City Chic Hanukkah

{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!}

Choose alluring shades of blue and silver to bring a city chic feel to your Hanukkah décor.

• This silver dreidel box is perfect for presenting candy or small trinkets – Crate & Barrel

• Serve your favorite holiday dishes using this blue and pewter dinnerware – Neiman Marcus

• Make a room extra comfy for family gatherings with blue and silver pillows – Crate & Barrel and Pier 1 Imports

• Send greetings to family and friends with these photo cards – FineStationery.com

• This modern menorah will brighten any room – Crate & Barrel

• Add these napkin rings to your table linens for extra sparkle – Pottery Barn

Southern Sophistication

Raised south of the Mason-Dixon line? Consider adding stylish southern staples to your wedding ceremony and reception as a tribute to the land of dixie.

• Use white magnolias in your bouquet, on reception tables and as elegant ceremony decor -- Cyber Bride and Country Living

• Send guests a simple cream invitation that oozes sophistication -- FineStationery.com

• These tiny topiaries are a lovely way to display place cards -- The Knot

• Serve rum-spiked sweet tea as your signature cocktail -- Emeril Lagasse for Planet Green

• Dress the groom and bridal party in classic black -- The Knot

• Reserve an old plantation house or southern estate for the affair -- Brides

Turkey Day is Here!

The Coordinated Couple

It's officially the season for cocktail hours, dinner parties and other glamorous gatherings. For a poised and polished look, consider coordinating your attire with your date. There's no need to be ultra-matchy, but dressing in complimentary colors will help to create a sense of unity and can solidify your air of sophistication for this season's party scene.

• Have couple's calling cards on hand for the planning of future social engagements -- FineStationery.com

• Mix and mingle over a selection of appetizers -- Country Living

• This versatile dress can be semi-formal or more casual when paired with the appropriate accessories -- Modcloth

• Small golden knot earrings are simple and elegant -- Jewelry World

• This golden clutch makes for an eye-catching accessory -- Saks Fifth Avenue

• Metallic wedge heels complete the look -- Zappos.com

• This gentleman makes casual elegance look effortless in a sweater vest and tie (love his newsboy hat!) -- Ralph Lauren

• To create a more casual look for the lady, simply add a classic cardigan -- J.Crew

Gifts for Guys

Whether you are buying for your husband, father or brother, finding a great gift for the men in your life can be quite a challenge-- especially if you're looking for something more original than yet another tie or coffee mug.

Here are a few unique, yet functional gift ideas:

• Perfect for the card shark, this professional grade clay poker chip set comes in a personalized silver case -- Wealthwood Gifts

• A personalized, collegiate return address stamp will let his school pride shine -- FineStationery.com

• For the music lover, this unique turntable can transfer his vinyl collection into MP3s -- Urban Outfitters

• The handyman will love this magnetic wrist band as it keeps nuts, screws and bolts well within reach -- Red Envelope

• The vintage look of this suitcase valet will keep his storage stylish -- Pottery Barn

Candy Land Party

Candy Land was always my favorite game to play as a little girl, and I can remember thinking how much I'd love to actually be able to walk into such a tasty world. Full of fun colors and sweet treats, this timeless board game translates into a terrific party theme for an truly imaginative birthday.

• Send an adorable invitation featuring candy illustrations -- FineStationery.com

• Wrap balloons or paper lanterns in cellophane to look like hard candy and hang them from the ceiling as decor -- Hostess with the Mostess

• Adorn the birthday cake with plenty of sweets including these swirly suckers -- Butterfly Cakes

• Paint the different segments of your sidewalk with temporary paint to mimic the look of the game board -- Brand Flakes for Breakfast

• Place a lovely lollipop with nametag at each plate as an edible place card -- The Celebration Shoppe

• Arrange a vibrant candy buffet in a variety of colors, shapes and tastes -- Hostess with the Mostess

• Give each party guest a candy necklace upon arrival -- Amazon.com

As I was searching for candy land imagery I stumbled across Hostess with the Mostess's take on this party theme-- her ideas (some of which I mention above) are all so lovely-- be sure to check out her post for some great inspiration!

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

• Fabulous Thanksgiving wine suggestions -- Martha Stewart Living Radio Blog

• A unique candied sweet potato recipe -- Blissfully Domestic

• A cheerful pink and purple Thanksgiving tablescape -- Poca Cosas

Happy planning!

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.

• 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

• Place a candy cane at each guest's plate as well as a red, silver or white ornament for a favor -- The Knot

• Wrap boxes in striped paper and place around the room for added decor -- Martha Stewart

• Serve a festive champagne toast with striped stemware -- Pier 1

• This striped wedding band is sure to always remind you of your unique holiday nuptials -- Shop.com

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!

• Warm up after the snow adventure by watching Frosty the Snowman – Amazon.com

• Serve cool concessions like these snowman cupcakes – Martha Stewart

• Be sure to supply all the necessary snowman making tools – Restoration Hardware

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

• Keep little fingers toasty with warm woolen mittens – crewcuts by JCrew

• This dancing snowman invitation is sure to excite all guests – FineStationery.com

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

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.

• Let them put on a show with these plush circus puppets -- Restoration Hardware

• 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

• This adorable felt cupcake baking set is too sweet for words -- Etsy Seller Sweetiepiebaker

• 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

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.

• Serve a variety of appetizers and finger foods -- Saks Fifth Avenue

• Invite friends with this fun silhouette invitation -- FineStationery.com

• Hang silver ornaments around the room for a festive atmosphere -- Replacements.com

• Stack these sleek black plates and red cocktail napkins near the appetizers -- Neiman Marcus

• Serve a signature drink like this delicious Merry Berry cocktail -- Yum Sugar

• 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

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:

• 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

• The Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World by The Knot is a great resource for brides and grooms during their engagement – Amazon.com

• 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

A Fruit and Nut Thanksgiving Dinner

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

• Jazz up your stuffing with this delicious fruit and nut recipe -- Martha Stewart

• Serve cornucopia sangria filled with berries -- San Francisco Chronicle

• Bake a fruit and nut cake for dessert -- BBC Good Food

• Set out a spread of artisans cheese, fresh and dried fruit and nuts for guests to nibble before dinner -- Country Living

• Invite guests with this cornucopia invitation -- FineStationery.com

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!

• 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

• How to be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Guide to Life by Melissa Hellstern would be a classy addition to any elegant lady's book collection -- Barnes & Noble

• For your business savvy friend, try this luxurious lined and personalized leather journal -- FineStationery.com

• Finally, this luxurious single plantation chocolate by Amedei was named World's Best Chocolate by Food and Wine magazine and would be a great addition to a friend's emergency chocolate stash -- Amedei

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.

Painting Party

Pirate Party

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.

Glamorous Emerald
David Meister at Saks Fifth Avenue

Simple Sophistication
Pamella Roland

Red Hot
Hervé Léger at Bloomingdales

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.

• Serve blueberry tarts -- Queen Bees Have Sweet Dreams Blog
  

• Use frozen blueberries to garnish everything, including the celebratory champagne -- Whisk Food Blog

• Set each table with a navy cloth and crisp white dishes -- The Knot

• Dress the bride-to-be in a sophisticated blueberry colored frock -- Ann Taylor

• Invite guests with this lovely blue-on-blue invitation -- FineStationery.com

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.

• Needlepoint pillow -- Kevins Catalog

• Highland whiskey by The Dalmore Distillery -- Pops Pop

• Stag bookends -- The Old Pioneer Store

• Stag salt and pepper shakers -- Gift Monger

• Stag ice bucket -- Ralph Lauren

• Antler bar utensils -- Pottery Barn

• Majestic stag note card -- FineStationery.com

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:

• Personalized stationery always makes a good impression -- FineStationery.com

• 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

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.

• Light up your space with a few of these feathered lamps -- Moss Online

• Decorate a feature wall with this modern white stork decal -- Paintless Design

• 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

• Opt for simple table decor like a blue or pink runner with feather and candle centerpieces -- Papertini Blog

• Present each guest with a vintage inspired favor bag filled with a favorite candy -- Favor Studio

• Keep track of nap times with this adorable stork wall clock -- Piece Makers