Filed In: entertaining
garden theme party inspiration
Here are a few of the simple ideas that I used for inspiration for my gender neutral garden theme baby shower. I wanted to create a comfortable and carefree vibe that felt fresh and modern. Instead of the usual blush pinks and baby blues, I was inspired to switch it up. I paired lush green garlands and florals with natural materials like birch wood table numbers and a DIY raw wood photo collage board for our baby photos. A mix of eucalyptus, baby’s breath, lamb’s ear, ferns and white daisies were loosely arranged in modern black vases. Small touches included handmade name cards and a floral crown for me, the mom-to-be. Assorted succulents and white candles were scattered throughout. The venue was a beautiful blank space with tons of natural light, and guests took home a small succulent as a favor. I hope you are feeling inspired to recreate some of these ideas for own your baby shower or better yet backyard garden party or summer soiree! To see more of my inspiration, check out my Garden Theme Party board on Pinterest.
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Last weekend the women in my family hosted a sweet soiree to celebrate baby Zitzer. From the very beginning, starting with the gorgeous invitation by Mikel Clair Hardin for Minted, everything was perfect. It was held at the beautiful Reel Club – one of our favorite nearby restaurants. The feeling of the shower was light and bright with lots of whites, natural wood and lush greenery. Perfect for a party in the middle of the summer. Read More
setting a fall table + entertaining tips
Setting the table ranks right up there as one of my favorite holiday activities. This year I wanted to create a comfortable and carefree vibe that felt fresh and modern yet had enough fall tones and autumnal motifs to make it season appropriate. Instead of the usual warm reds, oranges, tans and taupes, I was inspired to switch it up with plum purple and yellow. I also paired natural materials like wooden bowls and trays with shiny elements like polished silverware and mercury glass votives. 
Forget the fancy centerpiece and try a fresh floral garland instead. It feels festive and fun, and it will last throughout the holiday season. Nestle smaller floral arrangements, white pillar candles and wooden candle holders with white tapers around the garland. Scatter acorns to fill in the gaps. Incorporate seasonal fruit or vegetables when possible. This time of year I love persimmons. They add an outdoor vibe and a pop of color. Read More
diy easy hostess gift | painted wood bead coasters
Put a little bit more thought into your hostess gifts this holiday season and try this super simple diy! Homemade gifts are a great way to thank your hosts for the invite, and if you make them in bulk, you won’t have to stop and pick up a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers.
what you’ll need:
• 3/4″ round wood beads
• leather cord
• tape
• paint
• scissors
how to make it:
Begin by taping off the portion of the bead you would like to paint. Apply a thin layer of paint using a paint brush and let dry. String beads onto leather cord and tie ends to make a simple knot. Pull as tight as possible and double knot. Loop at top is optional for hanging. You can also add a third row of beads and use as a trivet for hot dishes.
photo credit kate zitzer | more diy projects here
make your own pizza party
Who doesn’t love pizza night? Especially when you’re making one for yourself with all of your favorite toppings! Making homemade pizzas has become one of our favorite meals. Over the last couple of years we’ve experimented with a bunch of different combinations and really mastered our pizza making technique and tonight we’re hosting a fun make your own pizza party for a small group of friends.
Here are some tips for hosting your own pizza party –
- Plan as much as you can in advance. This morning I set out all the bowls, plates, glassware, flatware and napkins. At our house pizza nights can be messy so I covered the table with a long sheet of kraft paper for easy clean up. I doodled some recipes on the paper but I also think it will be fun to jot down the ingredients to everyone’s pies. No need for a centerpiece, the spread of meats, cheeses and veggies in pretty little bowls will do the trick.
- Cut and prep all the pizza toppings before your guests arrive. Have everything chopped, measured or mixed together if necessary. Tonight we have roasted tomatoes, green peppers, pepperoni, fresh thyme, onions, italian sausage, diced chicken, basil, olive oil and fresh mozzarella. One of the best things about a pizza party is that the possibilities are endless!
- Lay everything out in separate bowls on a large table and mark each ingredient. It’s nice to let everyone know what’s available so they can build their own favorite combos.
- Plan for a few different flavors. Marc will be making a barbecue chicken pizza and I’ll be trying one with hot italian sausage and fresh thyme. If you want to do something crazy like pineapple and anchovies that you’re not sure everyone will like, I suggest sending it our first and then following up with a classic margherita or something simple.
- Cooking one pie (or two small ones) at a time is hard when you’re feeding a crowd so I recommend using a quick cooking recipe. We plan on making 6-8 personal sized pizzas (at least one per person) and popping them in the oven as soon as they are prepped. I bought the crust pre made but if you want to get fancy you can make your own dough. Small pizzas cook for 7-10 minutes. So by the time we get one pizza sliced and served the next one will almost be ready. Keep in mind that even a few extra minutes in the oven can make a big difference between soft crust and crunchy crust.
- Have something for guests to munch on while the pizzas bake. Toss together a simple salad or set out a cheese plate and some olives.
- Have a rimless sheet pan ready. We cook our pizzas right on the rack so the rimless cookie sheet makes it easy to slide the pizzas in and out of the oven. Serve pizzas on oversized wooden cutting boards right on the table so guests can dig in.
Have any other good tips for a make your own pizza party?
photo credit kate zitzer
