I was browsing the new issue of Real Simple last night and fell in love with these Pool Ball Wine Bottle Stoppers! Pair one of these stoppers with a bottle of wine for a fun holiday gift idea for guys, party hosts/hostesses, or the wine lover that has everything. ($34 each)

Also loving how Real Simple styled the photo above – this idea would actually look great as a decorative accessory in any combo bar/game room and would be a fun DIY decor project to create yourself (for decorative purposes only), using an old or new billiard set set, wine corks (available at craft stores), & a hot glue gun… plus a very strong adhesive if you plan to display it on the wall!

While checking out the details at knobstoppers.com, I also discovered lots of other cool bottle stopper designs… from vintage designs channeling Anthropologie or Restoration Hardware’s style to combo stoppers/candle holders and even something for your favorite golfer:

Full details on all these and more at knobstoppers.com.

P.S. Added bonus: A percentage of all of their online sales will be donated to the Brain Tumor Research Fund at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

This gorgeous winery-inspired event by Beth Helmstetter features pretty florals in rich shades of burgandy/orange/coral, rustic elements like wooden wine boxes and barrels, and a mouth-watering spread of wines & cheeses (of course!)… all displayed in a gorgeous outdoor setting.

These images are great inspiration for a fall or winery-inspired wedding… and I also think the centerpieces would be lovely on a Thanksgiving table!

Read on for lots of pretty pics and party details, as told by Beth herself…

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“For this event we had over 150 people traveling from the east coast to Southern California. We decided to welcome them to the area by hosting a winery themed party with everything from a wine and cheese pairing during cocktail hour to a rustic family style dinner accompanied by classical guitars.

For the wine and cheese stations, we choose three regions from California including Central Coast, Sonoma and Napa. From there we selected a red and a white from each region and paired it with an appropriate cheese, crusty breads, spanish olives and dried fruits.

To add to the winery aesthetic we chose to serve the cheese in the full rounds rather than in bite sized pieces. This raw presentation was not only fun for the guests to dig into but it was also a beautiful way to add to the design of the event.

In lieu of traditional cocktail tables, we used wine barrels which were a hit!

For dinner everyone sat down to long, family style wood tables under a sky of raw Italian lights.

The centerpieces were created in wine boxes which I secured from the fine people at Costco and then had a carpenter cut them down to appropriate table sizes.

All in all, the event was meant to be a comfortable and approachable way to welcome guests all while introducing them to an experience that is regional to the state.”

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Gorgeous party, Beth! Thanks for sharing!

Resources & Credits:
Photographer: Steve Steinhardt
Location: Westlake Village Inn
Florals: Holly Flora
Furniture: Town & Country Event Rentals

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P.S. Love this style? Check out our other real party features by Beth:
• Cowboy Themed Baby Shower
• Eclectic Baby Shower
• Natural & Organic Wedding Reception

{by guest blogger Morgan Spenla}

Unique wine stem labels are easy to create and a fun way to personalize your party. Your guests will love the idea and have a blast picking out their party-themed drink decor. Plus, everyone will now be able to easily identify their own glass after setting it down, so you can cut back on dishes too!

What you’ll need:
1. Jewelry rings or elastic string (found at all jewelry stores and craft shops, such as Michael’s)
2. Various patterned papers, beads and charms.
3. For the paper wine labels, one large craft punch (any shape will do!) and one small circular punch (1/8″ is ideal).

How to create your wine stem labels:

For a beaded label, simply string your favorite beads and charms on the jewelry ring or elastic string. Don’t forget to add variety so that your guests can distinguish their glass from others—alphabet beads make this especially easy! Use monogram initials or full names for a personal touch.

Paper wine labels are super quick and simple to make using colorful, patterned paper that matches your party’s theme or colors. Use your large craft punch to create circles, squares, stars, etc. and a small 1/8″  punch for the jewelry ring hole. Dress up the label with festive extras like sequins, rhinestones, gems or glitter, and personalize with each guest’s name (if desired).

To create “wine label place cards” for a wedding or other large event, set pre-labeled wine glasses up in alphabetical rows on a table so that each guest can find his or her own name, and include their table number in the top of the glass. Or, to keep things simple, let your guests pick their own wine label from a basket by the bar.

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P.S. For more creative inspiration from Morgan, check out her previous article at HWTM: A Modern Spin on the Traditional White Wedding. And for more tips on creating wine charms from scrapbooking supplies, check out my DIY Thanksgiving Drink Charms post from last year.

Tired of hiding those great bottles of wine in gift bags? Graphic designer Stafford Lombard has the perfect solution for you! Lombard came up with these super hip & creative "Wine-O " cards and I have to say that I’m seriously loving this idea! Wine-O cards slip perfectly onto a wine bottle neck and come in fun shapes and contemporary patterns like "hexy" and "organic" (both pictured below) . Better yet, they open up so that you can write a little note inside!

To view all available patterns, visit wineocards.com.

{Discovered via Totally Tabletops , who created the fabulous Ric Rac Party inspiration board also featured today on HWTM!}

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{Article excerpt on how to wine taste}
1. Swirl. Gently swirl the wine in the glass to release the aromas.
2. See. Look at the wine’s color; it sets up expectations. Red wine picks up color as it picks up flavor from the skins and seeds. Wine with an intense color is likely to have an intense flavor. Keep in mind that red wine lightens with age, and white wine darkens with age.
3. Sniff. Get your nose in the glass, you can’t be polite about it. The first sniffs tell you the most; it’s best to take a few quick sniffs instead of one long sniff.
4. Sip. Keep the wine in your mouth to taste it for 3 to 4 seconds, swirl it around all over your tongue. Experts pull air through the wine while it’s in their mouths.
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Or you can have your guests bring the wine and just pick up a kit that contains everything else you need for the party. For example, the set pictured below comes with 6 linen wine bottle covers, tasting score pads, a "cheat sheet" of tasting terms, & wine glass markers, and is aptly named "The Wine Tasting Party Kit — Everything You Need to Host a Fun & Easy Wine Tasting Party at Home ." ($24.99)

And a few more great options from red envelope…with the added bonus that both are currently on SALE! Wine Tasting Party ($75 $40 ) and Wine Flight Set ($88 $68 )

{pictured above, from west elm }
Artisan Serveware in white & espresso ($19-$29 $9-$15 )
16-pc. Artisan Dinnerware Set ($99 $70 )
Chain-link Square Salad Plates ($26 $18 )
Goa Vase {10.25"x17.75" } ($59 $30 )
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{pictured above, from chiasso }
1. Paris Plates Set ($28 $18 )
2. Paola Fruit Tree ($98 $68 )
3. Nice Ice Cooler ($38 $28 )
4. Fusion Teapot ($78 $58 )
5. Loop Candle Sculpture ($38 $28 )
6. Derby Cake Plate ($58 $44 )
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{pictured above, from Crate&Barrel }
1. Chocolate Coffee Cups and Saucers ($9-10 $4.50 – $4.95 )
2. Lounge Coasters ($29.95 $14.95 )
3. Lacey Felt Placemat ($7.95 $3.95 )
4. Cocktail Picks with Caddy ($19.95 $9.95 )
5. City Tray ($19.9 5 $9.95 )

For The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway , Red Envelope is giving away this ultra-mod Loopsey wine rack (valued at $165 – and something we’ve actually featured on hwtm before !), AND one of the coolest wine tasting kits I’ve ever seen: their Wine Flight set ($88), which comes with 8 glasses, 2 cool presentation trays, 8 ceramic plaques, and an erasable pen. Talk about wine tasting in style!

How to enter:
*This package is part of The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway from Hostess with the Mostess™ & YumSugar. Click here to go to the contest entry page !

For The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway , Violet is giving away some fantastic products that I really hope you like…because I picked them out myself Here goes:

• Magnum in the Middle wine rack ($85)
• Perfect Combination Tray ($54)
• Contrast Cheese Board ($60)
• Impressionable Dipping Dish ($23)
• Loopy Carafe & Set of 4 Glasses ($32)

*This package is part of The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway from Hostess with the Mostess™ & YumSugar. Click here to go to the contest entry page !