and the oscar goes to…

YOU for throwing a fabulous party!

I have to say, although “Oscar season” is totally overplayed in the media {with all that we have going on in the world} and the show can be a bit boring, I enjoy the show just to see what people are wearing! I love the fashion that the night brings, and as a party girl, I love the excuse to invite some girlfriends over and watch the Oscars! With these tips. your Oscar party {Sunday, February 26} will be red-carpet worthy.

Kathleen at Twig and Thistle created an ENTIRE SET of Oscar party printables. From the invites, to the voting ballots and place cards – she’s got your covered and they are all for FREE here. Thanks, Kathleen. I based my party inspiration on her classic black, white, gold and kraft paper.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS:

For the table, find a sparkly gold table cloth, or if you don’t have one, find a white table cloth and add a black and white chevron runner down the middle of the table.

Add and light lots of votive candles. Love me some candle lighting.

Place a ballot from Twig and Thistle at each place setting and a gold pencil for guests to fill out at the beginning of the night.

Cut out white stars from cardstock paper, write best actress nominations {Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams…if you have more friends than nominees, add best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees} and attach via black and white twine to champagne flutes. Your girlfriends can be a nominee for the night…and keep track of their cocktail.

For the centerpieces, spray paint wine bottles with chalkboard paint and use chalk to write down all Best Picture nominees {Hugo, The Descendents, The Artist, Moneyball, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, War Horse, The Tree of Life, The Help, The Artist and Midnight in Paris}. Complete with look with a white flower inside the wine bottle centerpiece.

Hang black, white and gold poms above the table.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU:

I think it would be a blast to pay homage to all the year’s best nominated films by serving foods inspired by the movies. Epicurious had some fantastic ideas…so I picked what I thought would be delicious to try.
Deviled Eggs and Chocolate Cream Pie {The Help}
Hot Dogs and Beer {Moneyball}
Cranberry Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Topping {War Horse}
Cherry Tomato Pizza Margherita {Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close}
Twice Baked Potato with Goat Cheese and Chives and Creamed Spinach {The Artist}
Crab Cakes with Creamy Chili Sauce or Coconut Shrimp {The Descendants},
French Champagne {Midnight in Paris}
Skillet Corn Bread {The Tree of Life}
Oven Baked Chicken and Slow Roasted Tomatoes on a Baguette {Hugo}

If all that is too fancy for you, I think Moneyball inspired food – peanuts, hotdogs, beer, Coca-Cola and CrackerJack boxes would be lovely…and of course some French Champagne for a little fabulousness!

{images via Twig and Thistle, Snippet and Ink, MaryJane and Galoshes, The Glitter Guide, Reasons to Breathe, Pinterest, Lindsey B Photography and Rue}

megan + taylor

This wedding is so sweet and genuine. Just reading about Megan’s recollection of her day makes you feel the love and the pure joy that was that day for she and hubby Taylor. The bright bouquets pop of color with the neutral bridesmaid dresses and winter white backdrop was beautiful. And, the DIY touches are charming. Laura Murray from Laura Murray Photography captured the beauty of every moment on a stunning Colorado December day.

In the brides words… I loved every part of our day. Getting ready with my dearest friends and family members was such a blast and they were so supportive and encouraging. My heart deeply cherishes the time I had with my dad moments before he walked me down the aisle. He is a wise, loving man and the perfect one to speak to me before such an important moment in my life. I am so very glad Taylor and I decided not to see each other before the aisle. It really built such a delightful anticipation for us to see each other at our wedding ceremony! The ceremony was so special with Taylor’s dad, Reverend Dan Jessup, as our officiant. Taylor and I washed each others feet as our first act to one another. It was such a moving moment, a beautifully almost inconvenient part of the ceremony.

The reception was so rich and fun! It meant so much to me to be celebrating in a room that so many people poured their love, personality, and creativity into to make it look so fabulous. To look around and see a little piece of so many people who have poured so much into my life in the decorations of our wedding was an honor.

The greatest surprise of the day came during the reception from my new husband! He sat alone on a chair on the dance floor, played his guitar, and sang to me. Earlier that day, I walked down to an electric violin instrumental of “Marry Me” by train. I also surprised Taylor by having the lyrics of that song wrapped around our wedding cake. It came full circle when he opened his mouth and sang to me, our song. What a lucky woman I am! It was such a gift that I will forever cherish. The dance was an absolute blast! From interpretive group performances to talent to non-stop wiggly kiddos, it was the perfect way to rejoice together.

The Lord, my husband, and all the people who came to be a part of our day made it so perfectly unforgettable and I am so thankful for what our wedding day was!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Laura Murray Photography
Flowers: Mountain Meadows Flowers & Gifts
DJ: Sunset Productions Entertainment Company
Venue: Trail West Lodge
Bride’s Dress: The French Door
Ties: The Dotted Duck by Kim Doughan
Bridesmaids hair pieces: Etsy shop Jessica Rayes
MakeUp: Erica McCarthy
Dance floor: All Pro Rents

{images via Laura Murray Photography}

you are my sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

My mom and I sing this to my kids all the time. My daughter particularly loves it ~ her eyes light up when she hears it, and when the song is over she always asks for more.

It’s a meaningful song to me, so I brought it to life with my inspiration board today. Hope it brings a little sunshine to your winter day…and I think it’s a sweet spin on Valentine’s Day for your loved one {make your Valentine feel like he/she is the sunshine of your life}.

I’ll leave you with a cupcake recipe that looks like it tastes as refreshing, yummy and sweet as sunshine. It makes me wish summer was here.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes by Half Baked, The Cake Blog

images via:
Zappos Hunter Original High Gloss Rain Boot | Sugarboo Designs You Are My Sunshine Art Print |  Country Living Yellow Painted Bedroom | Yellow Centerpiece with Chevron Runner from Oh So Beautiful Paper | You Are My Sunshine Sign by Etsy seller Go Jump in the Lake | Flower Necklace by etsy seller RachelleD | Yellow and White Sailor Tote Bag found at Damsel in Dior and sold by Etsy seller Bayan HippoJonathan Adler Grapefruit Pop Candle |  You are my Sunshine Cake found at P is for Party | Pinterest Hello Sunshine pillow | Mulberry Fashion Ad from Damsel in Dior | Half Baked, The Cake Blog | Sunflower Soiree Party by The Party Dress | Invitation by Fleur de Lis, a paperie

romantic ruffles

Our tail feathers are ruffled about ruffles. Ruffles are so romantic, soft and girly. We are in love.

images via:

1. White Scalloped Cake Plate: $14.95 Pier 1 imports
2. White Peony Bouquet: Martha Stewart
3. Linen, cake and chair cover: The Knotty Bride
4. Monique Lhuillier Wedding Gown: The Wedding Chicks
5. Ann Taylor Silk Georgette Petal Top: The Chloe Conspiracy
6. Ruffle Cake: Half Baked, The Cake Blog
7. Glint Ruffle Clutch: $88, Nordstrom
8. Corner Ruffle Duvet Corner: Urban Outfitters
9. Ruffle Linens: Wildflower Linens found via Style Me Pretty
10. Ruffled Little Black Dress: Marilyn’s Keepsakes

push up the goodness

A new {well, semi-new} trend in the party world are push-up pops. They were big in 2011 and we anticipate they will continue to be big in 2012. They are too cute not to be! Whether you fill them with one, or all three, of the delectable C’s{cake, cupcakes or cookies}, or ice cream – they are a must-have at your next party.

These bright Picasso-like push-up pop creations found at Hostess with the Mostess are a colorful addition to any dessert table. 

One Charming Party has recipe ideas for push-up pops that make our mouth water, including cake+fresh berries+whipped cream, and the other one is for the chocolate lovers out there.

Chocolate Cookie Push Pops by The Decorated Cookie are made with easy to make and find ingredients. Oh how I love oreos!

The combination of combining chocolate cake and Kahlua frosting sounds irresistible to us too, Erica, of Sweet Tooth, and makes for the perfect party favor.

Fill push pop containers with sherbert ice cream to create a refreshing watermelon treat like Firefly Confections did. I have fond memories of this desert because my bestie growing up {love ya, Jamie} use to serve watermelon cake at her summer birthday party. It is so yummy.

For a complete book dedicated to Push-Up Pops, Courtney Dial Whitmore of Pizzazzerie, has a fabulous looking book, Push-Up Pops, set to release March 1, 2012. Her recipe for Mocha Madness {with coffee ice cream, oreo cookies and chocolate}, which looks divine, can be found here.

You can find push up pop containers at Culinary Direct, Amazon or where I found them to be the cheapest {and can be bought at lower quantities}, Etsy.

{images via Firefly ConfectionsPizzazzerie, Hostess with the Mostess, One Charming Party, Sweet Tooth and The Decorated Cookie}