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How to Decorate a Baby Shower on a Budget

Casa Community — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:00:00 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member SimplySofie from the Su Casa group about how she decorated her friend's baby shower:

It didn't take a lot of money, just a little ingenuity and a lot of help from everyone to throw this baby shower for a friend. We used what we had in our closets, gardens, and garages. Check it out . . . It started with the theme "Let's Feather their Nest."

The handmade invitations were adorned with twigs. Hydrangeas and succulents from our gardens made up the bouquets. After the shower, everyone took some home to replant. Mismatched china from mine and Keri's stash and mismatched silverware were used to set the tables. Bundled up twigs and succulents were placed on the napkins. The vintage linens didn't fit the tables so we layered them and even used a chenille bed coverlet on one table.

Continue reading to see how she decorated the walls!

Creative Tips to Make Food the Centerpiece of a Great Party!

PopSugar LivingTV — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:00:20 PST

Pro party planner Rachel Hollis of Chic Events shows us how food plays a starring role in every successful party. In her own wedding anniversary party, Rachel teaches us how to make symbolic and memorable menu selections and how the right presentation will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

10 Video Games to Play at Your Wedding Shower

GeekSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 06:00:37 PDT

If you're like me, you like a little virtual gaming action when you have a party, and your wedding shower is no exception. Get a bunch of geeky peeps together, and you're bound to break out the controllers sooner or later. Check out my ten favorite video games to play with a group, and get your game on at your wedding shower!

A Chic Coffee Break With Colin Cowie

partysugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:01:31 PST

Recently, I was lucky enough to sit down with one of my idols: the extraordinary event planner Colin Cowie. We met for coffee on a sunny California afternoon and discussed his new book Chic, the dos and don'ts of being a fabulous hostess, and the formula for a successful and memorable party. Colin oozes chicness in everything he does, whether it's working as creative director of a yet-to-be-opened hotel in Hong Kong, planning a wedding for Middle Eastern royalty, or simply making dinner for a few friends in his stylish home.

To see what Colin had to say when we sat down together and to watch a video of our conversation,

read more. Colin is of Zambian descent and began his career in party planning as a caterer when he moved to the States over 20 years ago. He's created events for celebrities and magazines, and makes regular appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He's authored over five lifestyle and entertaining books and his company, Colin Cowie Lifestyle is a leading force in the world of premier events. He spends his time traveling the globe and has homes in New York and Florida. He collects tableware - candles, napkin holders, placemats, etc. - and is incredibly organized. Here is what he had to say: PartySugar: What trends are emerging in party planning? Colin Cowie: The uncatered and unproduced look. A seamless elegance. Anything that's expected is boring. You should tell a story, have an element of surprise. Even if it's just a residential party, change things around. Add a sculpture, rearrange furniture, etc. PS: What was your most memorable party? CC: The last one is always the most memorable. The one I am most excited about is always the next one. Certainly planning Oprah's Legends Ball was a 72-hour legendary moment. She is amazing, she really gets it. She and I speak the same language because she is the ultimate producer. PS: What's your advice to the everyday hostess? CC: The most important thing - when planning any event - is simplicity. Keep it easy and the spirit casual. Design menus that allow you to be with your guests. Make everything in advance and always remember, maintain a level of elegance and chicness. PS: In your book, you discuss the do's/don'ts of being a proper host/guest. What was the worst host gift you ever received? CC: The worst host gift is when the fourth person of the party arrives with a huge bouquet of flowers. I have to take time away from the party to find a vase and arrange them. At my parties I already have color coordinated floral arrangements and often times the gifted flowers don't match my color scheme. If you want to give flowers, send them the next day, after the party. The best gifts are always music and cookbooks. I love compilation CDs that my friends make specifically for me. PS: What did you have for lunch today? CC: I had the most fabulous lunch. It was a piece of fish cooked in a miso-ginger broth with Japanese mushrooms, baby white asparagus all wrapped in cedarwood. For dessert, I had a hollowed out Clementine filled with Clementine-orange sorbet. My friend made me this lunch and it was absolutely wonderful. Photos Courtesy of Colin Miller

Chatting with Governors Ball Planner Cheryl Cecchetto

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:18:31 PST

Last week we got to take a peek at what this year's Governors Ball is going to look like. As you can tell, it's going to be an extravagant affair with lush red velvet, shiny gold accents, red roses and gold orchids. Such an extravagant affair can only be pulled off by someone really spectacular, and that someone is special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto. For the 19th consecutive year, Cheryl will be overseeing every tiny detail from the 1,675 floating transparent globes to the 15 shades of red roses.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Cheryl, to find out what she has to say about the event, as well as hear her advice on how to host your own fabulous party,

PartySugar Behind The Bash: Gen Arts @ SF Fashion Week

partysugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:08:31 PDT

During San Francisco Fashion Week, I was lucky enough to attend Gen Art's premiere show Fresh Faces In Fashion. Gen Art is all about supporting and promoting upcoming talents in the fashion, film, music, and art worlds, and their fashion show is always a hot ticket. The room was packed, the decor was lush, and the drinks were flowing at both the pre and post show parties.

Two days before the show, I was lucky enough to speak with event producer Dana Castro. Despite having been up since 3 am, she was friendly, fresh faced, and focused.

PartySugar: What is your outlook when you plan a party?
Dana Castro: It depends. The first thing I always do is book the venue right away. I started planning this show at the beginning of June. I outline the show, outline the party and think of the elements of the party. I find the people to sponsor and the designers for the lounges. This year I've contracted SillaPere, who I've worked with in the past, to create a lounge and do the flowers. It's all about Spring 08 fashion with an all white background.

PS: What trends are emerging in event planning?
DS: Going green. Eco-events. For example, in weddings people are doing invites on seed paper. It may put them over their budget, but people are doing it.

To see what else she had to say about planning a party this size, plus pictures of the event,

read more
PS: What do you like about event planning? DS: I used to be a film producer, so I really like the immediate outcome of event planning. I have a template formula that I follow for most of my events and after two and a half months of planning, the final product is there. PS: What's the most important part of an event? DS: The flow is very important. You have to make sure everyone checks in and gets to their seats. You have to figure out how to get 1000 people all to their seats at the same time. You ask yourself, how long will this take? How many seats? And plan accordingly. PS: How do you set up for an event? DS: We set up the day before. We build the runway and back drops. The lounges for the parties are installed the day of. Everything is built and we roll it in on wheels. I have the entire day scheduled out minute by minute, so I know where everyone and everything should be going. PS: What was your most memorable party? DS: An Ignite event I threw a few years ago. It was an multi-media art exhibit and the Fire Marshall came in and told me I couldn't have the party inside, so I had to take the entire event and set it up in an parking lot next to the original venue. It was Burning Man style - I worked with what I had and made it work. PS:What's your advice to the everyday hostess? DS: Keep it simple, less is more. You need to be able to socialize with guests. Make everything the day before or get it catered. PS: What is your favorite flower? DS: Big fluffy French roses. I can't remember their name right now. Those and dahlias. PS: What is your guilty pleasure food? DS: Potato chips. PS: A successful party is… DS: Where everyone has fun. PS: What are you inspired by? DS: People's reactions to what you do.

View 38 Photos ›

Website of the Day: eventful

GeekSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 13:03:08 PDT

Want to know what's going on in your city? Check out eventful.com, a website that has the world's largest collection of events. From festivals, to concerts, to sporting events, this site covers it all in one place.

Now you can keep track of all the events you're interested in and any events your friends are watching or attending. Receive event reminders and track your favorite performers or venues events. You can also personalize your events page and tailor your experiences by choosing your favorite performers and venues. It's simple to use and jammed packed with fun events. So much to see and do, oh me oh my!

To learn how to post your favorite sites to the Website of the Day group,

read more
I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the website, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all of your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

How to Throw a Midnight in Paris-Themed Oscar Party

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:00:26 PST

If you're planning on throwing an Oscar viewing party for Hollywood's big night on Feb. 26, then I suggest that you go big this year and give your event a theme. Take a cue from the nominees and let best picture nominee Midnight in Paris give you inspiration. It has plenty of elements that translate into an opulent party: Paris, the 1920s, and many of its own scenes of revelry. Here's how to use the Woody Allen film as your party muse, and don't forget to fill out a ballot with your Oscar picks for a chance to win an iPad.

How to decorate: Scatter vintage books by the authors featured in the film, like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T.S. Eliot, and decorate with mini French flags and twinkle lights. Stand a cardboard cutout of the Eiffel Tower near the entrance of the party.
How to dress: The dress code can be either 1920s French (think flapper and drop-waist dresses), or you can just wear your regular clothes like Owen Wilson's character Gil, but you have to continually act surprised and impressed by your surroundings.
What to serve: A rainbow of French macarons, a cheese plate, baguettes, and fancy crepes. Serve champagne in '20s-style glasses like the ones used in the film (though these are disposable).

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio Go Calendar Girl For VMAN

Allie Merriam — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:53:29 PST

Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio were among the models selected by guest editor Carine Roitfeld for a spread in VMAN. Their new issue hits newsstands next Tuesday, Feb. 14. The girls, along with ten other models, including Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, and Chanel Iman, did a pinup shoot made to look like the 12 pages of a calendar. It was a reunion of sorts for some of the ladies, like Adriana, Alessandra, and Miranda, who are all Victoria's Secret Angels. Miranda is currently Down Under with her family, while Alessandra is taking a hiatus from her Angel duties while pregnant. Adriana, though, stepped out earlier this week for a VS Valentine's Day event and told us about what she and husband Marko Jaric have planned for the big day.

Click through to see Miranda, Adriana, and more models, like Lily Donaldson, Joan Smalls, and Izabel Goulart.

Photos courtesy Willy Vanderperre for VMAN

The Vampire Diaries "Dangerous Liaisons": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:52:08 PST

The original vampire family hosts a ball on this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, and the whole town puts on their finest formal wear for the event of the supernatural season. Elena has two dates to the event, but it's her date to meet the original witch that gives us insight into what's in store for Klaus and his siblings.

Speaking of Klaus, we get some developments between him and Caroline that are sweet and promising (even if she's a bit cautious to date him because of his cruelty in the past and general bloodlust). There's also a hot hookup that I didn't see coming, so there's lots to talk about this week. To get to the good, the bad, and the bloody, just keep reading.