Hostess with the Mostess™

Looking for some weekend craft projects? Here are some of my favorite crafty July 4th entertaining ideas from Martha Stewart. How great do these napkins look?!

Clockwise from top left: Clockwise from top left: ring tones napkin rings, easy sand candles, fourth of July votives, and can-do cans

{images from marthastewart.com}

I’m loving “today’s delight” on Delight.com! This Modern Hostess Party Set is the perfect gift for any party guru - including yourself if this means you! The set includes a Hostess Diary - a cute little journal with spaces to jot down memories from your party in addition to tips for yourself to remember next time – like the centerpiece that was such a big hit or the appetizer that wasn’t a hit at all – and two sets of Vinotagz - fantastically modern wine charms that also double as cool napkin rings. (6 tags per set)

If you’re on the lookout for July 4th decorating ideas - here’s a super quick & easy easy idea for a festive & modern star-themed centerpiece. You’ll need the following:
• foam stars: 4″-5″ or larger (available at If you’re on the lookout for July 4th decorating ideas - here’s a super quick & easy easy idea for a festive & modern star-themed centerpiece. You’ll need the following:
• foam stars: 4″-5″ or larger (available at Michael’s or other craft supply stores)
• giant star craft punch (we used a 2.25″ size)
• memo clips ($1.95 each at crate and barrel)
• decorative paper with modern red, white & blue patterns (the paper used here is gift wrap by snow & graham and available at luxepaperie.com)

Putting it together:
(This literally took less than 10 minutes to put together -without rushing!)
• punch stars out of your decorative paper (I reduced the gift wrap paper on the computer and printed it out at a smaller size so more of the detail would be captured in the stars, but this is an optional step.)
• affix the paper stars to the center of the foam stars with glue, double-stick tape, or
Putting it together:
(This literally took less than 10 minutes to put together -without rushing!)
• punch stars out of your decorative paper (I reduced the gift wrap paper on the computer and printed it out at a smaller size so more of the detail would be captured in the stars, but this is an optional step.)
• affix the paper stars to the center of the foam stars with glue, double-stick tape, or mini pop dots to add a little more dimension
• insert the stars into the memo clips and line them up in a straight or staggered row. Flip a couple of clear glasses upside down to add height to the centerpiece, and you’re done!

**We used 5 stars here, but you can really make the centerpiece as long as you like! Line up 10 or more for a really dramatic display - and you can even use varying sizes of glasses to add different levels!**

You can also use the foam stars as super cute and inexpensive drink coasters! And for an extra “wow” factor - create a table runner from the same scrapbook paper or gift wrap used for the paper stars. This ties the table together and increases the festive factor

**The red and blue melamine plates and cute polka-dotted straws also pictured here were all purchased in-store at Target. Have lots of people to feed? For a more inexpensive option just pick up disposable red and blue plates from your local party supply. White napkins from Vanity Fair are available at your local grocery store.

Happy entertaining!

I’m loving the vivid summery hues and simplistic design of these hand-painted aluminum napkin rings…

…and spreaders…

…and salad servers…

…and bowls!

I was watching The Big Idea with Donny Deutch this past Monday and saw a great interview with Jen Panepinto - creator of the Mesü bowls - an ingeniuos little set of porcelain bowls that make portion-control much easier and way more stylish! Instead of measuring your food into a measuring cup and then pouring in into another dish, the Mesü bowls pull double-duty as both your measuring tool and serving dish. Modern minimalist-style graphics denote the serving size of each dish – from 1/2 to 2 cups – so just pick the graphic that denotes the serving size you need, fill, and eat! $49.95/set of 6 nesting bowls or $16.95/set of 2 “singles” at studiopanepinto.com.

When the first "Real-Life Parties" post went up a few weeks ago, HWTM reader Karen wrote in with a tip about an awesome bridal shower she just saw that "could be your next "Real-Life" party!" Well, Karen - you were right! I knew it the second I laid eyes on the amazing pictures from photographer Jennifer Skog ’s gorgeous bridal shower . First I had to make sure I was actually looking at pictures of a bridal shower and not a wedding reception - but lo and behold it was a shower - and it looks like Jennifer just has some VERY talented loved ones! Want some proof? Just check out these pics!

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This gorgeous metallic chandelier gift wrap is a treat in itself….

…but it would look even better wrapped around this Platinum Chandelier tea set from Rosanna! What a pretty gift… {set of 4 cups/saucers, $40; teapot, $40}

This past Thursday, Joely Fisher hosted the official book release celebration for Rock Star Momma - a brand new pregnancy fashion and beauty guide by maternity/kids fashion designer and author Skye Hoppus . The party was held at The Treehouse Social Club in L.A. – a very fitting location seeing as it caters to hip moms and kids! Treehouse closed to the public at 3:30 and the event started at 5:30 - so getting the entire party put together in a 2-hour timeframe was more than a little nerve-wracking! Especially since our tasks within that timeframe included moving furniture, removing a chandelier from the ceiling, setting up lighting, and clearing off tons of merchandise from the store shelves! Talk about a workout… But I’m happy to say that in the end, just like Rock Star Momma - the party went over very well! Here’s a little recap just for you…

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Hi Everyone -
Headed up to LA this morning to help with the Rock Star Momma book release party tonight - so I won’t be able to post today, but I’m planning to take lots of pictures of the food, party decor, and goody bags so I can give you a full party recap over the weekend!
See you soon…
Jenn

Painter & entrepreneur Robin Simon sent over an email this morning to introduce me to Paper Table - a fantastic new paper tableware company that she recently co-founded with graphic designer Sonia Biancalani-Levethan. One look at the images in the email and I was immediately smitten! Can you blame me? Take a peek for yourself…

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