New Year's Eve Tablescape Ideas

This morning I wrote about my low key plans for my New Year's Even with Mr. 3, but for those of you planning a big shin dig at your house or inviting a few friends over, here's some decorating inspiration for your parties at home!

Image Source: Style Me Pretty

Besides absolutely loving the mix of green, gold, and white and the sequin table runner (naturally),  I think that adding the gold noise maker across the plate is a great touch for a sit down dinner!  Check out the local party stores for their supply.  Adding the menu card is another classy move, but you may not have time to type one up and print one out.  Grab a pack of pretty note cards and a gold pen and write a quick note to each of your guests.  It can be as simple as "Happy New Year" on the front and "Best Wishes in 2014!".  If you are really pressed for time, buy flat note cards, a fun stamp, and a gold or silver ink pad.  Stamping is a quick way to achieve this look and by buying flat note cards that fit the plate, you won't have to waste time cutting paper.

Image Source: Whimsy

I think this is super fun and not too terribly difficult to execute.  Head to the craft store and buy a yard or two of tulle (depending on how big you want the the bow and how many chairs you have).  Tulle doesn't unravel, doesn't need to be ironed, and can be cut apart with a basic pair of scissors.  For the clocks, there are tons of free printables that math teachers use to teach elementary students how to tell time.  You can print out some of these on pretty paper and use a glitter pen to draw on the hands and over the numbers.

Image Source: Etsy

Love, love, love, LOVE a sequined tablecloth.  One of these is definitely on my wish list of things to own in life.  I'm also a big fan of gold flatware.  While you may not want to pick up settings for 12 tonight, I've spotted serving sets at Home Goods for less than $20 which is a great way to add a little glam to your table/party.  Metallics always go together, so don't be afraid to use your regular silver flatware with gold serving pieces.

Image Source:  Ruffled Blog

Super fun and unexpected dessert table!  Use what you have and then add in a few bunches of balloons for a twist.  There are also plenty of party garlands at the party stores, so feel free to string one across any buffet table you have.

Image Source: Lauren Conrad

Easy and quick DIY project.  Head to the craft store and pick up a pack of tea lights and a couple of different (but coordinating) rolls of washi tape.  Wrap the washi tape around the tea light and place in groups of 3 (any less and it looks dinky).

Image Source: Craft Gawker

You can also use the washi tape to label party cups and wine glasses.  Grab a metallic marker for a bit of extra glam.

Image Source: The Sweetest Occasion

Swizzle sticks!!!!! Great party touch and should be available at party stores or craft stores.

Image Source: 100 Layer Cake

Sugar rimmed champagne glasses are so pretty and easy to do.  The craft store, Target, Williams-Sonoma, or Sur la Table should have rimming sugars available.  Make sure to run a lime or lemon wedge around the glass before dipping in sugar to get it to stick.  Also, feel free to add a swizzle stick for even more fun!

Image Source:  achadosdedecoracao.blogspot.com.br

Finally, for the love of your hostess sanity, set up a bar station.  If you don't have a bar cart, find a folding table and cover it with a tablecloth.  For barware, use what you've got - it doesn't matter if it matches, but try to arrange it neatly and group like items together.  The last thing you want to do is spend your party time playing bartender on the biggest drinking night of the year.

What's your favorite look?  Got any great party tips?  Share with us in the comments section below!  If you are still trying to decide what to wear, check out our suggestions here and here.  Don't forget to follow me on instagram for a look at my NYE date night planning!

New Year's Eve Date Night

Mr. 3 and I have spent the last month traveling around the great states of Virginia and North Carolina visiting family and friends.  We are wore out.  We are also trying to mind our pennies and DC is hideously expensive for most things and New Year's Eve parties are no exception (and not particularly fun from what I've heard...looooong lines and lots of people pushing one another around).

So, we've decided to spend half of what it would cost for us to go out to dinner at the fancy pants restaurants and probably about a third of what it costs to go to the NYE parties on a nice dinner at home (where it's warm and we don't have to deal with drunk people or getting a taxi).

Super Cute Sparkler Printables
Image Source: Best Day Ever

Menu
Appetizer - Baked Brie with Apple Butter (using homemade apple butter from the Methodist Church)
Meat - Steak - 1 New York Strip and Lobster - 2 one lb. lobsters
Side - Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter
Wine - Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon (Mr. 3's best friend gave it to us as a gift and we've been saving it for 2 years!)
Champagne - Veuve Clicquot Brut NV (I bought a split - which amounts to about two glasses)
Dessert - TBD (I have to check out the Whole Foods bakery case, but it will probably be one small individual sized dessert.)

I'm still trying to beat the winter weight gain, but this is one of the days I said I wasn't going to worry about what I ate.  We will probably spread out the food from about 3-9 PM.  We bought a decent sized steak, but I'll be splitting that with Mr. 3.  Lobster has 129 calories per cup and I don't use butter.  The asparagus is a Cooking Light recipe (but totally doesn't taste like one!).  Although I've got the baked brie and dessert in the mix, I probably will only eat a light breakfast (egg over toast, banana, and coffee) and this meal spread out over the course of 6 hours will make up the rest of my calories for the day.

The Look
I plan on lighting all the candles we have in the apartment and turning on our Christmas tree.  I'm going to bust out our candlesticks and tapered candles for dinner.  I may also try to find a small arrangement of white tulips (favorite flower!) or other flowers for the table.  I know Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have reasonable prices for their flowers and I can probably expect to spend about $10-$15.

Image Source: Colin Cowie Weddings

Finally, I'm going to use our nicer table linens and our fancier barware for serving food (once day I plan on getting a sequined tablecloth, which I've decided is a must for every hostess).  I also plan on dressing up a bit with sparkly accessories...but definitely going for the relaxed glamour look we blogged about a few weeks ago.

What are y'all planning for New Year's Eve?  Big night out or low key night in?  Leave us a note in the comments section to let us know what your plans are!  Follow me on instagram so you can check out all the prep work and final results!

Melinda's Fantasy Wish List

We're continuing on with our fantasy wish lists and I'm starting mine off with this super fun BMW convertible.  I'd probably be happy with any BMW, but this is their top of the line convertible in a great color.  Of course, I'd need a vat of luxurious sunscreen to go with it since I always, always burn (too bad I can't add magical, melanin producing skin to my fantasy list...I would if I could, but this doesn't seem to exist; and, therefore, I have no picture to post).

650i xDrive BMW Convertible
Image Source: BMW

I chaperoned Briana on a school trip to Europe once and we spent a couple of quick days touring Paris, but not actually staying inside Paris.  So I'd love a trip to the Four Seasons for New Year's!

Four Seasons Paris
Image Source: Four Seasons

Mostly, so I can take a bath in this tub....

Presidential Suite Bathroom
Image Source: Four Seasons

I'm taking note from Briana's Fantasy Wish List and consulting the Tiffany Blue Book for all things sparkly.  I have a bit of an obsession with Art Deco period and I'm in absolute L-O-V-E with this cuff:

Deco Fan Bracelet
Source: Tiffany

I'd love one to be one of those fabulous, ritzy ladies who can afford fresh flowers every week a la Victoria Grayson from Revenge (except without all the weird, twisty plots involving blown up planes and beau coup of backstabbing).

Weekly Flower Delivery
Source: H.Bloom

And finally, a little piece of land in Big Sur, CA so I could be close to San Francisco and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, build my dream home, and look at this everyday!

Big Sur, CA
Image Source: Sotheby's

Did we miss and truly fabulous things to put on our lists? Let us know!

Enjoy this post? You can check out Briana's fantasy wish list, too!

What to Wear: Bags, Shoes, and Jewelry - Oh My!

 This is our last installment of our What to Wear series Christmas edition!  I wanted to give y'all my fav picks for bags, shoes, and jewelry.  Briana has been giving hers as she goes, but I love my accessories more than I love my clothes a lot of the times...so I'm giving them their own moment in the spotlight!

If you are watching your pennies and can't afford a brand new outfit, consider buying a few accessories to liven up what you've already got in your closet.  You can either go with one bold statement piece or a few more subtle options.  The holidays are a great time to find fun and limited editions with a bit of glam to them.

For the handbags, I am absolutely, positively in love with the Coiled Geo Clutch from Anthropologie! I saw it in the store on Black Friday and it was probably a good thing the line to check out was wrapped around the store.  Gorgeous!  Totally wearable with all manner of sparkly things, but also great for 2014 with jeans.  I also couldn't believe the prices on the other handbags!  The black Zara bag would be great for any event and I would totally wear the yellow bow bag from Anthropologie to a casual girl's night.  Great finds and decent prices!

MINAUDIÉRE WITH METAL RIM

$59.90

Image Source: Zara

Damask Scroll Clutch
$68
Image Source: Anthropologie

Fringed Fanfare Clutch
$78
Image Source: Anthropologie

Bowfold Velvet Clutch
$68
Image Source: Anthropologie

Coiled Geo Clutch
$128
Image Source: Anthropologie

By far, my favorite pick of my favorite picks for shoes has to be the Kate Spade feather shoes - love, love, love!  Also, if you have a pair of basic heels that already work for you (i.e. great shape, comfortable, broken in), try the shoe clips that I spotted at J.Crew.  I saw them in store and they are beautiful!  It's also a great way to head straight from work to an even without having to lug an extra pair of shoes around (there are also two more choices at J.Crew if you need more options).  The wedges and the studded pumps look the most comfortable to me.  I have a serious crush on the studded bows!  So perfect for a casual get together or even church service.  The Zara heels are by far the best value for the amount of flash you're getting!

Maisie Wedge
$150
Image Source: Banana Republic

Sparkly High Heeled Shoe
$89.90
Image Source: Zara

Etta Suede Studded Pumps
$298
Image Source: J.Crew

Lulu Frost for J.Crew Shoe Clips
$98
Image Source: J.Crew

Kate Spade Lilo Pump
$350
Image Source: Nordstrom

These are two of the lower priced necklaces I spotted online - can't believe $30 for one!  Also, suprisingly, Talbots has very affordable jewelry (and usually a sale) with modern style and lower price points than say Kate Spade.  The J.Crew earrings are absolutely gorgeous and totally different!  I think it's a new take on a chandelier earring - lots of sparkle and long in length, but totally fresh!

Crystal Bib Necklace
$29.90
Image Source: Nordstrom

Pave Flower Necklace
$79.50
Image Source: Talbots

Resin Arrowhead Earrings
$75
Image Source: J.Crew

What do you think?  Spot anything great here or elsewhere?  Let us know what you're wearing this season!

What to Wear: New Year's Eve Bash

Yay for New Year's Eve!  I know it's not quite here yet, but its the party to end all parties and we all need to be prepared to look our best!  This is the time to break out your best sequins, shimmer, and glitz.  D.C. is interesting in that you can find everything from a house party, dinner out with your significant other, high end cocktail party, and even a ball!  Here are some ideas on "What to Wear."  The more glamour, the better.

J.Crew - $365

Banana Republic - $150

Banana Republic - $165

I would wear any of these dresses...but I have a serious fashion crush going on with the blue sequin dress.  Both of the Banana Republic options are part of the L'Wren Scott capsule collection that just debuted this week.  These aren't the only great options in the collection - great prices, design, and materials!  I'm sure they won't last for long, so snag them while you can!  Whatever piece of sparkly fun you wind up wearing, pair it with great shoes, bold jewelry, and a fun bag.  Have y'all started making your NYE plans?  Share what you are going to wear!


Did you enjoy this post? You can read the full What to Wear series, or check out the links below for similar posts.

Florida business party attire
Corporate Christmas party attire
Christmas cocktail party attire
Low key Christmas party attire in Florida