Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Delightfully Unique Thanksgiving Ideas

The leaves have changed their colors, the wool sweaters have come out of hibernation, and the sweet smell of cinnamon potpourri permeates throughout the department stores. This can only mean one thing- Thanksgiving's around the corner! Here are a few simple yet unique ideas that are sure to stand out with your guests!

1. Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Recipe

2. Thanksgiving Treat Boxes

3. Pumpkin Pie Cookie

4. Candy Corn Cupcake Recipe

More ideas at Sweet Cuddlecakes 

Sweet Frozen Treats

  

Sure, summer's coming to an end- but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy delightfully frozen treats year-round, especially if they're homemade! I found these recipes to be appealing because they add a unique twist to the basic popsicle, thus giving them a more "grown-up" feel. Serve them at small gatherings, dinners, or as a sinfully delicious dessert for one!

1. Ice Cream & Blueberry Pops

2. Peaches N' Cream Pops

3. Melon Pops

4. Plum Popsicles

Sweet Cuddlecakes

Asian Inspired Baby Shower

An asian-themed baby shower is a unique way to celebrate a new baby! Treat your guests to fruit sushi, hot sake, and green tea ice cream..Umm! Make sure to decorate with plenty of paper lamps to create an even more authentic feel!

1. Chinese Takeout Cake

2. Asian Themed Favor Boxes

3. Asian Table Setting

4. DIY Fortune Cookie Soap

Sweet Cuddlecakes

DIY Recipe: Fortune Cookies

 

 

Am I the only one that likes to take packages and packages of fortune cookies away from my favorite Asian restaurant? I usually end up having to pay extra because they're just that delicious! Well, I found a pretty simple recipe that adds a gourmet spin to this cultural staple. Head on over to No Fuss Fabulous for more. 

More ideas at Sweet Cuddlecakes.  

Simple Summer Watermelon Recipes

My philosophy is that no summer is complete without watermelon. Watermelon can be served as a delicious snack all by itself, or you can be bold and opt for a more involved watermelon recipe. Here are a few simple ones. Enjoy!

1. Freshly Sliced Watermelon

2. Homeade Lemonade with Fruity Ice Cubes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 lemon

2 limes

3 x 12-hole ice-cube trays

12 small fresh mint leaves

400g seedless watermelon, chopped

1/4 cup lime juice

2 litres soda water,

chilled

Lemon syrup:

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup caster sugar

Preparation

Using a citrus zester, remove strips of rind from lemon and limes. Reserve lemon and limes for juicing. Arrange zest in holes of one ice-cube tray. Fill with water and freeze overnight.

Place a mint leaf in each hole of second ice-cube tray. Fill with water and freeze overnight.

Place watermelon and juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into third ice-cube tray and freeze overnight.

To make lemon syrup, place juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Stir over a low heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Refrigerate mixture until cold.

Just before serving, place lemon syrup in a large jug. Add all of the ice-cubes and soda water. Stir to combine.

3. Watermelon Frozen Ice

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Freeze Time: 1-1 1/2 hours

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 cup (152g) of cubed watermelon

1 container (4-8 oz) of non-fat strawberry yogurt

Preparation

Place watermelon and yogurt in a blender. Puree.

Pour mixture into a bowl. Freeze for 1-1 1/2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes.

4. Watermelon, Mache and Pecan Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 7 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

3/4 cup chopped pecans

5 cups seeded and cubed watermelon

1 (6-oz.) package mâche, thoroughly washed

Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette 

1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cool.

Combine watermelon and mâche in a large bowl; add vinaigrette, tossing gently to coat. Transfer watermelon mixture to a serving platter, and sprinkle evenly with pecans and cheese.

Bun In The Oven Shower - Revisited!

Who has time to cook with a new baby in the house?  So, one way to celebrate the bun in the oven is by making sure the soon-to-be parents don't have to use theirs!

Location:  A Food Prep Place
Host the baby shower at a food prep place to give this familiar theme an upgrade. Guests can spend the afternoon preparing meals that can be stored in the freezer, giving Mom and Dad the best gift of all—time! It's an interactive baby shower that is fun and helpful, especially for second-time Moms who might already have a slew of baby gear.

What's In It For Baby?
Now that you've made mealtime manageable for Mom and Dad, ask guests to bring mealtime baby gifts that will do the same for baby. Bottle trees, formula mix holders, bottle warmers, food storage containers for meals on the go, kits to make homemade baby food, feeding pillows (a great help for breastfeeding and bottle feeding), and even a high chair would be excellent gifts.

Fun and Games
No matter how much fun your guests are having finding their way around a gourmet kitchen, there's always time for a game or two.  Guests will enjoy seeing what's inside their "oven" with these easy baby shower game cards.  Sliding open the oven door on these cards will reveal which prize they've won!

Sweet Send-off

Regardless of what they've won, everyone will leave happy knowing that they have had a hand in making the new parents' lives a little easier - at least in the kitchen.  Show your appreciation for all of their hard work by sending them home with their own little bun in the oven candle to remind them of the day.

Real Party Sneak Peek - Tutus and Twirls and Down On The Farm

I've been working on a cute ballerina party for my client's 5 year old's birthday coming up next weekend. Since boys are invited, I had been racking my brain for a "cute but not cute" favor for them, since mom wanted something as a keepsake, not a bag of junk. I started out with little topiaries of feather balls for the girls, and their initials for the boys; however, to my dismay, one child has a Z name, and I couldn't find a wooden Z! I had already painted the clay pots when inspiration struck....Little ballerinas and princes...I totally channelled The Nutcracker Ballet...the King of Mice becomes a prince. Here's how I did them.  I'm so tickled by them that I just had to share.

I'm also working on a Down on the Farm 1st birthday party, and I've been dying to make these hats after I saw them in the BHG Kids' Parties magazine. The sheep was a beee-atch (pardon my French) to do. He may become a yellow chick with little feather wings. Or maybe a rooster with a cute red comb. I've become a hot-glue gun fiend lately. How did we ever live without it? Not Just a Mommy!

Throw Me Somethin' Mister! A Recipe For The Perfect Mardi Gras Party

Hey Y'all! Mardi Gras is almost here! The Krewe Balls have all started, costumes have been made, floats have been constructed, and everyone is in full Mardi Gras mode.

This year, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 24. 

A bit of history on what Mardi Gras is and why we Cajuns celebrate it with such fervor. 

Since the majority of the residents of South Louisiana are Cajun, that means we are all Catholic. Mardi Gras has become a way for us to "get all the sinnin' out" of our systems before we hunker down and give stuff up for the 40 days of Lent (Lent is the time leading up to Easter). Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday which is why this huge party day always falls on a Tuesday. But, more importantly, it always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent).

And although Mardi Gras is only one day, in Louisiana, we celebrate for many, many days with the Krewe balls starting in January. This is called Twelfth Night, and it begins on January 6. This is the day of the Epiphany (some call it Little Christmas).

I think the hardest part of growing up and moving away from Louisiana was not having 3 days off for Mardi Gras!

So, in honor of THE biggest party day of the year, let's have a party!

Even though Mardi Gras tends to be a big party with LOTS of cocktails and beer, you can make it kid friendly, as well.

Form your own Krewe!

A Krewe is just a club of sorts that sort of caters to a specific area. There are children's krewes, men's only, women's only, etc... Each Krewe is different, and each has their own ball and float. 

Each year, the Krewe's committee decides upon a theme. This theme will dictate the costumes worn at the ball and on the float.

Each Krewe also has a Court of Royalty, with a King and Queen.

Now, obviously, your costumes needn't be so elaborate. 

King Cake!

This is a Mardi Gras tradition, and a MUST for any Mardi Gras celebration. 

The King Cake is the dessert brought to ALL Mardi Gras parties. There is a baby baked inside the cake (plastic, of course!), and the person who finds the baby has to bring the next King Cake to the party. You will also notice that the icing colors are green, purple and gold. These are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras, so your party should use this color scheme.

Drinks!

The Hurricane is a traditional cocktail made famous by Pat O Brien's bar located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. You can buy the mix from Pat O Brien's.

Or, you can make it yourself:

• 1 oz. Bacardi 151 Proof Rum
• 1 oz. White rum
• 1 oz. Dark rum
• ½ oz. Grenadine
• 3 oz. Orange juice
• 3 oz. Pineapple juice
• Crushed Ice

Serve in a Hurricane Glass filled with Crushed Ice, garnish with Orange slice and cherry.

You can also offer apple martinis. 

Since they are green, they will fit right in with your Mardi Gras colors.

The Tables!

Decorate your tables with beads, masks, dablooms, and anything else green, purple and gold. Add some metallic items as well. Feathers, crowns, and tiaras will also add to your tables.

Food!

Other than King Cake, there are several options for your menu. I always do a big fish fry on Mardi Gras, but you can serve whatever you'd like. Jambalaya, shrimp creole, or crawfish etouffee are all good choices. You can find those recipes here.

Music!

Mardi Gras has its own genre of music. Try The Dixie Cups, Aaron Neville, or Professor Longhair. I love this compilation album.

Now that you know about Mardi Gras, you can easily have your own party. Throw your beads, drink your hurricanes (RESPONSIBLY!) and eat your jambalaya.

Just don't forget the golden rule, Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! 

(That means let the good times roll!)

*Please remember to drink responsibly and NEVER EVER NEVER drink and drive. ALWAYS designate a sober driver!

Allison is the CEO of Templeton Events, a bespoke event design company in Coastal Virginia.

Quick De-cluttering Tips from Unclutterer!

Nobody has time to clean or organize anymore, but everyone knows that living in a cluttered home or office can often make life more stressful and your work even more unproductive! We came across this article on the fabulous website, Unclutterer on 10 tips to beat clutter in less than five minutes. It was written by Gretchen Rubin, the author of another fabulous website: The Happiness Project (more advice we could all use).

Check out my favorite tips, but don't forget to visit their website to see all 10 tips! Good luck de-cluttering today!

- Make your bed each morning.

- Follow the “one-minute rule” – push yourself to do any chore that takes less than one minute. Throw away the junk mail, close the cabinet door, put your dirty socks in the hamper, hang up your wet towel.

- Pause for a moment before you “store” something. Storing something means you don’t intend to use it much. Other than holiday decorations and seasonal clothes, you should strive to “store” as little as possible.

- Get rid of things if they break. When I went through our apartment, I was astonished by how many things I’d kept even though they didn’t work.

- Don’t keep any piece of paper unless you know that you actually need it. I have a friend who, for years, carefully filed away the stubs when she paid her gas bill. “Why?” I asked, mystified. “I have no idea,” she said. Along the same lines, don’t keep anything that would quickly become dated—like travel information. Remember the internet! If you can easily find information online, you don’t need to keep a hard copy.

Photo from Apartment Therapy.com

By Adrienne breaux for 2Modern Design Talk

My Challenge: a Great Wedding Under $5000

so, i am super excited about this post. i know i haven't posted in a while {thanks for reminding me!}, but i have been so busy getting ready for my newest challenge. a fabulous wedding under $5000.

a very good friend of mine got engaged to her long time boyfriend. my girlfriend recently decided to quit her job and go for her master's and PhD, and then she spent her savings on a big down payment for a beautiful old house. all her extra money is going into the new/old house, but she still wants to have a semi-traditional wedding.

so, she called me up to ask me if i could help her. she wants a 'real' wedding, but she only wants to spend about $5000. of course i eagerly accepted the challenge, and the wheels in my mind have not stopped spinning.

research, research, and more research!

so last weekend, laurel and i got inspired to play around with some pretty table-scapes.

she wants her colors to be inspired by the beach. yellow for the sun, blue for the water, and neutrals for the sand. the wedding and reception will be on the beach, so we have so much natural beauty to help us out.

here is what we came up with. i would love to know what you guys think.

allison@occasionsandstyle.com

this first table is more formal. we used plain white cotton tablecloths with a watery blue chiffon fabric layered over the top. white, dotted swiss napkin were placed on top of silver charger plates so the napkins could hang from the table giving the table drape and more volume. my girlfriend has asked if she can use my china, and i of course obliged that request.

the china is a limoges pattern from tiffany&co called moderne. we also used my grandmother's silver and my crystal. the silver is faneuil also by tiffany&co. the crystal is the hampton pattern, again, from tiffany. it's very pretty, but it's not terribly ornate or cut, but heavy enough to be warm and elegant.

we scattered small votive candles in white and pale green.

laurel did these centerpieces. she used floral frogs to create the centerpiece of hydrangea. i bought the flowers from costco for $9!

i think i spent about $12 on this table between the flowers and the candles.

this is the second table we created.

this table was much more casual, but super fun and quite lovely. using the same white tablecloth i found some really sweet seersucker and stripe table runners at Target! i crisscrossed the runners to create 'place mats' instead of charger plates.

laurel, aka miss crafty made napkin rings from seashells i bought while i was at the beach. i think i payed a quarter for each shell, maybe even less! she glued white ric-rac onto a wide tan grosgrain ribbon. she tied the ribbon/shell napkin ring around a plain white cotton napkin. these can be purchased anywhere for any price!

the dinnerware is from Sur la Table. the deep robin's egg blue dinner plates with the pale yellow salad plates really made this table come to life.

we scattered tea lights around the center of the table and under the centerpiece. the flowers, again, Costco!! for $16.

we just basically threw more seashells around the table. i bought these seashells for my daughter and i think i spent about $10 on all of them.

i didn't want to use my formal crystal on this table, so we used some of my everyday wine glasses i found at Pier 1. i think i payed $3-4 per glass.

the sterling champagne bucket was also my grandmother's, and the bottle of perrier jouet in the bucket probably helped give me my late night energy to get this all done! the champagne flutes are the hand painted flutes that come with the perrier jouet gift set. my mother loved perrier jouet, so i have a set of about 20 of these flutes. lucky me!

all in all, i spent maybe $30 on this table. and, i think it's my favorite. i love casual elegance, and this table just makes me feel happy and easy.

if you have pretty china, crystal, and silver or you know someone who does, you can borrow them. if you can't borrow, then you can rent plain white china, and simple flatware and stemware. or, you can opt for a more casual table and use some fun, pretty everyday stuff.

i'm really excited about these tables. i think we can easily create this wedding for $5000!

i can't wait to read your comments!

allison@ occasions&style