All Things For All Parties

All Things Preppy: Grosgrain Napkin Rings

Check out our online shop to find more great Grosgrain Napkin Ring Colors!  Perfect for any occasion (I just bought a set for my Mom for Mother's Day!)

Spring Brunch

We're partnering with Rosanna this week to bring you some fun ideas on spring and Easter Entertaining! You definitely need to stop on by and read their post on simple Spring Décor ideas plus a very yummy Coconut Crème pie recipe. You don’t want to miss this one!!!

Spring is just around the corner so let’s shake off the winter blues and bound into spring’s warm and friendly social schedule. Spring parties are for celebrating any number of occasions: Easter, birthdays, spring break, graduations and more. Spring is a time of renewal and optimism; so now that you’ve begun to thaw out and warm-up, invite your friends over for an intimate spring brunch.

Start with the invitation. Choose a colorful, personalized invite with a simple floral motif. One clever idea is to combine a favor and an invitation all in one, especially if it is an intimate affair. Purchase paper butterflies then print the party information on colorful tags and tie them onto the butterflies. Your guests will be so impressed when you drop them off (or send them).

Choose an easy menu that celebrates the bounty of the season’s produce, decorate your table with fresh blooms, and serve fizzy fruity cocktails.

Design a sophisticated and fresh look with a spring palette made-up of vibrant greens, brilliant whites and sunny yellows. Start by covering a table with a white tablecloth and bright placemats then add a rattan runner (a patterned, spring scarf can also double as a runner). Top the runner with colorful vases like these great and inexpensive Blumeboxes (like the ones pictured above) filled with spring blooms (like tulips or hyacinths). Little bouquets are easy and less intimidating to make. When you are choosing your flowers: stay seasonal, and don’t be afraid to mix your bouquet. Cinch napkins with our preppy grosgrain napkin rings.

If you are entertaining on a budget then go for a simple but charming grass centerpiece and place white tea lights in clear glass votives in the grass.

Paper lanterns are a simple way to make your party feel intimate yet very festive. Add colorful nylon butterflies to your paper lanterns and you will instantly give these lanterns a lift.

The key to a great party - for any season - is appropriate coordination. With so many spring party themes to choose from, it can be challenging to limit the party to one cohesive focal point, but with proper planning a spring party can bloom magnificently into a splendid occasion.

Keep decorations subtle and let Mother Nature do the rest with fresh flowers, bright green grass and crisp blue sky.

Coordinate activities with the party theme, including party games and appetizers.

Preppy Entertaining

 

"Preppy is a lifestyle, not a clothing style," Bitsy sighed as she observed the West Coast girls trying to pull off Reds. Her friend Buffy nodded before they resumed their tennis game.

I absolutely love Preppy even though I am a true West Coast girl.  I hope you enjoy ithese uber-preppy summer entertaining items as much as I do.

Kids love them…  adults love them too.  These 10 inch melamine plates by Soiree are great for outdoor dining or fun to use in your home.  Great patterns make it fun for the whole family! Dishwasher safe.

 Hicks Paper Goods offers modern, stylish designs that are perfect for every occasion.  Order blank stock to print yourself or personalize and let them print for you! 

These pink & white striped grosgrain ribbon napkin rings are the perfect addition to add a touch of East Coast preppy to any table setting or outdoor event.

T.G.I.G.F. Mint Belllinis

 
Thank goodnees it's Good Friday!  If you are looking for something classic with a twist for your Easter brunch this year than how about trying this perfect brunch inspired Mint Bellini with an Italian-inspired menu of appetizers to celebrate its Italian roots. It was first served on the banks of the Venice, the popular champagne-and-peach cocktail has gained popularity world-wide as a brunch, shower or early-evening drink. Dee-lic-ious!!!

YIELD: Makes 9 1/2 cups
Ingredients
4 (12-ounce) cans peach nectar
2 cups sugar
1 lemon, halved
1/4 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves
1 (750-milliliter) bottle Champagne or 2 1/2 cups sparkling water
Garnish: lemon slices
 
Preparation
Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil, and cook 20 minutes. Cool. Remove and discard lemon and mint; store mixture in an airtight container in refrigerator until ready to serve. Stir in Champagne before serving. Serve over ice; garnish, if desired.
Prep: 10 min., Cook: 20 min.

Recipe and Photo by Southern Living, June 2002

Adorable DIY Easter Egg Cups

 
How adorable are these festive egg cup holders?!  They are the perfect addition to your easter table or spring gathering; you can also use them as place card holders and favors - Just make the grassy coil tighter, write your guest's names on a card, and tuck them into the tall grasses. Ta da!!! 

Materials Needed:
How to PDF
8 1/2″ x 11″ Text Paper (Moss, Sage & Curry)
Medium Adhesive Pearls
7 Point Shape Hole Punch
Double Stick Tape
Bone Folder
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Cut strips of moss and sage text paper to approximately 2″ x 11″. Use the grass template on the "How to PDF" to cut out blades of grass or cut freehand.
2. Take one strip of moss grass and sage grass and loosely coil to allow room for an egg to fit snugly inside. Secure outer and inner strips of grass with double stick tape. Curl ends of grass outwards with a bone folder.
3. Decorate the base of the grassy egg cup holder with a curry flower, using the 7 point shape hole punch. Use double stick tape to adhere to egg cup. Embellish the center with a pearl.

This craft and photo was brought to you by the Paper Source.

T.G.I.F. Wine Spritzers

 
Recipe by Paula Deen and Photo by Food.com

How about something exhilarating this Friday?  Spring is in the air and I am in the mood for something light and breezy like these refreshing wine spritzers; they are perfect for this weekend's entertaining enjoyment. 

Ingredients:
Ice
1/4 to 1/2 cup wine
1/4 to 1/2 cup sparkling water
Lemon slices, for garnish

Directions:
Pour wine into ice filled glass, top off with sparkling water and garnish with lemon slice.

 

Create Your Own Dazzling Centerpiece

 
I spotted this dazzling DIY wedding favor and was instantly struck by how easy and chic this project is. All you need are some tin cans and beads.

Wrap tin cans with gold, black and copper bronze bead strands than fill with cut flowers.  How much easier could a DIY project be.

Use them as centerpieces for your tables or as vases around the house. The cans will look stunning lined up on the table.
 

Claire Robinson's Millionaire's Shortbread

 
Valentine's Day is right around the corner and you know what they say about what the fastest way is to a Man's heart?!?!?   The answer to this question is very simple....Millionaire Shortbread!  Just take a look at the picture...Oh my yummi-ness!  If your sweetheart is on a diet and doesn't want to partake (LOL) than share it with your kids, family and friends...I promise they will love you even more than they do now!  

Claire says, "You will feel like a million bucks after one bite of these tasty treats - and they're so easy to make with only a few ingredients."

T.G.I.F. Raspberry Cheesecake Martini

 
I don't know about you but I absolutely L-O-V-E cheesecake!  A few years back my husband went through a cheesecake phase he was determined to become an expert at making cheesecakes and I definitely think he mastered it with his oreo cookie crust cheesecake...Yikes!  It was  a little piece of heaven so I think I am going to make-up a batch of these this weekend in honor of his cheesecake making days!  They would also be perfect for my friend, Sara's bridal shower. 

Ingredients:

1 part Finlandia®Vodka
1 part Chambord®Liqueur
1 part heavy cream
½ part sour mix

Directions:
Shake ingredients over ice, strain and serve into a martini glass.

 

Glimmer in the Moment

 
Calling all Fashionistas!!!  Forget Tiffany's and the local flea markets when you are looking for unique pieces that are handcrafted or handfinished (not mass produced or manufactured). I have a new Favorite site...Accessory Artists!   Don't drop another dime on unreliable baubles, look to Accessory Artists; they feature fabulous designers that are emerging, independent or under the radar. 

If you are like me and you just cringe when you go out to dinner or a party and you spot someone else wearing the same necklace you're wearing (ugghhh!) then this is the store for you...I love it because they carry one of a kind pieces, vintage pieces, limited edition and some exclusives, and in a few cases they are the only online retailer for these designers.  I love it!  Now I can go to the Christmas party in confidence knowing that no one else will be wearing my jewelry.