Party Style | House of Earnest

Category: Party Style

November 29, 2012

Simple, Seasonal: The Happy Hostess

in Party Style, Seasonal with 8 Comments

I spent the last weekend with my two sister-in-laws and both asked me for something a little different in terms of ideas they were looking for this holiday season. One, for good hostess gifts that aren’t boring, but also aren’t crazy expensive. One for some really simple, but impactful ideas for projects or decor DIYs. I decided that I would start a little holiday only column entitled, Simple, Seasonal. It would be easy, go-to ideas to make this season a little less hectic.

First up on the list is a hostess gift that anyone throwing a soiree would love to receive – breakfast. As they wake the day after their gala with dishes in the sink, and maybe a little headache, provide them with a little something to wash down with their morning coffee.

It doesn’t have to be hard. These scones are Pumpkin Cranberry from a mix sold by Trader Joe’s but they still have a homemade texture. If you have a really great bakery in town, picking up some delicacies and wrapping them up nice is just as thoughtful. Your happy hostess will be thinking of you the next morning and how thankful she is you are friends.

Have a LOVELY Thursday!

p.s. for the other sister-in-laws request for simple, easy decor projects, I have a few really fun ideas coming your way after my WEEK of giveaways next week (get excited for some awesome prizes!

8 Comments

November 19, 2012

Minted Holiday Jackpot (sneak preview)!

in Party Style with 6 Comments

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to my holiday cards since Christmas is right around the corner. I loved my cards from last year that I made myself, but I needed something a lot less time-consuming for this go-around.

Enter minted. They’ve got fun, understated, modern designs and good quality, heavy weight paper. I was looking around the holiday cards on their site and am totally smitten with a few different designs. The last design is really where I’m leaning (with the little photo message back and kraft envelope), but I’m still just a little on the fence… if there ever were a four way fence.

The jackpot part – the people over at minted wanted to collaborate with House of Earnest on our holiday cards, but we’re going to forward on the gift and give it to YOU.

That’s right. One of you will get complimentary holiday cards from minted!!! Are you jumping out of your seat yet?

Here is the deal. In two weeks from today, I’ll have a full WEEK’S worth of give-a-ways here on House of Earnest, with Friday, December 7th being the grand finale – the day of the minted give-a-way. Between now and then, I’d like you to hop on the minted website and design your own card. You can save your design and when Friday, December 7th gets here, we’ll have you share your design for the chance to win your holiday cards for free!

Do you like that surprise this Monday? I thought you would!

cards shown above: Casual Chalkboard | Bundled Tight | Our Home to Yours | Merry Christmas Foliage

6 Comments

November 13, 2012

Late Harvest Gathering

in Food, Party Style with 12 Comments

So I’ve been talking about my plans for this harvest dinner since way back in August. My plans were a little displaced when I had to take a last minute business trip to China, but I think that was all for the better. I took a warmer, slower approach to celebrating the beginning of the holiday season, rather than the end of summer. I wanted it to be relaxed and communal, so I made the gathering on a Sunday afternoon to encourage football watching, lounging and certainly no hurrying.

The table was set with a handmade shibori dyed linen table cloth (DIY coming tomorrow!), and stacked with casual white plates mixed with acacia appetizer plates from Crate and Barrel. I mixed and matched moody floral and gingham napkins wrapped in DIY faux bois napkin rings, and finished everything off with my little monogram favors.

We snacked on little maple leaf shaped butternut squash canapes topped with goat cheese and cranberry sauce along with a couple of varieties of cheeses and nuts. For the main meal, I made a classic beef wellington served with a cold israeli cous cous salad and butternut squash soup served in hollowed out acorn squash. Our friends washed it all down with a Pear and Sparkling Cider cocktail. I wrapped the plain glasses in twine and topped off the drinks with birch paper straws from Garnish.

I told you last week that I was going to make something out of persimmon, so I landed on something cold to follow-up the chain of heartier dishes at dinner. I made a gingersnap and caramel ice cream with chopped persimmons. It was so easy too! I’ll share the recipe on Thursday!

I was so pleased with how each detail turned out. It was a great mixture of food, conversation, and relaxing. I can’t wait to share some of the DIYs and Recipes with you guys in the days to come!

p.s. the DIY faux bois napkin holders are for a feature in Delighted Magazine for the winter issue. I’ll let you know when it comes out so you can see how to make them!

12 Comments

November 12, 2012

In Good Favor

in Party Style with 5 Comments

As many of you know, we hosted a harvest dinner last night for a few friends and I’m here today to say that I think it was a success! II wanted to share the favors with you today, and I’ll continue to share more and more of the event and the DIYs for the party throughout the week.

Monogram votive candles provided by Illume served as both the placecards and the party favors for our guests. I loved the idea of using something individualized for each friend to take home with them, and the Red Cedar scent was perfect for the late fall season.

I had the initials for all of the girls’ first names and all of the men’s last names. It was fun to see how people choose seats based on their letters. I had actually planned it with couples sitting together, but with the overlap in initials, it also happened to work out that all of the girls initials were on one side of the table while all of the men’s were on the other. It definitely wasn’t something I thought about, but it was a more interactive way to have everyone take their seat.

So this was just one sweet detail from last night, but definitely one of mine (and my guests’) favorites. Pop back over tomorrow for the full scoop and some of the other projects and food that made the afternoon fun and special!

Have a wonderful start to your week!

5 Comments

November 8, 2012

In Season: Persimmons

in Food, Party Style with 9 Comments

To start off, I’m fairly unfamiliar with the Persimmon. I didn’t even know how to spell it before researching for this post, but I know that it’s in season. The local market where I do most of my grocery shopping only carries in season fruits and vegetables, which can be somewhat frustrating when you’re looking for bok choy in February, but is really nice when someone like me is trying to use and get to know new things.

I saw some very orangey-red plump persimmons at the store last weekend and contemplated purchasing, but stopped short. What on earth would I do with them? I got home and hopped online to find out that they’re a very traditional holiday fruit. Breads, scones, pies, bundts, preserves, you name it. I was intrigued.

I scanned through a ton of recipes, and found a few that looked right up my alley. I have another grocery trip in store for Saturday morning to prepare for my harvest supper on Sunday, so I’m going to pick a few up. I think I’ll try the mini bundts, possibly.

Let me know – have you ever tried or made anything with persimmons? Let me know!

photo credit: fresh persimmons | table | bundts | scones

9 Comments

October 31, 2012

Take Two! Mini Decanters and Bud Vase Perfection

in Party Style with 3 Comments

I can be known to collect all sorts of odds and ends for entertaining, and I’m always so happy to find a really great item which serves two functions.

While looking for bud vases for a wedding I was doing this summer, I was irritated by how old they all looked. I could just envision them with a long stem red rose and some baby’s breath jutting out the top. I came across these mini 3 oz decanters for just $1.50 each and was so happy by how they made just a couple springs of anything look great. I used them just as vases at weddings and around my entire house for a while before actually deciding to use them for their intended purpose – wine!
It’s amazing how much more willing someone is to try a new flavor if they’re only committing to a little splash rather than pouring for themselves from the bottle.

So host a party, or adorn your tabletop with a flurry of vases (strength in numbers!). Either way, these darling little pieces of glassware will come in quite handy!

3 Comments

October 30, 2012

What’s Your Halloween Style?

in Party Style with 7 Comments

When it comes to dressing up for All Hallows Eve, I usually go the sweet route. In past years I’ve been a loofah, a mermaid, a figure skater, a geisha, the list could go on, but all of the ideas were fun and festive. I was never one to go the scary route.

That is until this year. We’re planning to go to a friend’s house to help pass out candy and they’re transforming their garage into a haunted den of scares. I am to dress as something a little more sinister than my usual and I’m finding it hard to land on a direction.

This got me to thinking about what you guys do! Do you usually go the scary? Or sweet?

photo credit: scary | sweet

7 Comments

October 17, 2012

Naturally Spooky Spider Wine Tags

in Hand Made, Party Style with 6 Comments

You know I love Halloween, but I also love a more refined approach to a very kitschy holiday. If I had told you that pipe cleaners and some spray paint would be so charming, you probably wouldn’t have believed me, but I think these are just the right touch of fun, spooky, and functional for your October entertaining – AND a sweet little treat for your guests to take home.

The whole project isn’t too involved for a quick addition to a fall gathering, but is cute enough to be memorable. Plus anything that involves wine ranks high on my list. Just don’t drink too much and get scared by your own spider! Keep reading for the step by step tutorial and directions!

6 Comments

October 11, 2012

Moody Hues for a Festive Fall

in Party Style with 4 Comments

I’m still working on a fall dinner party even though my last minute China trip kind of messed with my original harvest dinner plans. I saw this dinner at Vetted Table on 100 layer cake and it is just chalk-full of beautiful fall colors and ideas.

I just LOVE the darker jewel tones against all of the beautiful dark wood, punctuated by hints of brass, glass and greenery. This is just the inspiration I needed to get back in the game for a (later) fall dinner party for my closest friends.

I’ve got a whole new scheme in mind for my party and plan to make it much more of a luxe feeling, slow, warm dinner – rather than my original plan for a sort of outdoor harvesty event.

Could you see doing these colors in your home for a dinner event? What is your favorite part?

4 Comments

October 3, 2012

A Sweet Bite of Autumn

in Food, Party Style with 8 Comments

I always get the itch to start baking once fall rolls around and I’m always into something that can be done quickly, easily, and come off as fancy.

Palmiers get a bad rep – maybe it’s the french name – but they couldn’t be simpler to make. They fall into the category of looking far more complex than they actually are. I found some maple sugar at Trader Joes during my last trip and thought it would be an ideal opportunity to make one of my long-time favorite pastries.

They’re flaky, sweet (but not too rich), and oh-so-simple. If you’re interested in a little autumn treat (I took a batch into work this week), then keep on reading for a step-by-step and the printable recipe. Continue Reading…

8 Comments