It used to be that I could paint anything white and it would fit my décor. My sister used to make fun of me for my tiny obsession. For any of you who watch the show Portlandlia, my obsession reminds me of the hilarious skit, “We put birds on things”. I’d find an old picture frame that didn’t quite fit in my room, so I’d paint it white; a cool vintage statue of an owl, I’d paint it white!

Now I’m obsessed with gold. I love the level of sophistication it can add to any setting, but paired with the right color, and only using a hint of it, it can still be playful and fun. So, this goes out to you, Susie (my sis). You’ll no longer here me talk about white! You can also see this post on Brooklyn Bride where I guest blog from time to time.

Tablescape on The Decorista | gold flatware from West Elm | Confetti System Streamers | Foil Stamped Invitations featured on The Sweetest Occasion | gold painted chair from Anthropologie | artwork of Martin Pfeifle | Streamers from Martha Stewart | wallpaper by Verde | DIY star drink sticks | gold painted branches at Martha Stewart | gold installation by Carmody Groarke

At LS we pull inspiration for our events from anything and everything, especially art. Martin Pfeifle’s commentary on space and color translate very easily into an event setting, if you look hard enough. I love the colored paper hanging from the ceiling as a potential backdrop or partition. And, I’m a big fan of this pink spacial field turning into a table with one huge hit of color.

I just couldn’t resist re-posting this diy idea from Hostess with the Mostess. They have such great diy projects. If you haven’t noticed, LS has a mini obsession over yarn. It’s so cheap and easy to work with. This tutorial of yarn craft brings me back to the yarn partition that we designed and built for our Vessels event.It also takes me back to more of our fabulous posts infusing yarn, including the Yarn Nest, Amanda McCavour’s Art, and our Cozies for the Urban Landscape post.

I’m totally loving textile artist Amanda McCavour Spirograph-like disks of yarn. She weaves these pieces of yarn onto a water-soluble fabric that melts away and leaves a bowl like shell form. Accumulation is an installation at Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel Cafe. These disks of beautifully threaded flowers cascade down the wall and inspire my own imagination to come up with new ways to decorate.

I love the holidays! More opportunities to host and break out my special cocktail menus and party dresses. I am so inspired by this Kate Spade shoot. What a great way to reinvent the holidays. Can’t afford a tree? Draw one. Want a new holiday idea? Go crazy with the glitter! How cute and delicate.

I ask you, is it too late to whip up a holiday extravaganza with only three weeks to spare? I hope not, because I’m on board to make this happen!

Photography: Alison Conklin / Styling: Styled Creative / Cakes and Cupcakes: Brown Betty Desserts / Paper Materials: Two Paperdolls

read on to hear more about the shoot from the Kate Spade team!

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Last week marked my first guest blogging experience with Brooklyn Bride! I had a lot of fun picking inspiration for the site. My inspiration this week was on the color Coral. I’m kind of in love with this color. The best part is, depending on what colors it is paired with, it can transcend all seasons. Look for more of my upcoming guest posts on my inspiration at Brooklyn Bride or right here at Local Social.

1. Interior by Herzog & Meuron’s | 2. Shades by Group8 | 3. beach wedding via StyleMePretty | 4. Invitation by Be True Designs | 5. Bird Confetti from BHLDN | 6. cake and coral fringe via 100LayerCake | 7. Coral House by Group8

On a cold, gray day like today, these playful oversized knitted objects bring a little cheer and a feeling of warmth. I want to surround myself with them and take a nap.

Urchin Pouf by Christien Meindertsma

Aran Rug also by Christien Meindertsma

Knitted stools by Claire-Anne O’Brien

Knitted poufs and giant blanket/tapestry from hardblogcafe

I’m super into this table decor from Hey Look. This is so fall! It’s versatile enough and just right for a light meal with friends or even a somewhat formal dinner for the holidays. I’m in love with the gold vases and use of ferns. They even took the time to style some very cute corsages for the guests. I love that! I’m a big fan of the corny, “hello, my name is tag”, but in a much more subtle sophisticated way and this way (with gold flowers) is much more personal and intimate.

In preparation for Tilt, the wedding event that we styled and participated in a few weeks ago, we designed and made some boutineers for our guests. It’s super simple and a great way to personalize your wedding attire.

Step 1
Begin by collecting your materials. You’ll need flowers (duh), ribbon or fabric, flower tape, wire and wire cutters. We chose to work with air plants with some accent flowers. The air plants were generously supplied by Air Supply Plant Co..

Step 2
Take a wire and poke it through your air plant, bend it halfway and cut it about 2.5 inches down.

Step 3 Arrange your other flowers next to your air plant. Begin by tapping off the flowers from the top down. At this point, you can choose to put a piece of vintage fabric or ribbon on top by wrapping it around and pinning it to secure it.

Voila!

At Local Social, we are big on designing a signature cocktail for every party we create (designed by our LS mixology guru Marjan). Something about having a specially made drink for your guests really says you went the extra mile to make their time special (and delicious!). Bon Appetite has done a great job on their site of telling you exactly how you can make your own event stand out with killer cocktail recipes and interesting features (like how to make your own ice specific to each drink).

I’m in love with the cool clean classic graphics and photography, as well as the classic choices of videos and yummy concoctions. Take a look and find a way to spruce up your next party.

Bon Appetite also includes informative videos on the proper way to mix your favorite drink. In this case, we’ve included a link for a manhattan. Enjoy.

For more interesting resources for drinks, check out The Art of the Bar and the web site Liqurious.

* look for a post on Marjan and his amazing drinks soon on our blog!