Entertaining Archives - Average But Inspired

May 17, 2017 by Bre

A Secret Garden Baby Shower

In just about a month I am going to become an AUNT for the first time in my life and I could not be more excited! My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby (a little girl whom they call Peapod for the time being (I think . . . who knows, maybe that will be her name upon arrival, too, if they take the celebrity baby naming route, that is.)). Although she’s not even here yet, my family is already spoiling Peapod, and we were so happy to celebrate her and her mama at a sweet Secret Garden Baby Shower at my mom’s house last month. Beautiful flowers, shades of purple and green, and butterfly accents set the scene for a joyous day.

Thank you to Minted for providing product used in this post. The opinions expressed herein are all my own! Also, this post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

To set the tone for this elegant shower, we chose these beautiful floral invitations from Minted. (I blocked out some of the personal information in these photos in case any of you were thinking of stalking me or my mom. ;-)). Not only is the design gorgeous, but the invitations had rose gold metallic accents that just made them shine. Even the envelopes were stunning! And I’m not going to lie; using Minted’s envelope addressing service was such a huge timesaver that I will never hand address a party invitation again if I can avoid it!

Every person who came to the shower or RSVP’d commented on these invitations and how beautiful they were. That has never happened to me before, so these definitely made an impression!

This secret garden baby shower fell right in the middle of my master bathroom makeover and about five-hundred-gazillion other family events, but I didn’t let the timing impact the effort put into the shower. Instead of DIY’ing the majority of decor, as I usually do, I just relied on outside sources like Minted to make it easier on me. Their Party Decor Suites (complete party decor packages), and Party Products made it easy for us to get a beautiful and cohesive secret garden look despite all of the other things going on in our lives!

Case in point . . . this customized Botanical Wreath Sign, in the same fonts and color scheme as the invitation, welcomed guests as soon as they arrived.

Once guests entered my mom’s living room / dining room area, they were met with a beautiful custom banner that read “Sweet Peapod.” So cute for the baby of honor! My sister-in-law plans to hang this banner in the nursery.

Adding to the day’s festivities was the bar area, complete with a signature cocktail (or mocktail for the mom-to-be).

The sticker straw flags were such a cute touch!

Round banner pieces used as giant confetti, and rhinestone butterflies added to the fun at the bar.

My mom has a giant picture window in her living room where the mom-to-be was opening presents, so I created a hanging flower garden with a giant stick from the yard and faux flowers. It looked so pretty in that window!

It made a great photo backdrop for a secret garden baby shower!

Beautiful flower arrangements in vintage baby vases (this pink one is my mom’s from when I was born!) . . .

baby socks tucked into floral garlands . . .

and cute planter bingo prizes were just some of the other decorative touches we used to pull this baby shower together.

And once the fun was done and everyone was saying their goodbyes, we gave them glass tubes filled with wildflower seeds so they could plant their own secret garden at home.

It was the perfect way to say thank you for a perfect day.

From the moment the invitations went out until the last person said goodbye, we made sure to make my sister-in-law feel special and know how much she and her new baby girl are loved. It was a beautiful baby shower that I think will not soon be forgotten by those who shared in the day with us. I’m glad I got to share it with you, too!

-Bre

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How to Host a Big Party on a Little Budget

October 3, 2016 by Bre

How to Host a Beer Tasting Party

Thank you to Cost Plus World Market for sponsoring this post! The beer tasting party ideas you’ll read about here are all my own! Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no added cost to you, should you purchase through them. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I am obsessed with country music. Literally . . . obsessed. I first discovered country music when some strange country music video channel suddenly became available on my parents’ non-cable TV. Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” was on all the time, and I remember loving that song (and Toby’s mullet), and watching the video through the grain and interference of our rabbit ear antenna TV. I was hooked!

My love for country music grew even more in the early 2000’s when the Dixie Chicks were turning Nashville upside down. I headed into a broadcasting major at college and got an internship at Milwaukee’s country radio station. It was the BEST! I was backstage at tons of concerts, meeting country artists, and having the time of my life.

I ultimately took a different career path, but to this day I can’t get enough country music! The first two presets on my car radio are country radio, and I’m working on turning my kids into mini country fans. Because of that, I’m super excited that “The CMA Awards” are airing again soon (on November 2, to be precise!). I love watching as the country music industry honors its best entertainers, and dozens of my favorite artists perform live on stage. It’s like some of my best friends come right into my living room for one night each year!

Now I’m not delusional. I know these country music superstars are not my friends, but I can share my love of country music with my REAL friends by hosting them for a beer tasting party while we watch “The CMA Awards”! Country music + beer = a guaranteed good time! If you want to have a good time, too, keep on reading for my five tips on how to host a beer tasting party of your own! And you’ll also be able to enter to WIN a trip to Nashville and tickets to “The CMA Awards”, plus a $1000 Cost Plus World Market gift card at the bottom of this post!

Five Tips for How to Host a Beer Tasting Party

Hosting a beer tasting party is a fantastic way to get your friends together because it’s a low-cost, low-stress, high-fun gathering! With these five tips, you can host a beer tasting party of your own during “The CMA Awards” or any other time, and your friends will love it.

Tip One – Simplify Your Shopping

I believe that the key to enjoying parties you host is keeping things simple! And that simplification starts with the planning and preparation process. Instead of being stressed out by making trips to several stores, get all of your beer tasting party shopping done at one store. I got everything I needed for my beer tasting party at Cost Plus World Market.

Cost Plus World Market has a huge selection of beers in so many different varieties. You’ll definitely find something to delight your guests’ tastebuds in their beer section. I chose the fantastic Local Brews 9-packs for my beer tasting party because I got a variety of different beers all in one package. Variety is important for a beer tasting party; it’s the whole point!

I was also able to buy lots of snacks for the party at Cost Plus World Market. Their Barkeeper’s Mix, Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels, and Flatbreads are the perfect items for guests to much on in between sips.

If you need any other entertaining essentials for your beer tasting party, you’ll also be able to find them at Cost Plus World Market. I cannot tell you how much easier this made my party shopping! I had both of my kids with me and was still able to finish all of my beer tasting party shopping in under 45 minutes. That’s incredible!

Tip 2 – Label, Label, Label

Beer tastings are often blind, meaning that the guests don’t know the brands or types of beer that they’re trying. If you want to host a blind tasting, simply cover the beer bottle labels with decorative paper and label them with some type of designator, such as a letter or number, so that guests can judge the beers they taste.

If that sounds like too much work, no worries! Leave your beers as they come and let guests knowingly pick which ones they want to try.

One type of labeling that definitely should be done is of your guests’ glasses! Who wants to accidentally drink from someone else’s glass? Gross, right? Chalkboard labeled glasses let guests keep their drinks straight. Plus they’re super cute (and wash up just fine in the dishwasher).

Tip 3 – Incorporate Simple Beer-Themed Decor

Since you want your beer tasting party to be low-stress, keep your decor on-theme but easy! My favorite decor item for this beer tasting party is glass beer mugs and country jar glasses filled with beautiful flowers.

I also took some simple brown kraft wrapping paper and used it as a runner on the coffee table. Since this is a beer tasting party celebrating “The CMA Awards,” it seemed appropriate to add some country music beer quotes to the runner! Let me tell you . . . there is no shortage of drinking songs in country music.

And of course, every beer tasting party needs a beer tasting score sheet! Let your guests keep track of their likes and dislikes by printing out these score sheets right here. (They’re free. You’re welcome.)

Tip 4 – Keep Your Guests Hydrated

In order to let your guests really enjoy the flavor of each beer you’re serving, make sure they are able to cleanse their palates in between selections! Keep fresh water easily accessible so that your guests can do this. Using a beautiful glass jug with a sealed lid will prevent spills at the bar, and decorative plastic tumblers will add a pretty look to your set up!

Having lots of fresh water available is also important for any designated drivers in the group!

Tip 5 – Have Some Entertainment

Although a beer tasting party is an event in and of itself, it’s a good idea to have some kind of entertainment happening to make sure your guests have a great time! Host your party during “The CMA Awards” and keep your bar nearby – the performances and award presentations will keep your guests happy! Or, download a great beer drinking playlist and pull out some board games. The point is to have fun and give your guests something to talk about, in addition to the beer they’re drinking!

Enter “The CMA Awards” Sweepstakes Presented by Cost Plus World Market

Now that you’ve got all the tips you need to host your own beer tasting party in honor of “The CMA Awards,” why not also enter to win some amazing prizes in The CMA Awards Sweepstakes presented by Cost Plus World Market?

You could win:

A trip for two to “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” this year in Nashville on November 2, 2016;
Accommodations at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville; and
A $1,000 Cost Plus World Market gift

Plus three first prize winners will receive a $500 Cost Plus World Market gift card!

Make sure to to enter to win RIGHT HERE by October 21, 2016.

Shop the Post – Get all of Your Beer Tasting Party Supplies

Whether you win the sweepstakes or not, you’ll definitely want to host a beer tasting party of your own! Scroll through to shop the beer tasting party supplies used in this post! Easy, right?

Make sure to watch “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” on Wednesday, November 2 at 8/7 central on ABC. In the meantime, here’s a little something to get you pumped up for it!

You know I’ll be watching with a cold beer in hand! Cheers, friends!

-Bre

February 16, 2016 by Bre

7 Tips for Hosting a Big Party on a Little Budget

If you’ve ever hosted a party then you know that a lot of work goes into it, and it can be stressful! Part of the stress can be paying for the party – it is NOT cheap to host a party! Last month my sister and I hosted my mom’s Kate Spade Inspired Birthday Party, and we did it on a major budget. Despite the fact that we weren’t working with a lot of cash, we still managed to put together a beautiful evening. And because of that, I thought I would share my seven best tips for hosting a big party on a little budget!

After you’ve read these tips, be sure to let me know if you have any others to add!

Tips for Hosting a Big Party on a Little Budget

Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

Tip 1: Save Money on Invitations

Invitations are clearly a necessity for any party. In addition to notifying your guests of the pertinent details, they set the tone of the event right off the bat. The good thing is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a good first impression!

Paper Invitations

If you are old school like me and enjoy sending printed invitations, check out Etsy for gorgeous, custom invitations that you can have printed at your local print shop. I ordered the invitations for my mom’s party from this shop on Etsy and paid just $9 for a fully customized file! I printed the invitations on cardstock at Kinko’s for around $15, and bought a 50-pack of envelopes at Michaels for around $3. They were beautiful invitations and I didn’t have to spend a fortune on them!

Of course the old standby evite is an option for e-mailing invitations, but there are some really beautiful electronic invitations with added bells and whistles that you can pay a small fee to send. I personally LOVE Greenvelope for electronic invitations because their designs are gorgeous, the tracking and reminder features are SO helpful, and it is a flat fee to send out as many invitations as you want. It’s a great way to send a pretty invitation via e-mail while saving some money.

Tip 2: Get a Headcount

I don’t know what it is with people these days, but getting them to RSVP to anything is like mission impossible. (That’s a rant I’ll save for another day though.) Anyway, when you’re hosting a party and concerned about costs, it is SUPER important to know exactly how many people will be there (or darn near close to exactly how many). Having a reliable headcount will help you not overbuy (or underbuy, for that matter), and consequently, may save you a lot of cash.

So if people aren’t responding to your invitation, don’t be afraid to reach out to them (probably by phone), and ask if they plan to attend (in a friendly way, of course)!

Tip 3: Use a Food and Beverage Calculator

Once you have a close to accurate headcount of party guests, use a food and beverage calculator to figure out exactly how much food and drink you should have at your event. This will save you so much money because you won’t be overbuying expensive food and especially alcohol!

I used this great reference from Chickabug in planning my mom’s party, and it was so helpful in helping me determine how much of each thing I needed to buy.

Tip 4: Buy in Bulk

If ever there were a time to use that Sam’s Club or Costco membership, this is it. I can assure you that from the research I did for my mom’s party, the prices on frozen and fresh appetizers, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), snacks, and meat (if you’re cooking for a dinner party), are cheaper than if you buy at your local grocery store.

Plus, buying in bulk and at once place saves you time and energy; both things that you need a lot of when planning a party.

As part of my planning process, I went to Costco one day and snapped pictures of all of the things I thought I might want to buy for my mom’s party. Then when I planned the menu I had exact prices and a good reminder of the foods and drinks that were available at Costco. It made the actual purchasing trip so much easier and efficient!

Tip 5: Stock the Bar with the Basics

If you’re serving alcohol at your party, I would recommend stocking the bar with the basics: beer, red wine and white wine. Then, plan a specialty cocktail of the night to have premixed and available for those guests who prefer a hard alcohol beverage to beer or wine. It will be a fun addition to the bar and allow you to forego purchasing many bottles of liquor that may or may not be consumed.

Photo courtesy of ProFlowers (www.proflowers.com)

Photo used with permission from ProFlowers (www.proflowers.com)

Tip 6: Borrow What You Don’t Have (or Thrift It)

Instead of buying things for a party like serving platters or bowls, table linens, extra seating, or glassware, why not see if your friends and/or family will let you borrow some of theirs? Chances are you’ll be able to round up enough of what you need without having to spend a cent.

And if you just can’t find someone to lend you something you need, check out your local thrift shop. You might be surprised what you’ll find there at a bargain price!

Tip 7: Search for Free Printables Online

There are TONS of free printable party decor packs available online. If you run a search in Pinterest for a particular party theme, you are almost guaranteed to come across pins that will lead you to free printable decorations (like banners, cake toppers, party signs, etc.), or accessories (like photo booth props, water bottle labels, etc.) I even have a good selection on my Pinterest Printables board. Printing some of these at home or at the print shop is a quick and inexpensive way to add some fun decor to any party!

{BONUS} Tip 8: Buy Party Supplies at a Discount Store

Discount stores, like dollar stores, can be a great source for party essentials like paper products and decorations. But be careful when purchasing because sometimes these products are not good quality. Check out my post on The Best Party Supplies to Buy at Dollar Tree (and Which Ones to Skip) for my go-to party supplies from Dollar Tree and what I’ve found to be a waste of money.

And there you have it – my tips for hosting a big party on a little budget! I hope these help you with your next big party. Also, let me know if you have any other suggestions for ways to save cash while throwing a fabulous party!

-Bre

I Bet You’ll Like These Party Ideas, Too!

How to Host a Beer Tasting Party

The Best Party Supplies to Buy at Dollar Tree (And Which Ones to Skip!)

January 11, 2016 by Bre

A Kate Spade Inspired Birthday Party

At the beginning of this month, my mom turned sixty. Let me tell you – sixty is DEFINITELY the new fifty (or younger). My mom looks great and is full of energy; nothing close to what I used to think sixty was like! Because of this, her birthday party had to be energetic and full of life . . . and so a Kate Spade inspired birthday party seemed fitting! It was a beautiful and fun event, and I’m so excited to share it with you today!

Weeks before the party, I mailed these adorable invitations that I found on Etsy. They set the tone for the event before guests even arrived! (Yeah, I blocked out the address and contact information here in case any of you wanted to stalk my mom or me. Safety first, people!)
On the day of the party, my sister and I worked hard to get everything looking so festive! I just love our little cake table in the family room.

I made the banner with my Silhouette machine and my sister helped assemble it. It was perfect for that spot!
Pink and gold candies flanked the cake, and of course a Kate Spade inspired birthday party needed lots of confetti!

Right before the guests arrived, we topped the cake with fresh cut gerbera daisies. So cute.
This garland “60” was a fun find for the foyer, and the fresh flowers with black and white striped ribbon were very “Kate.”

Balloons were also a must. I used gold envelope seals to create polka dots on this black mylar balloon. I kid you not – so many people commented on that polka dot balloon. It was a fun touch.

Small bouquets of fresh flowers all around the house – all tied with black and white striped ribbon – added a really beautiful and natural feel to the event.

We served lots of heavy appetizers throughout the night, and you should have seen me scrambling to keep the food coming. I was a sweaty mess. Thank goodness my sister was my right hand woman. Party hosting is not for the weak.

Of course the bar had to have some fun touches as well! Take this “60” that I made out of striped poster board and gold Christmas garland, for example.

And you know that a Kate Spade girl loves her some champagne – hence the “Pop, Fizz, Clink!” print in the corner.

It was a truly awesome night that I think my mom will remember for the rest of her life. I know I will!

I hope you had fun seeing these photos of the party decor. I wish I could show you more from the actual party, but I would probably have a lot of angry people coming after me. Let’s just say it was a FUN party and not much was left at the bar when it was over.

-Bre

November 17, 2015 by Bre

5 Tips for Decorating the Dining Room for Christmas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BIGSeason #BigLots #Collective Bias

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and I could not be more excited to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family and friends! Normally I’m a “wait until after Thanksgiving to deck the halls” kind of girl, but I realized that planning ahead and decorating (even a little bit), before Thanksgiving will mean less stress for me in December.

It was a snap to turn my dining room into an elegant winter wonderland with products from Big Lots, and to make it just as easy for you, I’m sharing five tips for decorating the dining room for Christmas.
My dining room transformation began one particularly cold and blustery morning here in the Windy City. I was not exactly in a good mood because of the nasty weather (hello, bad hair day), but as soon as my son and I walked into Big Lots, everything changed. It was like we stepped into a Christmas fantasyland! The entire back third of the store was filled with amazing holiday decor products that had me instantly feeling the spirit of the season. From table linens, to ornaments, to greenery, to home accents, to high-quality artificial Christmas trees and more – Big Lots had everything I needed to deck out my dining room in style and at a great price (and to kick my nasty mood to the curb!).

I was like a kid in a candy store! There was so much to choose from. Of course my son wanted me to add a giant pre-lit snowman and present stack to the cart. Sorry, bud – no life-size lawn decor in this dining room!

After finding the perfect items to transform my dining room, I could not wait to get all of my new Christmas decor displayed! So, yeah, I started decorating immediately. And honestly, I’m so glad I did! Having this one room decorated makes me feel like I’m so far ahead in the game and makes me instantly happy every time I walk in there!

I’m glad I decorated this room first because my mom’s dining room is where so many of my fondest Christmas memories have taken place. Sharing beautiful meals with those I love while soft lights twinkle and Christmas decor sparkles in the background is a part of every Christmas memory for me. To give future memories a proper setting, my own dining room had to be transformed into an elegant but festive space. I think I more than accomplished that with help from Big Lots, and I’m excited to share my tips on how you, too, can deck out the dining room this season.

1. Light it Up

A big part of the magic of Christmas is twinkling lights everywhere you look. Why not bring that into the dining room with an abundance of sparkle and candlelight?

If you’re clumsy like me and worried about setting the table or yourself on fire (um, yes, I have done that), then flameless LED candles are the perfect solution! I set my table with lots of subtly-sparkled LED candles and votives from Big Lots.

The glittery branch trees and evergreen garland I bought add even more glamour and shimmer to the table, even when it’s not dark outside.

Don’t limit the sparkle to the table, though! I carried the look throughout the room by adding these gorgeous lanterns and wine-colored LED candles near the tree.

The soft glow and ambiance the candlelight creates while reflecting off the glittery accent pieces will inspire family and friends to linger, and will make the dining room a memorable setting for the Christmas memories being made.

2. Set a Special Table

Since the table is the centerpiece of any holiday dinner, make it shine with special details like festive linens, unique place cards, and beautiful accessories.

These Christmas tree placemats I got at Big Lots are a wonderful way to bring Christmas to the meal in the absence of holiday china or tableware. With their ribbon and bell detailing, they’re a special addition to the table.

Unique touches like mini mason jar place cards filled with greenery cuts from Big Lots will also have guests smiling and feeling special.

And how about these cute new Santa salt and pepper shakers? I mean, come on. They’re adorable.

With a beautiful table set, guests will truly enjoy themselves at the holiday meal – even if the food is not very good (which is what happens when I host).

3. Say Yes to Swag

Adding swags to the backs of chairs elevates the look of any holiday dining room. I made these by tying together faux evergreen swags, ornaments and ribbon — all from Big Lots — and looping them through my chairs.

Make them personal to you and your family’s traditions by including ornaments that have meaning to you. The ice skates on my swags are a nod to my daughter’s obsession with ice skating. They’ll definitely be a conversation starter, which can certainly be helpful at some holiday meals! (Gah! I have to sit next to weird Uncle Bob again this year?!?)

4. Add a Tree

Beautiful evergreens are synonymous with Christmas, so why not bring one into the dining room? I’m not saying you have to lug the Griswold family tree in there (especially if your dining room is small like mine), but even a small tree will bring ambiance and joy into the room.

I was SO excited to find this 5 foot faux cashmere tree at Big Lots because it is the perfect size for my space. I also love that it is pre-lit and came with an adorable base so I didn’t have to buy my own or skirt the tree.

My kids are so excited to have a tree in the dining room, and I have to admit that I am, too. It is really beautiful to look at, and I know it will be especially beautiful during a lovely meal.

5. Pay Attention to the Little Details

To really complete a dining room’s transformation for the Christmas season, pay attention to the little details. One way to do that is to swap out regular artwork or wall hangings for Christmas art. I was so excited to find this wood-pallet lookalike art at Big Lots and knew it would be perfect in the dining room. It has subtle glitter accents that sparkle in the reflection of the tree light. Gorgeous!

Adding garlands and ornaments to other bare spaces also adds a festive touch.

You can also try emptying dishes and containers of their regular contents and substituting with sparkly ornaments of varying shapes and sizes. Put out seasonal candy dishes, too! They look cute on their own, and guests will love nibbling on sweet treats once you fill them with candy. The little details can be the easiest to take care of, but they really show you care.

I hope these tips help excite you for the holidays to come and give you some inspiration for your own Christmas home!

Once you start your decorating this year, you should definitely check out Big Lots for high-quality holiday and seasonal decor for both inside and outside of your home. And to get you even more prepared to create your own winter wonderland before you head to the store, check out Big Lots’ website and Christmas catalog for ideas, tips, and inspiration. Styles and assortment vary by store.

Now that you’ve seen my decked out dining room and read my tips for creating your own beautiful holiday dining space, which room are you planning to transform this Christmas?

-Bre

A Secret Garden Baby Shower

How to Host a Beer Tasting Party

Five Tips for How to Host a Beer Tasting Party

Enter “The CMA Awards” Sweepstakes Presented by Cost Plus World Market

Shop the Post – Get all of Your Beer Tasting Party Supplies

7 Tips for Hosting a Big Party on a Little Budget

Tips for Hosting a Big Party on a Little Budget

Tip 1: Save Money on Invitations

Tip 2: Get a Headcount

Tip 3: Use a Food and Beverage Calculator

Tip 4: Buy in Bulk

Tip 5: Stock the Bar with the Basics

Tip 6: Borrow What You Don’t Have (or Thrift It)

Tip 7: Search for Free Printables Online

{BONUS} Tip 8: Buy Party Supplies at a Discount Store

A Kate Spade Inspired Birthday Party

5 Tips for Decorating the Dining Room for Christmas

1. Light it Up

2. Set a Special Table

3. Say Yes to Swag

4. Add a Tree

5. Pay Attention to the Little Details

Stenciled Chair Seats – A Thrifty and Fun Kitchen Chair Makeover

Chalk Painted Drop Leaf Table Makeover

A Rifle Paper Co. Inspired Furniture Makeover

A Dated Powder Room Gets a Bold Makeover!