Dessert Table Ideas: Tea Party Bridal Shower

1. Dessert Table Picture Source

2. Antique Fine Bone China Paragon Tea Cup and by GrammiesCedarChest, $35.00

3.Vintage Pope Gosser Sterling Handpainted Gold by corrnucopia, $42.00

4. Vivid Spring Nature Photography  Pink Peonies by ChasedByBeauty, $30.00

5. Royal Albert American Beauty Rose Teacup and by AntarcticEmpire, $20.99

6. Claro Cake Stand, $39-$59 -Pottery Barn

Downton Abbey Wedding Theme

This year I presented a few Downton Abbey-inspired tabletop ideas and I wanted to complete this series with a wedding board. Lady Mary's bridal ensemble is very romantic and can be an inspiration for many brides that plan to have a vintage style wedding.

By the way, I can not wait for Season 4 to start!

1. Laurel Leaf Tiara Headpiece by PompAndPlumage on Etsy, $70.00

2.Vintage Diamond Edwardian Engagement Ring by ErstwhileJewelry on Etsy, $21000.00

3.Custom Wedding Table Numbers Signs

Great Summer Desserts and Cocktails

Here are some of my favorite strawberry recipes that I plan to make this summer. 

1. Strawberry Pie with Chamomile and Currant Glaze - Bon Appetit

2. Strawberry Apple Rhubarb Galette - Fuss Free Cooking

3. Strawberry Lavender Cocktail - Two Tarts

4. Dairy Free Strawberry Lime Ice Cream - Delighted Momma

Easter Decorating Ideas

1. Easter Tabletop Decor -Picture Source

2. Easter Table Centerpiece -Picture Source 

3. Tulip Wreath  Door Basket Wreath  Easter  by WreathsByRebeccaB, $60.00 

4. Hand-painted Easter Eggs -Picture Source

Ideas for Bar Cart Styling

Bar carts are one of my latest obsession and if you love entertaining then this is a must-have piece.

To style your bar cart, use various glassware, decanters, ice and champagne buckets, trays, barware tools and a cocktail shaker. Do not forget  to include straws,  elegant coasters and napkins.

Picture Source: 1 / 2 / 3

Here are a few of my favorite items I would use to style a bar cart:

1. Studio Barware from ZGallerie, $19.95-$49.95

2.White Everglades Coaster Set from ZGallerie, $19.95

3. Vintage Silver Cups s/6 by vintageluxe on Etsy, $40.00

4. Crystal Decanter with Stopper by AtticandBeyond on Etsy, $75.00

Elegant Wedding Escort Cards and Place Cards

{Red Poppy Flowers Place Cards - AZCreativeStudio}

Some of my favorite wedding paper items are place cards, table numbers and menus. Today I am going to present some of the floral escort cards I have created in the past months.

{Pink Cherry Blossom Escort Cards - AZCreativeStudio}

The Red Poppy and Cherry Blossom designs were inspired by the Art Nouveau style which was popular between 1890 and 1910. 

This style combined floral elements with curved lines and this is the concept I used when I created these designs   

Each one of them was done using watercolors and pencil and ten more items will complete these series. 

Also, matching table numbers and menus are available in my shop:

Etsy Store: AZCreativeStudio

Fabulous New Year's Eve Home Party Ideas

 

This year I am thinking of having a New Year's Eve Party at my house. Here are a few decor ideas and tips I would like to share with you. 

The decor should be glamorous. Metallics like gold or silver, dusty pinks and/or black are great picks.  A Happy New Year Banner is a must-have for me. This Happy New Year 2013 banner  decoration is made by CowCountryCreations.

Since you want to take as many photos as possible, make sure you get props like this large Gold  Bokeh GLITTER HOLIDAY Vinyl Photo Backdrop by SwankyPrints or the Perfect Holiday Photo Props Set of 6  Gold by PAPERandPANCAKES.

The menu can kept simple by serving finger food that can be prepared ahead. If you are looking for recipes, this is the book I have and recommend.

Having a dessert buffet is an great idea. You can skip baking and order French Macarons and cookies made by local bakeries or ETSY sellers.  My favorite are: Pink and Gold Brush Embroidered Cookies by SweetAmbs and French Macarons by LeBonbonLA. If you want, you can offer small party favors and package them in glamorous gold boxes from bluechinastudio.

Having a signature cocktail is a great idea. However, if you want to keep it simple, having wine and champagne is sufficient. {Vintage Champagen Flutes Fine Art Print by KittyLWren}

What plans do you have for New Year's Eve? Have you ever hosted a New Year's Eve Party?

Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I wanted to share with you a few pictures from the past two years. 

After researching several Thanksgiving turkey recipes,  I found the best one from Bobby Flay.  His Herbed-Rubbed Grilled Whole Turkey was changed into a Herbed-Rubbed  Oven Roasted Whole Turkey. The herb, garlic and citrus rub he created is very flavorful and I use it every time.  The recipe for this rub can be found in the "Bobby Flay's Boy Gets Grill: 125 Reasons to Light Your Fire!" cookbook.  Amazon allows you to preview this recipe for free.

When it comes to the Thanksgiving table setting, I have a Noritake Florence china set from 1950's that I use every year. I got several plates from my mother-in-law and two years ago I decided to get all the missing pieces and have a complete set for twelve people. The reason why I like the Noritake sets so much is because in addition to the plates, they have great matching serving pieces: platters, bowls, the gravy boat and covered vegetable dishes. 

One of the best places to find Noritake sets is Craigslist. Since I could not find my pattern on Craigslist, I got my Noritake pieces from several Ebay sellers. 

The Maple Leaf  Place Cards were designed and made by me.

The picture above is from two years ago. I wanted to have a yellow and orange bouquet as the centerpiece, but when I went shopping the evening before Thanksgiving I did not find orange roses and only one yellow bouquet was left. So I had get a pink one. I like having pumpkin and floral centerpieces, however, since I am usually working the day before Thanksgiving this leaves almost no time for decorations. 

What are your favorite Thanksgiving recipes and serving pieces?

Halloween Party and Home Decorations Ideas



                                 Picture from http://www.lidbeckbrent.com/



Halloween Bingo Card from BrandyWine

Vintage Style Halloween Apothecary Label by BradyWine

Halloween Mini Pumpkin Halloween Decor Black and Orange Halloween Wreath with Orange Ribbon Front Door Wreath by ElegantHolidays

{Entertain in Style} Al Fresco Dining

Al Fresco comes from Italian words "al fresco" = outside.
Having a nice patio and backyard is very important for me as I love eating outside and since I live in Arizona I am lucky I can do this all year long.
Italian dishes are great for al fresco dining as they are easy to make and use fresh and flavorful ingredients.
An antipasto platter is a fast appetizer and its variety of salamis, cheese, olives and prosciutto can please everybody.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Carla on Pinterest

This seafood pasta dish from The Pioneer Woman is one of my favorite summer entrées. Also, I often serve a salad with grilled salmon or chicken.
                                                         

Source: creative-culinary.com via on Pinterest

The Limoncello and Prosecco cooler with raspberry is a refreshing summer drink.

Source: recipe.com via Marilyn on Pinterest

A gelato dessert cup is a the perfect way to finish the dinner. It has less calories then regular ice cream and is much more flavorful. My favorite combination is strawberry, pineapple and coconut.