Hostess with the Mostess®

In continuing our “fall-wedding-inspired Thanksgiving” series, this next post features clever fall favor & treat ideas from a beautiful, rustic-chic autumn reception.

Style Steal tips for your home celebrations:

• Candied apples look extra sweet when displayed on a tray of lined with crushed nuts and decorated with rose-hip berries and chrysanthemums.

• Fill small burlap sacks with apples and your favorite apple pie recipe. Decorate the front of the sack with a fun label.

• Decorate preserve-filled mason jars with stylish fall or Thanksgiving-themed ribbon & labels.

• Fill mini favor bags with specialty trail mix (like cranberry nut by Archer Farms). Display the favors in a tray lined with the same mix!

Chances are good that you’re probably not going to whip up a wedding cake for Thanksgiving this year, but I couldn’t resist including this image because it’s just oh-so-beautiful and chocolate-y!

Couldn’t resist including this next one either… and here’s a Homemade Caramel Apple recipe if you’re feeling especially inspired! Read More »

Designer Kim Seybert introduces her refined fashion sensibility and love of rich color and texture into her self-named line of luxury designs for the home. Pictured above are some of her stunning products that will be available during a Sample Sale on Gilt.com happening today at 12pm EST/9am PST. Be sure to check out other Gilt sales going on around the same time to snap up deals on designer duds!

Gilt.com is an exclusive online sample sale featuring the hottest designer clothing, accessories, jewelry and home goods available at huge discounts for a limited time. Gilt Group membership is usually by invitation only, but they have created a special VIP link for HWTM readers to sign up! www.gilt.com/hostesswiththemostess.  Happy Shopping!

It feels like most of the Thanksgiving-related entertaining and decorating ideas/articles I come across are very “country harvest” oriented and all start to look the same, but there are definitely some more modern, outside-the-box ideas to be found within seasonal “Real Wedding” galleries… thank goodness!

I’ve bookmarked a few cool ones to share with you over the next couple weeks, starting with this first shot of inspiration from a gorgeous autumn wedding featured on brides.com…

Style Steal Tips for Home Celebrations:

• Paper lanterns in various shades of orange like mango & peach create a festive feel on a small budget!

• Decorate the table with a variety of colorful orange, yellow, and green florals like calla lilies, tulips, freesia, hydrangea and dahlias. Mix them with autumn leaves & foliage for a season-specific look.

• Instead of a “singular centerpiece”, create a beautiful multiple-arrangement table display. Set out one or more tall arrangements displayed in large trumpet vases, accented by several smaller arrangements  displayed in everyday glass stemware or inexpensive bud vases. (More images of this design are pictured below.) Read More »

Today on Simply Stated: check out a follow up to the “Entertaining on a Budget” article I posted over at Celebrations earlier in the year. “Entertaining on a Budget - Part 2” highlights some budget-wise ideas sent in by readers after the original post.

If you have additional tips & tricks for stretching your dollars when it comes to entertaining, please share them with us here or over at Celebrations. Something tells me people will be especially interested this year!

Update 11/17/08: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks so much to all 400+ of you that entered!  And the lucky random winner is: Commenter #283 - Emily - who said “I would love the personalized fold over cards! I am getting married soon and they would make the perfect thank you cards, not to mention they have several in our colors! And the monogram stamp is awesome, I’ve become totally obsessed with any monogram details i can include in the wedding!” Congrats to Emily!

So… while I was putting this new Surprise Giveaway post together, I decided that I’m already envious of whoever wins it because there’s so much great stuff to choose from!

Charming Cards is a super cute shop that features everything from custom stamps and Holiday Cards to personalized stationery, accessories, and gifts. This week, Charming Cards is offering up a $100 Shopping Spree to a lucky reader to spend on anything at charmingcards.com! Decisions, decisions…

(See more products & details for HOW TO ENTER after the jump…) Read More »

Ribbon has always been one of my favorite tools for dressing things up without breaking the bank. Use it to create a makeshift table runner, tie napkins, or to transform your everyday serveware or home decor into pieces that perfectly match your party theme. Example: everday white vase + red ribbon = instant “candy cane” container!

Better Homes & Gardens has a fabulous gallery called “Easy Holiday Decorating with Ribbon” that’s full of fun ideas like this! Favorites pictured here include:

Top image:
1. Ribbon Table Runner - (Budget tip: use fabric or gift wrap paper for the widest piece)
2. Ribbon-Accented Table Setting - Another option is to put the ribbon under the main plate so that it’s only covering the charger, which won’t require removal to eat!
3. Elegant Ribbon Roses - made from 5-inch wide wired ribbon Read More »

I’m totally smitten with these cute handmade designs from aruricards over at Etsy and DaWanda! (The button design on the “Forever” card above would be cute idea for a DIY baby shower invitation or party favor.)