My hip sister requested that postcards be sent as invitations for her bridal shower.  An eco-friendly idea since you eliminate the need for envelopes.  Postcards are more casual than traditional card and envelope paper invitations, but a little more substantial (and practical if older guests are on the guestlist) than an electronic e-mailed invitation.

A few things to keep in mind when sending postcard invites.  First, buy postcard stamps.  It’s a small savings, but it adds up.  Second, you’ll need to buy small labels to use for addressing them, unless you plan to handwrite all the invites.  The side of the postcard reserved for the address is too large for regular mailing labels.  You can print on regular labels and cut them to size, just be sure to measure the margins before printing so they’ll fit on the postcard without any of the text being cut off.  Third, have the postcards hand canceled.  The postmark will go all the way across the top of the postcard and cover any text that you have at the top.  Hand canceling is a small ink stamp that just covers the postage, without blocking any of your text.  Many post offices will hand cancel for free; other post offices will charge 5 cents per postcard for this service.  Finally, be sure to have the post office hand cancel in front of you.  (I paid the 5 cents for 70+ postcards, only to find out that the post office did NOT hand cancel them after I left so make sure they do it while you are there.)

Check out these adorable Chinese takeout container-inspired candle holders.  Use them to give your table a glow even if you’re just ordering in.  These would also make great favors for a Chinese New Year party.

Chinese Takeout Box Candle Holders from Beau Coup – $8 each

Big City Bags (a fabulous business run by my very hip sister, Sara) is giving one lucky Hip Hostess Blog reader a rhinestone tiara ($16 value).  Make someone feel like a Queen for the day: Tiaras make the perfect birthday gift or girls’ night out accessory!  All Tiaras come in a white organza drawstring pouch with silver stars.

Big City Bags features tiaras, designer-style bags and jewelry online, and offers hosting opportunities for home jewelry and purse parties in Rochester, New York.  Check out the Big City Bag site for a sneak peak of their great products: http://www.bigcitybagsandjewelry.vpweb.com/SarasTiaras.html

Enter to win this giveaway through the link below.  Winner will be randomly selected on February 19, 2010 at 10pm EST and notified via e-mail.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEtUZWRuU1J2TG8zVWFVQWkzRkFGZWc6MA

LinenMe is graciously giving one Hip Hostess Blog reader a beautiful linen table runner in the diamond pattern pictured above ($27 value).  If you aren’t into ironing, table runners are a great option for you; they take minutes to iron and can easily be store rolled up and secured with rubber bands to prevent wrinkling.  This 100% linen table runner features rhomb weave, is machine washable and measures 20″ x 55″.  The giveaway winner may choose from black, wheat or off white for the runner.  View the color selection at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37542111.

LinenMe carries many modern and classic designs for bed, bath and dining.  To view LinenMe’s entire collection, visit their Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LinenMe.

To enter this giveaway, click on the link below and complete the form by February 18th at 10pm EST.  Winner will be notified via e-mail.  One entry per person. Note: This item will be shipped directly from Lithuania, and will take approximately 3 weeks to arrive.  This fine item is worth the wait.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHNQSzFmak1sUlNMZXdXT3B2T3M1VWc6MA

The fun people over at Etch-it Cups have supplied two sets of their great party cups and 6 packages of their Etch-it tags (15 per package) for this Hip Hostess Blog giveaway.  Three winners will be chosen for this giveaway (2 winners will each receive a package of Etch-it cups; 1 winner will receive the Etch-it tags).

I’ve blogged about these cups before – they are great for keeping track of your drink.  Each cup has a little “chalkboard” on it.  Simply remove the protective cover, then etch your name or a cool design with your finger and your cup is personalized.  Never Lose Your Drink!

For info. of where to buy Etch-it Cups online, visit their site at http://www.etch-it.com/onlinepartners.htm

To enter the Hip Hostess Blog giveaway for the Etch-it Cups and Tags, click on the link below.  Winners will be randomly selected at 10pm EST on February 12, 2010.  Winners will be notified via e-mail.  One entry per person.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF9FWnE4bmxheVlTdkczQVJSY2Rkc1E6MA

A fruitless search for gold or silver table runners for a holiday cocktail party made me think outside the proverbial “housewares” box.  I found long silver and gold scarves at a discount department store (Filene’s Basement) and used those as my runners.  They were even nicer than any runner I would have found, and were much less expensive ($10-15 each). 

Next time you’re searching for the perfect color/ patterned tablecloth check out the scarf section at any department store.  A crisp white tablecloth can be used as the base for any runner, any time of year.  Just vary the runner and add a few accessories to customize your table for any occasion.  Happy shopping!

You don’t have to sacrifice style to keep track of drinks with these fun chalkboard glasses.  They’re perfect for a casual dinner party or wine and cheese get-together.  Leave white chalk on the bar in a silver mint julep cup or juice glass to dress up the sidewalk staple.  Unlike other chalkboard cups, these glasses are reusable.  Simply erase names while washing glasses and reuse until your heart’s content.  These babies are dishwasher safe, though I hand wash them or use the china setting on my dishwasher to prevent the chalkboard area from wearing away.   
Available at Wold Market, $16/ set of 4 glasses
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3596187

We’ve cancelled our subscriptions to catalogues, bring our own bags to the store and have kicked our bottled water habit.  But giving up paper invites sent via snail mail is something many of us haven’t been willing to give up, especially for special occasion events.  An Evite (www.evite.com) isn’t appropriate for every occasion, and you don’t want your guests to feel pressure to come up with a witty response in order to RSVP.  There hasn’t been a good alternative to traditional paper invitations…until now!  I was oh-so-excited to discover Paperless Post (www.paperlesspost.com) in a recent article in the NY Times.  Paperless Post offers a great alternative to paper invitations that can even be used for formal events.  

Paperless Post offers many amazing design options - formal and casual styles; traditional, classic or modern motifs; and their paper selection is incredible (including letterpress-look designs).  You must create an account to view the invitation options, but it’s a simple process and there’s no cost.  Be sure to sign in through the link below, which gives NY Times readers 25 free stamps (that’s how you send the invites; this amounts to about $2 worth of free stamps).  

Here’s how it works:  Sign-in, pick an invitation style based on the type of event you are having, pick a “motif” (i.e. the invitation pattern you like), customize the invitation with your own words or those suggested for your occasion, pick a font style, specify the event details (date, time, etc.), add guests by typing in their e-mail addresses (which can be saved in an “address book” so they are there for future reference) and ”mail” the invitations by purchasing stamps from the site, which cost about 5-8¢ per stamp, depending on how many you purchase.  The invitation that’s mailed to your guests is way more exciting than an e-mail or Evite; a virtual envelope opens and reveals the invitation, much like it would if you were opening it with your own two hands.   

Paperless Post is a great value, and it eliminates the process of ordering, addressing and mailing invitations.  There are, however, a few downsides to paperless invitations.  If you are sentimental or like having a nice printed invitation to save, paperless invites won’t give you the same memento.  Also, paperless invites only work if all of your guests have an e-mail address that they check regularly.  I’d say that most people do, but there’s no guarantee, especially if you have older invitees on your guest list.  For a formal events, like weddings, paper invitations are probably still your best option, but I’ll definitely be using these for the next cocktail party, holiday party or baby shower I host.

Paperless Post with 25 Free Stamp Promotion:  http://www.paperlesspost.com/access/nytimes

NY Times article on Paperless Post:   http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/fashion/11post.html?_r=2&ref=fashion)

While plastic cups may not seem like an eco-friendly option, you can cut down on plastic waste by using cups that guest can keep track of.  The “etch it” cups allow guests to mark their own cup so even if they put it down they’ll be able to find it and reuse it all day or night.  No pen is required – just use your fingernail to “etch” your name in the chalkboard-like area.  Your guests can get creative and draw pictures, use quotes or pick-up lines (“what’s your sign?”) to identify their cup.  It’s a fun alternative that makes for a more eco-friendly choice when picking up disposable party goods.

These great cups come in two color options: frosted clear or red. 

Visit the etch-it website for store locations, http://etch-it.com/wheretobuy.htm 

Etch-it Cups are available online at Plum Party – $7.50/ package of 32 cups
http://www.plumparty.com/partysupply/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=100200&Product_Code=15695

You don’t have to go to a bakery to serve super cute cupcakes for your St. Patty’s Day Party.  Bake a batch of your favorite homemade or boxed cupcakes and use some of the fun accessories below to make them party-worthy, no matter what style you are going for.  Serve them for dessert, send them along with your kids to school or give them as favors by wrapping them in cello bags tied with a green ribbon or rafia.

Some of the cupcake liners would also be great for a modern baby shower, preppy bridal shower or a hip garden party.  Many of the retailers listed offer lots of other beautiful cake and cupcake docorating goods so check out their selections.

Modern
Green Swirl Cupcake Liners – $2.15/30 from Sweetart
http://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/product.aspx?T=1&productId=632615

Crafty
Clover Cupcake Wrapper - $13/ dozen from Paper Orchid Stationary
http://www.paperorchidstationery.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/775/page/1/id/862/name/LuckyCupcakeWrapperGreen

Preppy
Green and White Polka Dot Cupcake Liners – $8.99/ 100 from Cup Cakery Supplies
http://www.acupcakery.com/green-polka-dot-cupcake-liners-100-p100.html

Retro
Shamrock Cupcake Liners – $2.95/ 50 from Plates and Napkins
http://www.platesandnapkins.com/Store_ViewProdDetail.asp?ProdID=16772

Shiny
Green Metallic Foil Cupcake Liners – $2.25/ 32 from Country Kitchen
 http://www.countrykitchensa.com/catalog/product.aspx?CatId=530&ShopId=38&SubCatId=1089&T=1&productId=634507

Unusual
Folded Light Green Cupcake Liners – $5.50/ 40 from Fancy Flours
http://www.fancyflours.com/site/7100-CF-FGR-1.html

Fresh
Striped Green Greaseproof Cupcake Liners - $4/ 70 from Fancy Flours
http://www.fancyflours.com/muffin-cup-green-stripe.html

Simple
Green Glassine Cupcake Liners – $7.00/ 100 from Cupcakery Supplies
http://www.acupcakery.com/greenglassinecupcake-liners.html

Sweet
Sugar Shamrocks – $0.75 each from Sugar Craft By Rosie
http://www.sugarcraftbyrosie.com.au/catalog/item/5836485/6732835.htm

Festive
Shamrock Sprinkles – $2.99/ 2.5oz from Confectionary House
http://www.confectioneryhouse.com/product.php?productid=3477

Vintage
Clover Cake Topper Picks – $6/ 12 from BusyIzzyBakery
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20509862

Earthy
Irish Blarney Stones – $9.99/ 12 from Oriental Trading Company
http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=96/1424&prodCatId=377604&mode=Browsing&erec=30&sp=true&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&N=377604&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&sd=Irish+Blarney+Stones

Kitchy
Leprechaun Cupcake Picks – $1.99/ 12 from Fantes
http://www.fantes.com/st-patrick.html