Guest Blogger: Inspiration for Entertaining from Fall 2009 Fashion Trends
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 7:29PM | GuestBlogger Today’s SCS guest blogger is Teresa Antonucci Lee of Rex & Regina, a boutique entertaining and consulting firm from Washington, D.C. that specializes in beautiful events.
If you’ve hit the stores lately or checked out any of the online Fall 2009 fashion previews, you have undoubtedly discovered some of the trends of the season: vivacious reds, metal-embellished shoes and handbags, over-the-knee boots, and animal prints of a variety of breeds.
ELLE magazine’s A to Z Fall Fashion Spotlight shines on animal prints
A great hostess can find inspiration for entertaining almost anywhere, including the fashion runway. Here are a few simple ways to translate Fall fashion's love affair with animal prints from runway to table.
A great party makes a cohesive statement from start to end. So when throwing an animal-print-inspired party, be sure to set the tone from the start with the invitation. I love this Kate Spade option from finestationery.
Kate Spade invitation available at finestationery.com
Just as in fashion, it often makes sense to invest in classics building blocks (e.g. the perfect black dress, a crisp white button down) and incorporate trends through accent pieces. For a tablescape, that can mean buying a great set of all white dishes and mixing in colorful salad /dessert plates, placemats, or napkins for a bold statement.
Animal print placemat and plate available at Bloomingdales
Joseph Abboud zebra dishes available at Bloomingdales
Another way to incorporate a playful pattern like an animal print is barware -- whether an ice bucket, martini shaker, or specialty bar glasses. These tortoise shell bar accessories and glassware would be striking as an essemble or as individual pieces.
Tortoise shell barware available at Bloomingdales
I'll leave you with a few other fun ways to tap the animal print trend for your next party, but remember -- as with fashion, the sky is the limit with respect to expressing one's personal style when entertaining!
- napkin rings from Dransfield and Ross
- personalized wine tags
- chocolate-covered animal crackers -- great as party favors!
Reader Comments (1)
"buying a great set of all white dishes and mixing in colorful salad /dessert plates, placemats, or napkins for a bold statement"
Very sage advice! That's exactly why we registered for some rather neutral china....it's easy to dress up!