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!

Flowers on a Budget

Last weekend I was in Boothbay Harbor, Maine with fun folks to celebrate a milestone birthday for one of my dearest friends. She asked me to make a centerpiece for the birthday dinner table and that the color scheme was pink and orange. 

I went to WILSON FARM, but you can go to Whole Foods to get a huge assortment of fresh cut flowers to make your own party arrangements. It is SO affordable and the end result is stunning. Be sure to mix textures to add interest to the arrangement.

The base is a milk glass compote that I got at a tag sale for $7. I found a similar one (below) for $14 HERE. I then take a piece of floral foam, cut it to size, soak it in water and get to work.

Party Details: Dinner Party on a Budget

Everyone is trying to be a bit more careful with their money these days, so I wanted to do a post on entertaining within a budget.

I did the flowers myself with flowers from a local grocery store, floral foam and a silver revere bowl.

FLORAL FOAM for $1.25 a brick

SILVER PLATE REVERE BOWL for $28.

The pewter candlesticks I found on EBAY and the tapers are from Ikea. The dishes, napkins, glasses, etc. I had in my cabinets.

Here is a similar PAIR made of silver plate for $15.

CANDLES  from IKEA for $5.

My tablecloth was made from a piece of silk plaid fabric I found for $10 at a tag sale at my friend EDDIE and Jaithan's. I took it to a local seamstress and had it lined. It is now the perfect overlay over a basic white tablecloth.

A similar print from CALICO CORNERS. The good news is you do not need much fabric to make an overlay or a large runner.

I served Barefoot Contessa's CAPELLINI with tomatoes and basil, along with a simple green salad and crusty peasant bread with assorted wines. For dessert it was ice cream with macaroons and champagne. Delish!

Party Tip: Don't be afraid to ask your guests to bring something. They will be happy to do it and it makes entertaining a bit more affordable.