Prost to the Host

Accessories :: Gray Shoes

Alysia — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:47:17 +0000

I bought a pair of really fabulous shoes. This summer/fall, I am attending five weddings, one of which I am doing partial coordination. Thus, a new pair of impractical shoes was in order. They should be here tomorrow. It has been too long and my shoe collection has been neglected.

{Swoon}

Thanks Badgley Mischka!

“http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5911918861_cf27e6006c.jpg”

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Celebrations :: Tulips and Dessert

Alysia — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:36:12 +0000

Hello friends! With summer coming quickly (fingers crossed), spring flowers are fading away and summer blooms will be upon us. Here is a quick tablescape for an impromptu dessert gathering. No need to buy anything, just use items around the house

I am an entertainer, so I purchased 50 of these cocktail plates {Crate and Barrel} several years a go. They were cheap and came in bulk, but C&B has free shipping and I was able to use the coupon when ordering. Also, search for shipping and coupon codes prior to submitting your online order. You will almost always find a discount.

Hit up your local bakery for small delicate treats, like macaroons and jellied treats in bold hues {Pix Patisserie}.

Skip the tablecloth and runner and dig around your linen closet for contrasting place mats and sprinkle dried flower stems for pops of color {World Market}

Beaker vases {CB2} from a previous party were used again to display the purple fleurs. Rearrange them for a different look.

Shop ahead. If you know you will be hosting a BBQ next summer, be sure to stalk the end of season clearance sales. They will be discounted up to 75% at most retail outlets and will save you a pretty penny as you decorate for your next gathering. Cheers!

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Celebrations :: Baby Shower – Science and Unicorns

Alysia — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:05:43 +0000

This past spring, I was honored to organize a baby shower for a smarty-pants gal, Adria. Said lady was growing a babe, finshing up her PhD and preparing for her law school entry this fall. Hmm..what else can she do to make her an over the top mom? What baby shower theme could we use to capture Adria’s fun personality, science background and babies? Unicorns, of course! Here are the steps from inspiration to actualization for a simple yet fun baby shower.

Mood Board

Beaker Breaker: Modern twist on floral glassware will make for a great centerpiece. {Urban Outfitters; $24}

Cupcake Chemistry: Wrap up your little cakes with these clever cupcake wrappers {Jenny Wenny’s Flickr}.

Unicorns are Real: To incorporate the love of Lisa Frank: glitter, unicorns and ridiculousness was required in some form {Google Images}.

Invitation

I recruited a talented artist ::enter Regina from Cereal Saturdays:: to design the invitations. Add several layers of textured cardstock, silver cord and confetti and VOILA. Science themed baby shower invites are ready for the journey through the postal maze.

Pictures from our Science-themed Baby Shower

One of the party guests framed the sparkly invitation for the honored mama.

Paper Straws: Compostable paper straws with science themed sayings like, “C2H2OH free zone”, “Unicorns are scientifically proven” flags

Best Wishes Banner: Congratulations is composed of elements from the periodic table. To create a more personalized banner, incorporate words that are meaningful to you.

Mr Roboto: What is a party without delicious robot coated sugar cookies. This fabulous contribution was brough in by a party guest.

Science-y Centerpiece: A large graduated beaker was used instead of the traditional glass vase to help center the banner and decorate the present table. Pomettes flanked the curly willow branches for some added interest.

It was a fun shower and I am glad the guests and mama-to-be had the time to gather together and celebrate such a wonderful moment before baby arrives. What is a unique baby shower theme you’ve seen/attended?

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Gossip Girl + Tissue Poms

Alysia — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:55:50 +0000

How long has it been, pretty? I am ready to start the regular round of posts. The time has flown and the seasons has changed, but I am back!

To start the kickoff, {Prost to the Host} Tissue Poms will be used for Gossip Girl’s own Blair’s for her 20th Birthday fête. Don’t miss the episode, airing tonight on your local CW. Will the fashionably fit crew have a drama-free celebration? Don’t miss!

xxoo,

Alysia

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Wedding Dress Wednesday :: Postponed

Alysia — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:52:56 +0000

As you can tell, the last few weeks, the blog has been abandoned. Nothing personal, I am just beyond busy. Which is a good thing! Once I catch up on my summer events and laundry list of tasks, I will be back! Enjoy your Wednesday! I hope you are having a spot of sun, apparently, Portland is still in winter. Sigh.

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Wedding Dress Wednesday :: Dual Line Designers

Alysia — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:00:44 +0000

The names of Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier epitomizes the world of wedding dress designers. Among other designers, these elite couturiers created a line of bridal gowns offered at more reasonable price points. Need the name? Look no further for wedding dresses designers that offer a second line of dresses that still carry hallmark design traits and the high standards of the primary dress line.

{Jim Hjelm + Blush} Known for luxurious fabrics, flattering silhouettes and trademark craftsmanship and dresses start at $2500. Blush dresses are all under $1500. {Jim Hjelm; Blush; Blush}

{Watters + Wtoo} A Watters bride is fresh and sophisticated. While Watters gowns start at $1500, the Wtoo line are around $1000. {Watters; Wtoo; Wtoo}

{Monique Lhuiller + Bliss} Fashionable and elite, this designer stormed the wedding dress market in 1999. Her dresses are for the modern feminine bride. Dresses start at $3000. Bliss is the classic yet-affordable dress line from Monique. Dresses are less than $3500. {Monique Lhuillier; Bliss; Bliss}

{Enzo Ani + Blue} Modern embellishments paired with traditional silhouettes makes Enzo Ani a classic designer. Continually pushing past the threshold of wedding fashion. Gowns start at $1500. While the Blue line offers brides deliciously designed dresses without compromising quality for all under $1500. {EnzoAni; Blue; Blue}

In addition to these lines, Vera is joining forces with David’s Bridal and creating a line of wedding gowns ranging in price of $600-1500. This is an extraordinary opportunity for brides to wear Vera on their day without spending $4-25K tag. The dress line is expected to hit stores around Spring 2011.

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Celebrations :: Cinco de Mayo 2010

Alysia — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:33:06 +0000

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy the festivities as we celebrate the Batalla de Puebla. See you later for our regularly scheduled Wedding Dress Wednesday.

Kevin and I having a margarita morning in Puerto Vallarta.

{One Year Ago: Happy Cinco de Mayo}Also check out a few refreshing {Margarita recipes}

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Wedding Dress Wednesday :: Bridal Fashion Week

Alysia — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:26:33 +0000

This is a continuation from a previous WWD post. Bridal Fashion week has come and gone, but the dresses are here to stay (fingers crossed). Here are a few from this epic annual event.

Creative and artistic designs made their way to the stage {Marchesa}

Classic silhouettes and fabrics graced fashion show guests {Christos}

Unique fabric embellishments and hemlines were also found in this year’s Bridal Fashion Week {Douglas Hannant}

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Real Wedding :: Angie + Bretzky

Alysia — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:50:37 +0000

Angie and Bretzky decided to bypass the financial burden of having a huge and expansive wedding and just get hitched. Plain and simple. With a new arrival on the way, Angie did not have time to worry about the details. Enter ::Luxe Affairs:: Having a wedding coordinator kept the couple on target for their budget and gave guidance to couple during the fast paced three week planning period. The result? A wedding that was uniquely theirs and right on budget.

Location: Miami, Florida (backyard)
Colors: Goldenrod, Cobalt and Ivory
Theme: Spanish Rustic with touches of vintage
Budget: $2000

Two tiered cake bedecked with navy ribbon held down the candy bar. Apothecary jars filled with ivory sweets gave guests a boost of sugar for the dancing to come. {Sweet Cakes}. Sweeping goldenrod linens dolled up the sweet station {Hitched event Rentals}.

Focus on what is important to you and your partner. Surround yourselves with the ones you love and the day couldn’t be more happier.

Smooch! A silk strapless silhouette from {David’s Bridal} stretched the dollar to areas of greater importance.

DIY Details

Fino Wino: Customize your wine bottles with wine labels (a la Wedding Chicks).

Rock, Paper, Scissors: Patches of moss and rocks flanked the guest book and escort card station. Warm amber tea lights flickered throughout the night.

Paper Products: Off white paper pom poms and lanterns were strung on the trees surrounding

Top Cake: A quick ship (4 days!) for customized {Naked Peggies} adorned the top of the wedded confection.

Bucket of Brews: Rustic copper tin of beverages chilling before the ceremony.

Posh pintuck linens in cobalt blue from {Hitched event Rentals} dazzle the dining area. Chivari chairs were in the budget due to the small guest list. In addition, chivaris in black tends to be the most affordable color.

Clean Cloak: Minimal ivory fabric draping around the tent created a more intimate and finished space. It also hides the hideous metal pipes.

Bright Light: A rustic chandelier added a classy addition to the outdoor space. Bringing elements from the indoors to the outside space helps elevates the space by adding warmth.

Duel Dresses: A quick change from the structured silky strapless dress into a flowy one-shouldered goddess gown will helped the bride get ready for a easy, breezy celebration mode. Angie was able to find a bargain at Macy’s. What a great shopper!

Remember to savor the moments with your love. The day will melt away as quickly as it came, so taking a few alone will help keep you two conscious of the moment so it doesn’t disappear.

Thank you A + B for sharing your day with us. It was intimate and personable and truly an event! Share your event with Prost (email: prosttothehost@gmail.com).

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Engagement Session :: Petrel + Jacob

Alysia — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:23:21 +0000

This past Sunday, it was a stunner of a day in Portland. Sun was friendly and bright. It was perfect picnic weather. Several wedding Pros congregated for a styled engagement shoot. I have a sneak peek at the photo shoot that Mandi of Champagne Weddings & Event Coordination put together.

My poms were hung from a giant leafy tree near the baseball diamond at Wallace Park.

Phil capturing the details. Details details!

Phil and Kim getting down and dirty to get the shot. I am excited to work with them in August for Betsy + Scott’s wedding. I am anxious to see more. Here are a few snippets of them in action. Until then, I will be blog stalking, awaiting the snapshots from the shoot.

Thanks Mandi and Kim + Phil for including me. Let’s do it again!

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