Jewel Toned Christmas Table

For the past couple of years, I've taken all the red out of my Christmas decor.  (As seen here and here.) Well, this year, I'm jumping back into color in a big way with a mix of traditional red and green along with lots of jewel tones.  They are big big big this year.  So, here's the plan for my dining room table.  All these fun elements coupled with fresh greenery and satin ribbon in emerald green and turquoise will pull it all together. 

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(click on the corresponding number to get one of your very own!)
I have tried to use a lot of what I already have - like my very formal traditional holiday pattern by lenox as well as the cloches I purchased last Christmas and the cobalt blue glass from this summer.  By purchasing just a few new pieces, my entire table is going to be transformed into a huge punch of color.  My goal was to dress down the more formal pieces and dress up the more casual pieces for a fun chic look.  The other great thing about some of these items (like the malachite custom table runners) - they are not really considered "Christmas" so I'll be able to reuse them for tablescapes throughout the rest of the year.  Stay tuned for the pictures once I have everything in place.

PS: I can hear some of you now, "We've not even had Thanksgiving yet!" (which, honestly, sounds like my very sweet husband :) when I start asking about putting our tree up every year).  The truth is I am not hosting Thanksgiving.  I get to enjoy the labor of others who are busy working on their Thanksgiving table and menu.  Buuuttt, I am hosting a couple of things for Christmas.  So, I'm getting my ducks in a row now.  Remember, Rome wasn't built in day, people.  It takes some planning.  So, I'm simply sharing the process with you.   Enjoy your Monday! M.

Entertaining - Garden Club Meeting

Sorry for the MIA last week!  It was crazy busy with design work and a big installation.  So, the blog got put on the back burner.  Now, I'm playing a little catch up by sharing a few random things.

First up, a few weeks ago I posted about a brand new lacquered spray paint by Amy Howard.

I had lots of readers contact me asking where they could get this paint locally.  I picked mine up on a trip to MIssissippi.  So, I had no local source.  Well, last week, I received an email from a very nice reader (thanks, Carol!) informing me we now have a local source for the paint - Beverly Ruff Antiques on Canterbury.  If any of you take on a project with their lacquer series, please send me pictures.  I've not had a chance to try it yet and would love to see your efforts!

In more random news - Our West Elm location is going to be open very soon!  I've been invited to a preview tour of the store this week; and I can't wait!  Love the idea of being able to run by and pick up some fab accessories for a last minute style - including this little item that's been on my radar.

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I sourced one of these spheres for a client's entry table several weeks ago.  I ran by her house the other day and loved it even more in person.  So, I may have to grab one for my own coffee table!

Fall Entertaining
OK, now on to the title of this post! I recently hosted our garden club kick off party for the season.  After some very fun brainstorming with my sister-in-law, the theme "Tailgating 101" bubbled to the surface, and I took it and ran with it (sorry, I couldn't resist).   My sister-in-law is a master at tailgating and sent me home with one of her centerpieces.  I decided to set it up on my entry table as a welcome to the meeting.  I snapped these the day before, but on the day of the meeting this served as our name tag table.

I also came up with a party favor for the occasion.  I saw this recipe on Cyndy's blog, The Creativity Exchange (this is one of my morning coffee reads).  The minute I saw it, I knew I had to try it.

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It was so delicious and festive!  I came up with a tailgating tag and used her recipe (thanks, Cyndy!).

They were super easy to make on the computer and I added the simple grommet and twine to make it feel special.

Here in the South, we are very serious about our tailgating.  Not only does it have to be delicious, it has to look good too.  So, I invited caterer extraordinaire, Ingram Link, to come and do a tailgating cooking class for the group.  We made three delicious dips while Ingram talked about all her tricks for taking a feast on the road.

We also had a friendly competition of tailgating centerpieces.  Three brave members took the challenge and here are their efforts.

This cute centerpiece included lots of sweet treats, all with an Auburn twist.  My favorite part about this centerpiece -  the thick custom wooden letters she painted in orange and blue.  For tailgating, it's important for your centerpiece to travel well and these letters are perfect.

For the second one (also an Auburn fan), a clever Fall theme taking full advantage of orange pumpkins for the school colors!  Add some blue ribbon and you're there.

Talk about a clever arrangement (love the peanuts).  Also, the wooden crate is perfect for taking this centerpiece on the road!

Lastly, we had one Alabama fan who threw her name in the hat, literally!

This arrangement focused on the new symbol for the team.  Most of you know the houndstooth hat is synonymous with Alabama football.  Well, now there is another symbol that is setting a trend!  I have a feeling there will be lots of Christmas trees this year adorned with this hat. 

It was very fun to see so all three takes on a centerpiece.   After a quick vote, the winner of the centerpieces (the heavy wooden letters arrangement) received this fun prize!

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While parties like this are super fun, they are a lot of work to pull off.  I had the best group of hostess who helped me make this meeting happen - they managed everything beautifully which took lots of stress off so I could get my house ready.  They came up with a very traditional tailgating menu and we enjoyed BBQ with potato salad and for desert brownies and Roll Tide red velvet bars (totally divine). We included the food around the three different centerpieces and I set the drinks up on my buffet.

This gave me the perfect excuse to finally use these crystal urns I picked up from The Enchanted Home.  If you are looking for something really special for your home, you need to check out Tina's online storefront.  You never know what you will find there.  Thanks, Tina. 

Now, go enjoy those last few weekends of tailgating on the calendar!  Happy Monday. M.

Weekend Entertaining

So, do you remember the post I did recently on preparing for a party during the "sweet spot."  As luck would have it, around that same time, a representative for Ball contacted me and asked if I would be interested in doing a product review of their new Heritage collection of blue Ball mason jars.   My initial thought was "I have too much on my plate to add canning to the list." But I took one look at those jars and had to have them! They are a throw back to the vintage jars you sometimes see in antique stores.

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Once I had the jars in hand, I did what any girl would do - I started planning a party!  Any excuse right?!  My husband's law firm invites law students to clerk during the summer months (just to get a feel for what it's like to practice law), and we love to have several over for dinner.  So, after pulling together a guest list, I started working on some fun items to create a summertime table setting.  I found a set of eight cobalt blue water and wine glasses on a trading site (you may have these sites in your area  - it's like Craig's list, but on Facebook in your neighborhood) for $50.00.  So, I nabbed them.

Then, I picked up some wrapping paper - this is a very fun, easy way to change the feel of your table.

  I picked a teal/green snakeskin pattern for some contrast.

I got it locally at Smith's Variety (btw, it comes in tons of colors).  I cut it in half with a decorator cutter to create a runner.  Then, I dug through my stash of party supplies and found a wider burlap runner (just to layer under the paper) and some velvet ribbon.  Based on what I had, I decided to contrast rustic elements like the mason jars and the worn linen tablecloth with formal (and a bit modern) elements like the cobalt blue glassware and the snake skin paper.   Look, you need to use what you have.

As I was running errands this week, I ran in to pick up some limes and ginger beer for a very fun signature cocktail to start the party, and a beam of light came down (just kidding) in the flower department of Whole Foods on these . . . 

Peonies are hands down my favorite flower on the planet.  I still remember the first time I saw one - I was working in Atlanta (yes, I was grown!) and a secretary at my law firm came in with the biggest bouquet of them and plopped it down on her desk.  She had cut them from her yard.  For weeks, she would bring them in - just stunning.

Peonies feel old fashion and sophisticated all at the same time.  So, I knew they would be perfect for the Ball jars.  If you are intimidated by creating a huge flower arrangement, consider doing lots of smaller arrangement down the center of your table.  The repetition will give you the same impact as one larger arrangement and it's much easier to tackle.  Also, if you choose a inexpensive container, like these mason jars, you can get that wow factor on a budget!  For these arrangements, I added two peonies (cut fairly short), a creamy berry (not sure what it is but picked up at the grocery), and one stem of greenery cut from my yard to each jar.  That's it!

As an aside, these jars have the vintage "Ball" logo on one side and on the other a history of the Ball jars!  Very cool.  Also, if you want more inspiring images of how to use mason jars in different ways, you must check out Ball's Pinterest page.  Their page is chocked full of projects, flower arrangements, table settings, lighting and other clever DIY projects using mason jars!  It's worth a look see. 

So, now for a few details about the party.  Here's the menu. . . 

Starters

Asiago Breadsticks (from Savages)

Moscow Mules (signature cocktail)

Main Course

Wood Grilled Chicken Skewers

Caprese' Pasta
(Linguini with fresh tomatoes, basil and parmesan cheese tossed in olive oil)

Grilled Asparagus

Fresh Bread

Dessert

Lemon Souffle' with fresh whipped cream

My plan was to set up the cocktails in our living room for a fun change of pace, and to set up dinner outside in the garden.  But, mother nature had other plans, so I opted for cocktails in the family room and dinner in the formal dining room.    I've said this before, but I think it's interesting to mix things up for a party.  If you have a room people tend to walk through and you want that to be a gathering spot, set up a bar in there and see what happens!  Here's the Bar area.

 I picked of the driftwood placemats at the Lamb's Ear in Crestline.  I was initially looking for a large tray, but after talking to those clever girls, I realized these placemats give you lots of options on how you can set up a bar.  So, I was sold!

 

For the signature cocktails, I used this recipe and found this amazingly yummy ginger ale as the mixer!  I thought the little bottles were so cute - but boy do they pack a ginger punch!  Yum.

In addition to the Moscow Mules, I made a nonalcoholic Herbal Iced Tea.  It's always a good idea to create a nonalcoholic specialty drink for those who are not indulging.  Then, here's the final table setting . . . .

And a close up the flowers in the Ball jars.

One more close up - earlier in the day, I had rolled my silverware in the napkins (since I was assuming we would be outside for dinner), and decided to keep it for the dining room.  

I think it lends to a more casual feel of dining.  I just took some velvet ribbon from a previous project and looped it through for one more pop of color.  Sorry this picture is so dark, it was overcast the entire day.

And, just for fun, a few attendees . . .

It was a fun evening.  I hope you enjoyed your weekend too! M.

PS: the entire meal was catered by a dear friend of mine who is a professional caterer in town.  She has catered huge events with hundreds of people as well as smaller more intimate dinner parties like mine.  So, if you live in the Birmingham area and would like her information, let me know!  I would love to share it with you. 

Quickly Approaching the Sweet Spot

The weather here in Birmingham has been beautiful.  There's truly nothing like Spring in the South.  

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At the moment, everything is in bloom.  The wisteria is dripping from trees, and the azaleas are bursting from every yard you drive by in a rainbow of colors.  There are a few streets I drive down during my everyday routine that feel as though I'm driving through a tunnel of every shade of green imaginable (anyone driven down Overbrook lately?).  

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It's stunning, but here's the dilemma.  With all the flowering plants and trees comes tons (and I do mean tons) of pollen.  Everywhere you look there's a thin coating of yellow dust.  All the cars, the streets, patios and lawn furniture are coated in the stuff.  But,  right after the blooms are spent, there is this tiny window of time (two, maybe three weeks if we're lucky) that is completely perfect for dining outdoors.    The evening air is crisp and cool, and it's truly the most pleasant time of year to sit with friends and enjoy a meal outside.  So, it's time to get ready for this window of opportunity.  

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With the sweet spot quickly approaching, I thought it would be helpful to talk about how to prepare for a dinner party.  I have to confess, I'm helping a client pull together a dinner party for her Supper club.  So, I thought it would be fun to share the process with you in hopes you could pull off your very own outdoor dinner party.  Here are my tried and true ten steps for pulling off a dinner party. 

Pick a Date and invite some friends - remember to think about the timing in your region of the country, so you can enjoy the outdoors sans the pollen.

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Decide on a Menu and put together a detailed grocery list of what you need.
I like to create a menu with a couple of homemade recipes and the rest ordered out.  It takes the stress out of the entire event and makes it more fun for you.  If you are not at a place in your life where you can do this, just think of menu ideas that can be made in advance so you can spread out the process over a week.  As my Mom always says, you can eat an elephant a bite at a time! So, do a little each day, and it will not feel so daunting of a task. 

Here's a sample menu for an easy party.

Starters
Signature Drink -Texas Margaritas (this are made with beer and are so yummy - here's the recipe)
 A signature cocktail is always a fun way to kick off a party.  It gives people something to talk about when they first arrive at the party.

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Asiago Cheese Sticks or Rosemary Roasted Nuts (keep this simple so everyone will be hungry for dinner).  The Asiago Cheese sticks at Savages in Homewood are amazing!

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Main Course 
(served Buffet Style)
BBQ Shrimp (here's a great recipe)

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Orzo Salad with fresh basil, tomatoes, sweet peppers (purchased or make in advance)

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Pickled Okra (purchased) It goes great with shellfish and gives you some nice acidity to balance out the richness of the buttery shrimp.

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Buttery French Bread (lots of it for the yummy sauce the shrimp are in)

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Dessert
Key Lime Pie (of course!) - ask around for the best key lime pie in town and order it (for some strange reason BBQ places tend to also have good pie?!)

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Create a time line.  I know this sounds crazy, but I do this for every gathering I have at my house.  I try to put this together three weeks out so I can really think about what needs to be done before the craziness begins and you are grabbing anything you see that might work.

As part of the time line, at three weeks out, I like to evaluate my serving dishes based on the menu I developed for the party.  This gives me time to look for items that I may not have on hand or get comfortable with using something unexpected that I have and maybe would not have thought of at the last minute.

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One other tip here, I love to use white china and serving pieces.

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A simple white platter (any shape will do oval, square or rectangular) makes the food look great.  This is a stylist tip!  These days you can pick them up almost anywhere. 

Two weeks out - order all items you are not going to prepare and establish a pick up time (usually the day of the party).

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Then, this is the task I give my husband!  I give him a list of what needs to be picked up, and he goes to it.  Also, it gets him out of the house so I can clean.  I also recommend he take a kid (or two) with him.  If the hubby's not a option, when that friend calls and says, "Is there anything I can do to help you?" - you'll know what to tell her! 

One week out -  Do your grocery shopping and begin preparing any foods that can be made in advanced (or even steps of dishes that can be prepped in advance).  Read through your recipes and decide what can be done early and put this on your timeline.

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Day before the party or day of party - do your flowers.

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Now I know this is daunting for some of you, so just keep it simple.  If anything is blooming in my yard, I use it.  I have these small "fish bowl" like vases (seven of them) I use for more casual gatherings.

Two hours before the party - pull together the last few items on your list - mix up your signature cocktail; have the shrimp ready to pop in the oven 15 minutes before you are ready to serve; and have your bread buttered and waiting for the oven.

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One hour before the party - take a breath, turn on some music, and pick out something fun to wear.

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Greet your Guests at the door with a signature cocktail and enjoy your fun evening!

 

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Now, who's ready to throw a party?  M.