Labor Day Menu

I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day! Here is a new menu for your Labor Day gatherings:

- Bacon Wrapped Prawns with Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- Smokey Beer Burgers with Creamy Mustard Sauce
- Peach-Mustard Pork Chops
- Honey Dijon Potato Salad
- Wilted Greens with Ricotta Salata
- Grilled Tofu with Asiago and Walnut Pesto

Cocktails Anyone?

Mix up a some cocktails for your end of summer gathering with this new batch of drink recipes. Cheers!
- Frozen Peach Champagne Cocktail
- Bitter Crush
- Pisco Pinch
- Pineapple-Chile Margarita

- Avocado Daiquiri

Eclectic Blue, Gold & Green Wedding

Today's post was inspired by this stunning place setting which features a sparkling gold, turquoise and red plate, a turquoise fortune place card, turquoise votives and a white floral centerpiece. The other elements in this theme include:

- White favor box, wrapped with turquoise paper and a gold ribbon
- Boutonniere made of blue tweedia, stephanotis and rosemary, completed with a gold ribbon base
- Eclectic and interesting wedding cake featuring multiple design elements in hues of turquoise, green, gold and navy
- Bridal bouquet made of hydrangeas, roses and green berries
- Invitation with stylish border made of gold and many other different colors from FineStationery.com

Giveaway Winners!

It's time to announce the lucky winners of the Wedding Wednesday Celebration giveaway! Thanks to everyone who submitted an inspiration board for our celebration and to all those that left comments. And now for the winners...


The following three readers have won the prize pack shown above which includes a Vera Bradley stationery set, Boatman Geller note pad, Bubbles n' Bows thank you note set and a Cross-My-Heart recipe card and note pad set...

Congratulations to: elexia, Lucky Designs and Misty Dawn Photography

The following three readers have won the prize pack below which includes a Bubbles n' Bows thank you note set & Cross-My-Heart recipe card and note pad set...

Congratulations to: Busy Bee Creations, EB and logan's mom

For those of you with blogs, Kati will contact you to collect your mailing address. If you do not have a blog (just a profile), please email me or Kati with your address to collect your prize. If you decline your prize, please let us know so we can draw another winner. Please see the official contest rules for more information.

Thanks again for all who entered by leaving comments or sending in inspiration boards. It was a lot of fun seeing so many variations on our Wedding Wednesday theme!

Wedding Wednesday - Unique Fuchsia and Lime Bridal Shower

Happy Wedding Wednesday! This week Kati and I have chosen a new Prentiss Douthit invitation from FineStationery.com. This invitation mixes a bright pink and green floral design and a light blue floral design divided by dark brown vertical stripes. This unique and lovely invitation needed a equally unique shower theme.

- My first (and probably favorite) selection was this reception decor featuring patterned and plan floral balls floating in the pool. In the distance of this beautiful outdoor setting you can see tables draped in pink linens with brown chairs. [via Tapestry Flowers]

- Stylish green daytime dress for the bride by Michael Kors

- Table decor featuring a bold fuchsia and lime floral arrangement

- Place settings include a fuchsia menu card and lime floral piece adornment

- Additional floral centerpiece for decorating any other areas in need of a slash of the theme colors

- Fuchsia and lime favor filled with sweet treats selected by the bride

- Bridal Passion cocktail [recipe and image at Brides.com]

Be sure to head over to The Finer Things to see what Kati has put together for this week's theme! Below are a few of my favorites but trust me, you'll love the rest of her selections just as much!

Blue and Green Striped Baby Shower

Today's post features a blue and green striped baby shower. Though the blue and green palette lends itself for a boy, simply switch out the blue for pink and you'll have a great theme for a girl.

- Blue and green striped invitation from FineStationery.com
- Table setting featuring blue dupioni-silk linens and blue, green and white grosgrain ribbon woven runners
- A close-up of a place setting shows a green menu card and vases of cream calla lilies
- Multiple hues of blue, green and white candies make for great and fun favors
- Pre-package a candy assortment in these light green dotted packets tied with vibrant blue ribbon [via flickr user Northern Transplant]
- For dessert, bake and decorate adoable cucpakes such as these by flickr user birdahoy

Bold Purple, Navy & Green Affair

Don't forget to enter to win 1 of 6 prize packs filled with note cards, recipe cards, notepads and more! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on any post from 8/20/08 before 5 pm EST today (8/25/08)!

And now for today's regularly scheduled post...

Today's wedding theme combines bold hues of navy, purple and green into a dashing event scheme. My inspiration came from a post on Faye and Greer that featured both the bridesmaid dresses from J. Crew as well as this beautiful table centerpiece from The Knot. To these two perfect theme elements, I added a navy invitation with matching envelope from FineStationery.com, a lush green bridal bouquet, chocolate lavender shortbread cookies for dessert and a deep purple favor box adorned with raffia.

Giveaway: Last Chance to Enter to Win!

Don't forget to enter to win 1 of 6 prize packs filled with note cards, recipe cards, notepads and more! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on any post from 8/20/08 before 5 pm EST on 8/25! It's that easy so enter soon! Good luck!

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]

Wedding Wednesday Celebration - Part 4

I am so excited to share this next board! Snippet and Ink is one of my absolute favorite blogs for wedding inspiration! Kathryn provides a daily dose of beautiful ideas and I am thrilled she is joining us for our party today! Thanks again Kathryn - you're such an inspiration to us all and your board is just exquisite!

Top row from left: photo by Our Labor of Love, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, invitation from FineStationery.com, photo by Jose VillaRow 2: lavender cones from Grapevine Weddings, cake photo by Raquel Reis, J.Crew shoes via Brooklyn BrideRow 3: arrangement by Todd Events, Prada tux from Details, convertible photo by Amanda BevingtonRow 4: stamped napkins and cocktails from Martha Stewart Weddings, boutonniere photo by Jocelyn Filley, ribboned programs from White Lilac Inc., hydrangea bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings

This next board was posted by Jessica on her blog, the essence, as part of our celebration today! Head over to her blog for the source information. Thanks for helping us celebrate today Jessica!

Have you created an inspiration board for today's party? Leave a comment here to let me know or email your board to me at rebecca [at] tastefullyentertaining.com!

Wedding Wednesday Celebration - Part 3 (Giveaway!)

Now's your chance to take part in our Wedding Wednesday virtual party! Kati of The Finer Things has arranged for some awesome prizes for 6 lucky readers:

Three will win Prize Pack 1:

- 1 note pad from Boatman Geller

- Thank you notes from Bubble n' Bows

- Stationery from Vera Bradley

- Recipe cards and matching note pad from Cross-My-Heart

Three will win Prize Pack 2:

- Thank you notes from Bubble n' Bows
- Recipe cards and matching note pad from Cross-My-Heart

How you can win:

- Leave a comment on any of today's (8/20/2008) posts here or over at The Finer Things

- Submit an inspiration board based on today's theme. If you've already sent in a board to either Kati or myself, you're already entered!

- Create a board based on today's theme and post on your blog. Just be sure to let us know it's there!

Quick rules: (For official rules and regulations, please click here.)

- Only one entry per person

- Enter anytime before Monday, August 25, 2008 at 5 pm EST

- Be sure to provide a valid email address so we can contact you if you're a winner

- Winners must reside in the United States

- Winners will be selected at random

So, it's that simple! Either post a comment or create one of your very own Wedding Wednesday inspiration boards to enter! Good luck!

Wedding Wednesday Celebration - Part 2

As part of our Wedding Wednesday Celebration we're showcasing inspiration boards submitted by readers and fellow bloggers! This first board was submitted by Lara of Bliss Event Group. Be sure to check out The Bliss Blog for more lovely inspiration! Thanks for helping us celebrate Lara!

Crocheted Votives, Doily Flower Arrangements, White Cutout Bag Table Décor and Blue Mug , Blue Cakes, Blue Favors, Blue Bouquet, Bridesmaids Dress Sketch, Wedding Dress by Pronovias via Brides, Wedding Gown Detail by Carolina Herrera via Brides, Invitation from Finestationery.com, Blue and White Bouquet and White Paper Flower Table Treatment

The following board entitled 'Something Blue...' was submitted by Tastefully Entertaining reader, Karen. Thanks for joining us in our celebration Karen- you've put together a great event!

Something Blue…
For an evening affair held outdoors, elegant with just a touch of casual flair

Invitation , Brooch: Etsy seller Adrienne Designs , Bouquet: Martha Stewart , Dress: Thread Design, Lanterns: Z Gallerie , Cake: Martha Stewart , Hairpiece: ban.do , Favors: theknot.com , Invitation: FineStationery.com

Additional reader and blogger inspiration boards can be found over at The Finer Things! Plus, we'll both be posting more boards throughout the day, as well as linking to other blogs who are joining in on our celebration! And do not miss the chance to enter to win a fabulous 'party favor' prize! So stay tuned for details on how you can win!

Wedding Wednesday Celebration - Part 1

Happy Wednesday! Kati and I told you last week about our special Wedding Wednesday celebration. We're commemorating 6 months worth of Wedding Wednesdays and our 25th Wedding Wednesday inspiration board. So, today we're throwing a virtual party to celebrate!

Below you'll find my inspiration board based on this week's special invitation from FineStationery.com, a stunning navy and light blue invitation by Vera Wang. In addition to our regular inspiration boards, Kati and I will be posting throughout the day with reader and blogger submitted boards all based on the same invitation! Have you created a board for our celebration too? Leave a comment or email me at rebecca [at] tastefullyentertaining.com and let me know so we can include you!

And what would a party be without "favors"? Stay tuned for a post with more details about how you can enter to win one of 6 fabulous prizes!

- Spectacular reception by Preston Bailey
- Ultra stylish bridesmaid dress by Zac Posen (as worn by Miranda in The Sex in the City movie)

- Bridal bouquet mixing deep blue and light purple florals by Tapestry Flowers

- 6-tier wedding cake with navy frosting and sugar pearls

- A navy aisle runner dresses up the ceremony

- A blue striped tie pops with a navy suit

- Blue flowers decorate a place card table [via Faye and Greer]

Head over to The Finer Things to check out Kati's lovely take on our selected invitation. (A sneak peek of my favorites from her post is below.) Be sure to visit Kati and I later in the day to see how our readers and some special fellow bloggers interpreted this week's invitation! And don't forget - check back to learn how you can win a fabulous prize!!

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].