Whimsy Press has a great gift wrap design called DIY Design that features pre-printed doodles on one side and room for DIY doodles on the other. This design has always reminded me of the doodle-adorned notepads and kraft-paper-covered text books from high school and college years past, and it feels like a great element to inspire a girlie graduation party theme!

On the DIY side of the wrap, you can fill in the bubbles with custom notes & doodles like little graduations hats, phrases like "Congrats!" or "2008", your guest of honor’s name, and even special messages to the Grad. Use the gift wrap to cover text books, wrap vases, create table runners, etc.

This same design also comes in double-sided, pre-cut placemats for easy table top decor…

Just add black and white plates and table linens, a simple floral arrangement, wooden numbers that read "2008", and a few pictures of your Grad displayed in modern black and white frames. Complete the party theme with pink, black, and green paper lanterns and more pictures and wooden block letters and numbers that read "CONGRATS" and "2008" elsewhere in the party.

Does party planning often become overwhelming to you? Trust me, I’ve been there myself - but there are definitely things you can do to make the process easier on yourself, which I’ve learned by the tried-and-true method of trial and error! Check out my post today on Real Simple: Celebrations today for some tips on Streamlined Party Planning.

{image from Social Couture}

Feeling chocolate-y today and this Mississippi Mud Cake is looking might tempting! Feel the same way? Click here for the recipe!

I’m excited to share that HWTM is teaming up with Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur to host a series of events for readers! For this "Hip Hostess Series", we’ll be traveling to 7 cities across the US over the next 12 months putting on (free) entertaining workshops/parties where you can pick up tips and ideas for seasonal & holiday entertaining…and indulge in some yummy food and cocktails of course!

The first event is next Thursday, May 22nd in San Diego, and we’ll be covering ideas for throwing "Tropical Zen" summer parties - kind of a fusion of Hawaiian and Asian styles with a contemporary twist. If you’re interested in attending, you can click here to rsvp for the event online (space is limited, so please rsvp soon!). The party stars at 6 o’clock pm and will be held at The Hospitality Room in Balboa Park (near downtown San Diego). Click here for directions.

*The next party is scheduled for June 25th in Chicago and will be held at The Ivy Room. Click here to sign up for that event!

Looking forward to meeting some of you in person finally!

Cheers,
Jenn

You know the old saying, "It’s better to give than to receive."? Well, I definitely have to agree…UNLESS there’s another other option to both give AND receive! That sounds pretty good, right? Well, it seems that the folks at Delight.com think so, because they’re hosting a fun surprise giveaway for hwtm readers today and giving you the chance to win something for yourself AND something to give to a friend!

To enter, go to Delight.com and check out their wide variety of cool stuff, which ranges from kitchen gadgets and tableware to jewelry, stationery, tons of great eco-friendly products, and more. Then post a comment here noting which item (from their entire collection) that you want for yourself and which item you want them to send to your friend or loved one (the items can be different).

Sweepstakes ends Sunday, May 18th at midnight PST.
Be sure to check back Monday the 19th to see if you won….Good Luck!!

Have a few summer soirées on the calendar? Check out my post at Simply Stated: Celebrations today For some think-outside-the-bottle (of wine) ideas for saying thanks to your favorite hostess with the mostess – like the fabulous expandable vases by Jill-able pictured above – or to contribute some creative ideas of your own!

TheKnot.com has a fabulous "centerpieces" photo gallery that’s definitely worth checking out - especially if you’re looking for some inspiration for your wedding or next party! Even though some of the designs in wedding pictures can be overly difficult or expensive to recreate for everyday parties at home, there are almost always some doable tips you can pick up too… like the kiwi-lined vase pictured above, for example - or the tulip bouquet embellished with simple grass details for a unique, artsy feel.

Especially loving these Lemon/Orchid and Manzanita/Rose/Orchid designs…

Click here to visit the gallery . (Note: you may have to log in to view everything in detail).

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Photography Credits:
Top Image (clockwise from left) 1. Christian Oth Photography, New York; 2. Amy Metry, Minneapolis;
3. Kate Duffy Barnard, Katydid, Red Bank; 4. Stacey Ilyse Photography, New York

2nd Image:
Left : Kathy Blanchard Photography
Right : Studio 306 Photography

3rd Image:
Left : Brad and Nicole Wolf/SOTA Dzine, Fairfa
Right : Chris Guillen and Karra McDonald/ Chris Guillen Photography Group, Forest Park

Wall stickers are such a fun way to customize your living space, but I’ve always loved the idea of also using them as party decor…and these removable wall stickers by divider make that concept even easier! Imagine a baby shower or children’s birthday party with these fun animal (check out the cute elephant/mice decal!) or kids designs, or a bridal shower or adult birthday with ultra modern nature/floral silhouettes or cool graphic patterns. How cool is this skateboarder for a skater boy birthday party…

A few of the fun kids designs pictured below… I’m thinking the boy with kite design would be super cute for a toddler boy’s birthday party, and the fairy girl would be perfect for a Fairy Tale themed girl’s birthday or baby shower!

Zilions more styles and colors available at Divider - click here to check everything out . Added bonus: you can reuse your "decor" even after the party!

Pottery Barn has a truly fabulous outdoor entertaining collection out for summer, and I’m especially loving their bright, fun Fish School tableware! This festive pattern is available in Melamine Serving Dishes ($15-$19), Outdoor Barware (Blue Hawaii, anyone? $26/set of 6), outdoor Table Runners ($39-$59), and textured Glass Platter ($19)…

Martha Stewart recently came out with a new line of floral arrangements designed exclusively for 1-800-Flowers , and I think this collection does a great job at bringing something new to the world of flower delivery! Several of the designs feature unusual florals, like the Lotus Pod Bouquet pictured above, which is a modern mix of Lotus Pods, jade green roses, ‘Kermit’ mums, green hypericum, and salal.

Even better are the unique styles of vases & containers offered in the line, which include an Asian-inspired, ceramic Bamboo Groove vase (pictured above) and a chic, matte ceramic Faux Bois ("false wood") vase , amongst several other styles .

A few more Martha Stewart collection favorites with a stylish, contemporary feel:

Martha Stewart Vibrant Ranunculus Bouquet ($64.95)
A cheery magenta and orange bouquet arranged in a sleek Silver Julep Cup.

Herb Garden Bouquet ($54.95)
Fresh purple hyacinth, lavender, rosemary, waxflower, seeded eucalyptus, and lamb’s ears foliage, delivered with this super chic, matte ceramic Faux Bois Vase.

White Hydrangea & Hyacinth Bouquet ($49.95)
White hyacinth, white double freesia, white hydrangea, bupleurum, and galax, arranged in a matte ceramic Faux Bois Vase.

HWTM Reader Discount:
*Get 15% off ALL 1-800-Flowers orders through Mother’s Day with promo code "HWTM".