Spa Party for Mom

   Hello again! Just as one holiday has passed us by, another special day approaches! Mother's Day!
Celebrating mom is a way to show how much we love, admire and cherish all that our mothers have done, and continue to do for us. While we really should be doing this on a daily basis, it is still special to spoil them for one whole day with treats, gifts, cards and maybe a gourmet meal!

   If you are in doubt of what to do, I have a great idea to treat your mom to a day at the spa-at home!
Spas are expensive, no doubt, so why not take some of the elements of the spa, and host your moms, mom in laws, grandmothers, and any other special moms in your life, to a spa day at home!

   It's easier than it sounds, and you don't need to go overboard (unless you want to of course). I am going to give you some great ideas to make this a relaxing day to remember. From the menu, to the spa treatments; to decor and take home gifts, I will lead you every step of the way to make sure mom feels special, pampered and loved!

   Of course it's important to start with narrowing down the guest list. It could be a small party for just your mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother, or why not add your friends who are moms to the guest list too. However big or small your list, make sure you invite everyone at least two weeks ahead of the party date, especially if you are going to be having treatments done for each guest. You may decide to hire a manicurist or a masseuse for the party (which we will get into later), so you will need to know ahead which guests will be having a treatment and which ones won't.

   Always start with a fun invite such as the one in the pic below. This one was a free printable from www.ohmyfiesta.com. You can print whatever you would like the invite to say on it, or hand write it yourself. Or why not DIY an invite for an extra special touch. I have a really cute DIY invite for your party that I am going to share with you now,  but you can use whatever invite style you like-the options are endless!

         DIY SLEEP MASK INVITE:

        You will need:

        -scrapbook paper in a pattern of your choice and in a plain colour
        -ribbon
        -sleep mask to use as a template OR template you printed out online
        -glue stick and tape

1. trace out the sleep mask pattern onto your patterned paper; then trace out a bigger mask pattern           on the plain coloured paper. Cut them out.

2. cut your ribbon to size in order to fit around the mask pattern; tape the ribbon to the                             underside of the patterned paper.
3. then glue the patterned paper with the ribbon to the plain coloured paper cut out.
4. print out or write out your invite message on the patterned paper.
  *if using your computer to print out your message, make sure you do this before you cut out your patterns.
     

     

   So if you have been following my blog for a while, you know I always like to greet my guests with a drink. Because it is a spa party, how about having some refreshing cucumber water served to welcome guests. Of course a good mimosa never hurt anyone either, so I would serve both! Use a drink dispenser for the cucumber water, this way guests can always go back and help themselves to more. You could also set up a Spa Water Bar where guests can have fun coming up with their own flavoured water. Set it up with dispensers or pitchers of water and ice, and then have bowls filled with fruits, herbs and citrus. Print or post some signs with the combinations that taste best.
   Here are some ideas:

                lemon + mint + cucumber + water
 
                berries + basil + water

                orange + blueberries + water

                raspberries + lemon + water

   Another cute idea, which is totally optional, is to have a basket of flip flops at the front door for your guests to wear during the party.  If you have the resources, why not get them each a robe to wear over their clothes too, so they get the full spa experience! This is a fun element, but not a necessity.

   Next is the menu. You want to keep it casual and spa like, which means light and healthy options, but delicious nonetheless. For this, I would do a buffet, which can be placed away from the action, and guests can go up to get something as many times as they want.
   Here are some ideas of what to serve for your spa buffet:

                          -sushi

                          -soup shots (any flavour of your choice served in small shot glasses or
                           espresso cups
                            *keep the rest of the soup warm in a slow cooker to make refilling the cups easier
                          -small bowls/ramekins of salad greens with at least 3 dressings options
                             *serve the dressings in small pitchers or glass bottles
                          -a couple of cheeses, honey, wheat or fruit crackers
                          -a veggie tray with dip; or skewers of cherry tomatoes with balsamic drizzle
                          -assorted tea sandwiches ( check out my tea party post for some ideas)
                          -smoked salmon with fixings (sliced red onion, thinly sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced
                               radishes, capers, chive cream cheese, fresh chopped dill)

                          -fruit kebabs or fruit tray



  You want to keep everything bite sized so it's easy to eat with one hand or to carry on a small appetizer plate. Another fun idea to have set up, if space permits, is a yogurt bar! Stick with one flavour, such as vanilla or plain, and have some bowls with toppings, such as, fresh fruit, granola, sliced almonds, toasted coconut, and dark chocolate pieces.

   A show stopping dessert should be next on your list to spoil mom! A beautiful layered cake or cupcake flowers would do the trick. You could even just go with some simple store-bought cupcakes and dress them up a bit with edible glitter, sprinkles or sugar flowers. This is an easy and cost effective treat that is sure to impress!

   Keep the decor simple with light colours, candles and small vases of flowers. Think of having some magazines scattered around the room on tables for a fun distraction and conversation starter.

   Now on to the fun part of the spa day! Think about hiring either a manicurist, masseuse or someone who does facials. It is not necessary to do all, one will do and will keep moms busy and feeling pampered!
   This is something that needs to be looked into ahead of time, so you can book someone, and they will also want to know how many members of your party will be having a treatment done. The more you have, the less the cost per person will be, and some companies will not come to you unless you have a certain number of guests. Another option would be to hire students who are either studying in the field or have just graduated. Their prices would be far less, and they would welcome the experience.
   Here a couple of mobile spa services to check out: www.spaparty.ca and www.thespatreatment.ca.

   If you find the prices to be too out of your budget, it is very easy to set up your own nail bar at home. This would mean that you would have to do each others nails, or if your guests felt so inclined, they could paint their own. It could be a lot of fun and a great ice breaker too! All you need to do is set up a small area with a variety of nail colours, nail polish remover, cotton pads, and some fun nail stickers.

   Have another area set up for a pamper yourself station with lotions, sample face masks, oils and plenty of make up wipes or warm towels for easy clean up!

   If the weather happens to be warm and beautiful, why not set up some of these activities outside as well, this way your guests have the freedom to move in and out as they please, and inside won't get too crowded. Set up some seating areas outside too for your guests to relax and mingle.

   Think about playing some soft music in the background to really get the spa-like feel. You can find a lot of options of soothing, spa music on Pandora, You Tube, and I Tunes. Classical music is also a good choice.

   So your moms have been pampered, are fully relaxed and have had a great time. Send them home with a little reminder of the wonderful spa day they had by giving them their own manicure set! A cute little pail filled with all the things needed for an at home manicure/pedicure. In this little pail, there is:
             -toe separator
             -cuticle tool
             -nail polish
             -emery board
             -cuticle trimmer
             -orange stick
             -nail brush

   Add an adorable tag, such as the one pictured below from www.justaddconfetti.com. This was a free downloadable printable, and it's just the cutest!

   You could even add all these items to a mason jar (you know I love mason jars), or a small basket. Really any type of container will work!

   Another cute idea for a take home gift is a simple bottle of good quality nail polish in a fun spring colour! Add a fun tag, such as this one I found as a free downloadable printable from www.polkadotchair.com, and you have a gift every mom is sure to love!

    Isn't this tag (above) adorable? It is mimicked after the Pantone paint chips! Too cute!    

  So your spa party was a success, and all your guests, have left feeling more relaxed, pampered, and perhaps feeling a little more special, spoiled and loved! What a great way to say Thanks Mom!

   Until next time! :)

~A




PRODUCT INFORMATION:

-all manicure products from take home gift found at www.dollartree.com
-cake stand used as display, hand lotion and pink nail polish from www.dollarama.com   
-make up wipes, facial mask packets from www.dollartree.com

Celebrating Easter

   The Easter holiday is fast approaching; it is literally this weekend!!  I cannot believe how fast April is flying by, but never the less, it is here, and I love celebrating Easter. It is a time when we get together with family and enjoy good food, laughter and beautiful weather (hopefully)!
   Today I am going to share an easy and casual Easter table scape, as well as a fun Easter egg hunt for the littles in your life. Whether you are having friends or family over for a simple late afternoon lunch, or maybe even an early morning brunch, these ideas will bring some spring fun to your Easter holiday!
   So you are having a little get together to share in the Easter celebration, and you want to impress them without breaking the bank! No worries; this simple yet stunning table setting will do the trick!
   White chargers, cream dinner plates and floral napkins in soft blues and greens, bring on the feeling of spring! Add a few pretty pastel blue egg shaped bowls, alongside green salad plates to complement the colours, and your table is nearly complete!

   I love these pastel coloured chalkboard eggs; yes that's right! Chalkboard!! I found them www.walmart.ca for $1.98. You get 12 eggs in various colours, plus a box of chalk! Adorable!

   Here I used them to act as place cards for your table and added gold initial stickers. If your handwriting is exceptional, then you could always add the letter with the provided chalk.
   I then used my favourite brass napkin rings as a holder for the eggs, and placed them on a small white side plate, which would be used as a bread plate. I wanted to use egg cups to hold the chalkboard egg, but had a hard time finding any. If you happen to have a set, by all means pull them out, as they would work beautifully on any Easter table.
   Then all you need to round out your table is glassware and cutlery, and a few more touches of colour. Here I used simple stemmed wine glasses and water glasses with a green hue to them, and added some lovely silver cutlery.

   I also like to sometimes dress up the place setting with a little something. I found some small twig wreaths at www.michaels.ca, and added them to the salad plate for a little visual interest. Of course, they will be removed once the meal is served, but for now, it gives your guests a taste of how much attention to detail you put in for them!
   A simple and easy centrepiece which doesn't take any time to do, is some lovely tulips and greenery. Here I used a metal pitcher and placed it on top of some grass mats which I found at the dollar store! It just adds an extra spring touch that doesn't cost a lot. I also added a pretty Easter platter just because, and a ceramic bunny. You could always make the platter useful by adding a butter dish or jam jars ( if you are serving brunch).

   And there you have a casual Easter table ready for friends or family!
 
   Now if your guests are bringing children, why not let them have a pretty table set up all for themselves! If they are old enough to sit on their own, it would be so fun for them to have a place where they can sit with their friends and just be kids. If the weather permits, you could set this up outside, but indoors works just as well.

   It also helps if the outdoor area isn't too far from the dining area, this way parents can keep an eye on the younger children if need be. You just have to work with the ages of the children and what feels right to you!
   I remember always having our own table as children, especially for holiday get togethers. It was always so much fun! We felt like we were grown ups, even though our parents were in the next room, or even in the same room sometimes!
   Make it colourful and make it fun!

   If the children are fussy eaters, meaning they won't eat the adult food, and it's okay with the parents, give them a fun meal. Children love to snack, so why not give them little lunch boxes filled with plastic easter egg snacks! Fill the eggs with crackers, cheese, carrots and hummus/dip, bite sized fruit like blueberries or cut up strawberries, cheerios, etc. Bite size is the key!

   If they are going to eat what the adults are eating, then you could always just give them pretty paper plates to have their meal on, or if you are able to cut up some of the meal items into bite size portions, then those items could be placed inside of the eggs. In a pinch, muffin liners work really well too!
   Assign each child their own special seat with these adorable chalkboard signs in Easter motifs! At the end of the day, they can take them home with them too as a little reminder!

   Don't forget to dress up their table too! Ceramic bunnies, tulips in a milk glass vase and little carrot pots are so cute, and these little carrot pots are a cinch to make!

   1. I used 6 mini terracotta pots and cleaned them out.

   2. Stuffed them with basket grass (the kind you use for Easter baskets).

   3. Added these adorable sparkly carrots to make it look like they were growing out of the pot!

   And ta-da! I told you it was easy!

   Once the meal is over for both children and adults, how about getting into the spirit with an Easter egg hunt. Have baskets or pails at the ready for each child, and a good idea is to have it all set up before hand so you don't have to scramble for places to hide the eggs! If you are limited on space, maybe keep the children distracted with games while one or two of the adults do the hiding!
   Some game ideas are:
                -tic tac toe

                -pin the tail on the bunny (printable found at www.sugarandcharm.com
                -Don't Eat The Peep (printable found at www.thirtyhandmadedays.com

               
                -disc or bean bag toss
                -plastic egg tower: this is where you get a bunch of plastic easter egg halves and see how many you can stack on top of one another without falling down. This is a great game for the younger kiddos.
    Now the egg hunt can begin! A few rules to keep everyone happy while egg hunting, are to try and keep the location of the eggs in one general location, such as the backyard only, and have a variety of eggs to find. Chocolate ones, plastic ones filled with jelly beans or even non-sugar treats.

   You could even fill the plastic eggs with instructions for simple exercises that are great fun for all ages.
          Here are some ideas:
                 
                     -touch your toes 4 times
                     -do 10 jumping jacks
                     -hop like a bunny/ cluck like a chicken
                     -march on the spot for 20 seconds
                     -dance around like a butterfly
                     -hop on one foot and touch your nose
This list could go on and on, but I am sure you get the point!

   If you have more than four children at your egg hunt, an easy trick for everyone enjoying themselves and making sure they all go home with candy or treats, is to give each child a pail in a different colour. Hide eggs in coordinating colours, and instruct the children to only find the eggs or candy that match their pail colour! No one goes home crying or complaining that Johnny has more than they have, and everyone, including the adults, have a good time!  

      I hope that you find this post interesting and filled with ideas that you can use to create a fun-filled, and entertaining Easter celebration for your family and friends!
   Happy Easter to you and yours! Until next time!
 

~A

Springtime Tea Party

   Hello everyone and welcome! I feel it, the sun is shining, it's getting a tiny bit warmer, and Spring is in the air! At least I hope it is! Spring brings a sense of renewal, and a feeling of happiness. After all, the days become brighter, warmer and longer, and spring colours pop from every garden and flower bed.
   This is also the season of Easter, Mother's Day, maybe a few weddings, and with that, bridal and baby showers. So today's post is all about throwing a sweet springtime tea party. A tea themed bridal or baby shower would be a lovely way to celebrate the guest of honour. But even better, why not invite a few of your closest friends over instead, for an intimate get together.
   Today I will show you ways to set a pretty table, a take home gift idea, a few recipes and lots of great ideas and tips for throwing your own tea party.

   Afternoon Tea has been a time-honoured tradition for years, and still to this day, you can find tea rooms, and hotels that host High Tea, all around the city. Afternoon tea was specifically for the upper class back in the day. It was more of a mini meal, served from 4 to 6 pm, and was a way to tie them over until dinner, which usually was later in the evening. Some would have their meals after 8pm!
   High Tea was reserved for the middle class. The idea was pretty much the same, but it was believed they sat at higher tables and chairs, hence the name, High Tea. Nowadays, it is simply referred as High Tea everywhere.
   Having a tea party is where you get to pull out all the stops. Your finest china, heirloom tea cups, prettiest linens and silverware. Your tea party table can be set up anywhere, and if weather permits, it would be lovely to have it outdoors in a backyard or on a porch.
   Keep your tea party small, I would say 6 to 8 guests; 10 at the most. You lose that intimacy if you invite too many guests, and a tea buffet is not the same thing as high tea! Just saying! You can send out pretty handwritten invitations or nowadays, an e-vite is more than acceptable.
   My rules are always the same; send out your invites at least two weeks before your party, to give guests ample time to make plans, as well as, give you a chance to think of the menu and decor.
   A typical High Tea menu consists of finger sandwiches and a few sweet desserts, as well as of course, tea. Coffee is also a good choice to serve just in case you have guests who don't like tea. I also like to serve a fruit platter or fruit kebabs for something refreshing.

   Here are some examples of finger sandwiches and desserts for you to serve:

 FINGER SANDWICHES:
 
   ~cucumber and cream cheese
   ~egg, tuna or chicken salad
   ~BLT on biscuits
   ~radish toasts or tartines (recipe to follow)
   ~prosciutto with fig jam on baguette
   ~shrimp salad
   ~pimiento cheese on sliced white bread
   ~caprese - mozzarella, tomato and basil on focaccia
   ~roast beef with horseradish cream on rye cocktail bread
   ~smoked salmon with cream cheese and sliced cucumber on white or brown bread


  SWEET TREATS:  

   ~pound cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries
   ~banana bread with cinnamon cream cheese (recipe to follow)
   ~cream puffs
   ~ricotta cheese, orange marmalade on whole wheat bread
   ~lemon curd and fresh berries on english muffins
   ~chocolate hazelnut spread and seedless raspberry jam on white bread
   ~cream cheese and strawberry jelly on white bread
   ~mini scones served with a few different jams, devon custard and sweetened cream
   ~glitter doughnuts ( I will explain later)
   ~macarons


   Some things to remember when making any of these sandwiches is that they need to be small bites. A tea party lends a bit of sophistication to the day, so it's hard to be dainty while eating a full sandwich with both hands! Cut them in two-bite portions for easier handling, and always remove the crusts from the bread, unless you are using a different type of bread, such as, say, biscuits or pita. The sandwiches can also be cut into triangles, squares or any shape, if desired. All you need is a cookie cutter to make easy and pretty shapes. You should also think of using gluten free options for any of those guests who may have a sensitivity to gluten.
   When it comes to drinks, tea or coffee is a given, but why not think about a tea infused cocktail as well. It is something unexpected and your guests will be pleasantly surprised. Here is a great recipe I found on www.sugarandcloth.com for a Peach Tea Cocktail.

      1 cup brewed unsweetened peach tea
      1 ounce vodka or peach flavoured vodka
      1 ounce Mint Simple Syrup

*to make syrup, in a small pot mix 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved, add 1 cup fresh mint leaves; remove from the heat and let steep at least 25 minutes.
*add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker or cocktail mixer glass, and serve over ice. Garnish with mint sprig and peach slice.
*any other flavour of fruit tea can be substituted for the peach tea as well


   Another fun idea to think of having at your tea party, is to set up a soda bar. Some of your guests may want to drink something other than tea/coffee. Of course, you will be serving plain or sparkling water and juices, but a soda bar can be fun and interactive. All you need are flavoured syrups and soda water. Easy peasy! Here are a few of my favourite syrup combinations:


1.  BLACKBERRY-LIME:
    *simmer 1 cup water, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 pint blackberries over medium heat until syrupy, about 15 to 20 minutes; strain and press out the solids.
    *stir in the juice of 1 lime. Let cool completely.


2. TRIPLE CITRUS:
    *simmer 1/2 cup each of orange, grapefruit and lime juice with 1 cup sugar over medium heat until syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes; strain. Let cool completely.


3. RASPBERRY VANILLA:
    *simmer 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1 pint of raspberries and 2 teaspoons vanilla over medium heat until syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, pressing the solids. Let cool completely.

   So now, let's get back to the treats! I think providing a mix of homemade and store-bought food items are always a good idea. You can take your store-bought items and make them fancier by adding just a few simple touches. For example, buying the loaf cakes (banana, lemon or pound cake) is a no brainer; then all you need to do is add whip cream and strawberries, or sweetened cream cheese spread. The same goes for your savoury tea sandwiches. Here is a very easy recipe to dress up simple banana bread:

                       8 ounces softened cream cheese
                       1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*blend the ingredients with a hand mixer or stand mixer, until smooth
*you can either pipe or spread the mixture onto your banana bread slices
*cut the banana bread slices into rectangular slices or fun shapes by using a cookie cutter

   {pound cake with whipped cream and strawberries}

   For an easy savoury recipe, try these Radish Toasts:

                       *thinly slice a few radishes
                       *cut out rectangle slices of multigrain or rye bread, crusts removed and toasted
                       *store-bought or homemade chive cream cheese
                       *salt and pepper to taste
                       *chopped chives as garnish (optional)
 ~ spread the chive cream cheese on the toasted bread slices; top with the radish slices; sprinkle salt and pepper and chopped chives on top.

   Once the food and drinks have been decided, it's time to move on to the fun part of the party planning: decorations and table setting. China tea cups and saucers and dessert plates, are a must item you need to have at your springtime tea party. If you happen to have any heirloom pieces, now is the time to bring them out! You can also find pretty designs at thrift stores for only a few dollars. I personally like mixing up colours and styles; it gives your party a more vintage vibe, and if you have to purchase them, it makes it easier to find the amount you need.
   Use your finest table linens or do away with the tablecloth, and use crocheted doilies as a place mat to show off your fine china pieces, and maybe a simple spring themed table runner.

   If you prefer a tablecloth, look for something either floral, lace or a neutral colour. Scarves are always a favourite of mine to use as an interesting table cover, and you can find so many pretty prints and colours. One thing to remember, you don't want anything too distracting that will take away from the pretty china you are going to be using.
   For a simple take home gift for your guests, how about keeping with the theme of tea party, and give your guests a beautiful crystal creamer filled with flowers. This also does double duty as flower arrangements. All you will need is a simple arrangement for the center of the table, which I will share here as well.
   The thrift stores are my favourite place to score these beautiful creamers, and the best part is they are under a couple of dollars each! Each friend can get a different one, or if you're lucky to find more than one in the same design, even better.

 
    Tie a cute thank you tag to the handle of the creamer, and you have the prettiest party favour around! If you are having more than 6 guests, you can use the tags as place cards to avoid any confusion as to where your guests are sitting.
   A simple floral centrepiece is all you need now to complete your springtime tea party! Use your favourite flowers in pretty spring colours and a simple glass vase. I love a cluster of one type of flower, such as carnations or hydrangeas. This arrangement doesn't compete with any of the prettiness on your table, yet still makes a statement. For an extra special touch, why not add pearl beads to the bottom of the vase. You can also use pearl necklaces if you have them.

   I used a cylindrical glass vase, and added a small round of floral foam (pre-soaked in water) to sit right on top of the vase. I simply added cut stems into the foam and placed them all around it until I was happy with the arrangement. It should look full and hide the foam too.

 
   And there you have a pretty simple arrangement all dressed up for your party!

   I hope this post today inspired you to host your own tea party. Maybe for Mother's Day, or perhaps a baby/bridal shower for someone special, or even for a birthday!  Whatever the occasion, remember to make it personal so your guests feel welcomed, and remember to have fun planning it!
   Until next time!

~A

PRODUCT INFO:

*pearl beads (in vase), glass vase and floral foam from www.dollartree.com

*green grass mat from www.dollarama.com
 
*gold tags, doilies, green jadeite cake stand from www.michaels.com

*crystal creamers and mint green dessert plates from www.valuevillage.com

*tea cups and saucers, gold forks and spoons from private collection


   


   

How To Set A Dinner Table

   Hello again and welcome!  Today I am going to be sharing some tips on how to set a table two ways: formal and casual. Now you are probably thinking, "really? I know how to set a table!" And I'm sure you do, however, there are some basic rules and etiquette that you may not know, and that you may find interesting. For those times where you want to go all out and impress your guests with a formal dinner, some of these tips may become useful.
   It is inevitable that at every dinner party you must set the table. Unless, of course, you like your dinners in front of the TV. I know I do! :)
   Setting a table is not a difficult task. There is only one basic rule to remember though; utensils are always placed in the order you are to be using them, from outside in, and forks to the left, knives and spoons to the right. This goes for both casual and formal table settings.
   So now let's get to the nitty gritty of table settings.

   
FORMAL:
   
   This type of table setting is usually reserved for special occasions and holidays. Here is where you get to dress it up with your finest linens, flatware, glassware and dinnerware, to make it extra special.
   A formal setting usually requires three sets of dishes: a bread plate, a salad plate, and a dinner plate. A bread knife should be placed directly on the bread plate with the blade facing to the left.
   It is said by etiquette experts, that no more than three utensils be set at the table at a time. So what does that mean exactly?  If you are serving four courses including fish, for example, you would have a fish fork, salad fork and dinner fork. Your dessert fork would be served with the dessert on the dessert plate. By no means is this written in stone anymore, but I thought it was a fun fact to share. It may just be easier to have all your utensils you are using out on the table, so as not to forget any or to not have to scramble to find them when you need them.
   Glassware for a formal setting consists of a water goblet being placed directly above the knife and any other stemware, such as wine glasses, are to the right of that.
   Your napkin should be placed on top of a charger, if you are using one, or in the space for the plate. It can also go to the left of the forks or under them if you are lacking table space.

CASUAL:
 
   This is a much more simpler setting than the formal setting. It sets the tone for a more relaxed get-together with friends or family.
   Here is where you get to have a bit more fun too. You can add colourful napkins with napkin rings, use placemats instead of tablecloths, or even use colourful or more textural plates.

   The rules are still basically the same when it comes to glassware and flatware. Napkins can be set the same as a formal setting too, or you can have fun creating some napkin designs, such as an envelope (see pic below).

You can even find these cute paper pockets (as in pic below) to match any party theme. These are ones I used for my Friendsgiving party back in October. I found them at www.partycity.ca

   In this photo below, I used a tea towel as a napkin and added a vintage brass napkin ring to add a bit of rustic charm to my table setting.

    To create the envelope napkin fold, just follow these 3 simple steps:

      1. Fold your napkin to form a square then angle it to have points/corners facing up.

  2. Take your top and bottom points and fold them inwards and overlap them.

   

   3. Then turn the napkin so one of the points is facing up; take your bottom point and fold it inwards and up. You can also, if you prefer, tuck the envelope point inside the pocket.  

   

   And there you have a simple napkin folding technique to use at your next casual dinner party. You can also find so many other designs on line, some more difficult than others, but all really fun to try.

   Think of adding little extras to make your table settings more personal and special for your guests, and elevate your party.

MENU AND PLACE CARDS: 

             - menu cards can either be added on each place setting or in the center of the table on an                              easel so guests can easily read it. 

             - Place cards are set on each guests plate and show your guests where they are sitting; they                              are also useful if you are having 6 or more guests. It avoids the confusion of where                               guests are to be seated.

CENTREPIECES:      

             - floral arrangements in the center of your table add a special touch to your table setting,                        whether formal or casual

             - you can also do individual small arrangements at each person's place setting

FAVORS:

             - a small token for each guest to say thank you, is always welcome. It need not be                expensive, just something small such as a box of chocolates. And if using individual floral                                    arrangements, as mentioned above, those can be sent home at the end of the night with                       each guest as a party favor as well.

CHARGERS: 

             - these are oversized plates that are added under your plates to give an added touch to your                    setting. They come in all types of colours, patterns and designs, and I love using them                          for my dinner parties, no matter the occasion. You can see them in the pic below and                             the holiday pic further above in the post.

             - etiquette experts suggest that the chargers be removed when the main course is over, and                      before dessert is served. Nowadays, unless you are at a wedding or 5 star restaurant, I                             think it's okay to leave them until the end of the entire meal.

   One thing I think is important and a stress saver, is to try and set your table the night before. I know I've said it before, but it is worth repeating. It ensures that you have all the essentials needed and if you don't, if gives you time to add something or take something away.

   Another good tip is to take inventory of all your glassware, dinnerware and flatware ahead of time; say one to two weeks before your party. By doing so, you can check to see if any pieces are chipped and need to be replaced, or if you don't have enough items to use, then you can purchase those that are necessary.

   So now all you need is an excuse to throw a party! Whether it's a formal celebration, or a casual get together with friends on the weekend,  I hope some of these tips will help you feel confident enough to give it a go and set a beautiful table!

Until next time!

~A

             

PRODUCT INFO:

- paper pockets for cutlery www.partycity.ca 

-cloth tea towels www.jysk.ca and floral napkin www.homesense.ca

-milk glass vases www.valuevillage.com