Canadian Hostess Blog: 2010

Deck the Halls in Style!

Christmas is just around the corner, so I wanted to share some wonderful and really simple ideas that you can incorporate into your holiday decor.

Wondering what to do for your foyer or the dinner table? Simply display some extra Christmas ornaments in glass bowls or cake stands.

Photo via The Sensational Girl

Photo via Country Living

Manzanita trees can make beautiful Holiday centerpieces. You can really get creative by adding your personal touch. You can decorate them with pearls, crystals, flowers, gift boxes, holiday ornaments, shortbread cookies...you name it.

Christmas Manzanita tree via The Sensational Girl

Displaying gift boxes on a cake stand is another simple and beautiful idea that will add some pizzazz to your Holiday decor.

Here are some stunning table decor ideas for your inspiration. I love each of these ideas - the colourful and joyful modern holiday table, the classic and traditional feel of red and white, the modern rustic charm, the Parisian urban chic decor, even the organic green look.

Image via Home Klondike

Image via Design Interior Ideas

Image via Archirez design

"Moulin Rouge" Themed Event

When my dear friend Pamella asked me to help her plan her anniversary party, I knew that Moulin Rouge is a party theme that guarantees excitement, energy and glamour to any special event. Bursting with rich and dramatic colours and sensual ambiance, a Moulin Rouge theme was the perfect choice for this venue. Moriarty's Bistro is the "new kid" on the party block in Edmonton where French flair meets New York savvy in the décor. Beside the elegant and sophisticated interior, this venue offers a great wine selection and food that will entice your mind and taste buds.
The colour scheme for this event was black and white with a splash of red. I selected a white Italian satin for the tablecloth with black lace accents. Red roses, ostrich feathers and lace transformed this venue into a cosmopolitan cabaret. Heather de Kok designed the glamorous and breathtaking floral arrangements and Bluebird Cakes created the most elegant cake I've ever seen. Our dessert menu included: salted caramel macarons, shortbread cookies, oreo truffles, white chocolate and raspberry cheesecakes, skor cheesecakes and mini chocolate trifles. It was a fabulous event and I enjoyed planning every detail of it.
Dessert Table Planner:Vania Asenova
Flowers: Heather de Kok Floral Design
Cake: Bluebird Cakes
Venue: Moriarty's Bistro

Enough talk - here are the pictures from the event.

Four creative and inexpensive event decor ideas

Choosing the right backdrop or table centerpiece for your event can be a big and difficult decision. Centerpieces are an important factor in scene setting as they are making an important statement about your special event.To really make an impression at your special event, you don't have to splash out on expensive floral centerpieces. Here are four fabulous, creative and inexpensive event decor ideas:

1. An eye-catching backdrop that doesn't take much more than a little creativity is this fabulous artwork created with sticky notes.

Fabulous post-it art via Catch My Party

2. There is a new way of serving Jell-O on the table. Combine six boxes of Jell-O powder with half the amount of water specified, chill the mix in a glass vase for half an hour, then just push flowers into the semi-firm gelatin . And Voilà - you have a fantastic centerpiece. You can do the design in any colour.

Jell-O floral centerpiece via Rachel Ray

3. I absolutely adore these colourful pattern socks wrapped around vases and pots. If you are interested in the tutorial, click here.

Charming sock vases via Design Sponge

4. Spray-painted wine bottles can be an unusual and luxurious looking centrepiece. These fabulous pop art bottles can function not only as vases but as candle holders as well. You can find the tutorial here.

4. Pop art wine bottles via the Ruffled Blog

Milk and Honey wine bottles via Oncewed Blog

My Birthday Party

Last sunday was by birthday and I celebrated this special occasion with friends and family. I am so lucky to have such great people in my life. Here is a snapshot of the table and the Dulce De Leche cheesecake I made. The colours were thoroughly chosen to reflect my bubbly personality and my obsession with pink.

Marie Antoinette Decadence - French Inspired Event Decor

Feathers, shoes and cakes - the three essential ingredients for a Marie Antoinette inspired party. Rococo is probably the best thing that happened to France beside the invention of macarons and Coco Chanel. Reflecting excess and extravagance through lavish decor and sweet decadence, dripping in luxurious linens, towering flowers and diamonds, this event theme is truly captivating. I totally approve the Marie Antoinette style event magic!

A close friend asked me to help her plan her post wedding party as she and her husband got married overseas. The couple met in France, so the event theme was a no-brainer. I wanted to look for some inspiration and share these fabulous ideas with you.

Image via Jennifer Skog Photography

Image via Vanity Fair

Image via Jennifer Skog Photography

Dessert Table via Amy Atlas Blog

Image via Amy Atlas Blog

Table Decor via Amy Atlas Blog

Dessert Table by Bobbette and Bell via Amy Atlas Blog

Room Decor by Bobbette and Bell via Amy Atlas Blog

Dessert Table on a budget via Bride Scouts

Image via Escapa de events

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to think about everything for which I am grateful - to have a husband who is so good to me, two healthy and beautiful children who bring so much joy in my life, my incredible family here and abroad, and the best friends in the world. I am thankful for my work and that I enjoy it so much. I am also grateful for you, the people who read my blog. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!