GOODIES

elegance & sparkle


Sometimes we struggle with what style or theme we should have for a party, especially if it is really supposed to be "just dinner" as my husband would say. That is his way of saying please don't go overboard on this. So how do you do "simple and effortless" but still make it look stunning. This new collection that we have sourced from one of our favourite suppliers is exactly that ELEGANTLY ENTERTAINING. And when paired with the 8 essentials (see the GOOD NEWSLETTER ISSUE 1 article) you have the perfect table that can be used over and over again and suits most occasions.


IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP
Elegantly Entertaining Collection includes
Crackers
Napkin Rings
Lanterns
Votives
Table Gems

GOOD FUN

for keeps


A few weeks ago I joked that I should have a poster made for our showroom which proudly depicts our motto when it comes to ribbon: "CURLING RIBBON FREE ZONE". As I was browsing through my bookmarks I found this that I saved a while back that I knew would just be perfect for this. What do you think? Why not make your own KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON type poster here? We would love to see what you come up with!

GOOD NEWSLETTER

SNEAK PEEK OF ISSUE 15

GOOD NEWSLETTER

GOOD LOOKS

jasmine


Our next fairytale inspired bridal shower (or any party really) is inspired by the East, and will be an exotic alternative to the traditional type of girly get-together.

INVITATIONS

Spice up simple stationery with an intricate paisley design in rich red, orange, regal purple and gold tones.

DECORATIONS

Decorate the room like an Arabian Bazaar market with baskets, Oriental carpets, rugs and floor cushions for guests to sit on. Use a coffee table for your food and drinks.

Close the curtains, turn down the lights and decorate the room with coloured lanterns, and fill glasses and vases with coloured water and floating candles (use food colouring). Create the illusion of Arabian nights by hanging stars and a crescent moon from the ceiling.

Decorate with low-lying flower arrangements of orchids, lilies and chrysanthemums in jewel-toned colours. A few of these blooms can be placed in bowls of water and floating candles. Add a few peacock feathers or a peacock or two nearby and sprinkle a few of our table gems for the final regal touch.

MENU

Serve an exotic feast with grapes, carrot sticks, meat platters, Turkish breads and an assorted array of dips.  Pita bread, beans, dried fruits and nuts were all popular foods for desert nomads. You can either make the dishes yourself or order in from an authentic take away place.

Serve Moroccan tea in specialised glasses with lots of mint and sugar, these glasses can also be used as votive candleholders and make great party favours.

DRESS UP

Dress the bride up in a sari, or even just have her wear a pretty headscarf. For the guests give each one a bindi to wear.

FUN AND GAMES

Have a humbly bubbly for guests to try out.

Hire a belly dancer to entertain the crowd and teach the girls how to belly dance.

FAVOURS

For party favours give incense and/or burners or a little basket full of oils and candles. Or how about differently coloured paper fan each.

MUSIC

Buy the DVD, and have it projected onto a wall in the background, turn off the sound. Buy the CD and play the original soundtrack from the movie. Also consider getting hold of other Eastern music to create an authentic atmosphere.

GUESTBOOK

Have a golden lamp and ask guests to make a wish for the bride on a slip of paper, and put this inside the lamp, not forgetting to give it a few rubs.


VISIT IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP for star lanterns, fans, paper lanterns, votive holders, table gems and peacocks.

GOOD WORDS

places please


Often when I read party books or am in conversation with party professionals, I find that certain words are banished about and I have no idea what they mean. I would never admit it though, so am quick to google it the first opportunity that I can. So I figured you probably feel the same way, so we have decided to start a little blog segment called GOOD WORDS that basically defines all this weird and wonderful words that real people don't really use.


For starters: ESCORT CARDS. When I first heard this I thought it was a euphemism for "you-know-who"'s business cards, but in fact these are actually popular and widely used in overseas weddings. So what are Escort Cards?

These are cards that are used to inform your guests of their assigned table.

The wording that you would use on each card is the guests' name and then table number 1 (or the table to which they have been assigned). The way that you would address the cards would be

Christine Laidlaw - the full name of your single guest

Mr. & Mrs. Liam Gallagher - for a married couple

Sam Laidlaw & Guest - if an invitee has brought with them a guest whose name you do not know

The most common way that escort cards are displayed is as tent cards on a table outside of the reception hall in which the wedding reception will be held.

You will want to display the names in alphabetical order so that the cards are easy for your guests to find.

There are many creative ways to display these cards, in fact that is even if you use cards at all.

Here are some new favourites that I spotted over at Martha Stewart inspired by the four seasons:

And this one would be perfect for our Bride in Wonderland GOOD LOOKS bridal shower party in this month's issue of the GOOD NEWSLETTER.

IMAGES: MARTHA STEWART

GOODS FOR NOTHING

love design


Our love design available for free download here is not just for Valentine's Day, why not do something similar to one of our Real Brides featuring in this month's Good Newsletter and make t-shirts for you and all of your retinue - great for the bridal shower, bachelorette, rehearsal, pre wedding day set up or even post wedding day brunch!

SOMETHING GOOD

love the mo


If you missed our Movember Good Life Party back in our November issue you can still check it out. And why not have these numbers make an appearance at your weddings or next big occasion. They are sure to be a hit with both young and old!

IMAGES: NOTAWEDDING AND TIFFANY BIRD

SOMETHING GOOD

dainty doilies


Don't tell your grandmother but doilies are high fashion! Stitch together the real thing and make a pretty table runner. 

Or use as "plate chargers" for cute place settings. And my personal favourite string them up to make a pretty garland. 

How about using these from our TEA TIME range, they would perfectly match our fruit cups from the other day, or imagine in these retro red spots (this set of 72 is arriving shortly in our shop).

IN GOOD COMPANY SHOP

TEA TIME DOILIES

40 x printed doilies, 20 each of 2 sizes. 

Size: 21cm and 26cm

R60 for the set

IMAGES: THE SWEETEST OCCASION and A FIELD JOURNAL

IN GOOD HANDS

oscar part II


Yesterday, we blogged about Kathleen from Twig & Thistle and her amazing Oscar Party free downloads, well she promised more, and boy did she deliver. Not only are their ballot sheets, but these cute bag toppers and an amazing idea for an easy Candy Girl tray. What a great idea and not just for an Oscar Party, this could easily be done for any type of occasion, so why not use it at your next Cocktail Party - all you need are some trays, ribbon and some willing helpers!

IMAGES: TWIGANDTHISTLE.COM

good as new

bocce anyone?

Eventhough Spring is officially the 20th March, it is in the air as we briefly saw a few rays of sunshine today in Luzern. And every European was taking advantage of it with scores and scores of people walking down by the lake, if you didn't know better you would have thought a procession was on. 


What I really loved seeing was the old gentlemen shining up their bocce balls after being dormant for the winter and getting in some early practice before the season hits in. A very serious one at that.


And if you are like me who is always thinking parties then this is a great game to play after a nice lazy Sunday lunch, and bocce has even been known to make appearances at wedding cocktail hours too. Why don't you hire our set the next time you are hosting a garden party.


IN GOOD COMPANY AS GOOD AS NEW
Bocce Set
R30 for hire

GOOD LOOKS

In our upcoming issue of the GOOD NEWSLETTER we have three fabulous GOOD LOOKS one of which is Bride in Wonderland. In addition we suggest another six fairytale inspired bridal showers. Here on our blog we are going to share more good ideas for each one of those variations as well as here is a blog exclusive of our version of a FROG PRINCE REHEARSAL DINNER.

kiss me quick!

“Open the door, my princess dear,

Open the door to thy true love here!

And mind the words that thou and I said

By the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade.”

- Frog Prince

INSPIRATION

Once a Upon a Time

Every girl’s wedding is a fairytale dream come true, so celebrate your favourite story in one of your wedding parties. Our theme was based on the Frog Prince tale, and was brought to life in a rehearsal dinner tablescape. This theme would work equally well for an engagement party or a bridal shower.

INVITATION

Here Ye Here Ye!

Inspired by the waterlily pond where the Frog Princess and Princess first encountered, this TINY PRINTS invitation was printed on glossy paper and sent to guests for the wedding rehearsal dinner.

DECORATION

Display

As the fairy tale goes, the princess and prince frog meet at the fountain in the palace gardens. For the venue decorations and table setting, a modern palette of white, green and silver was used. In addition to basic white linen, white tableware and clear glassware, special themed touches were added. Such a display requires only a few table additions, so an excellent option for a party hosted at a restaurant.

Miniature green wreaths decorated in white pearls and ribbon were wrapped around white candles and candlestick holders.

Green topiary balls were placed on white glass small vases.

Silver mirror balls were placed down the centre of the table to reflect on the “golden ball” that started the princess and from love affair!

White ceramic crowned frogs and silver crown decorations were sourced to reinforce the theme.

Silver crown napkin rings were wrapped around white linen napkins and silver square place card holders held waterlily place cards detailing the guest’s name and bridal party role.

MENU

Green Supreme

Green inspired food and drinks  suggestions include: Mojitos and Pimms cups, watercress cold soup, meat dish with fresh green salads  and for dessert peppermint crisp pudding. The highlight of the dinner will be a groom’s cake featuring one of these gorgeous cake toppers!

"Almost Perfect . . . Frog Prince" Groom Figurine

Here is a slightly quirky twist on the classic Fairytale story about the Princess who kissed the frog. Still with the tell-tale lipstick on his cheek, our Prince Charming is almost perfect except for two little "green feet" that reveal his true origins. Oh well . . . you love him just the same! Hand painted porcelain.

Frog Prince Groom

R285 each

Exasperated Bride

R285 each


Princess Bride Kissing Frog
R425 each

FUN AND GAMES

Kissing Booth

Set up a makeshift area to take photos of guests – take a photo of all the girls kissing a plastic or soft toy frog, and then another photo replacing the frog with their significant other sporting a crown!  These photos will be perfect for guests to take home and to include in a guestbook.

Fairy Tales Dreams Traditional Guest Book
R425 each

FAVOURS

Novelty Frog Prince Candle in Gift PackagingNEW

You've found your Prince Charming and the two of you are destined for a Happily Ever After. Here is a perfect favor to express your Fairytale beginning. This totally kissable frog prince candle sits atop a regal throne and is all set for presentation. Add additional charm with a personalize sticker that reads "Happily Ever After" or "Kiss Me" each sold separately.

R50 each

Frog Prince Charming Key Rings

For those who believe in Fairytale Weddings, these key rings will fit perfectly as your favor. Co-ordinate with a stylish silver slipper for the female guests, and choose this charming Frog Prince for the guys. A classic keyring with a touch of magic.

Frog Prince Key Ring

R35 each

Once Upon a Time Stickers

R5.50 each

Crown with Crystals Wine Stoppers

Give your guests a wedding favor with regal flair. This elegant King Crown Wine Stopper even includes the mandatory crown jewels (well . . . crystals). Pair with our Queen Crown Wine Stopper for a great couple's gift that will add royal sparkle to their "castle" when taken home. The Wine Stopper comes ready for presentation in a gift box with an enchanted design that includes the ribbon and small tag.

R35 each

GIFTS

It is customary to give the wedding party gifts at the rehearsal dinner so here are some regal options:

"Crown Princess" Compact Mirror

Treat your gal pals like the princesses they are and give each their own crown with this "royal" compact mirror. Mirror has raised crown, white epoxy, nickel and faux pearl detail (iron/zinc alloy).

R355 each

Silver-Plated Pocket Watch

Give the groomsmen gifts they will really appreciate with our Silver-Plated Pocket Watch. This unique gift offers the sophisticated elegance that a wristwatch simply cannot match. Crafted of a clean silver-plated setting, this pocket watch features a handsome chain, Quartz face watch and free personalisation.

Size: Measures 5.6cm by 4.2cm with a 30cm chain. 


Materials: Silver-plated setting and Quartz

Engraving Options: 
The Silver-Plated Pocket Watch may be engraved with up to three block initials at no additional cost.

Custom order

in good hands

and the oscar goes to...


The stage is set for the 82nd Academy Awards on the 5th March, so get together a group of your friends and stay up late to see who gets to take him home. The other day I mentioned their should be some sort of PARTY AWARDS, well this reaffirmed in that I would definitely nominate Twig & Thistle up there with the best of them. Tune into her blog today and tomorrow for her DIY take on an Oscars Party at home- and once again she is offering some fab. free downloads.

GOOD HOUSE

wonderwall

It has been a while since we mentioned our GOOD HOUSE. Well, I have been totally inspired to let you in on one of the plans when I saw it so beautifully executed in this photo. If ours can look as half as nice as this then I will be smiling!

We are hoping to fill the lounge wall with framed photos, and other mixed mediums like they have done here, especially our white wooden letters. This idea we are also hoping to make work equally well for our Baby & Kids expo stand.

Speaking of which, we were helping out with a baby shower last week, and look what was bought as a present for the new little boy's nursery!

GOOD LOOKS LIST

linen alone


Way back when we introduced a blog segment called the GOOD LOOKS LIST - a basic TO DO list of what to do when planning a party. And so when it comes to the TABLE the first thing that my mind triggers is LINEN. This is something that I do not take lightly as this is one area where if you do right you might not have to do anything else in terms of table decor.


Like if you are on a very strict budget; maybe it is for one of many parties that you are hosting, a rehearsal dinner or post wedding brunch on top of the actual wedding, then here is were you should focus. Usually you would be persuaded to go with the standard all white cloth and napkin route, but stop for a moment and consider maybe if you pick a bright and colourful tablecloth, you can then literally add standard tableware and one medium size vase of one coloured flower. Don't believe me - look at these tables and tell me it is not a good look!

IMAGES: STYLEMEPRETTY