Holiday Happenings

This holiday season has been a busy one for All Set- and I couldn't be happier! From formal dining rooms to children's tablescapes, I've been completing designs across the gamut. Check out some of the photos below:

Happy Holidays- see you in 2011!

First Impression

During the holiday season my living room transforms into Gift Wrap Grand Central Station- wrapping paper, bags, boxes, and bows are scatted everywhere, with the hope of making each package perfect for the person. This year, I am taking the time to personalize my gift wrap with unique gift toppers and handmade tags. I know it sounds ambitious, but Better Homes and Gardens is making this task a littler easier...and cheaper! BHG has provided printable gift tags for the holiday season. Just download the document (as a PDF) and print- you can take it a step further and customize the tags with stickers, stamps, special fonts, buttons, feathers, etc. Here are some of the darling designs offered:

Happy Wrapping!

Better Late Then Never

Welcome to my home-today you are invited to my personal post thanksgiving party... via photographs. I was lucky enough to play hostess with the mostest for my dear friends over the holiday weekend. My tablescape was obviously an anticipated part of the dinner. This year, I decided to take it back to the basics with raw materials found in nature. To accent the pieces that I gathered from my backyard, I purchased two different shades of burlap to create a rustic runner- $8.40 at the local fabric store.

Gobble Gobble Goes Tabletop

With Thanksgiving a day away, I thought I would share some holiday photos that I found inspirational when planning my 2010 Thanksgiving tablescape

Celebrations at home

Martha Stewart

Better Homes and Gardens

Country Living

Parents

Hostess With The Mostess

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers- may you spend the holiday surrounded by all that you are thankful for. "Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." - W.J. Cameron

The Coffee Table Gets Personal

Are you already hyper at the thought of all the holidays gifts that you need to buy? If so, why not make life a little easier and get some shopping done way in advance with the help of Amazon.com. For those "what the heck do I buy them?!?!" people- think of their favorite past time or hobby and buy them a hardcover coffee table book. For all the hosts and hostesses in your life, look to William Yeoward for your solution.

In 2009 I received his wonderful book William Yeoward on Entertaining and a year later it is still my favorite look book in my collection.

"William Yeoward has a worldwide reputation for designing collections for the home, and is particularly known for his imaginative table settings. He has shops in London and New York, lectures on design throughout the United States, and his work is featured in magazines such as Town and Country, Elle Decor (for whom he is a contributing editor), House and Garden, Vogue Living and Vogue Entertaining" (Amazon.com).

On my wish list this year is his 2006 Perfect Tables: Tabletop Secrets, Settings And Centerpieces for Delicious Dining and his 2010 William Yeoward at Home: Elegant Living in Town and Country.

Help make your favorite person's home that much more personal with pages of information and illustrations that will keep them occupied for hours. Happy Shopping!

Sing A Song For Signs

All Set was involved with a "big girl" birthday party this weekend where pink was the theme and champagne and smores were on the menu- yes please! According to guests, the favorite decor element of the evening where these custom flags...

All Set has the capabilities to make custom signage for your every event. Signage is an excellent way to make your party feel that much more personal. Remember the touch is in the details.

Fourteen Hours- Two Events

Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of working with a mother daughter duo who were straight from the pages of Martha Stewart. Their creativity was unmeasurable and their design input was always spot on. The reason for the perfect union between All Set and dynamic duo was to plan Amanda's Bat Mitzvah.

The day would consist of two parts: 1. a luncheon 2. an evening of dinner and dancing. The luncheon was held directly after the service at Beth El Temple in San Mateo, CA. The evening event was hosted at La Honda Winery, Redwood City, CA. Both venues were perfectly fit to host a special event and very accommodating from a coordinators point of view.

From the beginning, Amanda and her mother stressed the importance of a "one-of-a-kind" celebration. They came to the right place! Everything was custom made for their events; from place cards to vases, the events were unique through and through.

LUNCHEON: Beth El Temple, San Mateo

It is important to design to all sides when you are working with round tables- here the back of the 'AMANDA' flags noted the date of the event and the photo pops were all double sided.

EVENING EVENT: La Honda Winery, Redwood City

Amanda's wishing tree where guests were able to give her special birthday wishes.

This 3D "AMANDA" sign acted as a barrier between the cocktail area and the space designated for dinner service.

Food provided by Joshua Charles Catering

Cake provided by Sarah Lindsay Cakes

Among the guests, the most popular activity was the dress up photo booth, compliments of3,2,1 Photo. I am always beyond satisfied with the service provided by 3,2,1 Photo - a fabulous vendor and must know for all party planners, hosts, and hostesses alike. They have recently added a great feature to their already stellar product- they produce a memory book on the spot of all the photos that are taken by guests. Party goers then have the opportunity to write a message next to their fun photo strip. All Set made custom photo sleeves for guests that wanted to take the extra copy home with them.

gift table signage

A special day for a special girl- thanks for letting All Set be part of it!

*Photo credits: Kevin Ng Photography