Entertaining | Design Happens

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Monday Blueberries

by Grant Dudley June 11, 2012 8 Comments

Got a case of the Monday blues? I’m right there with you. But you know what? I’m going to employ a move from the lemon playbook and take the blues I’ve been handed and make — pie! That’s right, blueberry pie.

Blueberry Pie

A bit of a stretch? Oh, perhaps. But blueberry season is just around the corner — and that, my friends, is lifting my spirits on this cloudy Monday afternoon.

More blueberry recipes:

Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Scones
Appleberry Pie Cocktails
Also, tips for: How to Grow Blueberries

Design Crush: Melody Brandon, Dessert Designer

by Kim Stoegbauer May 22, 2012 15 Comments

When I was first introduced to Melody’s work, I was immediately smitten. Melody Brandon is an incredibly talented pastry chef and the co-owner of Sweet and Saucy Shop in Long Beach, California. Her cake designs and dessert displays are beyond perfection. I had the opportunity to interview Melody about how she got started, a few of her favorite events and what the future holds for her growing business. Read on to get to know Melody a little bit more and get inspired by some of her decadent desserts!

{Kentucky Derby Party}

1. You are a such an inspiration to so many, not only as an incredible cake and dessert designer, but as a savvy business woman. When did you know that this is what you wanted to do for your career? Tell us a little of your background and how Sweet & Saucy Shop came about.

Well to be honest I actually always thought I would be an elementary school teacher and that is what I went to school for and almost finished my degree in. I was assistant teaching in various classes when I found that teaching just didn’t have enough creative freedom for me and I didn’t like all the rules and regulations you had to follow. I stopped teaching at the particular school I was at for a little break and in the meantime had just gotten married and loved throwing parties for friends and family and for quite some time had been obsessed with Food Network & cookbooks; although I had never really thought of it as a career option.

Daily Delight: Cinco de Mayo Piñata Cookies

by Farima Alavi May 5, 2012 3 Comments

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I usually like to celebrate this holiday drinking a strawberry margarita on the rocks and eating my favorite food, cheese dip. I may have to switch it up a bit this year and add these piñata cookies from SheKnows.com to my Cinco de Mayo dessert list. The striped sugar cookies have a hollow center so you can fill them up with your favorite candy. These are genius, really. I’m not sure I have the talent to bake these cookies, but I will gladly volunteer to be a taste tester for anybody who does! What are your plans for Cinco de Mayo (other than baking these cookies for me)? Tell us in the comments below.

cinco de mayo cookies

Entertaining With the Color of the Month: Fresh Mint

by Kim Stoegbauer February 22, 2012 11 Comments

HGTV’s Color of the Month for February is fresh and delicious. I have so much fun compiling ideas based on color and this month was no exception. From dessert ideas, party decor to fashion, mint is sure to please.

macarons, ice cream cake, ruffle cake, cupcakes
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Daily Delight: Ferris Wheel Cupcake Holder

by Briana Mowrey January 24, 2012 7 Comments

Yes, you read that title correctly. FERRIS. WHEEL. CUPCAKE. HOLDER. And yes, this product is frivolous, but I would argue that is what makes it awesome.

ferris wheel cupcake holder

There was nothing technically wrong with how we as a people were serving cupcakes before this invention. Putting cupcakes on a tray or on a cake stand was, and is, fine. All the same, I’m glad someone at Horchow thought, Ferris wheel seats kinda look like cupcake tins, HEEEEEYYYY, and created it. And I’m sure everyone marveling at this whimsical wonder at themed birthday parties, baby showers and weddings would agree with me.

Daily Delight: Pretty Ice Buckets for Your Champagne

by Briana Mowrey December 31, 2011 5 Comments

Maybe you’re uber-prepared and you do all of your shopping ahead of time, but I know if I was hosting a New Year’s Eve party tonight, I’d be scrambling right about now — and I’m sure my bubbly would be less than chilly. Thankfully there are a lot of pretty ice bucket options to help keep everything just right.

ice buckets

Left column, top to bottom: Nambé “Tilt” Ice/Champagne Bucket, The Bathtub Champagne Chiller, Extra Large Teak Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, DIANE von FURSTENBERG Chain Link Ice Bucket. Large image: Top Hat Ice Bucket. Middle column, top to bottom: Waterford Crystal Lismore Ice Bucket & Tongs – Cobalt, Vintage French Champagne Ice Bucket. Right column, top to bottom: Handyman’s Ceramic Pail, Vintage Red Apple Ice Bucket.

I’m raising my glass to you, dear design lovers, and wishing you a 2012 filled with health, wealth, love, happiness and an abundance of style. See you in the new year!

A DIY Industrial Pipe Candelabra

by Erin Loechner November 9, 2011 8 Comments

Last week, we headed to the hardware store to pick up some supplies for our massive sunroom makeover and found ourselves in the plumbing aisle, inspired by this recent DIY we spotted right here on HGTV.com. We’ve been spending so much time working on huge projects with even huger deadlines, crafting something small and fun seemed like a perfect evening activity to take our minds off the gigantic sunroom renovation.

Industrial Pipe Candelabra DIY- Erin Loechner

Our latest DIY project.

Bonus? Halloween was right around the corner and we’re always up for a bit of creepy chic in our home.

I don’t have a DIY to share because the process is completely self explanatory: choose your favorite pipes and build away! Yes, just like Lego’s. Who says kids get to have all the fun?

Creepy chic indeed!

If you’re DIY shy and need some templates to work from, here are a few fantastic options from around the web!:
1. Nick Fraser’s pipework series is by far my favorite, but requires a powder coating process. Perhaps spray paint would do the trick?
2. This plumbing pipe candelabra makes for a unique holiday decoration, yes? I love the look!
3. And finally, a DIY candelabra video for those of you who really play by the rules.

Happy crafting, friends! I’ll be checking in next Wednesday to share another chic lighting surprise – this time in our master bedroom! See you then!

Daily Delight: Moustache Straws

by Briana Mowrey November 2, 2011 5 Comments

I’ve proudly sported a moustache in my Twitter user icon since 2008, so while I may already be falling behind on NaNoWriMo, I’ve had the jump on Movember for a few years now. Movember (moustache and November, get it?) is a wonderful month-long event that involves men growing moustaches to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues like prostate cancer, but even if you weren’t born a man, or weren’t lucky enough to be blessed with a naturally bushy and beautiful ‘stache like the one that I have, you can still have plenty of facial hair fun. Bust out these moustache straws from LittleRetreats at your next party, and I’ll bet you’ll be popular.

mustache straws

How cool would these be at a birthday party, bachelor or bachelorette party, or even a wedding? Everyone loves a good photo op, and trust me, everyone looks better with a moustache. Just look at Tom Selleck, Clark Gable, and Mr. Potato Head. (Don’t forget to donate to/get involved in Movember here!)

5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Halloween + Free Printables

by Kim Stoegbauer October 18, 2011 18 Comments

October 31st is right around the corner! It is such a fun holiday to celebrate with decorating, dressing up and hosting parties. Here are a few festive, creative ideas to get you in the Halloween spirit.

1. Host a Halloween Cupcake Decorating Party

Gather the kids, cupcakes and toppings and have a ball! This easy, inexpensive party theme is sure to please kids and adults. The TomKat Studio printable party collection I designed for this theme adds the finishing touches to tie it all together.

2. BOO Your Neighbors

Are you familiar with “BOOing”? If not, you should be! It is such a fun tradition. Secretly leave Halloween goodies on your neighbor’s front porch, along with this free printable sign and instructions. The idea is that they will then BOO another neighbor and the whole neighborhood will get in the Halloween spirit. We were BOOed this weekend, and we’re baking tonight to keep it going. Download Free BOO Sign + Instructions

3. Make a Spooky Halloween Banner

I hosted a girl’s night in last week, and we all made this fun Spooky Halloween banner. Download Free Printable Spooky Banner Letters
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Entertaining with the Color of the Month: Let’s Talk Teal

by Kim Stoegbauer October 4, 2011 31 Comments

For October, our trend savvy HGTV.com editors chose teal as the Color of the Month. This lovely shade falls somewhere between blue and green. While researching ideas for using this rich color, I came across a wide spectrum of tones, many of which were called teal but seemed too blue. I think a true teal has more green in it. I compiled a few ideas on how you can use this color in your next event. First up, sweets like candy, cupcakes, sprinkles and candy apples that are eye-catching and easy to serve at a casual or elegant gathering.

tealpartyideas teal sweets :: sprinkles, candy apples, candy corsage, chocolate bar, cupcakes

Paper is always an essential part of the party, at least for me. Use invitations, tags, thank you notes and paper decorations in teal to carry the color scheme throughout.

tealdecoratingideas teal paper elements :: thank you cards, tags, pomettes, tissue flowers

I spotted some great decorative pieces in teal that can add the color and style to your gathering. I love this custom made initial, which could be placed on your food/dessert table or by the front door to greet guests. The gorgeous pattern is fabric, which could be used to make a table cloth or runner.
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