{Real Party} Fiesta Inspired Dinner Party

Last night my family had the pleasure of hosting an intimate dinner party at our home

with one of my former brides, who has also become a dear friend, and her family.

I met Andrea and her husband Jeremy in 2002 when they hired me to help plan their

wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Now, after all these years we are still close

and our kids enjoy playing together!

I wanted to share some of the fun decor details that I put together to set the mood for our fiesta inspired dinner party. First, I used a mexican blanket I already owned as a tablecloth - it was the perfect "linen" to use to drape the table and set the tone. Then I used some rattan chargers (that I already owned) and picked some bright color coordinated linen napkins to place on the plate. The red napkins I already owned and the orange ones I made from material from my local craft store. I actually dreamed up the napkin fold moments before our guests arrived. I was trying to create something that looked festive and knew that I wanted to use some colorful beads as a napkin tie. The final product came out looking like the skirt off a traditional mexican dress! I added 2 little maracas on each of the kid's place settings as a little gift.

Then I added a couple of inexpensive containers I found on the summer inspiration sale section on my local craft store and popped a couple of colorful daisies in the jars.

Finally, I incorporated some eclectic votive candle holders in coordinating reds, yellows and greens that were also already in my go-to decor storage.

My daughter also enjoyed getting into the theme and so we strung paper lanterns across her playhouse that we purchased at a local party store.

The result was a fiesta inspired theme dinner for less than $10 for all the decor!!

It's so easy once you have your theme to look around your house for things that you already have on hand to incorporate into the theme. Think outside the box and have fun with it!!

I'll post some pictures and recipes from the menu in a future post so check back soon!

Happy Earth Day

inspiration board found on Elizabeth Anne Designs

Happy Earth Day! To me, being intentionally eco-friendly has more to do with celebrating God’s creativity, being wise with what He’s given us, and passing on those values to the next generation; it's just good stewardship.

One of the things I love most about practicing green alternatives in my home is that usually they are the more frugal option. Being environmentally-friendly is just good economics – in our home and budget, and with the earth God gave us.

There are many little things we can do in our homes to play a small part and make a big impact on our earth and it's environment. We can double our efforts by getting our kids involved and helping them understand the why to our what. Once they get it, it will become second nature to them when they’re adults – and that much easier to pass it down to their children.

Here are some small, easy, green choices we can make in our homes.

25 Easy Ways to Go Greener at Home – Besides Recycling

1. Plant an herb garden with your children.

2. Stop using disposable bags – order some reusable bags, or make your own.

3. Buy an inexpensive reusable water bottle, and stop buying plastic disposable bottles.

4. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.

5. Turn off lights when you leave the room.

6. Don’t turn on lights at all for as long as you can — open your curtains and enjoy natural light.

7. Support your local economy and shop at a farmer's market.

8. Turn off your computer completely at night.

9. Research whether you can sign up for green power from your utility company.

10. Pay as many bills as possible online.

11. Put a stop to unsolicited mail — sign up to opt out of pre-screened credit card offers.

12. Reuse scrap paper. Print on two sides, or let your kids color on the back side of used paper.

13. Subscribe to good eco-friendly blogs. My favorites are The Daily Green, TreeHugger, and Keeper of the Home. Of course, you gotta subscribe to Simple Organic.

14. Before buying anything new, first check your local Craigslist or Freecycle.

15. Fix leaky faucets.

16. Make your own household cleaners.

17. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.

18. Unplug unused chargers and appliances.

19. Repurpose something – save egg cartons for paint wells, seed starters, or treasure boxes, etc.

20. Collect rainwater, and use it to water your houseplants and garden.

21. Swith to cloth diapers – or at least do a combination with disposables.

22. Use cloth napkins daily instead of paper.

23. Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers and bulk storage.

24. Five-minute showers – make it a goal for yourself.

25. Donate to- and shop at - thrift stores such as Goodwill. You’ll be recycling perfectly usable items, and supporting your local economy.

The article and list was adapted from the author and writer of Simple Mom and founder of Simple Living Media

Hanging Chandeliers

Hanging chandeliers are timeless and classic, and I just happen to love them.

They are the perfect way to add glamour, elegance and romance to your special event, and can be dressed up or down depending on the mood you are trying to create.

Besides renting chandeliers, consider a fun DIY project and give any regular lighting fixture a makeover with beading and crystals from your local craft store.

original source and photo stream via Bonafidebride

original source and photo stream via Bonafidebride

original source and photo stream via Bonafidebride

original source and photo stream via weddinggowns1.com

original source and photo stream via weddinggowns1.com

original source and photo stream via weddinggowns1.com

original source and photo stream via weddinggowns1.com

original source and photo stream via Elizabeth Ann Designs

original source and photo stream via Blush Events

original source and photo stream via Rae Leytham

Sweet Vintage Inspired Outdoor Tablescapes

I love that vintage inspired style is coming back in fashion. You can create such a sweet,

fresh, relaxed and intimate ambience when you plan your celebration outdoors, and what

could be a better backdrop than mother nature herself?

You can choose bold, vibrant colors to contrast with the great outdoors; or simply use gold, greens, and ivory to compliment and create a more natural and rustic feel.

Please click on the links below each photo to see the entire real event and/or styled photo shoot, and behind the scenes details; as well as complete photo and designer credits.

above tablescape via Jose Villa's blog

above tablescape via Ruffled Blog

above tablescape via Hostess with the Mostess

above ablescape via Pink-to-Green

above tablescape via Cook & Carter Event Company

above tablescape via Cook & Carter Event Company

above tablescape via Cook & Carter Event Company

above tablescape via Dulcet & Dapper

Real Simple Whimsical Tableware by Rosanna, Inc.

I just love Real Simple, and am always inspired by anything contributing editor Jennifer Sbranti posts on their blog Simply Stated. I happened to run across Jennifer's post about the new collection of whimsical tableware by Rosanna, Inc. I was already a huge, huge fan of Rosanna, Inc., and her new collection did not disappoint - how adorable are these whimsical dessert plates! I'm already planning how to use them for my next party!

1. Decor Bon Bon - White {available Feburary 2010}

These stunning, all-white pedestal servers are inspired by old-fashioned Victorian designs, but still manage to have a fresh, contemporary appeal. They'd make for a fabulous (and very useful) gift idea or lovely addition to any white serveware collection!

2. Decor Bon Bon - Colors
This pretty pastel collection features a 1930's style pitcher, a graceful pink pedestal, and a spouted pink mixing bowl.

3. Ice Cream
Not that we really NEED another reason to love ice cream - but wouldn't it be fun to spoon it from one ofthese adorable bowls? They remind me of a 50's diner shop, and the retro-striped gift box way too cute too!

4. Gelato
Prefer gelato to traditional ice cream? Or maybe you like to savor your favorite frozen treat from an elegant dish? Meet the new Gelato collection – a set of old-fashioned fluted cups with a style that's just as tempting as the sweet treat that goes in them!

5. Eat Dessert First
Rosanna had me at the name with this collection... but the chic, whimsical sketch designs are the icing on the cake! The set of 4 dessert plates and matching platter are perfect for all sorts of occasions - from birthdays to dinner parties... you could even feature the plates in display stands as "party decor" for a dessert-themed bridal or baby shower.

6. Artist's Loft
Umm...yes, please! This eclectic assortment of tableware boasts 4 different design styles – Baroque, Sixties Mod, Ethnic Paisley, and Victorian – in one fresh, unique collection. Several pieces available; perfect for spring and summer entertaining!

Click here to see Jennifer's entire post on Simply Stated