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!