Hostess with the Mostess™

Hi Everyone -
I’ve been out of town for the past few days so I apologize for the delay on posting this week. Promise to make it up to you next week! Got lots of goodies to share - including some cool new product brands that I discovered on this trip - and then tons of fabulous (and modern!) HALLOWEEN finds and party ideas…think you’ll like Have a great weekend!

You know that feeling you get when you find something you love and discover that it’s been marked down to “ridiculously” cheap?! Well, that’s the feeling I got when I visited You know that feeling you get when you find something you love and discover that it’s been marked down to “ridiculously” cheap?! Well, that’s the feeling I got when I visited West Elm this weekend! First find was this gorgeous square “gridlock” pillow case in “putty/capri” (pictured in bottom left of top image). Only $6.99! This will be perfect to go under the centerpiece for the teal & chocolate tabletop design I’m working on…Next up - matching vibrant teal napkin rings - perfectly modern circles, perfectly priced at .97 per set of 4…Nice - I’ll take 3! I don’t see the napkin rings online, but if you’re lucky enough to live near a West Elm, they might have them in-store (fuschia and lime colors also available).

Here are a few more of my favorites that ARE available online: hammered metal vases, hammered metal flatware, baton vases in stem and turquoise, and simple teapot, creamer & sugar bowl ($6 for all 3 pieces!)

I was browsing through I was browsing through thisnext.com (a fantastic new shopcasting website) this morning and stumbled upon a fabulous ribbon & gift packaging company called Midori, Inc. - which was recommended by style court. Instant Bookmark! Click here to browse their entire amazing selection of ribbon, nesting boxes, and cotton papers. I’m especially loving the goldfish and pineapple nesting boxes (centerpiece ideas!) and cherry blossom papers.

Modern art or modern dishware? You decide! Either way you look at them, these new frosted glass plates from Chiasso are serving up some serious style! 2 fabulous patterns to choose from: Modern art or modern dishware? You decide! Either way you look at them, these new frosted glass plates from Chiasso are serving up some serious style! 2 fabulous patterns to choose from: Shimmer (brown, gold, and silver) or Rococo (black and white scrolls). Each pattern sold in sets of 2 (one large, on small) for $28/set.

For a gorgeous tabletop design, pair the Rococo plates with these black and white damask candle holders from Patina (www.patinastores.com)!

Fabulous colors, simple geometric shapes, and retro flowers - what a great mix! French Bull’s Mosaic pattern is a flash from the 60’s past – updated with a modern twist! Made of sturdy, shatterproof melamine, and available in Fabulous colors, simple geometric shapes, and retro flowers - what a great mix! French Bull’s Mosaic pattern is a flash from the 60’s past – updated with a modern twist! Made of sturdy, shatterproof melamine, and available in dinner plates, side plates, individual bowls, oblong serving platter, flatware, salad servers, a 15.5″ round platter, and 2 more fab items not pictured here: drink coasters and 3-piece storage container set…phew! I don’t think they missed a thing! View the entire collection here.

The affect of color is truly amazing…For some reason the simplicity and colors in these retro-chic melamine nesting bowls immediately give me a sense of serenity and relaxation - the feeling you’d get from relaxing at a cottage on the beach…which is always a good daydream! These robbins egg blue, white and sandy grey nesting bowls are available in both The affect of color is truly amazing…For some reason the simplicity and colors in these retro-chic melamine nesting bowls immediately give me a sense of serenity and relaxation - the feeling you’d get from relaxing at a cottage on the beach…which is always a good daydream! These robbins egg blue, white and sandy grey nesting bowls are available in both round and square sets of 3. ($7.95/round set & $8.95/square set). Complete the look with coordinating cocktail spreaders - 6 pieces (3 forks & 3 spreaders) for only $7.95/set! With prices like this, these also make an adorable gift idea for your favorite hostess with the mostess!

My friend Suzy at My friend Suzy at LorenzStudio recently emailed me about these beautiful melamine plates from talented textile designer and illustrator Lena Corwin! I’m especially loving the limited edition “Springtime” pattern pictured above (yellow & blue). Personally I think these plates could work for any season! Better order up quick though - Lena’s website notes that “Springtime” is almost sold out! (P.S. Lena has a great reads on her blog too!)

UPDATE! Just found out that Lena will be posting on the UPDATE! Just found out that Lena will be posting on the design*sponge guest blog for the next 2 weeks and made her debut today! Click here to check it out.

Looking for some gorgeous and truly unique gift packaging, stationery, or amazing custom invitations? Then let me introduce you to Looking for some gorgeous and truly unique gift packaging, stationery, or amazing custom invitations? Then let me introduce you to Mel Lim, an amazing graphic designer and fellow San Diegan whose distinctive design talent had me glued to her website until I’d checkout out every last one of her creations! Her company, aptly named “Joy by Mel Lim“, offers “joyfully” inspired gift wrap and boxes, gift tags, fabulous gift baskets, and more. And I can personally testify to the fantastic quality of the product - I received my first (and definitely not last) order recently and was absolutely impressed by everything about it! Keep up the great work, Mel!

Do your party favors a favor and package them in an oh-so-hip favor box from Do your party favors a favor and package them in an oh-so-hip favor box from Paper Source! These petite pillow and takeout boxes look great embellished with a ribbon or sticker and come in a wide variety of solid hues and mod patterns that are sure to add a hip, unique touch to your wedding, occasion showers, or parties! Boxes sold in sets of 5 and range from $4 - $6.50/set.

I recently stumbled upon I recently stumbled upon Joseph Joseph - an ultra-cool design house based out of London - and was immediately smitten! Founded in 2002 by twin brothers Anthony and Richard Joseph, this company is chock-full of absolutely fabulous kitchen and tableware! A few of their fantastic pieces are pictured here - and more to come in the future!

These hip glass “These hip glass “Mini Snack Dishes” are a modern hostess’s dream…Use them to brighten up your tabletop or serve hors d’oeuvres with style! Not only are the patterns bold and bright, they’re also made of scratch- and stain-resistent toughened glass and completely dishwasher safe. Cool and convenient…I’ll take one of each, please!

The name says it all with these “The name says it all with these “Chop 2 Pot” cutting boards. This cutting board features both a handle AND polypropylene living hinges - so when the handle is squeezed, the board folds into a chute to help guide chopped food straight into the pot. Chop, lift, squeeze…now THAT’S clever!