Hostess with the Mostess®

Who knew that black olives could make for such a spooky topper to deviled eggs? These Spooky Spider Eggs are the perfect appetizer for Halloween parties! Just slice up some olives to use with your own favorite deviled egg recipe – or even store-bought apps if you’re pressed for time!

I’m loving the combination of these Tombstone Cookies & “Dark Chocolate Graveyard Pots de Creme” for an impressive ending to a Halloween dinner party!

Make-it-Quick Tip: Use instant chocolate pudding mix topped with crushed chocolate cookies or Oreos (remove the creamy middles first) for the “graveyard pots”. For the cookies, try store-bought wafer cookies or Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies, which have a nice “tombstone” shape.  Read More…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so you’ll most likely be seeing a lot of PINK over the next few weeks! Whether you’re planning a Pink Party of your own or simply raising a glass to someone special, here are a few cocktail recipes that will have you toasting in the signature color…

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CHAMBORD PINK-TINI {pictured at top}

Ingredients:
1 oz Chambord
1.5 oz honey vodka
.5 oz lime juice
3-4 raspberries

Directions:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass or crushed ice-filled rocks glass. Top with more crushed ice. Garnish with raspberries.

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I’m just loving this khaki & blue party that Noel Culbertson put together to celebrate her husband’s birthday and recent promotion! The color palette is so crisp & chic… this look would also be gorgeous for a wedding or engagement party, or any nautically-themed celebration.

Read on for all the details, as told by Noel…

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“My husband went through the grueling six week induction process upon being promoted to Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy. The process culminated just before his birthday, it seemed only natural to celebrate both. Read More…

Here’s a peek at the inspiration board for a baby shower I’m styling in November. As you can probably guess, mom-to-be is having a girl! Chocolate-dipped strawberries and a pink & red palette were requested for the event, so I’m tentatively calling this theme “Berry Sweet“.

Pictured at top: Camellia Tissue Paper Pom Set; Boughs of Whimsy gift wrap (the “inspiration piece” for the theme / will be used throughout the party); Rectangle Mod Pink/Red & Red Disc beaded curtains (for table runners &  decorative accents), pink drinks with YUM! Stirrers; cupcakes by Whitney Burke; and sparkling Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails.

Pictured above: Digital mockups of concepts for the accent table arrangements – utilizing oversize red blooms, metallic fuschia vases embellished with gift wrap, pink swirl lollipops, and white mitsumata branches adorned with small red blooms and paper “leaves”. {Ruby dahlias in white vase pic by Floral Art}  Read More…

In continuing with the Woodland Forest party theme ideas, here are a few cute critters, scrapbook papers, and embellishments that would make for great “guest stars” and party decor!

Pictured at top: adorable tweet & felt plushies by Etsy shop SleepyKing… Butterscotch Tweed Fox ($18), Belchick – The Mischevious Squirrel ($22), and Douglas Fir – “the little bear with freckles” ($24).

Pictured above: This whimsical Woodland Trail Mobile features a tree stump, bear, bird, squirrel, and bunny… and the colors can be customized to match your theme! (…could also double as a special gift for mom-to-be – $82 at GiftsDefine.com) And pint-sized Pet Pals would make for charming additions to woodsy-themed table centerpieces! ($18 each)

Pictured below: I’m planning to use this playful Friendly Forest collection by Colorbok to create DIY placemats, napkin rings, and drink charms, and also to embellish vases and party favors…

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I’m in the midst of planning a Woodland Forest themed baby shower for a friend next month, and I gotta tell you this theme ha been so much fun to brainstorm! There are tons of different elements that fit with a forest theme – from nature-inspired elements such as wood, bark, moss, acorns, rocks and toadstools (all covered in this post) to cute “woodland creatures” like squirrels, owls, bunnies, hedgehogs, and more (see post #2, coming soon).

Here are some woodsy & toadstool-inspired items I’ve found so far that would be a good fit for this theme (which would also work well for a first birthday party or autumn get-together!)…

Starting with the image at top: flexible Birch Bark ($4.99); Moss Cobble Balls* ($3.99 – $22); 11.5″ Moss Bunny Topiary ($8.99); 12″ Wood Tree Stump ($19.99); 8″ Wood Tree Stump* ($11.95); and flexible 20×10″ Moss-covered Tree Bark ($11.99).

*I’m thinking that one of the medium Moss Cobble Balls + the 8″ Wood Tree Stump would make for super cute DIY tree centerpieces! Read More…