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]

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.

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.

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

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

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

Christmas Table Details

Adorn your Christmas tabletop with lovely place cards or place setting decorations. Here are several DIY ideas to inspire your holiday tablesettings.

- Paper plate angels
- Crepe-paper bells
- Vintage scroll with holly
- Christmas tree place cards
- Green bow napkin decoration
- Holly jolly place setting
- Candy cane place cards
- Paper tree place cards
- Tree-shaped napkin rings

A Glamorous New Year's Dinner

There's nothing quite like the elegant combination of black and white. It's sophisticated, timeless and, in the right setting, so very glam. So, what better combination than black and white for an extravagant and glamour-filled new year's eve dinner.

The images above all come from a 1940's inspired home collection by Ralph Lauren. (via Toast and Tables)

Handmade Hanukkah Inspiration

As time passes by, we are getting closer and closer to Hanukkah and Christmas. Today, I thought I'd feature some homemade elements to add to your Hanukkah celebration. All from Martha Stewart, these ideas are sure to add to you holiday fun.

- Paper chains and dreidels made of light blue, silver and white construction paper
- Glittered dreidels make a great centerpiece or decoration (made from plain wood dreidels with colored glitter)
- Craft your own stylish gelt wrappers
- A glittered Hanukkah dessert of sufganiyot (or jelly doughnuts)
- Assemble your own menorah made of water glasses, silvers beads and blue candles
- Dreidel gift card holders could also serve as a place card or as invitations

A Stylish Snowflake Wedding

Today's post shows a different take on a snowflake-themed wedding for the winter season. Instead of using snowflakes in every element, use them conservatively for an elegant and lovely motif.

- This pretty centerpiece features some snowflake shaped votive holders in combination with holiday balls in shades of light blue, teal and brown
- Really neat DIY place cards that each feature a unique, creative snowflake
- A spread of cheeses, fruits, etc attractively laid out with light blue cards denoting each type of cheese [Martha Stewart via Snippet & Ink]
- Chocolate ganache cookies have a snowflake-esc feel to them (though you could use a snowflake cookie cutter to get the exact shape)
- Snowflake wine stopper cutely packaged and placed atop a table setting with a light blue napkin and white dinnerware

A Classical New Year's Gathering

For this New Year's eve consider looking backwards instead of forwards (in your theme at least!) Gather some classic and golden elements to throw a glamorous old world fete for your closest friends and family.
- Gold brocade placemat and napkin from Crate and Barrel
- DIY round favor boxes filled with sparkly costume jewelry also serve as table numbers or place cards [via Matthew Mead]
- Decorative gold wall decor [via Matthew Mead]
- DIY varied old world gift or favor tags [via Matthew Mead]
- Golden mercury glass candleholders from West Elm
- Marie Antoinette ornamental gold border dinnerware by Raynaud

A Very Merry Christmas Party

Today's post is for a very merry Christmas party! Invite friends and family to celebrate the holidays with an evening of deep red and vibrant green Christmas spirit.

- Stunning centerpiece from Pottery Barn combining fruits, florals, candles, trees in shades of deep red, bright green and shiny silver
- Place setting consisting of birch dinnerware (ties in to the birch candles in the centerpiece) and an ecru place card adorned with deep red ribbon
- Holiday themed favors are fitting - consider this peppermint fondue wrapped in dark red
- Attractive and tasty, this cranberry punch is texture-rich and flavorful
- Bright green foil tray is a great solution for transporting appetizers, drinks or dinner dishes

A Orange & Chocolate Rustic Wedding

Today's post features an orange and chocolate rustic wedding perfect for Fall.

- 4-tier chocolate wedding cake iced in ganache and topped with marzipan fruit
- Favor bags of berry and almond trail mix
- Strapless chocolate brown bridesmaid dress by Alfred Angelo
- Fruit decorates the autumnal centerpiece and serves as the place card holder [via Brides]
- Escort cards with fruit designs nicely laid atop a bale of hay
- Fall bridal bouquet mixing hues of orange, yellow, pink and burgundy-red

Oh Baby! Lavender & Brown Baby Shower

Niharika emailed in need of inspiration for a co-ed baby shower with a lavender theme. To make the color palette a little more male friendly, I added in the darker hue of chocolate brown.

- Chocolate truffles adorned with miniature lavender blooms are an elegant and color-coordinated dessert. A similar look could be achieved with mini chocolate muffins or brownie bites. [via Martha Stewart]
- White china with a subtle lavender flower and branch design would be lovely for serving dishes or each place setting. [via Michael C. Fina]
- These lavender and brown paper flowers are great as place cards or as table decorations. [via Martha Stewart]
- Striking table centerpieces made with lavender hydrangeas, sweet peas, manzanita branches and golden centre tail feathers. [via the Knot]
- Patterned chocolate cookies in a white favor box wrapped with a lavender ribbon [via Brides]
- DIY lavender booklets can be used as guest books or favors

Holiday Tabletop Inspiration

Today's post shows some lovely holiday tabletop ideas from Pottery Barn. They have a great Holiday Centerpiece feature that includes the images below as well as links to purchase individual items so you can replicate the look.

Oh Baby! Red & Pink Valentine Baby Shower

Melanie emailed me searching from some red and pink heart inspiration for a baby shower she's planning around Valentine's Day. The theme really couldn't be more perfect as the couple's last name is actually 'Hart'. So, though no typography is used in the images above, I would definitely take advantage of that fact and use the last name spelling wherever possible in the party elements.

- A scoop of red sorbet looks extremely elegant when placed in a lovely white dish and garnished with a pale pink sweet-pea. [via Brides]
- Homemade stained glass heart card [via Martha Stewart] - using this as your invitation is a great way to uphold the traditional element of hand-making valentines
- Pink floating heart candles could be set on the table on placed atop water in a low rectangular vase
- The Mom-to-be should be stylishly comfortable - this red, soft knit maternity dress from Olian fits the bill
- Seating cards attached to strings adorned with clear, pink beads and pink roses. Not having assigned seating? Use this idea for a photo wall instead. [via Brides]
- Beautiful red and pink floral arrangement for a centerpiece [via]
- Raspberry macaroons are a lovely and delicious dessert. [via Brides]

A Blue & Gold Thanksgiving Dinner

For Thanksgiving this year stray from the traditional Fall hues to consider a light blue and golden dinner theme.

- Clever light blue wishbone napkin rings
- Golden pumpkins adorn this tabletop decor made of blue linens, gold and blue dinnerware and a unique white charger [via Martha Stewart]
- Shimmering Calvin Klein dress is perfect for the hostess
- Pillar candles with a golden line design combine with Mercury glass balls
- Glazed crackle platter for elegant turkey presentation