October 2nd, 2012 |
 Fall is the perfect time to gather friends and family for a cozy, Sunday brunch. Throw the stylized fete of the season with these seasonal entertaining tips:
 
Mix and match a patterned desert plate with an elegant detailed dinner plate. Get a little fancy with pretty glass goblets in fall hues. Look for colors that complement each other.
 
DIY Alert! Welcome guest with smells from a coffee shop. Grab a small decorative bowl, fill it up with hazelnut coffee beans and pop in a tea light candle right into the center. Light it up and let the aroma fill the room.
Use fresh fruit when it comes to decorating the table top. A simple trick is filing a glass bowl with fresh green apples, pine cones and a delicious smelling vanilla candle. It makes the perfect centerpiece!
 
Use burlap, twine and silk leaves as an accent on milk bottles or around napkins. Simple and inexpensive, they are the perfect way to add a cozy touch to your Fall brunch.
Stay tuned tomorrow for my ideas on creative and delicious brunch food.
Resources:
Oxford Creek Casual Country Dining Table + Chair, Sears | Yellow Felt Flower Pillow, Target | Sheer Table Runner, Lattice Placemats, Hummingbird Dessert Plates, Decorative Glass Goblets, Juice Glasses {Parafaits} & Spoons, White Square Tray, HomeGoods | Glass Bowl, Yellow Condiments Bowls {used for candles}, TJ Maxx | Jardins Ruby Dinner Plates, Beehive Large Pitcher, Creamer & Sugar Set, Juliska | Personalized Wine Charms, Handmade Affair | Cupcakes, Georgetown Cupcake | Flatware, Pfaltzgraff For more Fall entertaining ideas, read the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
order a printed copy | download the ipad app | read the digital issue
September 28th, 2012 |
Inspired by our recent adventure in wine country, Charynn and I set out to throw the ultimate wine & cheese tasting party for friends….the perfect way to “celebrate the harvest.”
While in Napa Valley, we fell in love with the simplicity of entertaining in wine country, the lush greens that surrounded us, and the amazing tastings we experienced, with many meals being farm-to-table fresh. We learned about pairing: what flavors to match with the different varieties of wine. When we arrived home and we sat down to plan our tasting party, we knew we wanted to accomplish the following: share our new favorite wines with friends, pair them with a spectacular cheese plate, and design party decor in a lush, monochromatic green color palette.
 
Guests were invited with a crisp, new wine-themed party invitation from WH Hostess, and were greeted with a softly lit party space, full of candles flickering in the night. We lined our buffet table with clear wine bottles topped with candles, which created a soft glow but didn’t take away from the colorful wine labels and gorgeous food.
Centerpieces of green hydrangeas and red grapes sat atop a rustic, ceramic footed pedestal from Pottery Barn. Baskets full of seasonal fruit and corks also served as decorations.
We currated a fabulous selection of cheese to include on our tasting board (a lazy susan made from a former Napa wine barrel), along with accompaniments such as marcona almonds, dried cranberries, hard salami, figs and prosciutto. Interested in how we layout a cheese plate? Check this out…..
We also served a fabulous selection of small bites, including a fig and goat cheese crostini……. a recipe we will be sharing with you today!
In order for guests to keep track of their wine glass, we created a selection of DIY printable wine tags. You can download them here for use at your next party. We hope that the articles and parties featured in this issue of The Party Dress Magazine have inspired you to embrace the simplicity, natural gorgeousness that is entertaining in true Napa-style. Cheers!
For more Fall entertaining ideas, read the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
order a printed copy | download the ipad app | read the digital issue
September 6th, 2012 |
Apple picking has been one of my favorite activities from the time I was a young child. Now is the PERFECT time to gather up friends and family to meet at an apple orchard and surprise them with a few {sweet} treats.
Images: apple barrels (poshphotographyonline.com) | apple m&m cups (bloomdesignsonline.blogspot.com) | apple dessert table (party-wagon.com) | apple drink station (frostmeblog.blogspot.com) | apple cupcakes (familyfun.go.com) | mini apple pies (williams-sonoma.com)
July 25th, 2012 |
image via seacielo.tumblr.com
These hot summer days have me craving a little beach time and also dreaming of our upcoming vacation. August is the perfect time to throw a tropical themed party, so we put together some ideas for you that would be perfect for any event from a pool party to a beach bbq, to a tropical themed bridal shower.
The spray painted starfish image above inspired the color palette: a bright turquoise, tangerine orange and lime green. (I also think they are a fabulous decoration idea!) We put together a few of our stationery patterns that could be used, mixing and matching patterns for a whimsical look.
 In addition to the spray painted starfish for decorations, we came up with a few centerpiece ideas varying from casual to fancy:
 images via millieholloman.com, brides.com, and islandstyleweddings.com
No event would be complete these days without a dessert table! Using color-coordinated desserts, and shapes that relate back to the tropical theme (such as shells, starfish, and wave patterns) for cookies, cake pops, etc. you can create a magical focal point for your party.
 images via sweetandsaucyshop.com, amyatlas.com, glorioustreats.com, and shannonleeimages.com
For more tropical party ideas, visit our pinterest board.
July 19th, 2012 |
With BBQ’s being our go-to summer entertainment, it’s fun to spice things up and change your “theme” now and again. Hosting a large group for a special occassion? Put a Southern spin on your event with classic, charming details. Seersucker stripes, a colorful traditional paisley, and some delicious food.
One of my favorite elements to this party concept is the tented table. A long, gorgeous tablesetting is kicked up at notch with the hanging wreaths and candles overhead.
Guests will be thrilled when you serve up mini crab cakes, shrimp shooters, and classic pulled pork sandwiches. A flavored lemonade (non-alcholic or spiked!) will keep your guests cool long into the summer night.
 Stay tuned tomorrow for our favorite pulled pork recipe and ideas for a strawberry-infused lemonade!
For more summer entertaining ideas and tips, visit the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
Read the digital issue | Purchase the glossy issue
July 6th, 2012 |
 One of my FAVORITE parts of summer is the abundance of tomatoes, so it was a no brainer that we had to include a feature in the summer magazine. We turned to entertaining expert, Jenny Steffins-Hobick, to create inspiration for a “celebrating tomato season” dinner party. Read on for more details, as told by Jenny….
In the Summer, we often host parties for holidays – 4th of July Picnics, Labor Day Barbecues – but rarely do we ever just celebrate Summer. For me, the essence of Summer is found in the seasonal food that is best in these hot months of the year. While I’m glad to see berries and sweet corn at the market, it is not truly Summer until I see tomatoes. Real tomatoes. Yes, in most markets we can find tomatoes at all times of the year, but not real tomatoes. Real tomatoes, with their sweet, acidic flavor and smooth texture, are best in the peak of the Summer months and should be celebrated.
This Summer, host a dinner party that pays tribute to the season’s rightful star- tomatoes. Introduce your guests to the various varietals of tomatoes available and different ways to eat and serve them. Be sure to include a “Tomato Tasting” as part of your party – after all, tomatoes are hard to beat when served simply with a sprinkling of salt. It will give your guests the opportunity to taste the differences between the many available varieties.
I set the table simply with a casual feel, but a bit more elegant than a typical Summer grilling party. The color palate was restrained with a bare wooden table, natural linens and just a touch of red to allow the vibrant summer foods shine. Instead of a floral arrangement, I planted a wooden herb box full of basil and thyme. Bud vases with zinnias were placed around the table for added whimsy.
For my guests, I started the evening with a watermelon cocktail served with an heirloom orange tomato garnish. For dinner, instead of the serving tomatoes in their typical fresh state, I fired up the grill. Along with squash, eggplant and peppers, tomatoes were grilled and then tossed with pappardelle pasta. I garnished the pasta with wedges of fresh heirloom cherry tomatoes. Our feast of Summer ended with a light strawberry, watermelon and tomato salad with a basil drizzle.
For these tomato recipes and more Summer inspiration, visit jennysteffens.com.
For more summer entertaining ideas and tips, visit the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
Read the digital issue | Purchase the glossy issue
July 2nd, 2012 |
 One of my favorite summer themes is a classic, navy & white, nautical party. Crisp, classic and can be interrupted so many different ways. We updated our nautical collection with a preppy modern chain link pattern and a bold anchor, added a touch of yellow and it quickly became one of our best sellers….perfect for a baby shower, birthday party or pool party.
When we started working on the summer issue of The Party Dress Magazine, we turned to Lynlee Beckett, of Lynlee’s Petite Cakes, to create a preppy baby shower using our Mod Nautical collection. Read on for all of the darling details, as told by Lynlee….
For expectant mothers due in the Summer months, there’s no better way to welcome their new first mate than with a nautical-themed baby shower! I adore the Mod Nautical Anchor collection by the WH Hostess, pairing several shades of blue with a bright and refreshing pop of yellow, which I utilized to style this bright and cheery luncheon. I decided to focus on a mature feel to honor the mother-to-be, with the infusion of playful and sweet details. The beautiful invitation set the mood, inviting guests to join the celebration seaside.
The luncheon table was set with a burlap covering and a striped blue runner. A lantern served as the centerpiece and inside, a coral decoration sculpted with chicken wire, white coffee filters and yellow cupcake liners. Each setting held blue fish plates and coordinating small plates to carry lemons for the seafood meal. You can dress up the silver- ware by simply tying a colorful ribbon around and placing it directly on the napkins. Water bottle labels can also be used to adorn glasses.
The dessert table was set-up along the waterfront, providing a gorgeous view and anchoring the party. The Anthropologie-inspired backdrop resembled a sail from afar, but at closer look, also simulated coral. As a juxtaposition, I propped up a basketweave anchor that, with the burlap tablecloth, added a natural feel to the crisp, vivid colors.
Desserts centered around the nautical theme, and utilized several lemon and fruit treats, along with traditional sweets. I hollowed out lemons, topped with lemon custard and blueberries, displayed them in a seaside lantern with cupcake toppers. Small mason jars were filled with milk and lifesaver donuts sat perched on the rims with the help of fish drink stirrers. Chocolate-dipped Oreo pops were decorated to look like portholes, while marshmallows resembled numbered buoys. Lemon cupcakes were embellished with fondant sailor onesies, bibs and baby bottles, nestled in sugar sand, along with chocolate sea shells in a nautical steering wheel tray. Sea urchin meringue cookies were scattered throughout and an “AHOY” pennant banner hung in front of the table.
For more summer entertaining ideas and tips, visit the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
Read the digital issue | Purchase the glossy issue
June 25th, 2012 |
 The Fourth of July always conjures up images of a homespun holiday to me. I like to throw my typical modern prep style aside and focus on creating a tablescape or party centered around true Americana style. This year, I am going to combine gingham check, a classic red, white and blue color palette and a mix of country chic accessories.
 I turned to Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel to dress my table for the recent summer issue of The Party Dress Magazine. Mixing in a few items I already had, the table was set with a blue and white gingham table runner, and an eclectic centerpiece made from weathered red candlesticks, bud vases wrapped in white rope (a nod to my love for nautical accents) with full white peonies, and a few votive candles scattered about.
To create my placesetting, I layered my navy charger plates with my white basic plates. A canvas napkin with twisted rope fringe laid atop and held a red salad plate, and a striped bowl full of cherries. Casual, red silverware and acrylic hobnail glassware completed the look.
 It wouldn’t be a summer party without pies! Stay tuned this afternoon for an heirloom pie crust recipe from our contributor, Charynn’s family! For more summer entertaining ideas and tips, visit the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
Read the digital issue | Purchase the glossy issue
June 20th, 2012 |
Once school is out, I become obsessed with finding ideas to keep my kids busy and entertained. A summer picnic is just the ticket! And I’m not one for a simple blanket and bag of food……
Using picnic themed printables from WHHostess, we created an adorable yet quick and easy picnic using plain packaging materials. Glass water bottles (reused from coffee bottles) turn into colorful and updated water when filed with fruit and herbs. Check back later today for the detailed how-to instructions! Plain deli containers purchased at the grocery store are filled with homemade potato salad (traditional and an flavorful german potato salad with bacon and blue cheese).
A cylindrical potato chip canister is covered with patterned paper to make a gorgeous and perfect whoopie pie container, and simple glassine bags when labeled with a sticker are an easy way to hold portions of potato chips for the kids.
Kelly was kind enough to create some labels to coordinate with this picnic, and they are available for free download here. Photography by Kathy Wolfe
For more creative summer entertaining ideas, view the summer 2012 issue of The Party Dress Magazine:
Read the digital issue | Purchase the glossy issue
June 14th, 2012 |
 It’s been a very busy start to June around here. The launch of the summer magazine, a frenzy of party orders, custom party plans, lots of work on a new {top-secret} product for WH Hostess, even more work on a {very exciting, also top-secret} project for The Party Dress and photo shoots this week to bring you even more exclusive, original content this summer.
Now that the weather is nice, I’m in the mood to entertain…..always! So leave it to me to book two dinner parties….two nights in a row this week. Yikes! {Am I crazy?! We’ve pretty much already established that….}
We hosted friends {who also happen to be family} Sunday night for a very casual bbq and then my family Monday night for a very early Father’s Day Dinner. Since I knew I was up to my eyeballs in work, I had to be crafty about my tablesettings. Use basic items that could be a canvas for both tables, but switch out some accessories to give each night a unique look. Hopefully these pictures inspire you to do the same for your summer gatherings.
 I wanted our casual, Sunday night bbq to be colorful and scream summer. The kids practically out-numbered the adults, so I knew I wanted to use melamine plates and glasses {just in case!}. I set the table out in our sunroom, which is why the lighting is so much better on these pictures. I layered the table with a yellow and white large-scale plaid tablecloth, my woven charger plates, basic white plates and patterned melamine salad plates. The centerpiece was a gorgeous bunch of peonies that I picked up from Whole Foods, but instead of using a typical, glass vase, I arranged them in a wood crate for that more casual, homespun look.
For Monday night’s Father’s Day Dinner, I moved the party into our dining room {we needed the bigger table!} and used many of the same components.
 To create this look, I simply switched out the napkins, the salad plates and the glasses. I was SO excited to use the new green ikat salad plates that I picked up at C. Wonder during my NYC trip a couple of weeks ago. They are so fun, and I loved the juxtaposition between the ikat and the bold check pattern on the table. I added some wood block hurricane candles and that was it! Very simple swaps, for two different looks!
 Which table is your favorite? What are your tips for switching up your table designs between parties?
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