To Do: Weekend Checklist

With only a few more weekends of Summer, we're trying to pack in everything we can before our time is filled with Fall parties and events. Here's a glimpse at our weekend checklist. From Restaurant Week, tabletop market, catching up on reading, and even a POSH engagement, we've got a lot going on! What will you be doing?

Photo credits: Pesto recipe via Mrs. Lilien.

We're getting inspired about new prints, like Marquise de Laborde and the fantastic embroidered linens she makes in France or the latest wallpaper collection from Hermes. Both of these lines tell tremendous stories with their intricate designs, and trust when we say you'll fall in love. 

Besides catching up on the latest September issues (!!!), we're reading a couple of great books. Gone Girl has been on the New York Times best reading list for some time now, and it's worth the hype. Laurel recommended By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop, and we love the great advice from these two beautiful ladies that show us the brains and grace under pressure you need when starting a daring new business.

It's Restaurant Week in Dallas! If you haven't had the chance to try Cafe Pacific's Pecan Ball, now's the time. It's on the RW menu. Not only that, but it's been featured on The Food Network "Best Thing I Ever Ate" series. We have to agree.
Cooking at home? Mrs. Lilien, the hostess with the mostess, has the ultimate recipe for pesto. It's a must try! (Her image above.)

Photo Credits: POSH; bottom right, sconce image via Branching Out.

One of our very own got engaged! Congrats to Meg Hayes and her wonderful fiance Jason. We have to admit, we can't wait to help plan.

Jami and Laurel are heading back from NYC's tabletop market. What kind of goodies will they be bringing back? To be first in-the-know, sign up for our weekly newsletter, which always features trends, new showroom items, and sales. 

We always looking for easy ways to spruce up our interiors or plan designs for events. Checking into Branching Out's blog always offers creative and cool ways to enhance your floral and event design, like the proper way to decorate a sconce (above).  

Petite: Back to School

It's that time of year again - back to school! It's a bittersweet time, isn't it? The kiddos are still excited to go to school while you're thinking the years are going by way to fast. Childhood disappears in the blink of an eye, that's why POSH Petite likes to help you cherish the little things (backyard BBQs), the big things (birthdays!), and everything in between. Whatever your budget, we'll help you do just that with style and fun. We took inspiration from Lauren Newton, a client who recently used our children line for a few small parties, to stir up our own back-to-school ideas to wish you and your precious petite a great school year!

Rentals: (Left) Scalloped Pink Charger, Pink Polka Dot China, Vintage Carnival Glassware, Petite Chairs (various colors available) // (Right) Pink Polka Dot Salad Plate, Gold Scroll Glass, Pink Cottanesse Linen (GBS), Pink and Silver Petite Chiavari Chairs.

(Left): Pink Petite Chiavari Chairs, White Cottanesse Linen (GBS), Pink Chevron Runner (client's own) // (Right) Back to school goodies for fun and organizing: Vera Bradley backpack, Lilly Pulitzer backpack, Paul Frank alarm clock and notebook, Lilly Pulitzer pencils

(From left): Kiernan Shipka of Mad Men fame, wearing Oscar de la Renta childrens (image via George&Ruby), Oscar de la Renta Childrens Fall 2012, Target school uniforms.

Thanks to Lauren Newton for sharing her charming Petite tabletops with us! Want to share yours on the blog? Contact us here. 

POSH 101: Finger Foods

Whether you're hosting a dinner for the CEO or attending an event as a guest, your etiquette should be just as polished as the flatware. With this in mind, we thought it would be fun to brush up the rules of graceful entertaining. Thus, this is the start of a new series of timeless traditions and modern translations - POSH 101.  

Our business revolves around events where food often gets top billing. We've witnessed firsthand the somewhat confusing song and dance of patrons at galas or dinner parties unsure of how to eat the amazing hors d'oeuvres and entrés. Rather than let your taste buds miss out, we thought it would be apropos to start this series with dishes that are acceptable to eat with your hands. Unless your accustomed to traditional Indian restaurants (which abide by the ritual of a more emotional and intimate custom of eating with your right hand), eating with your hands may initially seem a bit awkward in a Western setting. To make things easier, we've listed a few dishes below. Nervous? Here's a good rule of thumb: Follow the host's lead; if he or she embraces finger foods you should as well. It's sure to lighten the mood! 

Cherries and our vintage glass compotes | French fries in amuse bouche and our Onyx compotes | Lemon bars and breads on our serving dishes and Copper Metallic Moss B&B charger | Asparagus, corn, and artichoke on our Catering Collection

Notes: 

Tabletop Tuesday: Gorgeous Gold

The Olympics are over, but we're still celebrating the gold. This winning hue offers traditional elegance with just a few pieces and presents added glamour when mixing metals or merging several gold elements. By bringing in earthy tones from white and ivory to taupe and chocolates, gold stands out to project a polished and luxe look that works for any festive fete. Mary-Frances Hurt and Alison Baker of DFW Events perfectly capture these elements in a gorgeous tabletop published in Brides of North Texas Fall 2012. Now that's a first-place finish. 

Image courtesy of Perez Photography for Brides of North Texas Fall 2012 issue.

1. Custom paper elements by Gatsby Event Branding. // 2. A bottle of bubbly with our Gold Filigree Etched Goblet and Gold Lyons Flatware. // 3. The perfectly POSH place setting with the Gold Florentine Charger and Noritake China, Gold & Silver Bead B&B plates with Noritake B&B, and Gold Lyons Flatware. // 4. Florals by The Garden Gate. // 5. Toast with our Gold Filigree Etched Goblets, Gold Leaf Glassware, and Silver Goblets. // 6. Don't forget the chairs! Up the ante with Gold Chiavari Chairs and ivory cushions.

Entertain: A Cocktail Bar with a Twist

Break tradition and get inspired by the always wonderful Mary McDonald. House Beautiful found her easily accessible bar the perfect twist to a cocktail hour. We were so inspired by the bright colors and simplistic setup, we recreated Mary's setting with POSH pieces. By turning a tabletop into a friendly self-serve table area rather than the traditional bar, guests have a chance to create personalized cocktails in bright stemware perfect for everything from a martini to champagne! 

Serving it up with a twist: We love adding traditional elements (classic silver pieces, blue and white vases) along with bright, modern pieces (exotic prints, ghost chairs, fun textures).

Get the look: (top) Resource One linen in Byzantine Brocade | Blue and White Large Vase | Chloe Goblets | Silver Champagne Chiller | (bottom, from left) Green Vintage Carnival Glassware in Classic and Parisian | Martini Compotes | Resource One Louis Ghost Chair in Amber | Trumpet Glassware | Silver Goblet

All rentals from POSH Couture Rentals. Resource One, exclusively at POSH Couture Rentals.