Lounge Perfection

I love it when a lounge area is incorporated into an event...especially when it looks like an extension of a living room and NOT a club. A lounge area is a great way to provide extra seating that gives your event a special, and comfortable, touch. I love how the lounge area below incorporates colors from the wedding into the pillows and the coffee table runner! And, of course you know I love the hanging lanterns!!

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Image via Style Me Pretty

Its all about the details...

You wouldn't think that something as simple as a chair can make a difference in your tablescape, but I think even the smallest details matter. My favorite look these days is mixing different chairs for a vintage vibe....
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Visit antique stores...stop by garage sales...and pick through your local thrift shops...you just might be surprised what you can find and use for your next party!
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Images via The Bride's Cafe and Style Me Pretty

The Wine Opener

The "Wine Opener" event last Thursday night was a huge success! It was held at the Loft at Flower Stems, and wow...what a fun venue!! If you live in Birmingham and are looking for a modern space (with a lot of character) to have a birthday party, wedding reception, anniversary party, etc. you must check out Flower Stems. I took my camera with me and of course snapped several photos, but I unfortunately left out the front entrance/exterior of the building, so you are just going to have to do a drive by to see it!

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When you walk in the front doors, directly in front of you is the flower refrigerator. I braved the cold to step in and take a few photos of the gorgeous flowers in the fridge. While at the party, I met the owner of Flower Stems and he told me that often at wedding receptions or birthday parties, they will set up an ice cream bar in the fridge, which I thought was a fabulous idea!

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At the hip downstairs bar, we set up the wine tasting portion of the event. High boy tables were draped in gold linens with wine colored sashes, and cocktail rounds were draped in wine colored linens. Flower Stems donated a handful of flower arrangements for the evening...which was very helpful for keeping costs down on this fundraiser.

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Upstairs we set up the silent auction, which was packed full of great gift packages.

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We decorated several of the tables with candles and wine corks (in keeping with our wine theme) for the evening. The food was catered by Happy Catering and it was absolutely delicious! There was a great turnout for the event, which means more money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to continue to its important research.
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This event would not have come together without Margaret from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She did an amazing job planning and executing this event with the help of just a few volunteers! I so enjoyed helping out with this fabulous event for a great cause!

Eye Candy

Amy Atlas Events designs the most amazing dessert tables that always have my mouth watering!! Her eye catching designs add the perfect touch of sweetness to any event, whether its a birthday, bridal shower, engagement party or wedding.  While Amy Atlas Events is most well known  for spectacular dessert buffets, the company is also a full service event planning company. Check out more of Amy's eye candy here.

Photos via Amy Atlas Events

Budget Flowers

I'm a huge fan of having fresh flowers at my house whenever I have guests over, but unfortunately flowers aren't cheap! Instead of going to a flower shop, I try to buy my flowers at a local grocery store or Whole Foods. I wish I was talented in floral design, but I'm just a beginner when it comes to arranging flowers. What I have found to be an inexpensive and design friendly way to arrange flowers is to buy an already put together bouquet. This way you are buying flowers that compliment each other, but you can break it apart and arrange the flowers in several different vases around your house, giving you more bang for your buck! Check out the arrangements I put together this past weekend. Another great trick is to use a unique vase that doesn't require a ton of flowers...see below!

Wanted: Mason Jars!

Recently, I've fallen in love with the mason jar. It offers so many decorating options for a party that I need to get my hands on some ASAP! They can be used as lanterns, vases, glasses, silverware holders, and party favors. What I love so much about mason jars is that they have a southern, casual, down home feel, but can also be used for formal events. Have you recently decorated a party with mason jars? Do you have any other suggestions for decorating with a mason jar?

Photo 1: Seen on Bridal Daze, originally from The Knot

Photo 2: Weeping Cherries

Photo 3: Weeping Cherries

Photo 4: Lisa Light Ltd Designs

Photo 5: Do It Yourself Weddings

Photo 6: Southern Weddings
Photo 7: A Soft Place to Land

Photo 8: Weeping Cherries, originally from The Knot