November 10th, 2011 |
I spent my week down in Houston at our Holiday trunk show working with families to design {the perfect} holiday card, and have been talking “pictures” all week long! It’s that time of year, where every single family I know is trying to get {the perfect} shot to use for their holiday card. Whether you are taking the pictures yourself, or having a professional photographer capture your little ones….we could all use some tips!
Photographer, Laura Winslow, offered up some fabulous advice in the Holiday issue of TPD Magazine. Words of wisdom to help you get thru the stress of it and come out with a perfect picture that captures your family’s personality.
 
November 9th, 2011 |
 These DIY nailhead pumpkins by Christi Bennett of P is for Party is one of my favorite features in the holiday issue of The Party Dress Magazine. It’s simple, it’s modern, and it speaks to “fall”, not necessarily a holiday. I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for those non-holiday decorations that make my home look cozy, yet updated….and this fits the bill perfectly.
Step 1:
Gather your supplies: pumpkin, nailheads, a pencil, and decorative ribbon
Step 2:
Think about your design before you draw it on the pumpkin.
Step 3:
Draw your pattern onto the pumpkin (you could use a stencil too)
Step 4:
Once your design is drawn on the pumpkin, start inserting the nailheads one by one. (line them up so they are touching on both sides)
Step 5:
Finish up your whole design or letter and voila! You have a modern update to a traditional pumpkin!
Tip:
You can use nailheads on any type of gourd – not just pumpkins!
Images by Ellenzilla Photography
November 8th, 2011 |
 This moss and pumpkin centerpiece is so easy to make, and adds a great pop to your fall or Thanksgiving tablesetting. As featured in the holiday issue of The Party Dress Magazine, it requires minimal supplies and a few easy steps:
Step 1:
Gather your supplies: vase, styrofoam ball, moss, wood skewers, mini pumpkins, glue gun & glue sticks
Step 2:
Place the styrofoam ball atop the vase, and insert skewers into the bottom of the pumpkins.
Step 3:
Insert the skewered pumpkins into the styrofoam ball.
Step 4:
Once all of the pumpkins are in place, start gluing on your moss in between them.
Step 5:
Continue to cover the empty space with moss, so it is nice and full.
Step 6:
Once you have covered your ball completely with moss, clean up any loose pieces.
November 8th, 2011 |
November is a lovely time to entertain family and friends. Whether you are hosting an actual Thanksgiving dinner or not, take it upon yourself to set a gorgeous table, cook a delicious meal, and treat the special people in your life to a great evening. This tablescape was featured in the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine (the holiday issue!).
To switch things up a bit from my usual, rustic Fall decor and tablesettings, I decided to set this table using a sophisticated neutral color scheme of ivory, pewter grey and accents of moss green. A bead-chain fabric table cloth, crisp white napkins, a pewter grey charger and basic white dishes set the base for our tablesetting. A placecard embellished with ribbon sat atop a ramiken ready to hold veggies. To add demension to the table, I added white pumpkins, votive candles and our moss and pumpkin centerpiece (in a grey wood grain vase). Stay tuned for the DIY centerpiece instructions later this afternoon!
November 7th, 2011 |
 It is with GREAT excitement that we launch the first Holiday issue of The Party Dress Magazine! 110+ pages full of ideas for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years and winter entertaining. Recipes, gift ideas, fabulous decor and even a free downloadable printable or two, this magazine will have you bookmarking ideas left and right!
I hope you all enjoy this issue….and please, pass it on to your friends! You can purchase a luxe, glossy copy of the magazine in the shop.
This issue was made possible by the amazingly talented group of contributors we partnered with. My assistant editor, Charyn Olsheski of Two Sugar Babies, Maggie Hemsworth of Delish Catering Chicago, Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studio, Christi Bennett of P is for Party, Beth Beattie, Jill Thomas of Modern Cupcake, Laura Winslow, Chris Nease of Celebrations at Home, Rebecca Propes and Shannon Helliker of Fresh Chick Design Studio, Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff of AndersRuff, Kim Stoegbauer of The TomKat Studio, Stefanie Richter of Anna & Blue Paperie, Jessica Kirkland of Pen ‘n Paperflowers, Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio of Project Nursery, Allyson Harvey of Allyson Jane Designer Desserts, Jessica Wilcox of Modern Moments, Laura Grim and Lindsey Ter Har of Double Take Event Styling, and Leanne Ambrogio of Sweet Style by Mrs. A in the Cove.
November 4th, 2011 |
 Wine & cheese is a staple (and favorite) night in our house! But it’s also a simple way to throw a party. You don’t need to mess around with an entire meal or tablesetting – just put together one fabulous plate (I prefer my wine barrel lazy susan) and dress it up with some “accessories” such as nuts, and fruit. This time of year, you can play into the “wine” colors with flowers, or a bowl full of fruit to place on your table.
Thinking of throwing your own party? Style at Home as a great feature on creating a high/low wine and cheese party…check it out here.
November 1st, 2011 |
 It is with GREAT excitement that I launch the 2011 Holiday Collection from WH Hostess! This collection is so festive, so colorful and so…US! Bold chevrons, colorful clover patterns, a modern ikat and classic holiday patterns adorn holiday photo cards, party goods and gifts. If you are one of our newsletter subscribers, you received a little gift in your inbox this morning celebrating the launch!
 Photo cards are the sweetest way to send your family’s holiday wishes. Our collection includes 40+ designs for Christmas, Hanukkah and so many colorful options for a combination of the two! Our cards are printed on a luxe, thick cardstock (almost double the weight of most stationery brands) with rich colors and a nice smooth hand. Each design has a coordinating return address label to dress up your envelopes.
 When it comes to gift-giving, I find that I am always in need of those “price-point” gifts. You know, the $20 teacher gift, the simple hostess gift, the under $50 gift for your sister or best friend. We worked really hard this season to bring you SO MANY fun options! Dress up your gifts this season with a colorful gift sticker, offered in so many darling patterns, trust me…it will be tough to just choose one!
Attending a party this season?! Our favorite hostess gift is a set of paper coasters (personalized, of course). At just $15 per set of 36, you can pair them with a bottle of champagne!
My favorite gift is our chunky notepads. At $18, this 200 page notepad is THE perfect teacher gift, office-friend gift, or a little “just because” gift for a friend.
 Melamine plates are (and probably always will be) one of our favorite products. It’s so fun to see our designs translated into dishes! In addition to our broad assortment of children’s plates, we added a bunch of festive patterns into the shop. I love that they look perfectly jolly during the holidays, but most of the patterns can continue to be used during the year too. At $24 each, they make a fabulous gift and a lovely way to present Christmas cookies to a neighbor.
A new addition this year are our melamine trays. These are FABULOUS. 12″ square, with handles on both sides, they are available in a huge assortment of patterns….and at $48 each, it’s the perfect price point for a holiday gift. (PS – I just learned that they stack really well for storage!)
 Last, but certainly not least are our exclusive collection of patterned holiday stockings. We are IN LOVE with these and consider them a must-have! Dress your mantel with all different patterns or hang an individual stocking on your child’s bedroom door. (There is even an option to add a monogram!)
I hope you will all explore our new collection and pass it on to any friends you think may enjoy it!
The holiday edition of The Party Dress Magazine is shipping this week! There is still time to order your copy (here).
Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!
October 31st, 2011 |
 Happy Halloween! I hope you are all having a SWEET holiday! Do you love candy corn as much as I do? I have a huge jar of it that sits on my countertop from September 1st on…I’m always looking for unique ways to incorporate it into baked goods. I was so excited to find Zachary Confections. They offer flavored candy corn! With bold flavors and bright new colors, this candy corn looks great and I think I am going to have to find some soon to try! (flavors include Cherry, Tangerine, Raspberry, Caramel, Caramel Apple and Cinnamon)
October 27th, 2011 |
 I came across these darling turkey desserts on Pinterest last night, and absolutely could not wait until after Halloween to share them with you! I may be rushing the season a bit….but they were way too cute to sit on! Our Best Bites is the creative genius behind this idea using simple grocery store items such as oreo cookies, mini peanut butter cups, candy corn, etc. Head over to their blog to get the simple step-by-step instructions.
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