Flowering substitutions

With the economy in the shape it's in, you want to save money in every way that you can, however, that doesn't mean not having fresh flowers around! Bon Marriage talks about substitutions for your favorite over-the-top-expensive flowers. These carnations, — which look a whole lot like peonies — are adorable. Carnations are not only very inexpensive and available all year round, they are totally making a comeback. Also, I've never seen these muscari, but I really like them for their wonderful texture and unique shape. Better than hyacinths in my mind! Another great place to look for flower inspiration and advice is Bride's Flower Finder.

Bloomin' Table

Martha Stewart's ideas for spring included these adorable rose napkins — with instructions — that are so easy to fold and so elegant for a Sunday brunch party with the gals.

Two thumb for tulips

FULL BLOOM: Searching some of the recipes over at Epicurious, I came across this wonderful table setting for Easter. Now, while this is holiday inspired, what really drew me was the gorgeous bouquet of tulips that can really be used on any spring table. Just imagine having your girlfriends over for brunch and having this bunch as the centerpiece. You'll get so many compliments! It is so chic and simple with its one color — and since tulips come in so many colors, it's really your choice for the setting — and fullness. Plus the stems are so clean to finish off the look.


UPDATE: The same table setting pictorial by Epicurious also had these adorable place cards. What an easy thing to do and something I've never seen done before. Classically chic! And you can easily skip the flower and substitute the candle for even a napkin and get a different look with the same sort of impact.

Wine and dine

A CORK MENU: Thanks goes out to Miss Penguin over at Weddingbee for sharing pics (and recipes!) from her bridal shower. Beyond the delicious-looking spread, I wanted to talk about the wonderful cork signs showing the menu items that her maid of honor made for the event. These are so easy to do yourself, and customize for any event from cocktail hour to a wedding. I might just make these for my next dinner party; I definitely have enough corks laying around at home!

UPDATE: Her MOH also created cute wine charms (out of hoop earrings) and cheap, simple, but oh so chic goodie bags.

An orchard-perfect idea

APPLE CENTERPIECE: While surfing around some of my favorite blogs today, I came across this great entertaining idea courtesy of Brooklyn Bride: "These candle carvers make centerpiece possibilities endless, and I think can make a stunning statement. In my head, I see a rectangular table covered in a pure white tablecloth, with a single row of green apples all the way down the center, and then just 1 yellow apple for interest." I think, "simply genius."

Creating a party around the menu

Barilla wrangled up some famous faces — Chris Daughtry, Debra Messing, Natalie Portman, Stanley Tucci and Marisa Tomei — for their annual "The Celebrity Italian Table" cookbook. The quintet contributed their favorite pasta dishes, which Mario Batali umphed up a bit. Party planner David Tutera then took the delicious menus and created a stunning whole dinner party for of them, complete with theme, music, lighting and decor. It's a tad cheesy, but isn't that what you love about Italian cooking? The best part about the book, though, is that it's free, available for download at BarillaUS.com — and, for each copy downloaded, Barilla will donate $1, up to $100,000, to America's Second Harvest.