[Ask Five is a series where I periodically conduct a quick 5-question Q&A with experts in home decor, crafts and DIY.]
In the spirit of party-planning, which I’ve been doing a lot of lately with my son’s 4th birthday quickly approaching, I wanted to find a good Ask Five candidate to feature that could provide some inspiring ideas for parties of all kinds. As I was searching Twitter one day, I found the perfect choice! I came across Pizzazzerie.com, a website that happens to be an excellent go-to source for entertaining ideas. I checked it out and was totally inspired.
Courtney Dial |
Today’s Ask Five is with creator of Pizzazzerie.com, party stylist and author Courtney Dial (soon to be Whitmore). Having grown up with a love for entertaining, Courtney is quickly becoming well-known in the party design arena. Her expertise has been seen on HGTV.com, in Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, AOL’s DIY Life, Get Married Magazine, MarthaStewart.com and more. She has worked with such brands as Orville Redenbacher, Sterling Wines, Sierra Mist, Lindt, Provo Craft and more to connect consumers with their products in an entertaining setting. She writes for Disney, The Huffington Post, SHE KNOWS, Hostess With the Mostess, and Tablespoon. Courtney grew up in the South, attended Vanderbilt University and currently resides in Nashville with her fiance.
Courtney’s first book, Push-Up Pops!, was recently released and is currently available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. This adorable book features many ways to turn ordinary clear plastic-molds into creative treats of all kinds, perfect for any type of party. Her second book, Candy Making for Kids, will be released in August 2012. For more info on Courtney, or for great ideas and inspiration for all things party-related, check out Pizzazzerie.com.
Q&A
What inspired you to start planning and styling parties?
I was inspired to start styling parties after reading blogs like Hostess With The Mostess and also watching my Mom host elaborate and gorgeous parties as a little girl. When I was out on my own and seeing that styled parties that look amazing can really be done at home, I was hooked. I started throwing dinner parties for my girlfriend in different “themes” and it all came from there!
Where do you most commonly find inspiration for your party themes?
My inspiration comes from just about everywhere. I love patterns so hitting up the fabric store always has me leaving with lots of inspiration. I also love to look at dishes and china (I own far too many cake stands). Anything can be inspiration so I always have my eyes open to be inspired. Even cute napkins from Target had me inspired last week!
What are some tips for party planning on a tight budget?
Parties on a tight budget can definitely be done! Use items you already own for serving pieces. Just pull out any white or glass dishes you own as they will go with any theme. Pair them with simple food (don’t go overboard, a few appetizers and a few desserts!). Serve just one signature cocktail or one signature “mocktail” to keep bar costs down. Greenery is a fabulous flower swap for saving money. Add in a couple of these tips and voila – party on a budget!
What do you recommend choosing first, the party decor or the food?
This depends a bit on the theme. I usually choose party decor and then develop the menu around the theme. For example, if hosting a Fiesta type soiree, then I would pick bright red/orange/pink/yellow decorations and pair that with mini tacos, margaritas, and a homemade churro bar. Some people are more focused on the food for their parties and others on the decorations. Do what works best for you! Your guests will love it.
Which elements of the party decor is easiest to “DIY,” and which should you plan on buying?
The easiest to DIY is dishes. Keep a few basic white or glass serving pieces and you’ll find yourself able to use them at all parties. You should plan on buying a table covering (I always choose fabric because you can wash and use it again) and food, of course. Candles are also another great “re-use” so keep some simple votives and pillars around! The more you entertain, the more you find that you can reuse household items as decoration too. Get creative and you’ll only have to spend money on the food!
Thank you to Courtney Dial for contributing to DIY On the Cheap! For more info, check out Pizzazzerie.com. Also, check out her book tour dates to find out if she is coming to a location near you!
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