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a fall themed dinner party
Hosting small parties for close friends and family is definitely something I look forward to this time of year as the holidays roll in. There’s just nothing better than making a fuss over the people you care about!
This year I was inspired by a palette of early autumn colors – I used red, orange, gold and green for the tablescape details and florals. I wanted to create an atmosphere that was cozy and casual. I loosely arranged apples, pears and mini pumpkins down the center of the table and around large mercury glass pumpkins. Small touches included handmade place cards, diy napkins and candlelight.
Marc whipped up this apple cider sangria and we kept it simple with the menu – casual comfort foods such as chili, cornbread and baked mac and cheese. It was a really special evening and I’m so glad we’re making it a tradition – I’m so grateful for nights like this, close friends and I’m looking forward to many more parties to come!
photo credit kate zitzer
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Last weekend we hosted a small fall themed dinner party for a few of our friends. We made chili and cornbread and carved pumpkins and it was very cozy and casual. After the success of last year’s party, I couldn’t wait to start planning for this year so here are a few of the simple ideas and recipes that I used for inspiration –
Top row from left to right:
– Sparkling sangria recipe from Sweet Paul
– This tabletop looks simple and inviting: Local Milk
– Three vegetarian chili recipes by Emma on A Beautiful Mess
2nd row from left to right:
– Easy cornbread muffin recipe from Smith & Ratliff
– Make this dried fruit bouquet and place them on each place setting for an extra special touch
– A modern take on a simple, harvest centerpiece spotted on Julep
3rd row from left to right:
– Colorful leaves and vines serve as table settings in this fall dinner by Once Wed
– These apple muffin donuts sound delicious! So many things you can do with freshly picked apples
– Mini pumpkins as sign holders from A Fabulous Fete
Bottom row from left to right:
– Fresh vegetables are the best for an autumn dinner as seen here
– Apple cider sangria made with fresh apple cider from How Sweet It Is
– Make a centerpiece from veggies and greens picked in the garden: Suvi Sur Le Vif
a valentine’s craft party
I like to think of Valentine’s Day as the time to celebrate all kinds of love – a day to show anyone and everyone that means something to you how much you truly care about them! This year I wanted to make lots of little valentines and send them out to all my friends and family. I decided to make it a party and invited a few girlfriends over to drink wine and create some fun things for our sweethearts! Here’s a look at the party –
I had a lot of fun searching for supplies – red and pink construction paper, patterned ribbon and twine, hearts in all different sizes, heart shaped buttons and paint chips in shades of red and pink, patterned paper, kraft paper and envelopes, several roles of washi tape, all sorts of stamps and a deck of playing cards. I also supplied my girlfriends with glasses of wine and some treats – a salty and sweet trail mix served in red, white and pink baking cups. And as a party gift, I decorated muslin bags and filled with conversation heart candies.
I can’t wait to send out my valentines. I hope over the next few days you get to enjoy a little time celebrating with your sweethearts and appreciating all the special things in your life. I know I’ll be spending time with my love and our sweet pup.
photo credit kate zitzer
a last minute holiday entertaining and decorating guide
I put together a last minute holiday entertaining and decorating guide for New Year’s Eve. This year I’m loving metallics, fringe and lots of sparkle. Check out my Pinterest board for more inspiration
Make your party table really shine by wrapping glass candleholders in copper or silver metal tape inspired by Martha Stewart.
Add a little extra to your balloons this year. I love this DIY idea from Firefly Events and seen on Sweet Thing of adding strips of colored fabric and lace ribbon to the bottom of large round balloons.
Tomkat Studio dressed up drinks with festive flag stirrers and pretty bows. All you need is gold ribbon.
Pop the cork and let the bubbly flow. The poinsettia champagne cocktail by Loku sounds delicious!
Every party needs a disco ball. Read how to make your own on Project Wedding.
Use leftover holiday tinsel to make this New Year’s number banner from Martha Stewart and hang above the mantel.
DIY large curtains of fringe garland from Oh Happy Day. I plan to use them as a photobooth backdrop.
Decorate walls and windows with metallic garland and bright tissue paper fringe such as this one from Confetti System.
A pretty party hat from Studio DIY made from tinsel, mod podge and a lot of glitter.
When the clock strikes twelve, invite friends to toss confetti and shower the air with paper. Find out how to make these confetti bags on Somewhere Splendid.
a holiday party
Over the weekend we hosted a small dinner party for six of our very good friends. It was cozy sitting shoulder-to-shoulder around our small dining room table. The night was filled with too much food, wine, loud music and laughter.
Since November 1st I’ve been in full holiday planning mode. I wanted our home to feel extra cozy and inviting this holiday season with lots of traditional themes and earthy elements. I gathered branches and berries and pinecones filling vases and bowls and scattering them across shelves and tables, trimmed trees with red beaded garlands and lots of silver ornaments and wrapped gifts in pretty paper and twine.
For the party I wanted to create a table that was fairly simple in its elements – kraft paper place cards were handwritten and tucked under pinecones and sprigs of red berries, mercury glass votives glowing with candlelight, crisp white napkins and elegant dishware with a silver trim and a beautiful floral centerpiece. Initially I envisioned white tulips grouped in tight bunches down the center of the table but felt like I needed a really stunning centerpiece to stand out against the simple decor. This bouquet contains floral that can easily be found in your garden and arranging it is easy – wild and unorganized is best!
I’m really looking forward to a lot more celebrating this holiday season. How do you plan on serving up holiday cheer this year?
