Madeira specializes in finding the most exotic wood on earth and crafting it into individual works of art for the kitchen. Madeira is translated to mean “wood” [...]]]> We are so excited to bring you one FABULOUS giveaway this week!  Starting today, you can enter to win a product kit from one of my favorite housewares companies, Madeira.

Madeira specializes in finding the most exotic wood on earth and crafting it into individual works of art for the kitchen. Madeira is translated to mean “wood” in Portuguese, the native language of Brazil, where these beautiful products originate. Madeira takes pride in using only the highest quality raw materials. Each product design offers a unique use to help serve or prepare meals with ease. Madeira products combine classic design with functionality to produce timeless kitchen tools for every home.

Dying to get your hands on one of these fabulous cutting boards?  Enter to win this set of three valued at more than $100.  The set includes: an edge grain plantation teak utility board, an end grain plantation teak round chop block, and a edge grain plantation teak XL carving board.  Pretty fabulous, huh?

Here’s how to enter: go check out Madeira’s facebook page, become a fan and then leave a comment here letting us know how much you LOVE their stuff.  Simple as that!  Want an extra chance?  Become a fan of The Party Dress on facebook and follow WH Hostess on twitter.

Giveaway starts NOW! and ends Thursday, September 1st at midnight CST.  A winner will be chosen via random.org.  Thanks for playing and good luck!

Happy New Year, Everyone!  I hope you all had a magical holiday season!  I took a short break from blogging over the holidays to re-charge my battery and get my creative juices flowing!  But….I’m back!  And have tons of inspiration, real parties and creative ideas to share with you in the upcoming [...]]]>

Happy New Year, Everyone!  I hope you all had a magical holiday season!  I took a short break from blogging over the holidays to re-charge my battery and get my creative juices flowing!  But….I’m back!  And have tons of inspiration, real parties and creative ideas to share with you in the upcoming weeks.

My love of holiday decorations quickly vanishes after New Year’s Day.  My house starts feeling cluttered and I have to strip down the decorations and create a clean slate.  Living in Chicago, winter is just beginning.  Although we have many months of hibernating under {my new cashmere} blankets still ahead of us, I feel the urge to create a spring-like environment.  Warm, cozy, sunshine-y.  Yellow is the first color that comes to mind, and the collection of images above demonstrates simple ways you can infuse the color into your home.

Images: yellow wall plaques (bhg.com), yellow ball tablesetting (theknot.com), lemonade (stylemepretty.com), seaside tablesetting (saltharbordesigns.com), floral arrangement (detailsdetails.com)

Click on the image above to enter the holiday [...]]]> ‘Tis the season to shop ’til you drop!  To help you move through your shopping list a little bit faster this season, I compiled a holiday shopping guide to share my favorite items this year.  Eye candy, gift ideas, inspiration for home decor…..I hope you enjoy!

Click on the image above to enter the holiday shopping guide.

We’ve been having quite the heat wave here in Chicago this summer!  The heat has me craving decor that SCREAMS summer, and now that the fourth of july and my birthday are over, my house needs a little summer update to get me thru until fall.

I’ve scoured the web for [...]]]>

We’ve been having quite the heat wave here in Chicago this summer!  The heat has me craving decor that SCREAMS summer, and now that the fourth of july and my birthday are over, my house needs a little summer update to get me thru until fall.

I’ve scoured the web for ideas, and here are a few that stood out to me that are perfect for making my home party-ready all summer long:

• Use sand dollars as placecards at your next dinner party.  Simply write your guest’s name on the top and place it atop their napkin.
• Fill hurricanes or large cylinder vases with sand.  You can add in some sea shells or starfish to add more of a beach look to it.  These would be great clustered together on your table, or place large vessels on the floor.
• I keep fresh flowers in the house at all times.  They make me happy!  I love, love, love all white flowers – so this table setting just spoke to me!
• I love the idea of a miniature pie as a party favor for each one of your guests.  Such a darling, homespun idea….perfect for a summer bbq!
• Create a hanging votive candle chandelier to hang over your patio table.  This one was made out of simple, hardware store purchases – a pizza pan, chain links and a hook!  Simply cover it with moss, add a few candles and voila!  An inexpensive yet stylish update.
• It’s always good to have a couple hostess gifts on hand for those last minute invitations.  These sea shell soaps from Beau-Coup are perfect!  They also make a lovely party favor for a summer bridal shower or birthday party.
• Lemonade.  This is my summer drink of choice and I simply can’t get enough!  I love the idea of bottling it in juice bottles and gifting it to my guests at my next dinner party!
• Adding starfish to your decor adds a beach-y feeling that I just love!  Tie a name card onto them and they serve as a fabulous placecard.
• Lanterns add a twinkle to your yard – whether they are big or small.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!  Trust me, they will add a festive feel to your home and yard!

Those are my finds for updating my home’s summer decor…..what are yours?

Images: sand dollar placecards, starfish placecards, mason jar lanterns (theknot.com), hurricanes (midwestliving.com), pie tablesetting (stylemepretty.com), hanging votive chandelier(goodhousekeeping.com), sea shell soaps (beau-coup.com), lemonade (eatdrinkchic.com)

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