Create My Event - Event & Party Ideas Blog

Napkin Rings

Often underused, napkin rings are a quick way to add decorative flair to the table. They are easy to make just by tying a colored ribbon around each napkin and adding a small flower or some glass beads, but even if you're not the crafty type there are so many different rings for sale you can make your table look unique for only a few dollars. Four of my favorites below: at these prices you could change them out each season, or even each event

Cute zinc Starfish Tied with Nautical Rope. $3.50 each from Crate and Barrel.

Whimsical Feathers and Grosgrain Ribbon. 4 for $20 by decorativeinstincts on etsy.

Stylish laser-cut Wood Veneer Rings by Sarah Finn, in mahogany or maple. 6 for $22 at A+R Store

Quirky Ant Napkin Ring Set, in black or white metal. 4 for $24 at 2modern

Poster Programs and Invitations

For your next soiree why not design an invitation poster style?

photo by David Willems

Inspired by a Martha Stewart Weddings feature on unique wedding essentials, I asked a close designer friend to throw together a hip program for my wedding. I requested a jpg of a motif from my wedding invitation suite (it's a cute taxi cab image perfect for my NYC theme wedding) and together with a personalized monogram a hip poster program was created for a unique way to give my guests details about my wedding ceremony.

For your next event or for your wedding, create a gorgeous and one-of-a-kind look by thinking big - step out of your ordinary stock-card frame of mind and think 11X17!

photo by David Willems

Finish the look by folding your poster into thirds the long way and again in thirds until you have a small rectangle. Wrap it up with a ribbon and monogram sticker or use a colorful strip of paper featuring a personalized monogram like I did.

photo by David Willems

For more ideas please check out Modern Vintage and enjoy my latest Wedding special week-long feature.

Herbalicious Spring Party

We had an exceptionally mild winter here on Long Island and almost all my herbs, with the exception of basil, survived. That gave me an idea for my next bash. How about a herb-themed party?

I will decorate the table with small pots of different herbs: marjoram, oregano, thyme and sage, and tuck a few springs of lavender into the napkin rings.

Make name tags from brown paper and twine or buy these Garden Delight Gift Tags from etsy to tie around pretty jars of herbs that the guests can take home later as a memento of the evening.

Serve

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Salsa Verde
Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic; finely chopped
2 cups parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon basil, thyme, sage, oregano
4 tablespoons oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper

Blend herbs and garlic in a food processor or blender until they form paste. Add the oil, a little at a time, and mix well. Add the lemon juice, and season with sugar, salt and pepper to taste.

and Lavender-Honey Ice Cream

with Mint Juleps or Mojitos to drink:

Mojito
Ingredients:
2 parts white rum
1 part fresh lime juice
10 mint leaves
4 teaspoons sugar or 2 tablespoons simple syrup
Club soda
Spring of mint

Muddle mint and sugar in highball glass, add everything else except club soda. Fill glass with crushed ice, add club soda. Garnish with sprig of mint.

The house should smell wonderful, too.