It's in the Details: How to Stage a Unique Thanksgiving Bash

Last week, I shared some Thanksgiving tablescape ideas. Today, I want to share some unique ideas that can be used to inspire your overall Thanksgiving occasion. I've included some DIY crafts, extraordinary design inspiration, and a few desserts to add your personal touch to the typical Thanksgiving dinner. 

Let me know your own special ideas, traditions, and inspirations for your Thanksgiving in the comments below! Gobble gobble.

something different...

photos | When Pigs Fly Events

Keep it light! Instead of the usual indoor traditional spread, you could opt for a fun cocktail party. Utilize the formal Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkins, but add more color, pizzaz, and fun!

photos |  Loralee Lewis Event Paper & Fine Stationary 

A fun and woodsy dinner setting, accented with cleverly themed banners and labels for food and event. 

something tasty...

photo |  Local Milk blog 

Add a little color to your dessert table by including a gorgeous Apple Rose Frangipane Tart. Find the recipe it here.

photo |  One Acre Farm 

Sweet potato ice cream with fresh ginger would pair perfectly with all  typical Thanksgiving desserts. 

photo |  Your Cup of Cake

Making a pie this Thanksgiving? Make it extra cute with these crust ideas by Martha Stewart. 

photo |  Wilton

Autumn Acorn Harvest cookies. Fun for young and the old! 

photo | Southern Living

This Hot Cider Nog combines the creaminess of egg-nog and the spiced fruitiness of apple cider, which is perfectly dressed with a cinnamon stick or apple slice. If this doesn't warm your guests' hearts, I don't know what will! 

something thoughtful...

photo | Eclectically Vintage

'Thankful Pumpkins' allow guests to participate in sharing and declaring what they are grateful for this year. It's also a great keepsake for guests to take home along with their leftovers!

photo |  Lasso The Moon

'A Thankful Heart' is an idea that urges all members of the family to give a handmade stuffed heart to someone special for whom they are grateful for. Katie from Live Craft Eat shared her idea here and says she makes the hearts using scrap fabric and fiberfill. You can find out how to make these cuties here. 

photo |  etsy

Why not say 'thanks' to someone special in a pumpkin spiced themed card? 

I dig it. 

photo |  Lia Griffith

Using decorative labels on take-away containers can add a personal touch for guests' left-overs or for care boxes of food. Lia Griffith has lots of ideas that can make any container extra special. 

photo |  Frugal Mom Eh!

Another lovely and thoughtful gift for the Thanksgiving dinner hostess...Pumpkin Latte sugar scrub for a fall-time facial! A simple DIY that tastes as good as it works!

something cute...

photo |  piebox.com

Bringing a pie to the party? Why don't you bring it in style with the pie box?

photo |  Tell Love and Party

This handmade banner will brighten up your Thanksgiving season! 

photo |  Martha Stewart 

Painting pumpkins to match your party's color scheme can add a fun artsy touch to the party. 

photo |  Martha Stewart 

Originality is awarded to this DIY painted wishbones. 

photo |  West Elm 

Copper is a popular accent color right now, and what better way then to use it in your Thanksgiving dining experience? 

photo |  Pottery Barn 

Add an accent pillow to your autumn decor. 

something to set your eyes on...

photo |  Bird is the Word

Shabby chic dessert table is stunning.

photo |  The Tom Kat Studio

Banner with sweet bows makes this buffet table perfectly arranged for a Thanksgiving dessert feast.   

photo |  Bloom Designs by Jenny Raulli

Be thankful for desserts! 

photo |  B Lovely Events 

Welcome to pie town! 

photo |  Green Wedding Shoes 

Check out this wedding dessert buffet! Cut tree trunks hold a variety of pies in this rustic dessert display, which would be an awesome touch at any Thanksgiving dinner. 

An Ode to Oscar de la Renta: Room Inspiration From Some of His Most Inspiring Looks

Sadly, the legendary fashion designer Oscar de le Renta (July 22, 1932- October 20, 2014) passed away last week at the age of 82. He became most famous after dressing Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s, and was sought after by famous celebrities for red carpet events and weddings. All over the world, the most revered style icons, dignitaries, celebrities, and fashionistas dropped his name with the utmost respect and awe.  

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and every major news and fashion outlet posted pictures in remembrance of the late icon, some of which were of his legendary gowns that were worn by A-List celebs over the past four decades. As I looked through these photos, I was in awe of how beautifully he crafted the most elegant fabrics to fit and accentuate the silhouette of a woman. His designs are mesmerizing, gorgeous, and timeless. 

I was so inspired, that I decided to take his designs and create my own variation of decor. Here are my three favorite Oscar de la Renta gowns, and my own room design based on each look. 

Nicole Kidman, Omega Gala 'La Nuit Enchantee', 2013. 

via

Bedroom

Romantic, gothic, French, shabby chic.

The Inspiration

1. Vanity- Stein World credenza 

2. Worthen sheepskin ottoman. (horchow.com)

3. Heritage Landing faux silk-lined drapes. (overstock.com)

4. Ralph Lauren stag chandelier. (horchow.com)

5. "Devonna" tufted headboard. (horchow.com)

6. Anastasia bedding from The Isabella Collection by Kathy Fielder. (horchow.com)

7. Accent Pillows- Crocodile pattern and faux fur pillows- The Isabella Collection by Kathy Fielder, and Harlow bedding, Isabella Collection by Kathy Fielder. (horchow.com)

Amy Adams, Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2013. 

via

Living Room

Old Hollywood glamour, chic.

The Inspiration

a. Large Gilt Framed Octoganal mirror (charish.com)

b. Distressed Damask scrolol, Georgetown Designs, York Wallcovering (totalwallcovering.com)

c. Veronica chair (houzz.com)

d. Bakairi Armchair

e. Chandelier Cattelan Italia, Venezia Collection

f. Emperor Solid Piano Black Strandwoven Silkwood Bamboo (floorchoice.co.uk)

g. Cowhide metallic silver grey (houzz.com)

h. Powell Mirrored console (overstock.com)

i. Moro Hollywood Regency grey silver metallic hide steel bench (houzz.com)

j. Abigail Coffee Table, aged bronze. (onekingslane.com)

k. silver pleated pillow (onekingslane.com) and Brilliante Antiqued pillow (houzz.com)

l. McCartney Hollywood Regency Tufted charcoal grey velvet sofa (houzz.com)

Carrie Underwood, Music Billboard Awards, 2012. 

via

Formal Sitting Room

Hollywood Regency, modern, sleek and chic. 

The Inspiration

a. Room Divider: Architectural wire mesh in S-32 (bankwire.com)
b. Bubble Hanging Chair with polished chrome (houzz.com)
c. Black Maarten Baas Smoke Chair (houzz.com)
d. Modern Crystal chandelier Lighting Light Fixture (houzz.com)
e. Twisted mesh metal table (houzz.com)
f. Tibetan/ Mongolian Lamb Fur Pelt/ Rug (houzz.com)
g. White Hover Modern Reception chair (houzz.com)
h. Moro Modern Steel and Cowhide Nesting Tables (houzz.com)
i. Accent wall covering in Tulip Damask by Virtuoso (totalwallcovering.com)
j. Paint for walls in Lilac Muse 7004-3 by Valspar (valsparpaint.com)
k. Black paneling for wall wainscot and crown moulding (kaneva.com)
l. Wood flooring in Grano Wood WP311 (karndean.com)
m. Gotham U Antique Silver Mirror in Uttermost 06048 P (houzz.com)
n. Blu Dot Dang console in Risk Averse Grey (houzz.com)
o. Rug Nourison Graphic Illusions Area Rug Collection NOUR-13077 (houzz.com)

Front-door Follies: 10 ideas to help you design an organized entryway

Today, I wanted to share some amazing ideas for dressing up an apartment entryway. We just moved into a small two-bedroom apartment and received our first order of staple furnishing pieces. But it's one of those situations that as you settle in and unpack the 100 boxes and suitcases you still cannot believe you have, you realize that there are still little things missing. For example, I realized that I have nowhere to properly put away my purse the moment that I began screaming at my husband as he thoughtlessly, although not intentionally, set my leather designer bag on the floor. NOOOOO! I also realized that he has nowhere to place his pocket change, keys, wallet, (and other man pocket things that I think should be going into a man-purse (or, ahem, European shoulder bag) because it's just weird that someone can carry all that stuff in their pockets without wearing the 90s JNCO Jeans which held large textbooks in those kangaroo pouches- remember those jeans?). His solution, bless his heart, was to clear off an entire shelf of our bookshelf and place his things there like they are on display. Um, no.

So I know we are in dire need of an entryway table or storage unit that allows us to place these types of things as we come and go each day. Since we are in an apartment, we do not have a foyer, nor a grandiose-chandelier lit entryway. Instead, we have a door. A door that walks you right into the living area. Like so many apartment renters, we have to get a bit creative and a lot organized to properly house our migratory items while we retire at our place for the evening hours.

Ideally, a perfectly functioning entryway would have the following:

• a great light source that is easy to access when you are coming home in the dark.
• a place to sit while you put on or take off your shoes.
• a place to stow away your shoes.
• a place to hang jackets, coats, scarves, keys, small bags, etc.
• a place for your purse, backpack, or computer bag.
• a place to put keys, pocket change, and other small items. 
• a place to put mail. 
• a place to stow umbrellas or other necessities.
• a mirror to take one last look before flying out the door. 

Taking all of these things into consideration, I found some great ideas and designs that I love.

via

I love the functional simplicity here. The baskets beneath the beautiful rustic hairpin legged bench stows away shoes, while purses and bags can rest on top of the bench. Simple wall pegs allow for jackets, hats, keys, and smaller bags to hang, while a large mirror not only serves its purpose, but adds depth to the narrow space.

via

First of all, this table is just show stopping, and paired with that peacock feather-esque mirror??? I die!! I absolutely love everything about the table and mirror combo. Here are a few examples of alternative lamps that would also look great with this table and mirror duet. 

via

This apartment is architecturally gorgeous with its wood floors, crisp white walls with moulding, and moulded ceiling soffit over the entryway. I love how the elements in the entryway are both artistic and functional. Even the overhead lighting itself is a piece of art. 

via

This is such a simple idea, but the use of the peekaboo clear table overlapping the large art piece is genius. The chandelier and lamp give the area plenty of light, the stool allows a place to sit or to rest a purse or bag. The displays personal photos is a nice touch.

via

This is a sophisticated design that looks nothing short of glamourous. It is functional, but also showcases a ton of style.

via

Again, this is a functional space, but the overall design is center stage. The monochrome chairs paired with the large mirror and simple table perfectly compliment the contrast of the dark wood floors and white walls with the pop of color in the ceiling. The ceiling light fixture perfectly illuminates the space.

via

This has to be one of my favorite entryways. I think it's because it has an old Hollywood glamour feel to it, with the fur shrug and art-deco style bench, table, and stained glass design. It is functional and has most of what an entryway needs, including an umbrella stand.

via

I have always loved minimalist spaces, and wish that I could have one one day by purging a lot of junk I insist that I need (mostly heels, makeup, and hair products). This is a beautiful entryway space that has all the necessary elements. 

via

This is a nice use of hallway space upon entering. It is a perfectly functional space for a family to keep the necessary things near the entryway; hook, shelving, bench, baskets, and overhead lighting.

via

I love the table bench in this entryway. Neither is too large for this narrow space, and both add not only function, but a warm welcome to those who enter. The rug adds warmth and coziness to the space, tying it all together perfectly.