Setting Up A Stylish Buffet

Source: Brides

Source: Hostess With The Mostess

Source: Art of Love

Source: Project Wedding

Source: Sprittibee

Source: Project Wedding

Source: Swanky Tables

Styling a party or event usually focuses strongly on centerpieces and place settings for the dining table. But some parties, such as cocktail parties or buffets, may not call for a grand table setting, but DO call for a grand buffet setting! Each of the buffets shown here, showcases the food in a very stylish way. Some of the examples are dessert displays, but the concept works equally well for savories.

Some of the concepts to follow:

• Get Architectural - Create levels and dimension by stacking and staggering glass blocks, acrylic risers, and boxes wrapped in coordinating paper. You can find glass blocks at craft stores, as well as home improvement stores. Here's another source for acrylic risers . Acrylic frames also work well for lower levels. Just take out the cardboard insert. You can use any cardboard or wooden box you may have, and wrap it in wrapping paper (or paint the wooden boxes to match the tablecloth).
• Use Pedestals and "Towers" - You can lift up your platters by simply placing on top of clear cylander vases, or solid colored ceramic vases. Dress it up by wrapping ribbon around the vase. Use sticky craft 'dots' to secure the platter to the vase.
• Think Outside the Tablecloth - Don't just rely on tablecloths to cover your buffet. Use interesting textures and ideas such as burlap, moss sheets, flower petals, rows of twig runners, chalk board runners, or mirrors. Use the tablecloth as a base for these decorative toppers.

Good luck setting up your next buffet table!

A Snowman Party!

I have to admit I had another post ready for today, but when I saw this amazing Snowman Party from Setting the Mood, I haaaaad to share it instead! This is just about the cutest thing ever!! From the tiny little pom pom "snow", to the life-size "melting snowman" centerpiece, to the little snowman milk bottles, everything here is perfection. Even the color scheme is fresh and new! Loving the Orange!

Head on over to check out all the great work by Setting the Mood.

Cupcake Doilie

Here is a fantastic tutorial from No Fuss Fabulous on how to make those cute little cupcake skirts. Check out their site to read all about it!

Get Ready For Superbowl Sunday!

Superbowl is right around the corner and I have the perfect tablescape to share. This buffet is from Color Sizzle and combines a few party store finds, with some fun creative touches.

Easy to recreate for your own football party!

Florals, Ribbon, & Bling, Oh My!

These inspiring images come from Botanica Floral Designs of Sacramento. I don't have a lot of dialogue to add, except the fact that I love the use of "bling" in her arrangements, and the use of ribbon and florals on the lanterns. Just beautiful inspiration for your next event.

Which is your favorite?

Be My Valentine!

Just a few more weeks until Valentine's Day! I found these adorable ideas that are so easy to do. I loooooove the project above using matchboxes, small treats, and pretty paper & ribbon. I found it on Inchmark, where you can get all the information. These are so great becouse 1) they look CUTE! 2)they are easy to do, & affordable 3)you can customize them for ANY occasion. Did I happen to mention that I looooooove this project?!

I found this next trio of ideas here. There were several Valentine ideas but these were my favorites. Flowers surrounded by red candies (insert smaller vase of flowers into larger vase & fill the space between with candies); Cupcake wrapper filled with candies (some wrappers don't have a bottom so you may have to insert a cupcake liner to hold the candies); and glass vases filled with candies and a photo of your true love. So easy to pull off!

Host A Game Night

This is the perfect time of year to host a Game Night with friends or family. It can bring on that warm sense of comfort from childhood, not to mention a healthy dose of competition! Here are some good ideas to get you started.
Start with an invitation that sets the scene. Guests can contribute games for the evening or you can provide several options. A cute and creative way to customize the event is to use some old game boards and carve out (using an exacto knife) openings for pictures or competitive phrases like "Game On!" "Don't forget to eat your Wheaties!" or "Anti Up!" With a scrabble board you can even spell out and glue on the words with the letter tiles.

For decor and snacks make it fun and simple. Fill glass vases with dominos, checkers, dice, poker chips, or Scrabble tiles. Insert a smaller vase into the larger one and fill with water and flowers. Then fill the area between the two vases with your filler items...you need less "filler" that way. Make name cards or food labels with playing cards, and create some fun drink charms with game pieces (you can photocopy squares from the game board onto card stock).

Food should be simple but hardy, and easy to pick up and go. Think pigs-n-blankets, pizza squares, mini burgers, mini sandwiches (arranged like a checker board!), chips, and veggie sticks. Serve french fries in cones made from paper printed with crossword puzzles or word searches. You can get "Puzzle" books inexpensively and just pull out the pages and roll it into a cone. Find vintage game boards and use them as "trays" to serve the food or drinks on. Use the Scrabble letters & holders to spell out different game areas or the signature cocktail of the night.

To cap off the evening, serve a whimsical dessert/candy buffet. "Domino" cookies and brownies fit the bill, and a colorful display of candies is perfect for filling up a favor bag and taking home. This way Everyone's a Winner!

So what do you think? GAME ON!!!

Links:

Collage 1: Invitation (Tiny Prints); Stack of games; Game board frames

Collage 2: Buffet (from InStyle Parties book); card place holder; checkerboard sandwiches; drink charms (Make Merry! Events); drinks on ice

Collage 3: Candy Buffet & favors (Make Merry! Events); Domino brownies & cookies (from InStyle Parties book); Domino cookies ; find mini game box candy here (oriental trading)

Winter Birthdays

For all the winter birthdays out there, don't fight the season, incorporate it into your birthday decor! For the 'adult' birthday celebration, set a beautiful table with rich brown and blue hues. It doesn't "scream" winter, but it certainly does give that cozy warm feeling when you are coming in from the cold. Of course you can serve an 'icing on the cake' cocktail with a candle as garnish...so cute and original!

For the child's birthday party, go ahead and use snow as your inspiration. Have the kids cut out paper snowflakes and use them for decor. Using white lacy doileys also adds to the snowy feel without being too overt.

Wrap cupcakes with round doiley edging, and top with rock sugar or sprinkles to mimic icey crystals.

child's party: from Williams Sonoma Kids Parties book

Hanging Glass Vases

This is a fun and unique way to add decor to your next event. These hanging glass vases from Pear and Peony, can be filled with water and hold a single flower stem. A set of 5 is only $15, and the colored satin band comes in your choice of 9 colors.

These would look great hanging above a buffet table, a dining table, along walkways, or from tree branches. You could also fill with colored water or sand.

What do you guys think?

Tea Party Baby Shower

 I must have Tea Parties on the brain this week! In addition to the adorable tea cup candle favors, I am also loving this sweet Tea Party Baby Shower above. It is simple, but with the mass of hanging lanterns, and the color scheme so beautifully executed, it reads sleek and modern.

This would also make a lovely Bridal Shower...and don't forget to give those tea cup candle favors!

Girly Birthday Touches

Here is an adorable little girl's birthday party from Absolutely Beautiful Things. I love how she used the blue tablecloth from her son's birthday, and added a very frilly, and girly floral ruffle to the edge in order to make it more femanine. Cute stamped favor bags, and striped napkins are 2 more easy DIY projects. for the homemade napkins, you can either sew, use iron-on hemming, or just use pinking shears to keep the edges from fraying. So pretty and well done!

Black + White + Yellow = Perfection

Every time I see this color combination, I love it more and more! The beautiful table above by Bliss Events, serves as inspiration for your own milestone birthday celebration, or engagement party. Begin your planning process with one of these invitations from Tiny Prints, and your color scheme is firmly in place. Setting the scene is easier when you have a color palette to follow. Yet another great reason to invest in simple white and/or black pieces...just add any other color to it to create a different look each time! This look is achieved with simple candle sticks, vases, and flowers. And remember, you can spray paint some of those old and tired candle sticks you already have to give it a modern fresh look.

I think every event needs a sweets table! Black, white, and yellow treats are easy to find/make.

Serve a delicious lemon yellow cocktail upon guest arrival. These black martini glasses make a great statement, but you can use clear ones. Don't forget to line your serving trays with a matching patterned paper.

Can I tell you how much I love the little party dress?!!! What a fun addition to your black, white, and yellow party!

Links:
Dessert Table ,

Martini, Party Dress

Let Me Introduce You...

...to Chic Sweets. Located in Tampa, Florida, Natalie designs beautiful dessert tables for special events. She is a working mom following her creative dream! Check out her blog for eye-candy and inspiration for your own dessert tables.

Tea Cup Favors

Is there a tea party in your future? Here's the perfect favor for your guests (or hostess gift) from Martha Stewart. You can find old tea cups at flea markets, antique stores, yard sales, or ebay. The candle making supplies are found at any craft store. Part of what makes this gift so unique is the addition of the match boxes that have been wrapped in coordinating paper, ribbon, and sticker label. Place the cup & matchbox wrapped up in tulle and tied with a ribbon, at each place setting. Just perfect for showers, mother's day luncheon, or birthday.

Oreo Truffles

If you've never tried these little bites of heaven, now's your chance! It only takes 3 ingredients and it is sooooo worth it!

Oreo Truffles
1 18-oz package oreo cookies, crushed
1 8-oz block cream cheese, softened
1 lb. white baking chocolate
In large mixing bowl, combine cookies and cream cheese. Beat with mixer on low speed until well blended. Form 1 inch balls using mini scoop (if possible) or hands. Chill in freezer for about 30 minutes, or until firm.

Melt chocolate in microwave using 30 second increments. Do not over heat! Take out chilled balls and using a toothpick, dip them in melted chocolate one by one. Place on Wax paper to cool.

Note: you may choose to decorate these further using sprinkles or complementary colored chocolate (melted) drizzled on top.
You may also choose to serve these on lollipop sticks.
These are always a hit. Enjoy!!

Baby Shower {Whimsical Garden}

Today's feature is from Nicole of On the Run blog. She co-hosted a baby shower for her friend who was having a baby girl, Harper. They wanted it very girly and was inspired by the Whimsical Garden theme created by Jenn of HWTM.

I think they did a terrific job of incorporating pretty garden touches. Check out the cute cupcake stand above, and my personal favorite, the wired butterflies topping the brownies. Presentation is everything!

Another lovely detail is all the brightly colored ribbon used to tie around vases, jugs, and drinking glasses (canning jars). I think it adds to the whimsical feel. To see more, head over to Nicole's blog.

DIY Frame Decor

I found this fabulous frame project at Wire & Paper, using the infamous IKEA frame(about $25, only found in the stores). You can order your own custom wired paper flowers from Wire & Paper for a project like this, or use this as inspiration to DIY. This frame was made for a store to hang in their front window.

Start by inserting some fabulous fabric into the frame, and then attach wired butterflies, wire garland, or your own project of wired flowers using flowers and wire from the craft store. The important thing to remember here is to create a nice dimension and spacing around the frame using the wired element.
This would be so beautiful for a baby shower, or "Fairy/Garden" birthday party.

A Colorful Crayola Birthday Party

Need an idea for that winter birthday party, where you can't send the kids outdoors to play? Try this cute, colorful, and activity-filled Crayola Crayon party. Begin by sending these invitations by Classic Sparkle. They give a hint of what to expect and would be even cuter with a real crayon tied on with the ribbon. While you're at it, pick up these personalized crayon packs from The Crafty Giver, for the kid's favors. Or get crafty and DIY them! The inspiration for this party came from these beautiful centerpieces created by Couture Flowers. You can put together something similar using these big crayon banks, some glass cylandars wrapped with brightly colored ribbon, vintage toys, and of course, flowers.

Don't forget you will need a drawing table (below) set up for this party. Cover a long table with white craft paper so the kids can draw freely, but also have some regular-sized paper suitable for frames. Put together some pretty centerpieces of clean soup cans surrounded by crayons, and wrapped with a ribbon (you can use either glue or sticky dots to hold the crayons in place). In addition to drawing, the kids could make "crayon cupcakes" by breaking up old crayons, putting them into paper-lined muffin tins, and melting in the oven to create a rainbow effect (see instructions here). These can be wrapped up at the end of the party as part of their take home favor.

Food will consist of, what else, a colorful candy & dessert buffet! Fabulous examples here from Clo by Clau! and M & M Wedding. Cupcake instructions found at Betty Crocker.

You already know that framing your child's art work makes it that much more special. Why not decorate the party space with some simple matted crayon drawings made by your own little Picasso. Mats are lightweight and inexpensive so they would be easy to hang with tape, or poster adhesives. Again, have some mats for the children to frame their newly created drawings and take home with them. For a more permanent option, these dynamic frames open easily to change out, and store, artwork.