Spring has Sprung!

Happy Spring Everyone! 

Here's a blast from my past styled tablescapes, Spring related of course...

"Spring is in Full Swing 2011"  Check out the details here and here!

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Spring Tablescape

A Vibrant Spring tablecape Coming soon!

Stay tuned!

Festive Fiesta

I'm ready for some margaritas! Who's having a Cinco De Mayo celebration?  If you are looking for inspiration to get started, look no further! Chris from Celebrations at Home hit the nail on the head with her Mexican Fiesta!  I'm totally loving the ruffle tablecloth (shower curtain) she combined with a traditional Mexican Serape Blanket used for her tablescape design.

LOVE THIS! The ruffles are the perfect compliment to the Mexican Serape Blanket. I have a blanket already, just have snag one of those curtains!  

 

You'll want to check out Chris' contribution to the Celebrations blog and pick some tips and pointers on how to pull off your own Mexican Fiesta!

Homemade, Heart Felt Gift Ideas

You don't have to break the bank purchasing gifts this season. Homemade gifts giving from the heart are greatly appreciated when it's from the heart. I love receiving and sharing homemade gifts. Last year I made an assortment of cookies and packaged them in decorative tins,  and a homemade spiced rub packaged in a cute little spice jar with holiday ribbon.
Yesterday I shared hot chocolate station ideas, today how about a homemade hot chocolate gift! Love it!
 For stylish packaging, put chocolate mix into a bag, tie with festive ribbon and nestle it into mug, don't forget the marshmallows!

Roasted Spiced Almonds

These simple metal tins look great with with ribbon or even some leftover wrapping paper.  

Peppermint Cheesecake

I just love the packaging for this one! Peppermint cheesecake package it in Asian vegetable steamer.

Ok.. YUM!

Honey and Macadamia Nut Fudge packaged in pretty gold or silver boxes.

 For more ideas and recipes to make your own homemade heart felt gifts, go to  bhg,!

Hot Beverage Bar

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Brrrrr....It's cold out there! If you are entertaining for the holidays, warm up your guest with a hot beverage bar.  Of course hot chocolate will be the star of the show!  You can also include a variety of hot beverages such as specialty flavored tea and coffee. It's definitely a good idea to have your bar set up in your foyer, entryway or immediately after they enter from the cold winter weather.

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Your station can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish, it'll give your guest a warm welcome!

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   Don't forget to add some Flair to your buffet with some of the following!

Marshmallows

Wafer sticks
Cinnamon sticks

Candy canes

Rock candy sticks
Party Spoons

Caramel squares

Flavored syrups

Chopped up candy bar
Whipped Cream

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And for some extra warmth (Adults only please), a splash wouldn't hurt! 

Bailey’s

Kahlua

Grand Marnier

Crème de Mint

Amaretto

 

Have yourself a Glamours little Holiday!

Celebrations at Home (pun intended) can be as glamours as you want it to be! Check out this ultra Glam  holiday tablescape created by my girl, the super talented Chris from  Celebrations at Home. It's perfect for any holiday party, or really any celebration you wish to add a glamours flair to!  I can definitley see this on New Years Eve!

I'm always up for a bit of  shimmer shine, glitz and glam and this party offers plenty! I'm especially loving the boa detailing around the chargers!

Check out the bling factor!

And nooooo those aren't X-mas ornements like I was reffering to in a previous post. Those are actually shimmering bonbons, Yes they are edible! And what about the glitter around the glass you ask? Yep that's edible too! I'm telling you Chris did her thang on this table! Head over to her blog for all the details!

Ok so you can see her use of ornements in this photo.

And for the sweets.....

Simply GLAM!!

I love that Chris used an acrylic beaded curtain as her backdrop!

How cute are these milk shots, and they were served with cookie "straws!" 

 Spiked eggnog and irish cream shots in chocolate cups! YUM! This party is a must see! Check out Chris' blog for more eye candy!

 

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!

Unconventional Candle Holders

Are you looking for a creative way to display your stock of many candles? Or just want a fresh idea for your seasonal centerpiece? Head over to Pottery Barn.. lots of ideas over there.  Check out this Eclectic Glass Bottle Set it's on sale. Oh, so you don't want to spend on empty bottles?  Well get your DIY on! I'm sure you have some wine bottles laying around.. Hmm? After you enjoy the wine ( or whatever was inside the bottles) strip the labels, wash it up and Wha-La! 

You can drop some cranberries, leaves, corn kernels, or what ever you can find seasonal in the bottle. It'll add a bit of extra Flair to the display.

A Victorian Halloween!

It's almost Halloween and I just have to leave you with these inspiring images from Sweets Indeed.  Not into the creepy, scary scene?  Well this design is for you.... and me. :-) I love the lace! Love it! The stylist definitely kept this Halloween theme sophisticated.  I just want to dive into these treats! Check out Sweets Indeed blog for all of the sweet details! 

An Autumn Affair.. The Decor

I love the seasons of the northeast!! It's Fall, and time for apple picking and delicious apple eats and drinks! So how appropriate was it that I used apples to style an Au tum Affair recently? No flowers necessary at this event! Tons of apples did the trick! I started with a rich tones of orange, deep red, cream and brown. For stationary, I found orange cardstock with a sweet cream damask (I love damask!) print to the bottom. I sent the invitation along with a little inspiration board to the cake designer. Christine of Design Cakes did an AMAZING job with the cake! Inspired by the invitation, Christine designed a cream two layered cake with an orange damask cut out. She also included a delicate branch with berries placed on each layer of the cake...SWEET! Let me tell you.. it was PERFECTION! Ok enough of my blabbering.. onto the pictures!

Tablescape, Hurricane held a pillar candle wrapped with skeleton leaves, surrounded by berries. The burlap table runner was a must have!


Ambiance, mini hurricane votive holders mimicked the large centerpiece, with a maple leaf tucked below an orange votive. Red and orange skeleton leaves floating along with a candle.

Drink of the Evening.. Apple Peach Passion Punch. I also used the orange damask for the drink menu. Signature drinks are always a hit!

Favor Bags

And the pièce de résistance.. The Cake!



Stay tuned for the sweets!