Are you looking for nice modern-inspired dinnerware? Lenox, the tabletop and giftware brand known for quality and craftsmanship, has launched their new Lifestyle Collection, 4 playful yet chic patterns banded in precious Platinum –  Platinum Leaf (1st set of photos below), Platinum Ice, Silver Mist (2nd set of photos below) and Silver Song. Thank you, Lenox for sending me 2 of these lovely settings…

(for a better look, click to enlarge each photo)

[photos taken by me, of the actual settings I received]

I like the minimalist look of these patterns – with the white and platinum colors,  perfect for matching most tablescapes! The Lifestyle Collection is a great dinnerware option for those of you who want quality (and who doesn’t?), but also unique styles that cater to different personalities. These are definitely wedding-registry worthy.

These patterns are offered in two placesetting options: a traditional five-piece or the new four-piece, which includes a dinner plate, a salad plate, all purpose bowl and a mug. These are manufactured here in the USA and they are dishwasher safe! Additionally, Lenox has a lifetime breakage replacement program. For more information, visit the breakage replacement portion of the Lenox website.

The Lifestyle Collection is now in stores. For more information on where you can find Lenox products, visit the store locator on the Lenox website.

If you’re throwing an event + would like to send your guests home with a little gift bag as a token of appreciation, these modern + simple freebie thank you labels/stickers (compliments of trendsetting wedding) would be great on a glassine, cello or paper bag full ‘o goodies.

directions: download the labels (trendsetting wedding freebie-thank you sticker green ) and ( trendsetting wedding freebie-thank you sticker yellow) on adhesive-backed paper or send through a xyron machine, if you own one. Cut out the circles and use to close a small gift bag. Enjoy.

Just when I was ready to post some entertaining ideas, I spotted these absolutely lovely images of this Alice in Wonderland-themed Tea Party on the blog of the very talented Adrienne Gunde – whose work and posts I always look forward to.

The tea party was organized by Joanna Chong of Joanna Events for her mother’s birthday. I absolutely love when people use vibrant colors + fun decor like Joanna did – I mean look at these beautiful pictures! Thank  you Adrienne for allowing me to share these images with my readers.  I can imagine how fun it was to be there! Joanna is just getting started in wedding and event planning, and I would say from the look of this, she has a promising future…

This summer, take the tea party outside + have even more fun!

Enjoy the inspiration…

[image credit: Adrienne Gunde]

We all scream for ice cream…so serve your guests in style!

With it being summer – and hot – it means more refreshing + cold treats at outdoor weddings + events. Serving Ice Cream at weddings is really nothing new, however, serving the cold sweet goodness a la a vintage ice cream truck – so fun!

Meet Gold Coast Ice Cream. They serve gelato + ice cream from a 1967 Good Humor ice cream truck and are available for events in NYC and Long Island. Looking to sweeten up your event even more – they also offer other great retro candies as well.

Thanks for the head’s up Gold Coast Ice Cream. New Yorkers, enjoy!

[image credit: Gold Coast Ice Cream via Flickr]

So, you have a sweet tooth [Like yours truly. Did I mention it is the 3rd time this week I had a cupcake for breaky?] Or rather you’d like to treat your guests to delicious sweets + goodies…but you don’t want just any sweet table or candy buffet…

Look at these yummy desserts from Sweet and Saucy Shop + this lovely dessert display I spotted on the Jesi Haack Weddings blog from a wedding at the recently renovated + modern Belamar Hotel in the South Bay/Manhattan Beach, CA.

Lemon cupcakes, cake lollipops, and awesomely modern cookies, oh my!
I love what they’ve done…the mini desserts, the display, + the cookies in line with the wedding theme. Love this…

If you’re having a night reception, you may want to have coffee handy for your guests. After all, some guests may have a long drive home or after a night of dancing, might need a java boost. And, what goes better with coffee than [mini] donuts?!

At our parties for work, we would have what was then called Hot Spot Mini Donuts in LA [now called The Fry Girl Inc.]. They quickly fried the mini donuts + then coated them in sugar, cinnamon + the like right before your eyes on their cute little stand. And, the fun factor of mini donut stands doesn’t hurt…food = entertainment. Plus you bet those minis were delish! In South Florida? Check out Donut Divas. They also offer mini funnel cakes [yum]! Indifferent about mini donuts and in the Chicago area? Check out the full sized at Glazed Donuts where they have featured flavors like fresh mango, chocolate covered cherry or lemon ginger!

Also, if you are having a post-wedding brunch, a donut tower like the one above could serve as a little brunch appetizer of sorts for your guests. All will help in making sure your guests are fed and happy.

[image credit: coffee - Veer, mini donut plate - Veer, doughnut tower + mini coffee + doughnuts  - Martha Stewart Weddings]

Looking for fun + non traditional sweets for your shower, reception or event?
Dylan’s Candy Bar: not only is the candy packaging extremely fun but the sweets are delish! And, boy is there a creative variety.

I first had Dylan’s Candy Bar chocolates a few years ago when my sister brought me back some from her work trip to NYC. But of course, you can also order online.

Choose from so many great candies and chocolates – from their Marital Bliss chocolate bar, chocolate heels [Jaime, thought of you for these], white and dark chocolate swirl popcorn, and one of the cutest gift  baskets I have seen. And did I mention they have chocolate covered cookie dough,  vanilla-fudge covered graham crackers bites [called Clodhoppers] and chocolate covered gummy bears? They also have sugar free and Kosher varieties. Sweets. Now. Please.

Introducing: Theme Thursday {my attempt to not make it sound that cheesy but easy for readers to remember}.

I want to share with you some creative + fun wedding + event ‘themes.’ I use that word loosely because it is not an inspiration board but instead ideas + fab finds all with a central ‘motif’ for an entertaining event- whether shower, reception, bachelorette party or other. New Thursday, new motif. See the links below to find out where to purchase the finds or how to make the drinks.

For the inaugural Theme Thursday post: ROCK- inspired event.

Idea: you could adhere a Fender guitar pick on the place cards or menus.

{Image credit: coasters, tray + cuffs- ELSEWARES; invitations-the pulp studio; quitar picks-Fender; pear + orange blossom drinks-cocktail times; bride-punk rock bride}