Party Time!

Primarily I design and decorate homes, and occasionally refinish or repurpose furniture.  But this week I branched out into somewhat new design territory.  I guess I’m sorta known among my friends for being the “creative” one (a compliment and certainly not the worst thing they could call me).  One friend decided to throw her daughter a huge sweet 16 birthday party and enlisted the help of her friends to do everything from catering to sweets to decorating … that’s where I came in. (Friend Colette provided catering and dessert with her company ColMoni’s Catering and it. was. fantastic!)

The party would be held in my friend’s very spacious home and host over 100 friends and family.   Much like designing any other room, we began with an inspiration piece to base the rest of the design on.  Our inspiration began with the gorgeous invitations which featured a watercolor floral motif with periwinkle as the feature color and splashes of other shades, deep and light pink, light and dark green and a range of blues and purples.   We decided to decorate the expansive basement dance floor with streamers of tulle and tissue paper pom-poms in this same range of hues.  Here are some of the material basics that we utilized.

There are about a million tutorials out there for making tissue paper pom-poms and it really isn’t that hard but it IS time consuming.  We made over 125 tissue paper pom-poms of varying size and color.  To say it took a long time is an understatement, but the end results were all worth it.  We put pom-poms on the dance floor, we put them over the cake table, over tall drink tables, on the cake table, at the home entrance, and hanging from the balcony.  All of those same areas were also adorned with varying shaded swags of blue and purple tulle ribbon and fairy lights.  I think the overall effect was exactly what  we were going for, transforming a stately and elegant home into a fun and whimsical setting for a Sweet 16!  Here’s a few preparty shots in daylight.

 

These are a few evening pics during the party (please forgive poor cell phone quality).

 

As you may have noticed I have a love affair with flowers so I was very excited to also design and arrange four statement centerpieces.  We selected a tall vase filled with hydrangeas, curly willow, monstera leaves and purple statice accent.

 

While decorating parties isn’t the core of my business, I think I’d love to take on a few more and really perfect this design art!

 

What to Wear Wednesday: Holiday Parties

It’s that time of the year….yup…the dreaded holiday party time!  Do most people like corporate or other mandatory-fun parties?  I’ve never been a huge fan, but I can imagine that these gatherings may appeal to some social butterfly types (ahem, I think my husband falls in that category).  Whether or not you enjoy these holiday get-togethers you can’t go naked (whoa, awkward) so I’ve compiled a few ensembles fitting for those dressier holiday shindigs.   Each outfit below has a different feel and the main component is available for rent at Rent The Runway so you don’t have to spend a fortune to look super chic!

blue-dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole Miller Blue Branches Jacquard Sheath  Rent $75, Retail $485

BMC Womens Alloy Metal Abstract Stone Cut Hardcase Fashion Clutch Chain Handbag  $27

T&J Emerald Greed Tassle Earrings $22

Click Your Heels Gold Pointed Pumps  $34

comfortable-holiday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sachin and Babi Rue Jumpsuit    $70 rental, $595 retail

Hoop Sterling Silver Earrings Made with Swarovski Elements $63

Red & Black Clutch   $190

Swarovski Black Crystal and Crystaldust Open Cuff Bracelet  $69

Steven Viienna  $89

party-animal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth and James  Freedom Sheath  $40 Rental, $495 Retail

Gold-Tone Pave Leopard Stud Earrings  $14

Kate Spade Cedar Street iphone Wristlet   $118

Lux Accessories Aztec Pave Textured Mesh Glitter Multi Bangle Glam Set   $10

Michael Kors Marta Pump  $166

And not to alienate any generation from looking fabulous here’s a great getup for the …ahem … more mature ladies.  Think you can’t do a leather skirt if you’re over 50?  Oh you SO can, especially one in a knee-length, A-line with perforated cut-outs.

mature-holiday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper Crown Burgundy Venice Top $30 Rental, $170 Retail

TART Collections Black Faux Leather Skirt  $30 Rental, $148 Retail

Estelle Drop Earrings  $25

Wine Red Velvet Clutch  $31

Nanette Lepore Sabrina  $99

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