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]

A Good Will Cookie Party

Cookies are a delicious and fun part of the holidays. I have many memories of spending time in the kitchen with my Mom learning to make our family's favorites. Cookies seem to have a way of bringing us together and are a perfect theme for a holiday party. You've probably heard of a cookie exchange party (where everyone brings a different treat to share) but why not take that concept and help spread joy this holiday season. Invite friends to bring a few dozen cookies in addition to supplies for making cookie packages. Group a few different cookies and spend time together wrapping them up in creative bundles or boxes. Then, target a group of people, whether you know them or not, and hand them out. Imagine the fun you'll have with your friends, in addition to helping make the day of those you give an out-of-the-blue gift of yummy cookies.

Above are a few new favorites from Martha Stewart to add to your recipe box. Pictures and recipes can be found here. Below are some suggestions for lovely ways to present your cookie packages (also from Martha Stewart).

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

Thanksgiving Tabletop Inspiration

With Thanksgiving just 2 days away I thought I would provide last-minute inspiration for those of you undecided on your tabletop decor.

- Golden cornucopia place setting
- Turkey napkin fold centerpiece
- Modern Thanksgiving elements from cb2 (via HWTM)
- Acorns and leaves tablescape
- Gilded turkey centerpiece
- Felt leaf trivets for your buffet table

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

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

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

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.

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

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:

Bright Multicolor Wedding/Party Inspiration

Today's post shows some miscellaneous inspiration for a bright and multi-colored wedding or party. I love to see when a a event scheme uses a larger color palette as it makes things more interesting and provides more options for finding just the right elements. Above you'll see some ideas for a combination of pink, orange green and tan.

- Cocktail and hors d'oeuvres station with bright cocktails, unique food presentation and pretty paper lanterns [via Social Design]
- Small and sweet pink, green and orange floral arrangements form a nice centerpiece [via Faye and Greer]
- Cute save the date/invitation by Two Paperdolls featuring green, pink and orange florals, swirls and a dragonfly
- Pink and orange flowers surround a monogram for a pretty reception or ceremony wreath decor piece
- Table setting featuring orange tablecloths, pink napkins, green floral chair drapes and a green and pink candle/floral centerpiece
- Colorful groom's boutonniere against a tan suit [via]

August Birthday Dinner in Purple

Each month I select a new color and plan a birthday dinner around said color. August's color is purple! My first inspiration came from this purple place setting. With white uniquely shaped plates, lilac napkins, a lavender tablecloth, purple beaded garland, lilac pouch favor and purple striped votives this place setting has purple down to every detail yet the inclusion of multiple hues does make it an overdose of purple. For a centerpiece, combine clear square vases of varying heights and fill with water dyed purple. Place a white floating candle in each vase. Arrange vases space out and place river rocks in between (as shown) or place next to each other in a neat pattern. Invite guests with this ecru fold over card from FineStationery.com adorned with a deep purple ribbon. For a sweet ending, make a batch of these champagne cupcakes with white chocolate and cream cheese frosting topped with an edible flower, pearl and glitter [via Cupcakes Take the Cake].

Summer Picnic Menu

The weather is lovely and warm so why not plan a picnic with your family or friends? Here is a delectable menu to get you started:

- Miss Leslie's Ham Salad on Biscuits
- Turkey Pinwheels
- Iced Tea with Grenadine
- Mac-daddi-roni Salad
- Mini Whoopee Pies
- Chopped Veggie Salad with Watermelon and Feta Cheese

Enjoy!

Wedding Wednesday - Elegant Blue & Gold Event

It's Wednesday! That means it's time for another edition of Wedding Wednesday, where Kati of The Finer Things and I select one invitation and present two unique event inspirations based on that invitation. Today we've selected this lovely aquamarine invitation tied with a gold silk dupioni ribbon from FineStationery.com.

- Trio of simple and classic white and gold wedding cakes [via Style Me Pretty]

- Amazing gold globes lighting design [via Michelle Rago]

- Golden olive oil bottles given as favors

- Breathtaking white floral bouquet accented with a ribbon in a gold-tinted blue hue [via Style Me Pretty]

- Gold bridesmaid dress by Siri

- Reception decor featuring blue linens, gold chairs, gold place settings and blue florals

- Blue menu card and cream and gold thank you note to top each place setting

Be sure to click over to The Finer Things! Kati has selected some really pretty elements for her blue and gold wedding! Here is a sneak peak at her lovely cake and favor ideas...

Wedding Wednesday - A Halloween Wedding

Welcome guys and ghouls to the next edition of Wedding Wednesday. Kati, of The Finer Things and I have decided to spook things up a bit by doing a Halloween inspired wedding using this orange and black invitation from FineStationery.com.

- Dark wood and glowing orange lights set the theme in this rustic reception locale [via SocialDesign]
- Beautiful black and orange designs adorn this 5 tier white wedding cake
- A pumpkin favor adorned with cute bat wings and a place card tag tops a white plate in this place setting'
- Centerpiece or table decor - Orange florals mixed with unique artifical orange stems [via HWTM]
- Mashed boo-tatoes add a little fun to your menu
- Orange and chocolate truffles sweetly fit our color scheme

Kati found some amazing picks for this week's theme. Just check out the reception image below! So perfect! Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to see the rest over her selections.

An Asian Evening

Today's post features an Asian-inspired dinner party. This brilliant table decor by Social Couture was exactly what I was looking for and served as the main inspiration for the rest of the post. Social Couture actually sells all of the elements featured in the photo, individually and as a whole themed set.

Other elements for this theme:
- Orange lantern tri-fold invitation
- Orange and lime green take out boxes - classic with a vibrant color twist
- Homemade fortune cookies with pomegranate granita (recipe from Food Network)
- Zen liquor - site features recipes for a ton of concoctions including Zen Saketini, Zen Breeze, Zen Iced Tea and many more

Delicious Appetizers

I know I am always on the look out for a new and tasty appetizer recipes. I feel you can never have enough recipes in your repertoire so your guests can try new things at each gathering. So, here is a new list of delicious appetizers to spice up your next event.

- Late summer tomato bruschetta
- Grilled stuffed jalapeno chiles with grilled red pepper-tomato sauce
- Watermelon with balsamic and feta
- Coconut shrimp
- Puff pastry pinwheels stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto
- Saltines made easy
- Broccoli and cheddar-stuffed potato skins with avocado cream
- Smoked salmon roulade
- Prosciutto-wrapped crostini with melon salsa crudo

4th of July Menu

With July 4th only 3 days away, it's time to plan out your holiday menu. For those of you who have yet to select your dishes, my suggestion for an informal, low-key holiday meal is below:

- Creamy Red Potato Salad
- Grilled Marinated Vegetables with Fresh Mozzarella
- North Carolina Pulled-Pork Barbeque Sandwich
- Watermelonade
- Blueberry Hill Cupcakes
- Watermelon, Lemonade and Blueberry Ice Pops

Click through the links for the recipes and instructions for each menu item. Enjoy and Happy July 4th!

Summer Ice Cream Social

My husband and I received a ice cream maker for our wedding and we are anxious to give it a try. So I thought it'd be a lot of fun to throw a party and make different varieties of ice cream with friends.

Invite your guests with an ice cream themed invitation such as this fun polka dot invitation by Stacy Claire Boyd. (from FineStationery.com)

To start, you'll need an ice cream maker. We have a Cuisinart Ice Cream Machine and it seems to be a rather popular choice as most stores carry this model. If you don't want to actually make the ice cream, have an ice cream social with many mix-ins and toppings for an equally fun occasion.

Now for the accessories- for toppings or mix-ins consider using one or more of these pastel colored serving trays. To scoop your delicious creations, give these funky ergonomic scoops a try. These neat scoops create small cylindical blocks of ice cream providing for a contemporary fresh look. Need to transport your treat later? This insulated ice cream tote will keep it perfectly cool.

Serve your ice cream concoctions in these sweet pastel bowls. Lastly, top your custom ice cream with toppings from Stonewall Kitchen. Pictured above is their Spiced Rum Butterscotch Sauce. They have several other sauces too, in an array of great flavors.

Delectable Desserts

It's time for another batch of delectable desserts! Summertime provides a new season of fresh fruits as well as the need for cool and refreshing dishes. I may whip up one of these tonight to beat the incredible heat wave hitting the East coast!

- Carolyn's Gelatin Cheesecake
- Chocolate-Glazed Hazelnut Mousse Cake
- Mini Lime Pies with Glazed Berries
- Frozen Passion Fruit Meringue Cake
- Amaretti Ice Cream Cake
- Espresso Granita with Whipped Cream

Bon appetit!