Everyday Celebrating

Everyday Events: Mastering the Art of French Cooking Dinner Party

The time of year is perfect for an outdoor dinner party!  Julie of A Reason to Get Together took advantage of the perfect weather and her love of Julia Child to put together a French dinner party in her back yard.

Julie had each of her guests bring a dish out of a particular cookbook as well as the wine that complimented the dish.   For invitations, she used Evite which kept track of what everyone was bringing and avoided duplications.  

This party was extremely budget friendly and Julie shopped her decor from previous parties as well as her local thrift stores and yard sales.  For example, the ties on the backs of the chairs were strips of sheets she found at yard sales.

She created 60 YARDS of bunting herself that draped from the fence and trees.  The same patterns of fabric were used as napkin rings.

I love the fabric flowers! 

Drop in to Julie's blog to see more photos of this fresh vintage design!  

Balloon Topiary

One of the best craft items you can have on hand are topiary forms. I have several and I can't tell you how many times I've used them.  One of those occasions was the Fruit shower I posted a couple of years ago.  (Yep, that was back when I created the fancy post graphics.)  Anyway...

I ran across this balloon topiary on Ready, Set, Create and thought it was cute and colorful and yet another use for topiary forms.

 

Of course, it's easy to make an inexpensive topiary form.  You just need a dowel rod or stick, a block of floral foam and a floral/styrofoam sphere.

To create this, just use a bag of your favorite color balloons.  Or multi like the one above. Or color combinations for occasions like Halloween, Christmas, etc.  Hot glue them on and done!

You know what also would be cute?  Paint and stripe the stick!

Birthday CAKE bunting

Kalleen of Second Street gives you the details on making this beautiful cake bunting.

Isn't it fun and unexpected?

FREE for my readers! Paperless Post invitations!

Ok. I'll admit.  I love invitations.  Well, who am I kidding, anything paper really.  And while I spend a ridiculous amount of time looking at, choosing and putting together the perfect paper invitation, I realize there are plenty that love to use electronic invitations.  And for quick, beautiful electronic invitations, I fell in love with the products of Paperless Post.

What is it?  It's an electronic card store!  They feature everything from wedding save the dates to party invitations to birth announcements to formal invitations and even thank you cards.

What makes them different?  Here are the top two and MOST important reasons:

1.  Their designs.  Hands down gorgeous.  They have something for everyone!  And each piece can be customized from the texture of the "paper" to the color of the "ink".  

2.  Their presentation and delivery.  When you receive a Paperless Post card, it comes to you in a virtual envelope with your name on the outside.  You click the envelope to open and the invitation unfolds beautifully.  It's my favorite feature!  The drama of the opening!

With Paperless Post... you're not sacrificing style!  The designs are sharp and modern and the color schemes are gorgeous.  

Just in time for your fall gatherings, Paperless Post is offering readers of Everyday Celebrating the gift of 35 free "stamps". Use them for your next gathering - whatever that may be.. Halloween, baby shower, dinner party, bunco or try them out for thank you notes.

Just click on this link exclusively for Everyday Celebrating readers and enjoy 35 free stamps! 

Also, don't forget to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter to see more designs and updates.

 

Easy and beautiful day into night centerpiece

A simple large glass fishbowl filled with coffee beans and several large white flowers...

add in an LED tea light ...

and it turns into this at night.  Beautiful.

photo credit: life in the thrifty lane

Margarita Ice Cream

I'd love to introduce you to Wendy of The Weekend Gourmet.  Wendy and I met on a v bulletin site when we were both planning our weddings over 10 years ago.   She lives in San Antonio, TX, which I hold dear because my husband and I had our first date on the River Walk.  

Wendy is a foodie.  I've been watching her talk about food and restaurants and cooking for years and finally she's taking up blogging to share her love with the world!  

Today, I'm sending you over to check out her adapted Nigella Lawson recipe for Margarita Ice Cream. If you love food, bookmark her blog!  

So call the girls over for some chips, cheese and chatter!  And margarita ice cream for dessert!   Try serving it in a margarita glass with a lime garnish!

Follow Wendy also on Facebook and Twitter.

New cupcake fabulousness in the Nashville area!

 If you're in the Nashville area, you're in luck. If you're not, you're in for some inspiration!

 It's my pleasure to introduce you to Lesley of Biddy Bear Cupcakes.  Lesley creates amazing cupcakes and is based in Mt. Juliet.   Check out these!

And how about the cupcake bouquet?

And... I've saved my favorite for last.  The string monster cupcake! I love these!!!

If you live in the Nashville area, contact Lesley for all your cupcake needs.  You won't be disappointed!

How to... throw a party!

Do you want to throw a party but have no idea how?  Or are you great at one aspect of a party, but need tips to pull the rest together? 

Enter my friend Danielle of the newly launched Lucky Life!

Lucky Life helps everyone throw a fabulous party with their downloadable party kits!  Choose from a variety of themes, download the kit and you have an instant party planner at your side.

Kits will include everything from menu, to bar suggestions, to checklists, shopping lists and step by step guides to pull it all together.

In addition to all of that... you'll get access to the Lucky Life video vault which shows how-tos, a 30 minute one on one call with a professional party planner and access to a live chat held twice monthly.

This is an amazing deal for only $17!  You can't get a consultation with a pro for that, much less all these extras!

Start planning your events now!  Currently, Danielle has available

• Holiday Open House
• Baby's 1st Birthday
• Dinner party for 8
• Cocktail party for 25

Danielle is celebrating her new launch with a week of giveaways!  Visit her blog for more party tips and enter her giveaways. 

Also, don't forget to check out her etsy store and mark it as a necessity for your next gathering.

 
 

Adding a balloon drop

Let's face it, children LOVE balloons! And a balloon drop is easy to do and creates a large impact with children.

The drop above was part of a first birthday party over at Dukes and Duchesses.  The how to is easy!

Simply tape up yards of tulle to a wall.  This can be from a ledge or a door jam or from a ceiling fan or light fixture. (Use putty or command hooks or some types of painters tape to ensure no damage is done to the walls.  Use ornament hooks to hang the tulle from light fixtures.)

Fill it with balloons you've blown up yourself.  Remember that no helium is used in a balloon drop. Balloons can be blown up a couple days ahead of time.

Release one or both sides and let the balloons rain down on the little ones!  Smiles all around!

 
Visit Dukes and Duchesses to see the rest of this cute party include these pinwheel centerpieces!

 

 

Cupcake in a jar!

I love this cute presentation!  Want to cheer up a friend?  Want a fun favor?   Want to send someone home with a smile?

Ta DA!

Cupcake in a jar!  Add a nice label and a fork and it's a party in a jar!  A nice addition to this would be a wooden fork from Garnish.  Isn't it cute?

Perfect for any occasion!  Change the color of sprinkles, labels and forks to match the occasion.
How cute would these be for tailgating?

  
Thanks to Brandy at Gluesticks for the great idea!