Hostess with the Mostess®

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: Read More…

Today’s Real Party feature is a Charming Backyard Birthday theme that Kay created for her adorable daughter – Raffaella – to celebrate her first birthday. This party has so many pretty details… from makeshift dessert platters embellished with moss to artificial butterflies and colorful tissue poms.

The party details are very appropriate for a first birthday party, but they’d actually also translate well to adult occasions & holidays like bridal showers, Easter or Mother’s Day too!

Read on for all the pretty details, as told by Kay… Read More…

Today’s Real Party feature has got to be one of the cutest and most creative ideas I’ve stumbled upon in a while!  This adorable “Mr. Man” Theme was created by Christina Brian of the Full House blog in order to celebrate the birthdays of her (super-cute) TRIPLET boys AND her brother! (Side note Christina has twin girls too!)

From a garland of ties to hilarious chocolate mustaches, this party is full of great inspiration for both birthday parties of all ages and boy baby showers…

Check out these fun pics – such a great idea for photo opps!

Read on for lots more pics & all the details, as told by Christina… Read More…

On the lookout for some pretty new holiday dessert ideas? Check out the lovely – and mouth-watering! – ideas in BHG’s Irresistable Holiday Cakes and Cupcakes gallery.

The gallery features 21 different recipes and also includes ideas that would work well for Thanksgiving, like this gorgeous Chocolate Harvest Cake and elegant Pistachio Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream:

And these lovely red and white cakes and cupcakes would actually be great for Christmas AND Valentine’s Day… Read More…

I’m just now going through all the images from the Berry Sweet Baby Shower that I styled a couple weeks ago (see inspiration board here) and am planning to do a full recap soon, but I couldn’t resist posting a little sneak peek right now… so here goes!

{The images are courtesy of photographer Jillian Bisinger, who did a wonderful job capturing all the little details!}

This “Yummy Lollipop Display” featuring strawberry-flavored swirl pops was one of my favorite elements of the candy buffet (and super easy to put together!).

I also love this shot of mom-to-be Judy Reyes having fun with her guests… Read More…

Ready to update the Thanksgiving table this year? Check out today’s HWTM post over at Real Simple: mini inspiration boards for 3 Contemporary Thanksgiving Tablescapes. (Tables 2 & 3 would actually transition nicely for Christmas as well!)