O happy day!!

Just last week, the leaves that were golden yellows, vibrant oranges and eye-popping reds. A sprinkling of leaves woud slowly dift to the ground with the slightest breeze. With every step, the leaves would crunch under my shoes. The last of the leaves are holding on with all their strength and soon will be gone. Thanksgiving must be coming. I am beyond excited for the holidays! Feast your eyes on this moodboard that will inspire a DIY budget friendly tablescape.

Dried Goods: In one of my posts, “DIY Projects :: Seasonal Centerpieces“, I featured non-floral centerpieces from Nettleton Hollow. This is a seasonal project that will highlight your Thanksgiving table and help celebrate a bountiful celebration.

In A Nutshell: Faux acorns make an easy and affordable way to dress up your dinner’s surroundings. Fill apothecary jars with seasonal fillers with nuts, cranberries, dried leaves and branches for a striking arrangement. (Pottery Barn; $14)

Perfect Pear: Use seasonal fruit to help guide your guests to their seat. Make sure to wash the pears, in case your guests munch on the place card. 

Spilled Beans: An easy DIY project that will have your guests asking you to share your secret. Incorporate the colors of fall when you pair pumpkins with lentils and other dried beans. Candles will also warm the gathering space, so be sure to keep plenty around.

Glorious Gourds: As farmers markets close up shop, be sure to grab some lovely squashes. Place in a neutral bowl to allow the colors of the bounty to pop. Martha also suggests adding kumquats for a splash of citrus color.

Melissa is the genius behind Lean with Green blog. A blog that compiles the best of the Northwest deals and budget saving tips. I was invited to write a guest blog post about, “Hosting a Party on a Budget“. It has great tips on cutting back, but still having a fabulous party. With the holidays coming up, it is worth checking out. Cheers!

ps. Happy Veteran’s Day! I hope you have the day off!!

It takes a bold person to wear feathers on their wedding day. Feathers are often shunned and categorized as tacky or is placed in the costume accessories department. If overdone, yes, they can over the top. However, is this week’s collection, the designers use feathers and take on an airy new approach and create dramatic silhouettes and accents.

Belted Beauty: The bodice is pulled towards to the natural waist with mild ruching and flows down the skirt. A feathered belt is encrusted with crystals and beads giving this overall simple dress some creative expression. (Priscilla of Boston; $3000+)

Wedded Whisps: It only takes three words to describe this dress: strapless, short and sexy. Ostrich feathers layer the skirt to add some oomph to this streamline silhouette. Sparkling details around the waist and hem kick up the drama.(Sue Wong; $518)

Belted Bird: The skirt features an organza overlay and ruffled hem which adds femininity and flare. Fine feathers and beading line the belt. Watered silk peek-a-boos from under the ruffled hem adding shimmer and sheen to every step.(Junko Yoshioka; $3000+)

Full of Feathers: This tight-fitting mermaid silhouette envelopes the body with structured diamond-like pleating. The full skirt has a canopy of ostrich feathers that will surely seize the scene. Swarovski crystals at the bust add sparkle. (Jane Yeh; $4500)

Light in Flight: Feathered flowers are fastened to the single strap on this empire dress. Sweeping and light weight chiffon float around the body. An assymetrical overlay gathers at the bustline and splits into handkerchief hem. (Augusta Jones; $1500-3000)

Flowers & Feathers: The folded layers of organza create stunning architectural lines and appeals to the eye. Flowers dot the dress and feathers line the neckline and hem. (Becoming Mrs; $1800)

Did this collection ruffle your feathers?

I stumbled upon this week’s collection via Portland Fashion Week (October 7-10, 2009). The designer, Angelia Sasmita, currently resides in Shoreline, Washington. Another local talent! Her Spring collection is inspired by all things natural: water, wind and the heavens.

Soft and flowy fabrics that move with the wind are key characteristics in Angelia’s collection. Light and airy chiffons and french lace recreate nature’s best on the body. While heavier silks like duchess satin helps frame the body with sumptuous fabric. Subtle earthy colors such as ivories, creams and pinks are prominently found. Details are abound! Scattered beads, pearls and stones hems show off Angelia’s artistic steer towards the sparkly stars in the heavens.

Brooches and bows literally tie each of the designs together. Dainty peplums and ruching around the waist detail add texture and drama to the skirts. While the bodice and neckline showcase her exquisite beading and detail.

Her prices range from $850-3500.

We have five winners! Yay! Thanks for commenting and tweeting the giveaway. If you are a winner and haven’t received an email from me, please email me prosttothehost@gmail.com Thanks to everyone else who entered! Cheers!

Winner #9: Jo who loves “stamping cards and fabric”.

Winner #20: Kristen who makes greeting cards instead of buying them

Winner #8: Lisa who tweeted the giveaway

Winner #5: Liz B who likes to make “pretty little cards and ‘gift certificates’ for gifts”

Winner #25: Brittany who is following my on Twitter.

Congratulations!

Problem: You have 100+ envelopes to address and your hand is already cramping at the thought of it. In addition, your budget will not allow you to hire a calligrapher. What options do you have? Force your bridesmaids (remember they are NOT slaves) to address your invitations or recruit family members… OR you could make your handwriting in a font! Seems strange…but keep with me. There are various websites that allow you to upload samples of your handwriting and they’ll turn into a TrueType font. The ultimate personalization!

(image from Font for Peas)

You can even add your squiggles, hearts and geometric shapes to “your” font just like dingbats. I haven’t even mentioned the best part. Some sites are free or charge a nominal fee.

(image from Fontifier)

Check out:

FontCapture (Free!); FontsForPeas (Free!);Fontifier ($9);YourFonts ($10)

If you are like me and your handwriting is nothing special. You can always “borrow” and download free fonts from websites listed above or from Da Font or Abstract Fonts to add some panache to your paper.

Together, Bake it Pretty and Inspired Bride created a table full of candy for the eyes and tummy. I can vouch for Bake it Pretty’s selection and quality, as I’ve used their products for most of my parties (cupcake frosting tip, cake pop sticks, sprinkles, cupcake wrappers…oh the list goes on and on). Find all the delicious details (and recipes) for recreating this spectacular table of sweets.

http://www.inspiredbride.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/allbuffet1.jpg

Maddy, from Inspired Bride, use a simple color palette of ice blues and whites to avoid taking the focus away from the display. Check out Maddy’s tips and easy directions to inspire your next dessert buffet.