Entertaining on a Budget

If you haven't yet figured it out from my frequent links, Jennifer Sbranti, otherwise known as The Hostess with the Mostess, is the reigning Queen of Parties. Originally a graphic designer, she now hosts lavish get-togethers with and for some famous folk.

She has her own blog and contributes regularly to the Celebrations section of Real Simple Magazine, as well as other places around the web.

I find her party planning ideas fascinating and wonderfully done, but not always budget-friendly, which is why I appreciated one of her recent articles:

Entertaining on a Budget

She offers some great ideas for dressing up your table and some basic tips for how to achieve a polished look with very little cost and almost no effort.