StyleWhipped

Graduation Goodies

Colledge graduation, high school graduations, law school, MBA's...there is a lot to celebrate for our scholars in the months of May and June. It's no secret I love little details, and it's these fun little (and inexpensive!) details that can really personalize your graduation party...

Cupcakes are a great, easy alternative to the old fashioned sheet cake, not to mention no messy slicing! Top off your cupcakes with these cupcake picks from Etsy shop Festiva Party Design, I love these little 3D hats!

Paper straws are also a fun addition to any alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks. Etsy's The Party Penguin shop has these super cute ones, 12 for $14 to spice up your decor

 

My last pick, from Pear Tree Greetings, are cut out invitations...unique and fun, these allow you to incorporate a picture of the guest of honor plus some texture with the overlay cut out...cute and affordable, these will set the tone for a special day! 

Congrats to all you grads out there!

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: Bridesmaid Wish-list...

Picking out your bridesmaids gifts should be fun! Your girls, your support system, your family...they deserve to get something really unique for being part of your day. If you are at a certain age and have been part of your girlfriends wedding parties for years, you may already have a lot of "wedding day" jewelry, tote bags, makeup bags and the like.

Giving a gift of jewelry doesn't mean that's what you want them to wear on the day of your wedding. Let your girls personalize their dresses by accessorizing it how they would like with their own jewelry and get them something that is cool, new, and that they really will use on a daily basis. With monogram jewelry being really big still, and braided cord bracelets still on the scene, I like this Tai Pave intial bracelet from Neiman Marcus, $115, in either black or gold. No, they are not going to wear it to your weddding but I guarantee you will see everyone wearing this for days and nights to come. Layer it up with some other chunky bracelets or put it on the same side as your watch to get that eclectic feel to your look...the more you layer with these the better! 

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: Gearing Up for Red, White & Blue

It's hard to believe we are already well into May...before you know it, we have to think about Memorial Day BBQ's! I am so grateful for spring after a long winter and excited to celebrate the kick off to summer!

The point of a BBQ is for you to AVOID slaving away in the kitchen...simple food is the key and what's more simple than hot dogs and hambugers? It's not so glamorous of a menu on it's own, but if you step up the presentation of your "dog and burger bar" you will be happy to serve your grilled "delicacies" to all guests of all ages. "Make your own dog or burger" is easy to execute with little bowls of all the fixin's...sauerkrauts, mustards, cheeses, onions, peppers, tomatos, pickles...and whatever else you can think up! Throw some bowls of cole slaw and potato salad to accompany it and you have a complete meal that looks cohesive and and A+ in presentation! Signage is great (but not necessary) and you could print up something cute right at home. Pick up some plastic baskets, 4 for $2.05 from Windy City Novelties...you can use these again and again with wax paper sheets!

Happy BBQ season!

-Danielle

Tie One On

A big trend in the last few years has emerged for brides to buy two wedding dresses...one long, elegant traditional wedding gown for the ceremony and first half of the reception and one short, fun dress for the 2nd half of the party and for the after party if there is one. This double dress concept is great if you have an unlimited budget ...which most people don't! Also, in my opinion, you only get to wear your wedding dress once, for one day, so my advice is love the dress you buy so that you don't want to take if off at all!

However, if you want to update a more classic dress halfway through the day or evening, one thing you can do after your ceremony is to add a sash or a jeweled belt to it. This adds that extra something to your dress and makes it "party ready." Sashes and belts can be purchased at all bridal shops, but one particular one that I love is from The Wedding Main St. Priced right at $175, this can completely change the look of your wedding gown and also can be reused in the future. Opt for a silver, black or champagne ribbon and you have an update for your little black dress! It's also a great piece to have an pass down to a friend or family member for their wedding...it's a perfect "something borrowed"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Table-Top Revolution

I love to have barbeques outside and invite family and friends over to eat and hang out (can it please get warm enough this week for that?!), but the last thing I want to do is to bring nice linen napkins outside -- it just doesn't seem appriopriate for a barefoot day with food on the grill and lemonade. Paper napkins work for me, especially in the great colors and prints that companies have out now, but if you want something a little nicer you are kind of stuck.

Enter the affordable, alternative to paper napkins...Mydrap cotton napkins and placemats are available in 5 sizes and dozens of colors and patterns! They come in a roll, much like a roll of paper towels (a space saver and stays nice and neat!), and you can either toss them after each use, or throw them in the washing machine for up to 6 times to extend their life! They also have fabulous coasters and placements that come in the same great roll. 

Super cute for your upcoming Mother's Day celebration if you are cooking for BBQ'ing, a backyard birthday, shower, or any other gathering that is casual but you want a little something more than your average paper napking from the supermarket. Affordable, pulls your table and decor together, and most importantly, makes your life and clean up easier!

- Danielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danielle Aspromatis: Showers & Stirrers

Anything out of the cookie cutter norm is great in my book. And usually baby showers tend to be a little cookie cutter, so I am always looking for new, fresh ideas that will set one apart from the next. Even though the guest on honor is left out of alcoholic drinks, you should always make sure your guests have great drink options. Since showers are usually brunches or lunches, I love doing either a sangria bar or champagne bar with all the fixins. And it doesn't stop there to accessorize your drink bar...custom napkins and custom coaters are great, but I am really loving custom drink stirrers this week.

Amber Graziano, an Etsy shop owner that I work with, is talented and has an eye for drink stirrers, favor tags, and more. Her baby shower drink stirrers are functional and most importantly look great and add that personalized aspect to your party. I love how they are in mugs that spell "LOVE"...which would look great to take that concept with mugs that spell "BABY" also!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber always has great ideas, so follow her blog, ambergrazianodesigns.blogspot.com/ for all her current topics and favorite her Etsy shop, "Something With Love" at www.etsy.com/shop/SomethingwithLove to check out other great items from her shop!

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: Candy Kebobs

Since we are fresh off the heels of Easter, all of you may be a little candied out. But I had to share this little tasty party idea because let's face it....you all need just a few days of Cadbury-Egg-and-Peep-detox and then you will be ready for another sugary treat (I always am!).

I love candy kebobs because they are easy to make and pretty to look at. Minimal effort for maximum outcome. You can customize with any candies you want, either keeping it sugary and gummy or mixing it up with some chocolate and caramels. It's also a great avenue to color coordinate with your event. Whether it's your child's birthday, an adult's party or a corporate event, these add to the party's ambiance, and are great for either dessert, part of a dessert bar, or just as a take away favor for later. 

For candy in bulk, find whatever you are looking for in whatever color you need at Candy Warehouse. 

Add a fun bows like these kebobs

Or wrap em up to go in cello bags from CandyFavorites.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last, but not least, here is one with white and milk chocolate bits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So easy to customize to whatever holiday is coming up...Easter is gone but Memorial Day isn't too far off, start thinking about your red, white and blue candy kebobs!

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: It's In the Bag...

Let's face it...whether you are 5 or 55, when you go to a party and get a goody bag you are PSYCHED! So when planning a child's birthday, tap into your inner kid and make sure that goody bag is awesome...not to mention coordinated with the theme, of course. Whether you are filling it with candy (you can't ever go wrong with candy), little toys, or fun beauty products and costume jewelry, the bag is also just as important as what's inside.

I love these personalized good bags from The Trendy Butterfly. The owner of The Trendy Butterfly is a local NJ gal with a gift for everything personalized. These goody bags double as a thank-you because you can customize with any message you'd like. They are roomy and you can coodinate them with your theme. You can choose from "girl" goody bags, "boy" goody bags, "holiday" goody bags...and if you don't see something you like, customize all you want! You can even make your own adult goody bags for weddings, birthdays and other social events. These are great for hotel welcome boxes during a wedding with the couple's initials or monogram, or even with a logo for a corporate event. 

If I were a kid, I would LOVE to have gotten this arts and crafts goody bag! (Who am I kidding, I would still love to get this!)

And you can never go wrong with a princess party or a sports themed party

 

These are also a great addition to any candy bar...really, the uses for these are endless!

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: Tied Up with a Bow

I really need spring to arrive...I am craving light, fun wardrobe options and most of all, my printed spring tops. A print can change a whole outfit! Which is why I love a guy who can think out of the box and add a little print to his outfit...sure you can add a pocket square or some funky socks for a subtle approach, but for the more bold party-goer or groom, try a printed bow-tie for maximum effect! No, it's not for everyone, but I do love this look for a certain type of style and it definitely sets a man apart from the rest of the crowd!

To buy a great bowtie, visit Bonobos.com, a company that prides itself on not only style but fit (that's a whole other article focused on Bonobos' great fitting-clothes for men!) 

They have great ties and bowties in the accessories section, like this madras plaid bowtie, $75

And this more subtle navy and white striped bowtie, $58

 

For those of you out there that don't see themselves wearing a bowtie but want a great printed tie, I love this unique cotton linen striped tie, $78

Now all we need is some sunshine and some warm weather....Spring, we are ready for ya!

-Danielle

 

Danielle Aspromatis: St. Patty's Day Cure

St. Patty's Day is coming up soon and for any of you who plan on throwing a little party to honor both St. Patrick AND beer manufacturers (!), I have a little fun "extra" for you. Almost everything can be quickly ordered online for delivery before the weekend, and your guests will get a kick out of taking a favor home. With just a few green and white items and a cello bag, you can let your guests leave with a "hangover cure" gift bag to nurse themselves to health following excessive drinking and partying this weekend...

First, start with a a gusseted cello bag...You can get these at your local Michael's too, but for those who don't have time, visit Amazon.com for an order of 100 for $9.99.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any green ribbon will do but I really love this contrast grosgrain ribbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, fill with your goodies! Twinings Tea right from your supermarket (to detox!), Shamrock cookies (also from the supermarket or your local bakery), Chocolate "coins" from the leprechaun's pot, Peppermint Lindt truffles, and of course after all that junk food and alcohol you need antacid tablets!

Put them all together and you have one cute take away to what is hopefully a party you can remember...uh, I mean TO remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle