Gettin' Ready For Springtime Entertaining!

Oh chilly wether...when will you leave us Floridians so that we can have our lovely Springtime ? The new season has been on my mind lately (mainly while I am shivering) so naturally Spring entertaining has too. Here are some lovely inspirations and links to get the blood flowing! I can't wait for the christening of that first carefree Spring celebration!

This party would be lovely and perfect for Spring!

I would love to make some of these!

I really want to collect a bunch of Ball jars! they have so many uses!

(photo cred. 2CleverBlog)

I listen to She and Him all year round but they speak to me the most during the spring , and they are about to release a new CD on March 23rd called Volume 2 and I am so excited!

I have given these cake pops a shot before and it DID NOT go well.... but in the name of not giving up and the rejuvenating ways of the Spring I would like to try again!

The full directions can be found here.

Wish me luck!

I will conquer the little cupcakes on sticks!

What entertaining plans do you have for this Spring?

Gettin' Ready For Springtime Entertaining!

Oh chilly wether...when will you leave us Floridians so that we can have our lovely Springtime ? The new season has been on my mind lately (mainly while I am shivering) so naturally Spring entertaining has too. Here are some lovely inspirations and links to get the blood flowing! I can't wait for the christening of that first carefree Spring celebration!

This party would be lovely and perfect for Spring!

I would love to make some of these!

I really want to collect a bunch of Ball jars! they have so many uses!

(photo cred. 2CleverBlog)

I listen to She and Him all year round but they speak to me the most during the spring , and they are about to release a new CD on March 23rd called Volume 2 and I am so excited!

I have given these cake pops a shot before and it DID NOT go well.... but in the name of not giving up and the rejuvenating ways of the Spring I would like to try again!

The full directions can be found here.

Wish me luck!

I will conquer the little cupcakes on sticks!

What entertaining plans do you have for this Spring?

Bella Bash Boutique

Have you ever started planning a birthday party or a bridal shower and realized that most party wares that are available in stores have been used to death, or that you have far less time to bring the whole thing together than you thought, making it much harder to create one of a kind hand crafted decor? I have your fix for this problem! Introducing Hello Bella Boutique! Jennifer Opsahl of Hello Bella Events has an etsy shop called Bella Bash Boutique with three adorable printable partyware collections.

Here's the low-down on what a printable party is. You purchase a party from Bella Bash Boutique, decide if you want it customized with a monogram, and then wait. For customized parties, will will receive and email within 48 hours. ( For non-custom parties it's just 24 hours) The email will contain all of the pdf files you need to print off your party. You can either print at home or email the files to your local print shop. Once you print as many copies as you need, just cut, assemble , and party!

Here are three parties from her Premiere Collection:

Classic Bridal Shower (simple designs are inspired by the elegance of traditional wedding stationary)

Western Baby Shower

(you can also print these for a bridal shower)

Vintage Silhouette Party

(Perfect for a shower birthday)

All printable party collections come with:

-invitations and envelopes

-cupcake wraps and pick toppers

-napkin wraps

-candle wraps

-gift tags/place cards/labels

-favor boxes/bags

-gift log etc.....

You can see more creations and get awesome tips at the Hello Bella Events Blog!

Bella Bash Boutique

Have you ever started planning a birthday party or a bridal shower and realized that most party wares that are available in stores have been used to death, or that you have far less time to bring the whole thing together than you thought, making it much harder to create one of a kind hand crafted decor? I have your fix for this problem! Introducing Hello Bella Boutique! Jennifer Opsahl of Hello Bella Events has an etsy shop called Bella Bash Boutique with three adorable printable partyware collections.

Here's the low-down on what a printable party is. You purchase a party from Bella Bash Boutique, decide if you want it customized with a monogram, and then wait. For customized parties, will will receive and email within 48 hours. ( For non-custom parties it's just 24 hours) The email will contain all of the pdf files you need to print off your party. You can either print at home or email the files to your local print shop. Once you print as many copies as you need, just cut, assemble , and party!

Here are three parties from her Premiere Collection:

Classic Bridal Shower (simple designs are inspired by the elegance of traditional wedding stationary)

Western Baby Shower

(you can also print these for a bridal shower)

Vintage Silhouette Party

(Perfect for a shower birthday)

All printable party collections come with:

-invitations and envelopes

-cupcake wraps and pick toppers

-napkin wraps

-candle wraps

-gift tags/place cards/labels

-favor boxes/bags

-gift log etc.....

You can see more creations and get awesome tips at the Hello Bella Events Blog!

PartyParty Collection at Urban Outfitters....

....is amazing!   I'm just sayin'. Confettisystem has dreamed up this shimmering collection of home decorations and party favors.Garlands, ornaments, pinatas,party hats, and (of course) confetti have simple construction,  light-hearted intentions, and are absolutely dripping with whimsy!This collection is only available at Urban Outfitters, so get some soon and have yourself a PartyParty! 

Lay these lovely ornaments on a table, hang them , or add them to an arrangement for added charm to any party.

I LOVE these pinatas! I have been wanting to have a pinata at a party for a while now. I love those throw-backs to childhood. Things that make you feel like a grown-up kid. Those are that kind of things that are relaxing to me.  

This banner garland is certainly a nod to a classic, I like how there is paper fringe still but there is a twist with the added metalic.

I don't know what kind of parties you all went to when you were younger, but I don't remember party hats ever looking this cute!

Of course confetti is a part of the collection! With a name like Confettisystem how could it not be?

This garland is most certainly my favorite of the collection. I love when pretty things are sort of tattered. A garland of tassels, and curls, and fringe....oh my!

i am so inspired by the look of all these pieces. I could envision an entire party around this!I would also like to try and create my own fringey garlands and such! ....Maybe soon!

I hope you all fell in love as much as I did!

PartyParty Collection at Urban Outfitters....

....is amazing!   I'm just sayin'. Confettisystem has dreamed up this shimmering collection of home decorations and party favors.Garlands, ornaments, pinatas,party hats, and (of course) confetti have simple construction,  light-hearted intentions, and are absolutely dripping with whimsy!This collection is only available at Urban Outfitters, so get some soon and have yourself a PartyParty! 

Lay these lovely ornaments on a table, hang them , or add them to an arrangement for added charm to any party.

I LOVE these pinatas! I have been wanting to have a pinata at a party for a while now. I love those throw-backs to childhood. Things that make you feel like a grown-up kid. Those are that kind of things that are relaxing to me.  

This banner garland is certainly a nod to a classic, I like how there is paper fringe still but there is a twist with the added metalic.

I don't know what kind of parties you all went to when you were younger, but I don't remember party hats ever looking this cute!

Of course confetti is a part of the collection! With a name like Confettisystem how could it not be?

This garland is most certainly my favorite of the collection. I love when pretty things are sort of tattered. A garland of tassels, and curls, and fringe....oh my!

i am so inspired by the look of all these pieces. I could envision an entire party around this!I would also like to try and create my own fringey garlands and such! ....Maybe soon!

I hope you all fell in love as much as I did!

New Bridal Shower to Plan!

My brother just got engaged and I am in the process of planning a bridal shower with my mom. Jenny (the bride) is not super duper girly, but she has said that she wants something elegant for her wedding with a little bit of "beach chic" so that is what I am thinking for the shower too. However I was thinking instead of the usual "beach" ideas, I might just allow myself to be inspired by the idea of sunshine. I'm thinking of a sunny, whimsical celebration!Here are some things that are inspiring me so far for this party.

Ideas for the menu so far include:

-mini smoothies (like the ones pictured above)

-yogurt parfaits

-spiked lemonade

I would also like to find some more foods that would be good to serve at a venue, we want to make the food ourselves but we want the foods to be fairly self sustaining for the afternoon since we aren't sure if we will have access to ovens or fridges. If you have any ideas for me then please share!

I also think that presentation is very important in making the foods you are serving appealing. Even if you are serving cheap, simple foods , you can present them in a way that makes people feel different about eating them. The food becomes a part of the party experience. I love the idea in the photo above, this simple glass of lemonade becomes so much more with the addition of the adorable ribbon adorned skewers!

As far as colors for this event...I am thinking that oranges, yellows, and pinks are the way I am going to go. Obviously the colors represent "sunshine" , and Jenny loves these bright and happy colors! 

I'll keep you posted as this party develops! 

New Bridal Shower to Plan!

My brother just got engaged and I am in the process of planning a bridal shower with my mom. Jenny (the bride) is not super duper girly, but she has said that she wants something elegant for her wedding with a little bit of "beach chic" so that is what I am thinking for the shower too. However I was thinking instead of the usual "beach" ideas, I might just allow myself to be inspired by the idea of sunshine. I'm thinking of a sunny, whimsical celebration!Here are some things that are inspiring me so far for this party.

Ideas for the menu so far include:

-mini smoothies (like the ones pictured above)

-yogurt parfaits

-spiked lemonade

I would also like to find some more foods that would be good to serve at a venue, we want to make the food ourselves but we want the foods to be fairly self sustaining for the afternoon since we aren't sure if we will have access to ovens or fridges. If you have any ideas for me then please share!

I also think that presentation is very important in making the foods you are serving appealing. Even if you are serving cheap, simple foods , you can present them in a way that makes people feel different about eating them. The food becomes a part of the party experience. I love the idea in the photo above, this simple glass of lemonade becomes so much more with the addition of the adorable ribbon adorned skewers!

As far as colors for this event...I am thinking that oranges, yellows, and pinks are the way I am going to go. Obviously the colors represent "sunshine" , and Jenny loves these bright and happy colors! 

I'll keep you posted as this party develops! 

Introducing....Champagne Thursdays!

Some of my favorite gathering to host are the ones that could be considered more "casual" . On Thursdays I am inviting people over to view So You Think You Can Dance, and to drink cocktails. I am calling it "Champagne Thursday" (ala Zooey Deschanel in Failure to Launch). 

Every week I will try out some yummy appetizer recipes, and different cocktail recipes too!  So let me know if you've got any good ones! This week, I need some good champagne cocktail recipes so let me know what you 've  got! Perhaps I will play my dance playlist this week!!

Introducing....Champagne Thursdays!

Some of my favorite gathering to host are the ones that could be considered more "casual" . On Thursdays I am inviting people over to view So You Think You Can Dance, and to drink cocktails. I am calling it "Champagne Thursday" (ala Zooey Deschanel in Failure to Launch). 

Every week I will try out some yummy appetizer recipes, and different cocktail recipes too!  So let me know if you've got any good ones! This week, I need some good champagne cocktail recipes so let me know what you 've  got! Perhaps I will play my dance playlist this week!!

and playing the role of last minute wedding coordinator.......me!

I am not a professional party planner (yet!) , so I sure am not a professional wedding planner either. For now I'm indulging in my hostessing obsession, I enjoy scouring the internet, magazines, anything really for party inspirations and the best recipes. I love how other peoples creativity helps to widen my own, and how I can come up with something different and unexpected because of that inspiration. So, we have established that I am NOT a professional, that being said.....I was asked this past weekend to "help out" at a rehearsal dinner for a wedding that my husband Matt was the best-man in. The bride knew that I had "a thing" for party planning, so she thought I was a good choice. We get there and, it turns out everyone's eyes were on me to basically run the whole show. This was nerve racking for me as I have never planned or coordinated a rehearsal dinner, much less a whole wedding. I decided to rise to the occasion and give it all that I had. I have to say, it was VERY stressful but I learned SO MUCH!

 Here are just a few things I learned:

1. I need to get myself an "emergency kit" with tape, lighters, tea lights, scissors, markers, chalk, double-stick tape, and band-aids ( my poor blistered feet, they didn't deserve to be in such pain...but they sure looked cute!

2. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES ........you will be running around ALOT to make sure that everything is on schedule and everyone is on the same page.

3. I wore a bright yellow top , which seemed to work out well for me because if the caterer or photographer needed me for anything, I was easy to spot.

4. I also learned a handy little trick: pre- light the candles to melt the wax off of the wick so that when you need to light the candles quickly (say I dunno about 50 of them in roughly 10 minutes) it won't take as long. This trick is especially for weddings when it comes to the unity candle.  

Anyhow, that was my recent experience. I hope to have some photos soon....there was sort of a rustic apple theme.

and playing the role of last minute wedding coordinator.......me!

I am not a professional party planner (yet!) , so I sure am not a professional wedding planner either. For now I'm indulging in my hostessing obsession, I enjoy scouring the internet, magazines, anything really for party inspirations and the best recipes. I love how other peoples creativity helps to widen my own, and how I can come up with something different and unexpected because of that inspiration. So, we have established that I am NOT a professional, that being said.....I was asked this past weekend to "help out" at a rehearsal dinner for a wedding that my husband Matt was the best-man in. The bride knew that I had "a thing" for party planning, so she thought I was a good choice. We get there and, it turns out everyone's eyes were on me to basically run the whole show. This was nerve racking for me as I have never planned or coordinated a rehearsal dinner, much less a whole wedding. I decided to rise to the occasion and give it all that I had. I have to say, it was VERY stressful but I learned SO MUCH!

 Here are just a few things I learned:

1. I need to get myself an "emergency kit" with tape, lighters, tea lights, scissors, markers, chalk, double-stick tape, and band-aids ( my poor blistered feet, they didn't deserve to be in such pain...but they sure looked cute!

2. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES ........you will be running around ALOT to make sure that everything is on schedule and everyone is on the same page.

3. I wore a bright yellow top , which seemed to work out well for me because if the caterer or photographer needed me for anything, I was easy to spot.

4. I also learned a handy little trick: pre- light the candles to melt the wax off of the wick so that when you need to light the candles quickly (say I dunno about 50 of them in roughly 10 minutes) it won't take as long. This trick is especially for weddings when it comes to the unity candle.  

Anyhow, that was my recent experience. I hope to have some photos soon....there was sort of a rustic apple theme.

What ever happened to all of the great party shows?

I used to watch these fantastic and inspiring party planning shows on TV. The episodes used really pile up on the old Tivo. Anyways, the shows I was obsessed with were "Party Planner with David Tutera " Party Girl" hosted by Cathy Riva ( posted a favorite episode from her show, check it out HERE ) and my favorite "The Big Party Plan Off". I miss them! There was also a show called "Top This Party" that would be on at really random times, that I didn't like as much but, without any other party TV to watch .....it had to do. Did anyone happen to catch the one and only season of "Party Monsters: Cabo" on E ? Why are these shows not catching on? Isn't anyone else amused and obsessed like I am with entertaining and party planning??

Please let me know if there are any new entertaining shows out there. (other than MILLIONS of wedding shows)

What ever happened to all of the great party shows?

I used to watch these fantastic and inspiring party planning shows on TV. The episodes used really pile up on the old Tivo. Anyways, the shows I was obsessed with were "Party Planner with David Tutera " Party Girl" hosted by Cathy Riva ( posted a favorite episode from her show, check it out HERE ) and my favorite "The Big Party Plan Off". I miss them! There was also a show called "Top This Party" that would be on at really random times, that I didn't like as much but, without any other party TV to watch .....it had to do. Did anyone happen to catch the one and only season of "Party Monsters: Cabo" on E ? Why are these shows not catching on? Isn't anyone else amused and obsessed like I am with entertaining and party planning??

Please let me know if there are any new entertaining shows out there. (other than MILLIONS of wedding shows)

Bachelorette Party Time!

Since the bridal shower I planned, my mind has been on the next wedding event to happen....the bachelorette party! There are so many directions you can take a bachelorette party, from naughty...to nice. In the coming weeks I will be sharing ideas for all kinds or bachelorette parties. If you have thrown or been to an awesome bachelorette party , please e-mail me all the details!

Bachelorette Party Time!

Since the bridal shower I planned, my mind has been on the next wedding event to happen....the bachelorette party! There are so many directions you can take a bachelorette party, from naughty...to nice. In the coming weeks I will be sharing ideas for all kinds or bachelorette parties. If you have thrown or been to an awesome bachelorette party , please e-mail me all the details!

Host an Easter Egg Decorating Party!

he best thing about this party theme is that it can be as official or as unofficial as you would like it to be. Invite your crafty friends over for some festive Easter fun! You can either call or e-mail your guests to invite them or send invites through the mail (like the flat card invitations I found at Walmart at 10 for $2.97) about two weeks before the party.

What You'll Need:

Purchase egg dying kits, glitter, stickers, paint, and any other craft supplies you think might come in handy to decorate eggs. (I found that the Dollar Tree is a great place to look for such items)

This party doesn't require too much decor, the decorated eggs will do alot! A colorful food table,a simple centerpiece on the craft table , and some paper pom-pom flowers hung from the ceiling will do just fine. Daisies and ranunculus would also be excellent additions.

If the party is co-ed , be sure to have some beer to keep the boys happy! Serve peep-tinis and garnish with a peep on the rim. You could also serve:

-chocolate dipped pretzel rods

-mini cheesecakes

-rice crispy birds nests

-honey ham sandwiches

Send each guest home with the hard boiled eggs they decorated and a recipe card for deviled eggs or egg salad. You can download and print these super-cute recipe cards for free at scrapinstyletv.typepad.com!

Host an Easter Egg Decorating Party!

he best thing about this party theme is that it can be as official or as unofficial as you would like it to be. Invite your crafty friends over for some festive Easter fun! You can either call or e-mail your guests to invite them or send invites through the mail (like the flat card invitations I found at Walmart at 10 for $2.97) about two weeks before the party.

What You'll Need:

Purchase egg dying kits, glitter, stickers, paint, and any other craft supplies you think might come in handy to decorate eggs. (I found that the Dollar Tree is a great place to look for such items)

This party doesn't require too much decor, the decorated eggs will do alot! A colorful food table,a simple centerpiece on the craft table , and some paper pom-pom flowers hung from the ceiling will do just fine. Daisies and ranunculus would also be excellent additions.

If the party is co-ed , be sure to have some beer to keep the boys happy! Serve peep-tinis and garnish with a peep on the rim. You could also serve:

-chocolate dipped pretzel rods

-mini cheesecakes

-rice crispy birds nests

-honey ham sandwiches

Send each guest home with the hard boiled eggs they decorated and a recipe card for deviled eggs or egg salad. You can download and print these super-cute recipe cards for free at scrapinstyletv.typepad.com!