The Bouqs Company and Late Summer Entertaining

When The Bouqs Company contacted us about a collaboration I was pretty darn excited.  Those of you who know me personally, or follow this blog, know just how much I love fresh flowers.  You can't get much more fresh and lovely flowers than those from The Bouqs!  Yes, I can get bug eaten roses from my garden or flowers that only last a few days from the grocery store but really, these are farm fresh and arrive at my door exactly when I want them and they are PERFECT.  I chose the marshmallow bouquet  which is a beautiful mix of creamy ranunculus and pink larkspur (my birth flower).  I decided they would be the best addition I could imagine for my armoire cocktail vignette.  Late summer entertaining has been so much fun:  just add glorious flowers, almond champagne and blackberries....and good friends. 

I want you to know that I am kicking myself for not ordering the larger deluxe or grande bouquet; I ended up filling this arrangement out a bit with a few small white roses of my own.  Lesson learned.  

You just can't beat the quality and convenience of the-bouqs.com 

This image shows exactly what I received.  The original bouquet.  Order here for the perfect gift for your favorite hostess or anyone at all.  There are so many beautiful flowers to choose from and you know--take it from me--that they will be the very best quality.

Happy Monday to all of you!  I had a great weekend entertaining friends.  Now it's back to reality, but guess what?  My flowers are still looking gorgeous and waiting to greet me after my long day.

The Spring Table

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Now that it is officially Spring, I have been changing out my accents in my home.  I am also looking forward to entertaining.  I love making the table pretty but I don't like anything over the top.  I like these rustic modern tables.  They have just the right amount of Spring time prettiness.

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I'm inspired to try colored taper candles for the season along with casual floral arrangements.  

What has you excited about this new season?

I solemnly swear I am up to no good...

My little 3rd grader finished the entire Harry Potter series of books over the Summer.  He, of course, has now decided that he wants to be Harry Potter for Halloween, and his sister (being his biggest fan) is going to be Hermione.
I (just because I'm me) have used this as a great reason to throw a very small Halloween party for my kids and a few of their friends.  I am proud of my son and want to encourage him to continue reading and discovering great stories and characters through literature.
Remember that I said it will be a small party?  It totally will be, but not without lots of fun touches!  Here are a few things I have in store...

Harry Potter Halloween Party by desertgirls on Polyvore

Target Exclusive Halloween Fizzy Drink Mixers 7.... : Target
Let me just say that there are some amazing Harry Potter themed party ideas out there.  I almost wish I was going all out on this one...almost.  But, I am managing the mischief, people.

Inspiration: Indian Summer

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As many of you know, I am more of a cool tone lover:  Blue, green, lavender.  But this Indian summer style is so very appropriate for the season.  I would like to use these inspirations for summer entertaining.  The bold colors are gorgeous for flowers and accents.  Also, if you have a neutral home like I do, you can just add in throws, pillows and rugs for a completely energized feel.  It is easy to find these things at places like Pier 1, Cost Plus World Market and Anthropologie.

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Indian Summer by desertgirls on Polyvore

Rose Ombre Velvet Pillow / Le Tigre Plate / Steel Cocoon Lantern / Namal Outdoor Rug / Votivo - Jasmine Neroli Candle at CandleDelirium.com

Today my amazing and wonderful Mother-In-Law, Jeanne, is visiting us from Montana.  We are so excited about her stay especially because she can be here for Gwenna's fifth birthday party on Saturday!

Here is my Gwenna with bitty baby all ready to get Gramma from the airport:)

Sweet Spot Sunday: "White Christmas Party" Food

At my "White Christmas Cocktail Party," I had a round table near the center of the room for all the bottles of wine and glasses as well as this candle centerpiece and a floral topiary I made.  

My dining room table served as the buffet for all the food.  We had green salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, and various puff pastries.  A cheese and veggie platter as well as a dessert bar near by.

 This is how the table looked when guests started to arrive.  I continued to bring out food as they came...stuffed mushrooms recipe here, artichoke and spinach pinwheels, brie bites etc.  

I grilled the flat bread so it was warm and toasted before serving.  It was so good with the olive tapenade and hummus.

 Bow- tie pasta with bruschetta, fresh mozzarella, and tapenade.  Lori had a great idea to take the striped pasta and make little skewers with tomato, mozzarella, and olives.  I ran out of time so everything just got thrown into a bowl.

Mango, blue berries, honeydew, and ginger. Lori's sister in law's recipe! Yummy.

One of the best appetizers{not pictured here} was Lori's idea:  blueberry goat cheese spread on Coconut cookies (both at Trader Joes).  They taste just like cheesecake and were probably the biggest hit at the party!

The cake was vanilla cake with fondant frosting (with edible glitter snow).  There were shortbread cookies: some with Rollo and some with Cadbury filling.  Also, yogurt covered pretzels and blueberries to snack on.

Photos by Kyungmoo Ryu 

My mom made fabulous sugar cookies decorated to look like doors (of course, blue, the color of my front doors) to send home with my guests in beautiful little boxes.

A big thank you to my Mom, Lori, Christine and Paul for all your help.  Also, thank you to my guests for coming; I enjoyed every minute of it!

Thrifted: Asian Style Cups

I grabbed these tea cups at a local goodwill for 79 cents each.  I don't think I will use them as cups but as ramekins for dips and sauces.  I love the cobalt blue color and the delicate gold rim and images of peacocks and flowers.  After all, you can't beat a deal like that!

Look at all the pretty rust, gold, green, grey and blue hues.  I love them all.

I am so happy with my purchase and I know you will be seeing these again in a future party post...