Autumn Inspirations

I love fall. It's my favorite time of year. I love the cool crisp temperatures, the rustling sound of the leaves on trees and most of all the vibrant colors. So for some autumn inspiration I found some great inspiration boards at The Perfect Palette and at Polyvore. I hope these boards will inspire you too!



I saw these colors on the The Perfect Palette and fell in love with them. I will find a way to use them at an upcoming event.

I found these Autumn colors so warm and inviting.

I also love warm, muted earth tones with a splash of color added to make the setting pop.

Chalkboard Inspirations

First, I want to apologize for not posting in a while. I recently had hip and knee surgery and the recovery has kept me very busy.



On to today's post - I love the idea of using chalkboards for decorating and for entertaining and you are seeing this used more and more. Here are a few ideas that you can use in your home or at your next event.


This table runner is from Napa Style. I thought it was a creative way to identify food for your guests.

I love the idea of doing away with wine charms and these glasses from Pier 1 are a great way to do that.

I loved these wine lables when giving wine as a gift. They are from Green Depot .

Get Organized Using Everyday Items

Real Simple online recently did an article on how to get organized using everyday items. They listed 21 different ways, but posted my top 5 favorites. Hope you find them as useful and creative as I did.
1.Earrings as pushpins
Face it: That long-lost earring is probably gallivanting with a wayward sock in Ye Olde Land of Misplaced Items. (What a stud!) Let its lonely, abandoned mate rebound as a pretty thumbtack on a bulletin board.








2.Tissue Box as Grocery Bag Holder
Storing plastic grocery bags under the kitchen sink. After An Affair to Remember has exhausted your supply of tissues, stuff the bags into the empty box.





3.Coat Rack as Jewelry Holder
Storing your best-loved (and most frequently worn) necklaces and bracelets within easy reach.








4.Tall Vase as Toilet Paper Container
Helping toilet paper hide in plain sight. Guests don't have to root around for a new roll in your not absolutely, positively tidy vanity, and you always know when you're running low.







5.Toilet Paper Roll as Cord Holder
Tangle-free power wherever you need it. Coil the cord into a hank about 1 1/2 inches thick, then slide it through the tube for a neat package that won't come unwound.

SUPER BOWL PARTY

If you know me than you know that I am from Pittsburgh and a diehard Steelers fan. Astonishingly, my beloved Steelers did not make the playoffs this year! However, despite my lamenting over fact that my Steelers’ season is over I still wanted to put together some ideas for hosting a Super Bowl Party.



Invite Them and They Will Come
What makes the Super Bowl special is not only the game itself, but it's the camaraderie of friends and family. In order to enjoy your party to the fullest, you must invite the right people. You don't want to make the mistake of inviting just anyone. A great Super Bowl party consists of close friends, not the people that are out party hopping in search of free beer. Keep the guest list at a minimum. Invite the people that you truly want to hang out with. Getting the word out that you are having a Super Bowl Party is essential and evite.com has a great selection of football online invitations to send.

Décor
Decorate your table and your house with the colors for the two teams that are playing. For your food table this is the perfect occasion to ditch your old linen table cloths and let loose! Pick up a few yards of astro turf from your nearest home supply store and cover your table tops with this fake field! Go the extra “yard” and create yard lines using white masking tape!

At Crash This Party they had these décor pictures for a Super Bowl Party and of course I had to show them and give a shout out to the my Black and Gold.

I love the football players’ numbers added to the glasses like wine charms and using football scrapbook paper to cover candle bases.





















Let them eat cake…. And a whole lot more
What would a football party be without beer and food?!? Here are some great game day recipes.

Soft Pretzels with Queso Poblano Sauce and Mustard Sauce









Sliders with Chipotle Mayonnaise








Lucky 7 Layer Dip











Buffalo Chicken Dip

Marmalade Meat Balls

Now sit back relax and enjoy the game.

MOVIE NIGHT

With few more long winter nights ahead of us movie night is a great way to entertain and fight the winter doldrums. It’s perfect for a Friday night when friends are up for a relaxed evening that’s simple. Even a casual movie night needs a theme. Here are a few fun themes to work with.

Summer Dreaming
Adventureland
Dirty Dancing
Jaws
Dazed and Confused
Stand by me
Beach Blanket Bingo



Oscar Winners
The English Patient
Rain Man
Titanic
Slumdog Millionaire
The Departed
Platoon
Laugh out Loud
Little Miss Sunshine
Something About Mary
The Hangover
The Full Monty
Young Frankenstein
007 Party
Dr. No
Live and Let Die
The Spy Who Loved Me
Casino Royale
Classic Action/Adventure
Raiders of the Lost Ark
North by Northwest
Die Hard
Blade Runner
The Terminator
Trilogies
The Godfather Trilogy
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Ocean’s Trilogy
Star Wars Episodes IV- VI and then Episodes I – III
The Bourne Trilogy
Back to the Future
Austin Powers

One of the best parts of going to the movies is the concession stand. For an adult party set-up a drink station to match your movie theme. Here are a few drink/theme ideas:
Summer Dreaming – Margaritas, James Bond- Martini’s shaken not stirred, Star Wars – Cosmos

Put several bowls of flavored popcorn around the room. Take newspaper and roll into cones for your guests to fill with popcorn. Also, have some concession type candy like Twizzlers, Milk Duds, and Raisinettes.

Than sit back, relax and enjoy the movies!

Holiday Mantel

To me nothing creates a feeling of hominess, warmth and holiday cheer like a well decorated fireplace and mantel. Below are pictures from Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, myhomeideas.com, and Southern Living. I hope that they inspire you too.


I love this display. I like using natural elements when I decorate and using red cranberries with the evergreen garland really makes this display pop.
















Here is another great example of bringing natural elements inside.




















I also love the idea of incorporating live trees and flowers into your displays.




For those of you that are looking to make more of statement these two displays hopefully will give you some inspiration.

10 Fabulous and Unique Gifts for under $75

With the holiday season in full swing and the thoughts gift giving ringing in our heads I have found some fabulous and glamorous gifts for under $75 most under $50. Happy shopping and happy giving!

Naughty Paris: A Ladies Guide to Sexy Paris - $26
GIVE TO: Your travel bug, but slightly naughty girlfriends.
Click here to purchase.






Vinturi Wine Aerator - $35
GIVE TO: The wine enthusiast.
Click here to purchase.














Nintendo DS Style Savvy - $30
GIVE TO: The Rachel Zoe wannabe in your life.
Click here to purchase.














Waals World Time Clock -$54
GIVE TO: The jet setter or businesses traveler
Click here to purchase.















Engraved Satin Gunmetal Pocket Watch - $50
GIVE TO: Your father or husband as a sentimental gift or to a gentleman that has a unique style.
Click here to purchase.












Family Table Topics Game -$25
GIVE TO: The inquisitive member of your family
Click here to purchase.














Roxy Laptop Tote - $50
GIVE TO: Give to the high school or college hipster
Click here to purchase.
















Fifty Dresses that Changed the World $15
GIVE TO: The fashionista book worm
Click here to purchase.

















Rock your Religion Cho Rho Braclet or Pendent also available in Cross, Star of David and
Peace sign -$75
GIVE TO: Give to the spiritual person in your life
Click here to purchase.














Bijou tea light holder - $20
GIVE TO: As host gift or to home décor enthusiast.
Click here to purchase.