Have you heard about Stampington's newest magazine, Mingle? It is filled with ideas for entertaining and gathering with friends and family. Not to mention the eye-candy. Good heavens...the eye candy, people!
I have to admit, at first, I wasn't interested in this particular magazine because I don't host very many parties. My life is so busy (heaven's to Betsy, with 6 littles, every single meal is a raucous party!) that I really don't have the opportunity. Plus, I feel very comfortable creating artwork for my walls, but when it comes to cooking and decorating, I've got some seriously cold feet.
However, when I actually sat down and began reading, something amazing happened. I was completely inspired by every. single. article. I'm not kidding. Not only that, but I didn't feel completely overwhelmed by the magazine. Sometimes when I read decorating or entertaining magazines, I end up chucking them at the wall because they make me feel...well...cruddy. I get feelings of inadequacy and all I want to do is lick my wounds and feel sorry for myself. (I usually stay far away from party/decorating blogs for that very reason.) Not so with Stampington's Mingle. Yes, the articles are all about amazing parties and amazing hostesses, but they didn't make me feel hopeless. The overall spirit of the publication is positive inspiration. How refreshing! And doable. Even for hopeless hostesses who don't like to cook for anyone other than their immediate family. (Like someone you might know...)
Oh, let me say a little about the photography too. The pictures are absolutely divine. The color schemes, the little details, the sumptuousness in them was amazing. Simply amazing. All and all, this is a great magazine. Perfect with a hot drink and perhaps a little something sweet. You're going to love it. I know it.
And...thanks to Stampington's generosity, I am hosting a Mingle giveaway!
I have to admit, at first, I wasn't interested in this particular magazine because I don't host very many parties. My life is so busy (heaven's to Betsy, with 6 littles, every single meal is a raucous party!) that I really don't have the opportunity. Plus, I feel very comfortable creating artwork for my walls, but when it comes to cooking and decorating, I've got some seriously cold feet.
However, when I actually sat down and began reading, something amazing happened. I was completely inspired by every. single. article. I'm not kidding. Not only that, but I didn't feel completely overwhelmed by the magazine. Sometimes when I read decorating or entertaining magazines, I end up chucking them at the wall because they make me feel...well...cruddy. I get feelings of inadequacy and all I want to do is lick my wounds and feel sorry for myself. (I usually stay far away from party/decorating blogs for that very reason.) Not so with Stampington's Mingle. Yes, the articles are all about amazing parties and amazing hostesses, but they didn't make me feel hopeless. The overall spirit of the publication is positive inspiration. How refreshing! And doable. Even for hopeless hostesses who don't like to cook for anyone other than their immediate family. (Like someone you might know...)
Oh, let me say a little about the photography too. The pictures are absolutely divine. The color schemes, the little details, the sumptuousness in them was amazing. Simply amazing. All and all, this is a great magazine. Perfect with a hot drink and perhaps a little something sweet. You're going to love it. I know it.
And...thanks to Stampington's generosity, I am hosting a Mingle giveaway!
I'm just so excited to send a lucky winner a brand new copy of this magazine courtesy of Stampington! If you'd like to win, leave me a comment telling me about the last great (or cruddy) get-together that you hosted (or attended). I'll choose a winner on October 14th based on the comments that I receive.
It's only fair that I begin so...my last get-together was with a few neighbors. I set up a baked potato bar (I thought myself quite decadent when I had both bacon and sour cream available!) and we got to know each other better while our children played outside. It was very simple. There weren't any fancy decorations or invitations, but we all enjoyed ourselves.
Okay, your turn!
9 comments:
Hi Bethany! I, too, am a completely hopeless cruddy planner so now I'm intrigued to dive into this magazine and get the low down on good party planning! Thanks for the chance!
I am completely OBSESSED with Stampington. I discovered them about 6 months ago and now have spent way to much money buying their GORGEOUS magazines, new issues, back issues, digital issues. Their mags are honestly some of inspirational and beautiful things I have ever seen. I too shied away from this one though because I very rarely entertain because of budget and schedule constraints, but now I have got to see it.
Anyhoo, my last get together was with some friends last Xmas. It was just four of us but since we didn't have time to get together before Xmas, we had Xmas in January complete with a full holiday dinner (we even left our decorations out!). It was nothing fancy, no special touches, but it gave us a few hours with friends that we rarely get to see, so thats what made it special. Wine, good food and better friends, the secrets to happiness.
Thanks to you and Stampington for the chance!
Oh, I want this! I have hosted a couple of completely impromptu dinner parties in the last month. I have just called people up and invited them (and their large families) to dinner. Good food with kids playing and adults talking = a great time.
Of course, I love the idea of a party with decor and everything too. :) Can't wait to get my hands on this magazine!
Ohhhhhhhh that magazine does sound good!!! The last get together I hosted was when my BFF was in town from NJ... we had her, me and Bri's parents, BFF's niece and a few other friends over to have dinner and catch up! It was fun! :):):):):):):):):):):)
I don't enjoy giving dinner parties (much too stressful for me) but I envy people who can plan a get-together and pull it off without a hitch.
The last time I attended a gathering at a friend’s house, she had a table laid out with appetizers, different bruschettas and lasagna. The table was simply decorated and it was casual, easy and fun. My kind of party!
This magazine has piqued my curiosity! I am a huge fan of Stampington magazines never disappointing.
The last entertainment party was
last October. Everyone brought a
food related to Halloween, such fun
and different.
I've been dying to get my hands on this magazine. Just the title is so inviting. I love to entertain, love all the details, the decorations and the food. But, do I do it? Ummmmmm, nope. Can't remember the last time I went whole-hog and did it up right. Maybe it's time.
SuZeQ ~ kosec@sbcglobal.net
We had a great get together with some some friends a while back. We made homemade pasta, lots of labor-intensive dishes, good wine, great music and a really nice cheese platter. My daughter LOVES cheese and she kept going back for more. Now, I need to mention that the couple we had over are childless by choice. They're just not kid people. So, back to my daughter. She keeps going back for cheese and finally makes her way to the bleu cheese. Which she promptly threw up all over our guest. Well, I guess that cemented their decision to remain childless!! LOL!!!! It still makes me laugh out loud.
Funny enough, I am in the same boat. My idea of mingling is making cookies for the babes and and listen to them all giddy and happy at the table. I can't remember my last little party. Well,ok, for my oldest daughters, uh 10 th bday I believe, we had this gymnastics party with a skull and cross bones theme. I decorated every cupcake with skulls, all bright pink and hand made, and then we did up some cute skull thingies and such. Ha, that's all I have! I would love to read this new one though. We love Stampington!
BTW, I did get your email about my chalkboard fridge, and I just haven't responded. Thanks for the ideas and I will try, and eventually take pics, and share!
...AND oh my do I LOVE your new page in SM. LOVE!!!
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