Edible Decor

We're no strangers to decorating with food. Thus, you can imagine our excitment to see the growing trend of decorating with colorful and textural vegetables. From fresh green peas and summery heirloom tomatoes to earthy squashes, decorating with fresh produce is perfect for any season and any color scheme. The next time you're in need of some fresh tabletop inspiration, look no further than the baskets filled with compostable goodies found at your local farmers' market.
Photos: Cap Classique

Natural Leaf Coasters

Why purchase synthetic coasters when you can use natural ones instead? The next time you visit your local florist, ask him or her to order you a stack of natural banana leaves. The leaves, which are large enough to fit most drinking glasses, mugs and stemware, will add a touch of tropical flair to your table setting. Photo: Martha Stewart

Bandana Table Setting

The next time you're cleaning out closets and dresser drawers be sure to hold onto vintage scarves and gently worn bandanas. Brightly colored bandanas are a smart way to add bursts of color to a tabletop. Spread the washed and ironed bandanas down the center of your table to serve as a fun and colorful table runner. For kid-friendly favors consider wrapping small candies or toys in the jewel-toned bandanas. Because of their basic square shape, reused bandanas can also be used as festive cloth napkins.
Photo: Bridesmaid

Succulent Cake Toppers

It’s true: we’ve been known to rave above succulents in the past and for good reason!

Since they require very little water and care, can be quite textural, have the potential to last for years and are available in an array of colors including greens, oranges, purples, pinks and reds they’ve become instant stars within the green design community.  We adore the idea of using succulents to dress up an otherwise simple cake. Such a pretty and unexpected way to add a few extra green accents to any party!

Photo: 100 Layer Cake

Picnic-Inspired Nuptials

Who says you need to spend money on folding chairs and synthetic slipcovers in order to create a romantic atmosphere? Instead, be inspired by this cozy, picnic-inspired aisle. To get the look, scour estate sales and second-hand shops for gently used quilts and sheets that are pretty enough to display. Set a small picnic-style basket beside each quilt in order to define the dimensions of your aisle. Fill each basket with locally grown flowers or with glass bottles of gourmet sodas for guests to sip and enjoy while watching your late summer nuptials.

Photos: Wedding Chicks

Plover Organic Sample Sale

We’ve written about Plover Organic in the past. We adore their colorful vintage-inspired table linens, which are beautiful (and affordable enough) for casual entertaining; however, we also adore the company’s environmental commitment (Plover Organic uses 100% organic cotton, low-impact, fiber reactive dyes and meets Fair Labor regulations).

From August 4^th through August 6^th Plover Organic will be having a HUGE online sample sale. For three days, all non-sale items on the company’s site will be 50% off! In addition, 1% of all proceeds will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation to help aid clean up efforts in the gulf.

Photo: Plover Organic

Disposable Dinnerware

For casual parties eliminate access waste by swapping conventional paper plates with biodegradable or compostable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. These earth-friendly disposable dinnerware options are made from renewable resources, such as bagasse (a sugarcane fiber that remains after the juice has been extracted from sugarcane plants), corn and ingeo (a natural plastic made from renewable resources). Companies like Branch Home even carry biodegradable party kits, which include sturdy FDA-approved biodegradable tableware products, with service for 50.

Photo: Branch Home

Green Giveaway – Every Single Shot

We’ve all been a part of it: taking advantage of the many disposable cameras left for guests on tables at weddings or large parties in order to snap silly shots of ourselves and other guests in action. However, a new company, Every Single Shot, is revamping this fun party tradition with an eco edge.

Every Single Shot aims to help hostesses get all the great photos from their event, but without the hassle and waste of disposable cameras (in addition to the cameras themselves, think of all the waste associated with film processing, etc.).

Hostesses simply create an online album on the Every Single Shot website and share it with their guests. Guests can then upload all of the digital photos they snapped throughout the party and the team behind Every Single Shot will take care of the rest. This is a great way for guests to share photos in a stylish and organized fashion that far exceeds the photo sharing capacities of social networking sites. 

Today, Every Single Shot and Something Green have teamed up to offer 5 free Every Single Shot packages to Something Green readers. In order to enter, simply tweet the message below. The first five Something Green readers to tweet the message will be contacted (via twitter) on Thursday, July 29^th, 2010 with details about claiming their prize!

Simply tweet the following message:

Stop by @somethinggreen1 today for a new green giveaway–five free packages to collect all the photos from your wedding or party the ECO way!

Good luck!

Photos: Every Single Shot

A Fishy Approach

Small fish bowls, which are easy to find either used (at garage sales) or new (at pet or craft supply stores), are perfect reusable vessels. In addition to fish, they are also ideal receptacles for candles and do-it-yourself arrangements for small parties or cocktail hours. To start, add colorful items, such as marbles, vintage jewelry or stones, to the bottom of each fish bowl. Then, fill each bowl with water and float a statement flower (such as a peony or Gerbera Daisy) in the water for easy elegance. Because of their simplistic design, the bowls can be reused again and again.

Photos: Project Wedding & Ruffled

Tavin Bridal Collection

In a world of one-time-use fashion, we so love finding solid vintage apparel resources that carry pieces well worth a second wear. L.A.’s Tavin Boutique recently added a Bridal Collection to their already eclectic selection of vintage apparel and accessories. Each of Tavin’s vintage bridal gowns are priced under $1,000, making the decision to purchase vintage not only an environmental choice, but a financial choice as well.

In addition to their new bridal collection, Tavin also carries a number of breezy, bohemian-inspired dresses that are perfect honeymoon pieces.

Tavin is currently offering Something Green readers 10% off their new bridal collection, so be sure to take some time to browse their beautiful vintage pieces and make mention of the fact that you first found them on Something Green!

Photos:

Tavin Boutique