Daydreaming of Ashland

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to take a little road trip down to southern Oregon.  It was heavenly.  I stayed in the little town of Ashland, Oregon.  Ashland is the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the beautiful Lithia Park, and numerous charming shops and amazing restaurants.  It is surrounded by stunning hills and mountains.  Wishing I was back there again...

Ashland's Globe Theater

Beautiful Lithia Park

Charming Downtown Ashland

The historic Ashland Springs Hotel

Stunning vineyards

Pilot Rock

Emigrant Lake

Happy warm, sunny daydreams!

-The Panther



Friday Favorites: Summer Crafts

The Panther has always fancied herself as quite the crafty cat.  Summer is here and with the long, lazy summer days ahead she found some fabulous summer crafts to keep her busy.  Check out some of her favorites.

Poppy Pillows:  These darling pillows come from none other, than the queen of crafts herself, Martha Stewart.  How darling and cheerful are these tossed on your sofa, or on an outdoor chaise!

Learn how to make these here:  http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/block-print-poppies?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/60-summer-decorating-ideas#slide_1

Mini Liquor Bottle Patio Lights:  This is a darling idea we found on a crafter's site.  It is as simple as attaching mini liquor bottles to a string of white lights.  Use a variety of bottles or for a theme party, such as a fiesta, use all tequila bottles.  You and your friends can have a lot of fun "prepping" for this craft project.

See the full instructions here:  http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/patio-party-lights.html

Decorative Guest Soaps:  My mother taught me how to make these as a kid but now as an adult, it is still a fun craft.  Make a lot of these and keep them on hand for hostess gifts, and to use in your powder room.  You can use any bar soap or glycerine soap.  If there is a carved logo on the bar, shave it off with a straight edge blade, then smooth with a little water before applying the decal.

Instructions for decal soaps:  http://www.ehow.com/how_2211504_decorate-finished-homemade-lye-soap.html





Hopefully that will keep you busy on some of these summer days.  We would love to see your finished versions of these crafts.  Please share your pictures with us and we will post them on our blog!

Happy Crafting!

-The Panther

Best Summer Party Dresses

For the past week, the Panther has been consumed in summer theme party planning.  There is so much to think about:  the guest list, invitations, food, drinks, decor... and what to wear! 

One of my favorite places to shop for dresses is online at modcloth.com.  Modcloth has literally thousands of dresses to choose from.  They are mostly vintage inspired and by independent designers, don't cost an arm and a leg, and most importantly, they're CUTE!!!  The dresses are so fun that you can wear them for so much more than just a summer theme party.

Here are some of our favorites for different themes.

Trader Vic's Party:  How cute are these summery dresses with vintage lines.  Perfect for a Trader Vic's party!

"Too Much Fun Dress"

$79.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

"Sippin' Smoothies Dress"

$57.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

Arabian Nights Party:  Put a spin on the tradional Burqas worn by Arab women and try something like this cute "monorail maven" dress at modcloth.  The loose fit and long length are reminiscent of a Burqa but the stripes and styling are fun and stylish, especially when paired with some strappy sandals and oversized earrings.

"Monorail Maven Dress"

$52.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

Summer Fiesta:  This is your chance to dress fun and flirty.  Think of the senoritas featured on vintage Mexican cinema posters.

"Paradise Pier Dress"

$54.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

"Bosc in the Glory Dress"

$64.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

Bollywood Party:  Bollywood is all about color and pattern.  If you cannot find a real sari, try one of these lovely dresses.

"I Ingenue It! Dress"

$72.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

"Covered Market Dress"

$49.99

http://www.modcloth.com/

All of these dresses are cute and fun but if you want something that is not quite as themed try the aptly named "Next Versatile Dress" by modcloth.  The simple lines of this dress make it appropriate for any and all of the above themes.  Change the look of this little number with jewelry, scarves, hats, and shoes.

Have fun picking out your party dress.  Get more inspiration at mocloth's blog, "Life In Style" at http://www.blog.modcloth.com/ or visit modcloth's founder's personal page on chictopia:  www.chictopia.com/SusanGKoger

Happy shopping!
-The Panther





Hostess Gifts for a Summer Theme Party

We've been talking about throwing fun summer theme parties lately but what if you are not the one putting the party together?  What if you are invited as a guest to a summer theme party?  You should bring a gift to your hostess, and why not tie it in with the party's theme!
Here are a few hostess gift ideas to bring to a summer theme party.

Cocktail Napkins:  The panther always suggests cocktail napkins but they are inexpensive AND practical.  They are perfect to present to a hostess you may not know very well and she will appreciate the gesture.  Select some cocktail napkins that are in the theme of the party and tie a coordinating ribbon around them.

Flowers:  Flowers are brought less and less these days, but are always a lovely idea, especially for a summer party.  Find out the color scheme of the party ahead of time and have an arrangement done in the party's colors.

Cookbook:  Find a unique little cookbook to present to your hostess.  Choose something fun like an appetizer cookbook, or a cocktail recipe book.  Maybe even find one that is related to the party theme.

Spreaders:  Appetizer spreaders and cocktail picks come in all kinds of themes these days.  Find some that are in your hostess' party theme.  This makes a fun and useful gift.

Photo Frame:  Find a novelty frame that goes with the party theme.  Present it to your hostess.  Be sure to take a photo of your host and hostess that evening.  Include a copy of the photo when you send out your thank-you card.  Your host and hostess will love to put their party photo in their novelty frame and set it out at next year's event.

Booze:  Instead of bringing wine to a summer party, pick out a liquor that goes with the theme.  If it is the Trader Vic's theme, bring a bottle of rum.  If it is a fiesta theme, bring a bottle of tequila.  Your host and hostess will both appreciate this gift.

Cocktail Mixes:  Instead of bringing the booze, bring your hostess a fun gourmet cocktail mix.

Remember, your hostess put in a lot of work to throw this party and you should show your appreciation by bringing a gift.  It is the "thought that counts" but make that thought fun, creative, and something your hostess will appreciate in return.

-The Panther









Summer Party Theme: Bollywood

Are you looking for a fun and unique theme for a summer party?  Do you envision a party full of color, music, dancing, and fun?  A Bollywood theme is perfect!

Bollywood is all about glamour, color, romance, music, and most of all fun!  Go crazy with color for your Bollywood theme party.  Purchase yards and yards of brightly colored fabric and drape it everywhere.  Create a tent-like feel by hanging vertical panels around.

Drape saris over tables and chairs to bring in more color. 

Flowers are important and the more colorful, the better.  Think bright hot pink, and orange.  In addition to having flower arrangements, scatter loose flowers or petals on table tops and pathways.

Indian jewelry can usually be found pretty inexpensively at import stores such as Pier-1 or Cost Plus World Market.  Pick up a lot of jewelry for you to wear but also purchase Indian bracelets to use as napkin rings on your Bollywood table.

For entertainment that will have your guests talking for weeks, hire a henna tattoo artist to give henna tattoos to your guests.  It is such a beautiful art form (and it is temporary).

As hostess, dress to the nines in a colorful sari and lots of jewelry.

Play music and encourage dancing throughout the evening.

-The Panther



Summer Party Theme: Fiesta

The Panther is counting down the days to her summer theme party (to be announced soon).  In the meantime, check out this great summer party theme...

Fiesta!  A Mexican themed fiesta is a perfect theme for warm summer months when our weather warms up and reminds us of the sunny climate south of the border.  A fiesta can be one of the simplest but most fun theme parties to throw together.

First, lets talk about food.  Make things easy, put out several bowls of chips and salsa.  This may be obvious and expected but people love chips and salsa!  Select a variety of tortilla chips, and salsas.  Have some traditional pico de gallo, but think about a corn and black bean salsa, or a mango habanero salsa too.  Make a large bowl of fresh guacamole for an appetizer as well.  Be sure to squeeze plenty of fresh lemon or lime on the guacamole to prevent it from turning brown.

For the main course, lay out a build-your-own taco bar.  Your guests will love this.  Have corn and flour tortillas to choose from.  Prepare several kinds of meats: grilled chicken, carnitas, carne asada, and even fish.  Put out bowls with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, shredded lettuce, sliced olives, diced jalapenos, chopped tomato and whatever other toppings you like.  Have more salsas, guacamole, and sour cream at the taco bar too.  You can also prepare some beans and rice to accompany the tacos.

Beverages for a fiesta are easy... Margaritas!  Make large batches ahead of time in glass pitchers and store them in your refrigerator.  Put out a few pitchers at a time and pour over ice.  Rent or buy a margarita machine if you prefer the blended variety.  Also have some Mexican beer, such as Corona on hand, and don't forget the limes.

Decorating for your fiesta should be colorful, fun, and fairly inexpensive.  Remember color is key.  Use a lot of bright colors.  Place large arrangements of colorful flowers around.  Use real flowers or make colorful tissue flower arrangements.

Drape tables in Mexican serapes.  Come on, you probably still have a souvenir serape from a childhood vacation.  If not, pick some up at your local party supply store, costume shop, or second hand store.  Visit a fabric store for serape inspired fabrics.  They are fabulous as table cloths.

A fiesta is not a fiesta without a pinata.  Whether you choose to play the pinata game is up to you, but have several colorful pinatas hanging around and sitting on tables.

Hang strings of chili pepper lights around and turn them on at dusk.  They are fun and festive.

Have a lovely fiesta!  Ole!

-The Panther









Summer Party Theme: Arabian Nights

As the panther continues to plan her summer theme party (coming soon), she is inspired by a myriad of summer themes.  Some may be your stereotypical summer theme but some ideas are more unique.  Today we would like to share ideas for and exotic summer party theme...

Arabian Nights:  Plan an Arabian Nights themed party for a sultry, star-filled summer night.  Your goal for this party is to create a backyard party oasis.

The number one necessity for this event is a tent.  Think beyond your traditional tent.  Sure you can rent full walled tents from your local party rental company, but it is summer... you want the open air.  Instead rent a canopy tent.  This has a covered tent top but open sides.  Hang drapery panels or sheets from the canopy and tie them back with heavy corded tassels to create luxury.  If you don't have room for a canopy, get creative.  Purchase yards and yards of inexpensive gauzy fabrics in rich colors and create your own canopy between trees or whatever is available to you.

A simple backyard canopy tent can be turned into an Arabian dream...

Line the ground beneath the tent with old rugs, overlapping on one another.  Any rugs will do, but Persian-style rugs are best.  The more colors and patterns, the better.

Bring your coffee table into the tent for a dining table.  Or, simple fashion a long low dining table from a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood on cinder blocks.  Drape the plywood table with overlapping lengths of colored fabrics.  Scatter pillows in rich colors all over the floor for seating and lounging.

Visit your local import store like Pier-1 imports, or Cost Plus World Market and stock up on lanterns and candles.  This will really set the mood.  Hang lanterns around the tent, and place them on the dining table.

Serve an array of middle-eastern finger foods with a lot of flat bread for scooping.  Some ideas are hummus, olive plates, minty rice, and lamb kebabs.

May your Arabian night be magical!

-The Panther