Hostess with the Mostess®

The Dallas Hip Hostess event is coming up quick - Thursday, October 23… already less than 2 weeks away! “Ghoulish & Glam Halloween” is the party theme, and we’ll be covering creative DIY projects and other ways to glam up your Halloween (with a spooky twist of course!). Chambord is generously treating everyone to delicious food & drinks (Candy Apple Martini, anyone?) - and their mixologist will also be there to teach you how to recreate the festive themed cocktails at home!

The RSVP list opened up today - so for those of you in the area - I hope you can join us!  Read on to view the official invitation… and for more info on the amazing venue lined up for the event! Read More »

Looking for a creative twist on the typical Halloween party? How about inviting guests to an Eerie Halloween Wedding - complete with skeleton cake toppers, coffin party favors, creepy finger foods (literally!) and of course…the guests of honor - looking a little lot more run down than the usual bride & groom! BHG.com has tons of great Halloween ideas - but this one definitely tops the list for creativity!

And what does one sip and munch on at a Halloween wedding? Read More »

If you’re in the mood to make some DIY Halloween treats - check out these adorable Halloween cake pops from creative baking guru Bakerella. She’s got tons of decorating ideas for the treats…  but I’m especially loving the “mouthless mummies”!

Serve up some fun at your Halloween breakfast or brunch with these clever Make-a-Face Halloween Pancake Molds from Williams-Sonoma! ($19.95/set of 2)

…and here are a few yummy-looking, ready-to-eat treats spotted at the WS:

Pictured above, clockwise from top left:
Miniature Chocolate Skulls by Valerie Confections, which arrive in a coffin-shaped box! ($19.95/set of 6); Giant Halloween Caramel Apple, available with or without nuts ($22.50); Halloween Lollipops - orange pumpkins, grape ghosts, cherry bats - ($15/set of 6); Ghost & Pumpkin Brownie Pops ($26/set of 6)

This isn’t technically entertaining-related… unless maybe you’re shopping for something to WEAR to a party - but I can’t resist giving my friend Melissa a little shout-out on the fabulous anniversary sale she’s currently “hosting” on her website - lissaayer.com.  50% off everything in the store - and we’re talking hundreds of designer-label items for women, men, & kids! Use the code “Anniversary08” at checkout for the discount.

In an age where most products are machine-manufactured, there’s definitely something to be said for those who strive to keep handcrafted products alive. The artisans at Glasi Hergiswil on Lake Lucerne are just such people… and they’ve been producing high-quality, functional pieces from exclusively lead-free glass since 1817, despite the struggles they faced along the way.

Pictured above, from top: This dramatic cone-shaped server ($40) is a unique way to serve fruits & nuts… not to mention the perfect foundation for a very modern cornucopia display! (Modern Thanksgiving, anyone?) And the oblong Gondola server ($40) is perfect for serving simple bites like stuffed olives or dips such as guacamole and hummus. Read More »

Fun, festive, modern, playful, cute… this colorful Circus Soirée that Michelle Thornton created for her son’s first birthday celebration has it all! Better yet, Michelle was able to find that perfect balance between a whimsical, kid-friendly party that’s occasion-appropriate, and a stylish atmosphere that adults will find appealing as well…

Read on for LOTS of photos and all the details, as told by Michelle… Read More »