Rainbow Bright Tutorial

Tools Needed:

Serrated floral knife, pruners/garden clippers, 20-24 gauge floral wire, paper scissors, and 2 6" square glass vases

Flowers: Pink Gerbera Daisies, Dark Pink Roses, Red Pixie Carnations, Orange Tulips, Yellow Ranunculus, Yellow Mums, Kermit Poms, Bear Grass, Blue Hydrangeas, and Purple Liatris.

A few tips from the florist:

Keep the flowers in cold water until you are ready to use them. Strip the stems of excess foliage. Secure smaller bundles of flowers with a rubber band or floral wire. Trim the ends at an angle. You can tweak the flowers as you go until you get the right look. Have fun!

The bunches of flowers are in rainbow order in the vases.

PC: Nicole Gerulet.  Flowers by Megan Dunford of Persimmon Floral

DIY Valentine Napkin Rings

In case you don't have the time to invest in V-day decorations, go the DIY route to create a napkin holder or setting that will set the mood. The good news? You can use them year after year or else for a Spring or Summer Party. The great  news? They're cheaper than the real thing.

Buy real or faux flowers and sew or glue them onto a pony tail holder. 

To Form Leaves:

1. Fold a square green napkins in half along the diagonal.

2. Fold it in half again along the long edge

3. Fold it once more in half along.

To Form a Flower:

1) Use a square napkin of any color.  Fold the cloth in half along the diagonal.  Place it on your work surface so that the longest side of the resulting triangle is at the top.  Take the corner opposite the longest side and fold it up so that it just extends over the top.  The top and bottom edges should be parallel.

2. Fold the bottom edge up so that it falls just short of the top edge.  Begin rolling the napkin from one end.

  Guide and adjust the cloth as your roll to give it an even shape.

3. Slip the complete flower between the upper and lower halves of the leaves, and arrange in the glass. 

PC: Country Living, Martha Stewart

A Natural Affair

I can't help but fall in love with weddings that are held in the great outdoors. There is something so magical and enchanting about going au naturel as you can see for yourself.  This couple chose to mix nature with Eastern influences which is undeniably beautiful.

PC: White Loft Studio, Flowers: Beautiful Days

Eat your Heart Out

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Here is a breathtaking bouquet idea that will make your Valentine fall in love all over again. At one end, start with a few drops of pink in the blooms of sweet peas, hyacinths, and nerines and lead them into fuchsia peonies, ruby fringe tulips, and raspberry cyclamens.  Complete the effect by wrapping your Valentine's gift in a pink inspired paper and serve a delicious meal.  Ideas to follow.

PC: Martha Stewart

New Year's Brunch

This past Sunday my husband and I had the pleasure of hosting 20 of our closest friends for a memorable New Year's brunch. We've decided that brunch is our favorite way to entertain because everyone is in a great mood, it's fun to recap the weekend, and most of all indulge on good food with good company.

I personally prepared about 5 of the dishes served and had the rest catered by Zucker's Bagels in Tribeca. 

 Here is what we served:

Fresh lox and sable plate (from Zucker's in NYC)

-be sure to include sliced tomato and red onion with lots of good cream cheese

(3 lbs of lox and 1.5 lbs of sable served 20 people)

*NOTE- pregnant women should not eat smoked salmon/sable

Assorted Bagels (also from Zucker's)

Two dozen bagels should fit the bill.

Homemade fruit plate:

Include the best produce you can get your hands on at your local market. I personally buy organic fruit, but do whatever you can afford.

My Mother in Law's Noodle Kugel

Since it's a family recipe, I linked Ina Garten's version instead which is delicious!

Sky's Homemade Granola Station:

Using my Apricot and Raisin Cinnamon Granola recipe, I set out big bowls of granola, low fat organic vanilla yogurt and fresh berries along with clear glasses to make parfaits

Grilled Chicken Sausage Plate

We grilled a bunch of Aidell's Chicken Sausages (the chicken apple sausage was the biggest hit) but we also served Buffalo chicken. This sausage is great because it's free of nitrates (for pregnant women), dairy, and gluten.

I then made my best friend Bibby's Mom's Pumpkin Cake-it was a big hit!

And finally, I served Ina Garten's Sour Cream Coffee Cake with hot coffee of course.

Flowers and such:

I decided to buy a beautiful white orchid with pink centers and set it out on the main table of the buffet.  I also used all white platters and accented the second table with a small vase of white tulips. I took a few of the tulips and placed them in a smaller vase for our guest bathroom.  I think it was a nice touch.

Don't forget to have a drink station with fresh orange juice, cold water, and hot coffee.

PC: Salmon: Bie, Bagels: Russ & Daughters, Fruit bowl: seoworldwide.com, Noodle Kugel: foodjunta.com, Sausages: seriouseats.com, Orchid: southern living, tulips: amyramaker.blogspot.com

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a Bee" -Muhammad Ali

PC: Porter House Designs, confetti.uk, Housetohome.com, Martha Stewart,  Nancy J Ciralsky Designs

Winter Wonderland

PC: Jessica Claire

DIY Inspiration

PC:

1, 2, 3, 4, 9: Martha Stewart Weddings, 5: Wedding Style Guide, 6: Country Living, 7: Corbin Gurkin via Duet Wedding, 8: Kate Headley  

Anthropologie

The more I study parties, the more I realize that I prefer things simple... simple as in gorgeous. If you have good taste and use the right colors (which is the art of it all), you don't need all the bells and whistles.  Case in point: Linda Ly's Anthropologie-themed 1st Birthday party for her darling daughter.  A beautiful party for a beautiful occasion.

(A gorgeous backdrop doesn't hurt either)

Want to create something similar at home? Purchase this affordable Apothecary Beverage Dispenser from Z Gallerie (it's only $49.95!)

PC: Kara's Party Ideas, Z Gallerie