Fun Finds | Hester & Cook | Kitchen Papers

I have a new obsession: decorative papers from Hester & Cook.  Placemats, table runners, serving papers, coasters, napkins and much much more!

Exquisitely designed, these papers are the perfect unique touch to liven up your table or event.  Easy cleanup is just icing on the cake.  Here are a few ways I've used them...

Bar setup  |  Defines the area and keeps counters clean

Chargers underneath clear plastic plates  |  Sophisticated yet casual outdoor dinner

Cocktail party display  |  Invites guests to select their favorite glass

Placemats for a birthday brunch  |  Quick way to dress up the table
 

I'm dying to throw a party using this series featuring sketch designs of vintage couture, perfect for a bridal shower or an Oscar party! 

Visit www.HesterAndCook.com to see all of their designs and purchase your favorites.  Let me know how you enjoy them. 

Fun Finds: Handmade Cocktail Glasses

While browsing one of my favorite online sources, Wisteria, I came across this great set of cocktail glasses. Priced at only $39, this set of six is perfect for hosting a small, intimate event. Each is unique and antique-inspired, a fusion of sophisticated design and relaxed fun. I had to share with you all- such a great deal!

Event: Floral Meets Fashion

One of my precious friends celebrated her birthday last weekend.  In addition to being a total sweetheart, she has a great eye for fashion and for locating anything cute and fabulous.  The thoughtful hostess, knowing the birthday girl well, took this into account with every detail.  For example, the cake was a custom purse-shaped treat so realistic it could be on a shelf for sale at Louis Vuitton.  Beautiful and delicious!

I was elated to be there among friends for the celebration and to help create the centerpieces.  Keeping with the purse theme, I aimed to mix floral with fashion.  An online search led me to these moss covered planters.  Then I went to my favorite local flower shop and selected a variety I thought might work nicely together for this outdoor event. 

A wide clear vase with flat top is used to raise the small purse higher, giving maximum visibility to both.  

Tall vases add an element of height.  Pink feathers add texture and also match the balloons at the event.

 

Import Flowers on Murphy Road is the best local source for flowers. I love that you can walk through the coolers and select your favorites.  

All packed up and ready to go!

Event: Fashion For A Passion

My friend Elise and her friends in Belmont University's National Association of Women MBAs are organizing Fashion For a Passion 2011. Partnering with Vanderbilt University's Owen Women's Business Association,  the event will be held at the Owen Graduate School of Management. 

401 21st Avenue South  

Friday, March 25 

6p-9p

It promises to be an evening of cocktails, conversation, and of course clothes.  A fashion show will boast attire from local designers and boutiques in the theme of "dress outside the box, inside the office."  For the competitive bidder, a silent auction will feature items from local salons, boutiques and restaurants including Social Graces, Burger Up, Cashmere Salon and many more. A night of celebrating and empowering women, all proceeds will be donated to Thistle Farms & the Christian Women's Job Corps. 

Click HERE to purchase tickets.
$15 in advance, $20 at the door

Event: Three Blind Vines

Friday, February 25th.  Friends, pull out your calendars and mark that date because you now have plans! On this night, Franklin’s finest will attend the annual wine tasting event Three Blind Vines. This party for a purpose gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste different brands of Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec while benefiting a great cause, the revitalization of the Franklin Theatre. 

A 1920s speakeasy theme sets the stage for a glamorous evening.  Although this attire is not required, it is recommended and I strongly encourage it.  

I’ll be there to judge Best Dressed Man and Best Dressed Woman. Compliments of my friends at Creed, the Best Dressed Man will go home with a bottle of the internationally revered Green Irish Tweed cologne. My favorite jewelry designer, Christine Wallace, has created a custom pair of art deco earrings with elements from that romantic era for the Best Dressed Woman. 

Friday, February 25, 2011  |  6p – 9p  |  Jamison Hall in The Factory  |  Franklin

$25 per person, $30 at the door + 3 bottles of wine per team 

 1 Sauvignon Blanc, 1 Malbec and 1 repeat of either
Teams consist of 1-3 people

Click HERE for tickets 

Click HERE for more information 

Unsure of what to wear? I’ve collected some speakeasy style reference images to spark some ideas. Pull inspiration from these below, make it your own and have fun with it!  

 

Additional Information

Admission includes entertainment, food from your favorite local restaurants and chefs, and the wine of course. 

Back by popular demand, the silent auction is sure to afford many opportunities to bid on desirable items throughout the evening.  

The fabulous Mandy Johnson will be at the event, capturing images of all the night's best moments and styles.   

In addition to competing for the best style, you also compete as a team against others for the best wine.  The teams that bring the most favored wine of the evening (determined by vote) go home with all unopened bottles. So bring your favorite wine and pull out the pearls, feathers, vests, suspenders, hats, etc and step back in time for a truly special event.

 

Inside Scoop: Sales, Music & Parties This Week

There are many great things happening this week in Nashville, so of course I've got your inside scoop. See below for this week's best in sales, music and parties.  

Ruby's Money Concert at Imogene + Willie

The amazingly talented Shelly Fairchild has formed a new band called Ruby's Money and they are fantastic!  Shelley (a fellow Clinton, MS native) had a concert last week at 3rd & Lindsey and it was one of the best shows I have been to in years.  Absolutely epic.  She mixes funk, soul, pop and rock blending into an indescribable sound rooted in emotion and truth.  Don't miss her live acoustic show this Wednesday 11/17 at 7:30pm.  Bring a blanket, beverage of choice and enjoy the backyard performance. While you're there, check out Nashville's best denim and custom casual and classic clothing store, Imogene + Willie. 

2601 12th Avenue South

Nashville, TN 37204-2503

615.292.5005

www.rubysmoney.com & http://imogeneandwillie.com/

Billy Reid Celebration 

Southern menswear designer Billy Reid was recently recognized for his contribution to the industry, winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, $300,000 and mentorships with the world's best designers.  The Nashville Billy Reid store will hold a celebration Wednesday 11/17 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.  Come toast the big win, enjoy live music and take advantage of a massive 40% off sale.  

Billy Reid

4015 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
615.292.2111

www.billyreid.com

Haven's Birthday

Franklin's sanctuary of style, Haven, will celebrate their fourth year with a Glee-themed party Wednesday 11/17 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  Stop by to see their one-of-a-kind inventory.  Always a great source for special high end wearable pieces.

Haven

343 Main Street Franklin, TN

615.790.7954

www.sanctuaryofstyle.com

Stella & Dot @ The Cotton Mill 

The Cotton Mill to host Stella & Dot stylist in-store to help pick the perfect accessories for your upcoming holiday parties.  Stop by for fun finds Friday 11/19 from 10:00am to 6:00pm.  Also check out The Cotton Mill's fabulous new inventory of winter fashion.  The store is full of coats to die for and amazing dresses unique to Nashville.

The Cotton Mill 

4009 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
615.298.2188

www.thecottonmillnashville.com

Repurposed: Tree Skirt As Tablecloth

Thanksgiving has not yet passed and I am already decorating for the holidays.  I know I shouldn't but I can't help myself.  When I came across this vintage tree skirt (complete with hand-stitched flowers and beads) I decided to use as a centerpiece/tablecloth.  Pulling together a few other elements like these antique wine bottles from a local flea market, gold sprigs from Target and wooden finials I've collected over the years, I'm happy with how this look came together.  

Inside Scoop: Events This Week For The Fashion Focused

I've got the inside scoop on a couple events this week I believe would interest the fashion focused follower of this blog.  One is a treat for your eyes, the other for your closet.  Both sure to be fun evenings with interesting crowds.  

Curiosities, a Compendium of Tales

Friday November 5 

Rocketown 601 4th Avenue South

6:00 - 9:00 pm

I am really looking forward to this whimsical event on Friday.  My friend and amazing photographer/graphic designer Brett Warren will showcase some new works from his Wooden Hearts collection.  Brett styles every detail of his shoots, from lighting to location to wardrobe.  He is the master of using vintage clothing and costumes to perfectly create and enhance the visualization of his concepts.  Always on the search for interesting pieces, his collection of fine vintage clothing is ever-expanding, perhaps because for fun he has been known to rent a suburban and venture across the country through the world's longest yard sale.  Brett, having recently moved back to Nashville after an internship in New York with Annie Leibovitz, has an amazing eye for capturing beauty and telling stories through the medium of photography.  Check out the event website here: www.curiousphotoshow.com and some of his previous inspired, dramatic work here: www.brettwarrenphotography.com. 

Mocha Club 

Gifts & Accessories Show

November 3 & 4

Two Moon Gallery. 2905 12th Avenue South

Many of my friends actively volunteer with Mocha Club, an organization I've learned a lot about through their experience and involvement.  The view of this organization is that with a very small sacrifice, people can make a huge difference in the lives of others, specifically in areas of Africa.  The money saved by giving up two mochas a month, when donated to Mocha Club, can contribute greatly to helping others with various needs: child mothers and women at risk, those who need clean water, education, healthcare or orphan care.  So where does fashion enter this scenario?  Well, your $5 (or more if you're so inclined) donation at the door benefits Mocha Club and grants you access to an evening of great previewing and shopping.  Check out the invite above for more detailed info.  Visit www.mochaclub.org to learn about other ways you can become involved. 

Repurposed: Shot Glass

As you know from my napkin/pocket square post, I enjoy exploring creative functionalities of items to give them an expanded purpose. While doing dishes today I came across my Ralph Lauren Glen Plaid shot glasses and thought of some fun ways they could be used, other than the obvious.

1) Below, I've used the shot glass as a place card for a table setting. You could easily add taller elements and make it a stand for a table number.

2) With the holidays sneaking up on us, I thought it could be fun to use as a pedestal for vintage ornaments.

3) Perhaps the most functional use is, however random, storage for items such as Q-tips on a vanity.

Home: My Favorite Glasses

After a fun brunch with friends today, I decided to stop by one of my favorite Nashville shops COLOR. I always find such fun things there like these amazing ghost glasses. They're beautiful, unique and smart. These blown glass creations come in tumbler, flute, bowl and wine sizes. I like to pull them out when friends come over and without fail I've gotten the "oooh, ahhh" every time. Apart from their classically modern design, the best thing about these is that your hand temperature does not affect the liquid because there's no direct contact. Not just for drinking, these may be used for candy, nuts, mints and other party servings. Be sure to stop by COLOR and add these to your collection!

COLOR

2104 Crestmoor Road Nashville, TN 37215

615.269.3071 www.colorathome.com

Home: Colorful Tabletop Ideas

Whenever an opportunity presents itself to be creative with your tabletop presentations, it can be really fun to mix colors and textures with vintage repurposed items. Personalized placecards are often my favorite part of the table. Vintage buttons or handles can be used to add character. I love the mix of a formal dish against a rustic surface, giving a lot of interest with little effort. Don't be scared to have fun and experiment!