glittered poinsettias!

Poinsettia's are a boring holiday tradition ---  like fruitcake. BORING NO MORE!

What a lovely way to punch up the classics! Use these to decorate for your own holiday soiree or give as a hostess gift. I found these in my city at Fresh Market. While a quick search of the webz didn't offer much I'm assuming these won't be too hard to find at other retailers this season!

Happy Happy Anniversary...

Today is the 2nd Anniversary of Navigate with Style!  When I first started this blog it was a private, creative outlet for me during a difficult, professional time.  I was wondering where my career would take me and pondered my options daily.

As I started to post here and there I rediscovered a passion of mine from long ago - to be a writer.  As the posts grew the focus and tone evolved.  I learned a bit more about blogging, played around with the layout, designed a logo and opened a Twitter account.

I have a ton more to learn about writing and blogging but I'm having so much fun and today I woke up to find I'd surpassed 4,000 page views!  I'm sure this number is small potatoes to most but I'm positively giddy about it!  I think I deserve a prezzie, actually...

Since the beginning of this blogging endeavor I have grown as a mother and a wife and we've moved from our beloved city of Boston, Massachusetts to be closer to our families in Indiana.  I said goodbye to a company that taught me almost everything I know to date and that feels a bit scary but also really fantastic!

NWS will undergo a few more changes as the year draws to a close; a new logo is on the way and I'll be updating the look and host of the blog.  Navigate with Style will continue to evolve as I do and it's certainly a journey I am more than thrilled to be on...

xx
JDF

Halloween is here...

Well, it's time to trick or treat so I guess I'll reveal my costume!  If you've learned anything about me it's that I adore all things BRITISH.  And, I find the best Halloween costumes are topical so this year I'm dressing up as Princess Beatrice as she attended the wedding of William & Kate!  It was love at first sight for me when I spied the "Fallopian tube" hat by Philip Treacy...it's truly a unique creation if I ever saw one and quite frankly, I think it's pretty!

I purchased a red wig (couldn't find a strawberry blonde version) and am wearing a dark, smoky eye with a nude lip and contoured cheeks, just like Beatrice.  The headpiece I ordered came in a little more pink than I expected so my coat and shoes aren't an exact match but I have a feeling no one will be looking past my head gear...

I'm sure there will be many Princess Beatrice Halloweeners this year but I don't care...this will go down as one of my personal favorites!

Happy (and safe) Trick or Treating everyone!

host a movie night...

NWS loves watching movies...especially with family and friends.  Upgrade your normal movie routine and host a movie party!

* Keep it intimate and cozy in your living room or take it outdoors to accommodate a larger crowd by using a large white sheet and a DVD projector (you can rent locally instead of buying).  Provide large picnic blankets and folding chairs or even some inflatable mattresses or couches so your guests have options if outdoors.  If indoors, place large floor cushions around and bring in extra seats (move out non essential tables, etc for more room).



* Serve easy to eat finger foods rather than dealing with silverware.  Provide TV tables and divided melamine plates.  Keep the beverages simple by chilling bottles of beer in an ice filled tub, pitchers of water with lemon, strawberries or cucumber and a festive punch (feel free to spike it but be sure to have kid safe options too if it's a family affair).


* Set up a popcorn bar with sweet and salty varieties of popcorn along with salt, melted butter, cayenne pepper powder and classic boxed movie candies to mix in.  Provide paper popcorn bags for each guest.


* When you see images from a movie premiere of the celebs walking the red carpet they are working the "step and repeat", posing for pictures and answering questions over and over again.  Set up your own mini "step and repeat" by rolling out a red carpet (or bath mat) and hanging a banner with a fun title for your party.  When your guests arrive snap a pic of them in front of your banner then post within your Facebook photo albums with the same title as your party for all your guests to enjoy later.  Ask your guests standard red carpet style questions tailored to your crowd or the theme of the movie and post their answers as comments with the pictures.

* Ask your guests to dress up as characters from the film or inspired by the theme...or keep it casual and comfy and have them come in pajama's and slippers.

* Before the movie starts play a few shorts or cartoons or even a few vintage news reels for fun.

* For festive decor go to your local party supply stores for movie themed gold star confetti, banners, invites, napkins and balloons.

derby day...

The Kentucky Derby is THE signature event of the Triple Crown...the hats, the juleps, the celebs that pretend to love horse racing!  Here's how to celebrate if you can't make it to Churchill Downs...

Party decor and favors/games...give your guests a chocolate rose or hang a red rose wreath...it IS the Run for the Roses, afterall...pass out racing forms and collect some coins for a small stakes bet to keep it fun!

Classic mint julep cups...use them afterward to hold pretty flowers!

You MUST wear a great hat (apologies for the creepy mannequin heads)...


For broadcast information and to learn more about Churchill Downs and the prospective field of horses and jockeys click here and here and here...

For a great Mint Julep recipe click here...

Pass out copies of the lyrics to My Old Kentucky home so your guests to sing along before the race...

The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky home,
'Tis summer, and people are gay;
The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright;
By 'n' by hard times comes a knocking at the door
Then My Old Kentucky Home, good night!

Weep no more my lady
Oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song
For My Old Kentucky Home

For My Old Kentucky Home, far away