Modern Pumpkin Design For Entertaining

You're going to "Fall" in love with this design from Katie Grace Designs.  Katie is the winner of the Fall Celebration Challenge on the City Cradle, and I'm sure you can see why.  She is an amazing talent and found a way to make rustic pumpkins = modern entertaining.

Katie set up a dessert and tea bar full of interesting and unique details.  She's a wiz at doing that, as you may remember from this amazing party she also designed.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

I love all the wrappings she did for everything, especially the tea bags that are wrapped and hung on the branches.  You can read more about Katies design here, including the Pumpkin Trifle recipe, and the DIY pinecone chandelier.  Why not think about doing something like this for Thanksgiving?! 

Photos by Kristin J. Portraiture

Dinner And A Movie - Autumn Entertaining

My friend Sharon of Cupcakes and Cutlery has got some mad skills when it comes to stylish design! She recently designed this "Dinner and a Movie" party to help inspire Autumn entertaining for the Fall celebration challenge on the City Cradle. Every little detail is divine and I soooo want to be at this party.

Not only is her styling impeccable, but her idea here is sheer genius - she wrapped glass votive holders (or jars) with dried corn husks and cut the edges with a decorative craft punch.  She also fashioned 'flowers' out of more corn husks to help frame the outdoor movie screen.

The "concession stand" is presented in a red wagon and every snack is beautifully displayed.  Check out the twizzlers and mini Hershey's bundles below!  Oh, and the popcorn boxes?...a swatch of denim fabric is used as a fun accent under the sticker label!

In case you're wondering, why all the references to vegetables?  The location for the shoot was at a local restaurant which has it's own vegatable garden out back, and is the place where the outdoor movie theater was set up.   You can read more about Sharon's photo shoot here and here, and get the recipe for the Apple Spice Sangria (pictured above) here.

Photos by Sadie James Photography

Autumn Engagement Party

Can someone pinch me - my Apple themed Autumn Engagement Party inspiration shoot was featured on the Wedding Chicks blog last week!  I'm honored to be featured on such an inspiring site, and very grateful to Linkowitz Photogaphy and Little Bean Boutique, for their contributions to the shoot through photography and printables. 

The design was inspired by crisp red apples and the idea of tying in the concept of "picking" apples, and "picking" a mate.  Most of the decorative details are hand made and provide a balance of masculine and feminine.  The printables were a key part of conveying the concept - a framed sign read, "he Picked her, she Picked him;" a small card on the table reads, "you're the Apple of my eye;" favor jars of apple butter had a label which said, "we Picked this just for you," and baskets of apples for the guests to "take your Pick" and carry home.   Each place setting also had a caramel dipped apple...yum!

A key focal point was the burlap backdrop with a manzanita branch attached, and faux apples hanging from the "apple tree."  Mini apple pies with the cutest fabric & lace flag picks, and of course apple cider were on the menu.

Swags of lace, and banners made of twine, felt leaves, and paper circles were draped around the area to tie in to the lace details & leaf glass cover on the dining table.

I hope you're inspired by my design.  Not only would this be a unique engagement party, but also a small intimate wedding, adult birthday, shower, or a casual dinner party.

Also, thanks to Vicky of The City Cradle for inviting me to participate in the Fall Celebration Challenge.

Chic Mamma Baby Shower

Don't you just love those cute stylish moms-to-be who still look perfectly coifed even in their 3rd trimester?(...okay, maybe we love to hate them, LOL)  With those fashionistas in mind I put together an inspiration board for a baby shower with the chic mammas in mind.  Begining with the perfect invitation from Polkadot Design, and carried through to the fashion forward favors - "purse" cookies, this shower has flair.

Another inspiration board I recently created was for a guest post on Half Baked - The Cake Blog.  This is for a Fall Fete with Friends.  Head over to see the rest of the party ideas.

Baby Shower Links:

Invitation - Polkadot Design

Table Setting

Cupcakes

Giraffe

Cookies

Glass

Flowers -unknown

An Elegant Garden Dinner Party

I'm in love with this elegant dinner party designed by Desiree Spinner Events (found via Inspired by This).  One of the stand-out features is the menu-wrapped peach at each place setting.  Such a unique detail that could be used with apples, pears, mini pumpkins, etc.  I also adore the book shelf vignettes - a great way to add interest and carry out the party decor even further.

More fun details:  chalk board frame for the dessert table, cute tags for the straws, and mini buntings draping the fronts of serving tables.  Beautiful inspiration for any event!
Photos by Dan Cutrona Photography
Paper goods-Dulce Press