Hostess Jo

B is for Baby Shower

Here are the photos from the baby shower! The baby shower was hosted at a local cafe, which decor happens to be yellow and orange. I really lucked out with all the decorations. The vases came from Micheal's for about $1 a piece. Notice the one with the honeycomb pattern! The birds, butterflies, and bees were on sale, too. The tissue paper balls hanging from the ceiling were found at Marshall's for $2. I also incorporated Lena's paper goods as confetti and tags. The guest book is actually a photo album, which we put the photos from the shower. This was given to the momma to be as a gift. I hope this gives you some ideas for your next shower!

Peppermint Candy Crafts

My friend is celebrating her birthday next week with a peppermint themed party.  This is a theme that I could go crazy with!  Peppermints are inexpensive, readily available and so festive.  They are great to use this time of year for birthdays, showers and Christmas parties.  Here is a collection of easy decorating ideas with peppermints I've collected to inspire you.

(click titles for instructions)

Candy Cane Candles

 

Candy Stick Vase

Peppermint Disk Vase

Peppermint Candle scape

Peppermint Trees
 

  
 
 

Christmas Party Plans

We are having a Christmas party next month at our house and I have been looking for ideas of how to decorate the dining table/kitchen area.  My family room will be decorated with what I am calling a "gilded christmas".  Remember last year I was having trouble using my old decorations with our new terra cotta wall?  Well this year I've decided to use new gold, copper, and brown decorations.  I think they will look great with our wall. 

I would like to do something with more color in the kitchen/dining area.  I'm hung up on the red and aqua combo I've been seeing lately.  I love these two colors together and think they are so fun to use for Christmas parties and decorations.  Here are a few ideas I've gathered so far...

My main inspiration came from Kim at The TomKat Studio's Little Snowflake Invitations.  Kim is so talented and I always love all of her designs.  I can't wait to see the rest of this collection!

Too cute right?!  Check out Kim's inspiration board for the Little Snowflake party here!

A beautiful table below incorporating red and aqua.  Love the little red birds.

 

Plates from Hostess Jo I'll use:

Glass stickers...

Cocktail napkins...

Stay tuned to see everything come together!
  
 

Festive Filler

I noticed our grocery store just started carrying fresh cranberries-that means its officially holiday season!  I love anything made with cranberries.  Their bright red color is even great in decorating for the holidays. 

How about using them in your Thanksgiving and holiday flower arrangements?  What a festive touch they add to a simple bouquet.

Just rinse your cranberries before putting them in water.  Insert your flowers.  They will also help hold your arrangement in place.

(photo from marthastewart.com)
 

Turkey Napkin

How cute is this Turkey Napkin?!  It is made out of a squash and cloves for eyes! 

What a great conversation starter for Turkey Day! 

Get the how-to for the napkin fan here.
 

Simple Football Centerpiece

I just discovered these pictures of the football centerpieces I made for our first game celebration and thought I'd share.  They are good examples of how you can take things from around the house and turn them into party decor easily and inexpensively.

I actually took the football from my Touchdown Lazy Susan and cut floral foam to fit inside it.  I bought an inexpensive bouquet from Publix and divided it between the three.  Voila!  Instant decor for you game entertaining.  Of course the guys don't care about them but I bet your female guests will enjoy them. 

I set mine up outside where I knew my girlfriends and I would be hanging out.

They add just the right amount of football spirit to your everyday decor.

 

Get creative!  Look around your house-I bet you have items you can transform for any occasion!

 
 

Natural Fall Tablescape

I have been seeing a lot of people using dried beans and lentils in their fall decorations and I love it.  The natural look is simple and comforting.  You can either go all natural or just add a few things here and there in your decorating.  Here is gorgeous example of incorporating natural elements in a tablescape.

Get the how-to here!

For more natural tablescaping inspiration check out Chris from Celebrations at Home post here.
 

Pretty Pear Centerpiece

Here is another idea for decorating your fall tables.  Take a break from pumpkins and think about using pears.  Pears add a simple warmth to any setting.  The addition of wheat in this centerpiece really evokes feelings of fall.  This centerpiece would also be perfect for a Thanksgiving table.  BONUS-it's EASY to make!

Get the how-to here.
 

Candy Globes

Here is a modern variation on the Candy Trees I posted previously.  They are just as creative and simple to make.  For a centerpiece you could try a grouping in different sizes and heights.  These aren't just for Halloween either.  A gum drop or peppermint one would be great for Christmas!

Candy Globes

YOU'LL NEED:

• Styrofoam balls
• Black spray paint
• Low-temperature glue gun
• Assorted candy such as Reese's Pieces, candy corn, black gumdrops, jelly rings and Skittles

ASSEMBLE GLOBES

1. Spray balls with black paint. Let dry.

2. Glue candy to balls in a uniform pattern, working in concentric circles around the entire ball. Let dry completely before displaying on cake stands, vases or glasses.

(photo and how to from allyou.com)

Door Decor

This season I haven't made a wreath for the front door like I did in the spring.  I found one that I fell in love with and bought it instead.  If I were going to make one it would look like this one.  I love how the flowers and foliage are in sections instead of mixed together.  I think it makes each decoration stand out even more.  You can make a wreath like this with natural items or go to Michael's and choose from their big selection of branches, leaves, and flowers.

 

(photo from bhg.com)