Countdown to 2014 | Part 2

We're sharing out favorite tablescapes of 2013 to countdown the New Year, and we did save the best for last. But first, let us wish you a very safe and happy New Year's Eve, friends. Enjoy the night by brushing up on POSH etiquette from the art of conversation to giving a toast and setting up the bar for the evening by browsing our POSH 101 series. Now, on to the pretty things.

A mixture of white Chloe goblets with Onyx and Stella black stemware on black + white striped linens from POSH Couture Rentals. Design by Todd Events. Image courtesy of Roderick Pena Photography

The TWO x TWO Gala this year was extraordinary in terms of raising money, harnessing creativity (we're looking at you Todd Events), and expressing the power of simplicity with a subtle yet striking black and white aesthetic. Todd knocked it out of the park, proving yet again why he is one of the most in-demand planners in the industry. 

Equally outstanding was this opulent beauty by wedding planner Diann Valentine. A mix of custom linens, gorgeous chairs, and silver place settings created one of the most romantic looks of the year, noted by everyone from Dallas industry vets to Grace Ormonde.  See more from this beautiful event here.

Barcelona Silver China, Floral Elegance Flatware, Silver Goblet, Silhouette Stemware. Image courtesy of Molly Hauge, MoHa Photography

Equally dear to our hearts is the Hollywood Regency shoot by Emily Clarke Weddings & Events. The Gatsby theme has proven strong this year, and with inspired tablescapes like this, we hope it sticks around. See the whole shoot here.

Place Setting: Scalloped Black Charger with Sparkle, Barcelona Gold Charger, Black Banded Dinner Plate, Black + Gold Salad Plate, Dynasty 24 Karat Flatware, Elise Cut Crystal Red and White Stemware, Onyx Champagne Flute.  All POSH Couture Rentals. Images courtesy of John Cain Photography.

Our favorite Fort Worth gal Tami Winn also won over the hearts of thousands of girls planning their weddings with this seriously sweet spread for Brides of North Texas. It nearly makes us want to renew our vows in true Southern fashion. See more images here.

Get the look with POSH - Gold Rimmed Glass Charger / mixed china collections of Gold Leaf, Gold Scroll, and Barcelona Gold / Royal Gold Stemware / Gold Lyons Flatware / Vintage Glass Compotes / Fruitwood Grand Chaivari. Images by Tracy Autem Photography.

We can't talk about fairytale place settings with out mentioning our favorite POSH Petite tablescape, inspired by none other than Peter Rabbit, by our friends at Mathes & Co. (You can bet we'll be recreating this come Easter for our little ones.)

Get the look: Place Setting - Jan Barboglio Hammered Charger / Barcelona Gold Charger / Sevres China Collection / Gold Leaf Compote + Stemware / Light Green Chloe Goblet / Floral Elegance Flatware / Fern Bengaline Moire Linen / White Brighton Petite Chairs. Image courtesy of Mathes & Co.

Countdown to 2014

Image by Lightbox Photography. Rentals: Arte Italica Dinner Plate, Copper Metallic Charger, Elise Cut Crystal Wine Glass, Amber Chloe Goblet, Gold Floral Lace Champagne Flute

Looking back over the past year, we've been blessed to be a part of memorable events and unforgettable moments around the table. To commemorate our best year yet, we're counting down to 2014 by taking a moment to reflect on a few of our favorite tablescapes and posts on this blog. Do you have any favorites? We'd love to hear from you!

Going for gold with a gorgeous Arte Italica Dinner Plate and Copper Metallic Charge. The Arte Italica is one of our favorite couture pieces.  See more images and read about this tablescape here.

Images above styled and photographed by Lightbox Photography. Rentals: Arte Italica Dinner Plate, Copper Metallic Charger, Silverbead Flatware

Emily Clarke Weddings & Events captured a Marie Antionette moment with a gorgeous Spring tablescape for The Brides of North Texas. We still can't get over the gorgeous details! See more images and read about it here.

Mottahadeh White Lace Charger, Arte Italica Dinner Plate, Lamour Napkin

Rentals: Vintage cake stands and platters, Sevres Tea Cup and Saucer, Silver Service Tea Set, Three-Tier Trays

Rentals: Crystal Champagne Coups

Images by Andrea Polito Photography. Styled by Emily Clarke of Emily Clarke Weddings & Events. Rentals: Silver Goblet, Amber Goblet, Gold Floral Lace Wine

 To round out today's list is a favorite Four Seasons Las Colinas tablescape featuring a Moroccan vibe. With all this cold weather, we're looking forward to more like this sooner than later! Read all about it here.

Image by Rebecca Lorrine Photography. Rentals: Rattan Round Charger, Exotic Bird by Charles Sadek Dinner Plate, Vintage Carnival Glassware, Gold Floral Lace Champagne Flute, Floral Elegance Flatware, Bamboo Folding Chairs

NYE | Throw Some Glitter

Here's an early NYE present to get you started this weekend. Our favorite songs to celebrate 2013. Just push play, throw some glitter, and have guests dancing and mingling all night long. 

 

Celebrate | Golden Years

Left: Carrie Mulligan sparkles in a dress perfect for New Year's Eve. Getty Images. // Right: An Arte Italica dinner plate helps celebrate another golden year. Photo credit: Donna Newman Photography

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Before you relax too much, be thinking about the perfect way to ring in the New Year. We love a big party as much as the next gal, but we'd really love to spend the evening with close friends over an intimate dinner with great food and conversation. New Year's calls for breaking out sequin and sparkly outfits and the most luxurious china. We're still pondering over what dress to wear, but for tabletop, the best choice is definitely Arte Italica. The gold rimmed glass dinner plates have class and luxury down with out needing much else. Adding Valencia Stemware and Dynasty 24 Karat Gold Flatware will top off the look perfectly. What will you be serving your friends for the New Year's? We're still taking last minute orders, so call us to ring the New Year's in, in style.

Happy Holidays

For all our friends and followers, thank you for a wonderful year of memorable events and unforgettable moments. We look forward to serving you even better in 2014. While you head home for the holidays, we will be wishing you well and hoping your hearts and tables are full. Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year, and Merry Christmas to all!
 

Holiday Menu | Stephen Pyles Southern Cuisine

The father of Southwester Cuisine, and definitely a local favorite of ours, Stephan Pyle's has been awarded everything from an Emmy (from the PBS series New Tastes from Texas), the James Beard award for Best Chef in American, and a Who's Who of Food and Wine in America.  We love everything he comes out with, and Stephan Pyles Catering is no different. We ask for a sample from their holiday menus to share with our readers. No doubt you'll want this at your next event.

Nostalgia | Santa's Cookies

A favorite holiday tradition for those with children has to be setting out cookies for Santa on 
Christmas Eve. It's certainly an undeniable treat when opening stocking in the morning for adults too. While store bought cookies are easy, we like the idea of baking with the family the night before. One of the best recipes we've tried has to be one made infamous through urban legend - the $250 Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie. Story goes that a customer and her daughter ordered the treats at the Neiman Marcus cafe and loved them so much, they asked for the recipe. The waitress checked, and to receive the recipe, a "two fifty" charge would be added to her bill. The women obliged, thinking $2.50 was quite the steal. Thirty days later, going over her bill, the woman noticed a rogue $250 charge on her bill. One customer service call later, she realized it was for the chocolate chip recipe. The note could not be reversed, so the woman decided to share the recipe with everyone so no one would have to pay such a hefty price for a cookie. It's all urban legend, of course, but it is one heck of a cookie. 

Yields about 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
½ cup (one stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the work bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla for 30 seconds longer, until well combined.
In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the mixer, while beating on slow speed., Beat for about 15 seconds, stir in the chocolate chips and espresso powder, and mix for 15 seconds longer.
Prepare a cookie sheet with about 2 tablespoons of shortening (or use a non-stick spray). Using a 1-ounce scoop, or using a 2 tablespoon measure, drop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet in dollops about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into 2-inch circles; there should be room on the sheet of six or eight cookies at a time. Transfer to the oven in batches and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookies are nicely browned around the edges. Bake for a little longer for crispier cookies.

Traditional vs. Modern

Your personality should shine through your tabletop, especially during the holidays. Tradition and holiday hues can still be applied, but be sure that guests see a true reflection of the host where they sit. It is the most sincere and authentic gesture you can make when breaking bread with family and friends. Whatever your personal style or the interior design of your home, you can put together an exceptional tabletop for the holidays with a little help from your friends at POSH.

Traditional Tabletop

You have Mary McDonald's prints and patterns in your dining room and your own collection of Mottahedeh. How to spruce it up a little differently this year? Bring in the Versailles Silver Charger for an added layer of silver and the Parisian Flatware for just the right amount of gold. Forgo the same stemware as last year with a touch of true luxury with our Elise Cut Crystal Stemware for toasting all night long. And when dinner is finally served, look no further than our vintage silver dome platter - the presentation will definitely be worth it.

Modern Tabletop

Embrace the Art Deco theme that is taking everyone by storm. Choose luxe cut crystal with a geometric cut charger and a truly modern shape with our Artesian Flatware. Nothing says modern like a pop art throwback, which calls for a Chloe goblet in holiday hues of red and emerald green. The final touch? An immaculate clear ghost chair from Resource One. You're set for Christmas.

Tabletop Tuesday | Art Deco

Art Deco tablescape with POSH Black Banded Dinner Plate and Black + White Soup Bowl.

For those of you looking for a little New Year Eve inspiration, tap into the Art Deco theme that has taken us by storm. What better way to celebrate a glamorous new year than with the exuberance of a twenties them. As Fergie says, "A little party never hurts nobody." Our Fort Worth gal and awesome wedding planner Jen Rios took the architectural elements of the historic T & P Station and transformed a simple reception tablescape into an inspiring scene in this unforgettable shoot for 100 Layer Cake. Lauren Peele Photography caught each amazing shot just in time for you to bookmark this look for your festive holiday fete.

The ceiling at T & P Station. So gorgeous.

Could there have been a better venue than T & P Station for this shoot? The ceilings and architecture of this building is beyond gorgeous with amazing lighting. The gold and black hues were tapped and brought into tabletop with our Black + Gold China Collection.

What's in a name? If it's the Gold Scroll Stemware, you know it's a name worthy of an impressive guest list.

Toast the evening with glamorous crystal champagne coups.

What's an Art Deco theme with fabulous fizzy and bubbly drinks? Our crystal champagne coups taken center stage for a noteworthy toast. Be sure to see the entire shoot here and catch a hand crafted cocktail (with recipe) by Michael Rios Event Bartending. 

Photography: Lauren Peele Photography / Design & Styling: Jen Rios Designs / Floral Design: Kate Foley Designs / Cakes: Sugar Bee Sweets / Paper Design & Calligraphy: Chips & Salsa Design Studio / Hair & Makeup: Beauty & the Blush / Bridal Gown: De ma fille / Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen / Chairs & Flatware: Ducky Bob’s Event Specialists / China & Glassware: Posh Couture Rentals / Signature Cocktail: Michael Rios Event Bartending / Bride’s Earrings: Rory Ashton Jewelry / Location: T & P Station in Fort Worth, Texas

Christmas Countdown

All images via Pinterest

With a little over a week left for Christmas, you're either excited or stressing about the holidays. For all those last minute planning tips, decor ideas, and entertaining options, check out our Pinterest board for our favorite tricks for an easy and elegant December. Happy Holidays!
 

Christmas | To Give + Get

Images via: The Moma / The New York Times / House Beautiful / Assouline / Haute Hippie

Everyone has been sharing their gift guides for the holiday season, so we thought we'd shine a light on a few items that have caught our eye this December. These are the perfect gift for any lady in your life. 

1.  Damien Hirst's mixed anamorphic cup and saucer set. This artfully inspired set of six espresso cups and saucers was produced in conjunction with Hirst's 2012 retrospective at the Tate Modern. The designs are direct reflections of his artwork, including Virtue, The Incomplete Truth, Beautiful Amore, Beautiful Cataclysmic, Doorways to the Kingdom of Heave, and For the Love of God.  What art lover (or tea taker) wouldn't want these? Available through the MoMa store here.
2.  You know we'd have more than one tea set on our list, right? This set by British designer Richard Brendon caught our eye in House Beautiful last month and is high on our list. These saucers are rescued from discard bins throughout England's finest antique stores and paired with bone-china cups painted platinum or gold. What a gorgeous, thoughtful gift.
3. Speaking of Damien Hirst, splurge for his collaboration with Alexander McQueen on a series of wearable art for the fashion house. With their gallery price tags, you just might want to frame them. Our favorite, shown above, is the Judecca. Available at Alexander McQueen stores and online here. 
4. Every gal loves a great coffee table book, and Assouline's SWANS: Legends of the Jet Society looks awfully inviting with its spreads of opulent lifestyles and exotic locations. Whether you're privileged or just a dreamer, this is the perfect book to inspire.
5. Clothes are always on the top of the giving and receiving list, but it's such a personal choice that it's often hard to find a good sartorial gift. However, Haute Hippie has the perfect mix of winter whites to hit the town come New Year's Eve. A gift that immediately gives, how 'bout that. 

Toast | Winter Weddings

Statistics show December is the most popular month to get engaged--perhaps it's the spirit of giving and unconditional love. Whatever the reason, we love the idea of getting engaged during the holiday season. Seriously, is there a better gift? Here are a few looks of our favorite winter weddings to get all the love birds inspired for winter weddings.

Image by Four Seasons Dallas at Las Colinas

Luxurious centerpieces created the idea of a winter wonderland against dark table linens while ghost chairs and black chiavari chairs provided elegant seating for this draped in white ballroom at the Four Seasons Las Colinas. This is one of our favorites for its balance of dark and light for a seasonal feel.

Mary Elizabeth and Sean had everything from a butterfly release after the ceremony to a  seasonal reception at the historic Belo Mansion. Andrea Polito Photography captured every gorgeous moment (see them all here), including the bride and groom cutting the cake with our Exotic Bird China Collection. 

Image by Andrea Polito Photography.

You can't forget the seating. Our natural fruitwood chiavari's hold court with the light hues associated with winter. We love the way they look in Dean Fearing's Restaurant for a beautiful reception designed by Jackson Durham Floral & Event Design. The comfort of these oversized chairs provide comfort and class as only a chiavari can. 

Image by John Christopher Photographs

Who can beat the classic hues of silver and white for a wintry wedding? We love the non-traditional setup of the tables along with the simple tablescapes. Our custom pewter chiavari hairs and silver satin linens make this classic style hard to beat, especially paired with the gorgeous Hilton Anatole and florals from The Garden Gate.

So, how do you feel about winter weddings? We'd love to hear from you.
 

Banter / The Art of Conversation

There is more to a dinner party or cocktail hour than tabletop and food. How about the conversation? You definitely don't want your party having the dynamic of half of the guests glued to mobile devices updating social media feeds and the other half glued to the wall. As hostess (or a good guest), you must mingle to make merry. We've shared a few of our favorite tips above, but we have a little link love to even more tantalizing tidbits on mastering the art of conversation. 

Kate Spade has an adorable collection of greeting one-liners here just in case you meet a handsome stranger. 

The Capital Grill - one of our absolute favorite restaurant and bars - has detailed tips on creating genuine connections and breaking the ice here.  

Preparation is key, as well as a good listening ear, according to The Art of Manliness, and we quite agree. See all of their tips here for being a good gentleman or gentlewoman.

Brain Pickings - another favorite daily read - has tips on politeness, which has an aim to make those whom you associate with as well satisfied with themselves as possible.

Sounds like this art is really quite a skill, so brush up on these tips before your next soiree.  

Tabletop Tuesday // Bombay Remix

It's time to shine: Jade Bombay with Champagne Metallic Nu Silk chair covers, Metallic Nu Silk table linen, Jade Bombay dinner napkins with Metallic Nu Silk Mitered Border. All Resource One, Inc., exclusively at POSH Couture Rentals. Published in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine, Fall 2013

There are certain times of the year that call for a strong linen. Anniversaries, wedding receptions, and holidays take the top bill for us. When it's time to shine, Resource One Linens custom colors and cuts are a must. New Year's Eve is just around the corner, and while the majority of clients are thinking barware and champagne flutes, we say go for a fabulous seated dinner or brunch with this Champagne Metallic Nu Silk Linen. This beautiful tablescape was published in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine, Fall 2013, and deserves a toast of its own!  Don't forget the chiavari chair treatments. We love the Jade Bombay with Champagne Metallic Nu Silk covers shown above. Add a mixture of silver and gold elements on your tabletop - like our Versailles Charger and Dinner Plate or Dynasty 24 K Flatware, and crystal champagne coups and flutes, and you'll be set to ring in the New Year.

Resource One Linens are offered exclusively at POSH Couture Rentals.

Press Play // Christmas Waltz

Audrey knows the power of a good playlist. Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Beyond the traditional fully loaded Christmas Classics playlist, it's nice to have a holiday playlist with a seasonal slant that includes more than Santa Claus is Coming to Town and White Christmas. Our favorite December tunes and soulful winter ballads make the cut in the Christmas Waltz Playlist. Download it now for holiday hosting duties, long drives, or just beating the ice storm that has us all taking cover.