyDawn.com - They offer an impressive selection of wedding invitations produced with the highest quality printing. They have a huge selection which includes save the dates, ceremony programs and wedding stationery for every popular wedding style.  They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee if you are not happy with your order they will take it back and on orders over $175 you get free shipping. 

9.  EarthInvitations.com - This Eco-Friendly invitation site offers Lotka DIY wedding kits with recycled tree-free, vegetable-dyed papers.  The seed-embedded overlay paper can be printed in your home ink-jet or laser printer.

10. Envelopperinc.com - This site is a great paper and software resource.  They have a wide range of invitation styles and 18 different pocket folds, 3 gatefold styles and pochettes.

A Summer in the Hamptons Tablescape

 

I absolutely love this Hampton's Inspired Tablecape designed by Trenna Travis of Trenna Travis Design Studio.  Her inspiration came from the romantic comedy, Somethings Gotta Give.  What woman didn't love that movie?!?!  I can't even tell you how many times I have watched it and the decor in Diane Keaton's house was stunning. 

Trenna used a monochromatic palette where she combined natural elements and textures.  She used a natural yuma for the table's underskirt with a white hemstich linen overlay. The other natural elements brought to the table were sea oat secured in oasis and buried in sand, viburnum and hydrangea. 

 

Rustic Chic Weddding Inspiration

 
 
I love when rustic meets glamorous...it's so chic!  I am always in search of this theme which is why I was so excited to find this wedding on Enchanted Dream Weddings & Affairs.  I hope it inspires you and gives you some elegant ideas for your wedding or next event.

 
 
{Photographer: Jeremy Dueck Photography - Design + Direction: Divine Weddings On Location at: Peter 
Wiebe Barn Site - Floral + Rentals: Little Flower Shop - Cake + Butter Tarts: High Tea Bakery    Stationery: Karta House}

Say "I DO" with a New "UP DO"

 When I was getting married I combed the internet and fashion magazines looking for that perfect "up do" hairstyle and since I was having a destination wedding I searched even more for easy DIY tutorials so I wouldn't have to hire an out of town stylist.  Well, if you are anything like me than I have found just the the thing for you...I found three amazing Martha Stewart Wedding videos from the “I Do My Do” series sponsored by Pantene. Each one is a simple hairstyle how-to focused on a particular hair type (fine, curly, or medium-thick) perfect for weddings, bridal showers, summer parties, etc.  You definitely have to check them out NOW!  I hope you enjoy them as much as "I DO."

 

4th of July Block Party

 

It's here and we are very excited to share our new 4th of July Block Party with you. This “down home”, Americana Style Block Party has absolutely everything that you will need for this year's Independence Day celebration!

Is it the scent of a hundred barbeques filling the neighborhood air that lets you know it's time to celebrate the 4th of July?  Get your Block Party on with this Red, White and Blue printable set, perfect for an entire neighborhood of guests.

One of our very favorite Party Designers - Abigail of Paper & Cake dreamed up this whimiscal, patriotic party.  Check out all of our great photos and details below for this All-American celebration… from red bandanas and striped red velvet cake push pops to grosgrain napkin rings and bottle labels reading “This Land is Your Land“. Of course, what 4th of July celebration would be complete without Pecan Pie? This one is serving up everything from corn on the cob to patriotic cupcakes!

 
 

 
 

 
 

T.G.I.F. The Urbanpolitan

 

Check out this Urbanpolitan...HGTV boasts that it's a sassier yet grittier version of the ever classic Cosmo.   I love new ideas based on oldies but goodies. 

Ingredients:

lemon-flavored vodka
orange liqueur
lemoncello
cranberry juice
fresh lime juice
sour mix
lemon peel, garnish

Directions:

Add two parts lemon-flavored vodka, 1/4 ounce orange liqueur, 1/4 ounce lemoncello, 1/4 ounce cranberry juice, 1/4 fresh lime juice and 1/4 ounce sour mix into a shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

 

Arts & Crafts Kid's Party

 

This theme is perfect for any time of year but I can't help but think of Summer when I see all of these fun, bright colors!  What kid wouldn't love and Arts & Crafts themed Candy Bar Birthday party??!?!  It's perfect for your little artist or your toddler's birthday party. 

Anders Ruff you've done it again with this oh so adorable Artsy Printable Party...I just adore ALL of your festive creations!!     

 

Various candies arranged in colors of the rainbow were placed on the dessert table so that the kids could fill their treat bags on their way out.

 

They filled mini water bottles with red, yellow and blue Gatorade and labeled the bottles with their printable drink wrap. The kids just loved them!
 

 
Rainbow colored twisty straws doubled as centerpieces.  

 
Mini chocolate bars were wrapped with fun printable wrappers that said different colors and reflected that color on the graphic.

 
Coordinating printable sticker labels were placed on Rainbow colored lollipops on the dessert table.

 

 
The favors were boxes of crayons (wrapped with a printable crayon wrapper), and sets of paint for the kids.

 

Proper Dining Etiquette

 
 
Dining Etiquette
Charm school rules apply to everyone, hostess and guest alike.  Table manners play an important role in showing appreciation and respect to the hostess and good table manners make a favorable impression to friends, family and colleagues alike.  Often times the ill informed - and most often: not ill mannered - will unknowingly break bread to the right, throwing off other guests and the time honored rules that dictate that water and wine be served on the right and bread on the left.  So, if you are a hostess, a parent, a manager or team leader it certainly is your place to sound a simple, well toned reminder to your constituents that “solids are to the left, liquids to the right”.  This may be especially appreciated by younger guests that are well intentioned but often uninformed to the proper rules of dining.  Also, when in doubt as to which utensil to rely upon for a particular course in the meal - start from the outside of the place setting and work toward the main meal plate: soup spoon first, then fish knife and fork, then service knife and fork.  Often times the main plate in a place setting is known as a "service plate," and is never actually eaten from.  It will either be removed when the first course is brought, or the dish will be set on top of it.  Remember, for a formal place setting, you will receive exactly as much silverware as you will need, arranged in precisely the right order.  A formal hostess will see to it that each utensil will go seamlessly with each course.

T.G.I.F. The Hot Mule

 

 
 
Photo by Cosmopolitan Hotel

Last weekend I was at the ultrahot Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas and I had a chance to taste one of their new, yummy summer cocktails while I was sitting poolside and it was definitely a "Winner!"  So, naturally I had to beg the bartender to tell me how to make it so I could share it with all of you.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Ingredients:

• 1 oz ginger simple syrup
• (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup ginger juice)
• 2 oz. spiced pear vodka
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
• Ginger Beer
• Mint Sprigs and candied ginger for garnish

Directions:

Combine ginger simple syrup ingredients and boil for 30 minutes.  Then mix all ingredients except ginger beer in a glass with ice.  Stir.  Top off with ginger beer.  Garnish with a sprig of mint and candied ginger if desired.