We welcomed [...]]]> Happy February!  I don’t know about you, but I feel like 2012 is flying by already!  We have been so busy over here, I thought I would take a few moments out and fill you in on all of the new and exciting things going on at The Party Dress and WH Hostess right now.

We welcomed two new contributors to The Party Dress in January: Jane, our WH Hostess college intern, as well as Casi from CupcakeMAG.  I hope you have enjoyed reading their posts!

January was spent cleaning up last year and preparing for some big parties early this year.  We had an absolutely amazing holiday season, and it left us with very little downtime!  We worked hard this month to finish up some new collections (did you see our new line of adult notecards? oh, and the new chunky notepad patterns?!) as well as put the finishing touches on our brand-new-just-launching-oh-so-fabulous wholesale line.  Fresh, modern, preppy patterns on so many cute stationery products….to say we are smitten is an understatement.  We are working with some boutiques across the country, but if you know of a store we should contact….pass it along!

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, remember to get your orders in for our darling collection of personalized valentines for kiddos.  (who am I kidding?! I am totally sending out the monogram ones from myself!)

We have a few big client parties that are in the works that have the makings to be just amazing. I am hoping my clients allow me to share pictures with all of you soon!

Speaking of pictures, one of the best parts of my job is receiving photos after a party – I just love seeing how our party goods are used!  Just this week, I received photos from 3 amazing parties….stay tuned, they will be up on the blog soon!  (one hint, check out our new barnyard farm animals collection!)  Have you used our products for a party?!  We would LOVE to see pictures!  You can e-mail them to parties@thepartydress.net.  Who knows, they may just end up being featured on the blog!

The biggest news this month is that the Spring 2012 issue of The Party Dress Magazine is now available for pre-order!  This issue literally makes me smile every time I think about it.  Amazing contributors.  Amazing parties, photography and ideas.  Trust me when I say, each issue is getting better and better….and this one is going to knock your socks off!  The digital issue will launch on Monday, March 12th and the pre-ordered printed issues will ship on or before that date.  Charynn and I are finishing up photo shoots this week and it’s going to be very hard not to share the ideas with you just yet.  Maybe we’ll have to do a little sneak peek!

Texas fans, take note:  I am headed to Ft. Worth the last weekend of February to speak on hosting stylish parties at the Project Mom conference.  In the area?!  Come join me!

We are SO close to hitting 10,000 fans on facebook!  CRAZY!! Are you a fan?!  If not, join us!  If so, please pass us along to your friends!  If we hit 10,000 by the time the magazine launches we are going to have one BIG celebration + giveaway!

That’s it for today, my friends!  I look forward to a month of creative ideas, trends and new parties to share!  Happy February!

Put on your sunglasses. Spring is all about bright! Here are some tips when working with brights:

All about Tangerine! You know with Pantone’s Color of the Year being [...]]]> Did you enjoy Part I of my Party Perfect Palettes from last week?  I’m back today with two more bright and cheerful palettes to inspire Spring parties.

Put on your sunglasses. Spring is all about bright! Here are some tips when working with brights:

All About Tangerine

All about Tangerine! You know with Pantone’s Color of the Year being Tangerine Tango — it will be everywhere. But, it’s like pink – you never get sick of a beautiful bright & cheery color. For a oh-so-chic look pair Tangerine with a light seafoam. Perfect inspiration can be found on Pizzazzerie. Need more of a pop? Call on Magenta. She’s your gal! This is where you mix-and-match patterns & prints to make that dessert table really stand out. Kelly’s Pink Orange Ikat invite would be perfect to send to guests. To really top it off, add a pop of turquoise for one perfect trio. Tangerine with a splash of hot pink ikat and turquoise accents is your go-to inspiration board for Spring.

Images:Room Inspiration, Ikat Fabric, Pink & Orange Party, Somewhere Splendid, Hot Pink Ikat Tablescape, Pink Orange Ikat Invitation 

Neon

This would be where you will definitely need those sunglasses. We are headed to the bright side this Spring as neon colors are sure to make a splash this Spring. For some of us, it’s a major flashback to the eighties but has totally gotten a makeover. You may remember neon making an appearance last summer but this year, the eye-catching fluorescence are even better. {if that’s even possible!} Can you handle it? I think so!

Images: Brian Atwood Heels, Neon Party, Neon Colors, Neon Piping, Neon Flatware 

Don’t forget when hosting a party, make sure you find the perfect party dress — after all, you must be the hostess’ with the mostess’. Not just in the kitchen, that goes for style too!

Project Mom is an organization that provides valuable resources and enjoyable events for moms of all ages and stages. Project Mom events include one-day get-togethers [...]]]> Happy Monday, Everyone!  We’re starting this week off with some fabulous news…..I’m headed to Texas (twice) in the next couple of months to be a featured speaker at the Project Mom conferences!

Project Mom is an organization that provides valuable resources and enjoyable events for moms of all ages and stages. Project Mom events include one-day get-togethers and weekend-long getaways for moms who want to be inspired and rejuvenated while relishing some much-needed “me” time. The events include inspiring speakers, practical break-out sessions, a unique shopping experience and a whole lot of fabulous girl time!

I am thrilled to be hosting a session called “Stylish Inspirations for Everyday Occasions” and can’t wait to share some of my favorite party tips with all of the attendees!  I encourage you to take a look at Project Mom’s website and facebook page, and if you are in the Ft. Worth or Dallas area, please…..come join me!

Tangerine orange was named the Pantone color of the year [...]]]> We have SO many amazing parties in the works over at WH Hostess this month.  LOTS of bridal showers, some great themed birthday parties and {eek!} Easter parties!  Today, I thought I would share a sneak peek of a bridal shower that we are working on currently.

Tangerine orange was named the Pantone color of the year for 2012, and trust me, you are going to see it used in so many ways!  We love our fresh combination of turquoise, tangerine and fuchsia pink – especially for a bridal shower!  This image of cupcakes perfectly shows our color palette (and the cupcakes are gorgeous!) It’s cute, in kind of a West Palm Beach prep kind of way, and has four amazing patterns that we are mixing and mingling!

Stay tuned for more details.  If this shower turns out as fabulous as we believe it will, you may just be seeing it in the Spring Magazine!  (I have an in with the editor! )

Images: cupcakes (theweddingrow.com), tangerine and turquoise patterns (whhostess.com)

Scour vintage shops, ebay or [...]]]> Now that the holidays have ended and the decorations have come down, I find myself looking for ways to bring a little sparkle back into my table settings.  This DIY napkin ring project is perfect to tackle with a free hour, and will add so much personality to your table or party.

Scour vintage shops, ebay or garage sales for a variety of whimsical brooches that you can quickly transform into gorgeous napkin rings.  How fabulous for a ladies lunch or bridal shower, right?

Click here for the cull instructions from Southern Living.  Happy Crafting!

1 [...]]]> Whether you are looking for a last minute holiday decoration or are an avid wine drinker….this DIY project is for you!  Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy came up with this creative use for corks and I think it would make a great decoration for any cocktail party!  Read on for the DIY instructions from Virginia:

Supplies

1 10” diameter Styrofoam ball

Hot glue gun and plenty of glue sticks

10” thin metal

Tons of corks

Rope and/or metal chains

Instructions

1. Pierce ball through with thin metal wire until it passes opposite side. Tie one end in knot to secure, and pull back through until knot is firmly stuck at bottom
2. Start anywhere on the ball and in a single line begin gluing corks to Styrofoam. Place plenty of glue on the bottom of the cork and then stick cork to the ball. Make sure to hold down for a moment to ensure glue is cooling. I suggest doing one long row half way around the ball.
3. Begin second row of corks slightly off-line with beginning row, making sure to place corks in crevices of two corks
4. Continue in this pattern so no large spaces are visible. Each row off centered from the previous one, slide in the crevices.
5. Work one side of ball and then once dry, turn ball over to complete opposite side.
6. When complete, make a hook with the straight metal and secure to your rope or chain.
7. Hang at will.

Since it is Cyber Monday and [...]]]> WooHoo!  I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!  We’re pretty excited here at TPD and WH this morning.  We have launched our BRAND NEW whhostess.com website.  Better navigation, clearer options for customers, and stylized checkout process are a few of our favorite new additions.  We hope you like it!

Since it is Cyber Monday and we have a lot to celebrate,  WH Hostess is joining in the Cyber Monday fun for TODAY ONLY with a fun promotion. Shop more, save more.  It’s as simple as that, and the perfect time to place an order for your photo cards or the holiday gifts you have been eyeing.

Restrictions: This offer can not be used towards prior purchases.  It is only valid thru Monday, November 28, 2011.