I do not know many interior designers that don’t also love to throw a great party.  I hosted one this past Thursday at IBB for STAR Children’s Charities with an ode to their Winter Ball theme  “The Magic of the Orient Express”.  It was a fabulous time!  We had European inspired food & drinks from 6 different cities along the Orient Express.  I’ll fill you in more about it later.

Today, my friends, you are in for a really big treat!  I have asked my fabulous friend Kimberly Whitman (the quintessential Hostess with the mostest!)  to give us her best tips for throwing a house warming party.  An obvious expert in this field, Kim is the author of 4 books (The Pleasure of Your Company, Tablescapes, The Wedding Workbook & Dog Parties) & has made numerous national & local television appearances providing her tips from party planning to spring cleaning.  She also hosts a radio segment for 103.7 every morning on the Gene & Julie show.  Known for being devoted to her community & social events, Kim brought the RSVP social calendar to the on-line world in 1999.  Today it is the “Go-To” place to get all of the info regarding Dallas County  & Collin County’s social & charitable events.

So, grab & pen & take note on how to throw a smashing soiree that your friends will be raving about!

Hosting a Housewarming Party is a great way to introduce your old friends and family to your new home as well a wonderful way to meet your new neighbors!  Moving into a new home or completing a renovation can be exhausting but it is a very momentous occasion in anyone’s life!  It should be celebrated!  Here are a few simple tips to host the perfect Housewarming:

1. Timing an event like this can go one of two ways.  You can either decide to wait until your home is completed and the boxes have been unpacked (give yourself at least a month!) or, if you are simply too excited to wait, host a moving day party or construction party!  I was once invited to a demolition party that was an absolute blast!  Our friends wanted to build a new home so they emptied the home on the property, gave out construction hats and hammers and told everyone they could go all out in hammering down walls and destroying the place!  It was a blast!

2. When sending out the invitation, be sure to include a map as it is often the first time your guests will be coming to your event.  I love the adorable maps that are custom created by Daley Harris at www.merrymaps.com.  They are so precious and you will be able to use them for all of your future parties!

3. A casual come-and-go open house is the best format for a Housewarming Party. It is easier for guests to drop by at their leisure and celebrate with you at your new digs.

4. If you are hoping to show off your renovations or interior design skills, frame a “before” photo in each of the rooms.

5. Keep your decor simple.  Lovely little floral arrangements that complement or enhance your decor are the perfect choice.

6. Set up a self serve champagne and white wine bar near the entrance.  Avoid red wines or any cocktails that could stain your new carpets and fabrics!

7. Instead of a big buffet in the dining room or kitchen, set out small trays of bite size foods in each of the rooms of the house.  As your guests wander, they can pick up a nibble in each room.  Be sure to provide napkins and a place to throw them away in each room. That means you could need up to ten napkins per guest so be prepared!

8. If you are a guest, take a gift.  I like to take something for the home such as a new candle and a cool set of matches or a design or entertaining book.   My book, Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style would be the perfect choice .

9.  If  you are a host, provide a party favor for your guests.  I love the labels and tags from www.myownlabels.com.  Check out their recipes and ideas for great suggestions and be sure to share your new address on the label so that you friends will be guaranteed to record it in their address books.

Thank you Kim!  What wonderful tips & advice!  Now we are all set to show off our homes to our friends with a fun house warming party.  Be sure to check out her books!  Tablescapes is one of my favorites.  The photography makes you feel like you are part of the gorgeous atmosphere depicted in each setting idea.   My daughter absolutely loves the Gingerbread House featured in her Holiday Dessert Buffet party.

For more tips form Kimberly Whitman, follow her fabulous blog!

Need a design question answered?  We’ve got you covered!  If you’re already on Twitter, then take note.  If you don’t already have a twitter account, you may want to consider getting one for this special event!

Designers & consumers from across the globe will unite tomorrow night (Thursday, June 24th) at 8:00 PM EST to discuss design related topics on Twitter.  This is your chance to get FREE design advice from design professionals.   Ask questions & get advice from a team of designers participating in the chat.  I will be on-line sharing my tips & advice as well as many other well known interior designers.  This is an event you do NOT want to miss!

For more details on how it works log on to the official #IDzinechat website: http://idzinechat.blogspot.com/

Official Twitter page:  http://twitter.com/IDzinechat4U

I am very excited to have been asked by Kravet to sit on their panel alongside 2 other fabulous Dallas designers tomorrow at their Social Media event.  If you are a designer & want to learn how to incorporate social media into your marketing/business plan, then you better RSVP & head over to Kravet tomorrow afternoon.  Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Beth Kimless Greene, will lead the presentation and panel discussion.  Hope to see you there!

How would you like to dine amongst the celebrities, or better yet, get waited on by them?  The Child Abuse Prevention Center’s 16th annual Celebrity Waiter Gala is coming up & there is still a chance to snag a ticket!  Former Dallas Cowboys star Daryl Johnston & his wife Diane are the honorary event chairs so you know this will be a star studded event!  Plus, I’ll be there along with some other local TV personalities (and remember, we’ll all be waiting on you to raise that tip money for CAP!).   So, help a sista out & come support the Child Abuse Prevention Center!  Hope to see you all there!

When:  Saturday, April 17, 2010
Where:  Hotel Palomar
5300 East Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX
Time:  6:30 Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:30 Dinner, Celebrity Waiters & Live Auction
9:00 Dancing!
And don’t forget to bring your tip money for your celebrity waiter!

To purchase your ticket & more information, click here.

It was a trunk show like no other.  Last night I had the very fun privilege of co-hosting the Cynthia Rowley “Truck” show with my good friend Shelly Rosenberg at her gorgeous home in Dallas.  You know I love to throw a party & entertain.   I think I’ve found a new friend who shares in that passion & perfectionist attention to detail.  The party was a blast.  We were invited to peruse Cynthia’s fabulous new Spring line & shop ’till we dropped while sipping champagne & cocktails by Firefly vodka.

Me with my co-hostess with the mostest, Shelly!

The eye catching fashion boutique on wheels

You see, the genius marketers behind Cynthia Rowley decided it would be fun to convert an old DHL delivery truck into a fashion show/boutique on wheels.  The Truck travels all over the country bringing the stellar style that Cynthia is known for to private homes & swanky shopping areas.  Shelly & I had met Cynthia while on a design trip in New York last November.  After expressing our enthusiasm in hosting the truck show, we were thrilled when they called & told us they were heading to the Big D!

Shelly’s daughter, Shelly & Amy from Cynthia Rowley (have you ever met a truck driver this cute & stylish?  She is such a doll!)

Although Shelly & I have become fast friends over the last few months, I had never been to her home.  Let me tell you ~ it’s nothing short of amazing!!!  This fellow designer & fashionista’s home is as stylish as Shelly herself is in person.  I also realized that, like me,  she also shares an obsession with cocktail table books.  Above is a photo of her to die for dining room complete with hand blocked wallpaper from Schumacher.  We set up goodies & munchies for the guests to enjoy in there.

The drinks were set up on the kitchen table.  We served Firefly Vodka “Arnold Palmer’s”, white wine & Pomegranate champagne cocktails.  I’m really hoping I can talk Shelly into writing a guest blog post for us with an inside peak at her fabulous abode.  What do ya think girl?

A few of our fabulous guests:  Holly Haber, Shelly, Nicole Cullum Horn, & me.

Our future fashionistas.  Shelly’s daughter & my daughter loved every bit of Cynthia’s spring collection.  They put outfits together & tried to persuade us to buy them ~ LOL!  Very cute girls, but I think your days of wearing designer duds are still ahead of you.  Bravo on the outfit selections, though!  The sequin cardigan that Shelly’s daughter (left)  is wearing was my absolute favorite piece & Shelly actually bought the one that Jaylie is wearing.

My always fashionable friend Molly Nolan taking a peak inside the boutique.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came last night!  We also want to give a big shout out to Cynthia Rowley for being such a rockstar in the fashion world & continuing to give us fun, flirty, feminine designs to jet set the world in!  And, of course a huge hug for my fabulous friend Shelly for being such a wonderful co-hostess!

If you’re A) a lover of all things fashionable, trendy or chic OR  B) a huge fan of Project Runway, then you will not want to miss this event!  Plus, it’s all for a great cause!  The Junior League of Dallas’s inaugural event will raise funds from this soiree as part of their annual fund raising efforts to aide 40 agencies throughout Dallas.   My dear socially savvy friends ~ take note & mark your calendars!!!  Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

What:  Rock The Runway
Spring Fashion Show & Design Competition

When:  Thursday, April 8, 2010

Time:  6:30 PM

Where:   f.i.g.
1807 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX

**Click on invite for more details**

Mark your calendars for an event you DO NOT want to miss!    IBB Design Furniture Showroom is having a spectacular Black Friday Shopping Event!  Avoid the hassle & chaos at the mall!  Sip & shop as they treat you to yummy holiday bevs & bites.  It’s time to tackle that room make-over you’ve been putting off because everything in the store is an additional 20% off.  That’s right, EVERYTHING!  40,000 square feet of glorious shopping filled with name brands like Maitland Smith, John Richard, Century, Taylor King, Henredon, Hickory Chair, Hickory White & many more!

Friday, November 27th & Saturday, November 28th
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
5798 Genesis Court
Frisco, TX 75034
www.ibbdesign.com

Save the date my fellow charitable citizens!  You definitely do not want to miss this amazing evening for a wonderful cause.  This swanky soiree is relatively new to Dallas, with last year being its inaugural year and it’s a Must Attend for your social calendar.  The Diamond Empowerment Fund requests the honor of your presence at Dallas Rocks for a fun filled evening in support of Empowerment Through Education for Africa hosted by non other than mega-mogul and philanthropist Russell Simmons.  Honorees for the evening include Marilyn Augur, Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush-Hager and Dikembe Mutombo.  Co-chairs for this star studded event include my very fabulous friend D’Andra Simmons, April & Ray Crockett, Neal Goldberg, Angie & James McNamara, Joe Pacetti and Heidi & Bill Dillon.  Don’t miss the special performance at the Diamond Dinner by Smokey Robinson  and special guests including Rev Run and Justine Simmons (and its Rev Run’s Birthday!).

Event Details:
Dallas Rocks 2009
The Diamond Dinner
Dallas’s Historic Union Station
Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck
November 14, 2009
5:30 PM – 1:00 AM

Click Here to purchase tickets.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Simmons recently in the green room at Good Morning Texas.  His passion for this cause is infectious.  This man means serious business about raising awareness and helping to “empower through education in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource”.  He is enlightening and refreshing.

If you are unable to attend, you may want to consider showing suport by getting yourself a green bracelet.  Russell was wearing his when I met him & explained the significance begind it.  I got mine.  Now go get yours!

Come by IBB Design Furniture Showroom on Friday, October 30th & Saturday, October 31st during normal business hours for fun & trick or treating! Each guest through the door will walk away with an IBB goodie bag filled with loads of treats including a $100 gift certificate to the store! Drop in your business card or enter to win one of the door prizes drawn each hour.  Costumes are optional Please join us! Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 30^th & Saturday October 31st
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Door Prizes every hour!

No Tricks, Just Treats! at IBB Design Furniture Showroom!

On Saturday, November 7th join Star Children’s Charity for the Star Winter Ball as we journey back to the classic 1940s era in New York City, a time when Big Band Sound and Supper Clubs were the traditional weekend affair.

As guests walk through the front doors they will embark on an experience not to be forgotten.  Dance the night away with the Big Band Sounds by The Ricky Derrick Band, place the winning bid in the silent and live auction or try your luck at the casino and the Neiman Marcus Raffle.

Star’s seven beneficiary agencies will be the featured guests and represented in touching performances illustrating the importance of the critical children’s’ services that each provides to the Collin County community.

Join Star for this spectacular event of the season for the children of our community, chaired by Heather Herndon-Wright.

To purchase tickets to the Star Winter Ball, click here.