Everyday Celebrating

Fall decorating

When I look at this photo (from Better Homes and Gardens)about nature inspired fall decorating, I immediately think of pew markers.  Fabulous fall wedding pew markers!

Decorate your own cupcakes!

photo credit:  Herbert Harper

Along the lines of the candy buffet, comes the decorate your own cupcake display.
This one was featured at a wedding, but the idea crosses all party lines - especially with children.

One thing to think about when planning one is the number of guests who will need to be accommodated at once.  No one wants to stand in line forever just to decorate a cupcake.  Using a round table like this, place a large stand or maybe even two at different heights at the center of the table.  Then totally surround the table with a circle of toppings.   Have two or three sets of the same toppings at the table so many more guests can be served at once.

The mini-barrel

Functional and fabulous!
The new Red Truck Mini Barrel holds 4 bottles of wine or 20 glasses of wine. $30
Debuting at Sam's Clubs in March 2009, these are popular with the wine tasting set.  And, they look good while doing it.   Use these barrels as the centerpiece to your vineyard decor surrounding it with grapes, vines, leaves, etc.

Makes a great looking gift too!  Housewarming, birthday, etc.

Tip:  The round grapevine wreaths you get at any craft store, can be pulled apart.  When unrolled they create a really nice, twisted, single vine that curls beautifully for uses such as over doorways, mantles, lining a table, etc.

Mask or munchie? Both!

We're approaching the season.  The season for masks!  Oriental Trading has this adorable masks made of chocolate!

Great additions to your costume.  Or they make great favors and would make a great arrangement on your halloween table.  Stick a few in floral oasis at various heights. 

Caramel Apple Martinis

Love this photo an apple martini presentation by Country Living magazine.

I love a good apple martini and even better, for fall, is the caramel apple martini.  I'll warn you, it's a bit on the sweet side, but it's unique and tasty and good for those that don't like the taste of alcohol.

First, mix up the martini:

2 parts of butterscotch Schnapps
2 parts sour apple Pucker
1 part Vodka

Shake all 3 together in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass. 

For an extra touch, glaze the glass with caramel.  Either melted caramels or caramel syrup.

Garnish with a slice of apple on the rim or float a cross section of apple in the actual drink.

Tailgating!

Football season is here and tailgate preparations are in full swing!  Let's look at some fun items to get the wheels turning ...

Just because it's a casual tailgate, doesn't mean you can't have fabulous invitations! 
I love these from Oriental Trading and they are on clearance!  $10 for a dozen!

These really add to the table.  A "turf" tablecloth

or table runner

Plum Party has this great inflatable cooler

For serving beverages, the Etch-It has become popular.  No coin needed!  Just scratch your thoughts on with your finger!  You can get these at quite a few supermarkets.

Lots of fun ways to become the ultimate tailgater!

Camp Rock!

Come visit me!  I'm guest posting over at Second City Soiree while my friend Jen is on vacation in the southern hemisphere!  Jen is a super talented event planner in Chicago and I'm honored that she asked me to share ideas on her site. 

Come over and see how I'm turning these Target signs (and other $1 items) into a rock style child/teen party! 
Camp Rock!

Winners!

Head over to the SmileBlog to see who won the fabulous prizes from SmileBooks!

Thank you again for participating!

DIY: Spider web cookies

Photo credit:  Family Circle

Put this aside as an easy way to impress your pals:

Ice a flat cookie with white icing.

Pipe a thin chocolate spiral on top of the white icing. (Easy way to make thin lines is to use the ziploc bag technique.  Cut a very small hole in the tip of a ziploc bag.)  Begin the spiral in the center of the cookie.

Again starting in the center of the spiral, drag a knife through the spiral to make a spiderweb pattern.

Done!

It's coming!

Photo Credit:  All You magazine

Halloween runs a really close second in my favorite holiday contest.  (Christmas, of course, is first.)
I cannot wait until my son really loves Halloween and all that goes with it.  There are so many cute and creative ways to go all out for this holiday - even for adults. [Read: you're probably going to see a lot of Halloween ideas in the coming weeks.]

Like this "critter covered platter". 
Look closely at the platter.  Notice anything... creepy?

Super easy to recreate! 

First, buy some plastic "critters".  The dollar store is great for this.
Spray paint them all silver. Or, if you want them to stand out maybe something like RED.

The platter above is actually a mirror that was spray painted. You can either do that, or if you don't want to go to that trouble, just get a faux silver tray at a party store.  They are cheap, you can hot glue the critters on and you won't feel badly about tossing it after your party.

Start on your Halloween crafts now... it'll be here before you know it.  And remember... I'd love to feature your fun parties or decorations!