sent with style {plus enter-to-win!}

**CONGRATULATIONS TO LULU** you were randomly selected and have won 25 free invites from minted. com. cheers!

does anyone else obsess over purchasing their christmas cards? i seriously will spend weeks, WEEKS scrolling through websites searching for the most creative, sassy, or unique card that i think defines the style of that year's season. yeah, its waaay involved. do you have that same obsession? if so - you. are. going. to. love. this... www.minted.com i have never seen a site with so many styling cards to choose from...




okay, so it gets better. i never thought of this but now can't imagine not doing it. a holiday card that doubles as a mini-recipe book to share your favorite holiday recipes. love. love. someone better send me one this season...



but if you're not feeling the mini-book, then at least consider the single card/recipe...


and last but not least, you party animals, minted.com has a total range of awesome invitations. if you're hosting a holiday fete here is where to get the invites. fabulous.





remember your invites should go out 4 weeks prior to your party this time of year. calendars are filling up! if you're ready to order your holiday party invites leave a comment by 10/30/09. someone is going to win 25 free party invitations from minted.com!

cheers!

taco tuesday

last night was taco tuesday in my house. the hubs and i eat tacos about once a week and if i can, i try to plan it for tuesdays. solely for the fact that i like to say "its taco tuesday!" and that's a glimpse into my lame life.
but yesterday's taco tuesday got me thinking about another fabulous table from the saint louis bride magazine event. the girls over at lucky you productions created a fun table for a themed rehearsal dinner. this eccentric taco buffet party creates a relaxed but totally hip and fun vibe. that's what i love about a well set table...it totally sets the mood. pass the gauc..


don't you love the centerpiece? totally easy but such a statement.


they used a mixture of head of the table plates (polka dots + funky bloom) which created such an interest on the table!



could there be a more perfect margarita glass than this? uh, no. this one is perfect-o. the only thing wrong with it is that it's not filled with a real beverage.


cheers!

love is in bloom: a bridal shower

many months ago i was asked by saint louis bride magazine to set an inspiring table for a bridal shower. i had the perfect plates (my pink blossom pop plates!) and the perfect theme...love is in bloom...





favors were a combo of jones soda ('cause it was blue and matched the color theme, duh! and seed packets). two simple, inexpensive items that because of the presentation actually looked like something you'd want to take home! menu cards that matched the plates and favor tags were done by the talented ginger from serendipity!

the most fabulous, most appropriate napkin ring for a bridal shower - bling! bling! i found these rings at hobby lobby.


all photos were taken by one of my favorite wedding photogs in the area, l photographie. check her site for wedding and family portraits photography. amazing.

if you're interested in seeing more bridal shower pictures, sign up to receive the head of the table entertaining in style email! all tableware available to rent at www.headofthetablerental.com.

special thanks to serendipity, all seasons linen, elegant celebrations for the florals, and l photographie.

cheers!

the finishing touch

the small gesture like baking seems largely thoughtful when presented in more than a plastic baggie or under the lid of an old tupperware container. its kinda like my pet peeve about gift bags. if you're going to the trouble of getting something for someone, do the last step and wrap 'er up. it does wonders! consider it the mascara of your gift. who would do their makeup without mascara!? gugh. the horror.
next time you give a sweet treat, resist the baggie. it can be so simple...

parchment paper and a ribbon around a banana cake from the little teochew...


wax paper and string?! so sweet...and simple! this is how every coffee cake should be packaged. packing 'em at eating out loud...


obvi i have a thing for plates. unique plates make everything look magnificent. this low carb, gluten-free, no sugar "ice cream dessert" from healthy indulgences is presented so beautifully that cold stone looks like soil.


seven cookies and a precious ribbon. i smell first day of school treat for the new teacher in your life. katiecakes knows a thing or two about presentation...


if i am not served my next dessert with pearls delicately placed around the base i don't know what i will do! omg! if you're hosting a girlie shower anytime soon, this will be a showstopper. more love from the little teochew...


presentation is everything...
cheers!

four times the fabulousness

i have exactly three tables in my home. four if you count the new folding table i got at target a couple months ago. okay, four tables. i have exactly four tables in my home. however, i have 3 tablecloths. none of which go together. like one is red fur (not really a tablecloth i guess, but that's what i use it for and its utterly wonderful) and the others are yellow and a white one. so when i plan a party i usually end up purchasing fabric to cover all the surfaces i am seating people at. i find it to be less expensive and gives me more variety to match my plates and themes!

however instead of trying to be all matchy-matchy at my next party, i'm totally stealing (another) fabu idea from mr. colin cowie. coordinating tablesettings in the same color scheme...

love, love the four different yet coordinated tables. its a total steal-worthy idea for your next gathering. if you've got multiple tables, set them differently but in the same color scheme. notice all the tableware is the same on each table with four different bases. magic! check out the complete navy-wonder wedding at colin cowie.com.

cheers!

here comes the par-tay decor

here are 5 decor ideas created for weddings that you should steal immediately, if not sooner, for your next in-home celebration...

for your upcoming birthday party or shower:

1. paper tissue balls stapled together create an interesting backdrop or an exciting entrance to a soiree. via martha stewart.


2. give those kiddos an easy grab at the candy by creating a lollipop tree. via martha stewart from the {amazing!} wedding of st. louis stationary designer, cheree berry

for your next brunch:


3. a centerpiece to perk your table up! carnations "planted" in coffee beans is the perfect centerpiece for a brunch or "sip and see" baby shower. via the knot.


4. turning your home into party central can sometimes seem daunting. narrow your focus to one room to do the majority of your decorating. if the party is happening in your living room do something unexpected like tying a bouquet of flowers to your curtains! via the knot.

for your next dinner party:


5. impact is created by repetition. i love lining my front porch steps in candles for an evening gathering. if you've got firm stairs (and no children/pets at the party) make a statement by filling tall cylinders with water, floating candles and flowers. via the knot.

cheers!

crystal clear

mason jars are an adorable touch to any party. but apartment therapy had a great post about using the gorgeous aqua blue mason jars - that are all the rage but rarer than their clear sister-cups - as centerpieces.



call off the hunt honey, wave that magic wand around your existing clear jars because you're doing this yourself...with glass paint!


check out the how-to on bridal buzz. this is a totally cost-effective centerpiece idea that doesn't sacrifice style. imagine all the color options to match any party theme!

photo credit:image from apartment therapy, wheat centerpiece from elizabeth anne designs,how-to at bridal buzz.

cheers!