Friday Favorites: Dots!

Ok this is about polka dots, all sorts of polka dots, but I couldn't really think of a particularly witty title.  Also, sorry for the delay in posting, Malerie and I had finals but back to posting!

I love dots.  So here are some of my favorite dotty things.

Polka dot envelopes.  Yes.  You can make the liner any colors and any sized dots for whatever occasion/party you're having. 

Confetti Bags.  These are serving up double dot duty.  The bags are dotted and they hold dot confetti.  It's perfect.  Martha Stewart has them in a wedding slideshow but I think it works for any occassion, especially a kids party.  Or you could just use the bag for favors and sprinkle dot confetti over a table.

Take out boxes.   If you're giving out food as favors or having a candy buffet, these would be perfect.  Go to World Market's website, search "dots" and there are tons of results.  These take out boxes also come in lots of different colors.

More polka dot bags.  Ok, maybe three options for polka dot favor boxes/bags is a little much for one post, or should be its own post all together, but I love these.  They're kind of muted but still fun; kind of a more grown up dot.

Polka Dot Straws! Don't underestimate the little things; plus they're just cute, why wouldn't you have them at your party. 

Polka dot cake!!!  Obviously I'm excited by this.  It's dots on the inside and out, what more could you want?

Really, any dot, any color, or any sphere would work perfectly for a dot inspired party.  For a candy buffet just get M & Ms, Sixlets, gumballs, even chocolate truffles would work!

Friday Favorites: Papel Picado

In the spirit of Cinco De Mayo, I thought I'd look into some Papel Picado!  If you've never heard of it before, it's a type of Mexican folk art where paper (often tissue paper) is cut into intricate designs (using scissors or even a specialty chisel) and then strung up into lovely banners. I've picked out a few of my favorite papel picado designs, products, and DIY so get ready for one heck of a fiesta!

1. Just an example of some beautiful, intricately cut papel picado - it's used a lot during dia de los muertos so if you google images, you'll see lots of skull motifs (pic from this blog)
2. Supercute invitations from Etsy seller Carta Modello 
3. An awesome wedding cake from A Sweet Design - this would also be cute on cupcakes and I love the pop of color from those flowers!
4. DIY some cute mini papel picado with this Studio DIY craft and instantly brighten up any celebration
5. So I couldn't find directions, but here's a great pic of a papel picado chandelier (from the examiner.com - make your own papel picado (or buy some) and then just wire it into a chandelier - so chic
6. Tie in the theme to every aspect of your fiesta with these papel picado decorated straws - get the DIY from Cupcakes and Cutlery

Have fun!

Color Me Tuesday: White-Out

Hey everyone! 

I know during the summer white parties are a popular theme (hello P.Diddy and every frat ever) but I wanted to find some great new ways to incorporate white into your party!  I think the key to using white effectively is to have lots of different textures.

To get started: Decorations!

So this would probably be the simplest way- white hanging decorations.  Party City has a kit available that gives you lots of options.

Martha Stewart obviously has some great hanging decorations too!

I like the simplicity of a white dot garland from Etsy.  I really like bold but simple geometric shapes, so a garland of circles, squares, or bunting (it's just triangles) is a favorite of mine.

 Next up: Table and Serveware!

I love these cupcake wrappers from Etsy.  Yes, they're perfect for a wedding but I think they're perfect for any party.

Every party has to have food, so you need something to put it on!  I like this tiered platter for that.  It's simple but it's also a great piece to have and obviously would be useful at any get together. (Pier1)

Another goody from Pier 1.  The tray is pretty and practical, what more do you want?  The tray is a convenient way to present a variety of things: favors, tableware for guests to pick up, or place settings or name tags if you have them.

Last but not least, Miscellaneous.  It's really just more things I like.

What to wear to a white party?  This.  It's just a shirt dress, but I think it's perfect for a garden party and can be easily brightened up with some fun jewelry and shoes (just don't wear white as a wedding guest.  Not cool.).

Funny thing is, I don't eat that much candy, but I love candy buffets.  I think it's a super cute way to incorporate decorations and party favors and an activity.  I thought the ribbon candy was just pretty (available at the Candy Warehouse, who lets you search candy by color so here is a ton of options)

Finally, curtains.  I don't think you need to redecorate your entire house when you throw a party, but this curtain is from Target and only $20.  It would be an easy way to add a lot of depth to a room without much effort.

Enjoy!

Friday Favorites: Unexpected Lace

Lace (and lace doilies) is coming back in a big way, I think ever since Kate Middleton rocked all that lace on her wedding dress (and probably even before) people have re-opened their eyes to the whimsicality, delicateness, and romantic qualities of lace.  Sometimes, though, it's just hard to imagine how to work it in without everything feeling either super-granny or indecently lacey.  Here are just a few of my thoughts on how to get your lace on!

1. So how to let your friends know about your lacey affair? Send your invites in a lace envelope of course! Get the DIY from we.love.laugh.kiss
2. Once your guests arrive, they'll need to know where they sit--easy solution, calligraphed Doily placemats - classy and informative! (from intimate weddings but originally from Martha, I think)
3. While your guests are hanging around, they're going to want some nibbles:
1. Serve your cupcakes in these super cute lacey wrappers from Bayside Bride
2. Or let them nosh on some delicately lacey Crinkled Lace Cookies - recipe at Martha Stewart
4. Serve up some drinks in this beautifully hand-crafted drink set from Etsy Seller Burning Fork Studio - she also has some other really cool products
5. And lastly, jazz up your drinks with some dainty lace parasols from A Field Journal*
1. *So I couldn't actually access the DIY for these but I think it'd probably be pretty easy to find mini doilies, some wooden cocktail stirrs/shish kebab sticks, dye the doilies (or not), glue them into cones and stick them on the sticks

Color Me Tuesday - Going Green!

Megan and I were both raving about how glorious the weather was yesterday (she in Virginia and me in New York) and I couldn't help but be excited about spring! And what could be more spring than green?

1. Of course Martha has some incredibly chic ideas on how to work in green centerpieces.  I liked this one for its more casual feel but her slideshow has some stunnas!!
2. For the crafter who likes to get "involved" this spinning menu from Design Sponge is basically the ish.
3. You would obviously have to serve Avocado Popsicles - don't knock 'em 'till you've tried them - they're sweet, creamy and delicious
4. An awesome DIY for a statement necklace from Owls Wake Up
5. Somewhere Splendid presents a pretty simple DIY for green ombre skewers - instant class to your bbq
6. I am currently living for these cactus tealights from GHzakka - seriously, I just planned my cactus-themed birthday party

Now go get your lean, green, party machine ON!

Friday Favorites: Paisley!

Hi everyone, today's post is all about my favorite paisley things to use for a party!  So paisley is actually a pattern and not a specific color scheme which I love.  It can be soft and pretty in pastels or bright and bold.

1. Paisley drink tub: how perfect is this to sit on a picnic table?!  It's so bright and happy. (World Market)

2. These gift bags would be a more subtle way of incorporating paisley; it can be a bold pattern so having touches of it here and there can go a long way. (Pier1)

3. I love these lanterns.  They're from  World Market and are battery operated which makes them PERFECT for being outside.

4. You have to have napkins!  These are bright and would look great on a crisp white tablecloth. (Pier1)

5. Paisley really isn't hard to find, even Party City has paisley plates!

6. Paisley shower curtain, yes shower curtain, but this cotton shower curtain could work as a tablecloth.  Or if you have a big empty wall, you could tack it up and use it as a feature wall just to jazz up a room.  (World Market)

7. String lights!! Paisley string lights!!!! What more could I ask for? (World Market)

8.  Wrapping paper:  I like the idea of buying something like wrapping paper to use for decorations.  You could use it as a charger underneath platters; make signs or place cards out of it; wrap empty boxes just to have sitting around even,  you can do whatever you want with it. (World Market)

Ok y'all I have to apologize for going World Market crazy but they have so much paisley stuff!
I hope this post shows you how it easy it is to find a fun and pretty pattern in a variety of items for your next party.  Also, I hope you see how some pretty common and accessible stores have some really great and unexpected items for your next get together.

Color Me Tuesday: Red Alert

Hey everyone, this week's Color Me Tuesday Post is all about red!  I feel like most people only think of red for Valentines Day or Christmas but I'm here to give y'all some other suggestions.  I've found a bunch of random red things that would be great additions to a party (or great things to base a party on!)

1. Lobster & Crab Plates: These are so freaking cute and remind me of the seer sucker sheets that have lobsters on them that Malerie had all through college.  I think these plates would be perfect for just a summer get together with friends (obviously, seafood should be served). (World Market)

2. These are adorable!  I love stripes/chevron and now it's in red!  Super cute treat bags for a movie or circus themed party. (Etsy)

3. Obviously if you wanna go classic, just get some red tableware! Party City has a great selection of basics in red. (Party City)

4. Of course the quickest way to add red to your decor is just a great flower arranagement. I liked the dahlias from Martha Stewart because it's red without being just regular red roses or too Christmas-y looking. (Martha Stewart)

5. I also like this red tray just to jazz up a table.  Red doesn't have to be something crazy. (Pier 1)

6. No red decorated party would be complete without red velvet cake (I can't attest to this recipe but the picture looks great). (Chow.com)

7. And for a red signature cocktail: Sangria! I would search around for recipes that suit your tastes best- more/less sugar; fruit; liquor/no liquor, etc.

8. Watermelon fabric! Ok, it's just red fabric with irregular black dots but it reminds me of watermelon.  Malerie and I actually used this fabric as a tablecloth for our watermelon themed bbq (lots of red, black, lime green, and actual watermelon)