FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: BEYOND THE FRINGE

Happy March, m'dears! Camille Styles here, and I must admit that this month can be a bit of a challenge for us party planners...

Valentine's Day has passed, Easter has yet to arrive, and it's not quite warm enough to take our parties outdoors. I do love a challenge though, and I happen to believe that we can always find a reason to celebrate. I was particularly inspired by these shots of fluttering paper garlands and fringe-y tassels in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, and I used them as a starting point for today's "fantasy." 

Vivid shades of tangerine + papaya pop against pale peach and subtle grey, accented with touches of gold. I'm envisioning this for a birthday or bachelorette party where all your favorite girlies can don a pair of heels, pop open the bubbles and celebrate friendships!

Can you say festive? Branches strung with mylar & tissue tassels bring a sense of whimsy to the table, no flowers necessary.

I've got a major paper crush on these snipped-up invites stuffed with confetti. Get the sources here.

Specialty cocktails are even more special when accented with fringed stir sticks bursting with festivity.

Send guests home with candied citrus and coconut cookies, wrapped up in these colorful crafted boxes. Like little works of art, they're almost too pretty to open!

*images: {row 1} coral dress, confetti system garland {row 2} flowers, straws {row 3} cake, gumball machine, place setting, flowers {row 4} macarons, fringe garland, sofa. All fringe images from Martha Stewart Weddings.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: EXOTIC BOHEMIAN

Although it's still a bit early for backyard barbecues and poolside soirées, I'm craving a dose of brilliant color to break out of the winter entertaining doldrums. Camille Styles here, and today's fantasy takes a cue from the rich textures and dappled sunlight of exotic locales...

A rich palette of tangerine, cerulean & terra cotta recalls the spice markets of Marrakech, perfect inspiration for an early-spring get-together with a few good friends. Keep the bohemian vibe going by scattering poufs around low coffee tables that invite guests to stay and lounge awhile.

Continue the boho-luxe theme by incorporating a curation of interesting objets among brilliantly-colored flowers. Garlands of gerbera daisies draped offhandedly over chairs is an unexpected artistic touch.

The key to styling flowers for such a gathering is to keep it relaxed and nonchalant. Orchids cut to a shorter-than-usual length tones down any fussiness, and appear especially lush when bunched in distinctive handmade pottery.

Such a fête calls for exotic flavors that hint of warm-weather months ahead. This Greek-inspired saganaki combines grilled wedges of cheese with arugula and sweet plum. Hop over to Camille Styles to get the recipes for the rest of the exotic bohemian menu (including roasted beet salad with mint & tangerine-fennel pot de crème!)

*images: {row 1} the urban hippie, piaulin, jules bianchi, moroccan pottery {row 2} hostess with the mostess, karen mordechai, better homes & gardens, helen rawlinson's etsy {row 3} moroccan door, graham & green, karen mordechai, tulu. party images scanned from domino magazine & food and wine magazine.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: VICTORIAN VALENTINE

Haven't quite embraced the romantic vibe of the season yet? Suffice it to say... today's post may not be your cup of tea. Camille Styles here, and this week's fantasy takes a cue from the girliest of all palettes in cotton candy, blushing peach and pearl.

It's the month of love, so why not get inspired to host a decadently sweet afternoon tea for your most-adored gal pals? Whether single or attached, let everyone indulge their romantic side by donning a frilly frock and whiling away an afternoon, laughing over macaroons & crumpets.

In the age of evites, a handwritten card sent to your besties will speak volumes of your affection. This vintage-inspired one by Rifle Paper perfectly announces the Victorian vibe of our fête.

Now's not the time for sensible eating, m'dears. Cake stands and lovely pedestals piled high with sweet treats serve as delicious centerpieces. Leafy ferns and blooming orchids add to the english conservatory vibe. Homemade macaroons sound a bit intimidating? Try this easy alternative for a just-as-pretty option.

Serve Earl Grey from a teapot that's feminine and refined. Every hostess should learn to brew a proper cup of tea, and this seller has an amazing collection of vintage pots.

Although I'm usually not much of a collector, I can never have enough cake stands and apothecary jars. Just ordered loads of gorgeous pieces from this fantastic source, and I'm sure they'll be making appearances at future parties for years to come. Check out the recipes for our full Valentine's Tea menu, including radish & butter tea sandwiches, pastel whoopie pies, & rhubarb meringue cake.

*images: {row 1} food fashion friends, 100 layer cake, australia entertains {row 2} fashion is a playground, absolutely ladylike {row 3} shannon jayne via joy de vivre, mary ruffle tumblr, martha stewart weddings, brookman harris {row 4} martha stewart, bruno marchioro flickr. party images from food fashion friends.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: SUPER BOWL!

Are y'all ready for some football? Camille Styles here, and though I can't claim to tell a fumble from a field goal, I do know the Super Bowl is the perfect excuse to throw a laid-back party and indulge in some seriously naughty snacks...

Our inspiration board proves that sporty needn't equal sloppy. An astroturf runner is a clean backdrop to an array of crowd-pleasing appetizers; terracotta pots with tiny footballs and colorful flags make centerpieces that ooze team spirit.

Start the party an hour before kickoff to give guests time to mingle and settle in with an ice cold beer. Set up the buffet on a kitchen island to keep things simple, and score big with chili fans by setting out a steaming pot of this Chicken & White Bean version.

Eschew the specialty cocktail in favor of a selection of microbrews. Trust me: the guys will thank you. These monogrammed beer mugs add a dash of style, especially when chilled in the freezer before guests arrive.

Fill galvanized trays with flats of wheatgrass for an on-theme and inexpensive decor element. With mini football figurines and goalposts, they become little playing fields right on the tabletop.

These football cupcakes equal total dessert victory: they'll satisfy sugar cravings and provide visual interest for the buffet. Get the full instructions here, along with our other party recipes for Mango & Avocado Salsa, Chicken & White Bean Chili, & Jicama-Citrus Slaw. Score!

*images: {row 1} beer poster, donuts {row 2} real simple party {row 3} epicurious party, chicken wings {row 4} grasshopper cake, taquitos. instyle parties!, pottery barn, bakerella.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: THE GLOBES

Camille Styles here, and I'm thrilled to be kicking off our Fantasy to Fête column for 2011 with some girly glam festivity. Sure, Oscar night gets most of the buzz on the awards show circuit, but doesn't it seem like celebs have even more fun as they wine + dine at the Golden Globes?

I'm planning to take a cue from Hollywood this year and host my own little Globes-night bash... a glittering table, live broadcast, and champagne on the menu. Our inspiration board is awash in (what else?) glitzy gold, with rosy accents and pops of black. So mark your calendars for January 16th, and invite a few friends for an evening oozing with Hollywood glamour...

Get dressed up and deck out your pad in glam shades of white + silver. Balloons look so chic when grouped en masse. (For this effect, more really is more!) Curl the ribbons for added festivity.

Scout out sparkly remnants from the fabric store to top the table, and use gold flatware for loads of shine. Tuck handwritten place cards in tiny envelopes for a bit of added mystery.



No awards show party is complete without a little healthy competition. Pass around ballots with all the nominees, and let guests make their predictions during the red carpet. Winner gets the trophy...or at least bragging rights!

Now's the time to pull out all the stops and surprise guests with some serious luxury. A note on caviar: basic black is always appropriate, but there are all kinds of interesting flavors from which to choose: gray truffle, green wasabi, crimson beet... all are lovely! Hop on over to Camille Styles to check out the recipes for our Golden Globes menu, including truffled deviled eggs, frisée salad with herbed goat cheese, & blini with caviar.

*images: {row 1} aruna b. photography via style me pretty, liz banfield, martha stewart weddings {row 2} martha stewart weddings, dwell {row 3} martha stewart weddings, cate blanchett {row 4} martha stewart weddings, karen mordechai for page six. balloons, high street market; table setting, karen mordechai for page six; ballot, twig & thistle.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: A GILDED THANKSGIVING!

'Tis the season to be thankful, my dears! Camille from Style Notes here, and today we're dressing up the Thanksgiving table in all its gilded glory. This is the perfect holiday to put a spin on tradition, so we're trading in the usual brown + orange tones of fall for something a bit more glamorous...

Our inspiration comes from an elegantly nostalgic palette of glittering gold with rosy pink accents. I'm imagining a table set with vintage gold-rimmed china and tons of warm candlelight that casts a flattering glow on the faces of family and friends gathered 'round.

Set a pretty place setting that's refined without feeling stuffy. A blush pink runner feels a bit more modern than a full-length tablecloth, and low loose bunches of garden roses are just right at any time of year.

A buffet overflowing with autumn's bounty is a dramatic centerpiece to the Thanksgiving feast (and makes serving a whole lot easier on the host!) Use platters & vessels of varying heights to add visual interest.

Pass around a tray of hot apple cider with orange zest and star anise for the ultimate comfort sip. (And if you're feeling extra spicy, add a dash of rum!)

To set a special occasion tone, create seasonal place cards inspired by falling leaves. It's a gracious tabletop touch that allows the hostess to create the perfect seating chart. Get the DIY details on crafting these little lovelies here.

An indulgent ending to the Thanksgiving meal is a given, and this is the perfect time to break tradition and think outside the pie. This spiced apple cobbler with pumpkin ice cream is brimming with fall flavors; serving it in individual footed compotes adds a dash of chic. Hop over to the menu to get this and a few of my other favorite Thanksgiving recipes...and I wish each of you a joyful day full of great food & counting your blessings!

*images: {row 1} martha stewart, betsy dunlap, rebecca thuss {row 2} martha stewart, instyle parties {row 3} 100 layer cake, skippy designs, williams-sonoma. table & buffet, instyle; cider, williams-sonoma; place cards, camille styles events.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: TAO OF GROOVE

Happy November! Camille from Style Notes here, with the latest dose of felicity in our Fantasy to Fête series. Today's inspiration board is a fresh, happy take on an autumn palette... c'mon, who says parties at this time of year have to be all about the falling leaves and turkey?!

I'm envisioning this board for a modern cocktail party with a classic combo of green & white, punched up with crisp black for graphic interest. Invite a few friends to mix, mingle & nosh on Asian-inspired hors d'oeuvres, turn up a playlist of lounge-y grooves, and enjoy a festive evening before the chaos of the holidays begins.

Keep things simple by setting a monochrome table with white dishes... add pops of energizing color by layering bold napkins in cheery chartreuse. Low glass vases full of fragrant herbs and white pumpkins are a sleek spin on tradition.

Even last-minute gatherings can be elevated by sending hand-written invites. Use a bold green sharpie to scrawl the deets on heavy white cardstock, then pop into a coordinating square envelope for an effortlessly chic touch.

For the most surprising presentation, serve chilled sake-tinis in hollowed-out cucumbers. Add a cucumber swizzle stick, & sip!

Since cocktails are the star of this party, offer two specialty drinks: make batches of this spicy ginger gimlet in advance so that guests can serve themselves once the party in full swing.

Satay is perfect mingling food: it's easy to eat with one hand while balancing a martini glass in the other. The chicken is marinated in bright Asian flavors like ginger & soy, and it's substantial enough to satisfy after-work party guests. For the full menu with recipes, hop over to Style Notes. And stay tuned for our next Fantasy to Fête... traditional turkey gets a major dose of style!

*images: {row 1} katy perry by lara backmender, sarah ridgley, williams-sonoma, blush events {row 2} eclectic images, brides, karen wise {row 3} brides, williams-sonoma, johny miller {row 4} matt armendariz, paper moon project. all menu images from williams-sonoma.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: FRIGHT NIGHT!

Camille from Style Notes here, with a dose of wickedly glam festivity in today's Fantasy to Fête series. The moment I laid eyes on the fall Barneys New York catalog, I began dreaming of a party inspired by creepy curiosities and surprises at every turn...
The ominous tone of Deborah Turbeville's photography makes my imagination run wild with all kin
ds of spookiness. A palette of blood red and midnight sets the tone for a bewitching party theme; set a long communal table with dramatic flickering candelabras & flowers in black & white. (A bit Adams Family-esque, no?)

As a spin on tradition, provide a theme for costumes. At this dinner party, all the guests dressed like their favorite dead poet. If your friends are a little more fashion-focused, why not ask them to don the outfit they'd like to be buried in?

This black & white invitation by The Lettered Olive sets a macabre tone for an All Hallow's Eve soirée. Or opt for a more casual approach and send one of these frightfully cute online invites.

Decor inspired by skeletons & haunted mansions recalls scenes from an old horror film. Get the how-to on all-kinds of bone-chilling DIY decorations.

A cocktail buffet with a few tricks & a lot of treats is sure to lure guests into your chambers. Cocktails in jet black and garnished with cherry kisses are a sophisticated way to start the night; cozy bites like tomato soup sips with tiny grilled cheese are musts for chilly nights. Hop over to Style Notes for the full menu and recipes that are sure to bewitch all of your guests.

*images: deborah turbeville for barneys new york, fandango, the lettered olive, martha stewart living, instyle.

FANTASY TO FÊTE: AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD

Isn't there something positively thrilling about the first crisp nights of fall, when nothing's more enticing than a cozy night in with friends? Camille from Style Notes here, with the latest post in our Fantasy to Fête series.

Today's mood board is a sumptuous celebration of the season in deep shades of burgundy & bordeaux...and just so happens to be the perfect inspiration for a harvest gathering with a nod to California wine country. Keep the menu simple & sophisticated by serving a gorgeous display of fruit and cheese, accompanied by flavorful nibbles like breadsticks, baguette slices, hummus & olives.

When putting together a cheese tray, I try to follow these rules-of-thumb:
*Serve one to two ounces of cheese per person.
*Include a mix of fresh, aged, soft and hard cheeses.
*Arrange - and sample - the cheeses starting with the freshest and lightest, ending with the ripest and most intense.
Take a cue from the changing seasons, and dress the table in earthy tones of fig, pumpkin & leafy greens. Jewel-toned dahlias bunched in low urns are a rich, autumnal centerpiece, especially when accented with seasonal fruit like these persimmons.

Of course, a party inspired by Napa wouldn't be complete without a delicious selection of wines to savor with all of those cheeses. Create a chalkboard menu (above) that describes each wine's flavor profile with suggestions on what cheese might be most complimentary. (If all this sounds a bit daunting, get a few tips from one of my favorite guides to pairing wines.)

Since the rest of the menu is super simple to put together, treat your guests to a decadent dessert with this flourless chocolate cake...Check out the full menu with recipes here. Bring a touch of nature to the table by topping each napkin with a cluster of vibrant kumquats.


*images via {row 1} erin hearts court via 100 layer cake; bonnie tsang via snippet & ink; maybelle {row 2} jason & anna photography via style me pretty; leesa o'reilly {row 3} bonnie tsang; saipua; snippet & ink; jodi miller via snippet & ink {row 4} salt & chocolate; jamie grenough via style me pretty. antipasto, instyle parties; cheese tray, perfect parties; centerpiece, erin hearts court via 100 layer cake; wine & napkin, williams-sonoma entertaining.

FANTASY TO FÊTE: SPAHHH...

Inhale & exhale, my dears...today is about indulging in some serious tranquility. Camille from Style Notes, here with the latest edition in our Fantasy to Fête series.

Today's mood board is inspired by crashing waves, sea glass bottles and salty air, all in serene shades of emerald & sky. This "fantasy" has all the makings of the perfect spa party; an afternoon of pampering with a few of your besties. Serve up a menu of at-home spa services: manicures, massages & good old-fashioned cooling cucumbers over the eyes. Add light, seasonal snacks & fruit smoothie shots, and you've got the makings of an unforgettable bridal shower or birthday party.

White orchids can't be beat for their modern, striking simplicity (don't they just make you want to say OM?) Create a comforting haven with soft lighting and flickering votives scattered about the room.

Set up a narrow table with a chair on either side as a manicure station, and either hire a pro or DIY and take turns playing nail technician. To really bring on the pampering, hire a couple of masseuses to do full body massages in separate rooms, or ask them to circulate casually and give neck and shoulder massages.

Ask guests to bring robes to slip on and get comfortable, and provide flip flops as party favors. Fruit smoothies in shot glasses are a yummy way to detox and are extra dainty served in shot glasses. Get the healthy recipes for raspberry-vanilla & citrus cream smoothies.

Treat your friends to a seasonal menu that will leave them feeling as pampered as they look. Lemony asparagus soup served in tea cups; curried chicken wraps sliced into little pinwheels, & a trio of fruity sorbets are light & refreshing. (Get the full menu with recipes here.)

The very thought of a day like this is already making me more relaxed! The perfect excuse to get the girls together.

*images via {row 1} ceci new york, style me pretty, tara donne {row 2} style me pretty, rebecca thuss {row 3} martha stewart weddings, jo malone {row 4} atlanta bartlett, ashley meaders, style me pretty. spa images from instyle parties. sorbet from cannelle et vanille.