Entertainment

Packing up a picnic basket for a leisurely lunch in a local park, or putting together a delicious mix of cheeses and some crusty bread with your favorite wine to enjoy at an outdoor concert are some of the true joys of summer. Here are a few tips that will guarantee that your picnic is as pretty and enjoyable as it can be!

Start by choosing your picnic basket or whatever container you will use to pack everything in. I have a collection of both old and new baskets that I have picked up through the years. Using a real basket sets the mood right from the start.

Tip: Line the bottom of the basket with a plastic garbage bag before packing. It provides an extra layer of protection should anything leak, and then you can use it when it’s time to clean up. Continue Reading…

Beach Inspired Decor for a Summer Soiree

Keep your floral varieties classic, such as roses and orchids, and use just one variety per arrangement and mass it out for maximum impact.

To design in a large shell simply place a piece of saturated floral foam in the opening of the shell, cut the floral stems short and insert into the floral foam until the entire opening is filled with flowers.

Coastal Table Placecards That Are as Easy as a Summer Breeze

Do the same thing with other containers such as the white ceramic pedestal bowl filled with bronze dendrobium orchids. Buy full stems of orchids and cut each flower off of the main stem and insert into the wet foam that you have placed in the container. If the container isn’t waterproof simply add a plastic liner first before placing the foam and making the arrangement.

Sand dollars make the perfect place cards. Tucking a single cymbidium under the sand dollar brings it altogether for a customized look that’s sure to impress!

Flowers for Summer Entertaining

Are you planning a summer celebration or simple get together? Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, picnic in the park, or pool party, flowers can make it an event to remember. Here are some examples of my favorite summer styles and themes from French Country to Coastal Living and Poolside Cabana with a little American Farmer’s Market and Tropical Paradise thrown in for good measure!

Add a Touch of French Country Décor to your Table

The French Country style of decorating, with its warm and casual feel, will easily fool your guests into thinking that they’re dining al fresco in the fields of Provence. The easiest way to create this look is to use rustic, Old World style containers brimming with fresh cut flowers. The most iconic French flowers that I would recommend using are sunflowers and, if available, fresh lavender. French Country style incorporates the full spectrum of the color wheel: sunny yellow and soft gold, fiery red and burnt rust, bright grass green and dark hunter green, cobalt blue soft ocean tones—all of these shades are found in this wonderful decorating style.

Continue Reading…

Have all those images of the Royal Family’s celebrations—like Princess Charlotte’s recent christening—got you wishing you had a reason to wear a pretty straw hat and a flowing floral dress? Don’t sit around waiting for an invitation to Kensington Palace—throw a Victorian-style tea party of your own! You don’t need any reason other than getting a few girlfriends together to sip tea and eat cucumber sandwiches. But “tea party” is also a great theme for a shower, a little girl’s birthday party or a pre-wedding luncheon!

Continue Reading…

Graduation Decorations That Go for the Gold

Graduation truly is a time to sparkle and shine—and using gold in your party décor will also put you right on trend. Gold is everywhere these days and in many different ways: foil, leaf, glitter, tassel, etc. Here are a few easy ways to make your graduation the one that outshines the rest!

Duct tape, you’ve come a long way! One of the simplest ways to customize and add some pizzazz to your centerpieces is to wrap a piece of gold duct tape around the vase and write a message on the tape. This gold duct tape is actually dry-erase as well—what could be easier! Continue Reading…

Run for the Roses!

Did you know that the rose has been the official flower of the Kentucky Derby since 1904? And in 1925 the president of Churchill Downs dubbed the Kentucky Derby the “Run for the Roses.”

Each year the winning horse is draped in a garland made from more than 400 red roses. The winning jockey is presented with a bouquet of 60 long stem red roses!

The Derby is truly steeped in tradition. If you are planning to have a few friends over to celebrate the Kentucky Derby here are some easy ways to include a few Derby traditions into your party.

The Infield

“The Infield” is the flat grassy area inside of the track where one of the biggest parties is held each year! Think Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras and you have a pretty good idea of how crazy this party gets. Set the mood with your own replica of the infield.

Start with a flat of wheat grass. Cover the bottom of the tray with moss and insert red roses that have been cut short directly into the base of the wheat grass. It’s that easy to create this fabulous Kentucky Derby Infield centerpiece!

Mint Julep

Another Derby tradition dating back almost a century is the very southern Mint Julep cocktail. It is a mix of crushed ice, sugar, water, fresh mint, and bourbon. The traditional silver julep cup also makes a great vase for a petite bouquet. 1-800 Flowers.com has a few to choose from including Julep Treasures Petite Bouquet™.

For this arrangement I used 6 short stem red roses, a few stems of fresh waxflower, and a few sprigs of fresh spearmint. These small, festive bouquets can be placed throughout your party to really set the mood. Put one on the bar, another in the bathroom, and a few on the buffet table, and you’ll be all set to place your bets!!

Tips on Creating the Perfect Hawaiian Luau from Leis to Exotic Cocktails

How to Host a Luau Party

Nothing breaks up the monotony of a long, cold winter like a fun and unexpected “theme” party! When the temperature outside is dropping, why not turn up the heat inside and invite your friends to spend a few hours on the island of Bali Hai. There are so many easy ways to set the mood—from the décor, to the food, and of course, the music!

Hawaiian Luau Décor

Transport your guests to the tropics with bamboo (placemats, shades used as wall panels, platters), tropical/island themed fabric (I prefer swatches of vintage fabrics), tropical scented candles, large tropical leaves like monstera and cordyline, and of course, orchids. Continue Reading…

Big Apple Centerpieces

I was recently asked by a New York bride and groom to incorporate apples into the place card display at their Manhattan reception. They had many guests coming in from out of town and wanted to visually welcome them to the Big Apple.

You can easily make delicious apple centerpieces for any occasion! I filled varying size glass cylinders with small lady apples and used large deep red apples as votive candleholders. The look was clean, modern and had that person touch they were looking to include in their special day!