9.30.2011

Five for Fall - The Enchanted Home


In the coming weeks, you are invited to a party every Friday as some of my favorite bloggers share their five musts for fall. The first guest is Tina from THE ENCHANTED HOME. If you are not already a fan, be sure to check out her blog!


1. A VAGABOND HOUSE CARVING TRAY - The company is one of Tina's favorites for tabletop items. The carving tray is ideal for everything from canapes to a good ol' fashioned Thanksgiving Turkey!


2. HURRICANES lined with acorns or pine cones and a scented candle. It creates an elegant look on any table and says "fall is here"! Choose an autumn scent like spice, pumpkin or pine.




3. A beautiful SOUP TUREEN. Tina serves soup with most fall meals and bought this old pewter piece at an antique shop. A tureen is a beautiful addition to any beautifully set dining table or buffet.


4. CASHMERE WRAPS Cold weather is synonymous with luxurious soft knits that will stand the test of time. When Tina entertains her outfit of choice: a pair of dressy slacks, a silk top and a lightweight cardigan or a cashmere shawl.




5. The perfect cocktail/dinner party are the sounds of bossa nova playing in the background! STAN GETZ is a must for your music library.



9.29.2011

Fall Outdoor Decor


I think any time you entertain, your entry way and outdoor space needs to be dressed for the party! Martha? Nope! BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS came up with these great ideas to get ready for fall.









9.28.2011

Party with Manhattan Flair


Through our friend and favorite caterer PETER CALLAHAN, I just discovered the jaw dropping work of floral/event designer LEWIS MILLER. Stunning!

The event was held at the New York Public Library (one of the most beautiful spots in the city). I can not stop drooling over this genius use of candles. 



The flowers and overall design = gorgeous.








9.27.2011

M is for Maple


Last weekend I was in northern Vermont visiting friends on a beautiful farm not far from the Canadien Border. The property had stunning maple trees that were a blaze with color. Which now has me thinking about all things maple for inspiration!












RECIPE





9.26.2011

Talented Zak Kunish


Last week I received an email from a PR firm in New York asking if I would like to interview their client for our blog. After looking at some of his work, I happily agreed to profile and interview ZAK KUNISH. Here are few shots of his floral and event design.








About Zak
Zak started designing parties at a very young age. Through his school years Zak’s business grew rapidly. His designs captivated clients including Levi Strauss, Revlon, Deutsche Bank, Rupert Murdoch and others. After graduating college, Zak went full steam ahead and merged his unique invitation business with extraordinary event design and décor. Zak’s talents, which focus on tabletop design, brought him into the New York City spotlight designing events for The Pritzker Organization, The Ritz-Carlton, The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Exclusive Resorts and many prestigious event companies throughout the tri-state area.


Q + A with Zak Kunish

Two “must haves” when you entertain at home?
Chilled beer glasses and a fantastic appetizer

What magazines and blogs do you read for inspiration?
New York Magazine and NY Social Diary

What is your greatest extravagance?
I am a stickler for great service and fine food. My latest extravagance was going to Gordon Ramsey at The London Hotel for dinner and enjoying a great meal with lots of laughter.

Two famous people you would love to have at your next dinner party?
Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama

A few party “don’ts”?
If you are the host, don’t have more than one drink. It is not a good idea for guests to be leaving because you are intoxicated! Also, do not feel that you need to be over the top. Sometimes the simple parties are the best ones!

Two things you can’t live without?
My BlackBerry and chocolate milk

The best party you ever attended?
The absolute best party I ever attended was a friend's wedding in Florida. The food was superb; the mix of guests worked perfectly and the dancing was endless. I still remember it like it just happened last night!

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I started my first company designing invitations when I was 14. It has evolved into full-scale event design company. This business runs through my veins!


9.23.2011

Go Fish! Kid's Birthday Party


I recently came across an adorable kids party on CAKE. Photographer Michelle Dumais threw a 1st Birthday Party for her son, Abraham. He loves fish so she decided to go with a beach goldfish theme for his party.





The menu: sandcastle (ham & cheese) sandwiches, pasta shells with "seaweed" pesto, skewers with melons cut in fish and starfish shapes, tiny beach buckets with veggies and ranch dip, jello jigglers with Swedish fish, blue lemonade, and of course, Goldfish Crackers. 









Michelle was incredibly creative on a budget and made the invitations, the cake, the happy birthday bunting and goldfish pinata. The party favors were sidewalk chalk in ice cube trays from Ikea. The orange and aqua metal pails are from the dollar bin at Target. The polka dot straws are from ETSY