Creative (and Affordable) Table Runners

Can't find the perfect table runner for your party? Don't have the extra cash flow to spend on linens?

Well, table runners don't have to be made from cotton! Think outside the box and I bet you could find a TON of options for table runners right in your very own house:

• Fabric
• Place mats
• Wall paper
• Wrapping paper
• Cool shopping bags
• Scrapbook paper
• Trays
• Bandannas
  
• Wood
• Black foam board
  

Here are a few examples I found online:

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The possibilities are endless. What is your favorite alternative to the linen table runner?

How to Fold a Fancy Dinner Napkin

Looking for some ways to dress up your dinner table and be eco-friendly at the same time? Use linen napkins at your next meal. I always find great deals on cotton/linen napkins at Target, Pier One, and Tj Maxx/Marshalls. If you stick to darker colors, you can use them forever-no matter how many times your messy husband spills on them!

I put together a how to video showing a few different napkin folds for She Just Got Married so if you learn by watching, check it out.

If not, here are step-by-step instructions:

Fortune Cookie Fold:

1. Fold napkin in half on the diagonal
2. Fold corners in to top of triangle
3. Flip it over with all open points facing you
4/5. Fold bottom corner up to opposite corner, creating a triangle shape
6. Fold the napkin in half again, creating a smaller triangle shape
7. Set the napkin up
8. Put it on your place setting and you've got an easy fortune cookie napkin

(Is it just me or is it really hard to put into words how to actually fold a napkin???)

Diagonal Handkerchief Fold:


1. Fold napkin in half
2. Fold napkin in half again (leaving the two folded edges on the left and bottom side)
3. You'll now have the four loose ends in the top right corner
4. Take the top layer of the napkin and roll it tightly from the top right corner to the center of the napkin
5. Do the same with the second layer
6. Do the same with the third layer
7. Leave the fourth layer alone
8. Fold both sides under to hide the start of each of the rolls
9. Set on your plate, insert menu, flower, etc and you're done!

PS-did you know that when you dine at a fancy restaurant and you're wearing black, the waiter should switch out the white linen dinner napkin with a black one. If they don't ask them-you don't want white lint all over your little black dress!

Coupon Code from Invitation Consultants & Contest

If you read my blog regularly, you know I love Invitation Consultants. They have a huge selection of invitations, high quality products, and a wide range of prices for every budget. I just received an email from them about their Invitation Design Contest and had to share-if you think you can design an invite, you should enter the contest!!! Winner gets $1,000 and your design will be sold on the Invitation Consultants website (you will also earn 5% on every sale of your design). Hello?!? How awesome is that!!


Read more details here.

Also, if you are still in need of invitations for your upcoming event, they are offering $10 off your next order of $200 or more with coupon code SPRING2009.

So for all you creative designers out there, you should enter!

Back from the Windy City!

Wow, what a trip! I am so extremely exhausted from walking everywhere in Chicago. I'm used to living in AZ where you drive everywhere, even if it's just a few blocks away.

In regard to the cupcake post on Friday, my sister found some delicious cupcakes from Sensational Bites in downtown that were so good! I forgot to take pictures but these are some I found online from their store:


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Happy Monday everyone!

In Chicago for my Birthday today!

I'm in Chicago visiting my sister for my birthday and we are on a mission to find the best cupcakes in the city. There are lots out here but I've read pretty good things about Molly's and Phoebe's Cupcakes so we may try to find those places and test them out.

Anyone have any recommendations for the best cupcake in Chicago?

How to Host a Housewarming Party (plus, free downloads)

One of my past clients recently purchased a home with her new hubby and they called me for help on hosting their housewarming party. Here are a few pointers and free downloads to plan the perfect housewarming party.

1. Determine the theme for your party. Do you prefer a simple "open house" style party or would you rather do a painting party with some of your close friends? Depending on what you select, make sure to fit everything into that theme.

2. Using my downloadable template below, print invitations, signs, place cards, cupcake flags, and more. Click here to watch.

Housewarming Fillable Party Pack

Here's what everything looks like printed out:

3. Get the house ready. It's okay to leave some rooms empty! Use the blank "Future Location of" signs in the above template to let your guests know what each room will be. Hang these on the door of each room. Light a few candles in the commonly used areas (kitchen, bathroom, living room, patio), set out a few framed housewarming quotes (in template above).

I love the idea of using paint cans as centerpieces-these would be perfect even if you aren't doing a painting party. Fill these with flowers, candles, candy, painting materials and you've got an instant centerpiece.



4. Put out the food and drinks-finger foods that are easy to prepare are great.

5. When your guests arrive, you can let them wander through the house on a self guided tour or you can take them through.

Here are a few pictures from the housewarming party I helped with:







Do you have any tips for throwing a great housewarming party?

Scottsdale Country Club Awesome Summer Specials!

If you are still looking for a venue to host your wedding, look no further! The Scottsdale Country Club is running a major special during the month of April. If you haven't already booked your ceremony & reception location, I highly recommend giving them a call.



Their dinner packages normally start at $49/person but if you sign a contract during the month of April for your May-August 2009 wedding, they are offering several discounted menu options: dinners for $29/person or appetizers, dinner, and full bar for $60/person.


Photos Courtesy of This Is Life Photography

I love this venue because of their awesome staff, beautiful neutral interior, and how flexible they are. If you and your fiance are golf buffs, this is the place for you!

Info:
www.sccweddings.com
Brooke Ertle
480-948-6000 ext 103
brooke.ertle@starfiregolf.com

DIY: Tissue Paper Carnations from Folding Trees

I just saw these tissue paper carnations on Folding Trees and had to share them. I love inexpensive options for cute centerpieces and decor so these are just perfect.



Read the complete tutorial here.

Are you a fan of paper flowers? Any success or issues when making them?

Summer Table Settings

It may still be springtime for some of you, but for me, in Arizona, it's almost 100 degrees! AZ always seems to skip right over spring-just look at the five day forecast:



In light of the AZ summer being here, I found these great summer table settings on Country Living that would be great for your next dinner party.





I've only got about one or two months of dining outside before it gets too hot! Have any tips for throwing an outdoor party?

Rubio's for Charity: Wednesday April 15th

If you are a fan of Rubio's and are in need of something for dinner tonight, be sure to head to one of the three valley locations listed below to pick up some dinner for tonight. Rubio's has offered to donate 20% of all purchases made today from 3:00 pm to close to the Foundation for Blind Children in Arizona.




The Savvy Event is also planning a charity cocktail party for the Foundation for Blind Children at the end of May to support the group's upcoming hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. For more information, check out their website.

If you are interested in supporting this foundation and would like more information about the upcoming charity cocktail party, please email katie@thesavvyevent.com.

Happy Tax Day!

Fresh Fruit & Flower Centerpieces

I posted last week about making fresh fruit centerpieces for Easter with the in-laws and wanted to share with you how they turned out.

Step One:
Purchase flowers (I purchased 30 Gerbera daisies)



Step Two: Purchase fruit or veggies in your color scheme. Cut them in slices about 1/4 inch thick. (for my three vases, I used two lemons and four oranges)


Step Three: Secure small vase inside large vase by using glue dots or rocks.


Step Four: Fill the inner vase with water, flower food, and your flowers.


Step Five: Add fruit slices between inner vase and outer vase. Use a skewer to push fruit into place.




My mother in law loved them and they matched perfectly with the rest of her Easter decor.

To fit this to any theme, you can fill the outer vase with anything-candy, rocks, shells, mini toys, etc.

Hope everyone had a good Easter weekend!

Fresh Fruit Centerpieces

I got an email from my mother in law today asking me if I could put together some centerpieces for our Easter dinner. She wants hot pink, yellow, and orange so I'm thinking some fresh fruit centerpieces with lemons, oranges, and some bright flowers will be perfect!


Photos clockwise from top left: Unknown, Unknown, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source

What do you guys think? Have you ever made centerpieces with fresh fruit? Any pointers you'd like to share?

Easy and Affordable DIY Easter Centerpieces

Check out the easy Easter centerpieces I put together for my video blog over at She Just Got Married. For those of you who prefer pictures and reading directions step-by-step, I am listing out the details below. These centerpieces would also be great for any spring time party or baby shower.

Centerpiece #1:



Supplies Needed:
Taper candles and holders
Card stock
Votive candle holders
Ribbon
Glue
Tape
Scissors
Frame

Use card stock as a table runner:


Secure matching ribbon around votive holder with glue dots or tape:


Centerpiece #2:



Supplies Needed:
Plate
Trifle/bowl/cup/candle holder
Card stock
Ribbon
Clip art Easter themed image
Votive candle holders
Glue
Tape
Scissors


Download fun Easter fonts at Dafont. Cut out with scalloped edge scissors and layer on cardstock. Add ribbon to tie around your napkin.


Wrap ribbon around pillar candles. Glue or tape cut-out clip art image to the front.


Set a clear glass plate on top of a sturdy base to create an elevated plate stand. I used a small trifle dish and a clear glass plate. Cut strips of card stock in the same size and use glue dots to secure around the edges of your DIY plate stand.


Centerpiece #3:



Supplies Needed:
Small metal buckets or cups/vases
Card stock
Ribbon
Cotton candy
Skewers
Toothpicks
Peeps
Glue
Tape
Scissors

Cut out flowers in various sizes. Tape to skewers. Add ribbon.



Stick skewer into bucket and secure by using rocks or candy at the base. Add cotton candy.




Layer name card on heavy cardstock, secure to toothpick with tape or glue, and stick it into your Peeps.




What are you doing for Easter?

Download: Easter Fonts

If you're hosting Easter and are in need of a few finishing touches for your table, here are some cute fonts I found on Dafont that would be great for place cards, invitations, drink tags, menus, and more!

Easy DIY Easter Centerpieces

I love these easy Easter centerpieces! You can make them with things you've already got around the house!!!













A lot of these centerpieces would also work well for a baby shower or little kid's party. I am especially loving the one with the Peeps-it's a sick obsession but I LOVE Peeps!

If you are hosting Easter this year, do you have any fun and easy ideas for your Easter centerpieces?