Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Color Me Tuesday: Lavender Loveliness

Hey All,
I was just poking around pinterest and I found these 2 great photos, and thus, this post was born:
1. Lavender Woodland Tea Party; 2. Ombre Wedding Cake
First, of all, who doesn't want to have a lavender woodland tea party? No one, that's who.  Second, that is just a beautiful cake, the flower on top is glorious, the ombre'd inner layers are fantastic, and the matching ombre'd frosting/fondant on the outside is equally glorious.  Have I convinced you to throw a Lavender party yet? Ok, here's what you'll need:
  1. Oh, were you worried you wouldn't find lavender party-ware. Well, that's no excuse since Party City has an entire set of lavender cups, plates, napkins, and flatware. BOOM.
  2. Lavender up any room or outdoor space with this adorable purple bunting - available from Little Free Radical
  3. Use these pinwheels from Halos Heaven as favors, place settings, or general decorations.
  4. Set the mood with some lavender lighting from World Market - you could get these glass candle lanterns in any color and use any candles to instantly set a color scape
One major problem with purple/lavender food is that it often looks...gross...and just super unnatural, but I think each of these treats goes with the lavender and doesn't make you look like you were making out with grapes:
  1. Beautiful lavender-iced cupcakes with delicate sugared flowers - Martha, who else?
  2. Lavender-infused mint juleps - recipe from Pizzazzerie
  3. Lavender macarons from Plant Food Fabulous - delicious and impressive

Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday Favorites: Bar Essentials

Hey everyone!  This week's post is all about everything you need to set up an awesome bar/drink station.

 Here are some vessels for drinks.  FYI, I skipped showing you guys just a table set up as a bar, you know that's an option. 



1. Instead here is a Green Glass Bottle, perfect for putting water out onto individual tables/place settings, or just to have clustered together in a designated bar area.  It's just prettier than bottled water sitting out.

2. I have probably 8 of these plastic bins sitting in my laundry room, not holding anything, but they are an awesome item that you probably have around your house to use as a beverage bin.  Just fill with ice and drinks, and you're ready to go! (Also try a blow up kid's pool)

3. Chalkboard paint has gotten incredibly popular lately, so it might as well be involved in your bar.  Here is a carafe and cups from Pier 1; keep a cup of multi-colored chalk out so guests can label their cups, or fill the carafe with wine or a mixed drink and label it!  Best thing is, you know the label won't fall of or fall down if it's written right on the glass!

4. These dispensers are pretty awesome, they're from Target and I just think a perfect way to serve anything!  I love lemonade and I have a lot of friends who love mixing iced tea and lemonade; or put in any punch recipe you have!

Now for things to actually drink out of!

1. Orange tumbler glasses, found at One Kings Lane.  A tumbler (short and wide) glass is great for classic mixed drinks like Jack and Coke.

2. Highball glasses.  I went with a classic highball glass from World Market.  These are also great for mixed drinks, but perfect for a tall glass of soda or lemonade too.

3. Purple wineglasses.  I like that these are short and sturdy wine glasses, no skinny stems that can be awkward to hold.  Since these aren't traditional wine glasses either, they're a perfect multi-tasking bar glass.  They'd be perfect for frozen/blended drinks, like margaritas or daiquiris, and still work for wine!

Finally drink accessories!!



1. Fancy Ice Cubes!  Just stick lemon slices, herbs, fruit into your ice cube trays, add the water, and freeze.  Also, you could make the ice cubes out of any beverage, like lemonade or ice tea.

2. To really have a complete bar, you need actual tools to make drinks.  This is a complete set (that comes in an ice bucket!) from Crate & Barrel that has measures, a strainer, bottle opener, just everything.

3. Finally, Wine charms!  I like these little wine monsters that stick onto the stem of the wine glass.  There are tons of wine charm options out there; I saw bowties, mustaches, flowers, holiday-specific ones, etc.  If you don't want to buy a specific set, you could use pipe cleaners or Silly Bands.

You don't have to have every liquor/drink option to have a complete bar, just make sure you have a couple options, alcoholic and non, and whatever tools people might need...no need for a shaker if you have a couple pitchers of sangria out!



Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Color Me Tuesday: Red, White, and Blue-tiful!

My goal for this post was to find some awesome red, white, and blue party accessories that weren't limited to your 4th of July party, but that you can keep using/wearing/drinking/eating throughout the year...and I think I was mostly successful!
  • Kitchen Treaty's Strawberry Lime Rose Sangria already has my mouth watering - perfect for a 4th of July party but when doesn't sangria work? You could also get super creative and whip up a blue/dark purple sangria with blueberries and blackberries and/or a white sangria with white wine, green applies, and pears!
  • Etsy seller, The White Pepper, is selling these gorgeous mid-century pans - perfect for serving hot food or snacks at your party and a welcome addition to your kitchen anytime...actually, I might have to get these for myself
  • Hot dog/Burger baskets from World Market! These just scream summer and make piling on the bbq goodness onto your plate that much easier
  • Get this adorable seersucker outfit for your little one (they're celebrating too!) from Baby Tweeds
  • Impress everyone with this magical flag cake (directions from Secret Life of a Chef's Wife)
  • I can't believe that these combo cooler/speaker tote bags even exist...it's the unicorn of any outdoor party - Pottery Barn
  • These dip-dye placemats from West Elm are definitely classy enough for your table all year long - I've seen DIY instructions for this sort of technique too, so you could get super crafty and make them yourself....more of a dip-diy if you know what I mean!!
  • Looking to spice up your cake bunting? Get the DIY on this sweet korker curl banner from Sweeter than Sweets 
  • Don't forget about yourself! Even though these j.crew shorts are more pink than red, I don't think anyone will notice because you'll look so awesome at the party