2.08.2011

Stunning in Sun Valley



Wouldn't this spot be perfect for a 40th birthday party weekend with your favorite friends? Or a wedding? The MONKEY COTTAGE is 10,000 sq feet on 2.5 acres in Sun Valley. Does it get any better?

The views and outdoor patio - perfect for cocktails




The kitchen - perfect for entertaining



The living room - stunning and plenty of space for your guests





And at the end of the night when you are party pooped - how about this master suite?!




The best part is this stunning property is for rent by the week or the month.

2.07.2011

9 Party Items for the New Year - Pretty Pink Tulips


Elizabeth was the very first blogger to contact me when I launched the blog last summer. It turns out we have some fabulous mutual friends. She is one of the kindest, warmest and stylish ladies online and I adore her. Be sure to check out her blog PRETTY PINK TULIPS and you, too, will be a fan!  I had to include her in my 9 in the New Year Series.


Items for a birthday luncheon for a girlfriend

1. Calligraphied Invitations - This one is from SARA'S PARTY PERFECT


2.  Pink Peonies - Elizabeth's favorite flower (shhhhhh....don't tell the tulips) Order some HERE


3. Real Glasses - Sometimes people like to use plastic glassware, but Elizabeth is a firm believer in real glasses. How about THESE from Crate and Barrel? They are stylish and inexpensive. 



4. Pink Champagne - Elizabeth's favorite is LAURENT-PERRIER CUVEE ROSE BRUT




5. Outdoor Venue - While not always possible, it makes an event magical. How beautiful is this table setting from SUNDAY SUPPERS?


6. A Beautiful Cake - This one is an angel food cake from style maven CAROLYNE ROEHM


7. Celebration Candles - Tall skinny TAPERS are so elegant!


8. Monogrammed Cocktail Napkins - The very best are from LEONTINE LINENS and make any occasion a bit more elegant.


9. Party Favors - Elizabeth always gives her guests a "little something" as they are leaving.


Elizabeth - Please put me on your invite list!

Top Image: Casa Sugar, Bottom Image: Everything Fabulous

2.03.2011

Love These Linens


I have had a love affair with LEONTINE LINENS for a while now. Check out my bed in my Cambridge condo. 


They are the very best in the business and whichever pattern you pick, they will certainly upgrade your table or cocktail party!








2.02.2011

Incredible Ina + Giveaway


Is there anyone better? Not in my book and I use her recipes almost exclusively when I entertain. Don't you want to hang out at her house in the Hamptons and enjoy a glass of wine with her and Jeffrey? 

A few of my favorites:

Pomegranate Cosmos RECIPE


Butternut Squash Soup (though I make with ginger instead of curry and skip the condiments) RECIPE


Beef Bourguignon RECIPE


Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Sauce RECIPE


Weeknight Bolognese RECIPE


French Apple Tart RECIPE


Chocolate Dipped Strawberries RECIPE


And now for the giveaway! A copy of Ina's newest cookbook (which is fantastic)


And another favorite of mine


Leave a comment with your favorite Ina recipe below and make sure you are a subscriber to this blog in order to qualify. The winner will be announced on February 12th! (All friends and family are welcome.) Good luck and happy entertaining! 

2.01.2011

Guest Post: Chic Anniversary Party on a Budget


Liz Banfield is one of the most amazing photographers and is as nice as she is talented. Love her! You can read about her HERE. She has a great eye and I am delighted that she shared the party details of the event she threw for her parents in honor of their 50th anniversary.

The space - the historic STUDIO 324 in Rochester, MN. 


The theme was gold (done tastefully) in honor of her parents' 50th Anniversary and to do it within a budget.

The mirror tiles add lots of sparkle and are from IKEA. Genius.


The garland adds pop and is from MICHAELS


With no budget for fancy linens, the fabric is also from Ikea and Liz trimmed it with pinking shears.


Liz made custom swivel sticks by gluing pom poms on bamboo skewers. 


A clever trick - line drink trays with festive paper like this paper from WEST ELM and double sided tape.


Flowers can be expensive and blow your budget, so Liz used branches from a local floral store.


A dedicated place for cards that is actually a magazine rack from the CONTAINER STORE.


Of course Liz has great family photos. She wanted a more modern way to display them that didn't feel like a shrine. She scanned them in black and white and printed them in a uniform size. To give them a vintage look she cut them with craft scissors and hung them with mini clothes pins. 


The photo below was also the custom stamp on the party invitations done through ZAZZLE.     Liz framed it herself (of course!) in an inexpensive frame that she decorated with flowers. It was hung by the exit door.


The pièce de résistance - the cake! It is from DAUBE'S BAKERY and Liz trimmed it with vintage ribbon and candied the kumquats for the top by brushing them in egg whites and dusting them in sanding sugar.


Liz - outstanding and thanks so much for sharing all of the details (and the sources)!