Color Inspirations – Orange

Orange – It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. To the human eye, orange is a very hot color, so it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless, orange is not as aggressive as red.

For fall orange is a very popular color. It is easy to combine with other colors such as Brown, Red, Green & Yellow. For a bolder look try combining it with Blue, Pink or Purple

Here are dome of our favorite inspirations and color combos.

A Rustic look: Burnt Orange, Red & Brown

An Elegant Look: Orange, White & Gold

An Exotic Look: Orange, Hot Pink, Purple & Gold 

A Modern Look: Orange, Red, Yellow, White, Black & Gold

Popular: Orange, Blue Grey

Fall:

DIY Pumpkin Centerpiece

It is Do-It-Yourself Tuesday and today an ideas for a Pumpkin Centerpiece. It is officially fall again and pumpkins are all over the place. These are great whether you are entertaining at home or creating your own centerpieces for a wedding or event.

Pumpkin Vase

What you need: 
Medium-Large Pumpkin,
Pencil,
Sharp Carving Knife,
Drill (optional),
Plaster Scraper or Spoon,
Flower Vase or Empty Food Can,
Favorite Fall Flowers

First make sure the vase or can is smaller than the pumpkin and can fit into the pumpkin once you have hollowed it out. Create a workplace by putting down newspaper on a table or counter top. Now you are ready to start…

Step 1: Place the pumpkin on the newspaper, stem side up. Trace a circle on the top of the pumpkin using your vase or can for this.

Step 2: Cut the circle out. Use a drill to cut a hole or a sharp knife to get started. Then follow the drawn line as a guide and cut the top off the pumpkin. (You can trow away the top)

Step 2

Step 3: Hollow out the pumpkin. Scoop out flesh, pulp, and seeds with a plaster scraper, spoon or fleshing tool.

Step 3

Step 4: Put your vase or can in the pumpkin. Make sure it fits snug so it won’t fall over.

Step 5

Step 5: Fill vase or can with water (about 3/4) and add you favorite flowers. Trim the flowers to fit. Make sure your arrangement covers the entire top hole so you don’t see the vase/can.

And that’s it!

You can cheat and have your florist create the floral center piece for you and later put the vase in the pumpkin. Or you can pick out your favorite fall flowers and create the arrangement yourself.

To enhance the look of your pumpkin. You can also paint the pumpkin. Add this step between steps 3 & 4.

Step 3.5 Paint the pumpkin
Paint on a layer of sealer or varnish. This is optional, though it will help the paint to stick. Any type of general purpose sealer or acrylic medium ought to be okay, but if in doubt do a small test on the bottom of your pumpkin first. Let the sealer completely dry before applying paint. Use an acrylic paint to create any kind of color or design. I personally like one color so the focus is left on the flowers.

To create a more elaborate centerpiece or tablescape. Use vases and pumpkins of all sizes and group them together. Add a few votive candles and your all set!

Fall Signature Drinks

A Signature Drink is any unique or original drink that expresses the nature of the person or establishment creating it.

Signature Drinks often incorporate local ingredients and culture. They can be fashioned or designed to represent a theme or color. Now that it’s fall we have two signature drinks ideas for your next event. One is alcoholic and the other non-alcoholic. Enjoy!

 

Non-Alcoholic Fennel Apple Spritzer
FOR THE FENNEL SYRUP
1 ½ tbsp. fennel seeds
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

FOR THE SPRITZER
2 oz. (¼ cup) unfiltered apple juice
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
10 oz. (1¼ cup) seltzer or sparkling water
Apple slices and fennel fronds, for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make the fennel syrup: Coarsely grind fennel seeds in a spice grinder. Add seeds, sugar and water to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Pour the fennel syrup through a fine strainer and let cool until room temperature, about 30 minutes. Syrup will keep, airtight, in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

2. Make the spritzer: Stir together 2 tbsp. fennel syrup, apple juice, and lemon juice in a tall ice-filled glass. Top with seltzer, and garnish with apple slices and fennel fronds, if using.

 

Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail
12 oz (1.5 cups) pear juice or nectar
6 oz vodka
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
vanilla sugar, for rim
1 cup ice, plus more to serve over

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix pear juice and vodka in a pitcher or shaker.

2. Split open the vanilla bean, and scrape the seeds into the juice and vodka.

3. Add 1 cup ice, then give it a good shake. Pour into cocktail glasses over more ice and serve with sugared rim. Makes 4 drinks.

Color Inspirations – Green

This weeks color inspiration is Green! I love the color green. Ir reminds me of the Wizard of Oz’s Emerald City.

Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money. From a color psychology perspective, it is the great balancer of the heart and the emotions, creating equilibrium between the head and the heart. Green promotes a love of nature, and a love of family, friends, pets and the home. It is the color of the garden lover, the home lover and the good host. Perfect for a wedding if you ask me 🙂

There are many shades of green that work well for for different types of events. Here are my favorite combinations. But you can get as creative as you like.

Mint Green – Baby Showers

Lime Green – Kids Birthday Parties , Summer Parties

Forest Green, Olive – Garden Parties, Showers

Emerald Green, Jade, Sea Green – Weddings

My favorite color scheme is green and white, but also try Green & Silver, Green & gold. It’s a recipe for an elegant affair. Here are some picture inspirations….

Nautical Party Ideas

We love themed parties and today we found these great Nautical Themed Party ideas on Pinterest by Birdsparty.  They have great unique party supplies and printables. Do it yourself printable are a great way to save money and still put together a stylish looking party or event. Try these ideas on the beach or in your own backyard. Great for Birthday Parties, BBQ’s and Showers.

 

Take it up a notch and use the nautical theme for a more formal event like a wedding. This theme works great for beach weddings, but can also be incorporated in ballrooms and banquet settings.

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