Halloween Tabletop

As most of you know I like to keep my dining room table set according to the season/holiday. Recently I put together this Halloween inspired tabletop with black, red, and grey elements. (Sorry about the pictures - I had to take them myself!)

Eco Friendly Party Supplies

There are so many options when it comes to party goods and supplies that sometimes it is easy to forget the environmental impact that entertaining can potentially have, especially when it comes to disposable party goods. Many paper party plates (say that three times fast!) and cocktail napkins have inks or coatings that make them impossible or very difficult to recycle, thus adding more to our growing landfills. 

Personally I have tried to implement more 'real' products into my own entertaining.  Real napkins, plates, and cups not only are better for the earth but they also make a better impact on your events!  Do real items cost more?  Yes, but they last longer.  Do green products cost more?  Sometimes yes.  When I first began researching green party ware products I honestly thought I wasn't ever going to find anything budget friendly, but the more that I've dug and looked around I'vce found products that fit the budget and won't harm our planet. 

Without further adu, here is a list of green party product suppliers:

• Branch Home
• Plum Party (yep, they've got biodegradables too!)
• Let's Go Green
• Bamboo Bambu
• Green Planet Parties
• Eco My Party
• Happy Green Earth

If you're not someone that normally thinks about what you're buying before you buy it you don't have to go through a speciality store or site to go green.  Many disposable dinnerware companies are now producing eco friendly products that can be found at most discount stores.  I live very close to Target.  The last time I had to pick up plates and cups for a barbeque I bought these Bare products made by Solo.  They were exactly the same price as the other disposable items, except these are made with post consumer products and are recyclable/compostable.  (And did I say they were cheap?)

Lastly (sorry this is getting long!) there are lots of budget friendly options out there for non-disposable entertaining products.  One of my favorite buys that I've come across is from Mission Restuarant Supply.  For $1.75 you can get a dozen stainless steel forks.  $1.75!  That is super cheap for an item that you can reuse time and time again.  There are deals out there for real products if you look for them.  It might take you a little longer in the beginning finding reusable products in your price range, but in the end you'll save time by never having to shop for basics (like forks) again. 

I hope that some of you find this information helpful and that you all examine how green your events are. 

Happy entertaining!

You Tube Wedding Processional Dance Video

In honor of Jim & Pam's wedding last night on the office here is the dance processional video for all of you (who like me) hadn't seen the You Tube video.  It's quite the scene. 

Event Trends 2009

Just like everything else in life there are trends in special events.  Just think about how the event industry has changed over the last 30-50 years.  Once upon a time it was the trend to have photography that is now seen as boring and far out of touch because of the posed, standard shots.  I was doing some online reading and came across this article from Special Events.com where some of the industry experts talked about what was in and what is out in the world of special events.  Obviously click on the link for the full article (and to check out some of the other great features on their site) but below are some of the highlights.

What's in?

• Eco-theme events/natural themed events/using eco-friendly products and making them upscale/products with purpose
• Technology
• Total guest experiences (luxury resorts are out, events are being held in areas where the event is an extension of the location)

What's out?

• Frivolus events/opulence/wastefullness
• Submerged flowers
• Lucite

What do you think is in or out?  Especially here in the mid-west?  Thoughts?

New Look

Obviously I changed the background.  I don't hate it, but I hate that little thing over in the corner...ugh.  What do you think?

I found this picture hiding on my jump drive and remembered how adorable I thought it was when I came across it the first time.  Doesn't this look snuggly?

Hello blog!

Okay, I admit it, I've totally been slacking on the blogphere lately. I don't have much of a defense except to say that I've been working on some other projects, one of which you'll just have to wait around for the big unveil!

One of the projects that I hope to be able to post about very soon is my basement redo. I'm not finishing my basement, so I am lovingly referring to the project as my finished-unfinished basement. Once this is done it will be a true testament to the power of paint & a shoe string budget!

And since no post would be complete without photos I am going to leave you with a few photos of my sister's wedding from last year since she is celebrating her 1 year wedding anniversary this weekend. They had a simple courthouse wedding, but she was just about the cutest courthouse bride I've ever seen with her blue peep toe shoes. My curly hair husband photographed the wedding.

And in case you hadn't heard I now also have the cutest nephew ever....

Plum Party Sale!

Right now Plum Party is having their 48 hour Fall Sale! The sale is good for almost everything in the store so get over there now to score some great deals at 75% off! Make sure and use coupon code FALL48HR at the checkout!

Introducing Chris's Film Blog

www.chrisfilm.wordpress.com

For those of you that know me in real life or online you may have heard mention of my hubby's love of film. After much deliberation (and encouragement from many) he has finally started his own film blog. It is very much in the beginning stages, but I encourage all readers to hop over there, subscribe, and follow the reviews. Until he gets more reviews up on the blog feel free to follow the link on my right hand sidebar entitled, 'Movie Reviews by Chris', to read further.

Happy blogging - enjoy!

Barn Cabin Fever

For the past several months I've been dreaming of converting an old barn into a weekend cabin getaway (not that I have the money to do this, or an old barn to convert, but I suppose that is why it is called a dream). So for the past several months I've toyed with this in my mind. About 2 months ago I mentioned it to the hubby. A few weeks ago I started collecting photos....and whining to the hubster..... :)

I should really stop torturing myself.

Alas, here is are some photos that I think would be wound into my cabin getaway.

A Michigan Heritage Barn - it looks like half a house & half a barn.

I LOVE this door! Wouldn't it be a perfect entry?This is my favorite bathroom. I think it would work in my barn cabin. This is from the Bracken Cottage in West Brooksville, Maine.This is the New River Bank Barn converted by Blackburn Architects.Barn Conversion by Shed Architects in Seattle.The Granery by Blackburn Architects.Another view of the Barn Conversion by Shed Architects.

Etsy Love

So I logged onto Etsy to look at adorable baby things in honor of my new nephew and on the front page I got completely distracted by this adorable purse. If one can fall in love with purse then I am in love with this little wonder:

Now that I'm done drooling, let my quest continue...