Entertaining Archives - A Sweet Spot Home

Entertaining: Summer Beach Theme

June 6, 2013 By Carrie Leave a Comment

With most children now out of school and Memorial Day behind us, it’s safe to say that summer is officially in full swing. Entertaining in the summertime is one of the simplest times of the year because of the casual feel that we so often associate with summer. Patriotic parties are definitely popular, as are casual and simple get togethers with friends. Beach theme entertaining is also a great idea for your summertime parties. While often associated with kids parties, a beach theme can be easily customized for grown ups, and can be done on a budget. I love what my amazing friend Melissa of Truly Chic Inspirations did recently when creating budget friendly beach decor.

These simple pieces can be picked up at your local HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby, or TJ Maxx for very little money. The blue Mason jars are all the rage right now are available in places like Target, or even your local grocery store. Since the Mason jars are blue, it brings the water element into this display and helps to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral color scheme.

For more tips on how you can create this budget friendly beach party display, click visit Melissa’s post here!

images via Truly Chic Inspirations

Filed Under: Entertaining Tagged With: beach, beach decor, blue, flowers, mason jars, outdoor entertaining, parties, seashells, summer, summer entertaining

Entertaining: Simple Summer Entertaining

June 5, 2013 By Carrie Leave a Comment

Recently, my sweet friend Sharon of Cupcakes and Cutlery shared a simple summer party that she threw together that I thought was so, so perfect, I just had to share it. To me, this is what summer entertaining is all about. Casual, but delicious foods, and if they can be prepared outside on the grill to keep from heating up your entire kitchen, all the better. Sharon styled and photographed this event herself, and what’s even better, she’s sharing recipes for some tasty summer grown up drinks that you can make yourself with just a few ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store. Click here to see the entire party and get some amazing ideas for summer entertaining!

image via Cupcakes and Cutlery

Filed Under: Entertaining Tagged With: cocktails, cupcakes and cutlery, drinks, entertaining, food, grilling, recipes, summer

Entertaining: A Travel Themed Tablesetting

April 29, 2013 By Carrie 8 Comments

Recently, I was contacted by Stampendous and was asked if I’d be willing to test out a few of their products. Considering that I like to add lots of DIY elements to my parties, in order to make them more personal as well as keep the costs down, I immediately said yes. While browsing through their catalogs, I came across a large collection of travel themed stamps and immediately knew what I wanted to do…a travel themed table setting. This would be a perfect idea for a Bon Voyage party, or for a birthday party for your favorite jetsetter. The concept was to keep the colors neutral, with just a few pops of light pink here and there. I’ll be sharing tutorials for some of the projects I did later on in the week, so be sure to stay tuned!

Here’s a list of the products I used if you’d like to order them for yourself!

Cling Suitcase World Stamp: used on flour sack napkin
Cling Luggage Labels: used on votive candles
Timeless Tags Perfectly Clear Stamps: used for placecards
Air Travel Perfectly Clear Stamps: used on fondant cupcake toppers
Baggage Claim Perfectly Clear Stamps: used as a decoration on white plate
Jumbo Perfectly Clear Handle: made stamping SO much easier!

To find out more about Stampendous, visit them practically anywhere online!

Website: http://www.stampendous.com
Blog: http://www.stampendousblog.wordpress.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/stampendous
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stampendous
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stampendous/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stampendous
Tumblr: http://www.stampendous.tumblr.com

If you’d like to pin this post (and of course, I REALLY hope you do…) here’s a pinnable image you can use.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Stampendous. A Sweet Spot: Home received product or compensation for the purposes of this post. All opinions are strictly my own.

Filed Under: Entertaining, Tablescape Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged With: bon voyage, DIY, entertaining, parties, stampendous, stamping, stamps, tablesetting, travel, traveling, wanderlust

{ENTERTAINING} Rustic Place Card Holder

April 15, 2013 By Carrie 2 Comments

Adding rustic and natural elements to a table setting is something that I love. Even though I’m not necessarily an “outdoor girl”, bringing in elements of nature into my home is something I find comforting and calming. So, I created these very simple rustic place card holders that you could use for your next party. This look will work well for a party for adults, or for a fairy or woodland party for kids. It’s a very versatile look that you can alter to fit your event.

instructions:

1. After you’ve collected everything you need (and you most likely have everything you need in your house/yard), take your three 4″ sticks and arrange them in a design that would give you two sticks side by side and one sticking out towards the back. The top of all the sticks need to be together. It may take a little finagling, but you’ll get it.
2. If you prefer, you can add some hot glue to the top pieces to secure them a bit more. I didn’t use any for mine, however, and they’re holding together just fine. Wrap your twine or string around the top of the sticks until they feel secure.
3. Next, you’ll need to add the “shelf” that your place card will sit upon. Again, you can choose to use a bit of hot glue here. Then, secure more tightly by adding twine or string.
4. Add your place card, and you’re done!

Moonlight & Mason Jars - Monday Night Link Party

Filed Under: Entertaining, Uncategorized Tagged With: birthday, DIY, easy, entertaining, fairy, parties, party, rustic, table decor, woodland

{ENTERTAINING} Handmade Place Cards

April 12, 2013 By Carrie Leave a Comment

When setting the table before guests arrive, a great way to add interest to your table decor is through the use of place cards. It gives you an opportunity to dictate how everyone will be seated. If you have guests who are extremely sociable, you can seat them next to your quieter guests to allow the conversation to flow all around the table. Plus, you’ll avoid that awkward scene where everyone is just standing around the table staring at it because they don’t know where to sit!

If you’re short on time or feeling thrifty, you can make a simple place card using the paper that you have on hand. Quick, easy, and free, it will do the job just as well as any of the fancier versions. But, if you feel like taking it up a bit I love the ideas behind these adorable place cards that I found on Etsy tonight.

1. Simple calligraphy: Sometimes, the simplest ideas can be the best. These colorful place cards paired with the gorgeous calligraphy writing would make a lovely statement on your table. If you’ve got nice handwriting, or know someone who does, you could duplicate this look yourself as well.

2. Fox place card: I love the pop of color and the whimsical shape of this fox place card. It adds a bit of fun to the table but the simplicity of the design keeps it appropriate. This look could be recreated with a Cricut or Silhouette machine if you wanted to try and design it yourself.

3. Alice in Wonderland place card: Again, with the whimsy, I LOVE these place cards! I love the vintage look and the simplicity that comes with the basic stamp. This look is classic, but fun…something to consider when designing your own table setting.

4. Glitter place card: A little sparkle is always a great addition to your tablescape, whether added through a shiny fabric, candles, or in the case of this place card, glitter! I love the way the glitter really comes through on this particular card, even though there’s actually no glitter on the actual card itself. The graphics are great, and it’s a great idea that you could easily do yourself. Every girl loves a little sparkle!

Give your table a little pop of something fun and help support a small business (or your own creativity by making them yourself) by using handmade place cards!