Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday today! I wanted to share some Halloween themed tabletops to inspire you for any ghoulish gatherings you may be hosting this weekend. Enjoy!

- Gothic Glam Tabletop [via HWTM]
- Elegant Green & Orange Table decor [via]
- Orange Pumpkin Table Settings [via]
- Vintage Halloween Tablescape [via Toasts and Tables]

A Thanksgiving Wedding

Today's post details a Thanksgiving wedding. Featuring rich autumn hues and the glow of warm light, this event scheme is perfect for any fan of Fall.

- Gorgeous reception tabletop and room decor amidst classic architectural columns [via SocialDesign]

- Unique cake design featuring roses in Fall shades

- Cream strapless satin knee-length bridesmaid dress with a chocolate brown sash

- Wheat and roses combine for an interesting autumnal chair decoration for the ceremony

- Decadent and delicious truffles serve as favors

- Copper and cream invitation with laser-cut leaf designs from FineStationery.com

- Stunning bridal bouquet made of roses, leonotis, cosmos and dahlias

Wedding Wednesday - Yellow & Brown Floral Wedding

Hello and welcome to this edition of Wedding Wednesday! This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I have selected this kate spade chocolate brown and yellow floral invitation from FineStationery.com. Perfect for a fall affair, this invitation is luxurious, classy and provides an interesting color pairing of bright yellow and dark brown.


- Chocolate brown 3-tier cake with yellow floral adornments
- Bright yellow napkins with a floral design that coordinates with the invitation
- Yellow bridal bouquet tied with yellow ribbon [via artfool]
- I love the brown satin bow on this bouquet as it would look perfect on the all yellow arrangement
- Tall clear cylinder vases filled with water and a variety of yellow flowers make a lovely centerpiece
- Texture-rich tabletop decor in hues of brown, white and yellow [via artfool]
- Triple shot espresso cocktail ties in our event colors nicely


You will love Kati's selections this week! Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to check them out. In the meantime, take a sneak peek at my favorites shown below.

Fairy Birthday Party

I received an email from Lenadri who is planning a fairy-themed 1st birthday for her daughter. She asked for some help with party inspiration so today's board shows a magical trip to a fairyland for child's birthday.

- No fairy party is complete without dressing each child (and adult if they're willing) with fairy wings, floral headpieces and puffy tulle skirts [image via]
- Invite guests with a pink invitation that features fairies and a mushroom stool (from FineStationery.com)
- Fairy wands are a must for party fun and as a favor. These are handmade wands that have flowers at the top as opposed to stars. It takes on more of an enchanted forest theme with flowers growing on the tips of wands. [image via flickr user zooloonaturals]
- Bright and fun tabletop decoration from Social Couture- star and globe-shaped lanterns create a bright and textured look above, while a centerpiece of grass and colorful butterflies decorates the table. (see close ups of the centerpiece and place setting below the main image)
- These adorable cupcakes each portray the details of a fairyland. [via flickr user gracescakes]

I hope this helps Lenadri! I certainly enjoyed putting this together for you! :)

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!

It's been a while since I've put together a collection of dessert recipes so I thought I'd focus on cakes today! Cakes are often overlooked and seen as only a special occasion dessert but I disagree. Try out one of these delicious recipes for your everyday dinner or get-together.

- Angel Food Swirl Cake
- White Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Filling
- Coconut Cake
- Three-Layer Apple Cake (I think I'll try this over the weekend!)
- Genoise
- Silky Chocolate Cake

Modern Mama Baby Shower

Kati of The Finer Things created this fun and vibrant inspiration board for the more modern mom-to-be. She pairs red, black and white for a bold baby shower. Check out her selections below...I just love the invitation, the tabletop and the bag! Visit Kati's post for all the details.

My Interview in Stationery Trends!

The Fall 2008 issue of Stationery Trends magazine has just come out. Inside, you'll find an article about brides and blogs in which I was interviewed about Tastefully Entertaining! You'll also see scaled-down inspiration boards from 2 of my previous posts. It was a lot of fun being interviewed and I'm thrilled to be a part in this great new magazine for the stationery industry! Be sure to check out the Stationery Trends web site to preview other articles from their Fall 2008 issue.

Thanks so much Stationery Trends! I'm honored to be included! :)

Wedding Wednesday - Hunter & Gold Engagement Party

Welcome to another edition of Wedding Wednesday! This week, Kati of The Finer Things and I chose to do an engagement party based on this hunter green and gold invitation from FineStationery.com. The dark green and glimmering gold make this engagement party perfectly suited for the holidays.

- This pear tied with a golden bow and brown tag is both a favor and a place marker [via Snippet & Ink]

- 5-tier gold cake with ornate green swirling vine patterns [via Rebecca Thuss]

- Versace Arabesque Gold place setting

- Maggy London Deep Green Chiffon Cocktail dress for the bride-to-be

- Centerpiece made of golden roses and lush greenery [via Snippet & Ink]

Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to see Kati's version of the green and gold engagement party. I'm only giving you a sneak peek at one image today because I absolutely LOVE it! This dress is so unique, elegant and stylish. And look at the photo - don't you love the play with light and shadow on the balustrade.

An Election Party

I don't know about you but I will be watching the news all evening on November 4th to find out if my candidate has received the majority of votes. If you enjoy politics or are just concerned whether or not your favorite official gets elected, consider throwing an election party. Invite your friends and family for an enjoyable weeknight gathering with plenty of patriotic pride.

- Red, white and blue folded invitation with a customized ballot rsvp card [via]
- Obama and McCain themed cupcakes [via HWTM]
- Red cocktail with red, white and blue patterned umbrellas [via Martha Stewart]
- White pillow box favors can be decorated with this VOTE stamp from Paper Source
- Red and white stripe square plates and blue and white star square plates
- Democrat donkey and Republican elephant cocktail napkins [via Plum Party]

- Patriotic paper bunting (so neat that it's made of paper!) [via Target]

Please encourage everyone you know to get out and vote this November 4th. We have no greater civic duty than casting our vote in public elections. Never forget the men and women who fought so we have this unalienable right. We are privileged to take part in the democratic process.

5 Winners of Katie Brown Celebrates!

Thanks so much to all those who entered to win 1 of 5 copies of a great new entertaining book, Katie Brown Celebrates! It was a ton of fun reading about the best parties you've been to and the ones you can't wait to plan! Now, without further ado, here are the 5 lucky readers who have won:

1) beth who said: SO excited for the new book, looks lovely! Besides my own wedding :), the best wedding i have ever attended was definitely my brother's ... it was a small, intimate affair at a vineyard in Napa, the event was so filled with details that really remind me of who my brother and now sister-in-law are and what they love and it made all the guests feel included in their lives! from modern touches, to great wine and monograms everyone - you really got a sense of who they are. such good memories!

2) katie r who said: how super generous of you! The book looks wonderful. I am going to sound conceited and say the best wedding I ever attended was mine. It came off perfectly and was a perfect blend of traditional and SUPER FUN and was all totally us! It was also a ton of work and we did a lot ourselves, So I was pretty proud of how it turned out, on top of it being my happiest day ever!

3) Miranda Santiago who said: I would love to do a winter wonderland dinner party with tons of white christmas lights, large white feather centerpieces, DIY crystal beaded napkin rings, and peppermintinis garnished with mini candy canes. It's in the works... :)

4) rissa and jared who said: My favorite parties are the ones my mom has at her house with just some neighbors or friends. She always has great food and presentation. Plus, she is hilarious and can keep a party going all night!

5) Stacie Helm who said: I would love to host a fabulous baby or wedding shower. I have hosted a lot of events but have never hosted either of those. There are so many fun ideas I am dying to try!

Congrats to all the winners! Please email me at rebecca [at] tastefullyentertaining.com with your name and mailing address so I can get the books sent out to you. :)

If you didn't win, definitely consider heading to Amazon and ordering a copy for yourself. This book is a great entertaining resource and is packed with tons of creative and easy ideas to make your gatherings extra special!

Halloween Menu Tricks and Treats

For those of you planning a Halloween dinner party here are a few ideas to add some trick to your menu of treats!

- Deviled Chicken Lollipops
- Vegetarian Tamales
- Vampire Blood Tomato Soup and Monster-shaped Muenster Sandwiches
- Ghostly Pumpkin Pudding
- Cinnamon-spiced Fritter Webs
- Caramel Pear Mice
- Chedder and Hard Cider Fondue
- Spiced Caramel Roulade

- Screaming Spice Cookies
- Hermit Cookies
- Ghoul Cupcakes
- Pecan-Caramel Spiders
- Pumpkin Caramels

Pottery Barn Decor for Entertaining Class

I received an email about this and wanted to let you all know. Pottery Barn is offering a free class on October 26th called Entertaining with Style. The class will cover the basics for formal sit-down Thanksgiving dinners to more casual buffet parties. Plus, you receive a 10% off discount on all the items shown in the class! Check out PotteryBarn.com to find a class near you.

Entertaining Reads: Katie Brown Celebrates + A Giveaway!

I am so excited for today's post! I'm unveiling a brand new series on Tastefully Entertaining entitled Entertaining Reads. I will be keeping an eye out for new entertaining books so I can recommend them to you as part of this series. But not only am I launching this fun new feature, I also get to giveaway copies of today's book! Thanks so much to the Hachette Book Group for generously providing copies of Katie Brown Celebrates for 5 lucky readers!


The moment I received my copy of Katie Brown Celebrates I was extremely excited to peak inside. Katie Brown is well known in the world of entertaining - a show on PBS, a column in The New York Times, several other books as well as being featured in many national magazines are just a few of her claims to fame. This most recent book, however, is a must read for anyone interested in entertaining. Filled with inspiration for hosting parties for every time of year, this book shines through easy table setting and decor ideas (materials list and instructions are included), appetizing recipes that don't require a pantry full of ingredients and simple but creative concepts for enjoyable events. Within just the first few pages, she features a New Year's party with a stunning and unique DIY centerpiece and an ingeniously easy and adorable favor idea, both of which I cannot wait to try out. And that is just the beginning of 12 party concepts, each meticulously planned out with invitation ideas, decor inspiration, craft guides, favors, party games, recipes and more. Trust me, this is a book you won't want to miss!

To purchase Katie Brown Celebrates head over to Amazon. They have copies in stock now for $19.80 (plus it qualifies for free super saver shipping!)

**READER GIVEAWAY**

Now, I mentioned that I get to giveaway 5 copies of this lovely new book! Entering to win is very simple and every reader has 2 opportunities to win:

1) Head over to the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and post a comment on The Wall about an event you've always dreamed of hosting.

2) Post a comment on today's post (10/16) about the best party or wedding you've ever attended.

To double your chance of winning leave a comment on both pages. Each reader can enter once on the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and once on the Tastefully Entertaining blog, for a total of 2 entries. 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 Eastern on Monday, October 20th. Winners will be selected by a random drawing.

Wedding Wednesday - Apple Green & White Wedding

Hello and happy Wednesday! Today Kati of The Finer Things and I have chosen this apple green invitation by kate spade (from FineStationery.com). The apple green is paired with a stark white border, text and envelope liner. This color combination must be very popular because I found an abundance of coordinating inspiration.

- A tented lounge area set up for guests to relax continues the apple green and white color palette

- Small floral centerpieces made of green hydrangeas and orchids

- Pretty paisley designs decorate this trio of apple green wedding cakes

- Green silk runners spruce of this table setting

- Texture-rich bouquet made of green bear grass, spider mums, Kermit mums and hydrangea

- Boxed chocolates creatively wrapped make for a unique favor

- J. Crew green silk dress with ribbon detail

- Favor boxes tied with green grosgrain ribbon

- Antique white lanterns and a 'shadow-cut' table number sign

- An apple green boutonniere made of succulents and amazon coleus

- Sparkling apple cider tagged with an apple green note lets each guest know to save cider for the toast

This is such a sweet color combination. Be sure to check out Kati's interpretation of today's theme. Don't you just love these cute and coordinating appetizers she found? Head over to The Finer Things to view the rest of Kati's finds!

October Birthday Dinner in Gray

It's time for another birthday dinner! As I'm sure you can tell from several of my posts lately, I'm very much in love with the color grey right now. So the color theme for October's birthday dinner feature is (you guessed it) grey! Paired with a crisp white, grey is sophisticated, classic and perfect for a nice evening with friends.

- Lovely table and wall decor featuring grey and pale white garlands, linens and centerpiece

- Modern 3-tier white cake with grayish-white ribbon banding and a large white flower adornment

- Grey and white floral arrangements in DIY vases [via Martha Stewart]

- Elegant grey dress for the host or guest of honor

- Invitation with white flourishes from FineStationery.com

Hope you enjoyed this installment in the monthly birthday dinner series. Looking for a dinner party of another color? Check out my other birthday dinner features by clicking here.

Berry Pink & Wooden Brown Party

Today's inspiration board details a berry pink and wooden brown event. My theme comes from the top left photo of a table setting with pink linens and pink chair cushions paired with wooden elements such as the floral bowls and wooden dinnerware. This would be lovely for a sophisticated fall dinner party or wedding.

- Ralph Lauren party or bridesmaid dress in berry pink
- Square wooden vases in varying heights [found via HWTM]
- White square-shaped invitation with rich berry pink border from FineStationery.com
- 3-tier cake wrapped in tan sugar ribbons and adorned with vibrant berry pink florals
- Wooden brown favor boxes

Gold & Fuchsia Tea Baby Shower

Today's post was inspired by this excellent invitation idea from party perfect. Guests were invited to a tea baby shower with an actual tea bag. The letterpress invitation with all the party details was the tag attached to the tea bag. The tea bag and attached invitation card were sent in an envelope lined with a vintage-esc stork and baby liner. I LOVE this invitation idea. So unique and so lovely!

The invitation pairs a bright fuchsia with a golden yellow so the rest of my elements reflect this palette. First, a classy table setting featuring fuchsia napkins, a subtle floral tablecloth, candles, clear glassware and an elegant crystal chandelier. [via Snippet & Ink]

Serve dessert atop this golden cake pedestal. For a favor, send guests home with a perfectly coordinated favor box full of earl grey tea and cookies.

Fall Dinner Party Menus

Today's post showcases 3 fall-oriented menus for your upcoming dinner parties. Enjoy!

Menu 1:

Pork Chops with Apple Chutney, Mustard Greens, Sweet Potatoes and Ice Cream with Caramel Brioche

Menu 2:

Hanger Steak, Apple Bistro Salad, Matchstick Fries and Creme Caramel

Menu 3:
Mediterranean Chicken, Herb Feta Salad, Rice Pilaf and Apricot-Fig Compote

Wedding Wednesday - Burgundy & Grey Wedding

Welcome to the next installment of Wedding Wednesday! Today Kati of The Finer Things and I have selected this burgundy and grey pocket invitation from FineStationery.com. (Yes, another invitation with grey- I told you I was obsessed!) Burgundy is the perfect fall color - it's rich, luxurious and pairs well with others (orange, grey, bright blue, gold).

- Linen wedding album with satin burgundy bow

- Multi-tier cake divided by vibrant purple-burgundy florals

- Photo of burgundy orchids

- Uphold a New Orleans second line tradition with these personalized handkerchiefs tied with burgundy ribbon

- Elegant burgundy "fit and flare dress" by Sherrie Bloom & Peter Noviello

- Fall table setting featuring low burgundy floral arrangements, varying charger and plate shapes/colors and burgundy napkins

Look below for a sneak peak at Kati's take on this week's wedding invitation. I love the boutonniere- it's perfect for today's theme! Be sure to check out the rest of her selections at The Finer Things.

A Passion for Pink (and More)

I'm sure you're all aware that October is breast cancer awareness month. Today's post is a special feature dedicated to showing off some everyday products that donate proceeds to research efforts. How about using some of these items to throw your very own charity event. Whether you're supporting breast cancer research or any charity that's close to your heart, consider throwing an event to raise awareness and dollars to help. Some entertaining ideas to do this are:

- Throw a cost per plate dinner party with proceeds going to a cause
- Have a used item silent auction (everyone bring items from home they no longer use/want; everyone bids on those items and the proceeds go to charity)
- Plan a group outing or trip and have the admission/participation cost per person include a donation
- Host any kind of party and request that the attendees bring an item for a soup kitchen, toys for tots, etc

Do you have any additional ideas on how to entertain for a cause? Please leave a comment if so!

- Hershey's Pink Packaged Products
- Pink ribbon tote bag
- Breast cancer awareness 7 piece fondue set
- Breast cancer awareness mug
- The range of pink products offered by Kitchen Aid
- Cookie cutter in the shape of the support ribbon
- Breast cancer awareness Brita pitcher
- Pink ribbon post-its
- Pink ribbon cooler by Igloo

Halloween Inspiration: Part IV - Favors

Today brings the last installment in my short Halloween inspiration series. And what better way to end than with the favors?

- Cute, fall-themed favor bags that are an easy DIY project
- Super clever skull treat box?
- Triple duty bat noisemakers/place cards/favors
- Halloween barrel-shaped favor holders
- Customized muslin favor bags
- Vintage-like Halloween images adorn these DIY favor boxes

Halloween Inspiration: Part III - Cocktails

Today's Halloween inspiration showcases some creepy cocktails for a cleverly cultivated evening.

- Miscellaneous cocktails made with black vodka
- Bloody Black Currant Punch served alongside dark black colored treats
- Eyeball Highballs
- Muddy Swamp cocktail
- Pina Ghoulada (such a clever name!)
- Lethal Libation Labels
- Swamp Sangria
- Bloodthirsty Marys
- Spooky Wine Bottle Labels

Halloween Inspiration: Part II - Treats

Happy October! It's time for the next installment of Halloween inspiration. This part focuses on spooky treats and creative ways to serve them. Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with such fun and eerie dishes!

- Halloween party picks in sandwiches
- Sweetly packaged cookies
- Chocolate Fig Pumpkins
- Ladies' Fingers and Men's Toes (eww!)
- Ghoul's Graveyard cake
- Chocolate Witch Hats
- Tombstone Cupcakes
- I Scream Ice Cream
- Orange and white candy buffet

Stay tuned for more parts in my Halloween inspiration series!

Wedding Wednesday - Gray & White Wedding

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! Today, Kati of The Finer Things and I have chosen this silvery gray and white invitation from FineStationery.com for a wedding inspiration board. I've mentioned before how lovely I find the color gray. Sophisticated yet simple, this hue can make any event you plan fabulous!

- Lovely gray bridesmaid dress by Amsale

- Extremely chic table setting featuring gray and white striped linens, white chairs and a dusty green floral centerpiece

- Intriguing floral centerpiece (anyone know what those gray flowers are? so neat!)

- Gray fondant wedding cake with white pearl accents and a mod floral topper

- A dapper gray suit with a gray and tan striped tie - perfect for the groom

- Silver pumps decorated with a pewter bow by J. Crew [via]

- Silver favor boxes with white ribbon

- A silver chandelier to add drama with lighting

Head over to The Finer Things to see Kati's picks for a gray and white wedding. Here are two of my favorites from her post. I wish I had thought to look for a gray wedding dress - so beautiful and perfect!