Summer Entertaining

marthastewart.com

Thought I would take a break from decorating today and mix it up a bit with some links, ideas and a giveaway related to entertaining...

GIVEAWAY

One of the first blogs I found after discovering blogland was Sandy's blog, Reluctant Entertainer, and I've been a follower since. It's a wonderful, down-to-earth blog about real-life hospitality and entertaining. You'll definitely want to check it out AND enter the giveaway for her new book! (she'll be announcing the winner this Friday, Aug 13)

GREAT PARTY IDEAS, IMAGES AND INSPIRATION BOARDS

Another entertainment blog I love visiting is Chris' blog, Celebrations At Home. She always has such great party inspiration and entertaining ideas!

She even offers a custom party inspiration board service. This cute one below is an example of one that she did for a little girl's birthday party...

DIY IDEAS FROM BHG.COM

Make placemats with fiberboard and damask tissue paper...

OR paint your placemats and runners...

Pattern and instructions for this one here

Dress up your dishes for a party with temporary vinyl cutouts and remove them when the party's over...

You can do the same thing for your runner (and add some cute prisms hung from eyelets)
Make placecard holders from finials...

and placecards from baby bracelet beads...

FOOD

BHG.com's Best Summer Salads

Martha Stewart's Summer Menus


Southern Living's Chilled Summer Pies


Happy entertaining...

Pom Pom/Ball Fringe

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Patricia Gray blog

I've been seeing pom pom or ball fringe around a fair amount lately on everything from home decor to clothing (remember this scarf?) If you're a pom pom/ball fringe fan, this post shows you some ideas for incorporating it into your decor.

If you want to add some texture to your window treatment, how about using ball fringe like they did here? My inclination would have been to add the fringe to the inside edge, so the fact that they embellished the outside edge instead makes it more interesting to me.

Homes and Gardens

If you really like ball fringe, you could make this very textural cornice from BHG.com. Complete tutorial here.

If that's a little much for you, how about just using pom poms on your curtain tieback? Perennials Fabrics

Some of the other places you could add this trim are fairly obvious such as pillows, bedskirts, ottomans, towels, lampshades, etc. but a not-so-obvious idea would be to trim your office shelves.

BHG.com

Domestifluff has a complete tutorial on how to make pom pom flowers to put in a vase...
or to add to your gifts...


Raffia pom pom drink stirrers from marthastewart.com. Tutorial here.


Vivaterra has pom pom throws and pillows...


So does Pier 1...


I realize this is a Christmas project, but knowing me I won't remember that I found it by then so I'm posting it now. The tutorial for this snowball pom pom wreath is at marthatstewart.com...

Have an awesome day!

Table and Beverage Tub

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

When I saw this table and beverage tub in the latest Frontgate catalog, I was immediately struck by how clever it was! It starts out as a nice little side table for every day use...

but when you need a place to keep your beverages cold, the tabletop telescopes up and locks. Table + Cooler = Perfect! Wouldn't this be great to have on the deck or patio? Love it!

Have an awesome weekend!

Simple and Inexpensive Holiday Ideas

Southern Living

I was going to title this "Thanksgiving" ideas but realized that many of these can easily be modified for Christmas as well. Nothing big. Nothing fancy-schmancy. Just some simple, inexpensive ways to personalize your holiday celebrations. There are a few that I think I'm going to incorporate this year. Enjoy...

Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage created these pretty paper candle wraps.

If you're looking for some cloth napkin ideas, you'll want to check out BHG's Effortless Napkins for Thanksgiving.

BHG.com

BHG.com

Or. If you're using paper napkins, why not stamp them like they did here?

Country Living Photo Gridley & Graves

These next two photos/ideas are from BHG's Easy Thanksgiving Tabletop Crafts.

Love the idea of framing the Thanksgiving menu. The look could be totally different depending on the frame and embellishment that you use.
They made these trivets by mod podging craft paper to a glass coaster. (I'm assuming it's mod podged to the bottom, not the top.)

Can't get much more simple than this plate, and isn't it pretty? Of course it's from Martha. :-)

marthastewart.com
_____________________________________________

Make a Thanksgiving tablecloth like Kimba did

OR

A burlap "Give Thanks" pillow like Tiffany
_____________________________________________

I love the idea of clipping photos to branches. It would be great to somehow incorporate this into your Thanksgiving tablescape but, if you can't, how about placing one or two arrangements in your entry, or anyplace where it would be easy for the guests to stop and enjoy the photos. Include photos of previous Thanksgiving celebrations or photos that you know will have special meaning for your guests/family members.

BHG.com

Another idea from Country Living - writing little quotes or phrases on a paper band made for each glass. How about writing something about each guest/family member that you really appreciate and are thankful for?

Country Living Photo Tria Giovan

Don't forget to sign up for the STELLA AND DOT $75 GIFT CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY. Thanks again, Janell!

If you're interested in participating in Mood Board Monday on Nov. 9th at Comfort & Luxury, click here for more details.

I'm linking this post to Works for Me Wednesdays at We Are That Family.

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Placecards and Tablescapes

I thought I had seen pretty much every idea imagineable about what to do with blackboard paint and had sort of promised myself never to do a post that had anything to do with it but... these blackboard placecards are a fun DIY idea. Maybe you've already seen them? For complete instructions on how to make them, visit Canadian House and Home.

As long as we're talking placecard ideas.

Have a great day!

4th of July Recipes and Ideas

Here are just a few last minute things to help you with any 4th of July entertaining plans you may have.

Click on the source to see photos and for further details on the recipes and projects.

1. 13 different pasta salad recipes from marthastewart.com

2. Confetti balloons. Source: marthastewart.com
3. Red White and Blue Striped Dessert Source: marthastewart.com

4. Flag Cake Source: marthastewart.com

5. Centerpieces Source: Better Homes and Gardens
6. Star silverware tray Source: Better Homes and Gardens

7. Baseball and flag centerpiece Source: Better Homes and Gardens

8. Sand votive holders Source: marthastewart.com

9. Centerpieces Source: marthastewart.com
10. Gazebo Decor Source: marthastewart.com

Hope you're having a great day!

Summer Entertaining

I know, I know this is a decorating website, but who says we can't mix it up a little? Since it's my blog and I get to decide, I've made the decision to post anything that I think may be of interest to you that relates to decorating, home, entertaining, etc. So... you just never know what may show up!


PartyBluPrints posted this recipe and I thought it looked like something yummy for those backyard bbq's this summer...



Ingredients:
15 1/2 ounce(s) (can) pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
11 ounce(s) (can) corn kernels, drained
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diceg
3 green onions, minced
1 large (or 2 small) avocado , diced
1 cup(s) chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup(s) prepared salsa
3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 teaspoon(s) pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Gently toss to combine. Chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Serve over greens as a salad, or with chips for dipping.

If you make this recipe, let us know how you liked it.


Speaking of parties - if you're using candles to create ambiance, here are some ways to dress up those plain glass cylinders (from hostessblog.com):

Can you think of any other clever ways to dress up plain glass cylinders? Share them with us by commenting on this post.

Have a great day!