Category Archives: Parties

Olive & Cocoa: Entertaining Jewels To DIY or Not . . .

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Accessories, Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Parties, Tabletop

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entertainment DIY ideas, glass place card holders, mason jar tumblers, milk glass votives, Olive & Cocoa, party hats

If you are like me and find yourself short on time to execute fun DIY projects for summer entertaining, then visit Olive & Cocoa for goodies that surely will fulfill your need to add that special touch to any fête.  The Stripy Straw Mason Tumblers above are a fancy, yet practical way to utilize mason jars for kids as well as adults.  With mason jars plentiful for bouquets, hostess gifts and more, I’ve meant to DIY my own outdoor mason jar glass collection using inspiration from C&B, our Pinterest board or the list of 50 Mason Jar DIY’s on Saved by Love Creations.  In the mean time, these Stripy Straw Mason Tumblers will do the trick so I can head off to the beach!

It seems that you either have to be a master pastry chef or a dedicated DIYer to wow guests with an amazing cake these days.  Since cupcakes are en vogue – we’ve even succumbed to the trend for our parties too – the simply elegant and less labor intensive cake is an overlooked iconic dessert item.  This Fete Bunting Cake Topper is a perfect decoration item to have on hand for your next celebration.  Sold in a set of three, this bunting with colorful wool felt flags will elevate any cake.  If you still would rather make the bunting, then check out Sarah’s step-by-step pennant tutorial; good for cakes, invitations and more!

Unique outdoor lighting accents for the table as well as the garden are also on my DIY list this summer.  In addition to using blue mason jars on a white tablescape, I am drawn to milk glass accessories that let the flowers and linens shine.  Milk glass is simple, neutral and a classic.  Without time to scour the web to expand my collection, I have found many DIY guides to create my own Milk glass objets out of more readily available glass.  But I’m out of time so the Milk Glass Tealights above will be perfect to create luminary vignettes in the great outdoors.

I am always looking for new ideas for place cards.  Not that we formally entertain often, but when possible it is another layer to add to a beautifully set table.  The Bubble Place Card Holders are unique because unfilled they would not be visually distracting from the rest of the table decor or you can fill them with buds or greens to be double agents:  place cards as well as low centerpieces!  Place card holders are no longer just a seating arrangement tool, they can set the tone for a party.  Remember the sailboat place cards?!

Lastly, party hats shouldn’t just be for kids.  I know that summer party attire is carefully chosen and not everyone loves a hat, but depending on the occasion a party hat could be just the accessory to make the photo montage more festive.  This variety package of  Chapeau de Fête at Olive & Cocoa is perfect to have on hand in your party closet unless you brush up on DIY party hat skills.  And, if your guests aren’t inclined to wear the hats, then they are colorful decorations to brighten the decor.

No matter which route you take – execute the DIYs on your list or scoop up a couple of items from Olive & Cocoa – hopefully this inspired you to delve into the details for your next party.  Not all of us have time to be Martha, but we can access great resources to make our parties just as special.  Happy Entertaining!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Cathrineholm for Less
DIY Pennant Invitations
Oh Buoy!  Color Tipped Cutting Boards

A Little Dinner Party for an Itty Bitty Little Lady

08 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Parties

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baby shower, Baby Shower Ideas, Party Ideas

It seems only appropriate that I now feature this little party I threw for my sister a few weeks back in anticipation of her second baby as my new niece arrived on Sunday morning! I didn’t want to throw a full blown shower as it was her second baby and she really didn’t need a lot, but I also wanted to have a get together to celebrate her impending arrival with just a few close friends. I decided to keep the guest list small enough that we could all sit at the dining room table and have an intimate gathering. While my sister was excited to be having a girl, she is not really into pink and frilly or cutesy so rather than go with a theme I decided to just go with a simple but elegant look that wasn’t overly fussy.

The essential part of being able to pull off a successful party easily is having a well stocked party closet. I learned that mine needs a bit of help. How is it that I don’t have a dozen matching wine glasses anymore? Well I do now because I ran to the store and bought some that day! A simple metal bucket filled with chardonnay and rose, a few bottles of Pellegrino, and a pitcher of POM mixed with bubble water completed the bar. When hosting a party, I like to stick to a simple color palette that will work with any accent colors I want to use. Having lots of basic white and/or glass pitchers, vases, and accessories makes that simple. And pick a preferred metal color of silver or gold so that you can always pick up accessories like salt and pepper shakers and rimmed platters that will fit right in with the rest of your decor.

It’s easy to go overboard on food when you’re having a dinner party, but really you don’t need that much, especially when you are feeding a dozen women. I kept the appetizers simple with a cheese tray, prosciutto wrapped melon, and mixed nuts.

In the dining room again, we kept it simple with the place setting using just the dinner plates from my china and the silver sitting atop a simple triangle folded white napkin. However, I was thrilled to find that in my mother’s party closet there was a beautiful French linen tablecloth that she had bought back when Rue de France was closing eight years ago and had never used. I decided that was unacceptable and that her newest grandchild deserved to have it christened. For dinner I served the Silver Palette Chicken Marbella. It has a lot of ingredients, but it’s super easy to make, especially for a crowd! In addition there was a mixed green salad and roasted asparagus.

The flowers kind of took on a life of their own. I had planned on just going with some tulips, but I fell in love with the small purplish pink flower on the woodland filler and then starting working around those which led me to the freesia and chrysanthemums. It’s unusual, but I kind of like it.

While I often tend to be the person who over-commits to making things, this time I was smart enough to know that I needed to head straight to the bakery for dessert. And it certainly helps that we have an amazing new authentic French bakery in town, The French Confection.

I picked up a bunch of delicious tartlets, meringues, and macaroons that were a huge hit!

Overall, the party was great fun, but I did learn of a few things that I really need to add to my party closet!

1. A half dozen good looking folding chairs like the ones from Society Social.
2. Two more place settings of my silver.
3. More extra long tablecloth options for when I have all the leaves in my table (in case my mother doesn’t let me keep the one that she apparently will never use).

Welcome baby Oona!

If you like these party ideas, check these out:
A Beautiful Fall Wedding in the Berkshires
Newport Wedding: Sweet Berry Farm
A Birthday P-ART-Y

Divine Providence: Olga’s Cup & Saucer

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Parties, Shops We Love

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Cafes, Olga's Cup & Saucer

If you ever happen to be in Providence, you will be tempted by so many fabulous restaurants, but one that you just cannot miss is Olga’s Cup & Saucer. I’ve been a fan of Olga’s delicious treats for many years as they’ve always been available at my local farmer’s market, but I’d never managed to get to the Providence based restaurant as it’s just off the beaten path, although still close to many attractions. That was until last week. For anyone who has enjoyed their baked goods from the farmer’s market, you haven’t known deliciousness yet if you can even believe that. Not only that, but this bakery and cafe nestled into the Historic Jewelry District not far from the highway is like a little slice of California living in New England. The white stucco exterior walls, colorful market umbrellas, and crisp yet modern logo make you feel like you’re in a faraway place, even if only for your lunch break.

I wish I had snapped more photos of their delectable treats, but alas this was the one that I could not ignore–lavender pound cake with powdered sugar stenciled on top (you can easily do this yourself with a doily).

Oh, and these. I don’t remember exactly what they were other than divine. They have lots of other goodies on the menu from soup to sandwiches to pizzas and more. Stop in for lunch or pick up some goodies for your next party!

If you like this post, you might like these:
The Mice Ate My Ridiculously Good Cheese!
Weekend Snapshots from Bean Town
A Sweet Idea 

DIY Pennant Invitations

06 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids, Parties, Weddings

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, , ,

I just made these invitations for a friends baby shower and totally love how they came out.  Check out my DIY on how to make them over at Parentables today!

If you like this post, you might like these:
Super Simple DIY Envelope Liner
 Creating a Consistent Theme for a Wedding from Invitations to Favors
 First Birthday Party Ideas 

Spring Flower Arrangements for All Occasions

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Holidays, Inspiration, Parties, Weddings

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Centerpiece Ideas, daffodils, Easter Centerpieces, Flower Arranging Ideas, Maaike Bernstrom Photography, peonies, Spring Flower Arrangements, Tulips, Wedding Bouquet Ideas

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about spring is the sudden burst of color that encompasses the landscapes. It’s as though within an instant we go from blah to W-O-W as soon as that first daffodil or crocus blooms. And while the flowers are gorgeous outside, I can’t help but want to bring them indoors as well. Our friend Maaike is not only an amazing photographer, but she also has an incredible talent when it comes to flowers and here are some shots of arrangements she’s taken and/or created, and we hope some of these shots will provide some inspiration for your spring holiday and entertaining!

I just love the willow branches wrapped around the urn.

This display would be fabulous on a buffet. I love the mix of texture and pattern using just a few colors. And of course, the vintage mason jar is an awesome added bonus.

These mini daffodils in a wicker urn scream spring! Such a simple and elegant yet rustic arrangement for a small luncheon celebrating a new baby on the way.

At the same event, tin tomato cans are lined up down the center of the dining table also filled with daffodils, and bud vases with tulips and more daffodils make sure no space lacks a pop of color.

Colorful hydrangeas are flooding the store shelves right now. Add them to a pretty metal bucket with other foliage and you can’t go wrong!

This stunning wedding bouquet includes (my favorite!) peonies, roses, and greens. It would be equally as gorgeous as a centerpiece and can easily be scaled larger or smaller to suit your needs.

Oh, I could just fill my house with flowers like these, and there is so much more where this came from that we’ll do another post with more of Maaike’s flowers soon!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Green Apple & Pink Flower Arrangements
Spring Blooms
Milk Bottle Vases are Perfect for Petite Parties

A Birthday P-ART-Y!

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids, Parties

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Art Party, Birthday Party Ideas, Kids Birthday Party, Toddler Birthday Parties

This Sunday is my daughter’s 3rd birthday. While April Fool’s Day suits her perfectly, Pamela’s daughter turned 3 last week and so it was only natural that we’d have a joint birthday party in between their birthdays since they are best buds. You may remember we did the same last year with a pink and purple extravaganza (their favorite colors, respectively). We figured this year is probably the last year that the girls won’t have a specific request for a theme for their birthday party, and since we’re on the verge of crossing the line into full on all princesses all the time, we decided we’d instead take advantage of the fact that they both L-O-V-E to paint and have an art p-ART-y!

On our shopping trip to Newburyport about two months back, we found bowl scrapers that bear a striking resemblance to artist’s palettes at a kitchen shop and scooped them up as we knew they would be perfect for our invitation. We printed out the text on various colors of colored card stock and cut each blurb out to look like a splat of paint. (If you missed our DIY Envelope Liner last month, this is what we used it for.) I love how they turned out!

To welcome everyone to the party, I put out our easel with balloons with a welcome message. I probably could have picked up a new one without the years of paint and chalk marks on it at IKEA since they’re only $15, but I like the authenticity of a well used easel.

Inside the table was set with a simple bunch of spring daffodils. I protected my dining room table with a painter’s drop cloth from Home Depot that had the look and feel of a heavy duty linen. And we scattered paint chips across the table in the pink, purple, and green color scheme we were using.

Each place was set with a palette shaped placemat that I cut out of chalkboard paper. I couldn’t find a template or actual palette to use as a base so I had to free-hand one and then use that as the template, and I think they turned out pretty well. Each place setting also had a personalized smock for each of our pint-sized guests.

We found the smocks (purple on one side and pink on the other just like the girls like) at Michaels for $1 each and then bought stencils and paint to monogram them. (Note: stenciling goes much faster and smoother with two people; one to hold down the stencil and one to do the painting.)

We knew that once the kids started arriving, the chaos would quickly follow so we pre-set the table with the fruits in veggies in nut cups as though each of them were a different paint color.

As the kids arrived, we guided them into the back yard to play while we prepared the main course of individual pizzas. The 4″ frozen ones from Trader Joe’s were perfect!

After lunch was finished we got ready to paint. Each child got their own canvas and we spread bowls of paint out across the table. While we intended to do this inside due to the forecast, the weather men were wrong (shocker!) and it turned out to be a beautiful day so we quickly reorganized and grabbed a folding table from the basement to put on the deck so the kids could paint outside which was perfect (and kept the mess outside!). In addition to the canvases, we also gave the kids pieces of cardboard (that we collected from shirts coming back from the dry cleaners) so that they could practice paint if they wanted to or just in case they wanted to do more than one painting.

The birthday girls were hard at work creating their masterpieces! And they were the last ones to finish up so I’m pretty sure we picked a theme that they were very happy with.

My son and his finished product.

All the masterpieces laying out in the sun to dry.

After they finished painting, it was cupcake time! We put the cupcakes on a wooden artist palette and then filled three smaller round palettes with various sprinkles and cupcake decorations so that the kids could create their own cupcake masterpiece.

Make a wish…or two!

Note that it was very important that we made sure every child had a cupcake in hand before we placed the sprinkles on the table. They couldn’t wait to dive in and start decorating and it would have quickly turned disastrous for this age group if we hadn’t done that!

And when it was time to go, we sent each guest home with the masterpieces they created at the party, their smocks, and another small canvas with easel, paint, and paint brush to thank them for p-ART-ying with us!

If you like this post, you might like these:
Cupcakes for Everyone
Kids Birthday Party
Firetruck Birthday Party

Our Picks for Pottery Barn’s Best of Summer 2012

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Accessories, furniture, garden, Inspiration, Kids, Kitchen, lighting, Living Room, Outdoor, Parties, rugs, Tabletop

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Tags

Chevron Rugs, Potter's Bench, , Pottery Barn Summer 2012, Rope Lamp, Sail Canopy, Wicker Furniture

Did you get the new Pottery Barn catalog last week? I have to say that there are quite a few treasures in there, actually in both the regular catalog and the kids catalog. So many in fact that I thought I’d cull some of them out and share some of the amazing-ness with you, just in cased you missed it! Let’s start with the insane boat cleat and nautical rope gallery wall above (sorry, I couldn’t find a better picture). Love, love, love!

And since you know I love all things nautical, this Rope Table Lamp definitely fits the bill. You just have to make sure to use it as a fun accent and not as overkill. For instance you wouldn’t want to have a ship’s wheel coffee table (just in case you happen to have one of those) and these lamps. Sometimes less is more!

Also in lighting, the new Caged Glass Pendant is a great look and a great size at a great price!

The Woven Rattan Drink Cooler is perfect for summer entertaining indoors or out!

As you may remember, I love salt cellars, and this turtle set couldn’t be cuter. Plus, they have lids which makes me think that maybe, just maybe, my salt won’t get sticky in them here by the ocean where it’s a major problem.

I’m kind of obsessed with the dhurrie rugs in a chevron pattern or bordered in colors like pink, navy, and chocolate.

And the pint sized Chesapeake Potter’s Bench–can you stand it!

The Tavern Chairs have an awesome vintage vibe and I love the colors, but I have to say I probably wouldn’t spend $119 each on them. Fingers crossed for a great sale!

The Tree Fort Loft Bed rocks!

The Wicker Elephant Table may be in the kids catalog, but it would be equally at home in an adult space too.

The Woven Shark also is super cool and only $39.

If I weren’t married to a sail maker, I’d be all over this Sail Canopy.

I think I could keep going, but that ought to be enough to start your summer shopping!

If you like this post, you might like these:
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Color in the Conch Repulic

Green Gift-Giving

12 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by in Accessories, Celebrations, D.I.Y., Inspiration, Parties, Tabletop, Weddings

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apothecary jar, bridal registry, bridal shower gift, , green M&Ms, Monogrammed, Williams-Sonoma

What do you get when you take a beautiful apothecary jar like this one from Williams-Sonoma and mix it with yummy mint m&ms?

A great looking bridal shower gift!  My friend Jennie came up with this idea recently for a friend’s bridal shower that happened to be green themed.  I just love how she took a regular registry gift and put a creative and personal stamp on it.  Surely the bride-to-be will remember this gift forever.

If you like this, then check these out:
A Sweet and Simple Hostess Gift
Mattie Luxe for Personalized Placemats and Trays 
Etsy Pick of the Week:  Tray Chic
 

Egg Dying Plan of Action

08 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in Accessories, Kids, Kitchen, Parties

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Anthropologie, Chasing Fireflies, Crate and Barrel, Doc Hinkle Egg Coloring Kit, egg dying, , farmer's egg crate, Modern June, Nosh Bowls, oilcloth, personalized striped bucket, Splat Mat, The Vermont Country Store

With Easter approaching (one month from today!), I am again forced to reckon with my less then par egg dying skills.  I am hoping that with a little aesthetic upgrade in my tools that I’ll be more crafty and pleased with the results.  The reusable stoneware farmer’s egg crate is the first addition to my craft bag.  Also, available in Sky blue for a little color punch in your refrigerator.

These Nosh Bowls are sold in a set of 12, so I could have a bowl for each color of the rainbow and some colors yet to be created!  Maybe I could elevate my color selection by mixing up a batch of tangerine dream, a deep navy, . . .

A carefree work surface would also be useful.  As a fan of oilcloth, maybe I should get a Splat Mat for this craft and later projects.  The best part is that I can inexpensively customize the look of this mat – print, polka dots, gingham? – at Modern June.

And, just to be safe, I found this Doc Hinkle Egg Coloring Kit that has bottles of dye ready to use so there is no egg dipping, just painting!  A perfect tool for touching up eggs that need a little extra attention.

For the dyed eggs – I am sure they will be great this year – all I need is a vessel.  Traditional wicker baskets with the long handle are the standard, but not necessarily multi-purpose.  I found this striped bucket that can be personalized and used later for outdoor parties, collecting seashells, etc.

Hope your egg dying party is fun and colorfully successful.  Bon chance!

If you like this, then check these out:
Freshly Picked Flatware
A Tiskit, A Tasket, A Perfect Easter Basket
Green Apple & Pink Flower Arrangement

A Sweet Idea

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, fabrics, Parties, pillows, rugs, Shops We Love, textiles

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

buttercream, Cupcaketologist, embroidered pillows, Johnathan Adler, linen, poufs

Yes I admit, I have a WICKED sweet tooth.  I prefer things like cake to ice cream, and chocolate to jelly beans, however when it comes to cupcakes, I am not choosy. Frosting, fluffy, moist cakes wrapped in little paper wrappers…heaven.  Luckily I have a friend who not only creates these little bite sized confections, she blogs about them!

The master of these creations, Jessica Pizzo, is one stylish lady herself so it’s no wonder her cupcakes are so creative and inspiring.  I never thought my love for butter-cream could translate into style ideas but it has completely inspired me.  Rich texture and color come to mind when I look at these mouthwatering images.  I am reminded of soft textured linen, pretty poufs, patterned fabrics, embroidered pillows, and luxurious living rooms.

Now imagine lounging on one of these poufs or in the luxurious living room while sampling a perfectly portioned and beautifully decorated cupcake, served on a Lucite platter. That’s right, I will have my cake AND eat it too!

Image Sources:
The Cupcaketologist, Cottage by Design, Making It Lovely, Elle Decor, Sweety Design

If you like this, then check these out:
Cupcakes for Everyone
Etsy Pick of the Week: Jeanette Zeis Pottery
Translation:  Sailor Stripe Shirts as Room Decor