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!

Images: centerpiece (theknot.com), golf ball cookies (whippedbakeshop.com), drink dispensers (epicurious.com), cupcake with [...]]]> Celebrate Dad with a golf-themed picnic this Sunday…..a crisp green and white color palette, some playful patterns, vases full of golf balls (and limes for a pop of green), and some golf themed treats.  Pure perfection….that will appeal to both the men and the ladies!

Images: centerpiece (theknot.com), golf ball cookies (whippedbakeshop.com), drink dispensers (epicurious.com), cupcake with flag (luralucille.blogspot.com), napkins (via Napkins with a Twist)

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)

Today’s real party feature is a darling preppy pool party featuring party goods by WH Hostess!  Pink, green and a whole lot of preppy polka dots – this is what Gracie’s mom requested when she came to me for invitations and party accessories for her daughter’s 5th birthday.  With a HUGE box of party [...]]]>

Today’s real party feature is a darling preppy pool party featuring party goods by WH Hostess!  Pink, green and a whole lot of preppy polka dots – this is what Gracie’s mom requested when she came to me for invitations and party accessories for her daughter’s 5th birthday.  With a HUGE box of party goods delivered to her door from WH Hostess, wait until you see what she came up with!

The area surrounding the pool was decked out with pink paper lanterns, polka dot balloons in pink and green, and two different centerpieces.  The first, a darling topiary tree made of ribbon loops, and then second grass plants with polka dot centerpiece sticks (LOVE how these customize any type of centerpiece!).  The dessert table really stole the show…..

This charming dessert table was created with sweet treats including pink and green candy, a cake from Cake Shop in Jacksonville, cupcakes with toppers by WH Hostess, chocolate-covered oreo pops from Sweeties by Kim, cookies by Girly Gatherings (complete with designs that matched the cupcake toppers!).

I just love the backdrop for this dessert table!  A modern trellis pattern in pink and white gives it a modern spin, while the pink and green banner from WH Hostess adds a touch of preppy flair.  Don’t you just love the way she created a bunting on the front of the table by using ribbon?!  All of the candy jars were embellished with polka dot ribbon and candy jar tags, and there were matching polka dot food tent cards, too.  A simple “sweet shoppe” sign, white take-out boxes with a polka dot sticker saying “thanks for being so SWEET”, and paper cups with coordinating, scalloped stickers helped to complete the stylized look.  One of my favorite details was the napkin rings – a simple circle on satin ribbon – perfect for tying together your paper napkins and silverware!

Birthday girl, Gracie, wore a darling shirt from Modern Frills – it matched perfectly!  She sent her friends home not only with their box of sweet treats, but also with a tin of bubbles!  A fabulous party – great job, Jennifer and Gracie!  What I love most about this party is that there wasn’t a “theme”, so to speak.  It is a perfect example of how you can create a stylized, modern party using a color palette and a touch of pattern!

Photography by Wendy Updegraff

Hot, summer nights have me dreaming of tropical vacations!  The next best thing?  A tropical dinner party, of course!

I love the idea of creating a sophisticated version of the traditional luau theme – bright, floral linens with modern, orchid centerpieces, tropical cocktails served in martini glasses, and an outdoor location decorated with the modern-day tiki torch [...]]]>

Hot, summer nights have me dreaming of tropical vacations!  The next best thing?  A tropical dinner party, of course!

I love the idea of creating a sophisticated version of the traditional luau theme – bright, floral linens with modern, orchid centerpieces, tropical cocktails served in martini glasses, and an outdoor location decorated with the modern-day tiki torch – the lantern!

Head on back tomorrow to see our vision for a kid’s tropical luau party!

Images: invitation (paperculture.com), centerpiece (weddingchannel.com), drinks (gemmacomas.com), table setting (instyleweddings.com), paper umbrella placecards (bethhelmstetter.com), picnic (brightideas.com)

I’ve been drooling over this outdoor room from Pottery Barn all summer – it’s the perfect inspiration for an outdoor entertaining space, and would make the perfect location for an alfresco dinner party!  Pop ruby red and canary yellow against the black and white patterns in accents such as napkins, cocktails or [...]]]>

I’ve been drooling over this outdoor room from Pottery Barn all summer – it’s the perfect inspiration for an outdoor entertaining space, and would make the perfect location for an alfresco dinner party!  Pop ruby red and canary yellow against the black and white patterns in accents such as napkins, cocktails or a floral centerpiece.  Delicious and pretty!

Images: outdoor room (potterybarn.com), tart sampler (horchow.com), hurricanes (midwestliving.com), placecard (whhostess.com), tomato stack appetizer (cookinglight.com), centerpiece (theknot.com), drink dispenser (potterybarn.com)

I just put this custom inspiration board together for a client who is hosting a breakfast soiree at The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.  This is one of those parties where, after I put everything together, I SO WANT TO GO!  I’m loving the color palette and hope you will too….it would be lovely for [...]]]>

I just put this custom inspiration board together for a client who is hosting a breakfast soiree at The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.  This is one of those parties where, after I put everything together, I SO WANT TO GO!  I’m loving the color palette and hope you will too….it would be lovely for a bridal shower, wedding or birthday party, too….don’t you think?!

Images: floral centerpieces (detailsdetails.com), lounge (via The Viceroy Hotel), bar (sunday-suppers.com), ribbon placecard (marthastewart.com), party favor bags (designsponge.com), green candy table (amyatlas.com)

Last week I shared my inspiration board for my family’s Mother’s Day dinner (see the post here – it would be perfect for any summer party!)  I’ve had so many people asking to see how it turned out, I thought I would show you a couple of pictures!

The main focus [...]]]>

Last week I shared my inspiration board for my family’s Mother’s Day dinner (see the post here – it would be perfect for any summer party!)  I’ve had so many people asking to see how it turned out, I thought I would show you a couple of pictures!

The main focus on the table were my monogrammed preppy plates – like I told you last week, I have been DYING to whip these little beauties out – Mother’s Day was the perfect occasion!  These melamine plates are darling and add such a {pop!} to any table.  The come in tons of patterns, and even have matching lucite trays and coasters!  Definitely check them out – and remember them for gifts!