Decorate for a party! Stylish and simple ideas for meaningful gatherings...

Well hell yeah, it's party season so what we all need is a book that will help us come up with the perfect holiday party decor theme!
We all need a bit of a helping hand sometimes and as December is a busy month it can be über stressful but it doesn't have to be... it's also a great month filled with celebrations so even though throwing a party might be the last thing you want to do personally I think it'll be worth it and
this new book by Holly Becker & Leslie Shewring might be just what you need!
"Decorate for a party! Stylish and simple ideas for meaningful gatherings" is the latest title from Jacqui Small and it's packed with amazing ideas and projects to help you get that perfect party look. And organising a memorable get-together should be easy and fun too so Decorate for a party is the perfect how to guide and resources book for any hostess or host.
Basically with such a great guide it can take out all the craziness behind the organising because a party is a wonderful chance to gather, eat and enjoy, show your creativity and to have a wonderful time filled with love, laughter, friendship and great memories.... so this book will be the perfect companion to get you hosting and decorating like a true party pro!

But it's not all just for the holiday season; it just so happens that the timing is perfect; it's for all year round partying!
With over 100 practical ideas including ten step-by-step projects, the book is split into ten sections covering a range of different set ups using specific colour palettes and styles, from Brights to Moody, Evening Sparkle to Forest Picnic and all themes can be used for a wide variety of gatherings and events... basically for any occasion that's worthy of a celebration!

There’s no need to spend a fortune either, Holly and Leslie will show you how to make the most of what you already have by using what you already have in your home, garden, craft room or
in your pantry to create show stopping creative decorations.
With this amazing book you'll learn how to create  a variety of looks that feel luxurious and special with very little effort! OK, by "very little effort" I don't mean just throwing a few green bits in a corner and saying "That's it, job done, and doesn't that look great?" but as in easy, stress free and not very expensive projects that look lush and give the impression that you've spent days setting up!

I personally love the Bright Mexican inspired theme and even though it doesn't necessarily come under the "holiday season" theme I'm taking my queue from these ladies and just making it work for me and my party! This year we're staying in London and we've decided to invite a few friends over for a fun and easy going Christmas party!
I've started working on my "Feliz Navidad" theme by going for accessories which are both bright and happy!
I'll be making the paper flowers, paper bunting (or Papel cortado/ papel picado), garlands and using rich coloured blousy flowers for a centrepiece plus lots of fairy lights, church candles, recycled brightly illustrated food tins, cactus and giant confetti to adorn the table. Adding a hint of rich golds and deep hues will make it even more special so I really can't wait to get started.
For example I love the white paper bunting which is still beautiful but not as bright and zingy so that'll calm down the whole scheme but the rest will be a colourful fiesta for the eyes!

That's the thing, you really don't have to stick rigidly to the theme or to the type of event it was initially created for, you can mix and match and either go all out or just use some elements which fit in with your lifestyle and your home as well as party type.
There is definitely room to explore and add your very own twist to it too but as a starting point this book offers a wealth of ideas and inspiration!

So with great advice on choosing themes, setting the scene, how to host a stress free dinner party and even down to choosing your play list to create an inviting ambiance I know that many of you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
I am  hopeful that 2017 will become a year of celebrations and good times (cue the high kicks!) and with these two creative women showing us how to set the perfect scene... well, it'll be a doddle! Whether you buy this book for yourself or as a gift for the ultimate party girl (or boy) this will definitely be one of those titles that will prove to be of great use and not just a coffee table book.

That's it, all that's left to say is that we hope you have a very Happy Christmas and may the new year be kind and FUN but for now lets go party!!!

Happy Home Outside!

I've been a huge fan of the homewares company RICE Denmark for quite some time now.
I was so excited to hear that fresh from the success of her first interiors book Happy Home Charlotte Hedeman Guéniau; the founder and designer behind RICE Denmark; has taken her famous signature style and given us yet another treat to delve into! Or should that be "to delve out to"?

Happy Home Outside is officially released on the18th of February -just in time to see Spring come into bloom!- and is published by Jacqui Small. 
In this chunky hard back you'll find all sorts of easy to reproduce signature looks from amazingly simple but effective party decoration ideas, a few craft tutorials to even a couple of food recipes to help you get in the outdoor living mood.

I love Charlotte's eye for mixing the classic with the quirky and vintage objects with new modern pieces. OK that may not sound like anything new but what comes across is the genuine passion and design flair which Charlotte effortlessly weaves into everything she touches. And that is an art which can not be faked!
I'm so happy to have had the chance to preview it as I haven't stopped smiling since I first clapped eyes on it.
This new book is refreshingly and unashamedly an assault on the senses... You could describe it as technicolour riot on the home front!!!
So if you're not a fan of bright and cheerful living then look away now...

Danish-born CHARLOTTE HEDEMAN GUÉNIAU founded RICE in 1998. Charlotte and her French husband Phillippe wanted to change their lives, having lived and worked in Paris for 15 years, so moved to Odense, Denmark and founded their ethical homewares empire. Now, RICE Denmark has a lovely office and showroom in an old shipyard building near the waterfront in Odense. The company employs 75 people internationally, and creates influential homeware collections that are ethically sourced and produced all over the world. RICE products can be found in the smartest stores worldwide - See more at: http://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781910254110/Happy-Home-Outside.html?direct=1#sthash.CDZ6yW71.dpuf

As a city dweller I find any outside space a bonus so making it look as good as it potentially can be is key and with Charlotte's guiding hand you'll be able to transform any space into your own private oasis.
Whether you are lucky to have a full on garden  or just a veranda, a small balcony or even a window box... what you come away with from reading this book is the sense that any outdoor space can be more then just a spot to park your bike or leave your muddy boots in.
An outdoor space should be an extension of your living home so... get out there and make it work for you!
And it shall do so for me as after 20 years of living in a flat without an outdoor space it looks like that's about to change very soon.
Though you wouldn't tell by looking at me but I absolutely love bright colours... so I will be using this book as inspiration to make my garden into a fun, welcoming, vibrant and relaxing area to enjoy.

Though it won't be all about relaxing, it'll also be about living!
I'm already planning my first summer party and all I can say is that I've just spotted a few old tulip shaped lampshades in the charity shop and that I'm going to transform them into outdoor party chandeliers. I can't wait!
Colour and a sense of fun are central to the RICE philosophy and I admire that they take due care to source their products from sustainable and ethical producers too so it's not just about the "look" but there's also a heart behind it all!

 

From the front cover to the last pages you are treated to a mesmerising load of cheery offerings...  from sunny vintage caravans, bright beautiful linen awnings to heady secret garden hideaways. So all you bright hue haters listen up...
"If  bright colours bring happiness to our world then surely that can't be a bad thing!"

And that's the motto I'm sticking to from now on.

To order Happy Home Outside at the discounted price of £20 including p&p* (RRP: £25), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code QPG409.*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.