Spring Styling

I know Spring means you're suppose to clean...but Spring styling sounds like so much more fun.  I saw this great post over at Amber Interiors that I can't get out of my head.  It is so simple...yet so helpful.  It seems like something I should have already known but somehow seeing it laid out like this helps me picture it better.  Check it out and see what you think.

Cutting Boards

I have a great love of cutting boards.  All shapes and sizes, types, styles and the more vintage the better.  They are practical and can make an ordinary dish look extraordinary.  Lately, I have curbed my habit a little due to my limitation of space.  This post from At Home In Love has some great ways for storing your boards when they are not in use.

Olympic Interiors

The Olympics has everyone inspired.  I think we should take some of that inspiration and carry it into our every day decor.  I was loving these little sporty touches that CasaSugar put together.

Crudite Centerpiece

Decor and Food.

I just spied these pretty vegetable displays on Lovelyish and am kind of smitten. I love the idea of using bright colored veggies as not only part of the menu, but as a centerpiece (we did something similar recently for a kids party even!)

I also think that fruit makes a lovely centerpiece on it's own or mixed in with flowers too. It's unconventional and very beautiful.

Which makes me wonder...do you have any unconventional items that you use in your table centerpieces?

Plastic Spoon Wreath

Have a few boxes of plastic spoons gathering dust in your cupboards? Well why haven’t you turned them into a wreath? This is the perfect project if you have a bare wall in your kitchen and have been waiting for just the right funky objet d’art. The fun part is that at first glance you don’t really notice they are just a bunch of spoons hot glued together.

Plumen Light Bulbs

There is a new light bulb in town folks and it uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than incandescent lighting. The best part is that it is stylish.

On the Plumen website they mention that “It’s strange that the bulb, an object so synonymous with ideas, is almost entirely absent of imagination.” Well not anymore, grab your Plumen light bulbs and let them add effortless chic to your home or event.

Ikat Crazy

Design.

Ikat (ee-kaht) designs have long been popular in interior and fashion design, but that popularity has completely spiked in the last year. And I'm absolutely loving it!!



Not to be left behind, graphic designers are employing this technique in invitation design now as well, with an effect that is so chic. And with the prevalence of this pattern in clothing and other textiles, you could easily weave them together for a fabulous event aesthetic.

Here are some of my favorite invite designs that could set the tone for your big day...

Minted


KM Calligraphy


Bow & Arrow


Red Stamp


Minted

Naturally Simple

Decor.

It’s no secret that at Hip Hostess we like to use everyday items that do double duty as décor for your home, centerpieces or even buffets. We love the idea of not having to store a lot of seasonal objects. Last year we showed you how to dress up an orange using cloves. This year how about giving your apples some character using brass brads (available at craft stores).

Dark Halloween Decor

DIY.



I saw the above article in Family Circle magazine and fell in love with the understated yet dark look of the décor. Normally when people talk about Halloween décor it conjures up images of plastic pumpkins and witches but these gorgeous photos shed a whole new light on the situation. This would make an exceptional statement on either a mantel, foyer table or even as a buffet tablescape.

The how –to for the wreath can be seen here and the black dishes are simply inexpensive thrift shop dishes that have been painted with a couple of coats of satin finish black paint.

Easy, inexpensive and classy.

Sparkling Centerpiece

Decor.

As far as I'm concerned, we are all just big kids when it comes to the 4th of July and playing with sparklers. Which is why I absolutely love this idea from Better Homes and Gardens.

Simply anchor a monochromatic arrangement of flowers in a vessel with florist foam. Insert sparklers within the arrangement. When it's time for fireworks fun, just pull them right out and light them up. Isn't that great?

A Clementine Christmas

Decorating for the holidays.

Living in a small apartment does not afford this Hip Hostess a lot of space to store a ton of Christmas decorations. If I have an extra 2' x 2' space in my closet, you better bet that I'm going to utilize it for important things like spare sheets, towels, or shoes. But then what is holiday hostess supposed to do when December is in full swing?

The answer is to decorate with items that you can buy at any grocery store, bodega, or farmers market - clementine oranges. They look great, smell great, and offer a wealth of opportunities to spruce things up. Here are some of my favorite uses of this festive fruit.

Sources: Little White Book, ♥Anna, Real Simple, Gret Design, Hip Hostess,
Martha Stewart, Golly_G, Alli411, Maralina

Holiday Decorating Tip

DIY Decor.

I love the modern take on this beautiful bespoke menorah. It could very well be done with any size vase or vessel that you have in your home. The vessels used here are the standard glass vase that you get with flower delivery. If you don’t have a full set then chances are neighbors or friends might have a few to help you complete your look. You will need eight glass votives or vessels, one slightly taller to hold the center shamash candle. Tiny stones or and nine slender candles or white tapers. Fill vessels two-thirds full with stones; then position candles, using the rocks to anchor them so they stand straight. Arrange in a line and light according to tradition.

My holiday décor consists of a tree, garland and usually some type of berries or holly. However, when having holiday get-togethers I am always looking for ways to represent other holiday traditions and religions. This could be displayed very easily on a mantel as a focal point, on the coffee table in the middle of the room or an entryway. It is a beautiful, welcoming, ambient piece for your décor or as a special touch for your holiday event.

Winter Berries

Flower Arranging Facts.

As you have probably figured out I am a sucker for an easy flower arrangement. Naturally, winter berries are my favorite go-to décor for fall and winter. The bright colors are amazing and arranging couldn’t be easier. They add a great wintery feel to mixed flower arrangements and also make a majestic statement in large groupings all by themselves. Best of all, they are hearty and will last an extended period of time making them the perfect holiday arrangement since you can arrange them long before your event.

One thing I have always struggled with is, knowing the proper name of the berries. When Hip Hostess has an event we head to the flower district in Manhattan. For those of you who have not been to the flower district it can be a little overwhelming. The morning rush could be likened to the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange. The above photo from Martha Stewart Living is going to ensure we get the right berries every time and will have Hip Hostess yelling Red Deciduous Holly…buy buy!

Crayon Bouquet

Kids Centerpiece.

While I was browsing through my latest issue of Real Simple I came upon another great idea for a children’s table…a crayon bouquet. There are just a few steps and the end result is a colorful crayon burst that would be centerpiece worthy on any children’s table. You can always set out a box of crayons but the truth is that the point of a children’s table is to capture the attention of the kiddo’s and intrigue them enough to keep them busy for an extended period of time.

This is a simple project that is visually appealing and something different that will excite the kids to explore the sphere, looking for their favorite colors. I would suggest using a plastic based table cloth covered by brown paper or butcher’s paper which will make the entire table an artist’s palette. The plastic, incase you have a very dramatic Picasso on your hands. Always protect the furniture…learned this lesson the hard way.

To make the crayon bouquet, slice a third off the stryofoam ball to create a flat bottom, then cover the ball with finger paint. When dry, insert crayons close together, starting at the top and using only bright colors.

You don’t have to limit the centerpiece fun to crayons. If you have an older crowd, colored pencils and markers could work as well.

Sweet Topiaries

Candy Decor.

I love topiaries in any form whether they are covered with moss, flowers, strawberries or in this case candy. Topiaries are great for incorporating color and form into your décor, tablescape or on your holiday buffet. This how-to from allyou shows you how just a couple of items can turn into the above. Use candleholders, cordial glasses or vases from around your home as pedestals. Try grouping in varying sizes and heights.

YOU'LL NEED:
Styrofoam balls
Black spray paint
Low-temperature glue gun
Assorted candy such as Reese's Pieces, candy corn, black gumdrops, jelly rings and Skittles

ASSEMBLE GLOBES
1. Spray balls with black paint. Let dry.

2. Glue candy to balls in a uniform pattern, working in concentric circles around the entire ball. Let dry completely before displaying.

Embroidery Hoop Heaven

DIY Decor.

I love this creative, easy and economical idea. Design Dazzle uses embroidery hoops to add visual interest to a nursery creating a modern day mobile. However, this idea could easily be incorporated into many areas of your home or even event space. It is a great, economical way to create an ambience by adding pattern, color or theme. The hoops and fabric combinations are light enough to hang almost anywhere and most craft stores and fabric stores sell fabric remnants at a highly discounted rate. With so many different styles of embroidery hoops and fabrics available this project is an easy way to incorporate your personality into any situation.

Sunflowers

Decor.

This time of year you can find great bargains on big bunches of Sunflowers. Sunflowers symbolize strength, warmth and nourishment. They are also one of the easiest flowers to arrange. They look great in any container and make a bold statement all by themselves. If you are stopping by the farmer’s market don’t forget to grab some of these little beauties for your home.

An obsession continues...

Fashion Illustration.

I know I have a problem. I don't think it is 12 step worthy yet, but I am obsessed with fashion illustrations! And of course I have another object of affection, Mats Gustafson.

His watercolor illustrations are completely drool-worthy. Moody and minimalistic, they are less about details and more about the overall sense of style that each designer is trying to portray with their collection. And having worked with all of the majors (Chanel, Commes des Garcons, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar just to name a few), he has had great material to portray.

His prints are a bloody fortune, but I really think that one day in the future I must have one of these lovelies hanging on my wall.

Luna Bazaar

Decor idea.

I recently mentioned that I'd taken a quick jaunt to Vegas...and I always come back inspired in some way. For anyone that hasn't been to Vegas, forget all of those mental images of blaring lights, scantily clad women, and slot machines. I'm talking about the opulence of The Bellagio, The Wynn, The Venetian, and The Encore. It's truly magical...like a Disneyland for grown-ups.

This trip to Vegas I became mesmerized by all hanging decor - most notably the hot air balloon replicas at The Bellagio and the vibrant parasols at The Wynn. They were just stunning. The vibrant colors raised high above accented the tall ceilings and architectural details and immediately lightened the mood in interiors that might otherwise feel a little stuffy.

My favorite thing about these very elaborate displays is that I believe they can easily be translated into event decor by mere mortals such as you and I. Sure we may not have custom silk with hand sewn beading, but I don't think we need it. All you need is help from our friends at Luna Bazaar.

Luna Bazaar has always been a great resource for Hip Hostess with event supplies. They have an amazing assortment of paper lanterns and parasols in all colors and textures. I believe they would work perfectly well as an alternative as is...or if you are feeling extra crafty, they could easily be dressed up a bit to personalize.

And as for those balloons, I'm pretty sure that we could make a mean DIY out of turning a paper lantern into a hot air balloon if anyone would like to see us try...