Celebration Circle…Bridal Showers!

September 3rd, 2010 by Melissa

Okay, so I know I'm the bride and I really shouldn't even be thinking about a shower, but I just can't help myself! We've found some wonderful inspiration around the web and I just HAVE to share.

I'm totally in love with this Breakfast at Tiffany's themed shower we found over at Eat Drink Pretty. Forget the fact that I'm totally obsessed with anything Audrey Hepburn and have read Truman Capote's book at least a dozen times--this party has an elegant, classic design, which is soo perfect for a bridal shower AND it's got the sparkle decor only Tiffany's could inspire!

The eye candy continues with this GORGEOUS vintage carnival design from Celebrations at Home.  Do I even need to go on about these darling pinwheels? I think not...and check out those menu cards...LOVE!

Seasonal bridal showers are some of our favorite and we love this
couple's shower from Frilly Milly. It's certainly not the traditional girlie look, but it's absolutely perfect for bringing the guys along to the party without sacrificing the style! The best part? This party captures both the bride- and groom-to-be!

A photo booth was set up for the guests to snap pics with props...heres a shot of the bride- and groom-to-be! Congrats!!

A photo booth was set up for the guests to snap pics with props...here's a shot of the bride- and groom-to-be! Congrats!!

Celebration Circle…Baby Showers!

August 27th, 2010 by NinaN

Make room for baby...showers! It seems like every time I check my mailbox I find an invite for a baby shower. Showers can become a bit of a drag when it feels like you've been to so many of the same kind. The themes, colors, games, and decorations can look recycled and old. Here are a few fresh, inventive ideas from some bloggers we just love!

First up, this reinvented classic from one of our faves - Hostess with the Mostess.

modern_rubberduckybabyshower_9

These carnation centerpieces are gorgeous! Not to mention they can be a breeze to put together, and carnations are usually inexpensive!

candy-buffet

Candy buffets are all the rage and of course the HWTM created a beautiful display that matched the theme perfectly without being too overwhelming.

invites-baby-shower

We found one of THE cutest, most cost-effective crafts EVER over at How Does She? Incorporating DIY accents into parties and events is one of our favorite approaches to party planning and Shelly's ideas are all about creativity.

This particular idea comes from Shelly's friend Jenn. Um, can we say ADORABLE? A napkin transformed into a baby dress!!  Seriously. Too cute for words...have a look.

napkin-dress-1

napkin-dress-2See? I told you! Too cute!

napkin-dress-3

And note, these are paper napkins. SO budget-friendly, super easy to make and we promise, guests won't stop gushing over them. LOVE!

Celebration Circle… Bars.

August 20th, 2010 by NinaN

Not that kind... gosh. Party bars are popping up everywhere and they just keep getting more creative and even more awesome. Here are some of our favorites from some of our favorite bloggers... Cheers!

Seriously. I'm kind of obsessed with this first one... Kristy over at the Purple Pug set up this amazing cereal bar for the kiddies! I don't know what I love more... the personalized spoons, or the Flintstones vitamins. Amazing!

Cereal bar buffet from Purple Pug

Cereal Bar Buffet from Purple Pug

Cereal Spoons from Purple Pug

Cereal Bar from Purple Pug

Love it.

Sigh. With Summer closing up shop, I feel like I've been trying to get my ice cream fill before the days disappear and I switch my iced coffee out for hot, so I'm loving any and all things ice-cream, especially these AMAZING grown-up banana split recipes from staff writer Yelena Johnson. A.MAZING. Kahlua? Bananas? Limoncello!?!? Yes please. Yes, Yes, please.

I'm also kind of in love with this turquoise and chocolate dessert buffet from My Life-My Loves inspired by Amy Atlas.
Turquoise and Chocolate Dessert Table by My Life- My Loves

Celebration Circle…BlogHer10 Recap

August 13th, 2010 by NinaN

Here it is! The long awaited Blog Her'10 Recap!  This super fab event is an annual event held in NYC. A two day convention for bloggers from all over to come together face-to-face for the first time with each other, to participate in panels, listen to business sessions, and party. Yes, party. There are loads of fun BlogHer parties, and we were lucky enough to head to a couple great ones! Here's a quick recap from our super fun BlogHer weekend!

First, the Celebrations team was joined by 1-800-Flowers.com president Jim McCann, and Celebrations floral lifestyle expert Julie Mulligan at The Palm for a hosted afternoon dinner with a select group of influential bloggers including Nirasha of Mommy Niri, Linda Sellers of Short Pump Pretty, Amy of Mom Made That, Allison from O My Family Blog, Onica from The Mommy Factor, Janis from Sneak Peek at Me, Caludia Copquin from Getting Married on LI and the super fabulous ladies of Party Blue Prints, Dawn Sandomeno and Elizabeth Mascali.

So much fun!

The Palm Dinner
The Palm Dinner

Next, I headed over to the Social Luxe party (which was packed!), while Melissa headed to a party hosted by the domestic diva herself... Martha Stewart. The party was held at the Martha Stewart offices in New York City. Melissa joined a small group for a quick tour of the offices, (and a brief Martha spotting!) and then joined the hundreds of other lifestyle, wedding, and food bloggers for an evening of cupcakes, cocktails and crafts.

msblog045

msblog028

From Melissa... "There were TONS of cupcakes. At least two different kinds that I saw! And they were all amazing. Trust me."

oreocakemsloflickr

And then there was this. Amazing. I am amazed. Melissa said no one dared pull from the magic oreo cake all night even for a nibble... but I bet a couple people thought about it. How great is this?

cupcakesmsloflickr

And then on Friday, we perused the swag bag, which came with MSLO magazines, soaps, thank you notes, chocolates and paper punchers. (You know those amazing little hand toys that make the corners of your invitations look more like doilies and less like card stock? So much fun!)

mslogiftbag

Beau-Coup Giveaway!

August 9th, 2010 by NinaN

We've got a fantastic new giveaway that we are super excited to share with all you party planners out there! If you don't know already, Beau-coup is a super fab site, that carries stylish favors, decorations and super fun gifts for bridal/baby showers, birthdays, engagements and more! This week they're offering up a $100 Shopping Spree towards anything on their site for one lucky Celebrations reader! I know. Amazing.

Beau-coup has some of the most super fabulous wedding favors around, but they also have some of the best all-occasion favors and party supplies too!

You’ll find everything from unique party favors & favor packaging to bridal shower favors and gifts, baby shower favors and decorations, and birthday party favors  for any age at Beau-coup, and if you or a loved one is planning a party, birthday or shower this little gift card could really help your wallet.

Seriously. How cute are these for a sweet summer baby shower?

Beau-coup baby party favors

Pictured above: Various baby shower favors. How cute are those Egg Soap Baby Shower Favors for a Nesting theme baby shower?!

Love it.

Pictured below: Some of Beau-coup's super cute birthday favors and decorations.

Beau-coup Birthday Favors and Party Decorations

We also really love these patterned cupcake wrappers.
I mean, how perfect are these for any occasion? They're just so pretty!

Patterned Cupcake Wrappers

Cupcake Garden Party patterned wrappers

and these...
Cupcake Turquoise Damask Patterned cupcake wrappers

And we know it's a little ways a away still, but seriously, Beau-coup has some of the MOST ADORABLE Halloween decorations and Halloween party favors.  No harm in planning ahead right?

But Enter Now! There's only a week left!

HOW TO ENTER:
Post a comment here telling us which item(s) from the Beau-coup website you’d love to get if you win! Giveaway ends Monday August, 16th at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Tuesday, August 17th. For a complete set of rules click here. Good luck, everyone!!

Additional Entries
1. Blog about this give-away with links to Celebrations.com and Beau-coup
2.  "Like" us on Facebook
3. Twitter about the giveaway using "#celebratebeaucoup. Be sure to leave your link in the comment.

5 Senses Friday: Celebrating the Simple Things

August 6th, 2010 by Melissa

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake

We're big party lovers, but we also know it's important to celebrate the little things in life too, so we're starting 5 Senses Friday...

Each week we'll post what we're tasting, hearing, smelling, seeing and feeling. What about you? Share your 5 Friday sensations with us!

tasting :: The grilled s'mores I had last night at Martha Stewart's BlogHer event...they were oh, so good! Monday we'll have our Celebration Circle post on BlogHer 2010...so exciting!

hearing :: Journey - Don't Stop Believing on Pandora ...one of our faves!

smelling :: The fresh strawberries in the shortcake cupcakes (pictured) I made and brought in for the team to munch on this afternoon...mmm...the perfect summer treat.  It's been torture waiting until our decided upon 3 o'clock indulge time...stay tuned for the recipe next week!

seeing :: the city empty out...guess everyone but me is headed to the Hamptons! have fun!

feeling :: ready for the weekend...TGIF!

DIY Streamer Backdrop: Guest Blog by Fete Fanatic

August 5th, 2010 by Natasha

Let me start by introducing myself, I’m Natasha the party girl behind the blog Fete Fanatic.  I am delighted to be a guest blogger for Celebrations.com.  I must admit, I thought writing for someone else’s blog would be challenging, however, I’m quite comfortable writing just about anything Celebration related, so I feel right at home!

I know you all can’t get enough of desert buffets and sweets tables, right?  I know, I can’t.    I recently created a backdrop for a bridal shower desert buffet using streamers!  Here are some DIY tips for giving your sweets buffet or any buffet set up extra flair with a super simple backdrop, and it’s  economical.

All you need are streamers in two to three colors, scissors, tape, and a poster board.

This was a chocolate and cherries dessert buffet.  So, fittingly I used a color palette of red, brown and white.

Here’s how I created it...

Materials
Streamers, Scissors, Tape, & Poster board.

Materials

How To

  • Measure the streamer to fit the board with a little excess to wrap the end of the streamer to the back of the board.
  • Use the tape to stick each end top and bottom to the back of the board.
  • Alternate colors creating vertical stripes.  Don’t pull streamer too tight, you’ll need some room to create the weave effect.
  • After you’ve covered the board with stripes, start weaving the streamers in a horizontal pattern.  Remember your pattern combination used for each color and repeat it until you cover the board.
  • If you don’t wish to do the weaving, you can stick with the stripes!  They look just as nice. In fact I am using stripes for a shower at the end of this month.

Brown Streamer

Red Streamer

Alternate colors

Weave colors

Finished Weaved

Here’s the completed backdrop!  I hope you’ll try it for your next desert buffet table!

Finished Dessert Table with Stramer Backdrop

Celebration Circle… Baby Showers!

July 30th, 2010 by Melissa

So I'm starting to get to the place now where not only are my friends getting married, but they're also having babies. I love a good bridal shower, who doesn't love looking at shiny new tabletop appliances, but at the baby shower, everything is just so cute. It is. Plus, there are just so many angles you can take for a baby shower. This week we're highlighting some of our favorites designs and ideas from the best baby bloggers around.

First up...

This seriously adorable vintage theme shower from Jen Loves Kev. The Dill Relish, the Candy Jars, The pin wheels.... The tug of war. Please. I cannot get enough. How cute is cute? But I think my ultimate favorite part, is those pretty little dresses strung up for all to see. Come on... Love it.

Vintage Baby Shower from Jen Loves Kev

Vintage Baby Shower Pin Wheels from Jen Loves Kev

Vintage Baby Shower Hanging Baby Clothes from Jen Loves Kev

Now, I've said this before. Everyone hates on carnations. The thing with carnations though is that they're by far the easiest flower to work with in centerpieces, AND in bulk they look AMAZING. SO we love those so much we couldn't believe this when we came across the paper version on Pepper Design Blog. Super easy, and pretty to boot!

Handmade Crepe Flower Centerpieces from Pepper Design Blog

And finally... some more inspiration from the ultimate Hostess with the Mostess. I know, it's bridal.... but come on. If this isn't baby inspiration I don't know what is. You could easily adopt this sweet box cake by using solid color boxes, or mixing and matching patterns like polka dots and strips for a fun, and bright colored baby shower.

Stacked Cake Box Cenerpiece from Hostess with the Mostess

Happy Friday!

Celebration Circle… ENGAGEMENTS!

July 23rd, 2010 by NinaN

Congratulations are in order! Our very own Associate Editor Melissa just got engaged!
Hooray!

Melissa and Matt are ENGAGED!

We're so excited! That's Matt and Melissa on vacation after he proposed!

AND just last night my friend C got engaged too! Double the engagement fun here!

So even though we're not your average wedding blog, it doesn't mean we don't love us some bridal eye candy from time to time. Now we just have a reason to look at it.  So in the spirit and excitement surrounding Melissa and Matt's engagement, here are few of our favorite engagement party ideas, announcements and overall pretty things that we like this week in the blogosphere...

Melissa's top picks this week...

First... a little inspiration from Melissa...

Melissa's engagement inspiration board

This incredible video engagement announcement by Sarah Yates Photography.

Since they got engaged in the summer, Melissa's looking to incorporate bright colors and a fun atmosphere into their engagement party. She's a big fan of this super cute spread set up by Pacific Weddings over at Hostess with the Mostess.

Orange & Yellow Wedding table from Pacific Weddings and Hostess with the Mostess

and this Yellow and Orange dessert table from Trendsetting Weddings

Yellow and Orange Dessert Table from Trendsettingweddings.com

Nina's favorites this week...

Always... Eat, Drink, Pretty because well... they're just super fab. And these adorable mini cupcakes are too cute for words.  I love them.

Rasberry cupcakes from Eat, Drink, Pretty

So I love wedding and engagement photography, a lot.  And I love Randi Voss Photography bunches.   She's based in Pittsburgh, and she's awesome. This is one of her most recent engagement photo shoots that I totally love, love, love.
Randi Voss Photography
Jess and Andrew's Engagement Shot

So fun.
And since I'm soo excited for "C" and her soon-to-be hubby "D", we're planning a little girls weekend beach getaway to celebrate.  Nothing like  cupcakes and cocktails to celebrate your best friend's engagement!
Happy day ladies!

Theme Parties…

July 22nd, 2010 by NinaN

So I'm kind of a big fan of the theme party. I don't know, maybe it stems from my college days, but give a good party, a great theme and it's just that much more fun.  And the FB pictures will be that much better... you thought about it. Don't lie.

Base it around your favorite decade, like a Depression (Recession hello?) Era 30's party, and awesome 80's theme party,  or a swingin' 60's party, or if you're a pop-culture fanatic like I am, opt for your favorite TV show or movie as your theme. I threw a Glee themed party (Admittedly a total Gleek) when the finale aired back in June, and we had a blast.

I know there are a lot of Mad Men fans out there, so I have a feeling there will be more than one Mad Men theme parties planned for Sunday's premiere.  Who doesn't want to throw on a cute patterned shift dress, and some red lipstick and put on your best Joan Holloway to your hubby's Don Draper.  Oh, and if you really want to get a good idea of what you should wear to your Mad Men Party... just go "Mad Men" yourself at AMC's website.

We did....

This is me a la Mad Men...

Nina Mad Men icon

And this is Mad Men Melissa....

Mad Men Melissa

Way too much fun.

For more super cute ideas on Mad Men Theme parties check out Hostess with the Mostess, and this super cute party from Chris at Celebrations at Home.

Speaking of TV premieres... the other craziness set to premier this week... how about a quick trip to the Jersey Shore? Yes, I know. This show is completely insane. It is.  I know.  HOWEVER, you have to admit, that throwing a Jersey Shore theme party, might turn up some AMAZING outfits, and a pretty memorable party. Just make sure you get your tan on the week before (or use a ton of bronzer), and there is plenty good ,music for ample fist pumping. Seriously, these are the hottest Greek life theme parties on college campuses now. Why should they have all the fun?

GTL baby.

And finally, what's a theme party post without Twilight?

Team Jacob, or Team Jacob... come together (on one thing) and throw a Twilight inspired party for any of three movies as the theme. Eclipse Theme parties, Twilight theme parties and New Moon parties are popping up all over, and people are throwing Twilight inspired parties all over.  Or wait until Halloween, and throw it then. Either way, there are plenty of fun and unique ideas that you can do yourself that won't cost a fortune and will definitely impress your fellow twihards.

Playing dress up isn't just for kids. Go plan a theme party, and get your dress up on.

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