Party Style | House of Earnest

Category: Party Style

April 23, 2013

Bright Pop of Tropical

The Saturday before I left for China, I did the flowers for a beautiful wedding reception with a bright, poppy, tropical twist. It was not only such a welcome surge of brights for spring, but it was a new challenge for me to work with tropical flowers.

I was a little nervous, but as soon as the blooms arrived, I was so overtaken by the texture, dimension, and color that the whole process just took on a life of it’s own. I wanted to arrange them the day of the event, since orchids are a little sensitive. I woke up super early, put on some music, drank my coffee and got to work.

I absolutely loved the entire process and working with such unique blooms. I added some lemon to the bottom of several arrangements to give them a little pop of yellow and add to the cheery, tropical attitude.

It’s definitely different than the other weddings I’ve done, but I think that is why I love it so much!

Give me your thoughts? Love tropicals? Too modern for you? Tell me!

I hope this brightens up your Tuesday!

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April 8, 2013

More than Sweet for Spring

in Party Style with 13 Comments

I spent this weekend breaking in the new patio with some friends and although the weather isn’t entirely springy (yet), I did find that a fresh, sweet drink really helped. The best part about this spring concoction? It’s super low calorie. I’ll admit that the recipe came from a friend who calls it the ‘fat-burner’. I put a slight twist on it by adding in fresh blueberries and muddled basil. I love the added dimension of the herb and who doesn’t love alcohol infused fresh fruit at the bottom of a drink?

The drink is light, fizzy, a little fruity (but not too sweet), and will go down smoothly, so be careful!

I know it’s just Monday, but lets take advantage of the longer days and sip away!

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March 28, 2013

Spring Wrapped

in Party Style with 8 Comments

Despite the amount of DIYs I do on a regular basis, there are plenty of readers who also want the simplest way to bring a bit of handmade holiday to their tables. These twig napkin rings are almost as easy as they come and they add a beautiful touch of nature and whimsy to a spring dinner.

All you need is a pair of wire cutters and one artificial blossoming branch. Cut each stem off, twist it around a napkin and you’ve created something that brings a new life to your table.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that can make you whole day (and show your family just how wonderfully resourceful you are). What do you say?

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March 26, 2013

An Easter Basket for Grown-Ups

in Party Style with 13 Comments

Last year, I started putting together the idea of a grown up Easter basket partly because I don’t have kiddos, and partly because everyone loves a little indulgence in the spring, and not always in the form of sugary sweets.

Last year’s basket was a spring cheese and mimosa spread, but this year (maybe it was all of the hard outdoor work I did this weekend) I was itching for something quiet and understated and solitary, but still feminine and pretty. Some Zonin Prosecco and a Corksicle to keep it cold over the span of a relaxing afternoon eating macaroons and reading a book or catching up on magazines is just what I have in mind.

The best things to include are a mixture of practical, indulgent, and beautiful things that the recipient would not only love to receive but also put to use. Whether it’s for yourself, a parent, an adult child, or a hostess gift for the lady hosting Easter dinner, I love the idea of encouraging those you love to take a little time to themselves.

What would you include in your grown-up Easter basket? Some bubble bath? A new tin of tea? That afternoon doesn’t sound bad either!

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February 28, 2013

Spring (Party) Fever

in Party Style with 10 Comments

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve got a serious case of spring fever. And what’s worse, I have spring party fever. It might have been the patio planning, or it might be that I’m spending a week in a very snowy landscape, but I cannot stop thinking about spring.

When I was looking for patio inspiration, I found this styled shoot by Jen Huang for Green Wedding Shoes and just loved the natural, springy vibe. I haven’t had a good party in a few months with all of the traveling I’ve been doing and am getting an itch to throw a little shindig. Waiting for the patio to be complete and having a nice little spring gathering has gone from being just an idea to being pretty high up on my to-do list.

Aren’t all of the watercolor pastels mixed with spring brights just melting the snow around your cold winter heart? They sure are mine!

I am pretty excited about the possibilities for upcoming spring events, especially if we can get this patio done asap!

Are you yearning for spring yet? What makes most excited for the upcoming season?

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February 6, 2013

Valentines Day Party for Emma Magazine

in Party Style with 9 Comments

About a month ago, I worked on a Valentines day party shoot for Emma Magazine and I was just dying to share the outcome of the shoot with you! The full issue went live last Friday and I loved seeing my concept come to life! It was really the first styled type shoot I had done and although I learned a ton of do’s and don’ts, I am happy with how it turned out.

These are just a few snapshots from the shoot, but there are tons more and printable invitations by graphic designer, Sarah all over at EmmaMag.com! Please go check it out and let me know what you think!

Amazing photography by Benjamin Lowry, Ice cream provided courtesy of Jeni’s Ice Creams.

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January 30, 2013

Hand Made: Accordion Hearts

in Hand Made, Party Style with 16 Comments

I love a fun gift topper, and these little accordion hearts are both fun to receive and fun to make (believe me, I made about ten of them)! I think the three dimensional aspect of it is what makes it stand out – literally.

It’s early enough to make a few for Valentines day (or any day) and stash them away for when you’re wrapping gifts. The heart toppers only use one half of a piece of construction paper so get out your scissors and get going! (PDF template to print included!)

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January 9, 2013

Party Style Secrets: Wooden Skewers

in Party Style with 5 Comments

It’s no secret that I love to throw a good party, and one of the things that helps me get ready in a flash is the use of skewers. Yes, those thin little pack of wooden picks you can get in the grocery store.

I keep a pack on hand at all times and you wouldn’t even imagine the use they get. They’re longer than toothpicks, so they make a great choice for whatever you event calls for – cheese markers? yes. Drink stirrers? yes.

As you can see, I have multiple pretty and easy ways to dress up this unassuming kitchen tool using a little washi tape, printer paper, sparkle pom or fruit. It’s just one of those simple little things that help to create a unique addition to whatever party siutation that may arise!

Stock your pantry and break out your party shoes – because now you’re ready!

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January 7, 2013

Busy and Bustling

in Party Style with 6 Comments

Every week I talk about it being crazy busy and ‘oh what a whirlwind’, and on and on. After saying it a few times I get the feeling that this is just how life’s going to go for a while. I wanted to give you guys a little peek on some of the things going on here behind the House of Earnest Scenes this week, other places you can find my work, and what’s down the road (since my very vague New Year’s post).

I’ve just finished up a big photo shoot for Emma Magazine to go in their February issue. A graphic designer, photographer, and a few very special sponsors donated their efforts, products, and talents to the shoot. It was like producing a movie and planning a wedding rolled into one day and I absolutely loved it! I’m crazy excited to see how the professional photos turned out this week, but above are a few glimpses from my and other attendees’ instagram.
I turned around yesterday and had a wonderful meeting with a future bride about her destination wedding in Savannah, which I am really looking forward to. I am putting together a proposal/design direction for her and will give you guys a sneak peek next week!
I got a very new business card stamp which is more service/business geared rather than blog geared. I plan to use both – one to spread the word about House of Earnest and one to spread the word about my freelance DIY, styling, and floral work.
I’m writing regularly on Etsy (check out some of my posts!)
I’ve begun to brainstorm more ideas like this one for Style Me Pretty’s new ‘At Home’ blog.
I have two other (really big) projects that are in the planning stage that I can’t tell you right now (so mean of me, right?)… but believe me when I say they’re huge. huge.
I’m preparing for Alt Design Summit which is just in two weeks! I’m speaking on a social media and technology in blogging.
I turn 30!!! this week!

I don’t want to come off all “look how busy I am”… so don’t get me wrong. I wanted to give you guys some sneaks into what’s going on behind the scenes here, what you can expect to see more of in the future, and why I run around like a chicken without a head (wait, where did I leave my head?).

There are so many exciting things going on right now, I feel like I’m living in a flurry of ideas all the time and I love every second of it.

Let me know what you’re up to? Anything exciting on the horizon?

Photo Credit: Floating Hearts from Benjamin Lowry’s Instagram, Caprese and Cheese from Simply Vicky’s Instagram, all other from House of Earnest Instagram.

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December 31, 2012

Easy, Quick New Years DIY

in Hand Made, Party Style with 1 Comment

If you’re looking for a little last minute pizzazz for tonight’s festivities, make your own confetti following my easy DIY posted over on Style Me Pretty! There is little excuse not to make some as all it takes is a hole punch (or just some scissors for square pieces) and some ribbon. You probably have both left over from Christmas, so let’s get going!

What’s more, Style Me Pretty has a whole new little adventure with the SMP Home which is going to be getting even more awesome soon – Check it out here!

Have a SPARKLY evening, all!

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