You're Invited...Twas the Night Before Xmas

Let the count down to Christmas begin! Come join me HERE at Nursery Notations and check out my post on a holiday party for kids based on Twas the Night Before Christmas. 

Holiday Giveaway - A Trio of Gifts

Need some holiday entertaining inspiration? Check out the giveaway I am doing with Pretty Pink Tulips.   Head over to Elizabeth's fabulous blog (one of my favorite blogs and favorite bloggers) HERE for all of the details. All friends and family are eligible!

Time to Deck the Halls

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! With December a few days away, it is time to think about decking the halls. I love these images from VERANDA. 

Don't these photos put you in the Christmas spirit? I love the bold color that designer Richard Keith Langham used when he transformed his showroom for a holiday party. Love! 

Or these decorating ideas from CAROLYNE ROEHM which have a totally different feel for the holidays.

Thanksgiving Wishes

Martha Stewart

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  ~William Arthur Ward

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! We are so thankful to all of you for helping to launch our new blog - 5 months and counting!

Charming Farmhouse Wedding

To me, beauty (and love) is in the details and this is certainly true when it comes to events. I love all of the charming touches at a vintage farmhouse wedding outside of Philadelphia from the pages of STYLE ME PRETTY.

How idyllic is this setting? It looks like the English Countryside.

The flowers are beautiful with touches of blue and matches the setting perfectly.

Some more fun shots

Party Details: Ravishing in Red

The pheasants and pumpkins I made a la EDDIE ROSS look great and totally different when set against a color scheme of gold and red. I wanted to use them for one more dinner in November before packing them away til next year. The centerpiece is done in a silver Revere bowl and I used orange orchids, red roses, assorted greens and red hypericum berries - all found at the grocery store!

I live in a beautiful (and cozy) condo in Boston. You can entertain elegantly and within your budget, even if you live in a small space. As you can see from these shots, my dining room is also my kitchen. But light the candles, dim the lights, fill the table with friends and put on some good tunes to set the mood and nobody notices!

The menu got rave reviews, so I thought I would share it with all of you. Assorted cheeses with fig jam (paired with red wines) for hors d'oeuvres. The main course was BEEF BOURGUIGNON by Ina Garten, along with her ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES and a crusty baguette. Followed by a simple arugula salad in a home made balsamic vinaigrette (I add a little sugar to enhance the flavor.)

Dessert was from a recipe that Terri of LA DOLFINA shared on a guest post she did on my blog. You can find it HERE. Gingerbread with whipped cream, Sea Salt Caramel Sauce, and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream and candied pecans. (All so easy and from Trader Joe's.) One of my signature touches? I always serve champagne with dessert. Happy holidays!

Party Tips: Thanksgiving Entertaining with Kerri

I met Kerri through fellow style mavens in Blogger World. She does not currently have a blog, but posts the most fabulous style ideas on Facebook and I love her taste. She was kind enough to share some ideas on entertaining for Thanksgiving.

Kerri

Favorite Cocktails:

For entertaining, Kerri serves Spiced Apple Cider.

Spiced Apple Cider

4 oz Vodka
2 oz Brandy
2 oz Triple Sec
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp superfine sugar
1 tsp brown sugar
Each glass - a cinnamon stick and a thin slice of apple
Great for a Thanksgiving after dinner drink!

For drinking, Kerri's favorite is ECOSSE BRUT SPARKLING WINE. 

Favorite Recipes:

A dessert recipe that would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Roasted Apple And Vanilla Souffle RECIPE

PIERRE HERMÉ MACAROONS are a another favorite of Kerri's and she loves to have them out as a treat for guests. Yum!

Favorite Restaurants:
For comfort food in Boston, Kerri loves SILVERTONE'S Mac and Cheese.

Two other Boston favorites:

SCAMPO in the hip Liberty Hotel (which used to be Boston's jail) is celebrity chef Lydia Shire's newest spot in town.

Also a favorite is PREZZA in the North End

Best Party Tips:

*Lucite trays - personalizes a party and you can use them for drinks or for cheese and crackers. You can order one HERE.

*For Thanksgiving personalize the table with place cards and photos. 

*Fresh cut flowers are a must and add autumnal color to Thanksgiving Table.

*If you don't have a bartender, then fill a tub with ice and an array of cocktail choices.

*Being a fashionista, Kerri had to add that the hostess must wear a favorite and fabulous dress!

Thanks for the great ideas, Kerri!

Images: Best Eats, He Eats, Wholesome Mommy, Better Homes and Garden