Real Parties: A Pirate Bash!

I saw this great pirate party over at The TomKat Studio and just had it share it with you! I really like how Kim's sister-in-law used two tones of blue for the color scheme instead of the typical red, white and black (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

Here are the loot bags that were used for the pinata. They are simple, yet look so chic even though it was for a 5th birthday party!

Kim's famous cupcake toppers (now "party circles"!) made an appearance of course!

The party favors consisted of cute treasure chests filled with gold coins & pirate bouncy balls!

How great is it that the birthday boy's name is Jack?! "Captain Jack" signs were placed around the house

I love the font that was used too! Arrgh (had to say that at some point, ha!)! I'm sure a great time was had by all!

Halloween

At work we are throwing a Cyberween day - basically cyber security awareness and HALLOWEEN mixed (both scary ;o)  Below are some ideas I have been saving to add the "icing" on the theme... Hope they give you some inspiration too!

How cute are these! Found on MarthaStewart.com (link).  We are going to use these to put around the buffet room - kinda gives you room to decorate from the ground up! Site has easy template, though I am anxious to survey my Cricut collection to see if it has a mouse and I can cheat!

These labels would be the "icing" on any glassware, I am sure even plastic cups would look great too! ...p.s. I really love the little skull rings around the bottom too! (source)

These chocolate covered pretzel ghosts are just too easy and too adorable not to try to make this season! You could even up the cuteness by using a fondant tool to make ridges like mummy wrappings.  If you didn't want to use chocolate for the faces, I bet using an edible marker would do just great too...  (source)

I have been seeing TONS of halloween fondant cakes I would love to tackle, but I wanted to share this one because if you break it down, it really looks quite simple. (source)  I'll post pics if I attempt it! I have never made a topsy turvy cake, but from what I understand it's pretty simple.

These bags are the perfect takeaway from your Halloween event and super simple to make (I clipped this so long ago, I can't remember from where, but I think from a Martha Stewart Magazine)

Rosette Chair Adornment

Are these not gorgeous?! What a special and unique touch these chair adornments would be at your next girly function.

The work of Preston Bailey via Elegant Bride

Happy Hump Day: 12 Designs of Christmas

A few months ago, in the dead of summer, I walked into Hobby Lobby and was astounded to see aisles and aisles of CHRISTMAS decorations! I shook my head, blinked my eyes, and pinched my arm...was I dreaming? Nope, in the middle of July Hobby Lobby had their Christmas products out and it was all 1/2 off...getting a jump start I suppose...

Not to be outdone by Hobby Lobby, I am happy to announce HH Design House is also ready for Holiday Season!!

Are you ready for some Christmas Specials??

I know what you're thinking..."Christmas already??? Fall has barely blown in!" However, it is time to start thinking about what you want appearing in the mailboxes of friends and family come December. HH Design House is ready to start taking your orders for Christmas Cards!!

Get ready, because have we got some santa sized news for you...

We are super excited to reveal the new "shopping cart" feature on our website. Plus, over 20 new designs just in time for the 2009 Holiday Season. You now have the convenience of ordering your Christmas Cards online! What else does this new feature offer? Just keep reading...

* Influenced by our favorite Christmas songs, over 35 Christmas Card designs (20 are BRAND NEW!)

*Many paper & envelope options!

* Opportunity to proof and make changes if needed!

* Easy checkout with paypal!

Don't see one that ignites your holiday spirit? Remember we offer one-of-a-kind custom designs too...you can find information regarding custom orders on the new shopping cart feature as well.

As if that's not enough to make you yearn to haul the Christmas decorations out of the attic and pop on some carols, here's the best news yet...

ORDER NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31 AND RECEIVE 10% OFF!!!

To take advantage of this offer, click on "Order Holiday Cards Online" on our website. Or go to www.hayleyhardcastle.com/cart. Remember to enter the code "earlyorder" to receive your discount.

So grab a cup of hot chocolate (and perhaps turn on a fan), nibble on a candy cane, and scroll down as we serenade you with "12 Designs of Christmas!!!"

Wine YUM!!

first - note to self, never start a new blogging effort right before vacation! ...second, I think I'll start this blog off with one of my favorite things - WINE!  Here are a few things I have found that would be great "icing" to a wine and cheese party....

These would be fantastic for a dinner party, happy hour or even a wedding (like shown here)! I don't remember the source (sorry! has been in my clip folder for way too long!).  These would even be cute as card holder with description of an appetizer or menu item on your buffet.... now to get to drinking enough bottles to save up the corks! (the fun part!)

This was a great idea to put corks in a vase for holding flowers... and yet ANOTHER reason to drink more bottles of wine! ;o)  You could even but a long candle in instead!  source

These coasters would be the perfect craft project to add to the tablescape.  You can add all the party information and have them as keepsakes.  But don't stop there! You can modify the theme for any type of event.

Can't leave the "icing" off the cheese tray! ...little chalkboard cheese markers (sold here) or you could make your own.  Chalkboard paint is sold at every craft store now and little mini frames are easy to come by too!

 HELLO!?!?! How fantastic are these!?! Little toothpick holders that can hold a little card! $5 bucks for 100 of these little guys sold here:  link

Confetti Invitation

This darling invitation immediately caught my eye when I saw it a few months ago over at Creature Comforts. It would be perfect for a bubble theme bash or polka dot party. I also think it would be fun to add photofetti along with the paper circles.

To recreate the look, you can find the vellum envelopes at Paper and More. There are many Etsy sellers who offer custom rubber stamps like this one here.

ann and steven - private residence, del mar

this wedding was my "martha stewart meets cape cod meets pottery barn meets california"!!! at least that's how i am referring to it henceforth :) - simple, clean, chic - signature JL DESIGNS!

bridal bouquet of ivory garden roses, cream double tulips, white mini calas and ruffly japhette orchids...

the bride gave me a family rosary to incorporate into her bouquet as her "something blue"...

this couple was so gorgeous...it's not even funny...

ceremony was held at the historic immaculata church in san diego...

look at the shape of that dress!

i mean really?!? really.

ahhhhh...the reception....it was held at the private residence of a friend of the bride and it was basically my dream house...craftsman style, huge front porch, lush backyard, the list goes on...dinner tables were long wood "descansos" paired with dark brown chiavari chairs...

cocktail tables were accented with a little footed glass vase holding white hydrangea and a chrome lantern from restoration hardware....

fresh potted herbs and pillar candles were placed on existing outdoor furniture to add to the "home-y" feel...

a "runner" of all white florals...it was vase after vase of hydrangea, roses, ranunculas, dinner plate dahlias and tulips! glass apothecary jars were thrown into the mix as well for added dimension...and of course TONS of candles!

the porch held existing outdoor furniture, accented by fresh potted herbs and we lined the entire thing in chrome lanterns of various sizes, along with mason jar votives. lastly, we hung more mason jars (filled with either mini white floral arrangements or candles) from the beams using an organic looking twine...

cocktail hour by the pool...

this dj was amazing by the way!!! he was mixing kings of leon with beach boys like nobody's business!

adorable eyelet and scalloped edge dessert platters were brought in by the caterer and filled with all kinds of sweets!

okay, i must give a giant THANK YOU to dane sanders for taking such incredible photos! i was so worried about the sun going down and i thought the reception pictures were going to come out too dark but he and his second shooter did an amazing job capturing the details and the lighting was gorgeous!

coordinator: sarah ollenberger

rentals: classic party rentals

dj: dj jalil with kopesetik inc.