CasaSugar

Open House: How Are You Celebrating Halloween?

CasaSugar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:30:51 -0700

Whether you've been planning your costume or party for months, or are stuck for last-minute ideas, you should definitely get out there and celebrate tonight! At my house, we'll be waiting on trick-or-treaters (or trying to) and then heading to a friend's party in San Francisco for the evening. I still haven't decided on a costume, but I'm sure I can whip something up at the last minute.

So, what are your plans this evening? Are you taking your kids around for trick-or-treating? Attending a huge costume ball? Heading to a haunted house? Tell me all about it in the comments. Oh, and if you need some low-commitment, last-minute celebration ideas, check out these!

Source: Flickr User peasap

How To: Decorate With Paper Flowers

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:56 -0700

I recently ran across these gorgeous paper flowers from stylist Zoe Bradley. Zoe's paper creations have been seen everywhere, from the McQueen runway to the windows of Louis Vuitton and Donna Karan. While many of us will always prefer fresh flowers to paper ones, carefully crafted and displayed paper blooms, such as Zoe's, can make a huge visual impact. Imagine displaying them at a birthday party, baby shower, or even an outdoor wedding. I can see them hanging from trees, clustered in modern vases, or even tucked in party goers' chignons. Want to make some for your next soiree? See some of my favorite paper flowers.
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Steal of the Day: Glass Tealights With Garden Stakes

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:45 -0700

Ready to throw a garden party? With this set of Glass Tealights and Garden Stakes (originally $59.99, on sale for $29.99), your garden will be the hit of an evening party, as the glass tea lights gently illuminate its blossoms and greenery.

This set includes 12 powder-coated black metal stakes that are almost three feet high, and different colored glass tea light cups. They'd also look lovely illuminating a walkway at an evening wedding or reception. For extra garden party glamour, consider planting some moonflower seeds, which will bloom at night. Can't you imagine the night-blooming flowers twining up the garden stakes?

Do You Decorate With Streamers?

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:30 -0700

Today in Gunma, Japan, over 800 carp streams flutter over the Kanna River as part of the Carp Streamer Festival. The tradition originates from a folktale in which a carp becomes a dragon once it successfully swims up the waterfall. Do you hang streamers or bunting around your home to mark a celebration? If so, to decorate rooms or outdoor spaces?

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Cool Idea: Floating Flower Balls

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:45 -0700

This photo, which was taken at a destination wedding planned by Alison Events, took my breath away when I spotted it. The wedding, a black-tie beach wedding in Mexico, featured a giant floral arch that overlooked the ocean, tequila shot toasts, fireworks, and these stunning floating flower balls. I'm in love with the idea of covering the surface of a pool with these oversize floral decorations.
These flower balls would look great at an outdoor semi-formal party, too. Have you ever been to a celebration that used something similar?

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How-To: Clean Up After Your Holiday Parties

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:00:11 -0800

It's pretty standard for people to leave their holiday decorations up through New Year's, and even a couple weeks into January. And for those who decorate before Thanksgiving, that means the halls will be decked might a good two months. So, now that the guests have headed home and the presents have been unwrapped (and returned/exchanged, ha!), it's about time to start cleaning and packing up after months of hard partying. Unfortunately, your home can be hard hit by the slew these fêtes - if you're the hostess type. But, it's actually not such a daunting task to bring it back to good shape, with just a few steps. To learn the steps, check out this slideshow. Source

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Casa Verde: 5 Tips For a Greener New Year's Party

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:00:32 -0800

Celebrating the new year doesn't mean that you have to start 2009 with an extra large bag of trash. There are some smart ways that you can decorate and prepare for your party that will keep garbage to a minimum. What better way to start off the new year than with a clean and green conscience?

To see my tips, read more.

Use reusable cloth napkins and dishes, such as these CB2 Marilyn Plates ($ .95), which are made of melamine and can be reused at future parties in 2009.
Encourage your guests to carpool, or arrange to pick them up from the nearest public transit station, if one doesn't run close enough to your home for guests to walk.
Don't put away those holiday decorations yet! Reuse decorations, such as holiday ornaments, as chic centerpieces.
Make your own confetti out of old wrapping paper.
Encourage guests to make green resolutions for the new year.

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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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Have You Thrown a Holiday Party This Season?

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:00:45 -0800

Maybe your digs aren't as expansive as that of French president's wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who hosted the traditional Christmas party at the Elysee Palace yesterday, but that doesn't mean you can't throw a righteous holiday party yourself! Have you entertained this holiday season?

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Casa Quickie: Studio Resourcefulness

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:00:57 -0800

TeamSugar member CityGal is throwing a holiday party in her tiny New York City studio, which has French doors dividing her "bedroom" (only room for a bed) from her minuscule living room/oven-less kitchen. In other words, her party will be a little bit like the Flight of the Conchords episode when Jemaine throws a party in his new apartment: the empty cleaning closet.

No one's gonna rain on Citygal's party, though! She's created room for her guests by flipping her mattress on its end, which she'll conceal behind a curtain. This opens up the bedroom, making more space for the party-goers. You gotta do what you gotta do! If her trick's not for you, try my primer on maximizing space for a party.
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