Make Easter Easy!

Hello Glamourites,

I hope everyone has been enjoying the first two weeks of spring and been getting some warmer weather to enjoy. I have found some great Easter inspiration for baking and decorating ideas that are very quick to do with little cost. I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend! Happy Easter xx Glamour Planner

I love this bunny butt sugar cookie idea, it’s as easy as making different shaped ovals and adding icing!

If you are hosting an Easter dinner or brunch you can get creative with your place cards and add them to cute mini easter baskets like these with some chocolate eggs.

For a centrepiece take two sizes of vases and between the two add easter eggs, jellybeans, chocolate eggs or anything colourful  to add to the easter theme!

Another easy dessert or snack to try is making rice krispie treats but in the form of a carrot then covering them with icing or a candy orange glaze. Thanks to Frugal Coupon Living for the idea!

Adding a simple tulip to your guests plate makes a world of a difference and makes them feel special!

Grad some old birthday confetti and shape it into a nest and put an egg in the middle, voila, instant table decor done!

Swing from the Chandelier

Hello Glamourites,

In regards to design I find that my own style is constantly changing, more accurately it’s probably forever evolving. I also think that this could be dependant on my mood, as to which colours or emotion I want to portray in a space. This can be hard if you’re constantly trying to change rooms in your home to match your current style. There are several ways you can do this without tearing apart the entire room or bringing walls down, it can range depending on your budget as well. One solution to this is updating your light fixtures, more specifically the chandelier. I believe chandeliers are a large statement piece in a room and are a great addition to any room no matter the style or size. Most people will associate chandeliers with the classic ballroom type with oversized crystals and a radius too obnoxious for any normal size room. However this is definitely not the only chandelier available anymore, there are thousands of designs and styles to fit everyones needs and character. Take a look at some of the inspiration pictures I found and perhaps you will soon be upgrading your dinning room lighting!

xx Glamour Planner

Something like this was probably what came to mind when you thought chandelier… I like this fixture in this space because it is mixing glamourous and rustic together with the worn wooden table. Because the table it very large and heavy it balances out and allows for a large light fixture above.  

Here is a much more modern take on chandelier, it is eye catching with the use of scattered glass ovals playing with depth and height.

This fixture has the typical structure of a stereotypical chandelier however it is simplified, only using the steams to create the shape and no extra hanging accessories.

If you are looking for something extra unique this could be the solution for you. It can be a great DIY project as well, take wine bottles or mason jars and put the bulb inside the bottle then attach it to a board or a something to support the fixtures to the ceiling.

When you have a space with high ceilings you can get away with any size of chandelier like this baroque inspired piece.

Another simple DIY chandelier for over a four seat kitchen table or reading nook.

Let the Vitamin D in!

Hi Glamourites!

The weather the past few days has been absolutely beautiful and all I wanted to do was be outside enjoying the sunshine! If you are stuck inside doing work but you still want to enjoy those sunny days….the answer, windows!! I could not live in a house that doesn’t have any windows {or few of them}. I love to have natural light at all times and a beautiful view doesn’t hurt either. Here are some homes where they have incorporated lots of windows perfectly into the design. Let me know if you like xx Glamour Planner

Eating breakfast on a Monday morning at this table you couldn’t help but smile looking out.

In the bathroom it is incredibly important to have natural light for applying makeup. Often we will put on too much foundation or bronzer because we don’t have the correct lighting and when you leave the house it turns out you look like a cake!

Sometimes cooking dinner can be a pain but when you have skylights or big windows to fill your kitchen with vitamin D it makes the job much more enjoyable!

Okay I know you don’t want the sunrise waking you up at 5:30 in the morning which is why they invented curtains…but windows in the bedroom can be amazing and create a special place for you to wake up. Imagine how peaceful this setting would be as you great ready for bed or just want some quiet time to yourself?

Of course windows anywhere in the house work perfectly, especially where you will be entertaining guests. It’s a great way to show off your home and where you live!

 

Wedding Watch

Hello Glamourites,

My girly guilty pleasure has come out again in looking at wedding inspiration pictures and trends and looking at what is upcoming for the season. I am going to be sharing with you the 2014 colour trends by Vera Wang! Along with each colour palette I have chosen various aspects and unique pieces you can easily find or make for your wedding. Check out the arrangements below and let me know if you have a favourite xx Glamour Planner

1. Regal Metallics

Gold and silver are perfectly sparkly and are making a statement this year in the design world. As for weddings this colour palette works extremely well for chair covers, table decor and much more! 

2. Pale Pink

Any shade of pink works in your wedding and will always be a classic colour trend. Depending on the combination it can be made sweet and girly, fun and colourful or whichever style you’re heading in.

3. Touch of Teal

This colour may be for the more modern colour as it is fashion-forward! It adds an element of surprise and feeling of fresh to all your guests in the accessories and decor.

V Day Countdown

Hello Glamourites,

I can’t believe it’s the last day of January today! It feels like just last week we were celebrating the Christmas holidays and only yesterday that school started. Before you know it Valentine’s Day will be here! Which means now is the time to start planning and sending out invitations for your V-day Party. Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite “holidays” – besides showing your family, friends and loved ones how much you care about them, you have an excuse to eat chocolate all day! Anytime I am able to have a themed dinner or party I jump on it. Make it fun and add some special décor; people get that much more excited when they see the effort you’ve put into creating a special ambiance. Hope you get some inspiration for your Valentines plans xx Glamour Planner

When setting your table it doesn’t have to be anything difficult; it can be as simple as putting some streamers down as shown below. Glitter up your beverage station with putting some sparkles on your champagne bottles.

Easy decorations to add some festive love around you house, cut out hearts from paper or fabric and attach to red string and hang around! 

Cute signs for your food and treats add to the visual display. 

If dinner isn’t your thing than a simpler option is hosting a brunch. Breakfast items are much easier to prepare or simply buy them from the store. These adorable little yogurt parfaits are very easy and look festive! 

Placing little signs or facts on the table, goody bags or {like this} on water bottles. Love facts: Love 100% Hugs 100% Kisses 100% Cuddles 100% Happiness 100% ❤

Back to nature

Hi Glamourites,

It seems when fall comes around I am drawn again to natural tones, materials and fabrics for in my designs, my apartment and tastes. With the changing of the season colours start to appear in the trees and the warmth of orange and reds brighting up the streets. The autumn time allows for nature to be featured more than usual with such activities; pumpkin carving, apple picking, fire crackling and leafs for decor. So why not use natural wood all year long in your home to be a main focus in the design or function. These pictures highlight the beauty of wood in its natural element while fitting into different home styles and creating contrast. Hope everyone is transiting into fall better than I am xx Glamour Planner

This simple linear wood table is an ideal space for all uses and is set off ideally by the brick wall in the background. 

I love how the wood bar top has been left natural at the ends and the shape curves as it instinctively would.  

These puzzle piece like mats are very unique as you can create them as small or large you need for the function while creating a table interest. 

 

This space is a perfect example of how it is possible to mix the natural wood with soft fabrics and works well. 

I enjoy this whole bathroom vanity for the rustic feel and the bold wood mirror frames makes the statement in the space. 

ALL blanc

Hello Glamourites,

Some of you have may already heard of an event called ‘Diner en blanc’ which originated 25 years ago in Paris. It is where people gather all dressed in white for a giant “chic picnic” where only the day before they have been advised of the secret location. Hundreds of people are invited and are expected to conduct themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette to enjoy this unique evening.

Dinner en Blanc ~ Paris

This event is held all over the world at different times and if you have a chance to attend, I would not turn it down! This all made me think of how fun it would be to hold your own “dinner en blanc” event or party (obviously not at that large scale). If you are wanting to throw a final summer party before August slips away, perhaps consider having an all white theme. Here are some more picture inspirations I found if this catches your eye. xx Glamour Planner

If you have a staircase like this or even a large lobby, tying balloons together into a tall tower gives a dramatic effect.  Simple flowers or leaves that have been sprayed can be used for centrepieces at low cost.
Can’t forget about the heels! These would be ideal for an en blanc evening.
For a larger centrepiece you can use tall vases and flowers such as roses and individual flowers at place settings. Chair covers make a world of difference to your atmosphere and aren’t overly expensive to rent.
You may think it’s hard to keep your theme going through the food but there’s more than you think…meringues, coconut and white chocolate are just a few of many!

The Triple Threat

Hi all Glamourites!

I figured after all this time I should finally post some of my own pictures from an event I recently held.  I must also give my Mom a lot of the credit (food & decor purchasing) for this particular party but we work well together throwing fun gatherings for friends and family! For this evening we went with the “Triple Treat” theme being WINE, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE. How can you go wrong with that? Here are some pictures of our food table and decorations. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to do some entertaining of your own  xx Glamour Planner

I have seen this done in magazine’s and on Pinterest of course…using wine bottles as individual vases for flowers. I wanted to spray paint them but ran out of time and in the end, I like the natural uniqueness of each bottle. It also suited our “Wine,Cheese & Chocolate” theme.
Loving the bling bling wine stopper <>
If you haven’t tried BRIX chocolate, I highly suggest it! IThis  specialty chocolate is made for pairing with wine… yum yum.
A party is not complete without matching theme serviettes.
Table close up ~finishing touches of the table with some strings of pearls and our many books on Chocolate & Cheeses.
The entrance: one of THE most important parts of an event. This is where your guests get the first impression of what they have to expect and also what will stick most in their mind. We found some adorable chocolate/dessert paintings, more books on chocolate and fun accent gift baskets to line the staircase as our guests entered the house.

Back in the day….

Back in the day when a tea break meant a major house production with fresh table linens, 5 piece cutlery, the finest of baked goods, and of course, your prettiest afternoon gown. While watching my new favourite show, Downton Abbey I am surprised how everything is taken very seriously and carried out with such perfection! That sort of formal attention to detail doesn’t seem to exist now-a-days and often the little things are not given the same consideration they used to.  For instance, when one of the gentlemen from the show wore the wrong dinner jacket for supper, it was evident that this was a faux pas. Sometimes I think I would enjoy that attention to detail; ensuring that every little piece was picture perfect when preparing a meal, setting the table, making a bed or even shining the silver. This show puts me in the mood to go back in time and experience it all first hand, which I realize is obviously not possible! However it does inspire me to try and accomplish the feel by throwing a Downton Abbey tea or dinner party! Here are some picture inspirations I found that may help to recreate a similar atmosphere.

Let me know if you give it a go. xx Glamour Planner

I only wish I could eat dinner like this every evening: silver candelabras, 4 different drinking glasses, individual salt and pepper, and of course, the delight of being served so graciously! I could go on!

Here is some fashion inspiration from Lissa Alexandra Photography on a shoot for vintage weddings but these dresses would also be adorable for an afternoon tea.

Making simple pretty additions, such as custom name coasters or name tags for place settings makes it feel that much more important.

I couldn’t resist posting theses adorable “Downton Abbey” style sugar cookies, I can’t image the time it took to make them but they would be ideal for an afternoon tea!

This elegant table display looks just perfect if you are thinking of hosting your own garden tea party. The floral runner down the centre of the table and draping over to hit the ground adds a unique piece.
Some more fashion inspiration from the Downton girls themselves! Nothing says classy more than white dresses, hats, gloves and of course, your pearls.
A dramatic and stunning place setting for a formal dinner party. Loving the gold and black with the white accents in the roses and initialed serviettes.
Downton Abbey Manor.

The little touches

Afternoon Glamourites,

Today I’ve been thinking about how simple it is to make a dramatic difference in the ambiance and feel of a party by doing little easy things. These can completely change the event from being an amateur party to a professional one. I believe in making everything you can yourself and these picture inspiration I’ve posted are all things you can do at home!  Try one or all at your next gathering!

xx Glamour Planner

It always makes the party go smoothly when you have a seating plan and additionally to the name tag it’s cute to have a little goodie bag (or here: a used can recycled with coloured paper & their cutlery) with something sweet inside!

Name Tags

How much cooler do these  vegetables looks displayed in all these different shaped glass vases and containers. Also incorporating martini or wine glasses for smaller veggies or dips!

Veggie Station

Making a menu for your guests of what you are serving for dinner (or lunch) gives a formal touch, while letting your guests know what to expect.

Meal menu