Tagged with " holidays"
24 Nov
2009
Posted in: Parties & Celebrations
By Candice    3 Comments

Ode to Thanksgiving, Vol. #2 Decor & Details

My google reader is buzzing with a lot of creative touches to enhance the Thanksgiving holiday. I wanted to share some!


The above detail board from The Party Dress. I love when I sit down to a table and there is a place card. Love the ribbon around the napkin, too.


An interesting tablescape and centerpiece created out of Pheasant Feathers, via Apartment Therapy

The above dessert tablescape is by the talented Amy Atlas. Look at the details! The table is dripping with yumminess, like burnt butter poundcake, caramel and sugared pears, apple cider, and pumpkin figs. How do you traditionally display your holiday desserts for guests? Most of us bring them out after dinner and serve them in the dining room. Wouldn’t it be an amazing surprise to put something detailed like this to display them?


This gorgeous, and colorful tablescape from our daily read 100 Layer Cake.

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How is your tablescape for these years feast shaping up? Are you doing anything special or unique? We’d love to hear!

xoxo

14 Dec
2008
Posted in: Decor & Design, DIY & Templates, Holiday Parties
By Candice    1 Comment

Holiday Centerpiece: Carnations

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Elisabeth from BLUSH floral design posted a fabulous purple centerpiece on her blog and I wanted to share. I just love these carnations in varying shades of purple. Believe it or not, carnations in bulk (like these) can look so gorgeous. The key is to use a lot and make your centerpiece very full. I agree with Elisabeth, too, that with these flowers the you can use the container to dictate the style of the arrangement. You can use square chunky vases, tall cylinders, old candy jars or medicine bottles, or mint julep cups. Although, I really love the antiqued vessels she used. And the sequin balls? Gorgeous! They’ll sparkle too in candlelight and are a touch of necessary glamour.

If you’re too busy for arrangements this season, give Elisabeth a call. Blush is offering holiday inspired arrangements at a really fabulous price. Get all the details here!

9 Dec
2008
Posted in: Holiday Parties
By Candice    2 Comments

Holiday Cocktails: Grinch

I believe this is a martini that even Betty Lou Who would approve of. It is super fun and sounds absolutely delicious. There is a ton of things you can do, like adding a heart ice cube to the glass.

ingredients:
• 2 oz. Midori
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 tsp. sugar syrup

Mixing instructions:
Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Option: Garnish this green drink with a red cherry or candy cane.

Recipe source: Thatsthespirit.com

8 Dec
2008
Posted in: Decor & Design, DIY & Templates, Holiday Parties
By Candice    1 Comment

Holiday Party Decor: Outdoor Lighting

Bright twinkling lights against a snowy backdrop is probably one of my favorite things during the holidays. I love to decorate for Christmas, especially outside. If you are planning a holiday get together this year, consider the outside of your home when designing your parties theme. It is the first thing your guests will see as they arrive to your home and the last impression they’ll be left with when they leave. It just makes your event extra special and romantic.

I think variations on the usual outdoor decor is needed, so I did a bit of research to find some unique outdoor lighting ideas and a few new takes on some old ones.

First, I love these icicles that are hung from trees. Martha Stewart has a tutorial on how you can create these beautiful centerpieces to your yard. They seem super easy to make (especially if you enlist your fiancee / husband to do all the work) and the effect is really fabulous. Can you imagine what they would look like after a snowfall? These would work well year round too. I can see them used in a night time wedding as a variation on the ever popular chinese lanterns.

These shooting stars are super dramatic. I can see them scattered through out your backyard — it would be so unexpected! I love lights strung in layers, especially from tree to tree or object to object. It’s almost like creating a canopy of lights. Click here for a tutorial on how to make them.

I love these but they are a bit hard to make. They certainly would be fabulous for cocktail party, scattered and grouped along your sidewalk and on your front porch. They remind me of the outdoor luminaries (which we’ll talk about below), except made with snow instead of white paper bags. But they are so much fun! Martha has a tutorial on how to make these, too. You could vary the shapes depending on what type of “molds” you could find. I bet festive cake molds would work well.

Wrapping your lamp post in evergreen garland isn’t new, but adding this orb lights instead of the traditional string of lights makes this extra special. They look like little snow balls!

Consider lining your steps or walkway with cylinder vases like these, filled with something fun. Cranberries, crystals, ornaments, strands of beads, even popcorn would look gorgeous in these. I think varying pillar candle heights would also create lots of dimension.

Paper bag luminaries are so popular and for a reason — they have a big impact and they are easy to make. All you need are white paper bags, some tea lights, and a little sand which are all available en mass at your local craft store. I love these because of the festive cut outs, which can be achieved with a simple craft punch (or if you are super artistic, an x-acto knife).

I LOVE the big, vintage christmas lights. And what better way to display them then wrapped around an old bicycle. Some other ideas with a similar theme: an old vintage mail box or sleigh.

I love lights wrapped around these rustic grape vine balls. You can find them virtually anywhere and at all different price points. They would look so pretty lining your walkway, in your flower boxes, hanging from a tree, in a flower pot / urn, or grouped together in a sturdy bush.

I hope that I’ve inspired you all to rethink your outdoor holiday decor and make it part of your next holiday soiree!

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