Let's Entertain

Simple Centerpiece

I am still looking for centerpiece ideas for my Christmas Party.  I want something simple but eye catching.  I've definitely decided it will be something with ornaments.  They add a lot of glitz for not a lot of money.  You can find them in any shade of the rainbow and reuse them next year. 

I love the look of this tiered tray.  They used three different sized silver trays with glasses as pedestals held together with floral clay.  The metallic trays really reflect the shine and colors of the ornaments.

I also love this idea.  The beads add a little extra to the arrangement. 

Both of these would also work great for a New Year's Party!

(photos from bhg.com)
  

Peppermint Candy Crafts

My friend is celebrating her birthday next week with a peppermint themed party.  This is a theme that I could go crazy with!  Peppermints are inexpensive, readily available and so festive.  They are great to use this time of year for birthdays, showers and Christmas parties.  Here is a collection of easy decorating ideas with peppermints I've collected to inspire you.

(click titles for instructions)

Candy Cane Candles

 

Candy Stick Vase

Peppermint Disk Vase

Peppermint Candle scape

Peppermint Trees
 

  
 
 

Happy Thanksgiving

So sorry for the lack of posts this week!  In the meantime check out this fantastic Thanksgiving dessert buffet from Amy Atlas...

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!
  

Christmas Party Plans

We are having a Christmas party next month at our house and I have been looking for ideas of how to decorate the dining table/kitchen area.  My family room will be decorated with what I am calling a "gilded christmas".  Remember last year I was having trouble using my old decorations with our new terra cotta wall?  Well this year I've decided to use new gold, copper, and brown decorations.  I think they will look great with our wall. 

I would like to do something with more color in the kitchen/dining area.  I'm hung up on the red and aqua combo I've been seeing lately.  I love these two colors together and think they are so fun to use for Christmas parties and decorations.  Here are a few ideas I've gathered so far...

My main inspiration came from Kim at The TomKat Studio's Little Snowflake Invitations.  Kim is so talented and I always love all of her designs.  I can't wait to see the rest of this collection!

Too cute right?!  Check out Kim's inspiration board for the Little Snowflake party here!

A beautiful table below incorporating red and aqua.  Love the little red birds.

 

Plates from Hostess Jo I'll use:

Glass stickers...

Cocktail napkins...

Stay tuned to see everything come together!
  
 

Most Fabulous Halloween Dinner

Run!  Hurry!  Go now!  You must see Kara's Chic Halloween Dinner!  Here is a little sneak peek:

Dessert Table

Loving the black chandelier on the wall!

Place Setting 

Fang-tastic Cocktail

Just finished up the first season of True Blood  on dvd and I am addicted!  Also, super excited about New Moon next month.  With both of these and Halloween right around the corner, I've got fangs on the brain.  This cocktail is perfect for Halloween, True Blood or New Moon parties.

I love Effen Vodka.  If you like black cherry flavor without the sweetness you will love it too.

Dracula's Kiss

• 1 oz black cherry vodka (Effen Vodka)
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• cola
• maraschino cherries for garnish

Preparation:

1. Coat the bottom of a highball glass with grenadine.
2. Add ice and vodka.
3. Fill with cola. Garnish with cherries. 
    

(photo)

Italian Pot Luck Part 2

As you know, tomorrow is my Italian Pot Luck Birthday Party.  I've decided on my dish and have been searching for an after dinner drink.  It is tradition for us to serve an after dinner drink at our potlucks.  Of course this one had to be Italian!  I learned last night from my dad about Sambuca with Flies or Sambuca con mosca.  It is Sambuca liqueur with toasted coffee beans dropped into it.  Traditionally it has three beans meaning:  health, happiness and prosperity.  Great things to toast to huh?  You can also chew the beans to increase the flavor of the Sambuca.  I like that this drink is unique and has tradition.  Perfetto! 

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!

(photo from here)
 

Italian Pot Luck

We are celebrating my birthday this year with an Italian themed pot luck dinner.  Being Italian, you would think I know all about Italian cooking.  I make a pretty good lasagna but that is about it.  I am still perfecting my meatball recipe.  So I'm searching for Italian side dishes to take.  I think everyone will bring some sort of pasta dish, bread or salad so I want to take something different. 

This recipe sounds delicious to me (and EASY)!  If you have any ideas or recipes for an Italian side dish please share.

Italian Bread Salad

Makes 8 servings

• 10  (1-inch-thick) stale Italian bread slices, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6  plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1  small purple onion, chopped
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Balsamic Dressing

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add Balsamic Dressing, tossing gently.

Let stand 20 minutes before serving

(photo from myrecipes.com)

Sweet Pea Featured

I'm so excited! Our Sweet Pea shower is featured today on Creative Parties and Showers!  Head on over to see this shower and get many other fun ideas for showers and parties!  Thanks Shannon for the great introduction!

End of Summer Party Inspiration

I love that Sunflowers are making a big comeback for late Summer decorating!  They are so bright and cheerful.  To me they signal that Fall is not far away (thank goodness!). 

Here are a few ideas for incorporating them into your End of Summer Parties:

The yellow and dark brown really make an impact on this table setting.

 

These plates would be perfect for an end of summer gathering.  They are rustic and earthy.  

 

This sunflower table decor incorporates lemons.  A great addition to the bright yellow and blue.  These arrangements are a bit dressier with roses added to the bouquets.

 

Pillow covers to spread the theme throughout your house.

 

And for dessert...sunflower cupcakes.

 

Sunflower seeds would make perfect party favors!  I love the rustic simplicity of this arrangement.

Sunflowers are so versatile.  You can dress them up or down.  Combined with other flowers or alone they make unique arrangements.  I hope this inspires you to say goodbye to summer with a celebration.  Have fun planning all of your end of summer soirees!