Spring will be here before you know it. So get ready to shake off those winter blues and awaken your party-planning diva. Ecco Domani, the stylish Italian wine brand, has teamed up with celebrity style and entertaining guru, Robert Verdi, to create chic and affordable tips that will help you infuse the latest fashion trends into your next get-together without breaking the bank. From an intimate night at home with friends to a stylish soiree, Robert’s tips are the perfect accessories to carry you through the season!

Go Vintage …  Instead of sending guests traditional store-bought invitations, stock-up on vintage postcards featuring your favorite springtime destinations. Write your party details on the back of the postcard, place it in a clear envelope and send it out. It’s a surefire way to pique guests’ interest before the party even gets started! Not only do these make unique invitations, but your guests can save them to reuse as eye-catching wall art or in frames for a desktop pick-me-up.

Botanical Settings … Share the beauty of a springtime garden with your guests by using seed packets as place cards. Purchase a variety of fruit and flower seeds, and place each guest’s name on the upper former of the packet. This not only infuses a sense of spring into your gathering, but gives your guests a special gift.

Subtle Shimmer … Metallic accents are one of the hottest fashion trends this season and are the perfect way to liven up a look. Translate this trend at home by adding sparkly throw pillows in lively colors (try turquoise or lavender) to an ordinary dining room chair for instant glamour.  Or, for a bolder look wrap old silver bracelets or gold plated necklaces around a plain candle. Look for items that complement this theme such as Ecco Domani’s silver-accented wine bottles – they are not only the perfect accessory to your jewelry-inspired table, but the wines’ fruit-forward flavors pair perfectly with any springtime meal.

Add Texture to Your Table … Bring the outdoors in with a few inexpensive slate or terra-cotta tiles.  Easily found at your local hardware store, these versatile pieces can be used in a variety of ways (think trivets, trays or placemats) and are sturdy enough to take you through a season of spring parties.

A Cool Touch … Spring is the perfect time to serve your guests a crisp glass of white wine. Incorporate a stylish, yet functional, party element by using garden-inspired, galvanized buckets to chill a crowd pleasing varietal, such as Ecco Domani: Pinot Grigio. The fun display keeps wine cool and within your guests’ reach for easy refills.

Go Wild … Pairing neutral colored fabrics with chic animal print accents, such as a white table cloth with zebra patterned napkins or elegant glasses with cheetah printed coasters, brings an unexpected element to your table. Combining these unusual colors and patterns inspired by nature is a great way to add pizazz to an average outfit. The same idea can work at home.

An Edgy Evening … Line an inexpensive tray with leather to add a slice of luxury or cut smaller pieces to create placemats or coasters. Style mavens everywhere have proven that leather is back from the runways to the streets, and can easily transition from winter to spring. It’s important to use only a few carefully chosen items in light and nude colors to add an instant edge to your home decor and to avoid overwhelming the space.

Flower Power … What better way to welcome back the spring season that with an assortment of brightly colored flowers. Break away from traditional glass vases and showcase your favorite  flowers using birds nests in a variety of sizes (available at your local craft store) to add a unique touch of spring to your table. If you’re looking for something more formal, try using glassware or pitchers in a variety of vivid colors and shapes to create an eclectic setting.

Eco-Chic … The warm spring weather is the perfect excuse to dine al fresco. Pack up your sense of style by filling eco-friendly totes with artisan cheeses, fresh baguettes, and a bottle of delicious white wine, and head out to your favorite park (your own backyard works too). Try using bamboo cutting boards, napkins made from recycled materials, and “green” glassware. Don’t forget a candle or two to set  the mood.