Friday, November 20, 2009

Friday Linkfest: Thanksgiving Tidbits

From unique recipes for dinner and dessert to wine suggestions and tablescape ideas, the following links contain my all-time favorite entertaining ideas for Thanksgiving:

  • Cozy and casual Thanksgiving table, complete with woolen blankets at each chair -- Social Couture
  • A collection of mouthwatering pumpkin cocktails and desserts -- Simply Stated
  • A cheerful pink and purple Thanksgiving tablescape -- Poca Cosas
Happy planning!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Candy Cane Wedding

If you're planning a Holiday wedding consider adding candy cane styled accents to your event for a bit of festive flair.

Candy Cane Wedding


  • Decorate chandeliers in your reception area with red and silver striped ornaments -- Martha Stewart
  • Have your wedding cake decorated in red and white stripes and flavored with peppermint -- The Style Insider
  • Invite guests with this red and white striped invitation -- FineStationery.com
  • Wrap boxes in striped paper and place around the room for added decor -- Martha Stewart

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Snowman Making Party

{The following post was created by our talented graphic production specialist, Jennifer. I've been feeling a bit under the weather and Jen has graciously offered to help out with posts on a more regular basis until I get back on my feet. I am thrilled to have such a creative and stylish gal to help me bring you the best entertaining tips this Holiday season-- I know you will love her ideas!}

This winter, consider hosting a Snowman Making party for your children and their friends. Kids will delight in the frosty fun!

Snowman Making Party

  • Build a snow table with snow chairs for kids to use during a hot cocoa break – Martha Stewart

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fabulous Holiday Finds:

For the couple who cannot get enough of each other:


Smittens (how cute!!)
Restoration Hardware


A night-before-Christmas tradition:


Personalized Cookies for Santa Plate
(So Santa will know just who to thank for the special treat)
FineStationery.com

Monday, November 16, 2009

Gift Guide for Preschoolers

Continuing with our Holiday gift guide series, today's post contains a selection of presents perfect for preschoolers. From plush circus puppets to storybook DVDs, these gifts are sure to be loved by your little ones.

Gift Guide for Preschoolers

  • This customizable play station can be transformed from a doctor's office to a kitchen and then to a workbench with the help of fun-filled role play bins -- Fisher Price available at Target
  • A classic memory matching game, this wooden set is made from birch will last for years -- Inspired Play
  • This wonderful DVD set contains award-winning and classic children's stories narrated by celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, James Earl Jones, Forest Whitaker, Rob Reiner and many more -- Discovery Store

Friday, November 13, 2009

Home for the Holidays Cocktail Party

The Holidays present a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and family from out of town. Reconnect with a trendy and sophisticated cocktail party in shades of sleek black, silver and red.

Home for the Holidays Cocktail Party

  • Serve a variety of appetizers and finger foods -- Saks Fifth Avenue
  • Invite friends with this fun silhouette invitation -- FineStationery.com
  • Have this box of table topics on hand to prevent any lulls in the conversation -- Amazon.com
  • Serve a variety of festive wines -- Epicurious.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Wedding Planning Tools

{The following post was written by Jen, one of FineStationery.com's talented graphic production specialists. Jen has plenty of Wedding wisdom to share as she just celebrated her own nuptials this fall and has also served as a FineStationery.com wedding consultant in the past. Enjoy!}

Planning your dream wedding is an exciting and memorable process. Brides today have endless possibilities and many decisions to make during their engagement. One thing that planning a wedding should never be is stressful. The planning process is half the fun! With so many new and wonderful wedding planning tools available today, brides can easily stay organized and keep frustrations at bay. Here are a few tools that will keep your blissful details in order:

Wedding Planning Tools

  • This chic brocade organizer will keep all of your bridal magazines in order – The Container Store
  • Reply cards are easily stored and organized in this stylish tote box – The Knot
  • Keep a notepad on your desk at work or in your purse for quick wedding planning notes – FineStationery.com
  • A day planner is a must-have for all brides in order to remember appointments with the caterer, stylist and florist – Barnes and Noble
  • This brocade bulletin board collects photos, ideas and important details, serving as an inspiration board during your planning process – The Container Store
  • This set of “Unforgettable”, "I Do" and "Love It" sticky tabs mark your wedding magazine and book pages for quick reference – Mindy Weiss

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A Fruit and Nut Thanksgiving Dinner

Add some pizazz to your Thanksgiving dinner with a festive spread full of fruit and nuts.

Fruit and Nut Thanksgiving

  • Jazz up your stuffing with this delicious fruit and nut recipe -- Martha Stewart
  • Invite guests with this cornucopia invitation -- FineStationery.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Gift Guide for Girlfriends

Have you started your Holiday shopping? I personally have been buzzing with Holiday enthusiasm for weeks now and I'm just so excited to pick out presents for my friends and family. In an effort to assist you with your own shopping, over the next few weeks I'll be presenting you with a specialized gift guide for everyone on your list. This week's gift guide is for girlfriends!

Gift Guide for Girlfriends

  • Spa treatments are always a great gift-- why not try a seasonal treat like a Peppermint Pattie Salt Scrub or a Holiday Spice Massage -- Hershey's Chocolate Spa
  • Personalized calling cards are perfect for single friends still in the club scene and playground socialites alike -- FineStationery.com

Monday, November 9, 2009

Birthday Party Invitations

Planning a birthday party for your little one? A unique invitation can set the tone for a fabulously fun fête. If you haven't selected a theme yet, you may want to browse through FineStationery.com's vast selection of children's invitations to find inspiration.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Fête Fashion Friday

For the next few Fridays here at The Finer Things I'll be presenting you with great attire to wear to every kind of party. Today's fashion focus: cocktail dresses.

From sophisticated to sassy, these dresses will help you shine this Holiday season.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Blissful Blueberry

Engagement parties are a wonderful way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials. Try a palette of silver and navy blue for a classy affair that is sure to impress, and make things a little sweeter with a subtle blueberry theme.

Blissful Blueberry

  • Set each table with a navy cloth and crisp white dishes -- The Knot
  • Invite guests with this lovely blue-on-blue invitation -- FineStationery.com

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

English Lodge Holiday: Stag Decor

Lodge decor seems to be big this winter, especially for the Holiday season. To replicate the look and feel of a traditional English lodge, consider decorating your home with majestic stag accents.

English Lodge Holiday: Stags

  • Needlepoint pillow -- Kevins Catalog
  • Highland whiskey by The Dalmore Distillery -- Pops Pop

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Hostess Gift Ideas

If you have been invited to someone's home for Thanksgiving dinner, you won't want to arrive empty handed. Here are a few hostess gift ideas that are sure to convey your appreciation of the hospitality:

Hostess Gift Ideas

  • These personalized leather coasters will be ultra helpful for future entertaining opportunities -- FineStationery.com
  • Present your hostess with this set of monogrammed silver napkin rings to help her keep a stylish table -- Pottery Barn
  • Williams Sonoma has a lovely selection of spices and rubs -- my personal favorite is this selection of sea salts from around the globe -- Williams Sonoma
  • This fossilized marble cheese board comes complete with a slicer and it is only $24.99! -- Crate and Barrel
  • Treat the host and your fellow guests with a gift of food or drink. This hot chocolate mix has received rave reviews and is perfect for the Holiday season -- Williams Sonoma

Monday, November 2, 2009

Special Delivery: A Stork Sip-and-See

Invite friends and family to meet your special delivery at a stork-inspired sip-and-see party. Decorate your home with white feathers and a mix of modern and vintage stork details for a festive party that will honor your newest arrival in style.

Special Delivery: A Stork Sip and See

  • Invite guests with a pink or blue invitation featuring a stork and its precious bundle -- FineStationery.com
  • Hang a feathered wreath on the front door with a sign that reads "Special Delivery Inside..." -- Target
  • Present each guest with a vintage inspired favor bag filled with a favorite candy -- Favor Studio