Pink & Gray Couples' Shower

Today's post is for Jennifer who's throwing a pink and gray couples' shower at night time. The shower is for a very large group of people and is to have a 'casual cocktail party' feel. Candles, pale hues, multiple textures and romance prevail in my theme to create an intimate and elegant environment despite the number of people.

- Intricate yet simplistic, a solitary rose in a well-fitted bowl would be lovely as a centerpiece or general decor when alternated with many tea light candles [via Matthew Mead]
- Romantic chandelier [via snippet & ink]
- Elegant glass bottle of perfume makes an extravagant favor for the females [via snippet & ink]
- A pewter tray displaying vintage trinkets in pinks, creams and grays [via Matthew Mead]
- A sweet dessert featuring pale pink and grey florals, grey velvet ribbon and a pair of lovebirds [via Brides]
- Sumptuous texture meets elegance in these cocktails [via Brides]

Free Entertaining Class at Pottery Barn

Kite 1st Birthday Party

Shelly emailed in looking for some inspiration for her son's 1st birthday party in the park. She already had the invitations sent out (see top left) and just needed to take that theme through to the next step. Here are a few ideas:

- kite cupcakes for a matching and delicious dessert
- homemade kites actually fly and would make a nice favor - match the colors to your invitations or partyware
- homemade kite decorations are super cute and can be customized with words, letters, numbers, etc to fit the party; made with patterned scrapbook paper and various ribbon strings [via party perfect]
- bright and fun, this party tabletop sports a multi-colored umbrella to add to the decor
- celebrate the birthday boy by spelling out his name on pendants made to match the colors and patterns of your kite decor [via party perfect]

Giveaway Winners!

KN Karen Neuburger is generously giving away 2 pairs of cozy chenille socks to 2 lucky Tastefully Entertaining readers. Thanks to all who entered! The question was about your most luxurious party idea or accessory. Here are the 2 winners (picked at random) and their answers:

1) Rachel who said: These socks are super comfy! I like to do themed gift baskets for my parties. I would include sparkling lemonade in vintage bottles, home spa treatments, nail polish, and fluffy slippers!

2) Carolyn G who said: These are so great! They look comfy. These would be great for a "Girl's Night Out" party. They can be used as favors! I worked for a non-profit and we had a PJ Party as a fundraiser and we all dresed in PJ had slippers and socks on and had a great time. I wish we would have had a basket full of these to give out!!!

Congrats to the winners! Please email me at rebecca [at] tastefullyentertaining.com with your name and mailing address so I can get the socks sent out to you! Thanks again to all who entered!

Reader Giveaway!

Tastefully Entertaining readers can enter to win a pair of these luxurious KN Karen Neuburger chenille lounge socks! You may be asking how socks relate to entertaining, but these cozy accessories would be the perfect favor or prize for a spa-themed shower or a child's pampering party!

Enter to win by leaving a comment on today's post about your most luxurious party idea or accessory.

Each reader can enter once by leaving a comment on this post. Please be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you're a winner. Entries will be accepted up until 7:00 pm EST on Monday, March 2nd. Two winners will be selected by a random drawing.

Eclectic Asian-inspired Birthday Party

Sarah emailed in looking for some inspiration for a Asian-inspired birthday party for her husband's 40th. I've kept this theme a little more abstract with modern, everyday elements for a really eclectic and gender-neutral event.


- Overlapping squares wall art from West Elm
- Modern table setting with black and white patterned, square dinnerware and red napkins atop a bamboo placemat. The centerpiece is made of smooth river rocks and red candles placed on bamboo placemats lined up to serve as a table runner. [elements from Crate & Barrel but found at HWTM]
- Vodka red squares make for an eclectic cocktail
- Red bowls with chopstick divots [via HWTM]
- Mod tea pot and tea cup set from Target
- Folded red invitation tied with a unique knot

Preppy Pink & Green Whale Birthday Party

Amy left a comment looking for ideas for her daughter's 3rd birthday party in the park. The themes she mentioned were preppy, pink & green and whales. I love this idea and was thrilled to gather ideas for such a cute party concept!

- Green polka-dotted paper treat packets sealed with a pink monogram seal [via Rebecca Thuss]

- Hand painted pink and green polka dot boxes are ideal for favors or decoration [via]

- Paper lanterns in shades of pink, green, yellow and white would look lovely hung from tree branches in a park setting (don't worry about actually lighting them, just let the color provide great decor) [via Rebecca Thuss]

- Pink & Green whale basket can help carry party essentials to the location as well as portray the theme [via]

- Super preppy grosgrain ribbon napkin rings for the adult table [via Social Couture]

- The perfect way to spread the word: pink and green whale invitation by Boatman Geller

- Green and pink whale luggage tags are a practical and cute favor (great for traveling as well as lunches, backpacks, sleepover gear, etc) [via]

- Fun and coordinating footwear for the stylish host/mom [via Target]

Also, for dessert, here is a preppy pink and green cake:

A Valentine's Dinner Party

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, why not gather your friends and celebrate together? Whether they're single or in relationships, everyone can join in on the fun of this heart-themed dinner party.

- Handmade heart invitations from Etsy seller SandyPhotoArt
- A red leather heart journal can serve as a guest book as well as a place for writing thoughts on love
- Pink passion martinis are the perfect cocktail for the occasion
- Dessert couldn't be sweeter then with these cupcakes adorably adorned with white frosting and 2 hearts [via flickr user Dimpleicious]
- Stunning red and white table setting made up of red chairs, white base linens, a red runner, multiple small red floral arrangements, white dinnerware and red napkins.

Oh Baby! Pink & Blue Baby Shower

Amy emailed me looking for ideas for a blue and pink baby shower. Though she already has inspiration ready for an upcoming shower I am happy to add to that with a few ideas of my own.

- Add a small floral centerpiece and light blue rimmed china to a blush pink tablecloth for a beautiful and sophisticated table setting.

- Light pink tulle maternity dress for the mom-to-be

- Petit fours with blue and pink booties are an elegant and appropriate dessert for the occasion

- A simple favor consists of a light blue box topped with a pink slip of paper that can denote the guest's name. Make the scroll element by wrapping the paper around a pencil.

- Pink invitations with blue text and a damask-patterned blue envelope liner [via]

Last Minute Super Bowl Ideas

Hi everyone! So sorry for the lack of posts this week - it's been jam-packed and crazy! Please enjoy some last minute Super Bowl ideas.


1. Color coordinate your cocktails to your favorite teams! Stirrings, makers of an extensive list of cocktail mixers and bar necessities, has put together a few special cocktails to help cheer on your team. Try out the Steel Swizzle, Tumbleweed or the Shake Your Tail Feather.

2. Invite and decorate in style with downloadable ideas by Paper&Cake. Click here to view. [via Tangarang]

3. Put together a playbook of scrumptious recipes! Sargento, known for their persnickety taste in providing cheeses, has put together just the strategy to fill each quarter with a great recipe that's sure to please. See the recipes below or click here to view a PDF version for easier reading and printing.

I'm feeling the LUV

Thanks to Celebrations at Home and House Lewis for tagging Tastefully Entertaining with a blog LUV award! I'm honored to receive the award from these 2 wonderful blogs- be sure to check them out!


And now, to pass the LUV onto a few of my fav blogs...(in random order)

1. Snippet & Ink
2. head of the table
3. Southern Weddings
4. Once Wed
5. Hostess with the Mostess
6. Tangarang
7. Tip Junkie
8. Totally Tabletops
9. Misty Dawn Photo
10. Artfool Blog


Honorees please follow these instructions and share the LUV!
1. Put the logo on your blog or post. (You can highlight the photo and text of this post and copy/paste wherever you need to...start your highlight from the bottom up to get the photo)
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

A Valentine's Day Wedding

Vanessa emailed in looking for inspiration for a Valentine's Day wedding. Not planning a wedding? Some of these ideas will work perfectly well for a Valentine's Day dinner party too.

- Modern and fun take on a cupcake wedding cake [via SocialDesign]
- Cute red flats by Stuart Weitzman [via snippet & ink]
- Calligraphy by Tara Jones
- Chilled tomato soup with white crème fraiche hearts
- This red drink entitled Aphrodisiac is perfect for a signature cocktail
- DIY jam is sweet favor
- A gorgeous bridal bouquet of red Gerber daisies
- Red table runners, rose petals and menu cards adorn this red and white tabletop
- kate spade dinnerware in red and white polka dots
- Fit the groom with a red tie and red floral boutonniere [via snippet & ink]

Chartreuse & Aqua Wedding

The Knot has declared that chartreuse and aqua is a 'hot new color combo' for weddings. I couldn't agree more, as this pairing has lovely potential for spring events.

- A beautiful table setting with a multi-tier centerpiece made of lisianthus, cymbidium orchids and Kermit mums alongside green taper candles
- Votives decorated with color coordinating jelly beans serve as a perfect favor
- VW getaway photo by Duston Todd [via snippet & ink]
- Beaded aqua clutch by Moyna
- A trio of wedding cakes with varied aqua and chartreuse designs by Colette's Cakes
- Metallic cream heels
- A candy buffets in hues of green [via snippet & ink]
- Colorful stir sticks from Martha Stewart
- Pale aqua bridesmaid dress by Maggy London

A Navy & Lilac Wedding

Today's post was inspired from this gorgeous navy and lilac bridesmaid dress by Siri. I just love this chic color combination, especially since it's not very common!

- Vibrant blue and lilac bouquet by Tapestry Flowers
- DIY escort cards in navy
- Lilac heels by Elie Tahari for the bridesmaids
- Navy and lilac diagonal striped tie for the groom
- Navy programs and guest books adorned with monogrammed lilac ribbon

It's Inauguration Day!

Gather friends and family to watch this significant moment in history. Consider decking out your space with a patriotic theme. Click here to view all the patriotic posts on Tastefully Entertaining.

Images above from Tangarang and flickr user di0nne.

Pink, Lime & Black Wedding

Today's post, featuring a pink, lime green and black wedding, was inspired by this fun tabletop design by Ravishing Radish. Utilizing Totally Tabletops dishes and a cake from Tallant House, this display is a great base for a contemporary wedding scheme.

- Customized pink and black coasters
- Personalized name buttons attached to stylish pink and black table cards
- Bridesmaids can wear classic black dresses while carrying vibrant pink and green bouquets
- Have the groom wear a solitary pink flower boutonniere

January Birthday Dinner in Pewter

This month's Birthday Dinner post features the color pewter. Combined with touches of gold, pewter creates an old-world glamour feel to this party theme.

- Miscellaneous pewter and gold desserts put together on a tray provides color-coordinated options for your guests (via Matthew Mead)
- Use an array of vintage pewter trays for serving food. Consider utilizing them in your centerpiece too or try pewter vases for floral arrangements (via Matthew Mead)
- A golden favor box adorned with a piece of pewter rhinestone jewelry (via Matthew Mead)
- A vintage-inspired chiffon silk dress for the guest of honor
- Pewter and gold colored dinnerware add to a lovely table setting
- Pewter candelabra with gold candles creates an old-world glow at the center of your table

Puppy 1st Birthday Party

Ronda left a comment a few days ago looking for ideas for her son's puppy-themed 1st birthday party. Here a few bits of inspiration:

- Puppy-themed tabletop decor - Though the diaper-fold napkins may be more apt for a baby shower than a 1st birthday, the set-up of this table is very cute. It features dog cookie favors at each place setting. The centerpiece can be puppy-related with a few small dog stuffed animals or maybe cylindrical vases filled with dog treats in different shapes or colors.
- Puppy-themed sugar cookies are an easier DIY dessert idea (via flickr user bumblebeegrad)
- Adorable puppy 1st birthday cake (via flickr user crafty confections)

Super Bowl Food & Tabletop Ideas

As the theme for Super Bowl gatherings remains the same from year to year, I've decided to share what I think of as the best tabletop decor idea along with a new batch of game day recipes. HWTM put together an amazing party concept for Superbowl get-togethers. Her tabletop is shown above. Check out her entire Game Day party theme here.

For your football snacking, try out the following recipes:
- Sliders with chipotle mayonnaise
- Caribbean chicken wings
- Grilled BBQ potato skins
- Soft pretzels with queso poblano sauce and mustard sauce
- Swedish meatballs
- Toffee brownies

Pretty in Pear

Be pretty in pear (green)! This hue and fruit is perfectly in season for a mid-winter wedding.

- Pear place card and favor set perfectly atop a deep brown charger at each place setting
- Lovely decor accomplished by submerging pairs under water in cylindrical vases several of which are further decorated with white florals
- A color-coordinated candy buffet serves up some fun and a choose-your-own dessert option
- Phoebe Couture pear green dress for the bridal party
- Feature a signature cocktail that fits the theme - an Absolut peartini

Winter White Wedding

Winter weddings are the perfect time to take advantage of one of the most elegant and lovely colors - white. Subtle and sophisticated, classic and chic, this color is stunning when used solo or when paired with other winter hues. Consider steel blue, black, periwinkle, silver, sage green or, as in today's inspiration board, pewter.

- Italian-influenced designs adorn this stunning white and pewter wedding cake
- Reception table with white florals, linens, dinnerware, candles and seating
- Bridesmaids in white dresses, pair with pewter-toned jewelry and heels
- A white floral bouquet is accented with crystals and pewter brunia tie into the pewter ribbon belt on the bride's dress
- A boutonniere made of a single ranunculous and a silvery dusty miller branch
- A homemade favor of snow-white vanilla meringues