Halloween Inspiration: Part I - Decor

I don't know about you but I'm very excited that we're almost in October! Halloween is right around the corner so it's time for some Halloween inspiration. There are SO many great Halloween ideas out there so I decided to start off with a few parts of inspiration. Hopefully inspiration boards (posted over the next few days) will give you an idea of how you will decorate and entertain this Halloween season!

Part I - Decor
(click through the links for information on how to create these looks)
- Green and glittered bones in a clear glass cake pedestal
- Bloody candles
- Felt pumpkin people
- Specimen jar candles
- Spooky and sophisticated floral displays
- Glittered pumpkins on votive pedestals of varying heights
- Halloween ornament tree
- Classic autumn planter display
- Spider-infested entry

Stay tuned for more Halloween inspiration posts!

Burgundy & Peach Wedding

Today's post features a burgundy and peach wedding for fall. My inspiration came from these lovely burgundy and peach bridesmaid dresses and peach floral bouquets. I love the pairing of a deep rich fall hue with a lighter shade in the same color family.

- Crane & Co. Coral invitation with matching coral envelope from FineStationery.com
- Favor boxes in a variety of red, pink and orange hues
- Reception decor featuring burgundy sheers hung along the wall, burgundy table linens, wooden chairs and small peach floral arrangement centerpieces
- Macaroon cake in shades of tan, peach and burgundy
- A peach-colored cocktail

Facebook Discussion - Your Inspiration

Join the Discussion!

Are you planning a wedding, a baby shower, a dinner party, etc ? What is the theme of or inspiration behind your event? Are you focusing on the mom-to-be's favorite colors or pattern? Or maybe you're planning a dinner party based on your favorite novel or tv show? Whatever your theme or inspiration, click over to the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook, join the discussion and share your inspiration!

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A Wedding in Greys & Greens

Today's event inspiration focuses on one of my new favorite colors - gray! No longer is this color reserved for gloomy thoughts, it's a sophisticated and lovely hue that pairs well with a large variety of colors. For the wedding inspiration board I've combined gray with green for a nice fall or winter palette.

- Reception snapshot - table setting featuring white and black linens and a green and white floral centerpiece; paper lanterns in white and multiple shades of green float overhead
- Lovely combination of gray bridesmaid dresses [via perfect bound]
- Silhouette cookie favors iced with gray or white icing and adorned with a thin green bow[via Style Me Pretty]
- Groom's gray suit, black tie and green boutonniere
- Gray silhouette programs (or invitations) encircled with a band of green ribbon
- White floral bridal bouquet (would look lovely tied at the base with gray ribbon)
- Gray patent pumps to complete the look

Wedding Wednesday - Autumnal Bridal Shower

Happy Wednesday! Today brings another edition of Wedding Wednesday. This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I selected this burgundy and golden yellow fall foliage invitation from FineStationery.com for a bridal shower.

Deep shades of burgundy pair with bright goldenrod yellow in this fall event theme. Forgo the leaves and center your gathering around a blossoming arrangement of dahlias in your color palette.

- A super fun and creative way of decorating drinks, these initial stir sticks can denote the initials of the guest of honor or mark with each guest's name so you know whose drink is whose.

- Burgundy linens with golden details for your table

- Serve up a color-coordinated cake by selecting one with key-lime, blood orange and raspberry buttercream fillings

- For a double-duty favor and place card holder, use these glass, burgundy frames with white leaf motifs

- This cocktail, a tequila sunrise, features the rich burgundy and vibrant yellow hues of our invitation and is garnished with a blood orange slice

Be sure to click over to The Finer Things to see Kati's picks for this week's bridal shower theme. Here's a sneak peek...I just love that modern floral table cloth!

Delicious Desserts for Fall

It's time for a Fall edition of Delicious Desserts. With upcoming gathering and holidays, select you dessert menu now from some of these appetizing recipes:

- Red Velvet Cake with Raspberries and Blueberries
- Tiramisu Affogato
- Caramelized Pumpkin and Pear Crumble
- Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies with Salted Nuts Peanuts
- Fried Apple Pies
- Chocolate Bread Pudding

Yellow & Black Event

Today's post features a black and yellow wedding though many of these elements would make for a lovely dinner party. Modern and crisp yet welcoming, black and yellow combine to create a nice palette for more formal entertaining.

- 5-tier white wedding cake featuring simplistic black bows, lines and dots [via Rebecca Thuss]
- Wedding gown adorned with a striking black bow at the waist; yellow bridal bouquet [via SocialDesign]
- Perfect bridesmaid attire for this theme- white, tea-length dresses with black waist bands and flowers
- Cocktail glasses lined up showcase the yellow-labeled tin favors; set these glasses at each place setting and then once the favor is removed, fill with a signature cocktail [via Lemiga Events]
- Table decor featuring yellow linens topped with black and white patterned runners. Black vases hold vibrant yellow flowers for a nice centerpiece.

Arrg, me hearty!

My apologies for the lack of a post yesterday! Today I wanted to make up for that with some excellent pirate party inspiration. You see, yesterday I was informed that it was talk like a pirate day so in honor of that occasion here are some walk the plank ideas!

The following inspiration board is from my friend Kati of The Finer Things. She put together a bunch of great ideas! Check out her pirate post for sourcing information.This next pirate inspiration board comes from Kim Vallee and features Pottery Barn party elements for a pirate and a sports themed party for kids:

Have you seen any great pirate theme ideas on the web or even attended a fun pirate party? If so, please leave a comment and share!

Halloween Entertaining Elements

I don't know about you but I am really enjoying the cool weather that signals the coming of Fall. I love the leaves, the dark and rich hues in fashion and of course - the upcoming holidays. Halloween is still over a month away but if you're planning on throwing a ghoulish gathering now's the time to start getting inspiration for your decor. The pictures above are all from the bewitching collection at Crate & Barrel. From cookie making supplies, dinnerware and serving dishes to candle holders, home decor and pumpkin carving accessories, Crate and Barrel has you covered for a stylish yet affordable Halloween.

Find even more Halloween decor items and inspiration by visiting head of the table or Hostess with the Mostess!

Wedding Wednesday - Red Chandelier Wedding

Welcome to this week's edition of Wedding Wednesday! This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I selected this new Crane & Co. embossed red chandelier invitation from FineStationery.com. as our inspiration. Red and white is more than just the colors of Valentine's Day - put a rich red with a classic white for a lovely fall or winter wedding. Looking for a third color for your event? Black is probably the most popular choice but consider a light and bright green, a lilac purple or a metallic gold.

- Beautiful place setting featuring red table runners, white napkins, white dinnerware with silver banding, a red layered menu card and a white place card.

- Groom's boutonniere made of a blackout lily with ornithogalum

- 3-tier white fondant wedding cake with deep red bands and chandelier-inspired details
- Stylish BCBG red patent leather shoes - great for the bridal party or for the more daring bride

- Stunning red chandelier to add an amazing decor element

- A Pomegranate Passion cocktail adds a touch of red drama to your bar

- Packaged in a corresponding gift box, this white mug with a white chandelier design would be a great favor or attendant gift

- Rich red bridal bouquet made with a mix of roses, orchids, calla lilies and spider mums

That's it for my picks for this week's red and white wedding. Kati has included great things as usual - check out these funky and super perfect red and white stripe bridesmaid dresses! Head to The Finer Things to see the rest of Kati's board.

Preppy Baby Shower for a Girl

Pink and green combine into preppy stripes and polka dots for today's baby shower theme. My inspiration arose from this lovely table setting featuring green place mats and pink napkins tied with a pink striped belt. Invite your shower guests with a this pink and green striped invitation from FineStationery.com. Serve up this rose drink of pink lemonade (with or without the vodka depending upon who's drinking it) alongside a slice of this adorable pink, green and yellow cake as photographed by Rebecca Thuss. For favors, send guests home with some sweetly decorated candy treats that fit perfectly into the color scheme.

Blue & Orange Wedding

Today's post was inspired by this lovely orange favor box with blue striped ribbon by Matthew Mead. I enjoy the pairing of orange and blue - it's vibrant, fun and contemporary.
- Orange place cards hung on blue ribbon [via]
- Modern blue 3-tier cake with large orange flowers [via Blush]
- Blue bridesmaid dresses and orange bouquets
- Navy suit, blue stripes tie and an orange floral boutonnieres
- Place setting featuring clear blue chargers with orange napkins and tablecloths

A Ladies' Lunch

Gather your girlfriends for a Sunday lunch and serve up this appetizing menu:

- Iced tea
- Edamame Dip with Crudites
- Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup
- Pork-Chops with Apple-Raisin Relish
- Spicy Broccoli with Garlic
- White Chocolate and Lime Cheesecake Bars

September Birthday Dinner in Bright Blue

As summer is almost over, I wanted to make this month's birthday dinner reflect the sunny brightness of the season before we switch to the deep and rich hues of fall. So, here is September's Birthday Dinner in bright blue.

- A bright blue ice bucket and water bottles with loopy straws is practical and pulls in the color scheme nicely
- Blue and white paper decorations
- Two-tier blue cake with white initial for the birthday celebrant
- Add some flair to the chairs with blue geometric shape garlands
- Place some bright blue confetti in round clear acrylic containers and add in some candy or other treat for a fun favor
- Make or purchase blue invitations to gather friends and family for the party

Wedding Wednesday - Old-World Sage & Ivory Wedding

Welcome to another edition of Wedding Wednesday! This week Kati of The Finer Things and I selected this sage green and ivory lace invitation from FineStationery.com. It's made by one of my favorite stationers, Prentiss Douthit. I love the simplistic elegance portrayed by this invitation. It looks simple but then you can look more closely and see the intricate details of the old-world lace pattern.

I chose to carry the feel of what I call 'subtle traditional' throughout my picks for this week's board. I like how the pale colors compliment each other and have an antique-like appeal.

- Lovely table decor featuring glass chandeliers and many arrangements of ivory flowers

- Sage green leaves and ivory florals decorate this classy cake [via Snippet & Ink]

- Tea length silk dupioni bridesmaid dress in snapdragon and ivory by Watters & Watters

- Delicate and very detailed bridal bouquet [via Snippet & Ink]

- Sage green handmade guest book by wedlog

Check out a sneak peak at Kati's board below. I absolutely love the dress she includes! Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to check out all of her selections!

Tastefully Entertaining on Facebook!

Tastefully Entertaining is now on Facebook! This is a site all about you - use the discussion board to share ideas, ask questions and get help for your entertaining dilemmas. Post photos of your own parties and be inspired by the photos posted by others. Or browse through the Tastefully Entertaining flickr photo stream for even more ideas! Use the wall to leave comments or questions for each other or for me. It is my hope that together we can create an inspirational community filled with people who love to entertain!

Check out the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook here!

Chocolate & Cream Wedding

Today's post features a decadent chocolate and cream wedding. The deep, rich chocolate paired with the sweet and subtle cream creates a stunning color palette for any elegant event.

- This cream calla lily boutonniere is decorated with chocolate and cream adornments

- Cream favor boxes tied with various chocolate ribbons

- Simple 2-tier chocolate and cream colored wedding cake with a white orchid accent

- The groom styles a chocolate suit and striped tie; cream calla lilies make for a lovely bridal bouquet [via the knot]

- This chocolate invitation with cream text from FineStationery.com perfectly expresses the subtle elegance of the occasion

- Lovely chocolate bridesmaid dresses with a band of creme at the hem

Delicious Desserts

Enjoy this next batch of delicious desserts. I plan to make a dessert this weekend..the question is which one?

- Mint Chocolate Cheesecake

- Little Lemon Meringue Pies

- Blueberry Cream Cheese Tart (I made these with strawberry filling instead = yum!)

- Sunset Shortcake

- Hazelnut Cookies

- Chocolate Truffles

Peacock Feather Wedding

I've been inspired by peacock feathers a lot lately. They're so elegant, colorful and unique- I just had to put together an event based on them. This board is specifically for a wedding but take a few certain elements and it would be ideal for a dramatic dinner party or gathering.

- Exquisite gold peacock frames serve as place cards and favors [via Oh How Charming!]
- Peacock feathers adorn these programs [via Oh How Charming!]
- Golden peacock feathers cake - so ornate! [via Oh How Charming!]
- Floral bouquet that incorporates the vibrant purple, teal and blue of peacock feathers
- Teal linens are the base for a peacock inspired place setting in this table decor
- Teal plates with a peacock feather 'place mat'
- Peacock feather invitations
- Teal bridesmaid dress by Jessica McClintock

Wedding Wednesday - Pink & Brown Wedding

Hello and welcome to Wedding Wednesday! This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I have selected this pink and brown invitation from FineStationery.com as our inspiration for a wedding.

- Whoopie Pie Table Number Display

- Pink Floral Wreath with Brown Bow [via Snippet & Ink]

- Pink and Brown Reception Table

- Chocolate Cupcake Cake with Pink Ribbon adornment

- Ceremony Decor with Pink Floral Displays

- Brown Clutch

- Pink and Brown Krispie Kreme donut favors

- Strapless Knee-length pink bridesmaid dress

Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to see Kati's interpretation of this week's invitation. It was hard to pick only two favorites to show you but here they are below: