Summer Entertaining

The unofficial start to Summer is here! Are you all set for summer entertaining? No? Well head on over to Pottery Barn and check out the Galvanized Collection. It's a summer must have!

Which of these beauties are your favorite? I'm going with the galvanized party bucket and stand, and the 3 tier serving stand. Wait a minute, the bottle caddy makes the cut as well. Okay.. I love all of the pieces!!

 I am totally a fan of mason jars, and I have a thing for drink dispensers. Put them together and what do you get? The Mason Jar dink dispenser! Place it on top if the galvanized drink dispenser stand to complete the look. I love it!

 Whats summer without ice cream? Bring your event to a sweet end with this cute galvanized star tier stand is perfect to display desert, toppings, cones, or what ever you feel it. It will look great.  

 Check out the galvanized star collection to add patriotic flair to your celebration. It would be a great addition to a Fourth of July celebration! 

Cheesecake Pops

 I'm thinking about making these simple DIY cheesecake pops! I made these pops from store bought cheesecake for a dinner I hosted about two years ago.  There were pumpking cheesecake (perfect for this time of year) and plain cheesecake pops covered in graham crackers and Oreo cookie... YUM! 

Holiday centerpiece Ideas

Have you transformed your fall decor to winter/holiday yet? I haven't...(my excuse...just back from vacation :-D). I've done the cleaning and prep work though. The tree and mantle are complete. But I'm still deciding what to do for my dining table centerpiece.  Having the same dilemma? Or just want some ideas for your next holiday event?  Check out these great centerpieces and holiday decor courtesy of one of my favorite go to sources for inspiration.. Pottery Barn!

I love apothecary jars, fill them up with all things festive for the season

 This should be fairly simple to recreate! Put your pillar and taper candles to use!

 Simple and elegant, you don't have to use PB pinecone candles for this setting.  Use plain pinecones, they come a dine a dozen, very inexpensive!

I have lots of candles and apothecary jars, so I think I'll combine the two and see what I come up with.

Do you have any other ideas?  Do share!

Past Parties: Thanksgiving Remix

I can't believe Thanksgiving is rolling around so soon! I know everyone is preparing for their Thanksgiving menu, I'll be away this year. But... last year around this time I was not only thinking about what I'll serve for the big dinner, but what I'll transform my left over Thanksgiving dinner into the next day.  Yep.. that's right, you read it correctly. The day after we packed on the pounds for Thanksgiving, we packed on some more pounds with the left overs!  I called it After Giving Thanks Remix Dinner. This was one of my favorite gatherings with my girls, and thought it would be fitting to share it with you (again), and those new to my blog.  So don't just make turkey sandwiches after Thanksgiving.. get inspired and REMIX IT UP!

The decor was also "remixed"! Leaves, nuts, and branches.were found in my backyard! 

 Candles floating in water sprinkled with shredded gold leaves

 I also used the leaves as food labels to identify the "remixed ingredient.

Shephard's Pie 

 

Turkey Caesar Lettuce Wraps

 Cranberry Spritzer

 

  Cranberry Butter

 For desert..Pumpkin Cheesecake "Remixed" Pops

Pumpkin crunch popcorn

 

 

  Left overs never looked so good! That's because they were spruced up with fresh ingredients. Mix it up!
 Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and the left overs!

Spice up your Place Settings

You guys should know that I'm a fan of Mikasa, right? Did you get a chance to look at the last Mikasa video I shared about using the Cheers collection in various ways? I love the ideas they shared in that one. Well, I have another video to share with you! Do you use your china? No? go ahead and take them out of the china cabinet and mix it up! Check it out here, and learn how to personalize and spice up your place settings by mixing and matching patterns!

Cheers!

Need some fresh new chic ideas for your next shindig? Well check out the the fun fashionable Cheers Collection from Mikasa. They make the perfect housewarming, wedding, birthday, hostess or holiday gifts. Or just freshen up your china cabinet with these beautiful modern pieces.

Take a look at the Mikasa video below for brilliant ideas for throwing the perfect party. I just happen to use some of these ideas myself. The shrimp cocktail in a shot glass is always a hit at my parties. I've also tried a salad in a martini glass. But they used it for serving chips and dip! That's a must try for me. Love that! Check it out! It's always nice to surprise your guests with unexpected treats. I would love to know which Mikasa idea you would use at your party. Or maybe you have another fun idea, please share! I may just have a surprise up my sleeve for you! ;-)

New Mikasa handblown glass pieces

Looking for a unique bridal shower, housewarming,hostess gift, or just new items to add some flair to your home? Check out the hand-blown art glass pieces of the Rockswirl Art Glass Collection. It's a gorgeous collaboration between Mikasa and Abby Modell. Check out this video for an inside look behind the scenes of their NY showroom. Get tips and ideas that will give your home a fresh chic new look with these affordable but luxurious pieces! This collection truly has an opulent touch. Don't you think?!

Happy Summer!

It's the first day of summer, and it's Hot! I'm feelin' it! It's time to do some outdoor entertaining! I'm ready for a Summertime Barbecue like this one! Courtesy of PotteryBarn of course.

Crab Feast!!

Ok so it's going to feel like summer here in the east this weekend!! I can't wait! I can just feel one of these coming on.. Or someone needs to have a Crab Feast or Seafood Boil and invite me!:-) First, make a stop at one of my favorite stores and pick up a few items.



Crab-claw-shell cracker, wooden mallet, galvanized pail and tray, LOVE this, gotta have it!


OMG this boat is a MUST have! (Or maybe you can hit up another one of my favorite stores to find a replica for much less than $139.00... but it's hit or miss. So take your chances if you wish.)


Double Duty!


Get all of these items for your party at Pottery Barn now!