YumSugar

Off To Market Recap: Centerpiece

partysugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:58:12 -0800

I'm always in search of beautiful new centerpiece ideas to jazz up my regular old table or bring my party table settings to the next level. A few weeks ago I asked you to help me out and share your best centerpiece suggestions. You saved your favorite floral/foodie designs in the Yum Market on TeamSugar and tagged them with the keyword Centerpiece, here are what I consider to be the most gorgeous centerpieces:

DesignRchic found this exquisite, modern, geometric candle centerpiece. One of my rules when dressing a table is to create as many levels, layers, and textures as possible to attract and tantalize the eye. This centerpiece does so all by itself. To add more depth I could use colored votives and place it on a vibrant tablecloth.

Two more creatively cool centerpieces so read more

Top Yum Market-er rubialala discovered two (!) aesthetically pleasing centerpieces that are each very distinct. The first is a 4-in-1 vase that can hold flowers, floating candles, shiny rocks, or tiny fruits. Don't those roses look spectacular? I have to confess I totally fell in love with this centerpiece and may purchase it for my vase collection.

The second centerpiece that fab finder rubialala submitted is appropriately in time for Chinese New Year. This shiny bronzed pig is absolutely adorable and perfect for adorning your table in a little Chinese New Year bling.

Thanks for participating gals! For more information on how to bookmark on TeamSugar please read geeksugar's helpful hints.

Off To Market Recap: Everyday Table Setting

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:13:47 -0800

The table setting on my kitchen table changes with the seasons (and sometimes my mood!). It's easy to update your table's look by getting a new set of placemats. I have hosted quite a few impromptu dinner parties lately and my winter set is starting to show wear (oil/wine stains, etc) and tear, so I asked you to help me find a new tablescape. I want four wintery placemats in sober tones. You saved your placemats and centerpiece accessories in the Yum Market and tagged them with the keyword, Everyday Table Setting. Here's how I'll overhaul my table's look:

Rubialala's beautiful white mirrored placemat will serve as the new focal point of the table. At first I wanted to use these as the main placemats but realized it's too snowy white and will be best when placed in the center of my table.

To see how I complete the transformation, read more

On top of the white placemat, to finish up the centerpiece, I'll arrange 2-4 of these black candles that rubialala discovered (thanks for your help girl!). I really like the shorter, stubby ones because they won't prevent me from seeing my mom who sits across from me during dinner.

In front of the 4 chairs, I'll place the black and white patterned placemats that I found at Neiman Marcus. Throw in a beautiful vase filled with red roses and I'm finally ready for my next last minute dinner party.

Off To Market: Centerpiece

partysugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:01:15 -0800

Every now and then I like to let my competitive streak run wild by participating in a contest. As long as you remember that the contest is in good fun, there is nothing to lose and only things to gain. This week I was thinking about entering a centerpiece of the month contest. The centerpiece can be anything: a single flower, a pile of rocks in a jar, a row of candles, a bowl of lemons or floating flower petals. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this challenge and I don't know where to begin. I need you to assist me by heading off to market in search of centerpiece ideas. Save your centerpieces in the Yum Market with the tag of Centerpiece. I can't wait to see your super suggestions!

Don't know much about the Yum Market? Take a quick glance at geeksugar's how to save on TeamSugar.

Floral Centerpieces

partysugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:59:13 -0700

In terms of style and sophistication, a beautiful floral centerpiece can take a wedding to the next level. This year the trends in floral arrangements have shifted from modern to more traditional. One color of one flower in a cascading and flowing grouping is breathtaking and very now. Flowers paired and accented with fruit are another popular way to create a centerpiece. Keep flowers clean and paired down as over baring fluff and frill doesn't look contemporary. In a large space, centerpieces add drama and a sense of intimacy and in a small space they add personality. Centerpieces set the tone and mood of a wedding or party with blooming yellow sunflowers creating a warm welcoming feeling at a winery wedding and billowing white roses adding elegance to a winter wonderland wedding. The most important thing you need to remember is to think outside the box and don't limit yourself. Get creative and use your imagination to achieve a look that represents you, your fiance, and the style of your wedding. For more fresh ideas on creating the best floral centerpieces, read more

Combine multiple elements (the aforementioned flower and fruit, flowers and branches, various kinds of fruit in the same color, etc.)
For a less expensive option, fill large vases with fruit and simply top with branches and flowers.
Fill long cylindrical vases with flowers and water, anchor the flowers with pebbles, and place a floating candle on top.
Incorporate pieces of nature into the centerpiece by using wheat, feathers, vegetables, herbs, moss, etc.

For lush, luxurious settings arrange only flower buds (like lilly buds) in vases with no stems.
Substitute vases with over sized martini, wine, or margarita glasses. Pitchers and watering cans work well at outdoor garden weddings. Mason jars add a rustic feel to a country wedding. Cube and angular vases are sleek for the cosmopolitan wedding.
Classic flowers cool down with unique greens.
In a space that has soaring ceilings, make the room feel less intimidating with tall, full arrangements.
Pick colors and shades that reflect the season of your wedding: whites and dark greens for winter, peaches and lavenders for spring, oranges and hot pinks for summer, and yellows and burnt reds for fall.

Place a display of flowers on a cake tier or small cupcake tins.
Single bloom bouquets look graceful in old fashioned containers.
Flowers look artistic when immersed in water. Put a small glass bowl inside a larger one and fill both with water. Gently press de-stemmed flowers into the space between the inner and outer bowls.

Flowers that look like packages and tied with ribbons add a festive mood to the table. As do topiary style arrangements.
Long tables with centerpieces in a row down the middle are a great way to make guests feel equally important.

What did the floral arrangements look like at your wedding or last party? Share with us below!

Image Source

Wedding Centerpiece Trends

partysugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:13:38 -0700

One of the many decisions you have to make when planning your wedding is how to style the tables. A spectacular centerpiece on the table is like the icing on the cake. It's an eye catching piece of decor that stimulates conversation and sets the atmosphere for the reception. This year centerpieces have moved beyond the traditional: fruits and vegetables abound, nature adds down-to-earth glamor, and the glowing cast of candles shadow the arrangements. To see some of the most popular centerpiece trends, click the "Start" button.

View Slideshow ›

Yummy Links: From Homemade Peeps to Easter Centerpieces

partysugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:30:19 -0700

Learn how to make your own adorable marshmallow Peeps! - Twig and Thistle
Speaking of Peeps, would you use Peeps-scented lip balm? - Serious Eats
A guide to which sauces go best with which noodles. - Chow
Salads can be deliciously satisfying even if they don't have lettuce. - Self
What wines work with the hard-to-pair asparagus. - The Epi-Log
Must make: bacon-wrapped potato bites with sour cream dipping sauce. - The Kitchn
Stylish and modern centerpieces are perfect for the Easter table. - Hostess With the Mostess

Easy Spring Centerpiece: Wheatgrass

partysugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:01:31 -0800

With Spring around the corner, there are lots of cheaper alternatives to fresh cut flowers. You could use petals, or you could skip the flowers all together. How simply elegant is this vibrant wheatgrass and lemon centerpiece?

I came across it last weekend while at a crab-feed fund raiser for the 49ers. Instantly hundreds of varieties come to mind: place limes in the middle for a St. Patrick's Day party or scatter dyed eggs in the grass for an Easter brunch. At only $11.00 a tray, fresh wheatgrass is affordable and fabulous.

Yummy Link: Score With This Super Bowl Centerpiece

partysugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:01:18 -0800

The Super Bowl is just around the corner and I'm sure many of you will be hosting parties. If so, then why not decorate your table with this festive football centerpiece? It's uber cute and certain to be a conversation starter! - Hostess With the Mostess

Yummy Links: From Edible Centerpieces to 171 Starbucks in a Day

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:03:38 -0700

If you're looking for something a little different in your decorating scheme, try edible centerpieces. - Slashfood
Learn about one of my favorite desserts of all time called ice kacang (aka hong dou bing) - a shaved ice dish popular in Asia. - Serious Eats
Justin Timberlake's new restaurant is now open. I guess this time he's bringin' fried pickles back. - Chow
Be sure to check out this guide on how to store fresh herbs. - Kitchen Therapy
Did you know? Lentils help you lose weight. - FitSugar
Fox is really pushing the new Simpsons movie, they even have a Ben & Jerry's flavor called "Duff and D'oh-Nuts". - Will Work For Food

What's better than frosted animal cookies? How about giant pimped out frosted animal cookies. - Baking Bites
Do microwaves cause obesity? - Culinate
Learn more about the allium family of foods - such as garlic, chives, leeks, etc. - The Daily Tiffin
What happens when one man goes to 171 Starbucks in one day? - Via Tastespotting

Cut The Cost: Fall Party Centerpieces

partysugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:11:49 -0700

If you are planning a party, you may run the risk of spending a lot of money. Flowers, while beautiful and fragrant, often cost a large amount of your party budget. Cut the cost by cutting the flowers. Fall is a great time to use other ingredients in the decor:

Create tonal arrangements using fruit. Fill a bowl with red apples, purple grapes, and burgundy pears. Or do the same arrangement with green apples, emerald grapes, and yellow pears.
Fill a large glass vase (you can find them at Michaels for super cheap) with dried, collected leaves. Place a large white pillar candle on the pillow of leaves.
Purchase potted plants. Pansies can handle frost and come at very low prices. The day after the party, plant the flowers in your garden.

Don't underestimate the power of pumpkins! Purchase several pumpkins in various shapes, sizes, and colors and place them in the center of your table or along your mantle. Use small ones to fill large glass containers.
Crowd bowls with nuts in the shell. Walnuts, pecans, and almonds look festive when placed at varying heights on a table in bright glass bowls.

Got a great idea on how to create a gorgeous look without flowers? Please share it with us below!!

Image Source