Invitations I initally made for this year's Fall Fest
For the past couple years, the hubs and I have had a Fall Fest at our home on a Saturday night around mid October. You know, that time of year when the weather is utterly and insanely perfect. For me, there is nothing as cozy as stepping into a Minnesota autumn when I wake to those crisp, dewy mornings that lead into the most gorgeous Indian summer afternoons and evenings. This has always been and still most definitely is my favorite time of year.
Both years that we've had our Fall Fest, we've served our favorite cheddar cheese chowder with lots of veggies and ham along with chili, and, of course, all the other usual "fall fair" from apple pies to caramel apples to hot apple cidar to all other sorts of appetizers and goodies. I absolutely L.O.V.E. planning this party, and even more so, I love decorating my home for this party.
But (and this is a great, big, fat
but) we won't be having our party this year. Bummer, right? Frugality has called our names, so for recession's sake, Fall Fest will just have to live on in our hearts.
However, that doesn't mean that a girl still can't dream. So, that being said...if I were to have a Fall Fest this year, my theme would be Black & White. Don't ask me why, just follow me here. I think I would take the obscure Tim Burton (director of Beetle Juice, Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride...need I go on?) angle, in all it's weirdness and glory - not too creepy, rather interesting and different. I think so, anyway.
For starters, everyone would be required to come in a black and white costume. Oh, yes, I would have black and white glittered pumpkins, squiggly black and white branches, a funky black and white candy and cupcake bar, some creative lighting, and oh-so-much fun crafting it all. So, in the name of said fun, check out some of the inspiration, I came across when I was brainstorming my would-be-uber-rad Black & White Fall Fest.
Maybe, I would wear some funky black and white tights and fancy lace gloves like these
ones from a Fanciful Twist...
...and the stud of the house could borrow these duds from Beetle Juice...
I would definitely need some
black and white lollipops for my candy buffet like these ones from Martha Stewart (totally under stated in this picture)...
Or, how about this charming
candy buffet from the talented Hostess with the Mostess along with all of her other fun black and white party ideas...
And, of course, a party just wouldn't be a party without cupcakes! Check out these fancy black and white
cupcakes from Cupcaketastic. How creative!
Perhaps, I would include these nifty black and white
hanging lanterns from Martha Stewart (I might pretty them up a bit with a little glitter...so fun!)...
Oh, and here are those rockin'
black squiggly branches I was telling you about (I would paint white stripes around them just for kicks)...
And finally a little Tim Burton imagery for inspiration...
Check out this cool
Corpse Bride wedding cake I found at Pink Cake Box:
Okay, so it's a little more blue than black and white, and it's not something I would choose for a lovely wedding, but it's cool and creative for a fall party, don't you think?
Lastly, here's an upclose look at the first draft of my Fall Fest invite that I made (final invite at the beginning of post). I drew the funky trees to give them the Tim Burton feel, and then I hand-wrote the invite. Since I won't be sending them out this year, I thought I would share my idea with you for inspiration.
Now that the creative juices are flowing, it's time to tie it all together...well, if only in my head anyway!
Ciao!
Nikki
