Orange & Yellow Inspiration

I think the normal tendency when thinking of decorating with orange and yellow is to use lemons and oranges. Not with this party collage! I put together this inpiration board with loads of great details, and not a citrus in site! I'm thinking perfect for an engagement party! You can't help but be happy and have a good time with this color scheme. Of course this would also be suitable for a birthday(tweens maybe?) or bridal shower.

Credits:
Dessert Buffet; Orange Crush drinks; Balloons
Party dress; flowers; straws & Drink dispensers
Place setting; "Circles"Invitation from buzybeepress.com

Non-Floral Centerpiece

Here's a unique way to use manzanita branches. Just set them in a glass cylinder, maybe with a little sand or rocks in the bottom. Line them up and surround them with candles. No other adornments needed. This lovely scene is from Trendsetting Wedding. They have created a beautiful walkway, but I can see this as being a modern centerpiece down a table. Okay, if you feel you MUST hang something, try some snowflake ornaments for a lovely winter wonderland.

Delicious And EASY Recipes

For our Sip and See shower we served a light lunch of green salad with mandarin orange and candied pecans, a pasta salad, and honey chicken salad in individual pastries. The recipe for the chicken salad is here. We served it in mini pie shells.

The dessert parfaits were a favorite and also very easy. I prepared a no-bake cheesecake(filling only) as directed, then mixed in a container of whip topping(regular size). I broke up a prepared white cake mix and began layering the cake with the filling and blueberries, and topped with an m&m. I also tinted the filling with blue food coloring, and put it all in a baby food jar to go with our theme. It was light, pretty, and delicious!

A Sip and See Baby Shower

Welcome Aboard, Mate! Sail with me to this Sip and "Sea" shower I hosted for a friend who just had her second baby. The theme was Nautical to reflect the nursery and there are lots of details to "sea" so click on the pictures to enlarge, visit our Flickr set, or go to our Facebook Album for more.

All the glass plates had a different nautical map underneath, while the favors were my version of the "message in a bottle" concept. Water glasses held nautical alphabet flags, each representing the first initial of a guest's name.

I used baby toys throughout, that mom could take with her. Bath toy boat and fish were tucked into flower arrangements and floating in vases filled with blue tinted water(see dessert table). Stuffed whale, dolphin, and shark were placed here and there.

Served at the drink station was an "Ocean Breeze" cocktail, and Jones blue colored berry lemonade. Also available were "lifesavers" candies. The stemware held drink charms fashioned from nautical themed buttons.

To hang above the bar as a focal point, I used a message board and applied several different nautical maps in a mosaic form, then just tucked in a few photos of the new baby and family.

More details of the nautical flags; water bottle; party decor; and "Islander" cheeseball served in a boat.

The dessert table was a hit with monogrammed cookies, cupcakes with blue icing and tiny nautical flags, and blueberry parfaits served in baby food jars.

The guests were greeted at the front door with a welcome message on a lifesaver; baby Nathan; party decor; the invitation.

Double Duty Centerpiece

Perfect for a bridal shower or ladies luncheon, these party favor boxes do double duty. They house some adorable little trinket or treat for your guests, and serve as a fun and colorful centerpiece. Just stack them pyramid-style! Also saves $$ spent on seperate centerpieces.

Find Boxes Here

Frozen Smoothie Pops

Create this frozen summer treat for your next outdoor party, or afternoon snack. The recipe is simple and even healthy! You can use decorative baking tins for the mold, or paper cups. See recipe and instructions here.

Staying Cool In The Summer Heat

Keeping food and drinks cold during a summer picnic can give you one more opportunity to be stylish. That's right. Try some of these ideas for chillin' and you'll be the coolest cat on the block!
Start with a trip to Lowes or Home Depot and get yourself a galvanized planter box(or plastic). Fill it with ice and serve a trio of salads right inside. If you're pressed for time, use what you already have. Fill a larger bowl or dish with ice and set a smaller one on top to keep the food cold.
Serving wine was never so chic. Fill an urn planter or bird bath with ice and set your bottles inside.

Serve the kids in style as well. Put juice, soda, and water in an ice filled wheel barrow, or wagon. Great for when you're on the move playing bocce, too!

All these great ideas use things you may already have or can easily get at the home store. Now go chill out...Ice, Ice, Baby....

Photo Credits:

top: Southern Living, Real Simple

middle: Woman's Day, Danny Seo

bottom: Living Etc, Deidre Ali

Exotic Tabletop

Here is a gorgeous tablescape from Amorology that takes you on an exotic trip to India...even if only for an evening. You could sooo do this for a special birthday or engagement party. Use craft/floral foam squares to recreate the centerpieces. Just push cut flowers right in and set on top of a candle stick. Use the idea of the elephants on top to create this, or any other themed look.

Check out the latest post from Amy Atlas for a great complimentary dessert table!

Say "Yes" To Paper Streamers!

Seriously, who makes paper streamers look this good?!! Martha of course! She turns the ordinary kid's party stand-by streamer into an upscale modern design element fit for adults. These streamers are kicked up a notch with their intricate patterns and shapes, and when used en mass, they look Fabulous! Check out the sources below:

Arcade garland

Leaf garland

Pageant garland

Weekend Party Downloads

Need a theme for your summer soiree? Then head over to Paper and Cake and download one of these party theme kits. Plan a pool party wheather you have a pool or not. Use the adorable and colorful "Pool Party" theme above and fill up a few baby pools(very inexpensive) and set out lots of towels and blankets to sit on. Have sprinklers going for the kids to run through.

Or maybe you'd like to have a "Retro-style Luau" instead. Use these downloads and continue the color scheme with "grass skirts" hanging down around the table edge and coconut cups(found at party stores). Display some big tropical green leaves in vases and as table "mats" to add a modern and sophisticated touch...a luau doesn't HAVE to be that traditional, colorful look.

And if you just want to wrap some cupcakes for ANY party, try these fabulous wrappers. They are now sold seperately and you can even get 3 designs for $10! See how cute they look in "real parties" here and here.

WOW! Paper and Cake has been busy!

Drink Your Dessert

Yum-O! From Rachel Ray comes these delicious dessert cocktails. I don't know which I want to try first! How about serving these in a shot glass with it's namesake cookie.

Vanilla Wafer Whirl
3 ounces (about 5 tablespoons) Dr. McGillicuddy's French Kiss vanilla liqueur
2 ounces banana liqueur (1/4 cup)
1 ounce vanilla vodka (2 tablespoons)
1 ounce heavy cream (2 tablespoons)
1.Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the French Kiss, banana liqueur, vanilla vodka and the heavy cream; shake well and strain into 2 juice glasses. Garnish each glass with a banana slice

Liquid Oreo
1-1/2 ounces vodka (3 tablespoons)
1-1/2 ounces Kahlúa (3 tablespoons)
1-1/2 ounces white crème de cacao (3 tablespoons)
1-1/2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream (3 tablespoons)
2 Oreo cookies, for garnish
1.Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the vodka, Kahlúa, crème de cacao and Baileys and shake well. Strain into 2 martini glasses. Slip an Oreo onto the side of each glass

Chocolate Chip Martini
2 ounces white crème de cacao (1/4 cup)
2 ounces dark crème de cacao (1/4 cup)
1-1/2 ounces chocolate vodka (3 tablespoons)
1-1/2 ounces butterscotch schnapps (3 tablespoons)
Mini chocolate chips for garnish
1.Place 3 chocolate chips in each of 2 martini glasses. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the white and dark crème de cacao, the vodka and butterscotch schnapps and shake well. Strain into the glasses

Mint Milano Remix
1 ounce white crème de menthe (2 tablespoons)
4 ounces white crème de cacao (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Pepperidge Farm Mint Milano cookies, for garnish
Fresh mint (optional), for garnish
1.Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the crème de menthe, crème de cacao and heavy cream and shake well. Strain into 2 wine glasses or goblets. Balance a cookie on top or place one inside each glass. Add mint sprigs, if desired

Oatmeal Cookie Crush
3 ounces butterscotch schnapps (about 5 tablespoons)
2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream (1/4 cup)
1 ounce coconut-flavored rum (2 tablespoons)
1/2 ounce Goldschläger cinnamon schnapps (1 tablespoon)
Oatmeal cookies, crushed, for garnish
1.Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the butterscotch schnapps, Baileys, rum and Goldschläger and shake well. Strain into 2 rocks glasses. Sprinkle with crushed cookies

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 shared ideas for outdoor entertaining. I'm excited and honored to have been asked to contribute some ideas for their site, and each day this week they will featured a different contributor and link to their articles. Visit the links below to see the articles I wrote.

For instructions on how I created the cool summery "tray" above, go here.

And for the details on the "natural" tablescape below, read here.

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 post here featuring an inexpensive & simple outdoor tablescape. 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.