Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Alice In Wonderland Party Inspiration

With the release of the Alice in Wonderland Movie it is a perfect time to share these Tea Party Inspirations. This movie is sure to bring out the desire to plan many Mad Hatter Tea Parties! With the use of vibrant colors, a mix of textures and patterns and an eclectic mix of teacups, you can create a wonderful whimsical event.

Here is a collection of amazing Alice inspiration. Click on the links to see many additional photos with great ideas!

1. & 5. A vintage party not to be missed - from Sarah at the Middleton Family Blog.

2. This lovely Alice in Wonderland Party was created by Lollipop Events.  See more photos and details at HWTM.

3. Mad Hatter magic from A Fanciful Twist. You won't want to miss this one!

4. This party was done by In Good Company. Visit the blog of Amy Atlas Events for additional photos and a entertaining tips.

6. This Mad Hatter Tea Party was created by Party Wishes. See all the details here.

Posted by Entertain Exchange

Eye Of The Tiger

Sorry about the title...it was just too easy to pass up. February 14 marks the beginning of Year Of The Tiger, and there are so many amazing party ideas for your own Chinese New Year celebration!OK, bits and pieces first....sushi and sake-inspired invite from Madi & Company; Japanese incense kits from Beau-coup would be so pretty as a parting gift; make your own sweet fortune cookies from a piecrust. How about using a silk-brocade coin purse to hold the details of your soiree? Can one ever be tired of making paper fortune cookies? I love how she used coordinated paper; Martha's floral balls. I. am. in. love. with. this. birthday. party! I am drooling over the details of design*dump's absolutely amazing party for her 8 year old daughter, inspired by a purchase made a few years back. That is so my kind of party because I'm always buying stuff thinking 'you never know when you'll need it'. There is just so much eye candy at Bridal Bubbly's bridal shower. No detail was missed, from the stunning bamboo centerpieces to a pond structure with real goldfish, down to the fortune cookie garnishes on the glasses and mini bamboo steamer favors. Be inspired by these two beautiful parties from In Good Company's Good News 13; both spreads feature great party decor, and give lots of tips and ideas for activities and fab favors. Saffron 59's simple white table is elegant with gorgeous flower centerpieces and red lanterns.

Not enough? Check out my post from last year. Not Just A Mommy! 

Living And Entertaining With Winter Whites

We often think that white is a color for the hot summer months...when it is paired with bright refreshing colors. Don't forget that there are hundreds of shades of warm winter whites...the kind that feel warm and cozy. Enjoy the many shades of white all winter long - in your home and when you entertain.

Live a stylish white life with this collection of winter white inspiration.

1.Table setting - Better Homes and Garden here. 2.Romantic mantel - Victoria here. 3.Winter wonderland bedroom - House Beautiful here. 4.Romantic fireplace - Country Living here.

1.White macaroon favors - Martha Stewart here. 2.A gentle white-on-white palette unifies this mix of eras - Country Living here. 3.Whitewashed papier-mache fruit centerpiece - Martha Stewart here. 4.Incorporate your place card into the fold of this napkin knot - Martha Stewart here. 5.Wonderful white buffet table - Martha Stewart here.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

New Year's Disco Ball Bash

Everyone loves a bit of glamour and decadence on New Year's. Celebrate the famed Ball Drop with your own Disco Ball Bash! Silver, white and red are all perfect as your jump-off point.

Set your table with a silver tablecloth and white china, and accent napkins with red ribbon. Collect various sizes of pillar candles and mimic this fabulous tabletop from In Style Parties. Don't you heart the giant disco ball over the table?

Another option, add lots of sparkle with reflective surfaces, silver candlesticks, votive holders and vases. Fill oversized glasses with decor items a la Setting The Mood With Jamee's bash, and check out all her silver pieces.

In addition to disco ball ornaments, add to the bling with flat marbles, acrylic diamonds and sprinkles like this table setting from HWTM.

Social Couture's Hollywood Bash is complete with beautiful feather accents and I just love the mirrored napkin rings.

Dig out all of your candleholders and use them as support stands to create smaller-scaled accent pieces like these from Admar Decor .

Of course there will be these cupcakes from Paula Deen.

Have guests create their own blinged-out party hat, set up a photo area with a few more fun props like oversized sequined glasses and let the fun begin. Send the photos home as a thank-you card.

End the party and begin the new year right with these cute cookie favors from No Fuss Fabulous! I love how a simple cookie becomes a thoughtful treat and even better, she has provided the tag download for free! Not Just A Mommy!

Thanksgiving Pear Place Card

Thanks Martha Stewart for this cute and easy idea for an Autumn place card!
 

Gothic Girls Night Out Party

Here is a not so typical Girls Night Out Party. Invite your friends over and ask them to dress on the dark side - a Gothtail Party. Everyone owns something black and with a few accessories it is easy to pull of a gothic look. Glitter skulls, feathers and bling make this a fun party to plan.

Get these party details at Entertain Exchange with more decorating ideas here. The complete hand made invitation instructions are here.

Happy Halloween!

A Slashin' Dinner Bash

Looking for a unique way to thrill your guests for Halloween? Feast your eyes on this entire macabre dining room created by Amy Lau, inspired by Showtime's Dexter. Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan, a covert serial killer governed by a strict moral code (his victims must be unrepentant killers themselves and he must have defining proof of their crimes) who actually works for the Miami Metro Police Department as a blood splatter analyst. The room features a table ready for a sit down dinner of twelve. No detail is left unturned with stark white, blood red accents and various tongue-in-cheek nods to the character. I could just die (no pun intended) for the dining chairs with the embroidered blood splatter. Dexter is meticulous about keeping his workspace clean when he carves up his victims, which is interpreted in the clean, protective plastic tablecloth in white. Mimic this look with white chair covers with red splashes of fabric paint. How in love are you with the the blood vial centerpieces for red wine refills? An online science supply store can readily help you create your own version. Inexpensive wine glasses with a dribble of red glass paint down the stem makes a perfect substitute. And the plates? A splash or two of red paint on unfired bisque at your local paint-your-own pottery store ought to do the trick. Once fired, you will have a white plate with it's own blood spatter. And don't fear, your plates and glasses will make an annual Halloween appearance or out for your next murder mystery party. Repurposed wine glasses dipped in white latex, then strung amidst wood, cables, light bulbs, wires, wax rope and ribbon create this elaborate chandelier. Want your own? A quick online search of "wineglass chandelier" will reveal many a project to fill your Martha need. If you have the ducets, the Dexter chairs, as well as bloody dinner plates and dismembered flatware from the collection, are available. Not Just A Mommy!

Western Style For A Fall Party

There is a chill in the air and the nights are getting shorter, but many of us are not ready to give up our outdoor entertaining. It does not feel right to move into the true "harvest style" entertaining, so why not a western theme! This is a casual way to continue entertaining outside on those cooler days. With a few Western Style Details, great food and friends  you can have a fun and memorable day! Here are a few ideas to get the party started.

1, 3 & 4 Hoedown from Country Living. 2 Wedding from Brides.com. 5 Texas Barbecue from Country Living. 

 

1 & 5 Hoedown from Country Living. 2 Wedding from Brides.com. 3 Texas Barbecue from Country living. 4. Cowgirl Cookies from Bakerella.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

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.

Stars And Stripes

Yikes! Fourth of July is zooming up fast!! Nothing screams independance like this invitation from Fine Stationery, to get your party started, and inspiring today's board.

Keep your cool with patriotic fans.

These festive lanterns are perfect for keeping little hands busy. BTW, we've made these before, super fun and easy, and you can change the colors for any season.

Let your table be the star...a super-easy centerpiece from HWTM; tablesettings can include these napkin rings and heavy weight dinner plates.

The perfect signature cocktail? Celebrations' Berry Breeze.

And of course, I had to throw in my super-cute Jello parfaits from last year, easy to make and eat! Not Just A Mommy!