Shanghai Nights Dinner Party

The Shanghai Nights Dinner Party:
With a Red, Black and White color scheme, we were going for a sleek take on an Asian Influenced dinner party. Here's the details:

The Bar:
The Great Wall-
Orange Vodka, Coconut Rum, and Pineapple Juice(see recipe this Friday's Happy Hour) served in tall glasses with Umbrellas(same paper as Fortune Cookie Invite)

The Table:
Placesetting-
Silver Square Chargers
White Square Dinner Plate(CB2)
Black Square Salad Plate(Pier 1)
Red Wine Glasses(Pier 1)
Sandalwood Fan(Pier1)
White Dinner Napkins
Paper Lantern Cocktail Napkins(West Elm-no longer available)
Red Ribbon and Chopsticks

The Decor
6 Paper Lanterns of various sizes hung above table(Ikea)
Floral Centerpiece-Submerged Flowers, Black Rocks, Curly Willow and Orchid Branch.(I know white flowers are unlucky in China, Sorry!)
Various clear votives wrapped with black and red scrapbook paper

The Favor
Silver take-out boxes filled with Tea

Happy Hour: Blue Moon Cocktail

I'm just dying to get out of this rainy Northwest weather, so I thought a vacation cocktail compliments of Sunset Magazine might do the trick!!

Blue Moon Cocktail

Ingredients
1 cup crushed ice
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup blue curaçao
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons vanilla-flavored syrup
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur

Directions
In a blender, combine all ingredients and whirl until smooth. Pour into four martini glasses (4 oz.) and garnish the rim of each glass with a slice of orange.

Modern Outdoor Entertaining from West Elm

Every year, I look forward to West Elm's Outdoor Entertaining and Accessories Collection. They always have modern, reasonably priced items that kick start your summer! Some of my favorites for this season:

Woven Hurricanes: $12-$59
Great for a tropical design scheme!
Perforated Lanterns: $39-$59
Melamine Dinnerware: $12-$16
Summer brights, with zebra-like effect!
Melamine Serveware: $16
Beanbag Coffee Table: $179
Wow, great would these be for a Mod Party!!!
Modern Metal Lanterns: $39 - $59

Asian Influence Dinner Party : The Invite

I'm working on an Asian Infused Dinner Party for a client that just returned from a vacation in China. Instead of mailing the invitation we opted for a silver take-out box with a fortune cookie invitation inside that had to be hand-delivered to each guest. The color scheme is Black, White, Red and a touch of
Silver. The party is this weekend so I will have more pictures next week!

Easter Table

Only 4 at the Easter Table this year, but of course it still had to be decorated!! I love Peeps, so I had to incorporate them somehow. Here's a couple pics.

Happy Hour: Orange Sparklers

Here is a great Easter cocktail from Everyday with Rachel Ray:

Orange Sparklers

Ingredients

1 bottle (750ml) Sparkling White Wine or Champagne
1 1/2 cups Orange Juice
1 cup pomegranate juice
Juice of 2 Limes


Directions
Just stir and serve!

Wedding Paper Divas Letterpress Collection

One of my very favorite choices for modern wedding stationary, Wedding Paper Divas has partnered with William Arthur to launch a brand new Letterpress Collection. Brides can exclusively order the collection from some of the most popular designers on Wedding Paper Divas and each order placed will be printed by William Arthur on their fine signature papers. I love mixing modern and traditional elements and this is a perfect example!

Easter Favors

How cute are these cute egg shaped soap's from Wedding Things? They would look great in little nest's like the above picture shows, or in little buckets or baskets for Easter. They also just happen to be on sale, for $1.80. Love that!!

Pink and Green and Mums all over!!

I can't believe Easter is so early this year. I am barely recovered from St. Patrick's Day, when I have to break out the Easter egg dye. Instead of the normal pastel color palette for Easter this year, I think a lime and hot pink palette would look striking. I love the Verde Dinnerware from CB2.(4.95-7.95) paired with the Azalea Hemstich Napkins(40.00 for 12) and Runner(25.00) from Social Couture, and you are well on your way!! You could also dye your Easter egg's hot pink and lime green and use them as place card holders or in a bowl or vase for a centerpiece. For my place card holders/favors I'm going to fill a white votive holder with green "grass" and place the egg on top with each guests initial on the egg. This will be placed on top of the plate. I'm also contemplating a Peep drink umbrella/stirrer. More on that later.....

Happy Hour: Irish Coffee

I dig Irish Coffee any day of the year, but I definitely can not go with out it on St. Patrick's Day. Below is an Irish Coffee recipe, from my favorite cocktail book, Hip Sips by Lucy Brennan. Lucy Brennan is the owner of Mint and 820, a Portland, Oregon restaurant and adjacent bar. They have the most delish, unique drinks and a fabulous modern atmosphere. Cheers!!


Irish Coffee

1 sugar cube
2 ounces Bushmills Irish Whiskey
3 ounces strong hot coffee
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Whipped Cream for garnish

Fill a footed coffee mug with hot water and let the glass heat throughly. Pour out the hot water and put the sugar cube in the glass. Add the Bushmills and coffee. Dollop the whipped cream on top of the drink. Serve at once.

Vanilla Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy(whipping) cream
1/4 ounces Monin Vanilla Syrup

In a chilled stainless-steel bowl, beat the cram with an electric mixer on high speed. As the cream begins to thicken, gradually add the vanilla syrup and beat until soft peaks form.
Makes 2 cups

Fuschia, Lime, and Tangerine-Stunning!!

I love the color combination of Lime, Hot Pink, and Tangerine. Something about the combination is so modern and festive. It also pairs well with my favorite color, chocolate. I ran across these pictures on Wildflower Linen, a stunning special event tabletop linen rental site. Both photos were taken by Barnet Photography. They have some amazing photos of events on their website. Two websites you have to check out!!

Black and White Dinner Party-The Invite

I'm in the process of designing a Black and White dinner party and I thought these invitations from Wedding Paper Divas would both work well. I just love the chandelier motif. By changing the font you could change the whole feel of the party from ritzy to ultra mod. I also love this black and white floral invite for a spring soirée or a black and white bridal shower. Wedding Paper Divas has a fabulous selection of save the date cards, invitations, and placecards for your next event. Also check out their blog, diva dialogue, for wedding tips and trends.

Modern Candy for your Modern Event

Candy is always an easy choice for party favors. Who doesn't like candy? There are so many creative ways to package candy, but its not always easy to find a hip modern candy to match your design scheme. That's when I came across The Cocoa Room. The chocolate candy coated almonds, pistachios, and sunflower seeds have taste mixes like Pumpkin Spice, Amaretto Tiramisu and Raspberry Cranberry. They would look fabulous in any clear packaging: box, bag, or martini glass. Do they taste as good as they look? Even better!!

Photo Via The Cocoa Room

I Love White Square Plates

My White Square Dinner Plates from CB2, may be the best purchase I ever made. I can't explain it, but even my cooking looks amazing on this plate. It works just as well for a family breakfast as it does for a fancy dinner party. The best part....they only cost $4.95 per plate at CB2.
Love them!!!

Friday = Happy Hour: Cosmo Slushy

It's Friday!! Friday equals Happy Hour at Swanky Tables, so here's our First Friday Drink Recipe. Compliments of Real Simple. Here's the bonus....you can prepare the drink the night before your party. Love that!!



Cosmopolitan Slushy

1 1/4 Cups Citrus Vodka
1/2 Cup Lime Juice
2 Cups Cranberry Juice
4 ice cube trays

Combine vodka, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a pitcher with 2 cups water and stir to blend. Divide between ice cube trays and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight (the drink cubes will freeze only partially). Just before serving, empty trays into a large bowl and using a fork, break up cubes to make it slushy. Spoon into martini glasses and serve.

If you don't have 4 ice cube trays, or would like to make this drink last minute, I would substitute frozen cranberry juice and just throw it into the blender with the rest of the ingredients!! Pour into martini glasses....Delish!!

Yield: Makes 6 servings

via Real Simple
Photo by Maura McEvoy

Magma Jewelry Design Parties

Ready for a great party idea, that doesn't include you cooking or cleaning? How about a Design Party at Magma Jewelry Studio, Portland, Oregon. I came across this gorgeous hand-blown glass jewelry while at the Perfectly Pearl modern wedding event. It's even more gorgeous in person. Blake Van Roekel individually hand-crafts each one-of-a-kind piece in her Portland, Oregon jewelry studio, Magma. The best part is you can create custom jewelry with her!! You and up to four friends can sign up for a Design Party and construct your own necklace, bracelet, earrings, or more for just $35 per person. Magma provides the handcrafted glass beads, stringing materials, munchies, and libations!! To schedule your party, call (503) 753-1655 or email blake@magmajewels.com. Sounds like a great idea for a Bride and her bridesmaids!!

via Perfectly Pearl
Magma
1720 NW Lovejoy
Portland, Oregon 97209
503.753.1655
PHOTOS: Michael Schmitt

"Green" St.Patrick's Day Dinner Party

With the trend of "eco-chic" events, I thought it would be fun to do a "Green" dinner party for St.Patrick's Day. For the centerpiece I just stacked a white cake platter with limes(which will be re-used of course( mostly for those Friday night Corona and Lime cravings I get). You could also do multiple small plants that guests can take home as favors. I've decided to give out re-useable grocery bags for my favors. I love Envirosax. You can find them at Delight.
On top of my white square dinner plates, I added a bambu veneerware salad plate that I received from Social Couture. I wrapped a green cocktail napkin(social couture) around a regular white dinner napkin and secured them with a basketweave napkin ring(social couture). I also added a cute little white and green bowl for some added color. Of course, we will be serving green beer, as well as Appletinis. I am going to attempt to use as many organic and locally grown items for the meal. Hmm, I think I could go for one of those Corona's right now....