Raise the Bar

Image by Kim Le

One thing I'd really love to do in 2015 is learn how to make a truly excellent cocktail. As such, I thought it'd be fitting to toast the new year with some mighty spectacular barware finds (if I do say so myself).

There is something just so nostalgic and charming about this beautiful wooden bar cart from Anthropologie ($498). Perfectly suited for a cozy cocktail corner, I imagine it being a place where sentimental libations are shaken and stirred among friends.

Decidedly more modern but no less fantastic is this brass bar cart from West Elm ($399). The clean lines are especially compatible with contemporary spaces, while double glass shelves provide ample space for all your spirit-ual needs.

My personal favourite of the bunch, this retro brass bar cart from Black Rooster Decor ($1039) is unabashedly glamourous, while the rounded handles and edges add some unexpected quirk and keep things from looking too boxy.

Interior design extraordinaire Jessica Waks of Style at Home and Jessica Claire's World – whose work I came to know through her awesome hubby, a long-time family friend – is always digging up the most delightful bits of design inspiration, such as these gorgeous gold-plated cocktail accessories from Cocktail Kingdom. I'm particularly in love with the Usagi Cobbler Shaker ($76.95).

Another goodie from Cocktail Kingdom, these gold-finished cocktail picks ($18.95) are just begging to be busted out at a swanky soiree. 

You can always bank on Kate Spade for whimsical, cheeky and completely fantastic party supplies! I'm especially partial to these gold foil confetti-flecked cocktail napkins ($14).

If you've stopped by Chaucer + Lily any number of times, you'll know I have a major weakness for black and white patterns. No wonder I fell for the Pierrepont Place 2-piece bar set from Kate Spade ($50).

Spartan Shop has recently become one of my favourite online spots to oggle oh-so-gorgeous homeware. I particularly adore this collection of brass bottle openers ($46) by Japanese designer Masonori Oji.

Another find from Spartan Shop, these bottle openers ($60) by Fort Standard check off two of my favourite design trends: brass and geometry.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely in love with these jaw-dropping bottle openers from Kelly Wearstler (left: Precision, $250; right: Bejeweled, $450).

Marc Blackwell's Northern/Southern Hemisphere glassware collection at Barneys is arguably one of the most spectacular I've ever seen (from $75).

These geo brass bottle stoppers from West Elm ($49) are sure to keep more than just the wine fresh with their bold, glamourous design.

Equally exceptional are these faceted glasses from Urban Outfitters ($34). If you can't already tell, I'm having great difficulty getting over my recent crush on gem-inspired design.

It seems that Moscow Mules have been all over the wedding and lifestyle blogs for the past couple years, and I'm definitely not complaining. The obligatory brass mug (which you can bag at Urban Outfitters for $20) makes this classic vodka-based cocktail an aesthetic delight. Besides, any libation that permits this home décor junkie to splurge on some shiny new barware is a definite must in my books.

This copper tumbler from Spartan Shop ($20) is Bohemian glamour at its finest. I want six or seven, like, now.

Williams-Sonoma has taken ordinary shot glasses to the next level with their striking copper edition ($9.95).

Entertaining before 5 PM? These S'well reusable water bottles ($35-45) from Anthropologie not only feature striking organic patterns, they also keep liquids cool for 24 hours (and warm for up to 12!)

It doesn't get more glamourous than Elizabeth Stone's agate coasters plated in 18K gold.

Bottoms up!

Sparkly Ideas for New Year's Entertaining

My favourite way to ring in the new year is making dinner parties with friends. Good food, good drink, good company, no cover. Need I say more? For those of you planning a holiday pow-wow of your own tonight, I thought I'd share some of my favourite sparkle-centric ideas, ripe for New Year's Eve entertaining.

There's a better way to announce your New Yew's Eve festivities than a confetti filled invitation! Fortunately, crafting maven Melanie Blodgett of You Are My Fave has all the deets on making these yourself. Yes, please!

Leave it to 100LayerCake (one of my all-time favourite wedding/lifestyle blogs) to feature the most gorgeous New Year's Eve spreads (shot by Kristina Lee) I've probably ever seen. I particularly love the juxtaposition of the formal candelabras and the whimsical metallic tinsel and fringe garlands. It's equal parts charming, festive and glam thanks to the extraordinary design talents of Beijos Events. I'm also kind of in love with the disco ball planter at the base of the fireplace. All this pyro needs is a roaring fire (and a purring pile of kittens curled up beside it) and we're good to go!

The monochromatic balloons, white neon sign and adorable little bar cart are equally exceptional (although I'm personally more partial to bronze and gold than cooler metallics).

These fantastic coasters by Sugar Paper and Flair Designery by are so far up my alley that I could hardly contain myself when I first saw them (get in my Occasions Closet now!) I have this odd affinity for multi-lingual toasting and there's no better time to practice your L'Chaims, Nostrovias and Cin Cins than New Year's Eve! I also adore the metallic confetti lavished across the gilded tabletop, the opaque white bowl and the perfect pop of colour in the decadent, dark red cherries (one of my favourite hues right now).

If I had space to entertain on the reg, I would basically set my table like this as often as humanly possible. Gold-rimmed crystal, check. Metallic chargers, check. Gilded flatware, check. Cheeky holiday crackers and noise makers, check. It's more or less everything I love woven together in one single place setting: formal, yet accessible; stylish, without taking itself too seriously; and, above all, warm and inviting, which is the absolute priority in my book.

This next little bit is cozy contemporary at its finest: warm, metallic hues; faux fur (love!); clean lines and bold geometric shapes. I personally would add a funky little Jonathan Adler bowl bursting with juicy Red Charm peonies (if only they were in season!), but then again I'm a bit of crazy flower child.

Although this would be a nightmare to clean up, I just had to include it in my holiday rotation. If you can't get knee deep in a pile of glitter on New Year's Eve, when can you? I especially love the sweet little air plant thrown into the mix!

I'll be the first to admit it's easy to spend several delicious hours getting lost on 100LayerCake and never do anything else, they aren't the only blog to feature some wonderful ideas for merrymaking. Almost Makes Perfect by designer Molly Madfis is chock full of delightful DIY tutorials for crafting fun and original party accessories (with gorgeous photos to boot). These gold fringe party hats are one of my favourite finds on Molly's blog and would be the perfect addition to even the most glamourous of New Year's Eve extravaganzas.

I'm equally smitten with these gold-dusted farfalle garlands from DIY blog The Gold Jelly Bean. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes on this tutorial, as I received a copy of Chloe's Vegan Italian Cooking for Christmas and am already scheming on my next dinner party.

If a full-blown crafting party sounds like your idea of a fun night in, you'll definitely want to bookmark Oh Happy Day by San Francisco-based event designer and DIY extraordinary Jordan Fenney. Her gorgeous sequin photo booth tutorial is just begging for celebrants in sparkly little dresses to get their mug on, but I'd also be tempted to use it as a backdrop for a massive New Year's Eve bubbly bar or dessert spread.

Last year, when West Elm released their charming party in a box, they teamed up with lifestyle blogging boss Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty to create a whole bevvy of beautiful branded content for readers to Pin and pine over (expect to see much more of this topic around Chaucer + Lily in the new year). Shot by Ruth Eileen, this spectacular photo shoot showcased West Elm's metallic fringe backdrop with a tantalizing sweet table, perfect for New Year's Eve shindigs both large and small.

Speaking of spectacular backdrops, it'd be more or less criminal not to mention Brooklyn-based Confetti System in a post devoted to all things sparkle. I've been obsessed their jaw-dropping metallic fringes and paper installations since they first burst onto the blogosphere a few years ago.

Image by Studio Castillero

Confetti System has been commissioned to create elaborate and whimsical ceiling décor for style-savvy celebrations from coast to coast, and it's easy to see why. Fortunately, you don't need a big guest list to spring for a mighty statement, which is precisely what Confetti System is known for.

One of my latest Confetti System obsessions is this faceted gold piñata, which is a little steep at $140 a pop, but stunning nonetheless. I would love to hang a cluster of these from a crystal chandelier above a glittering tablescape.

Image by Jade and Matthew Take Pictures

These stately cabinet drawers overflowing with gold shredded mylar paper make for another phenomenal piece of New Year's-ready décor.

Image by Jade and Matthew Take Pictures

This probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me (or follows my blog) but I've been harbouring a major obsession for gold disco balls lately. These would make darling escort cards for a more formal New Year's dinner party with assigned seating.

I've always had a soft spot for spherical decor, which is probably why I'm so in love with these DIY disco ball ornaments from A Subtle Revelry.

From event design to interiors, marble was absolutely everywhere in 2014 and I was definitely not complaining. These agate-style balloons from Qualatex would look divine attached to metallic gold ribbon. If you don't have a bushel of 'em on standby to decorate your New Year's Eve party, perhaps you should resolve to more thoroughly stock your Occasions Closet in 2015; I, in return, will pledge to have my holiday posts up before the actual day. ;)

Image by Jocelyn Noel

I've seriously been crushing on dip dying these days, another trend that went full steam ahead in 2014. Although I'm not a huge fan of pink – it has to be the exact right tone for my notoriously nitpicky taste – I still went nuts over these two-toned balloons (another DIY goodie from A Subtle Revelry!) Ever a fan of the Midas touch, I would obviously spring for one of my all-time favourite colour combos, black and gold. This seems especially fitting for a swanky New Year's Eve celebration!

Image by Kristin Vining

Speaking of my all-time favourite colour palette, I couldn't resist including this spectacular black and gold party horn display (styled by The Graceful Host for an actual New Year's Eve wedding!) There is just something about glass canisters filled with simple objects that feel so spectacularly abundant, even if you just picked them up from the dollar store.

Image by Scott Clark Photography

I tend to be a bit of a purist when it comes to floral design, but these tinsel-flecked rose arrangements are a definite exception, especially with a swanky New Year's Eve party in the making!

No New Year's Eve celebration would be complete without libations, but these ginger prosecco cocktails from Freutcake are almost too pretty to drink!

Image by Megan Welker

I love exceptional packaging and just had to include this cheeky bottle design from iconic champagne house Moët & Chandon.

No self-respecting entertainment guide would be complete without a little Martha Stewart! You can pick up some tinsel swizzle sticks for yourself on Etsy.

Speaking of incredible Etsy finds, I absolutely love these laser-cut swizzle sticks from calligrapher Laura Hooper, perfect for an oh-so-stylish New Year's toast!

Image by Megan Robinson

There's no better way to glam up your holiday drinks than with a pinch of edible glitter!

Image by Erin Holland

It's three for three for A Subtle Revelry with these delightful DIY glitter ice cubes! I can't think of a better occasion than New Year's Eve to bust out the sparkly ice tray.

Last, but certainly not least, no New Year's Eve celebration is complete without the obligatory midnight confetti eruption. I've definitely fallen hard for this magnificent Push-Pop Confetti™ by Mississippi-based design studio thimblepress!

Of course, I couldn't leave out these DIY confetti poppers in my favourite colour palette: black, white and gold! Be sure to swing by my very own internship alma mater Weddingbells for the full tutorial!

Wishing a sweet, brave, happy, healthy, completely glorious new year to one and all!

–Rachel