CasaSugar

DIY: Wine Cork Placecard Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:36:07 -0700

I spotted these Wine Cork Placecard Holders ($23.95) at Bright and Bold, which are actually made of resin, and thought they'd make a fabulous and simple DIY for a bridal shower brunch (or any other event). It's kind of a sad fact that these are being mass produced, but we won't get into that. I'm sure most guests would get a kick out of them, especially my girlfriends who are staunch wine fans. If you can handle drinking a few bottles of wine to save up for this DIY, then I think you'll be in the clear, supply-wise. But, you can also have cork stoppers special ordered from an industrial retailer and personalized with "Mrs. X" or "Angie & Brad" etc.

Supplies:

1 wine cork per place setting
Razor blade or X-acto (craft) knife
Cardstock
Calligraphy pen
Optional: Hot glue gun and magnet strip

To hear the steps, read more.

Here's how:

Using the razor blade or craft knife, slice off one side of the cork lengthwise, so it can lay flat on the table. Make sure to use a fresh (sharp) blade, otherwise the cork may crumble.
Then, with the cork set flat on the table, make a slice down the middle lengthwise, but not all the way through.
Cut the cardstock to a rectangular shape (or a fun shape) a bit larger than the width of the cork.
Scribe your guests names using a calligraphy pen.
If you like, you can hot glue a magnet strip to the bottom of the cork placecard holder. If your table happens to be metal, this will keep it in place and weighted down. If not, you can slip an adhesive magnet under your table cloth to make sure it stays in place.

You can also use this cork placecard holder to display photographs or your bridal shower invites at the center of each table. I love the recycling factor of this DIY, but if you'd like to have your corks personalized, some retailers include Manton, Widget, and Amorim.

The Card Shop: Vegas Bachelorette Invites

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:00:41 -0700

I must preface this post by saying, "Yes, this invite is rather kitschy." But, Vegas is kitschy too, so I whole-heartedly embrace it! Despite the rhinestones, the Beyond Design Custom Vegas Bachelorette Party Invitation ($4.75) is actually well-designed, affordable, and seems to be good quality. The custom invitation includes the invite with ribbon, poker chip and matching envelopes, and you have the option of having custom poker chip necklaces made for an additional $12. But, honestly, I'd save the extra 12 bucks for the slot machines! Would you send this for a friend's Vegas bachelorette party?

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Who Designs Your Nuptial Décor?

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:15:45 -0700

You may not be a DIY bride but you probably enjoy being involved in most of the details of your wedding day. There are some engaged gals, though, that leave it all (invites, floral arrangements, color scheme, tablecloths, etc.) up to a wedding planner (or their moms). Take this poll and let me know where you fall in the bunch.
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The Card Shop: A Botanical Bridal Shower

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:40 -0700

I love this set of bridal shower invitations ($14.50 for a set of 12), in part because it reminds me a little of my recent trend alert. The design is simple, classical, and absolutely beautiful. Just send in the details of your bridal shower, and within a few days you'll have your invitation sent to you. You can specify numbers of invitations, and they'll be printed on 100% recycled card stock with matching envelopes. I have a bridal shower coming up myself, and I think I may have found the perfect card . . .

How-To: Save Money on a Vacation House This Summer

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:00:20 -0700

While most of us have been tightening our belts when it comes to Summer vacations, there are still ways to fit in a getaway before Labor Day arrives. Even if it's just an overnight trip, you'll still reap the benefits of getting away from it all, falling asleep to the sound of crickets or waves, and lounging on the beach for a day. Think it's out of reach? See my tips for saving money on a vacation house when you read more.

Get a little help from your friends. If you've got a crew of friends or family who you wouldn't mind spending a weekend with, turn your romantic getaway for two into an all-out friends frenzy. Look for a large house through Vacation Rentals by Owner and then split the cost with your friends. The final price tag can be surprisingly small when it's split among several parties.
Try Home Exchange. Do you own your home? Then register it with Home Exchange. Essentially, the service allows you to trade your home with that of another party. For instance, if you lived in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, you could trade your hip home with that of someone living beachside in Capitola. No money required! It's simply a home switch-a-roo.
Be flexible. Do you have a flexible work schedule, or do you work on weekends? You're much more likely to get a cheaper rate on a cottage or bed and breakfast if you travel mid-week. Make sure to ask about mid-week specials when calling to inquire about a particular vacation cottage.
Try roughing it. If all else fails, why not try camping? Many of our country's state and national campgrounds are located on gorgeous beaches or lakes - perfect spots for beating the heat on a hot July day. If you can't stand the thought of a tent, you could borrow a friend's pop-up camper or charming vintage trailer, and park it at an RV-approved camping site.

Anyone else have other ideas for cheap vacation homes? Share them in the comments!

7 Steps to Becoming Your Own Decorator, Step 2: Abide by Your Lifestyle

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:00:27 -0700

Yesterday I kicked off my seven steps to becoming your own decorator series with step one. As you might have suspected, I'm back with more tips. My second important tip for you is that you must abide by your lifestyle. As much as we may swoon over the interiors in shelter magazines, the rooms we fall head over heels for aren't always practical for our lives. So, you must alter your inspiration to fit your lifestyle.To learn what I mean by this, read more.

Start by thinking about how you and your family live your lives before you step foot in a décor store. Do you have six kids who always have friends over for dinner? Do you need a landing strip to organize all of your junk when you walk through the door?

Even if you dream of throwing weekly dinner parties, if you spend most nights eating takeout and watching movies on the sofa, you should be honest about where your priorities lie. Do you have hobbies that need accommodating? Build your home for your life, not the one you wish you had.
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In the News: Celebs Losing Big Bucks on Their Dubai Digs

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:00:17 -0700

As you know, the effects of the credit crunch are being experienced worldwide. Even some of the world's wealthiest celebs are being hit hard. Celebrities like the Beckhams, Michael Jackson, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are losing $110,000 a week as the value of their luxury Dubai villas crashes. For the last few years, stars have been snatching up vacation properties in Dubai like kids at a candy store, many at the World Islands developments, a series of artificial peninsulas in the Persian Gulf shaped like continents. A slew of British soccer players, Beckham included, bought six-bedroom villas for around $1 million for in 2002, which quadrupled in value over the past six years. They've since lost millions as Dubai was hit by a housing market crash in October. I'd assume that Brad Pitt's plans to design an eco-friendly hotel in Dubai have also threatened by the economy. While I certainly don't wish this sort of financial loss upon anyone, it doesn't seem like any of the celebs in question are actually struggling to make do, so I won't be throwing any pity parties.
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David Tutera's New Year's Eve Entertaining Tips

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:30:32 -0800

When it comes to advice on throwing your New Year's Eve party this week, look no further than party planner David Tutera, who’s planned star-studded events for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, and Star Jones, to name a few. He's given me a few tips on ringing in the New Year with your cohorts in style.

Create a sexy centerpiece. Tutera recommends using "every glass you own - martini glasses, wine glasses and champagne stems martini glasses, wine glasses and champagne stems - and place them down the center of your table filled with water." Then, he says to "add drops of pink food coloring in varying amounts so that there are different shades in each glass," and float votives in each glass for a colorful, sparkling centerpiece.

To hear a few more of his tips, read more.

Start the year by giving back. Tutera suggests asking guests to "Bring Their Own Donation," such as old blankets for animal shelters and money for saving the rainforest, instead of drinks or dishes.
Ring in the New Year right. Great minds think alike; like Yours Truly, Tutera suggests making your own confetti from scraps of colorful paper around your home. But, in his twist, you should, "add in inexpensive sequins or even small pieces of coordinating fabric and package them in small bags or cones for guests to throw when the ball drops." He also suggests tying "a small bag of hand-made confetti to each champagne glass that you pass out."
A low-cost party game. Tutera suggests creating a resolution board "from a framed mirror to a fabric covered piece of foam core," and placing it at your front door, inviting guests to share their resolutions. I say: save your resolution board and check in with your guests in three months and see how well they've followed through!

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How-To: Be the Hostess With the Eco Mostess

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:00:38 -0700

Want to learn how to make your Summer soirees a little more eco friendly? Elizabeth Rogers, the best-selling author of The Green Book, recently gave me some tips for throwing parties that won't negatively impact the planet. So many times when we're busy organizing a backyard bash or a big dinner party, we forget the impact that all of our disposable cups and plastic party favors can have on the environment. But not to fear! Just because you're keeping the earth in mind doesn't mean that your party has to be any less fun. In fact, it can be even more so - and these tips are even budget friendly! Elizabeth recommends that, "While preparing for your party, stop by a local swap meet or thrift store for fun vintage items you can reuse all summer long."

Want to hear Elizabeth's smart entertaining tips? Then read more.

Instead of running through dozens of plastic cups and paper plates, vintage glass-wear and dishes found at swap meets, will add a unique touch to your dinner party. Using dishes already in existence instead of buying brand new ones or disposable is 100% eco friendly. Plus they can be reused all summer long, saving you upwards of $100 in disposable paper, plastic and Styrofoam products.
Approximately 70 million bottles of water are drunk in America everyday and, because petroleum is used to manufacture these bottles, the impact on the environment is significant. For your party use vintage glass pitchers filled with filtered water. My favorite is PUR because it adds an extra level of filtration, so it has a crisp taste. Your guests will love the vintage feel, and you’ll be saving yourself the cost of buying all those plastic water bottles.
Vintage tablecloths and napkins, found on your swap meet excursion, are a more fashionable way to set your table than paper or plastic throw-away table covers. Antique lace will lend a summery elegance to your party, and after a quick spin through the washing machine it will be ready for your next soiree. Paper napkins and paper towels are two of the reasons paper waste in the US has jumped from 30 million tons to 84 million tons a year since the '60s. So, as well as being more durable, cloth napkins will prevent your party from ending in the trash.
Centerpieces are a sophisticated finishing touch, when decorating for your party. Instead of buying cut flowers that travel in gas-guzzling cooler trucks, and will be wilted and gone before the end of the week, potted plants are a beautiful alternative. Potted orchids require little care and will look stunning in your home after the party has ended. The cost of purchasing several potted plants for your table tends to be less than purchasing bouquets of cut flowers from a florist or the grocery store, plus the flowers will be ready to shine again at your next party.
Light your party with soy candles in Mason jars. You’ll save on electricity, plus soy candles don’t emit carbon or smoke as they burn and purchasing soy candles supports soy farmers. Mason jars, have been used for canning since the 1850’s and these antique glass jars can be purchased for a few dollars at local flee markets. The soft candlelight will lend a charming Midsummer Night’s Eve quality to the evening.

For more excellent tips, as well as to learn more about Elizabeth and The Green Book, check out her website.

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Casa Quickie: Wine Cork Place Card Holder

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:00:00 -0800

If you're anything like me, there are already a plethora of wine corks laying around your home this season. So, if you'll be hosting a holiday dinner party this week, why not put them to good use and turn them into place card holders? Use a standard dinner knife to slice a shallow slit into the length of a wine cork or the width (top) of a champagne cork. Then, write your guests' names on pieces of decorative paper or place cards, and slide them paper into the slot. Voilà! A festive, recycled place card holder that you can reuse at your next dinner party!