Roll Out the Red Carpet...

"We want to thank all of you for watching us congratulate ourselves tonight.” —Warren Beatty

It's officially red carpet season!  We wish we were heading to Mr. Weinstein's party this weekend at Chateau Marmont to kick off the 69th annual Golden Globes--but, we know anyone can create their own star-studded evening at home.  The Mermaids love hosting award show events, here are some of our favorite tips on treating guests like superstars.

Email your guests a ballot that doubles as the invitation. Ask them to select their pick of winners in advance. Collect the answers a couple of days before your event so you can organize the votes in an easy way to tally during your party.  Invite guests to wear black tie if it's an Oscar party or festive casual attire for the Golden Globes or SAG awards.

Design signature cocktails around the big celebrity nominees. Maybe the “Clooney” is a smooth, classic martini?  Or, serve Dragon-tinis and paste temporary tattoos on the sides of the glasses.  Or, keep it simple and chic and greet guests with champagne flutes and place star fruits on the rims.

Roll out the red carpet! We rent or buy these for our events a lot, they come in all colors from traditional red to pink, gold or printed motifs. You can also make your own with inexpensive red fabric. Take digital photos of your guests early in the evening, and then take a few minutes to print them out on glossy photo paper during the party. Hang the photos on a wall or bulletin board, and ask your guests for their autographs. Or, you could create your very own Sardi's wall by hiring a caricature artist at your party.  You will have your own Walk of Fame by the end of the night.

Send guests home with mini boxes of popcorn, or boxed movie candy tied with ribbon and a pair of movie vouchers so guests can enjoy a movie night on you.  A few years ago, I had an Oscar party at my place and ordered these customized cookies from http://www.elenis.com/.  Elenis creates a signature Oscar collection every year.

You can also design your entire party to your favorite movie pick of the year.  Transform your pad into a Hawaiian paradise in honor of "The Descendants" or recreate a 1920's Hollywood film set as a nod to "The Artist."  They were my two favorite nominated films this year.  On Sunday night, I'll be at a Golden Globes viewing party rooting for Clooney and Rooney.  And, just like every other year, paying an equal amount of attention to the dresses, shoes and jewels...of course.

Have a great, starry-filled weekend.

Moons & Stars.

The Mermaids get alot of emails asking about venues, vendors and creative party themes.  When it comes to an event like a baby shower, pink and blue can be a little boring.  Many of us want to host a memorable event without breaking the piggy bank.  We think a great gender-neutral party theme is “Moons and Stars,” which we created for our favorite Mermaid, Jamie.

These adorable cupcakes were a huge hit, except blue frosting makes for blue teeth.  Always.  So, serve these at the end of the party.

Themed decor ideas include constellation light lamps-you can put them on the floor to spray a beautiful light constellation on the ceiling of the room.  Hire an astrologer to give readings to guests, and feature star nightlights for the Mama-to-be to take home for the nursery.

      Our signature cocktail was the "Goodnight Moon", a simple flute of champagne with “blueberry moons” dropped inside.

 

     Baby bottle centerpieces were cheap-and-chic to create. And, Starburst candy dishes placed around the room.

 I ordered cocktail napkins and had them customized with different sayings from nursery rhymes and even pop songs, like Madonna’s “Lucky Star.”   And, Jamie found the perfect party favors; bath salts tailored to each of her guest's star sign with hand-drawn illustrations. Zodiaque @  http://www.etsy.com/

We know Jamie’s new baby Charlie loves his giraffe, which came with Charlie’s own star (that we actually registered in the solar system) hung around the giraffe’s neck. http://www.starregistry.com/

Congratulations Jamie on the most beautiful little boy! 

Next on the list is our Pickles & Ice Cream themed baby shower.  Send us your ideas! xoxo

Photographs by Daniel Movitz. http://www.movitzphotography.com/

Winter Windows.

 As winter has softly (snow, please?) started to write it's story on New York City, one of the biggest chapters may be the holiday windows around town.  These could easily be compared to the Super Bowl of department stores.  Except instead of 2 teams,there are 3 teams that win for me--and they are always the 3 B's!

Team 1: Bergdorf Goodman. 2011 Window Theme: Carnival of the Animals.

I mean, so beautiful.  This iconic store has become a holiday tradition for me, having lunch with my Mom at the Bird Cage, designed by Kelly Wearstler and then browsing for the most unique holiday ornaments a few paces down on the 7th floor. The restaurant is actually not called the Bird Cage but "BG."  But, you may find that you feel perched on the most beautiful nest up there--with the very best views of Central Park.  http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/

Team 2: Barneys. 2011 Window Theme: Lady Gaga. 

Coolest team-up of the year.  Barney's transformed their 5th floor to become "Gaga's Workshop" curated by Lady Gaga, herself.  The store front windows? Lady Gaga as a metallic Mermaid is pretty captivating against a grey Manhattan sidewalk. (And I'm only a little partial to this one.)

Team 3: Bendels. 2011 Window Theme: Christmas Spectacular. 

Henri Bendel's windows are inspired by the 125th birthday of Miss Liberty & Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular, featuring a sort of "Rockette-Statue-of-Liberty" wearing a dress made of jelly beans and a reindeer dog.  If I was a tourist passing through, I'd buy them a drink.

Saks Fifth Avenue was a great runner-up with a pretty cool snowflake 3-D light show set to holiday music.  But, it left me a little bored.  I guess snowflakes are hard to compete this year with Miss Liberty, Mermaids and Gaga. The show kind of reminded me of being at all-girl's private school back in the day in the bell choir. Fun, but not exactly exhilarating. 

Cheers to open windows and creating our own view.  

Happy holidays.

Film-spiration.

I scheduled a hot date with my flat-screen last week. My TiVo list was overflowing, so I re-watched two great movies that were recorded. The first was Down With Love starring Renee Zellweger as writer, "Barbara Novak" and Ewan McGregor as her arch nemesis, "Catcher Block."

What working girl wouldn't love to come home to this pad after a long day at the office? Mid-century magic at it's best. I am downright-in-love with the Old-Hollywood decor vibe in this space. The set designer is a genius. Can someone tell me where can I find a marble fire pit like that?! 

I was also obsessed with every character's retro outfit. Especially, when our leading lady rocks a white turban. And, pink Maribou slippers?  I mean...go big or go home, Babs.

Of course, the film wraps with our reluctant heroine no longer feeling down about love. Shocking twist, right?

My second Film-spiration was The Ghost Writer directed by Roman Polanski. I could watch this movie 100 times! It's so well done. Most of the story is depicted at a vacation home on the East Coast--off the dunes in Cape Cod. But, since we know Polanski is not allowed back on U.S. soil, it's crazy how he captured the film. I wasn't sure where it was filmed but recently read it was the Island of Stylt off the coast of Germany. Again, the set design was unbelievably seductive. I admired everything about the house, built with super clean lines in mind and modern edges that off-set the wild and rustic beachy bluffs outside.

Especially the office-complete with tricked-out blinds and a surreal view.

As I'm writing, I realize that both films starred Ewan McGregor in which he plays a bit of a cad-ish, womanizing writer.  Hmmm...probably best not to overthink that one. ;-)

I LOVE these Film-spirations and hope to have another date with TiVo after the holiday craze. Happy Monday!

White Elephant Party.

Mermaids & Martinis planned  a White Elephant party for one of our favorite clients.  Hosted in a beautiful venue called the “White Room” at Soho House, NYC,  our client wanted festive but not over-the-top expensive.  We got creative and spray-painted hundreds of circus-style peanuts gold and filled large glass vases with them using bases of fake snow. We scattered more snow and gold peanuts along the bar and cocktail tables and brought in a beautiful white ceramic elephant to hold the presents.   A white and whimsical signature cocktail could be Eggnog themed and served on bamboo serving platters.  


The primary purpose of a White Elephant (otherwise known as Secret Santa, Yankee Swap) is a gift swap. Everyone brings a present (which can be a good present or a “‘gag”’ gift, depending on the host’s preference), and then everyone participates in a game of chance to determine what present they take home. Depending on their number, guests may either “steal” a gift from a person who has selected before them, or they may select and unwrap a new gift. The game ends when each person has had a turn.

I have two White Elephant parties coming up, one will be for all ladies and the price point is $30 or less.  The second one will be a gift of $100 or less and targeted to a mixture of kids and adults. 

Here are 5 gift picks for your Mermaids at $30 or less:

1.) This vase hurts my feelings. "Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase", $28.00.  anthropologie.com

2.) I love this!  You could even go one extra step and have it monogrammed.  "Boyfriend Signet Ring", J. Crew, $25.00.  jcrew.com

3.) You may actually wear all that great jewelry you own if it's organized and displayed in a place where you see it.  "Cast Metal Jewelry Tree", $29.00. westelm.com

4.) Why not really live the theme and bring this sweet porcelain teapot? $15.99. amazon.com

5.) For the girl forever attached to her laptop, dress up a dreary work station with this "Royal Owl Mousepad", $16.00.  alexapulitzer.com

I will post more gift ideas for $100 or less tomorrow.  And, thank you to Nina Choi (ninachoi.com) for shooting that gorgy photo of our White Elephant.

x

Happy 3.

A friend and I have a weekly tradition called: "Happy 3."  It started because after many years of many long conversations over lunches or cocktails, we realized that we could talk about doing things and changing things in our lives--but what's the point if we walk away with no action items?  Talking is great, but it requires no action.  No change.  A to-do list can be terrifying the longer it gets, and the best of intentions without actually crossing off something can add up to feeling not-so-happy.

So, we developed a "Happy 3" lunch and try our best to meet once a week to discuss three small (or sometimes big) things that we both walk away from our get-together and DO.

This week, my "Happy 3" is:
1.) Order a holiday gift from Livy's Hope.

A friend from high school has two beautiful twin girls Hailey and Livy.  Livy was born with an illness so her parents started this foundation for her.  You can order a customized painting from Hailey, who is beyond talented at the age of seven!  Over the Summer, I ordered a painting from Hailey and told her that I write about kids parties themed around "Mermaids & Milk & Cookies."  Look what she sent me!

There are also cheap & chic bracelets on sale at Livy's Hope that would make great stocking stuffers. http://www.livyshope.com/.  Hailey is creating her own set of notecards with original artwork (including my Mermaid!) that I can't wait to stock up on!


2.) I am going to handcuff myself to a quiet room and finish reading this book.  To be inspired is to be alive and this man figured it out.

3.) Organize my photos.  I know this sounds like an easy job, but my neighbor is a professional in-home organization expert, and I'm enlisting hired help!  Years of photos are in boxes and I can't wait to put them in proper albums and feel lighter.  I love that Graphic Image makes ones that you can personalize with titles and dates. http://www.graphicimage.com/.

My to-do list for this weekend was making me feel a little car-sick.  At least three things are getting checked off this weekend, which will make heading into next week a much smoother ride.

XO

May Your Days Be Merry and White.

I love the idea of a White Christmas themed dinner party.  Here are a few ideas to welcome guests this winter to a wonderfully white time.

Greet guests with a white wreath.   This one is made out of paper cups--cheap & chic! I found a similar chalkboard at one of my favorite stores (www.mxyplyzyk.com). It has an adhesive strip on the back so you can hang anywhere and it peels right off without damaging your walls.

Hang another wreath for the littles at your party.

Of course, you will want to have a white tree.  The one photographed below is pretty amazing.  When you introduce one contrasting color to a white-themed event, it will really pop throughout your decor.

Creating a white-based menu can be fun. You can start by decorating your table in a cheap & chic way by laying down white craft paper and then sprinkling tons of fake white snow on top. Light lots of white votives in clear glass jars down the center. Or, swish your table up by using a faux white fur throw as a cloth. Place raised silver chargers on top for the food.  Make fondue the star of your menu! Spray paint pumpkins white and hollow them out, then fill each one with a cheese fondue paired with fresh cut pieces of bread and veggies. 

A signature cocktail could be created with white cranberry juice, vodka and served in a martini glass. Drape a white candy cane on the side of the glasses.  A white dessert bar is easy!  White chocolate cupcakes, popcorn balls, meringues, white candy and I love this Italian dessert, Affogato, which is a scoop of vanilla ice cream served in a sundae glass and you pour a shot of espresso over the top. Drizzle white creme de menthe on top.

Photo Credit: The White Company.

You can invite your guests to wear all-white or anything but white. Send them away with white hot chocolate in to-go cups or Bing Crosby's White Christmas album as a party favor.

These would be perfect hostess heels to find under a white tree! (http://www.brianatwood.com/)

Or, these guys...

xo