INSPIRATION: Wine-Tasting Theme

Winter months bring about warm, robust-flavored pastas and hearty soups.  Wine is an excellent complement to these flavors.  Wine tastings are a chance to allow your guests to experience wines that they may not have had the opportunity to taste before, or, perhaps, have never thought to purchase in the store.    It is important to include no more than a handful of wines, because you want your pallet to concentrate on its taste buds, and not let a “drunkenly-impaired” mind get in the way. 

Some people may opt to choose wines with the same vintage, grape varietal, or brand.  I chose an eclectic group of wines, varied grape varietals from wide-ranging regions, all imported by Monsieur Touton.  Here are the list of wines that were served:

            (1)    Andre Delorme Sparkling Wine (France)– used to cleanse the pallet  

(2)    Tomaiolo Pinot Grigio (Italy) – goes well with cheese and fruit appetizers

(3)    Chimney Creek Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – complements light green salad

(4)    Alain Corcia Bourgogne Pinot Noir (France) – main course

(5)    Agua de Piedra Grand Reserve Malbec (Argentina) – main course

(6)    Cantina Gabriele Moscato (Italy) – sweet, dessert wine served with cake

Necessary elements for a successful wine tasting:

(1) A server – pour each guest’s glass with 1-2 oz. of each wine varietal

(2) Spittoon “spit bucket”- to pour out any extra left in the glass or to spit (some people may have to drive home)

(3)  Scoring/Recording Sheet – allows guests to rate each wine, so they can  remember the name of the wine and its rating when they return home

(4) Glasses -flute to serve champagne/sparkling wine, 2 wine glasses (white/red)

Unique ways to incorporate the wine theme into your party:

(1)     Wine cork place card holders

(2)     Wine favors (always good to include the same wines that you served)

(3)    Wine-colored decor (flowers, table runners, etc)

(4)    Grape and cork embellishments

(5)    “Stock the bar” wishing well - Have guests bring items to help the guest-of-honor stock their wine bar

(6)    Food gift baskets that compliment the various flavors of the wines

(7)    Wine Shelf Talkers – provide summary of wine’s region, taste and rating

Keep it Simple: DIY Holiday Invitations

Every good host/hostess attempts to use decorations or coordinating patterns/colors to enhance the theme of their holiday party. First place to start is with the invitation!  If you are like me, the only invitations that are enjoyable to create are those for small groups, otherwise the craft gets too tedious.  Here is a simple idea that can be modified for various themes, colors, and occasions.  All you need is ONE trip to your local craft store, such as AC Moore or Michael’s.  I chose AC Moore because of its proximity.

Invitation Recipe (Serving Size-20 invitations)

Ingredients:

2 Packs of Printable Cards/Envelopes 4 in. by 5 ½ in. (usually in 10 count packs)

2 Pack of Stickers

5 pieces of colored/textured paper or card stock 12 in. by 12 in.

5 pieces of white cardstock 8 1/2 in. by 11 in.

1. Cut the colored cardstock to fit the cards (4 in. by 5 ½ in. pieces) There will be 4 per sheet w/ extra paper left over

2. Glue colored card stock onto inside of invitation

3. Type up invitation wording using Microsoft Word or other program

Ideas for holiday invitation wording:

http://www.holiday-invitations.com/wording-christmas-invitations-cards.htm

http://www.purpletrail.com/partytrail/holiday_parties/christmas/holiday-invitation-wording

4.  Glue top layer. Be sure that the background colored card stock is still visible.

5.  Add embellishments, such as stickers or stamps to the front

6. I chose to print onto the invitation and the envelope for addressing and a simple message

Total Cost: $22.25/ 20 invitations

If you need some "flair" to embellish your event, try adding a Candy Buffet or Sweet Treat Dessert Table from CW distinctive DESIGNS to coordinate with your celebration!  Click here to check out some ideas to continue with the teal and shimmery silver decor of this invitation!

Apple Theme: Fall Wedding Inspiration

    

I cannot take credit for the following DIY ideas.  It is the design of one of my closest friends, Jess.  If you are like me, the person who goes to a wedding or celebratory function and gawks at the small details and eyes up the simple, but unique details, then you will appreciate this post.  By far, this was one of the most outstandingly well-thought-out weddings I have been to.  What comes to mind when you think of fall weddings?  Leaves, pumpkins, and perhaps orange/red decor.  Think further…how about apples, burlap bags, and warm cider….these were all an integral part of this wedding, aside from the beautiful bride and down-to-earth husband.

 (a)    Mini chalkboards – Perfect idea for the programs for an outdoor ceremony and detailed signs.

(b)   Apple centerpieces – Each table was named after a type of apple.  Who knew there were that many apples?  Simple. Rustic.  Unique. PeRFeCT.

(c)    Escort Cards – Apples with leaves adorning them.

(d)   Recipe Request Card– Leave your recipe for a successful marriage.

(e)   Invitations – Enveloped in a burlap bag and adorned with an apple and burlap embellishment.  The RSVPs were postcards featuring rustic photographs, one for the “here for the ride” (picture of a horse) and one for the “missed the boat” (picture of the local ferry.)

AND, as if it couldn’t get any better…the favors

(f)      A jar containing the family recipe ingredients for delicious apple cookies.  But what about the apples; they couldn’t fit them in the jar?  Upon departure, guests were given a paper bag to fill with apples that were decorating the entire reception area.  And they were delicious….

Love the idea of throwing in some apple-flavored sweets at a candy buffet, and perhaps, adding some delicious caramel apples.

.ONLy tHe beginnInG

So I tend to describe myself as tech-savy or, at the very least, technically-aware.  Yet, this blogging stuff threw me for a l o o o o o o p!   Of course, I had to SiNk MY tEEtH into it because I am curious and I don't want to feel as if this technically-inclined world is leaving without me. Maybe I will be hooked...who knows??!!

I have always wished I had a career in event coordinating, organizing wonderful presentations,  or possibly even owning my own up-scale boutique filled with a ton of gift ideas.  Thus, CW Distinctive Designs was born!  OrIGInaliTy is all around me!!  I am so lucky to have great friends that always have the CUTEST gift-giving ideas and family members that love uniquely themed parties, so it is inevitable that MY creative juices are always flo.o.o.o.o.o.wing.  For all of you scrapbookers, avid sewers, Martha Stewart followers, creative bakers, etc ...you understand me!  My blogging intentions are to share my DIY ideas, as well as some others' that have crossed my path (with permission of course), to some fellow artistic minds. Maybe I can InSpIrE without divulging my most innovative secrets:)  Oh, if your not too busy, visit my soon-to-be newly published website  http://www.cwdistinctivedesigns.com/