party inspiration...new years 2015

A few simple party ideas if you are hosting a New Years Eve party this 2014-2015.  

Fairy lights hung on the windows indoors transformed this entry way for a candlelit fiesta.
A stunning but easy to make lantern chandelier made this dinner memorable.
Throw a beach party, make these easy beach lanterns so that you can stay long after sunset.

Stay safe, enjoy yourselves, and I look forward to sharing lots of new ideas and projects with you all in 2015.

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Australian inspired Christmas setting...plate tutorial

This year I wanted to bring a little bit of Australia into our Christmas decor.  It seems to me that Christmas decor is all about Northern Hemisphere flora and fauna: deer, holly, snow, pine trees.  Its pretty, but I live in Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere where its sunny and warm at Christmas time.  So I decided to take inspiration from our animals and weather: golden sunshine, koala's and wombats, eucalyptus.  

The photos of the place setting show just how easy the plate setting is to put together.

• Start with a gold charger and a white plate.
• Fold a white napkin and tuck the ends under the plate.
• Cute a length of polka dot ribbon and tie loosely around the plate and napkin.
• Repeat with a length of gold sequins.
• Add golden animal figurine.
• Finally add leaves, here I have used an olive spring but for my final setting I plan to use eucalyptus.

Spraying the Aussie animals was easy to do.  I made a spraying cube out of an old box and applied several light gold sprays.  Turn the animals between the sprays to make sure the gold covers everywhere.

Watch this space to see the entire Australian Christmas concept, and I hope you are inspired to try something a little different at your house this year too.

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Beach party inspiration...

Being inspired by these fabulous beach parties and picnic to try another pop up party of my own.  
The last party was so much fun and the beach seems just perfect for this time of year, after the summer heat for us in the southern hemisphere, and before the heat for all of you in the north.

Lets hope the weather plays along for this one and we don't end up in the passage again like we did with the last one!  Lots of plans for this one so watch this space!!

Sources from top: One fine day shoot, Simple beach picnic, Party at the cliffs, Table in grays by Jose Villa, Bonfire, Under the palm trees via Style Me Pretty, Ojai wedding

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valentine's party...diy lantern chandelier

I threw a little valentine's party for my family this week, really an excuse to dress up the table and make some fun food.  Also a good excuse to visit my favourite $2 shop and decorate with lots of pink.  The lantern centrepiece was quick and easy to make, none of the lanterns cost more than $2 and I used nine.  
The trick with the lanterns is to vary the length they hang as well as the sizes, see below for a more detailed diy.  All in all it took me about half an hour once I had the rope tied over the table.

Setting the table

I wanted to diffuse the pinkness a little so I used a piece of pink and blue fabric as a simple tablecloth.  I bought this piece a few years ago to make cushions but never got around to it, looks better on the table anyway.  Its only 1.5 wide by 1.5 long and was around $35 per meter, not a huge investment for a very pretty result.

Fun food details

I also bought pink and white striped gelato cups, and matching straws, at my favourite $2 shop.  
Filled little bottles with pink cranberry cordial and finished with the straws.
Made strawberry jelly in the gelato cups and topped them with a red celophane heart chocolate.
Not a lot of time for a whole lot of smiles.

Suggested combination of lanterns:

• 2 large plain pink
• 3 small plain pink
• 3 small pom poms
• 2 small polka dot lanterns
• pink organza ribbon for tassles

Hanging instructions:

• I started at the centre with the two larger lanterns and then filled in around them.
• Use the hanging lengths as a guide and push them closer together to create a full effect.
• Remember to walk around the table to see that it looks good from all sides.
• Hanging lengths shown in cm

Tieing tassles to hang straight down:

If you do a simple knot to tie the ribbons they don't fall prettily.  To make them hang straight down tie them similar to a business tie, see below.

Step 1 - Fold ribbon in half and thread top loop over the lantern wire

Step 2 - Open the loop and thread the ribbon tails through

Step 3 - Pull tails firmly downwards

Step 4 - Center ribbons on lantern

I heart the chocolate details, this little bit of red looks fab with the pink and blue scheme.

Its not to late, stop at the $2 shop, buy some jelly, and you will have a valentines party of your own in no time.   

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