Feast of Colors

If you are looking for an economical way to add color to your tabletop this summer, look no further than Luna Bazaar!  It is filled with fantastic items to brighten any party, from a BBQ to a Gala.  The prices are very reasonable and the site is organized so well.  Be creative and combine colors such as orange and pink, white with gold and silver or tuquoise and apple green.

Camp Stool for your outdoor entertaining...

These precious camp stools from Pearl River are perfect for your outdoor entertaining.  The weather is perfect for a party outside and at only $19.50 these stools are the best way to add seating to your terrace or garden.  The colors are vibrant and beautiful and you should mix and match them!  Order yours today as several colors have already sold out!

Haute Hostess Aprons and Tablescapes at Stanley Korshak

I had a wonderful booksigning at Stanley Korshak in Dallas today because I got to share the floor with my friend, Elizabeth Scokin, designer of Haute Hostess Aprons.  Her delightful aprons make the perfect hostess gift and are perfect for gals like me who like to order takeout and put it on my fine china!  Her gorgeous designs have been featured in Oprah's magazine, O, and Domino!  You just can't miss taking a look at her wonderful website.

I was asked to design a Tablescape for the store and I found inspiration in one of the vintage Suzani they had in for a trunk show.  The colors were rich black, powerful purples and a shocking fuschia. We threw the Suzani over the table half-hazardly for a nice relaxed feeling. Over sized pierced lanterns hung above the table and complementing Suzani pillows covered a bench that we used as seating.  I loved the shape of the fantastic china they had in and they really complemented the organic swirls in the Suzani.  Pink Rock Crystal picture frames would make great place cards and we finished off each place setting with a purple and black box of candles for each guest to take home as a party favor.  

Dandelion Charm

I think that my addiction to tabletop items is out in the open now so I will confess to another passion: items made by hand.  It may result from the hours that I sat and watched my grandmother quilt or make needlepoint as a little girl.  There is something so special about unique hand made things in today's world of mass manufacturing.

This fantastic Dandelion pitcher by Soule combines both of addictions into one!  The white porcelain with the Dandelion design on it is so charming.  It is a great graduation gift for a young girl about to move into her first apartment.  She will treasure it for life!  If you buy one for yourself and one as a gift, I won't blame you!  They are hand painted so you can do them in an color to match them items you already have.  At only $29 dollars you should rush and order yours today!

Be Interesting at your next party!

I love this article by Gretchen Rubin titled 7 Topics To Avoid If You Don't Want To Be A Bore.  These are great party conversation tips! I am always being asked for subjects that can make party conversations easier.  My advice is to always ask questions to those around you.  Come up with a few questions that will help you make conversation in any situation.  This article by Ms. Rubin gives a little more insight into what you can do to avoid being a bore!  

Teen Scene!

Courtney Tartt Elias just sent me a great question!  She is a mother of three boys and is getting ready to host her first teen party at her home.  It is a dinner and swimming party for a group of 14 year old girls and boys.  She is thoughtfully planning on stocking the girls bathroom with fun beauty products and is looking for some great product and display ideas.

I think your idea of placing beauty products in the girls changing room is fantastic and very thoughtful.  I would fill brightly colored plastic containers with products of all kinds.  For hair products, try Paul Mitchell.  It is great for all ages and the chic white and black bottles would look cool in a bright pink container.  Mac makeup is perfect too!  Some cosmetics companies will send out a makeup artist if you purchase enough products so be sure to ask.  It would be fun for the girls to have a pro there to help them with their hair and face.  You should also put Polaroid or disposable cameras in the dressing room so that they can document their new looks.

Why not cover the tables in brightly colored beach towels instead of tablecloths.  Fill inexpensive glass vases with colored sand by Crayola Play Sand from Walmart (see some of my earlier postings) and flowers or sparklers that they can play with and light after the sun goes down.  I love these beach ball plates too...disposable!

Greener Gifts...Part 2!

Big Thanks to Lindsay Higgins who wrote to me with a great green gift suggestion.  She told me that she recently received an invitation to a baby shower with a little note suggesting that the guests bring a children's book in lieu of a card.  I love the idea of building a little library for a new little baby but it also eliminates throwing away greeting cards once the gifts are opened.  Clever!  Thanks Lindsay!