Temporary Hiatus

Hi friends,

We'll be on a temporary hiatus as we work to make improvements to our site/bring you lots of fresh, new eco-entertaining ideas!

We'll be picking back up with our regular daily posts on Monday, July 19th! If you'd like to reach us prior to that, feel free to drop us an email: somethinggreenblog@gmail.com

In the meantime, enjoy these lazy days of summer and feel free to browse our archives!

Thanks!

Herb Centerpieces and Favors

This time of year, nearly every grocer, garden center and farmers’ market boasts a wide variety of fresh herbs for sale. This summer, take advantage of local agriculture by incorporating herbs such as thyme, rosemary and lavender into a bouquet. Fresh herbs, which come in a variety of colors and textures, also make fragrant additions to centerpieces. Not what you had in mind? Consider offering your guests small potted herbs as favors that they can take home and enjoy in their own kitchens.

Photos: Brides & Martha Stewart

Paper Flowers

Avoid unwanted pesticides and a short shelf life by substituting some live flowers with ornate paper flowers instead. Paper flowers can be enjoyed for months after an event and, compliments of their intricate designs, are certain to be the buzz among guests at nearly any cocktail hour.

Photos: Emmaline Bride

Napkin Pillowcases

Leave it to a few spills to turn an otherwise lovely set of cloth napkins into a collection of strays. Add some color to an al fresco meal by refashioning spare cloth napkins into beautiful, summer-worthy pillowcases. The pillows can be tossed onto an otherwise bland bench for a bright burst or can be used as decorative chair cushions.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Unexpected Vases

Still convinced that a beautiful vase needs to be crafted from crystal and come with a hefty price tag? Be eco-friendly and budget-friendly by sorting through your cabinets and closets with a new set of eyes in order to discover common household items that can be reused as lovely vases or other decorative canisters.

Photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Summer Decorating

Today marks the official start of summer. If you're planning a party sometime between now and Labor Day, take advantage of the many seasonal foods, beautiful outdoor venues and natural decor elements that are available to you throughout this inherently relaxed season.
Happy summer everyone!
Photos: Martha Stewart & New Jersey Life & Rachel Ray & Wedding Chicks & Carousel Farm & Once Wed & Brides

Farm Fresh Favors

Help support local agriculture by offering your guests seasonal produce, such as beautifully colored heirloom tomatoes, as favors. For a farm stand feel, arrange the produce in large baskets so that guests can take their time sorting through them. You can also supply guests with eco-friendly burlap bags, which they can use to carry home their produce, and then use again after your party.

Photos: Brides

Repurposed Magazine Pomanders

Pomanders, also known as kissing balls, are versatile accents that are perfect for nearly any party. Often made from fresh flowers, pomanders are commonly used to dress up an otherwise simple aisle or are hung from the back of a chair for a burst of color. However, when clustered together on a tabletop, they also make for modern centerpieces. If you’re thinking about incorporating kissing balls into your décor, stop by Brown Fox Studio. The company makes an assortment of beautiful pomanders that are crafted from repurposed magazine pages – ideal for any green hostess!

Photos: Brown Fox Studio

Nautical Cocktail Party

Thinking about hosting a cocktail party this summer? Pay a visit to our friends at the Eco Luxe Life to check out our guest post about throwing an eco-friendly nautical-themed cocktail party!
Photos: The Eco Luxe Life via Etsy & Martha Stewart

Wine Bottle Vases

Save up all those used wine bottles! Simply rinse the used bottles with warm, soapy water and allow them to fully air dry. Once clean, give the bottles a second life as vintage-inspired vases. For coherency, use only one flower variety and place a single stem into each bottle for an easy, eco-look.
Photo: 100 Layer Cake

Cookie Cutter Favors

If I had to pick two words to describe my favorite type of décor, I’d pick easy and inexpensive. When trying to dress up chairs, forgo slipcovers and keep things simple. Hang a heart-shaped cookie cutter from a chair with a pretty piece of ribbon to add a touch of shabby chic style to your table. The cookie cutters, which can also double as favors, cost only a few cents each when purchased in bulk through a craft or kitchen supply store and can be reused again and again by guests once they return to their own kitchens.

Photos: Weddings and Pretty Things

Core Bamboo

Back in January, we had the pleasure of stumbling across Core Bamboo while browsing the aisles of the New York City Gift Show. Core Bamboo makes beautiful, eco-friendly serving pieces, including trays, bowls and servers, that are functional enough and stylish enough for any party, big or small. Each of the company's products are made from 100% organically grown bamboo, a sustainable material, as well as food safe water-based adhesives, natural oils and lacquer made from natural cashew trees.
Photos: Core Bamboo

Woodland-Inspired Décor

Embrace the beauty of the outdoors by designing a woodland-inspired party. Look for creative ways to weave natural elements, such as small wood accents and colorful feathers, into your décor. When situated beside elegant plates and stemware, earthy slabs of beautifully textured tree bark and lush moss-filled terrariums are decidedly stylish and sophisticated.
Photos: Once Wed