A Coffee House Bridal Shower

WARNING:  LONG post to follow.

 A few weeks ago I hosted a coffee house theme bridal shower at my house.  This was no ordinary bridal shower.  First of all this shower was held in honor of my very bestest friend, Sarah, so it had to be

P-E-R-F-E-C-T.  Which for a party crazed gal like me meant that it had to be over the top fabulous.  Secondly I decided early on that the perfect spot to hold this oen of a kind shower was in my then unfinished, and unsightly, basement.  This meant lots of cleaning, paint (LOTS of paint), and work went into just reworking the space the shower would be held.  I think it is fair to say that the odds were stacked against me.

Luckily I have a fabulous husband to help me with all of my crazy plans. 

Let me begin the shower break down with an explanation of the theme and what I was going for.  Like all of my events I always start with a theme (coffee house), unlike most of my other events I was mainly concerned with having the right space.  I thought that the rest of the details would fall in place.  As far as the space was concerned I wanted to create a cozy, ecletic, slightly off beat space.  I wanted to coordinate the pieces/decor, but not have everything 'match'.  The following is what turned out.

 Sarah and I are HUGE FRIENDS fans from way back. In college we would watch, rewatch, watch, and rewatch FRIENDS on DVD. I'm not sure that there was a single day that went by that we didn't watch or quote FRIENDS. So not only did the idea of a coffee house theme seem perfect for Sarah's bridal shower, but it was not going to be complete without a little Central Perk action. I made this sign from an old window that had been collecting dust in my basement and some paint. I thought it turned out pretty well. I had several offers to take it off of my hands after the shower :) Needless to say it will be staying with me at my house.

 From another old window I had laying around I painted the panes with chalkboard paint and made a menu sign. This was SO easy to do and really added another coffee house element to the shower.

The full menu with a photo of the bride and groom to be. We placed about 12 of the different engagement photos around for the guests to see. I thought it was great for some of the guests who hadn't had a chance to see them.

Coffee & Coffee 'stuff'

For months leading up to the shower I searched thrift stores for brown and teal coffee mugs and serving pieces.

Here is a side shot of one of the food tables with the plates. 

For the favors I boxed up whole bean coffee and placed a teal label on it that had the type of coffee and the fair trade logo. I like to tie bows to everything, it is cutesy and doesn't always go, but it is a habit.  You can see the favors in the background.

There was SOOOOO much food at the shower. I am really not a great baker so I outsourced the menu to the brides sister with the stipulation that I wanted baked goods - lots of baked goods. She delivered and the food was fabulous!

I can't wrap up the photos without a shot of Sarah and I.  What a happy and fun day!

Lastly I want to wrap up this post with 'recipe' for how to throw your own coffee house theme bridal shower.   

• 
  
  This theme is great because anything goes for the most part.  Use a space that is a little off beat that will fill easily with the 'coffee' smell and that is a little on the small side so that it feels busier.
• 
  
  Use a variety of furniture styles.  For this shower I used a mix of upholstered chairs, a small antique love seat, mis matched dining chairs, and a large modern leather ottoman.
• 
  
  Focus on the menu.  make sure and have lots of coffee on hand as well as teas and hot chocolate.  have lots of baked goods around, pies, tarts, muffins, mini muffins, etc. 
• 
  
  Have a color scheme, but keep it loose.  When you go in a coffee shop (not starbucks, but real local coffee shops) they are colorful and full of patterns and designs.  Use your colors enough to tie things together but stay away from being matchy-matchy.  
• 
  
  Make sure and have music in the background.  Nothing kills a small event like dead air space, but a coffee house isn't a place that you're going to hear birds chirping.  
• 
  
  Use a coffee themed favor

 That about wraps up all the details of Sarah's Coffee House Shower.  Thanks for visiting (and sticking with such a LONG blog!)

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Hosting a small event of your own and not sure where to start?  Check out Creative Event Studio!

Entertaining Essentials

The more I entertain and party plan the more thankful I am that I've invested my money wisely in useful, multi-funtional entertaining pieces.  Recently I've found myself in the midst of planning several upcoming events and the fact that I already own a good stock of foundational pieces really makes planning much easier.  Not only is purchasing entertaining basics better for the environment, but it helps keep your budget down!  I find myself able to invest in more specialized decor elements instead of having to worry about taking care of the basics.  So in the interest of sharing I've compiled a list of my entertaining 'must-haves'. You'll notice that the majority of these aren't expensive (several can be found at Target!) and aren't hard to find items.  If you're looking for ways to spice up a blah party or are looking to build your collection I highly recommend starting here!

Silver Chargers

This set is from Target, $5.99 for 4.  I always buy in at least sets of 8 or sets of 12 when it's availalbe.  $5.99 is already a great price for this set, but I always try and pick mine up during the seasonal sales when things are marked down 50% or more!

A long tablecloth

My dining room table seats 8 and has no leaf, which means that I have to go out of my way to look for extra long tableclothes.  My mom gave me this one for Christmas and it has easily worked it's way into my favorite entertaining items.  It's neutral in color so it works in nearly every season, it is simple and stylish.  This one is currently $25 at Target.

White Serving Dishes

I own a variety of white platters, bowls, and other serving pieces.  Some of these have been purchased a chain stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond and the late Linens-n-Things, while others have been picked up at antique stores and garage sales.  My thought is that if they are white, I don't care what design they are because they match!  The one pictured is from Bed, Bath, & Beyond and is $25.

Appetizer Caddy

One of my favorite purchases is the appetizer caddy from Pampered Chef.  This is by far the priciest item listed at $60, but I really love it.  It is great for parties because you don't need to worry about buying little party plates, you can whip this out in a second, it is dishwasher safe, and I just flat out love it (did I say that already?).  It is handy and stylish which gets 2 thumbs up from me.

These four items are the ones I would recommend purchasing to start an entertaining collection.  As I said most are very affordable and can be found in many different stores. 

Happy Entertaining!

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?

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!

It's not rocket science...

While I was at my parent's house decorating & setting up my sister's baby shower my mom made a comment to me about how she had picked up some tips from me about party planning and how easy it actually is. Her exact quote was that 'it's not rocket science' and the truth is that it really is very simple if you keep a few things in mind. As I was pondering this conversation on my way back home I found myself writing down the following tips on the back of a KFC drive through bag (yes, I'm guilty of using the drive through...and writing while driving...). Hopefully you'll be able to use some of these to help plan your next event.

• Plan ahead and be specific: Once you know that you are going to be hosting an event start planning. Obviously start with your pillar info, who, what, when, and where. In each catagory be as specific as possible. Example: Where: My parent's house: living room & dining room. Start to envision the overall event. Set a realistic timeline.
• Don't be afraid of using a theme: I have never really understood this, and still don't, but so many people are afraid of using a 'theme'. Using a theme DOES NOT mean that you have to perfect match every detail to a color swatch or have huge puffy bows everywhere, theme simply means the overall mood/tone of the event. Sometimes this is very specific (The Wizard of Oz), sometimes it is more general (pink & green), or sometimes it is elusive (Natural Elegance, Backyard BBQ). No matter what you're going for you need a theme so that you have a place to start.
• Set a realistic budget: Good events aren't about how much money you spend, but about how you spend the money you have. Find out how much you realistically can spend on your event and then prioritize your budget to reflect the things that are most important to you (food, decor, invites, etc).
• Research & Gather Information: Once you've got your basic details & theme start digging around. Google image your theme idea and see what comes up. Look at event websites & blogs and see what other people have done for similar events. Collect images/ideas of things that you like. Start finding resources for products you'd like to buy or rent. Start gathering addresses for invites/thank you's.
• Stay Organized: People make fun of me because I keep a file for each event that I am planning. In it I keep lists of ideas, photographs, vendor information, pricing information, and other things that I'll need on hand. This is a great resource that I highly recommend.
• Don't use 'matchy-matchy' decor: I'm not sure if this should be it's own bullet point or if it should be in with the theme catagory but don't try and perfectly match all of the things. You want your event decor to coordinate but you don't want it to look like you bought all together. The best events feature decor that has a collected, homey look to them. As a general rule it is always better to use cloth over paper whenever possible.
• Enlist help & utlize friends/relatives: Don't be afraid to ask for help! If you've got a friend who is a good photographer then ask them to take the photos, if you've got a relative that is a great baker ask them to help with cakes, etc. If you need shear man power to decorate or staff your event - ask for help. You'd be surprised at how often people want to help but are afraid to ask because they don't think they've got something to contribute.
• HAVE FUN!: Don't loose focus of why your hosting your event. No matter what type of party you're planning you're probably there to celebrate & have a good time. Most of the time if something goes wrong you'll be the only one to notice, so brush it off and have a good time.

Color Scheme Designer

Are you planning an upcoming event? If so the first thing you need to do is stop by the Color Scheme Designer {http://colorschemedesigner.com/}. This online app is super easy to use and takes all the guess work out of choosing a complimentary color scheme. Using my main color as a bright pink here are all the different scenarios of complimentary colors it came up with for me:

Wedding Ettiquette

As someone who has gotten married, has friends and family who have gotten married, and a former wedding professional there are several things that I just hate to see future brides and grooms do. One of the BIGGEST things that I HATE to see is when people include registry information in with their invitations. I was reading Dear Prudence via MSN when I stumbled across an interesting letter/response about wedding registries.

Dear Prudence,

I was recently invited to a friend's wedding. Enclosed with the invitation was a slip of paper listing the stores where the couple is registered along with the message: "Please include a gift receipt." Am I right to find this message a bit rude? I feel like my friend is announcing, "We have picked out exactly what we want you to buy but still think you'll screw up the job, so we want to make sure it's returnable." Or maybe they already know that they don't want the crap they registered for and are just looking for a way to get cash? Frankly, I'd rather skip the middle man (and the shipping fees) if they don't trust me enough to buy what they have already indicated they want. Am I out of line? (And isn't there a better way for them to ask for cash if that's what they need most?)
—Presumptively Incompetent Giver

Dear Presumptively,

I always enjoy hearing about the ever-escalating ways engaged couples seek to chisel the goods out of their friends and loved ones. The innovation here is that the couple clearly doesn't want the stuff they've designated, but they feel they're too classy to come right out and say, "Just give us cash." Here's a tip for engaged couples: The invitation should announce the where and when of the wedding and say nothing about the "What I want." For that, you wait until your guests start inquiring, and then, as Peggy Post (heir to Emily's mantle) advises, you graciously say anything they feel like getting you would be delightful and that you've also registered at Crate and Barrel if they want some guidance. If what you want is cash, Ms. Post advises saying you're saving for a big purchase and a check would be most appreciated. (Miss Manners demurs that there is no polite way to say, "Show me the money.") What couples like your friends don't realize is that people who care about them actually enjoy the act of getting them something meaningful to mark the occasion of their starting their lives together. But these couples are killing that pleasure by acting as if they are collection agencies calling in their friends' debts. So, sure, go ahead and write this couple a check—maybe they'll even surprise you and send a thank-you note.
—Prudie

{http://www.slate.com/id/2199318/?GT1=38001}

My advice to couples planning to wed: invite those that you love because you love them, not because you'd love the toaster.

Party Planning 101: Lesson IV

So far we've decided on our theme, invited our guests, and planned the menu & the table setting. Now we are in the final stage of our party planning. If the ball gets dropped at this point the party will still go on - but it could easily end up being a flop - so pay attention!

The difference between a good party and a great party is all in the details. So go ahead and take a step back from everything you've done so far and look for 'gaps' that can be filled. Think back to Lesson I - choosing the theme. Think about the overall theme for your party and then look at the reality of your situation. It may not be real to envision your backyard Mexican themed barbeque in an adobe Spanish style home if your house is a split level, but it is realistic to envision Mexican details to pull the party together to make the 'non-themed' pieces fade into the background. If a party is done right it is the details that are remembered by guests. Here are some great ways to add personalized details to your party:

• If you used a monogram, logo, or other party related motif on your invitation (or even if you didn't, go ahead and make one) incorporate that into your decor. Some examples of this may include setting individual menus at each place setting with the logo at the top or embellishing cocktail umbrellas with a party themed design.


{www.hostesswiththemostess.com}

• STICK TO YOUR COLOR SCHEME. Color can make or break a party. A unified palette can bring things together that normally wouldn't match. Use different textures and materials whenever possible to create more interest and make it seem less matchy/matchy.


• Do party favors. Make a little package with chocolates (and yes, Hershey kisses ARE overdone), for a summer party give packets of flower seeds, if you have a garden send home small packages of fresh blackberries, something simple and heartfelt is always best - but tie it in with your party. For a Mexican barbeque give guests small maracas or individually wrapped churros!

{www.theknot.com}

• Don’t forget any space. If you are hosting an event at an outside venue put together baskets for the restrooms that include tissues, purell, tampons, lip blotters, etc. If your event is in your home have a candle lit in your bathroom (you know why) and put out some lotion and other things for your guests to use.

{www.valseyandme.com}

• Lastly think outside of the box. If your group of friends host a lot of get togethers do something different than the standard decorations that your group always see. Do an inspiration search online for ideas.

After you've done your 'gap-searching' make a list of EVERYTHING that you will need for the event. EVERYTHING - big or small. Then make a list of EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Be a boy scout and be prepared! There is nothing worse or more embarrassing to have people over and realize that you are missing a key ingredient to a recipe or game or anything. So make your list early and go shopping. Then when you get home lay out each ingredient with the corresponding project or recipe to do a double check. If you’re missing something go back to the store.

The last thing to do before you start cooking and setting up for your event is to do a dry run. If you are hosting an event in which you are using vendors call and confirm every detail with them. (Don't worry about imposing on their time - that's what they're getting paid for.) If you're hosting at your home, walk the same path through your home (or venue if applicable) the same way that your guests will enter. This will give you a fresh set of eyes to see the things that your guests will see. For example, if a guest is coming to my home then they will walk into my formal living room, but they will also be able to see into the sitting room, so I would want to put fresh flowers and maybe some candles on my coffee table in the formal living room and make sure that lamp is on in the sitting room. If the party is not being held in the same room that the guests will enter into make sure that the areas leading up to that area are clean, well lit, and free from clutter (toys in the hall, etc). And don’t forget these spaces, add small touches to make it feel connected to the party, but don’t put a lot of party specific décor in these areas.