StyleWhipped

Danielle Aspromatis: Year of the Snake

Although I don't celebrate Chinese New Year, I am a big fan of anything Asian inspired. I love the alphabet characters, the design, the colors, all of it. So with Chinese New Year coming up fast, I wanted to share a great website for anyone wanting to throw a party with an Asian theme. Asian Ideas, www.asianideas.com, has a HUGE selection for everything you could need...paper lanterns, parasols, chopsticks, fans, favors...it really is a one-stop-shop and the prices are very reasonable. 

Their lanterns are LED and battery operated...so easy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They have so many fans to choose from, but I really love the sandlewood fans and the natural straw fans

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese glamour is usually expressed in colors like red and gold, but you can always just go with neutrals or even pink to capitalize on the cherry blossom print

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chopsticks are a great inexpensive favor that everyone would love to receive and at $1.05 a piece, these will not break your budget

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centerpieces for an asian themed party can still be modern and clean looking....bamboo, simple seasonal blooms, some tea lights and lanterns like the below complete your look

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now the food...you can't just get any chinese food! If you are in New Jersey, Cathay 22 in Springfield, NJ has the best gourmet chinese food and your guests can experience it either in their private room or in your own home. 

 

So to anyone celebrating...a very happy new year. May the year of the snake be a great year for everyone!

-Danielle

 

 

 

Danielle Aspromatis: When Life Gives you Lemons....Make a Centerpiece!

Centerpieces don't have be florals. And they also don't have to be elaborate. Some of the most beautiful centerpieces are actually the most simple. My husband hates flowers, and although I do love how they look, my allergies don't love flowers. Sneezing through a party or dinner party is never attractive, so I love when I see a great non-floral focal point. Not to mention that they last way longer! Fruit is an amazing decor vehicle, but please don't be tempted to buy the fakies! Besides yellow being my favorite color, I love how lemons look. If you sugar them, it adds texture to their naturally fabulous color and in some light, that sugar will even appear to glisten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's how you do it: Dip the lemons in beaten egg whites and coat in course white sugar (you can buy bulk course sugar by the pound from www.supplyvillage.com for $6.25 a pound). Then just leave them to dry for a few hours in a bed of sugar, stack them onto a display tray or bowl of your choice and voila! You can also garnish with a few leaves for that little pop of green (ask your local green grocer for any leaves they may have for you).

If you don't have a great footed display tray already, here are some of my favorites..

From Bed Bath and Beyond, Mikasa's Italian Countryside Cake Server, $29.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Save-On-Crafts, a more modern footed glass vase, $39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Crate and Barrel, their Classic Footed Serving Bowl, $46.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't love lemons or the color yellow? Try this trick with plums, limes or peaches!

 

-Danielle

 

Danielle Aspromatis: Wrap it Up

Bouquets have come along way in the last decade...they are no longer just a bunch of flowers: they are a vehicle to enhance your wedding colors, wedding style, we can't forget that they are a great photo opportunity!

There are many different types of arrangements, and some brides today don't always even use flowers for their bouquet. But whatever your bouquet consists of, you will always need something to tie it together. You can of course use the classic and timeless satin, but if you are looking for an extra little detail, you can get creative! Lace, crystals, beading, eyelet, printed fabric, monogrammed fabric, burlap, canvas....even leaves and grasses! A nice sentimental touch is to take a piece of fabric from your mother's or grandmother's wedding dress and make your wrap out of that (this doubles for your something "old"!). Other wrap adornments include sentimental "something borrowed" items pinned on like an antique brooch or locket. Make it your own!

Your walk down the aisle should be the most awaited moment of the day, so add a little extra oomph to your bouquet and your guests will notice that special detail! 

- Danielle

 

Danielle Aspromatis: In Blume

I know, I get very over excited by party decor....But sometimes I find something that is so versatile and clever that it makes me smile. Inexpensive with many uses is key in party decor and it's a such a plus when a decor product is eco friendly as well! (My footprint-conscious husband is going to love this post!)

I stumbled upon a company called BlumeBox, and their motto is "Think Inside the Box." The founders of this genius company wanted to do away with all the glass vases that were taking up space in their cabinets. So they came up with "blumeboxes," which are made of earth friendly materials and are, in a sense, colorful, fun vases that ship flat, are easy to put together, and store flat. They add a pop to any table or party room and they are very affordable! And as they say on their website, www.blumebox.com, they really do "Kick Glass" (haha!)...

The ideas and possibilities for blumeboxes really are infinite, so let me just post a few from their website (see website for photo credits on the "ideas in blume" section) so maybe some of you will get as excited about blumeboxes as I am! Parties, weddings, BBQ's, or just around your house, these clever little boxes deserve an applause!

- Danielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danielle Aspromatis: Right Under My Nose

Every morning, my husband drinks his tea out of a mason jar and I'm reminded that mason jars serve so many purposes in decor for a party. Yes, they can be used around the house for homemade tomato sauce and making jam (Come on though, who has time for that?!) But the reason I love them is because they are 1) cheap and 2) verasatile...the two best qualities in decor! You can pick up new clear ones at your local supermarket, or if you are ambitious, hunt around online or at antique stores for the colored ones...they come in pastels, brights, even black and white! The possibilities really are endless but here are a few of my favorite uses and ideas..

The obvious but always creative centerpieces...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE doing fruit AND flowers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need ambiance? Mason jars are an amazing vehicles for candles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have something to hang them off of, they make great lanterns!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are containers so they can hold anything! Straws, candy, whatever you can think of!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you need some textured, cover them with fabric or lace..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are genious for table numbers and placecards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the clear mason jars, you can even stop by your local Walmart and pick up a dozen for $17.98!

The sky is the limit for mason jars, whether they are a part of your next party, bbq, or family dinner!

For July 4th BBQ's tomorrow-- how about using them as a double agent-- drinking glass and napkin/utencil storage? Love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: Garden Princess Party

As I took a walk today in my neighborhood, it seemed like everyone was cutting their grass. Drawback- I started uncontrollably sneezing. Benefit- I got inspired to write about grass today!...Usually I post for adults, but let's face it, a lot of fabulous Stylewhipped readers have children. Having a kids' party does NOT mean you have go all bouncy house clown on me. If you have a little girl that is a mini fabulous version of you, think about throwing a party with grass placemats..they add color, texture and pop to any table, and can be easily paired with a theme of fairy princess, butterflies, tea party, or just an addition to great florals. String a few of the placemats together and VIOLA! A table runner! Now that I'm writing this...why was I thinking this was for kids only? Maybe I'll have some girls over for lunch in my backyard...I just love these! If you want to incorporate this fabulous fun look into your next table, you can buy them for $9.99 a piece (flowers included!) from the SassyAlice shop on Etsy.com

Take a look at the endless possibilities for your next princess party whether you are 5 or 35!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Sherin Botros: Move over leopard print, bird is the word!

Just in time for spring, a new trend emerges...Birds, baby, Birds! And I’m not talking the Angry kind you mindlessly play on your phone!

The trend is catching on throughout home decor and fashion alike. We're seeing birds flocking around everywhere, specifically as graphic patterns and bold, bright colors, pillows, wall paper, upholstery, art pieces, unique wall decor and even fun tabletop accessories. 

They are an excellent way to add some color and can be creatively showcased throughout your home in different themes; whimsical, sophisticated, modern or traditional.

Take your choice of decorating with peacocks, love birds, turtle doves (in a pear tree...hehe), blue jays, hummingbirds or whichever species fascinates you! 

Personally, I think the peacock is a beautiful bird; the gorgeous hues of blues and greens and golds are just breathtaking to me. And the brighter the colors the better, but if you want to start off small with your bird bliss, this beautiful hand-poured candle finished with a brilliantly beaded and glittery peacock from Pier 1 would be the perfect accent starting point for your room.

It's okay to take baby steps and then maybe expand onto a desk accessory and then perhaps a piece of wall art carrying the same theme. Simple yet eye-catching!  

Some of you may get a little more enthusiastic with bird houses and stuffed birds, but PLEASE just be sure to not overdo it. You don’t want your living room looking like a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock movie...YIKES!!!

But don't be afraid...if you’re bold enough to try something more permanent like a wallpaper, stick with something a bit more modern, so it adds elegance and can stand the test of time.

If carefully done, you can pass this bird trend with flying colors! 

-Sherin

Danielle Aspromatis: The Bucket List

One of my favorite party decor tricks is....drum roll....a bucket! I know, pretty lame, right? But actually a bucket or a pail can be an amazing party detail! There are so many uses and styles that I could go on for days. One use for a pail that is my favorite is a centerpiece. Whether you are putting flowers in it, decorated centerpiece picks, or another filler, you can customize a pail in so many ways.

This chalkboard tin pail from the EventDesignShop on Etsy.com is fabulous for a rustic shabby chic party....write your message and/or table number on the pail, and then erase it when the day is done. You can use it over and over! Perfect for chilled wine or champagne, this is one centerpiece that actually makes perfect sense!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a chic baby shower, I love this centerpiece...its so simple yet stylish and all you need is a pail, a ribbon, some tissue paper and a few decorated picks from the CreativeEvents shop on etsy.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using pails as planters is an obvious idea...but this centerpiece puts a twist on the norm, and your guests will all be asking to take home part of this centerpiece. With three pails per centerpiece, there is plenty to go around! These are from the MinSvenskaLandgard Shop on Etsy.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bucket is simple, yes, but what you can create with them is amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: Ombre, How I love thee, Let me count the ways...!

For those of you who don't know what ombre is, it's best described as graduated tones of color, usually fading from light to dark or vice versa. For those of you who don't know me, I LOVE ombre! I always have loved ombre in my past career as a clothing buyer. Now as a wedding planner, my appreciation has just grown. You can use one color and actually turn it into multiple colors just by graduating the shade lighter or darker. It adds dimension immediately, and a soft, feminine quality. There are so many ways to incorporate it into your wedding day (or just your life!)

Another reason I love ombre is that it really can be applied to everything, not just weddings or parties. I love to be inspired by wedding trends, and then apply those ideas to other aspects of my life as well...furniture, home decor, and my wardrobe.

Take a minute to look through some inspiration for ombre weddings and some fabulous ombre details and ideas to incorporate ombre into another aspect of your daily life. I can't get enough! 

These images were making me want to run out and update my home and closet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this Tadashi bandage dress from Neiman Marcus... (click to buy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I love the look (and price!) of this Express chiffon infinity scarf (click to buy)

 

 

 

 

 

And for the super bold....ombre your hair color!

 

This trend isn't going anywhere, so pick where you want to incorporate it and go for it!

-Danielle

Danielle Aspromatis: PomMagic to the rescue!

Someone recently asked me for a good idea for a centerpiece...non floral, inexpensive, but unique and festive..EASY! I immediately thought of PomMagic. These decorative paper poms are super cute, come in every color imaginable, and are really easy to put together (I'm not kidding, I'm usually not the best with anything that comes with directions but these are a cinch!). The best part is, you can fluff them up in advance of your party, leaving you free to relax before the event instead of running around to buy fresh flowers for the tables. AND for you eco-conscious girls and guys, these are made of 100% recycled fiber! Plus, you can use them over and over again.

I actually used PomMagic poms myself for my rehersal lunch before my wedding. I wanted to do something cute for the tables but with all the details I was executing for the wedding, I needed something low maintenance for the rehersal.

Here is how I incorporated PomMagic into my day that had a black and white theme...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at what PomMagic can do you for your next event (or even a dinner party!)...

-Danielle