FIREWORKS + A BERRY BREEZE

Happy 4th of July!!

While it can sometimes be hard for me to celebrate a country that's far from perfect, instead of getting political today, I'm aiming to be thankful for the true meaning of the holiday - our independence and the freedoms we are blessed with in this country.

And that's something worth toasting! How about with a little Berry Breeze? Festive, refreshing and not too frou frou, it's my kinda celebratory drink!

The Berry Breeze:

* One Part Raspberry Vodka
* One Part White Cranberry Juice
* Frozen Crushed Raspberries
* A Blueberry Skewer Garnish

Mix together vodka and cranberry juice, add a small handful of frozen crushed raspberries and garnish with a blueberry skewer. A perfect mix of red, white and blue. Enjoy!


*images: photography by ellen von unwerth, napkins martha stewart, berry breeze, florals captured by jennifer kloss

HIP + HOP

Pastels for Easter? So predictable. I think this year the Easter bunny needs to put a little more hip in his hop and add some super rad brights to bronze, grey and even a dash of black...

And if I could get away with this holiday ensemble you bet I would. Do I see some tabletop inspiration coming from this palette?? I think so... stay tuned - this week is gonna be good.


*dining room via the nytimes, tray available at furbish, striped ensemble via the decorista

CRAZY FOR KATE

Why haven't I seen the holiday campaign shots from Kate Spade until now?? I don't know. But whatever vibe I was going for in my fashion inspiration post below, it's definitely captured in these sassy little shots...

It's kinda like raiding your uber chic grandmother's jewelry box...

Pairing loads of baubles with colorful little numbers.

Coincidence that more than a few of my picks for my own crazy over-the-top holiday ensemble were from her?? Probably not. Kate has made such a huge comeback for me this year - I can't wait to see what she brings us next!

*images via brown button

HOLI-CRAZED

The madness of the holidays has finally gotten to me my dears... so I've decided to dress the part by putting together a festive look that goes just slightly over the top...

Inspired by this styled collection of party accessories, I love the idea of a mixed and matched black and white pattern alongside feathery accents and colorful bijoux! A very daring mix of all things good, don't you think??

*dress by tibi, earrings, clutch and bangles kate spade, heels at nordstrom

WHAT TO WEAR: A WINTER WEDDING

This weekend I'll be attending my first ever winter wedding (not usually a popular choice up here in the Northwest!), so I've been flipping through my closet trying to create a look that balances a bit of holiday sparkle without going over the top. Something like this...

I like to shy away from dark colors for weddings unless the invitation says black tie, so for winter it seems like jewel tones or muted neutrals are the two best options. When I spotted this Halston dress, it immediately struck me as a perfect style for a casual wedding because of its jersey fabric with a little shimmer. Keeping with a tone-on-tone palette, the accessories add some fancy sparkle and beautiful texture! Who wouldn't feel fabulous draped in this goodness?!



*dress by halston, earrings at banana republic, ring by ippolita, clutch at asos, heels betsy johnson

GIFT GUIDE FOR THE DAZZLING HOSTESS

'Tis the season for mixing + mingling, m'dears! Camille Styles here, and in honor of the holidays, we're departing from our regular Fantasy to Fête series with a chic little gift guide to delight the hostesses in our lives. From whimsical invites to wintery flutes; festive nibbles to the most fabulous piñata...this collection includes all the fixin's for an unforgettable evening of festivity.

{1} gingerbread chalet {2} fine dining disposable placemats {3} confetti system piñata {4} ceramic speakers {5} 'kiss under the mistletoe' apron {6} 'champagne & mistletoe' invitations {7} lacquer nut bowl {8} 'winter tree' stemless flute

GLITTERATI

Seeing these over-the-top sparkling designs come down the runway any other time outside of the holidays might make you wonder where on earth you'd wear such an ensemble (not that many of us would pull them off even at this most wonderful time of the year), but wow did they get me in the mood for some serious holiday shimmer and shine!



Can you imagine attending a party where everyone was required to look this merry and bright?? I think I may just have to try to find a way to make it happen!

*runway designs manish arora fall 2010, trim stylings via randi brookman harris

THE 20-MINUTE TABLE...

How to put together a very last-minute tabletop...

Throw down your fabulously wrinkled linen. Forage for last year's feather decor. Gather your current favorite dishes.

Rummage through Christmas decorations for frosted pinecones and icicles. Combine grandmother's silverware, Ikea black glass votives, and ever-present Moroccan tea glasses.

Line glass vase with textured wrapping paper. Tuck into icy wreath that you've had since college. Bask in the glow. Devour turkey and pumpkin pie. 

Happy Thanksgiving all!

A FOLKLORIC FANTASY TABLETOP

On my snowy lazy day yesterday I spent some time daydreaming up a little Thanksgiving tabletop worthy of a little imagination... 

The feathery dishes are ones I own and I hope to use this year... the rest? A lovely collection of goodies that create a pretty little 'forest' of of white porcelain animals and feathery trees nestled along modern glass decanters to reflect the light of plenty of scattered tealights casting a glow throughout. Add a little shimmer with gold chargers and tie it all together with luxurious twigware. Oh, and a sprinkle of snow, of course!



*resources: ceramic deer and decanters via z gallerie. stemware and charger via crate & barrel. dishes and feather tree at anthropologie. stemware by michael aram.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: A GILDED THANKSGIVING!

'Tis the season to be thankful, my dears! Camille from Style Notes here, and today we're dressing up the Thanksgiving table in all its gilded glory. This is the perfect holiday to put a spin on tradition, so we're trading in the usual brown + orange tones of fall for something a bit more glamorous...

Our inspiration comes from an elegantly nostalgic palette of glittering gold with rosy pink accents. I'm imagining a table set with vintage gold-rimmed china and tons of warm candlelight that casts a flattering glow on the faces of family and friends gathered 'round.

Set a pretty place setting that's refined without feeling stuffy. A blush pink runner feels a bit more modern than a full-length tablecloth, and low loose bunches of garden roses are just right at any time of year.

A buffet overflowing with autumn's bounty is a dramatic centerpiece to the Thanksgiving feast (and makes serving a whole lot easier on the host!) Use platters & vessels of varying heights to add visual interest.

Pass around a tray of hot apple cider with orange zest and star anise for the ultimate comfort sip. (And if you're feeling extra spicy, add a dash of rum!)

To set a special occasion tone, create seasonal place cards inspired by falling leaves. It's a gracious tabletop touch that allows the hostess to create the perfect seating chart. Get the DIY details on crafting these little lovelies here.

An indulgent ending to the Thanksgiving meal is a given, and this is the perfect time to break tradition and think outside the pie. This spiced apple cobbler with pumpkin ice cream is brimming with fall flavors; serving it in individual footed compotes adds a dash of chic. Hop over to the menu to get this and a few of my other favorite Thanksgiving recipes...and I wish each of you a joyful day full of great food & counting your blessings!

*images: {row 1} martha stewart, betsy dunlap, rebecca thuss {row 2} martha stewart, instyle parties {row 3} 100 layer cake, skippy designs, williams-sonoma. table & buffet, instyle; cider, williams-sonoma; place cards, camille styles events.

BEAUTIFULLY BRONZED

My favorite shade of shimmer for the holidays this year isn't gold or silver...

It's a gorgeously rich shade of burnished bronze (and copper too!). I love it paired with neutral grey and cream, but it would pop so pretty with a traditional emerald green too!

*fedora by la cerise, copper chair at anthropologie, bronze ballet flats via j.crew, owl coin purse by kate spade, copper pillow by dwell

DREAMING OF A WHITE... HALLOWEEN!

With the possibility of a very big Halloween party in my near future, I'm finally getting in the spirit of the season and seeking out lots of fantastic inspiration to get me in the mood! My favorite so far? Trading in the traditional autumn color palate for... all white!

Love the way it looks with these natural textures and how easy would it be to incorporate into your current decor?

Of course a dash of sparkle never hurt either...

All this white has motivated me to rethink my costume choices as well...

A chic deconstructed mummy perhaps? I like...

*halloween decor images via sweet paul. editorial unknown.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: FRIGHT NIGHT!

Camille from Style Notes here, with a dose of wickedly glam festivity in today's Fantasy to Fête series. The moment I laid eyes on the fall Barneys New York catalog, I began dreaming of a party inspired by creepy curiosities and surprises at every turn...
The ominous tone of Deborah Turbeville's photography makes my imagination run wild with all kin
ds of spookiness. A palette of blood red and midnight sets the tone for a bewitching party theme; set a long communal table with dramatic flickering candelabras & flowers in black & white. (A bit Adams Family-esque, no?)

As a spin on tradition, provide a theme for costumes. At this dinner party, all the guests dressed like their favorite dead poet. If your friends are a little more fashion-focused, why not ask them to don the outfit they'd like to be buried in?

This black & white invitation by The Lettered Olive sets a macabre tone for an All Hallow's Eve soirée. Or opt for a more casual approach and send one of these frightfully cute online invites.

Decor inspired by skeletons & haunted mansions recalls scenes from an old horror film. Get the how-to on all-kinds of bone-chilling DIY decorations.

A cocktail buffet with a few tricks & a lot of treats is sure to lure guests into your chambers. Cocktails in jet black and garnished with cherry kisses are a sophisticated way to start the night; cozy bites like tomato soup sips with tiny grilled cheese are musts for chilly nights. Hop over to Style Notes for the full menu and recipes that are sure to bewitch all of your guests.

*images: deborah turbeville for barneys new york, fandango, the lettered olive, martha stewart living, instyle.