Ideas For A Citrus Theme Maybe?!

Hold on to your hats party people! B.A.S.H.ful Custom Events Kits has just introduced this super cute, super citrusy, candy buffet. This just makes my eyes Happy! From the little pieces of maribou attached to the paper "daisies," to the custom wrapped candies, to the little butterflies placed here and there, it's all so pretty!

Gretchen can create a custom party kit for you too! Check out her blog for a discount. I love the name: B.a.s.h.ful(birthdays/announcements/showers/holidays)...and her kits can help you create a beautiful "Bash!" ; )

As if this weren't enough cuteness for one day, I also found this perfectly coordinating onesie at TomKat Studio, yesterday. It is actually an item from Dolce Vita Mia and is up for auction for a very good cause. Please check out the story behind the auction and do what you can.

In the mean time: Lemon/Lime Candy bar + Lemon/Lime Onesie = One Adorable Baby Shower!

Working On A Sip-n-"Sea"

I'm working on a Sip-n-See for this Sunday and the theme is nautical to reflect the baby's nursery. Here are the invitations that were easy to put together using double-sided paper, some ribbon and wood anchor craft shapes, and fish confetti made from a craft punch.

Stay tuned for full recap next week!

A Salad Bar More Appetizing

Ever think your guests would rather skip over the salad and move right on to the "good" stuff? If you take a moment to present the salad bar like this, who wouldn't want to indulge? The use of several square glass containers(vases) creates a great graphic design that's very appetizing. This may be inspiration for a "Salad" party! Garden salad, chicken salad, pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salad...

Photo source: unknown

Inspiring Gift Boxes

Want to make a statement with your hostess gift(other than what's inside)? Try embelishing your gift box with one of these fantastic ideas from Martha Stewart. It's easy to create an interesting look with a few wraps of pretty ribbon. Happy gift-giving!

Cupcakes With NO Calories!

These carnation "cupcakes" are so adorable. Send someone you know(or yourself) one from 1-800-Flowers. Of course I always support the DIY motto too(using these)! ; D
These are guaranteed to last more than 5 minutes...unlike the edible kind.

Hello Yellow!

I'm truly loving this bright and beautiful party by Brooke, at Jackaroo Love. What's better is she did it on a budget! Head on over to Brooke's blog to see more pics, and all the money saving details.

What Can You Do With Ribbon?

Talk about bang for your buck! You can create a fantastic statement by using simple ribbon in unique ways. I love the personalized banners as much as everyone else, but look at how adorable this ribbon banner above, is. ANYONE can do this!

Look at all the fabulous ways you can use ribbon to blow in the breeze. Tie them to the backs of chairs with long tails to the floor...tie them to paper lanterns...tie them to candle lanterns(that are enclosed) and let them hang from the trees.

Bring the ribbon to the table, too! I'm loving the cake base, and table runner. Wrap a simple vase to coordinate with decor, and hang a single strip above a console table to hang pictures, cards, or that personalized banner ; )

Photos:

ribbon banner-Parents.com

chairs & candles-amorology; lanterns-MarthaStewart.com
cake-myrecipes.com; runner-simplypanache.com; flowers-unknown; banner-unknown

Outdoor Party Decor Week

There's a party happening over at Celebrations and you're invited! This week Celebrations is highlighting some of it's contributors who have lots of ideas for outdoor entertaining. I'm excited and honored to have been asked to contribute some ideas for their site. Each day this week, they will featured a different "party person" and link to their articles. Check out their blog each day to meet someone new(today is my day ; ) and get some great ideas.

For instructions on how I created the cool summery "tray" above, go here.
And for the details on the "natural" tablescape below, read here.

DIY Outdoor Celebration-Southern Style!

Last weekend, we celebrated the marriage of my sister and her new hubby. Since this is not a first marriage, and their kids are all grown themselves, it was really a celebration of family and friends coming together. Nothing fancy, just a backyard bbq complete with roasted pig, yard games, and a beautiful river as the backdrop....all VERY Southern!

This was a DIY party done on a budget! Here's how they did it:

1. A friend owns the beautiful park-like property where the reception was held so no expensive rental fee.

2. All tables and chairs were borrowed from the church.

3. Friends who do catering offered their service of roasting the pig, as their "gift" to the bride and groom.

4. A family member made the wedding cake as well as other food(the bride and family catered the entire meal).

5. The table centerpieces were potted Impatience. Perfect for planting at home afterward.

6. All the pots for the flowers were from the Dollar Tree online, for a dollar each.

7. Bride made her own personalized fans for a fraction of what they would cost to buy(these were much appreciated by all).

8. Some unique and "antique" serving pieces were found at thrift stores, and borrowed from freinds(old cheese wheels held the wrapped utensils, old dough bowl held the bread).

9. The bride's sister(ME!) took on the role of coordinator, and set up.
10. Yes, it helps to know the right people! ; )

I'm Featured!--Last Minute 4th of July Tips

Today, our local paper the Richmond Times-Dispatch, featured me and my business on the front page of the Home & Garden section!! They were looking for quick and easy ideas to put together for the 4th, and found my blog online. One thing led to another and here it is! Click here for the article, and here for the slideshow.

Here are a couple of my own photos I snapped from the photo shoot last week.

Celebrations At Home News

Lots of things happening around here! This Friday, July 3, our local paper, The Richmond Times Dispatch will be running a story in the Home and Garden section, about last minute decorating for a 4th of July party. I was lucky enough to be called upon to recreate the tablescape I did for Memorial Day, as well as come up with some other easy ideas that could be done for the fourth. We had a fun photo shoot last week for the cover story! I took some of my own pictures so I'll post those on Friday. I'm also working on a Sip and "Sea" for a friend who had a baby boy recently. The theme is based on the baby's nursery decor and will take place later this month.

Finally, as if you hadn't noticed, I got a new blog layout which I am thrilled with! Thanks to Katie at The Savvy Event, I found Ellie! Ellie, at Rainy Day Templates, created and installed the layout. She was super to work with and very affordable! If you're looking for an overhaul, she's your girl!

Here are some of the other templates, but go to her site to see more.

Collage Photos:

Murals For Kids, Canadian Bridal, Wedding Obsession

4th Of July Celebrating!

Wouldn't you love to sit out here and enjoy good friends, food, and fun?! This beautiful deck has a coastal feel but the Red, White, and Blue color scheme makes it perfect for Independance Day! Create a similar look by bringing pillows and scatter rugs outside. I looooove how they have created intimacy with the folding screen!

Embelish some paper cups with stars and stripes in the form of ribbon and scrapbook embelishments. Write your name right on the cup so no drink mix ups.

These cute white cones from No Fuss Fabulous are so cute holding red and blue berries.

Want a festive appetizer? I found these at Accent the Party. Just cut out star shapes from puff pastry dough and skewer it with sausage bites. Get full instructions from Dunkin Cooking the Semi-Homemade Way.

A new way to serve hot dogs. Perfect for kids and grown up alike. Find recipe here.

Top it all off with a light berry parfait. Think how pretty it would be with several rows of these lined up on a tray.


Photo Source:

Deck-BHG.com

Cups-unknown

Orange You Loving This?!

This beautiful color scheme of orange and white just POPS out at you! Perfect for a summer luncheon or shower. Great way to combine flowers and candles in a centerpiece too. And I love the creative arrangement of the place setting. See more at Brides.

Magical Moss Centerpieces

There can be more to a centerpiece than just flowers and candles. Why don't you try incorporating some moss details into your next arrangement. The top photo is very simple with sheet moss and votive candles. They show a hanging version but you could easily use this idea with a large bowl or dish...maybe even a small birdbath or urn.

The glass holders in the second picture have been wrapped with sheet moss. Try glueing the moss to a strip of paper and then attach the paper to the glass with double sided tape.

The photos above and below use moss rocks, and sphagnum moss. I've found the rocks at places like TJ Maxx/Marshalls, Target, and some craft stores. You can easily find a variety of mosses in bags at the craft store.

I love how absolutely simple these decorations are. Just a pile of moss in a jar and a butterfly detail. Takes me back to the days as a kid when catching fireflies in a jar was a big deal!

Photos:

Good Housekeeping

Tic Toc Couture

Amorology

A New Use For CD Case

How about this great idea for a party favor. Wrap up a big cookie and place it inside of a cd envelope for your guests. Don't forget the cute little sticker to go on the outside!

Photo: In the Now