Party Details: Summer Dinner Party

Every summer Dixie throws at least one really special dinner for her friends and family. We decided to have it inside because it was hot and humid and inside is SO much easier!

Here is the table. Dixie's house in CT is from 1790. And don't miss my Jack Russell, Auggie, under the chair! 

The meal, without exaggeration, was one of the best I had all year. Dixie brought in one of her favorite chefs for intimate affairs - ANNE GALLAGHER.

The food was made from local ingredients and was off the hook! I was too busy eating to take photos, but these shots from the web will give you the idea.

For nibbles to accompany cocktails, Anne made three different variations of herbed cheese biscuits. Yum!

The first course was Grilled Corn Soup with a Corn Avocado Relish

The main course was Pan Seared Salmon with an Heirloom Salsa

Accompanied by roasted fingerling potatoes and a medley of summer veggies and sauteed kale

The salad course was a Grilled Peach and Fennel Field Green Salad. So delicious!

How to you top off such a phenomenal meal? 

A Napoleon of Lemon Mousse with Mixed Berries and Filo. Out of this world! 

Simply Elegant Hostess Gift

Since so many of you enjoyed my post last week on the DIY hostess gift, I thought I would share another idea. Wrap a good bottle of wine or bubbles in a beautiful dish towel and tie with pretty ribbon.

Find a huge selection of ribbon HERE

Some great dish towels

WILLIAMS SONOMA

And a selection from SUR LA TABLE

Peter Callahan Giveaway - Still Time to Enter

Party Resources wanted to partner with one of our favorite bloggers THE ENCHANTED HOME to offer a giveaway of THE book for entertaining this year. We are delighted to offer two SIGNED copies of Bite by Bite to one of our readers. This way you can give a copy to a friend and keep one for yourself! 

Celebrity caterer Peter Callahan is one of our favorite caterers and someone we consider a friend. His career spans over two decades and a client list including celebrities, politicians, Fortune 500 companies, and socialites. Peter and his staff are not only the best in the business, they are also the nicest! 

Peter's much anticipated cookbook is due out at the end of the month. He welcomes readers to share in his creations, providing inspiration for parties—whether casual gatherings, dinner parties, baby showers, or formal occasions such as weddings and holiday fetes—and recipes for the home cook. According to Callahan, being prepared is the key to pulling off a self-catered party like a professional. With that in mind, he has included a “Kitchen Tools and Conveniences” section, listing the key equipment that will help you create the delicious masterpieces in this book. 

The rules:  Please leave a comment here and then hop on over to THE ENCHANTED HOME and leave a comment there too with your favorite party idea. You must be a follower of The Enchanted Home and Party Resources to be elligible. Friends and family are welcome. The winner will be randomly chosen the morning of September 6th. You must be a resident of the US. Good luck!

Labor Day Party Ideas

With Labor Day just a few days away, here are some fun ideas for a party to enjoy the last weekend of the summer. And it is not too late to rustle up some plans! I am off for some R+R   with one of my best friends at the spa.

A hip invite from PAPERLESS POST

Turn a summer pail in to the perfect caddy for an outdoor party

A stylish and simple centerpiece

Bandanna placesetting

Message in the Bottle Placecards HOW TO

A self-serve bar

Windproof candlelight

A fragrant grill

Chic SMORES 

Images: Martha Stewart

Laduree Love

LADUREE opens today in New York and I can not wait until my next trip to town to go visit! Although Laduree started out as a bakery and then tea shop, it has evolved into a tea salon, pastry shop and restaurant. The next time you are in Paris, make sure to visit the original Laduree at 16 rue Royale in Paris. 

I love the idea of serving small trays of them at every table along with the traditional cake at a wedding. If you are not going to be in Manhattan (or Paris) in the near future, perhaps try making them from scratch? Find the recipe HERE.

Do It Yourself Hostess Gift

Last night we celebrated a friend's engagement. I did the flowers myself (see below) and wanted to match the restaurant's rustic setting. I decided to make the favors and bottled rosemary infused olive oil. It was so easy! Find the directions HERE. The bottles I found at a local hardware store and the raffia ribbon at PAPER SOURCE. It would be the perfect hostess gift! 

Elegant Erika Jack

Love indeed! The beautiful work of ERIKA JACK is popping up everywhere and I am a huge fan!

When her husband's job reloacted them to Charlottesville, VA, Erika decided to launch a line of stationery. Lucky for us she did as her work is stunning! You can buy it at one of my favorite online boutiques AND GEORGE.

Erika kindly sent along photos of her recent work that will have you swooning too!

Photos: Andrea Shirey