ShareSmarty Parties has the perfect birthday (or un-birthday!) for your little Alice or Mad Hatter. This theme can also be easily adapted for a bridal or baby shower, too.
EXTRA: ENGLISH TEA PARTY SET >>
Photos by StellaDolcePhotography.com
Related Items You’ll Enjoy:
Alice in Wonderland Living Room
Stacked Teacups Bookcase
Whimsical Hotel Room
ShareHalloween is sneaking up on you fast (only 1 week left!) but don’t worry, we’ve got 23 printable (and free!) templates to make throwing a party, spooking up your front yard, treating your favorite ghouls and ghosties and perfecting your pumpkin relatively painless.
Start with our templates and instructions for creepy outdoor cut-outs:
Get the party started with our printable party favors, like this princess crown:
ShareThere are football fans and there are FOOTBALL FANS. Then, there’s me. My devotion to the sport is extremely questionable, but I still look forward to the season. Why? Two words: football food. Nachos, salsa, chips, wings — it’s all good. But whether I opt to make chili and cornbread or creamy crab dip, guacamole is one thing that’s always on my table. Here’s what you need to know to make delicious guac every time.
ShareDo you ever get into an appetizer rut? It happens to all of us: With a party looming, you think, “Oh, I’ll just make/buy…for the 17th time this summer.” It’s great to have go-to dishes (for me, it’s guacamole), but sometimes it’s nice to shake things up. Here are 5 ways to upgrade classic appetizers this summer.
Eggplant Chips With Cilantro Pesto
Instead of: “Regular” Chips and Dip
Try: Eggplant Chips With Cilantro Pesto
Now, there’s nothing wrong with potato chips, corn chips, or even sweet potato chips. But wander with me into the realm of unexpected-but-delicious and try roasting in-season eggplant chips. Use long, thin Japanese eggplant (available at your local farmers’ market) for the optimal ratio of crispy skin to sweet chip. While they’re roasting, use your food processor or blender to whip up fresh cilantro pesto.
Get the Recipe >>
Creamy Lump Crab and Fresh Corn Dip
Instead of: Store-Bought Creamy Dips
Try: Lump Crab and Corn Dip With Oven-Crisped Crostinis
It’s a well-established party fact that people flock to hot, oozy dips no matter the temperature. But many store-bought versions have more mayo than filling, leaving them soupy and well, kind of underwhelming. This version uses lump crab and in-season corn alongside three cheeses for a thick, hearty appetizer that will leave guests weak in the knees. While it’s baking, throw some sourdough bread slices in the oven — boom, you’ve made your own crostini.
Get the Recipe >>
ShareHappy Valentine’s Day! Here are a few last-minute ideas to celebrate the sweetest day of the year. Bake a batch of cupcakes and top with cute cupcake toppers. Download Cupcake Topper Designs A doily garland is super easy to make with just a few supplies from a craft store. View Doily Garland Tutorial
ShareYes, 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.
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.
ShareI’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.
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!)
ShareAfter I spotted this silhouette pumpkin on Design Happens last week, I was totally inspired to find ideas for black and white Halloween decorating and entertaining. I am loving what I’ve come across and thinking I may just have to go with this striking palette for my mantle this year. Do you think you could decorate for Halloween without orange? C’mon, get crazy!
Shelley from The House of Smiths shows us how to create a Halloween vignette of mostly black and white on a budget. This knotted black ribbon wreath immediately caught my eye on Pinterest. I love how simple, yet glamorous is it. Donna from Party Wishes added a few inexpensive touches to her porch to get in the mood for Halloween. And here’s the silhouette pumpkin tutorial featured on HGTV that inspired this post. Isn’t it fabulous?
The white foam pumpkin embellished with a decal and jewels is an easy project with a spooktacular result. My printable cupcake toppers lend to a glam black and white color scheme. Pair with a plastic spider for a creepy look. I spotted this gauze mummy wreath on Etsy and love it. Do you see the skeleton hands hanging down from it? Spooky. Spiders are a must when choosing this black and white theme for decorating or a party. This downloadable print is part of Shelley’s Halloween shelves.
These creepy plates are freaking me out! Scare your guests by covering up the illustrations with food only to reveal body parts while they’re eating. Talk about freaking out! These real scorpions mounted in a display box will gross everyone out. Living in Arizona, I’ve seen a few in real life, and it’s not pleasant. Need a party favor? How about sending your guests home with a tub of embalming cream? Good news, it’s pumpkin marshmallow scent. Yum. Greet your visitors with this life-size ghost that you can easily make yourself with this HGTV tutorial.
Have I inspired you to decorate with black and white this year or do you think orange is required for Halloween?
Let me know by commenting below!
ShareThere’s almost always an array of delicious drinks at your average summer shindig: Iced tea, lemonade, soda, and adult beverages like beer. However, the cup options tend to be limited to one thing: Plastic cups. Don’t get me wrong, I have an inherent fondness for plastic cups because I associate them with having fun, but I’m not so sure they’re ideal for every bevvie. Studio Qubus’ Sommelier Wine Glasses seem like a great compromise.
Czech designer Maxim Velčovský perches plastic cup lookalikes atop stems for a wonderful highbrow/lowbrow effect. The shape is casual enough to be informal, but the material and stem make sipping something like a nice Pinot Noir feel a little less “frat party.” Now that’s something worth toasting!
ShareIt’s that time of year again! Time for the kids to head back to school. Before the first day, why not host a back-to-school themed party to get the kids excited? Gather up neighbors and friends for snacks, treats and fun activities. Last week, I styled a back-to-school event to celebrate the start of the school season here in Phoenix that included The TomKat Studio’s Printable Back-to-School Collection and delicious desserts and snacks.
Crafts and coloring are perfect activities for a back-to-school get together. Print the template for a sweet card for your child’s teacher, have him/her color, cut and take to school on the first day. I also designed an exclusive printable for HGTV readers, Lunchbox Love Notes. If you pack lunch for your kids, tuck in a little notecard to brighten their day!
{download the HGTV exclusive printable lunchbox love notes}
Sweet cupcakes are always a favorite with the kids. Top with sprinkles and a cute topper and the little ones won’t be able to resist. Apple cake pops are not only adorable but delicious, too. Find the instructions on bakerella.
READ MORE
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