GOOD ADVICE - Dessert Table Design Tips

desset table design
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OUR TOP TEN TIPS FOR CREATING A DESSERT TABLE ON A BUDGET

1.     THEME IT

Have a distinct theme for your table; ours was all about Milk and Cookies – this will give you a clear direction and prevent the situation of trying too much and therefore spending too much.

2.     COLOUR COMBO

Pick a monochrome/two colour palette – here we stuck to red, green and white as a base colour. By limiting your colour palette to only a few colours your table immediately looks stylish and it makes shopping decisions so much easier.

3.     PRINTABLE PARTIES

Use an off the shelf printable party for your co-ordinating labels, pennant bunting, food flags, bottle wrappers etc. Ours in our shop are only R50!

4.     BEG, BORROW AND STEAL

Hire or borrow as much as you can – here we hired the table cloth, runners, tiered stand, glass jars, red tin buckets and topiary balls (In Good Company has most of these items – and everything we used would be less than R200 for the weekend!).

 

5.   TIERED TRUIMPH

The secret to making your table look visually appealing is to create height. By adding boxes or overturned crates and using different sizes of glass jars and containers, you fill up the space without having to spend a lot of money. The most costly item on any dessert table is the dessert items themselves, so by displaying the items creatively, you are showcasing the treats without having to bulk up on them.

6.   SUPERMARKET SWEETS

Plan your menu that is mostly made of store bought sweets and treats: chocolates, candies, cookies bought from the shops will work out so much cheaper than having these specially made by a baker. The trick is to repackage and decorate the goodies that will make them stand out and look less “commercialised”. For example sweets were placed in glass jars decorated with name tags and ribbon bows, cookies lined in little wooden baskets and labels were cut off mini milk bottles and the red lids decorated with ladybird stickers.

7.      PLAIN PARTYWARE MADE PRETTY

Buy inexpensive plain partyware and make it match the theme by using the printable party circles on paper cups, plates, paper napkins etc.

8.      TEA TIME

Schedule the party between meals that way the dessert table is the main event, and you do not have to cater for a full menu that would be expected at a mealtime.

9.      ONE SIZE FITS ALL

By making your table fit both the drinks and food, you need only have to decorate one table and it will automatically look full even though you don’t have tons of food and drink options.

10.    COUNT THE CROWD

Cater to your crowd – confirm your guest numbers exactly that way you don’t have to buy extra “just in case”. 

 

Do you have a good dessert table design tip? Do share...

GOOD ADVICE - Patone Colours of 2015

bring on the blues

Last year, I was totally convinced that the Patone Colour of the Year would be Dazzling Blue, but I was wrong and it ended up being Radiant Orchid. I have to say though I do think it should have been blue, I just never really felt that the purple caught on. Patone have already revealed the colours for 2015, which one of these do you think should be the one? I am still sticking with the Classic Blue, and in fact am already incorporating a lot of the blue in my house, wardrobe and potentially Christmas! Fingers crossed I am right.

 

GOOD ADVICE - Pantone Spring 2014 Colours

dazzling blue

I always get excited when I hear the "trendy" colours announced by Pantone. And I have to say I kind of expected the Dazzling Blue. Largely, because last year there were rumours that the Colour of the Year 2013 would be Monaco Blue but instead it was Emerald Green. And ever since then, I have noticeably seen a lot of this deep blue in the latest autumn offerings of fashion houses like Zara and H&M - and interiors always seems to follow suit...

I am already planning what parties to do in this bold hue, and alongside the other colour suggestions. So nice to see that lilac and mint green are still favourites - and I do think bright yellow and blue make such a good mix. What do you think? Will these colours affect your next party or even your wedding celebration?

GOOD TO KNOW - First Day of School

schulkind

As the Summer Holidays come to end, and a new year has already started there only leaves a few days to get ready for school. And whilst for many kids it is just a "step-up", it is also a very exciting and new time for the first-time goers! 

One of the traditions that I love in Germany (and the German region here in Switzerland) is that the first day of Primary School/"Grundschule" (Thanks Bianca! I originally had it written here as Kindergarten) is a real big deal. So much so, that all working parents has official leave for the day and get to spend the morning with their kids at "big school". And the kids are spoilt by their parents or grandparents with a big cardboard cone, prettily decorated and filled with toys, chocolates, sweets school supplies, and various other goodies. 

What a fun tradition to follow, and to make this anxiously awaited first day of school a little bit sweeter.

GOOD ADVICE - Colour of the Year 2013

emerald

What a surprise, and here we thought it would be Monaco Blue, but instead Pantone opted for a shiny jewel of a colour: Emerald. 

And to be honest I am relieved! I wasn't sure how much I liked the blue, and I was trying to convince myself it would look good with baby pink and the traditional nautical combination with red. But now I can easily put all those colour combinations behind me for a much loved colour that pretty much goes with everything!

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

 

Check out the Pantone website for more details...

GOOD ADVICE - Table Centrepieces

centre attraction

One of the most important aspects of a party are the centrepieces, and unfortunately they also seem to take up a big chunk of the budget. Here are a few tips that I find helpful when planning them:

1 - Multiply

Instead of having one large centrepiece (like one big flower arrangement) consider rather having a "collection" of items (lots of little arrangements in small vessels). This has the advantage of having to use less blooms and you are more likely not to need a professional to do the arranging.

2 - Think Outside the Box

It is very trendy at the moment to incorporate other elements into your arrangements, so not just the typical bowl of blooms. Think about incorporating potted flowers, crates, shells, feathers, candles, props that suit the theme, wooden/metal letters, framed pictures/table numbers and I love this idea of using biscuit tins!

3 - Make a Difference

I love this trend that is Amy's signature look, don't have all your arrangements the same. Decide on three different ideas but all with the same style and colours. The advantage of this is that you you are more likely to find enough of each of the varied elements instead of trying to get everything matchy match.

4 - Double Duty

One of the "saddest" things I see at weddings are all of those beautiful flower arrangements left to wilt at the end of the party. Make a point of leaving a little note card at each guest's place setting who you wish to take home the arrangement (this is a great way to thank guests who helped with your function). The advantage of having lots of little arrangements is that these can be your favours for all your guests.

5 - Edible Displays

Consider "beefing" up your centrepiece by adding little extras that are actually edible. Even the most traditional table setting could do with a little bowl of after dinner mints. If it is a casual event consider fresh fruit, vegetables or a jar of bread sticks. And for an afternoon tea fill tiered tea trays with the menu of sandwiches and cupcakes and place a few blooms in between.

Also check out all these centrepiece ideas here.

GOOD ADVICE - Colour

tangerine tango


Yeah! It's official TANGERING TANGO is the Pantone* Colour of 2012! I think it is going to be fun to see it pop up everywhere and I am particularly excited about using this hue in our Autumn/Winter Weddings Catalogue coming out in March 2012. Are you going to use it for a party or in a room?

* Pantone LLC, is the world-renowned authority on color. Pantone’s color systems—used in digital and print publishing, fashion, plastics, architecture, interiors, and paint—are the standard languages for accurate color communication.

GOOD ADVICE - Did You Know?

colin cowie


One of the world's best party planners, Colin Cowie has just launched his new Wedding Website and it is a wonder! It has great advice for everything from the gown to the guest list to the cake and cocktails. I particularly enjoyed the bit about the "Anatomy of the Ceremony".

p.s. Did you know he is South African?

GOOD ADVICE - Party School 101

colours for 2012


If you are planning a wedding or any big event, one of the most important decisions you will make will be the colour palette. If you don't have a favourite or just need a little bit of guidance - then check out the just released Patone Spring Colour Report 2012. Here it lists what will be the "in" colours, and looking at this stunning range I think many a bride will be delighted with the choices. 


My personal favourite is the yellow Solar Power, and my fingers are crossed that it will be the Colour of 2012 - what do you think?

GOOD ADVICE - Party School 101

keep them apart


I love flowers, and never really realised that I actually know the names of quite a few (thanks mum!). None the less I am by no means an expert or even really a novice but I have picked up a few flower tricks along the way especially when it comes to throwing a party without a florist.


My favourite trend, and now confirmed by Martha Stewart, is to arrange flowers all of the same colour palette together, but to limit one type and one colour of flower to each small vessel, and then to sit them all closely together. This works especially well for "supermarket" flowers that are usually looked down upon: think chrysanthemums, baby's breath and carnations. And by eliminating all leaves, packing the blooms in tight bunches and the buds close to the rim of the vessel - you really do have a designer arrangement without the designer price tag.

MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS

GOOD ADVICE - Did You Know?

cocktails anyone?

Preparing for a Halloween cocktail party, or any cocktail party always sounds like a good idea, and then you make a trip to the bottle store and are dumbfounded as to what you should get and how much. The last thing you want is to run out mid-party – and do you really want to spend a small fortune that no one ends up drinking (I swear I still have champagne left over from Zara’s baptism and that was nearly 4 years ago!).

IMAGE: HOSTESSWITHTHEMOSTESS

So here are some quick and easy tips to help you; but as everyone is different you may also wish to add a particular favourite that you or your friends enjoy:

Stock a Two-Bottle Bar

Bottle 1: Vodka - it is so versatile, you can serve it on the rocks or mix it with any kind of juice, soda or tonic.

Bottle 2: If it is spring/summer go for Gin or Rum and if it is autumn or winter, Scotch or Whiskey.

Quota Per Person

Signature Cocktail - 2 and half drinks

Additional Liquor - Half a drink

Additional Wine or Beer – 1 and half drinks

Liquor Calculator

A jug of a signature drinks makes 15 - 20 drinks

One 750ml bottle of additional liquor makes 12 – 15 drinks

One bottle of wine is 6 drinks

One bottle of beer is 1 drink

In addition buy mixers (tonic, club soda, cola, diet cola etc.) 1 litre of each for a party under 20 and for more than 20 people, 2 litres.

Have plenty of water available.

And lots of ice!

GOOD ADVICE - Did You Know?

how many?


When planning a birthday party for a child the best advice I have heard for a long time relates to the guest list. Invite the same number of kids to the party as your child's age. I think it makes such good sense, as say for example Zara who is turning four would really enjoy a party with four of her little friends than say twenty. And I think this equally applies to a 21st - a lot of memorable fun can be had with 21 friends ! What do you think?

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GOOD ADVICE

colour in between the lines 

You will be pleased to know that the Pantone Autumn/Winter Colours for 2010 is already out. Now in South Africa that applies not to this season but in fact next year’s Autumn/Winter, so actually 2011. The advantage being that if you stick to these colours this year you will be a whole year ahead in fashion. What’s more this is great for brides who are planning a wedding months or even years in advance.

But here is even better news! When I opened the colour forecast I had a bit of déjà-vu and you will too, as it strikingly resembles the Spring/Summer Colour Forecast for 2010. So in short if you stick to these 8 or so colours when you go out shopping for an item of clothing or a whole wardrobe, an accessory for your home or redecorating an entire room, or planning your next dinner party colour scheme or for your big wedding day – you will be in fashion for more than just a year!

Turquoise/Lagoon

Tomato Puree/Lipstick Red

Fusin Coral/Living Coral

Violet/Purple Orchid

Tuscany/Rose Dust

Aurora/Golden Glow

Dried Herb/Woodbine

Eucalyptus/Oyster Grey

GOOD THINGS

I heart weddings and blogs

When my sister, who at the time was living in New York, got engaged we (the South-African-based sisters and Mom) could not bear to miss out on any wedding planning. So we created our own blog to share ideas and wedding news. We called it WOW THE WEDDING and we limited access to the four of us so no ideas would be spilt before the big day. Over 8 months we posted hundreds of amazing finds and thoughts, many of which came to life on the actual day. It’s now already a month since the most beautiful wedding ever, so I thought over the next few weeks I would go back and find some of the gems we shared to share with you – beautiful delights to inspire! X

This first one highlights that there is no detail too small to be remembered and planned. Think about the presentation of cutlery at your next event and get creative!

In Good Company has an amazing selection of ribbon to beautify implements. Ebony & Ivory Ribbon from R5 to R12 per metre. I also love giving ribbon as a small hostess gift!

DOUBLE THE BUBBLE

IMAGE: TINY PRINTS