exciting news...

Oh. My. How is it February!? Where did the last month go? I have so much to share with you all. Between events, moving (aka not having internet yet!) and traveling, posting has fallen by the wayside. 

In the coming days I'll share with you all the events and orders that I have done lately. But the most exciting thing to happen to A. Party Style, I just can't wait to share. Please help me welcome the latest addition to the A. Party Style Team...

Meet Sara Ruggiero!!!

Sara and I have been friends for several years now and have always wanted to work together. We are both tinkled pink that it finally worked out. The stars aligned... If you haven't already noticed, she has already taken over the Facebook page and made it much better. Sara has a marketing background, which will help tremendously with new jobs, but she is also very crafty and knows her way around the kitchen, too. Just what I needed in an assistant. (Sara's presence will keep me more loyal to my posting as well!)

merry christmas

Merry Christmas 

from my family to yours! 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. 

I look forward to sharing what the new year brings with all of you, my awesome readers! 

Hugs and Kisses!

garland christmas card display

I'm back today with a couple pictures of how my neighbor displays her Christmas cards. Every year I admire it's simplistic creativity. She saw the idea in a magazine several years ago. It was hidden in the background of a photo, but she spotted and replicated it.

I really like the juxtaposition of the glamorous/rustic bead garland and the simple modern diagonal ribbon.   Note the card holders are key chain rings - brilliant!  Using those makes the cards easy to hang up, while still keeping them snug in their place. Strung across a window in her kitchen, Valerie essentially decorates the room with correspondence friends and family provide.

Every year when I see it, I swear I'm going to make one of these, too. Next year I will have to... I now have a kitchen window in my new house - It will be perfect! Thanks for sharing with us Valerie!

glitter advent calendar

Today is moving day for us!!! I'm so excited to start a new year in a new home. Because of our hectic holiday season, I haven't done any decorating at our house. (No sense in putting up a tree just to take it down to move, right!?) But my crafty neighbor, on the other hand, has a couple of Christmas projects that I have to share with you. First up, is an advent calendar she made from these Martha Stewart instructions. I absolutely love it! It's magnetic and the kids can easily retrieve their prizes.

Tomorrow I'll show you the way she displays her Christmas cards.  Stay tuned!

holiday favor bags

Oh. My. How cute are these!? Simply brilliant!!! I love 'em!

(via Sweet Style via Pinterest)

christmas :: restaurant decorations

You might remember back in October, I decorated a restaurant for Halloween for one of my clients. Well, I was afforded the same pleasure for the Christmas season. I really like how it turned out. I chose a gold and brown color palette for cohesiveness to the existing colors in the space.

I made these arrangements out of gold cardboard poinsettias from Walmart and white feather picks from Joann's. Cheap!

I bought six wreaths so I could put them back-to-back - decorations towards the street as well as inside the restaurant. 

I didn't get great pictures when I was done because the staff was prepping for the evening crowd - I didn't want to get in their way. I am going to the restaurant's Christmas party this Thursday night though and I'm hoping to get a couple more shots.  

kid-friendly christmas treats :: via pinterest

I'm taking an hour for myself this morning - So nice!  I'm sure I'm going to regret it later, but I just need to sit with a cup of coffee and relax for a bit.  So, what do I do for pleasure!? Search Pinterest of course!

I spotted some really creative and easy desserts that kids would not only love, but love to help make too!

Christmas Cookie Bars via Ladies Home Journal

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes via The Cupcake Blog

Reindeer Noses Treat Bags via A Personal Touch 

Santa Hat Cupcakes via Created by Diane