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.

IT'S BIRTHDAY WEEK!!

Hellloooooo party girls and boys! This weekend was a fabulous kickoff to my birthday week (with my real birthday being tomorrow!) and I can't wait to show you the photos!

We'll also be celebrating around here with giveaways every day and lots of pretty little things, because that's what birthdays should be all about! Presents and pretties!

(Like loads of pink balloons and dreamy party frocks!)

So pour yourself a little glass of champagne, slip on some sassy heels, and get ready for some fun as we celebrate birthdays and get ready for Halloween too!

xoxo,
cassandra

FANTASY TO FÊTE: FIESTA!

Camille from Style Notes here, with the latest edition of our Fantasy to Fête series. Today's mood board is a colorful journey south of the border, complete with mariachi, maracas & an ice-cold pitcher of mango margaritas. Don't you agree it's the perfect inspiration for a seasonal bash to savor one last kiss of summer sunshine?

As an Austin event planner, my clients can't seem to get enough of fiesta-themed celebrations, and these vivacious details & spicy menus are enough to send anyone into full vacation mode. So find a seat by the pool, 'cause things are about to get hot, hot, hot!

Bright bunches of flowers gathered in recycled Mexican food cans are festive and super easy to assemble. Check out the little DIY tutorial I put together for full instructions.

Flickering candlelight casts a magical glow; line a pathway or staircase with lots of these super-affordable frosted lanterns for major effect. Escort cards tied onto authentic maracas make a colorful way for guests to find their seats. And the maracas double as perfect favors, too!

Tissue paper poms dancing among the branches create a celebratory welcome for guests' arrival. Love the offerings from Etsy seller PomLove.

Care for a cucumber-lime martini or a blood orange margarita? Who wouldn't love to order from a menu of yummy mix-ins, and a chalkboard is the perfect way to display the offerings, tex-mex style. Provide exotically-flavored sugars to rim glasses and make each cocktail party-worthy.

For an outdoor fête, guests will appreciate a bit of non-alcoholic hydration, and a display of fruity agua frescas with a big bowl of fresh fruit add a perfect color punch.

A fiesta wouldn't be complete without a menu of spicy Mexican-inspired bites. I love to serve a variety of appetizer-sized nibbles so guests can enjoy a ton of fun flavors. Find the recipes here for mini tacos al pastor, street corn on a stick, & an exotically-flavored salsa bar. Fresh chunks of juicy watermelon are a sweet way to end the night - no cooking required!

*images: {row 1} our labor of love via ashley meaders, lisa lefkowitz via style me pretty; stephanie williams via project wedding, swizzle sticks, martha stewart; victor sizemore via style me pretty.