Happy Friday...

Golden Oak Thanksgiving

For a naturally elegant Thanksgiving spread, mimic the outdoors with golden oak leaf decor.

• Send guests this autumn leaves invitation -- FineStationery.com

• Bake a pie with oak leaf cut-outs for dessert -- Sur la Table

• Arrange your dining space with a golden oak tablescape -- Martha Stewart

• Ask guests to write what they are thankful for on pieces of paper then have them hang them on a "give thanks" tree set up within your party space -- Better Homes and Gardens

• Add a golden leaf ornament to each place setting as your guest favor -- Best American Arts

Peace, Joy and Stylish Savings

You still have time to save 10% on Holiday items at FineStationery.com. And now, for a limited time, receive $3 shipping! Sale ends October 31, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Gingerbread Card with Cookie Cutter

Elegant Menorah Invitation

Glamorous Family Christmas Card

Statement Stemware

I have a bit of an obsession with glassware. In fact, my husband has restricted my glassware purchases to an as-needed basis-- for example, if one of our glasses break, only then am I allowed to purchase another. Yes, this may sound harsh, but if you saw our overflowing glassware cabinet you would understand his strict rules.

While I normally purchase clear glassware in curvy shapes and elegant forms, lately I have been loving colored crystal and glass stemware, particularly in vintage styles.

Colored glassware makes a stylish statement on any table top, especially when it comes to Holiday entertaining. Replacing your everyday clear-crystal with dramatically colored stemware will help to set the stage for an extraordinary event that leaves your guests feeling extra special.

• Green and amber tumblers -- Pier 1
• Champagne glasses in amethyst, moss and aquamarine -- Replacements.com
• Renaissance stemware -- Gracious Style

The Frog Prince

With Disney's The Princess and the Frog movie set to be released in December, I predict that a frog prince/princess theme will become rather popular for children's parties in the spring. Here is an inspiration board for a magical frog themed party:

• These frog prince candles would look adorable scattered down the center of your table -- HotRef

• Provide each party guest with a golden crown or tiara -- Amazon.com

• Decorate your party space with pink and green pom poms -- Etsy seller PomLove

• This frog prince cake is a great accent for your party space and sounds rather tasty, too -- Sedona Wedding Cakes

• Send guests this pink striped frog prince invitation -- FineStationery.com

• Set up a candy buffet filled with pink and green candy including gummy frogs -- Inspire the Bride and The Popcorn Factory

• Fold pink napkins into the shape of water lilies and place one at each place setting -- Better Homes and Gardens

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: formal evening gowns.

Whether you are attending a corporate gala, a red carpet event or a black-tie wedding, these gowns are sure to dazzle.

Gorgeous Grecian Gown
Lazaro

Plum Elegance
Jim Hjelm

Sophisticated Crimson
Jim Hjelm

Winter White Wonder

Pamella Roland

For men's style tips, you must visit The Black Tie Guide, a invaluable resource for the dapper gentleman which details proper evening dress by decade, style, and occasion. I love the vintage advertisement samples. This is possibly one of my favorite Web sites of all time.
Have a lovely weekend!

Ice Blue Wedding

If you are planning a winter wedding, consider making your color palette a simple combination of silvery ice blue and winter white to reflect the season.

• This white floral bouquet is wrapped with silvery blue ribbon and contains tiny pinecones to go with the winter theme -- The Knot

• These beautiful snowflake bookmarks can double as table decor and guest favors -- Favors in the City

• The lucite pedestal and ice blue colored ribbon on this cake add a wintery feel to the confection -- Brides

• Present each bridesmaid with a beautiful winter white wrap -- The Knot

• Send guests this lovely ice blue and white invitation -- FineStationery.com

• Consider ordering patterned tablecloths to add texture to your party space -- Neiman Marcus

It's beginning to look a lot like...

I have been in such a Christmas mood here as of late. Don't misunderstand, I do love autumn and would never wish to rush it-- but every now and then the jingle bell chorus runs through my mind and I get the urge to put up our Christmas tree-- two months early!

When it comes down to it, two months is really not all that long of a time to get in all of your decorating, shopping and Holiday party planning. So on a rather festive note, I'd like to kick off our Holiday party planning here at The Finer Things with a moss green and red inspiration board. Enjoy!

(By the way, FineStationery.com is currently offering 10% off all Holiday purchases-- but hurry--offer ends October 31!)

• Decorate your entryway in timeless style with a moss green garland and wreath -- Martha Stewart

• These red glass dishes paired with moss green goblets will help to make for a colorful tablescape -- Neiman Marcus and Michael C. Fina

• As hostess, don this moss green frock and wear a red satin hair accessory -- JCrew and Etsy Seller BeSomethingNew

• These glamorous moss green and red ornament trees will add the perfect amount of glitz to your party space -- Neiman Marcus

• For a festive centerpiece, pair moss with candles accented by red ribbon -- Naturally Inclined Blog

• Invite guests with this gorgeous moss green invitation by William Arthur -- FineStationery.com

Natural Autumn Decor

Decorating your entertaining space for Thanksgiving or another autumn event can be as easy and inexpensive as walking out to your yard and gathering a variety of natural accents. Here are a few of my favorite natural decor ideas from around the Web:

Pine Cone Ribbon Wreath
Country Living


Birch Branch Centerpiece
KurtCYR

Acorn Filled Hurricanes
Pink Roses & Teacups

Cabana Stripes for Babies

Wide cabana stripes in shades of pink and blue make for an attractive addition to nurseries and announcements alike.

• Blue striped photo birth announcement -- FineStationery.com

• Pink striped romper -- ArteBebe.com

• Striped plush animal blanket in pink or blue -- Giggle.com

• Blue and white striped wallpaper -- Windlost Blog

• Painted cabana stripe crib -- Pearle Kids

• Pink striped french chair -- French Dressing

• Blue striped lamp -- Target

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: maternity apparel.

The celebrity baby boom has been wonderful for the maternity market. Designers have finally realized that most women still long to be stylish well into the third trimester. (Let's be honest, there is a point in which sweatpants become a gal's best friend, but up until then many mommas-to-be still want to look and feel great about themselves and their growing baby bumps.)

Whether you're looking for non-frumpy work attire, a trendy going-out outfit or a chic cocktail dress, finding a stylish option is now easier than ever.

Working Momma
Isabella Oliver

Cute & Casual
Isabella Oliver

Going Out Gorgeous
Isabella Oliver

All Dressed Up
Olian available at Nordstrom

Vintage Glam: Midnight and Crimson

Planning a wedding around Halloween gives you a great excuse to be ultra-dramatic. Start with a palette of midnight black and crimson red and add vintage glam details for an event that is sure to be fun and fashionable.

• Hire a sleek, vintage black Jaguar to escort you to and from the ceremony -- Geneva Classics

• Invite guests with this sophisticated black band invitation -- FineStationery.com

• Have your bridesmaids wear long black gowns and hire someone to fix your hair and make-up in vintage glam fashion -- After Six and Brides

• I love the single red rosette featured on this white cake embellished with thin, black satin ribbon -- Bridal Buds

• Set the table with black table cloths, bold red roses, beautiful crystal glassware and metallic silver dinnerware -- The Knot and Ralph Lauren

• Decorate your reception space with these lovely crystal candlesticks -- Ralph Lauren

Spooky Chandeliers

Changing out your everyday chandelier with one that reflects this spooky season is a simple way to decorate your home for Halloween. Check out places like Craigslist, antique stores and salvage yards to find rustic and inexpensive finds, or simply decorate your chandelier with pumpkins and cheesecloth cobwebs for an equally eerie effect.

Curious Sofa Diaries

Hudson Goods Blog


Country Living

Fabulous Furniture

Art Party: Starry Night

If you want to host a guaranteed gorgeous event, take a hint from the masters and plan your party around a popular painting.

Van Gogh is a great artist to use for autumn parties-- while his Starry Night is simply beautiful, I've always thought it has a bit of an eerie undertone, making it a great theme for a spooky evening event.

• Host your party outdoors under a starry sky and hang this Starry Night canvas from a tree, on a fence or around your patio -- Overstock Art

• Select an invitation of navy blue and use a turquoise or yellow ink to set the color palette for your event -- FineStationery.com

• Make your centerpieces out of a selection of yellow marigolds -- Marigold and Mint Blog

• Hang these solar lights through the branches of the trees in your yard -- Stuff Junction

• Set the table with these unique yellow plates -- Micheal C. Fina

• Line several of these blue mosaic candle holders down the center of your table over a midnight-blue table runner -- Wildflowers WV

Classical Baby

It seems that nearly every baby shower I've attended in the last year has had a modern feel to the decor. Modern dots and bright colors have completely saturated the market for tots. And while I love a modern shower and nursery, I feel like there's just something so regal, soft and elegant about a shower or nursery decorated in a more classical fashion.

• If hosting a classical shower, send guests this simple ecru invitation with a golden pram motif and liner -- FineStationery.com

• Set the table with golden dinnerware gold-foiled wrapped chocolates -- Ideal Home Magazine

• Present the baby-to-be with this luxurious keepsake rattle -- Design Public

• Be sure to have a cd full of classical music for your little one to listen to before bedtime -- Amazon.com

• No classical nursery is complete without a golden chandelier, ornate cradle and luxurious cream bedding -- Posh Tots, Bratt Decor & Juvan Design

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 feature: bonfire classics.

Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice style for comfort. The following bonfire attire will keep you feeling cozy and looking chic.

Collegiate chic
Ralph Lauren Rugby

Simplicity at its finest.
JCrew

Cute ruffles add flair to this sweater jacket.
Anthropologie

A cashmere-wool blend makes this super soft sweater perfect for snuggling.
Ralph Lauren

Pheasants for Fall

{There are a multitude of fine fall elements that often get overlooked in the quest to decorate for Halloween. For the next few Wednesdays, The Finer Things will be focusing on autumn entertaining ideas that are still seasonal, yet unique enough to set your party apart from the rest.}

I recently read an incredibly interesting article in the New York Times about pheasants and the bird's role as a rite of autumn in Scotland and the British Isles. Pheasant season in Scotland begins in early November and each hunting excursion is full of well-dressed shooters and countryside pageantry.

Image source via CountrySportScotland

Wild pheasant makes for a savory dish for dinner parties and the feathers can be used to create a really natural, rustic and outdoorsy tablescape perfect for a unique fall event.

• Invite guests to your dinner party with this pheasant themed note card -- FineStationery.com

• This pheasant headband will help to add some flair to your attire -- Etsy seller EmbellishedByJessica

• Set your table with this pheasant-themed dinnerware -- Pottery Barn

• These pheasant feather chargers will help to add texture to each place setting -- The Twiggery

• Fill a vase with pheasant feathers for an easy, yet eye-catching centerpiece -- Casa Sugar

• Serve pheasant with chestnut fennel fricassee -- Martha Stewart

• Hang a wreath filled with fall foliage and pheasant feathers on your door to set the theme for your party space -- Expressions Catalog

• Provide each gentleman with a pheasant feather boutonniere -- The Knot

Giveaway at The Blushing Hostess

Don't miss FineStationery.com's giveaway presented by the lovely Catherine of The Blushing Hostess! Up for grabs is this versatile, personalized stamp and note card set. This set is great as a gift or for your own use.

Visit The Blushing Hostess for more information on how to win!

Autumn Brights

One of my favorite things about fall is the crisp contrast of gold and orange leaves against a vibrant blue sky.

To recreate the look of nature's bright and bold palette for your next autumn gathering, pair cobalt blue accents with pumpkins and other orange decor.

• Cobalt blue jar against a background of orange leaves -- GardenPath Blog

• Blue and orange note card -- FineStationery.com

• Orange flowers and blue bridesmaid dresses -- The Knot

• Cobalt blue glass pumpkin -- Avalon Glass Works

• Blue and orange tablescape with pumpkin accents -- About Interior Decorating

• Pumpkin soup in blue and white bowl -- MSN Cookbooks

Carnival Birthday Bash

A good friend of mine is starting to plan her child's 5th birthday party and asked me to pull together an inspiration board full of ideas for her beautiful girl's bash.

Knowing first-hand that the birthday gal is quite the girly-girl (think princesses, ballet and the color pink), I based this inspiration board off a palette full of pastel colors, instead of the bright and bold primary shades of a more circus centered carnival.

• The polka-dot border, ferris wheel and striped cabanas on this invitation set the tone for a carnival themed bash -- FineStationery.com

• Decorate the party space with plenty of high-flying balloon clusters and consider hiring someone to make balloon art for the party guests -- Jamie Hammond Photography via Green Wedding Shoes Blog

• Place a bag of cotton candy at each party guest's place setting -- The Miniature Cake Shop

• Serve cupcakes in place of traditional birthday cake and use these adorable carnival stripe liners -- Cupcake House

• If hosting the party outdoors, consider setting up a striped umbrella (could just be a colorful beach umbrella) over each table for added appeal. This can take the place of the cabana striped booths one might find at a carnival and will add a bit of festive flair -- Martha Stewart

• Set up carnival games like a bean-bag toss, a balloon board and ducky pool. Issue tickets to children who play the games and allow them to use the tickets to "purchase" candy at the treat table. This will not only give them the initiative to play the games, but will also limit the amount of candy the little ones ingest -- Jamie Hammond Photography via Green Wedding Shoes Blog & Tickets via Century Novelty

• Set up a face-painting station and ask an artistic friend to fill in as face-painter extraordinaire -- Imagination Party Creations

Fête Fashion Friday

The falling temperatures of autumn tend to initiate a transition from casual outdoor flings to formal, sit-down fêtes. For the next few Fridays here at The Finer Things I'll be presenting you with great outfits to wear for every kind of party. Today's fashion feature: dinner party attire.

Dinner parties are especially popular in the fall as friends, family and co-workers start to settle indoors and prepare for the Holiday season. Here are a few frocks that are fabulous but not overly fancy, making them ideal for an intimate affair.

Flirty and fun-- perfect for dinner with friends.
Anthropologie


New to the party? This dress is sure to make a stylish, yet sophisticated statement.
Ann Taylor

For dinner with your husband's boss (or yours for that matter!).
Carolina Herrera at Saks Fifth Avenue

Need a one-dress wonder? Match different accessories with this sweet and simple
frock for several lovely looks.
JCrew

Dressed in White: A Bridal Shower

Using white as the overall theme for a friend's wedding shower is a sure way to create a serene and highly sophisticated atmosphere.

• Have the bride-to-be and all the guests wear white to the event for a dramatic monochromatic look -- White Dress by the Shore (Dress by Reverie)

• Gather a selection of bright white flowers to create eye appeasing arrangements for the centerpieces -- The Knot

• A white on white cake looks almost too good to eat -- Australia Entertains via CakeGirls

• Send guests this simple white invitation with white satin ribbon -- FineStationery.com

• Ask guests to wrap gifts using white paper and ribbons -- Country Living

• Set the scene for fine dining with a white on white tablescape -- Brides.com