Party Resources: New Year

Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts

12.29.2011

Gorgeous in Gold

New Year's Eve is only a few days away and I hope you have your party plans set! I love metallics for entertaining this time of year.

12.27.2011

Perfect New Year's Cocktail

Wondering what to serve at your New Year's Party (or to enjoy while cuddling on your couch while watching Dick Clark)? Why an Auld Lang Cocktail! RECIPE

12.20.2011

A friend brought me a few bottles of BULLY BOY vodka and gin as a hostess gift. They are so good and not surprising these scrumptious spirits are now being served in all of Boston and Nantucket's best restaurants. Any of these bottles would make the perfect hostess gift or for stocking your own bar during the holidays.

Bully Boy Distillers is owned and operated by brothers Will and Dave Willis, who were inspired by their childhood family farm. During prohibition the farm was home to a collection of local artisan spirits, which were stored in a vault in the farmhouse basement. With names like “Medford Rum” and “Cow Whiskey,” these precursors to today’s craft spirits were harsh and remarkably undrinkable, but they had character.

Roughly 70 years after Prohibition was abolished the vault was rediscovered. Though covered in dust and cobwebs, it was inspiring, and the idea for a distillery that continues the legacy of artisan distilling in Massachusetts was hatched.

Paying particular attention to the caliber of ingredients used in its products, Bully Boy produces premium spirits in small batches, emphasizing quality over quantity. As homage to the farm, the distillery is named after Bully Boy, a favorite farm workhorse.

Cheers!

1.17.2011

9 Party Items for the New Year - Design Chic

Beth and Kristy are the mother and daughter duo behind the stylish blog DESIGN CHIC. I love their eye and you will love their blog.

1. BEAUTIFUL CHINA

How you display a meal can be just as delicious as the food itself. How about this stunning china by Michael Wainwright?

2. A Gorgeous Table
A special centerpiece or other creative details add an unexpected twist to a table. The dreamy chair covers on this table do just that. Beth and Kristy often set their table with beautiful party favors to the delight of their guests.

3. The Perfect Cocktail Dress

People don’t dress up enough anymore! Kristy picked the ivory dress because it is fun and flirty. Beth chose the sophisticated red dress for it's fun color and chic style.

4. DANCING SHOES

Nothing says party like Christian Louboutin nude glitter pumps. Fabulous!

5. Mood-Setting Music

Beautiful music transforms any party. For a more formal affair, nothing tops a string quartet. For a more intimate dinner party, try Steve Tyrell’s A NEW STANDARD.

6. Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers are essential for any special event. Mixing the textures of hydrangeas, white roses and greens create a simple, elegant look fit for any occasion.

7. Linens
In a disposable world, it’s nice to use real linens. How beautiful is the detail on this tablecloth? It would set the perfect table paired with these linen napkins.

8. Fabulous Food
Even simple food can be a show stopper if it is delicious and artfully arranged.

9. A Well-Stocked Bar
Good wine, beer and liquor is essential for any party. It doesn't have to be expensive - there are so many good wines that are inexpensive and delicious! What’s Beth and Kristy's party essential? Champagne! A toast to your guests is the perfect way to begin or end the evening.

Ladies - Cheers to you for such great ideas! I want an invite to your next fete!

1.10.2011

9 Party Items for the New Year - My Notting Hill

For the next two months, I will be having fellow bloggers share 9 Items in the New Year for entertaining. My first guest is Michele, the style maven behind the fabulously successful blog, MY NOTTING HILL.

Michele picked her nine items for an intimate dinner party for 10 - 12 friends.

1. BOUILLABAISSE - a rustic treat that people often don't make for themselves.

2. BULLY HILL Farmer's Market Blush Wine A crisp, dry rose from a vineyard in the Finger Lakes Region of NY, where Michele was raised.

3. MERIDA JACQUARD tablecloth

4. A set of simple white DISHES

5. A few small brightly colored arrangements like THESE

6. An inviting room where meals can be enjoyed with friends.

7. A CASHMERE SWEATER in pink (the hot color for 2011) to pair with jeans. Sophisticated but not too dressy for an informal dinner with good friends.

8. Pair with a fun necklace from JULIE LORUSSO

9. Cap off the evening with an aperitif from RICHARD PASTIS

Thanks, Michele! I would love to be a guest at one of your gatherings.

1.06.2011

Modern Table with Vintage China

One of my closest friends, Paula, emailed me with a design challenge. The pattern in the center is china given to her by her grandmother. She loves the pattern, but feels it looks a bit dated. She asked me to try and give it a fresh look. Paula likes modern, clean lines and I tried to keep this in mind while designing her table.

Don't be afraid to mix patterns! Ikat for the tablecloth picks up the silver in the plates.

Four separate floral arrangements in white cubes with square votives are a modern twist to a classic look.

The charger has a silver hob nail design which will frame the china.

Lucite napkin rings and chairs add pop. Don't want to buy them? Rent them!

Modern wine and water glasses mixed with silver flutes are a little more interesting than all matching glasses.

You can easily have menu cards printed or print them yourself for a nice added detail. I wanted a hip graphic for this table rather than a classic script.

Paula has traveled through India and I thought she would love the place card holders. Elephants also bring good luck which seemed like a good omen for a new year!

1.05.2011

New Year - New Look!

After seeing Shari's work on of my favorite blogs HAMPTONTOES, I reached out to her at LITTLE BLUE DEER about giving us a face lift to kick of 2011! She is so talented, so nice and so reasonable! What do you think?