Well, I should have done this ages, but I have a new blog – Ready, Set, Party! It’s not actually very new any more, but I’m super proud of it. I also started an Etsy shop by the same name – Ready, Set, Party at Etsy. I would love it if you’d click on over and check the new blog and shop out! Thanks!
Hard to believe Valentine’s Day is nearly here! I made these cute Valentine’s cards to send out, but I think they would make adorable invitations for a V-Day party, too! Here’s the super quick and easy tutorial.
Materials: Blank note card and envelope, scraps of cute fabric, fusible interfacing, sharp scissors, an iron, sewing machine.
Follow the fusible interfacing directions and fuse to the back of the fabric. This will keep the cut edges of the fabric from fraying and make the fabric stiffer and easier to work with.
Cut 1″ hearts from the interfacing-backed fabric. You will need 3 hearts per card. Line the hearts along the short side of the note card and using the sewing machine carefully sew a straight line down through the middle of each heart to attach the hearts to the paper.
Hand write your Valentine’s greeting (or invitation), tuck into an envelope and mail to a lucky recipient!
This bittersweet Valentine’s party cracks me up. I love the pretty pinks offset by the ‘bitter’ signs. Hilarious and just right for a group of special single ladies to celebrate the holiday! PS – how fab is the ‘bittersweet’ banner??
I just adore this pretty table found over at Beetlegrass (actually I like ALL her tables, but this one is holiday appropriate). I especially like that it’s not over the top Valentine’s, but very subtle. The colors are sweet and unexpected and I love the mix of the different patterns.
1. Vintage Playing Cards 2. Blue & White Tablecloth 3. Tea Cups 4. Gold Doilies 5. Vintage Linens
If you are lucky enough to have a vintage linen collection, this table is the PERFECT example for how to showcase them. Go break them out right now! Add in some sweet printable heart vintage cards, gold doilies, and pretty china, and set a lovely Valentine’s dinner table.
From here
I’m not a mushy girl by nature, but this year, I seem to have the Valentine’s Day bug big time. So this week I’ll be featuring some great Valentine’s Day party ideas and a super easy original DIY project Friday for any last minute procrastinators out there!
Let’s kick things off with a trio of awesome V-Day garlands I found via Pinterest. These are all cute, but uncomplicated enough to easily duplicate and would bring a romantic touch to any Valentine’s celebration.
From here
From here
Hello, gorgeous! I’ve got to give my girl Jackie Fo a huge shout out for this lovely bridal shower! She obviously put a ton of work into pulling this off and it shows! Click on over to see even more pretty details from this party.
I don’t normally post parties for children because I really want to focus on encouraging adults to entertain and host. However, there are so many cute kid parties out there with great ideas that I often find myself pinning images from them for inspiration for grown-up parties. Take this adorable glam pajama party, looks like lots of fun for that group of little girls. Even though it’s meant for kids, a lot of these details would translate into a fabulous Oscar party!
All the glitz would be perfect for an Oscar dinner party, or as details on a snack and drink buffet. Plus, the colors are very retro glam Hollywood, also perfect for an awards party.
How great are these goody bags, too! Wouldn’t this be fun to put together with adult goodies, like the ones award attendees get? I’ve never hosted an Oscar party before, but I am totally inspired to give it a shot this year! Time to invite some friends and break out the boas.
Charlotte is in the midst of an unusual winter storm. We’re going on day 2 of being stranded in the house by an impassable ice sheet covering our drive. Last night, before everything froze solid, we pulled out the champagne flutes, tossed in that fluffy white stuff called snow, and topped it off with some post-New Year bubbly. If anything can make being stuck at home better, it’s a champagne slushy!
I spotted this simple but pretty new year’s eve table over on pinterest. (Do you pin? It is revolutionizing the way I keep track of images and links.) I love the all white color scheme. It’s a great way to capitalize on the idea of starting fresh with a new year. Plus, it’s a snap to pull together.
1. White Candelabra 2. White Lace 3. White Stool 4. White pitcher 5. White candles 6. Silver Glitter
I love the mismatched white chairs around the table. Recreate the look by spray painting thrifted wood chairs all white. Or pick up these great ikea stools in white, they are a steal!
I also love the barely-there white lace table cloth. It adds just a bit of texture and dimension. Check out a local thrift shop for white lace curtains and layer them over a table for the same look.
The silver New Year’s Eve banner would also be an easy DIY project. Pre-cut letters covered in some spray adhesive, dusted with silver glitter and strung on some pretty string. Working with glitter can get a little messy, but I’d be willing to risk some mess in this case.
I’d keep the white theme going with the menu as well. Less risk in staining all those pretty white details, too! Maybe a shaved fennel salad to start, followed by little bowls of potato leek soup, then a lovely Riesling poached trout with roasted parsnips. For dessert, a glorious coconut cake or course!
I hope you and yours had a lovely Christmas weekend. I am recovering from the past wonderful 4 days of family invasion and unexpected snow fall in the South! Seriously, we got INCHES of snow, which hardly ever happens.
Now that the first few rounds of holiday bustle are over, I only now start thinking of the approaching new year. New Year’s Eve always seems to sneak up on me. It comes so fast on the heels of Christmas. Most years, I can be found celebrating with my grandparents in a sleepy town in Ohio eating rushki and BBQ potato chips. We consider ourselves party animals if we make it to midnight. So, I’ve never had the pleasure of hosting a New Year’s Eve party. That doesn’t stop me from thinking about one, though!
1. Pretty gold and white table 2. Gold S’mores 3. Gold Streamers 4. Pink and Gold Table 5. Pink Champagne
I put together this inspiration board for the party I am dreaming of hosting. Pale pink, sparkly gold, and champagne – sounds like a perfect way to ring in a new year!
The How-To Hostess 