I just adore Jonathan Adler--his bright colors, his mix & match style combining traditoinal and ecclectic pieces, and above all, his ability to create fancy yet durable decor.

Whether it's an entire room, or a pen, Mr. Adler makes even the most simple items a one-of-a-kind treat.

It isn't even that I want to get married, or the fact that one by one, all of my friends are taking the plunge--it's more that I simply love, love, love all that goes in to planning the perfect party. I am such a strong believer that in order to make an event truly stand out, the devil is in the details.

If you're looking for a one-stop-shop, look no further: from gowns, to gifts, to garland, bhldn, has everything that you could ever want to make your day, weekend or life, truly one of a kind.

Craving!

I am beyond craving a delicious bloody mary right now. This particular recipe is compliments of Barefoot Contessa, a personal favorite! When I make my bloody's, I usually like to add dill pickle juice and spicy pickled okra. Topped off with a TON of olives and poured in a mason jar and you have yourself a southern delight!

Ingredients

3 large stalks celery from the heart, including leaves, plus extra for serving
36 ounces tomato juice (recommended: Sacramento)
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon grated yellow onion
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
12 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco), or to taste
1 1/2 cups vodka

Directions

Cut the celery in large dice, including the leaves, and puree in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until finely minced. In a large pitcher, combine the rest of the ingredients except the vodka. With the food processor running, pour 1/4 of the tomato juice mixture into the food processor through the feed tube. Then pour the contents of the food processor into the pitcher with the remaining tomato juice mixture. Add the vodka and chill. Serve in tall glasses over ice with a stick of celery.

a dainty diy

Compliments of Shana Ecker, check out this fabulous DIY project. Keeping in her mantra: "As a craft stylist, my favorite materials to work with are ones that are a. unexpected and b. free!" Ecker shows us step-by-step how make these lovely flower bud napkin rings (out of toilet paper rolls!!!!)

1.) First, save up about a half dozen discarded tubes. Trust me, it won't take too long!

2.) Cut one tube in half and put these pieces aside. These will serve as your "rings" to embellish.

3.) To create variation, I layered small and slightly larger rosettes. For consistency, I marked one of my rolls at three-quarter inch increments and another at one and a half inches.

4.) Next I cut the cardboard rolls at these increments, and got ready to turn these cardboard slivers into tiny blossoms.

5.) To make each bud, I cut into the cardboard at an angle and steadily cut the long way, making one continuous coil. I started a little thicker and slightly tapered off at the end.

6.) Next, I tightly coiled the strand to create the little bud.

7.) Then I secured the completed bud to the napkin ring using a bit of hot glue.

8.) To achieve the layered look I was after, I continued to add and overlap the different size buds, completing covering the ring.

9.) For a finished look, I chose to spray paint my set a cool grey.

10.)  ENJOY!!

Impromptu Party Prep

One of my favorite things is sharing delicious apps, wine and laughs with friends & family.

However, if your life is anything like mine these days, finding the time to be the perfect hostess is not always an option. With work and family demands, having an hour or two to set the perfect table, prepare gourmet treats, and looking fresh and fabulous sometimes seems like little more than a fantasy. But that doesn't have to be the case!

Here are a few time-saving tips and special touches that allow you to wow...

Tip #1: THE PERFECT PLATTER

  

In our home, paper plates & bowls are used for most meals (functional & recyclable). However, that doesn't mean that I don't own a huge inventory of fabulous platters and trays. I found this particular one, beautiful and monogramed (i swoon), on etsy, of course.

I have found that by having a variety of serving platters, cutting boards, etc., you can add a personal touch to really any function you are hosting.

Tip #2: FLAIR

I try with all my might to avoid matchy-matchy. You can have a theme without overdoing-it. For example, if you are having an Oscar party, if every item on your table is gold or movie-theme, the presentation cam come across as tacky, or inauthentic. Instead, more subtle and unique items, like desserts titled after nominees let guests see your personality and make the shin-dig more memorable.

One must-have for any good function are the paper goods. In my humble opinion, every girl should have a drawer full of ornate paper napkins. An ab-fab napkin adds drama to an otherwise boring hor d'oeuvres selection. And for an on-a-budget gal, these little squares can be used for a number of solutions: tissue paper in a gift bag, matting in a frame, you get the idea...

Here are a few of my favorite napkins, compliments of an enviable shop called Furbish, in neighboring Raleigh, NC:

Tip #3: MIX & MATCH

My go-to impromptu fare is a dip (i esp. like the roasted red pepper dip mix from the Biltmore estate), veggies (carrots and celery pre-cut & pre-washed in the bag) pretzel sticks (i prefer these to corn chips), a cheese dip (either pimento, or a brie sloppily covered in a delicious jam, preferably one native to the region) and candied pecans or walnuts in a mug like this one, set in the center of the platter to add depth.

And although my grocery list is pretty standard for each gathering I host, the brands, looks, textures are interchangeable. I have found that these offerings are great for soirees and are super easy to set-up and clean-up.

Throw a few lemons and limes in a glass pitcher for decor and you're good to go.

Tip #4: SHARING IS CARING

In true Southern fashion, my parents taught me to never arrive to someone's home empty handed. As a hostess, I tend to do the opposite and send my guests home with a little memento to remember the night. In my home I have a cabinet dedicated to trinkets and I can't tell you how handy it has been for me. There seems to always be a reason to share a small gift, be it a birthday, wedding or just to say I'm thinking of you.

As the clean-up begins, (usually signaling the end of an enchanting evening), start by cleaning off the cheese knives, throw each into a cute little gift bag or fabulous napkin with some straw ribbon and give them  to your visitors on their way out. I especially love these:

Every time they're searching around their silverware drawer looking for their rolling-pin or corn holders, they'll be reminded of what a gracious host you are (not everything can be totally altruistic).

Tip #5: ENJOY

The key to the 'perfect party' is to mix-it-up.

Rather than spending hours trying to make individual creme brulees', take that precious time to make your setting comfortable, functional and inviting. The more people feel fussed over, the more pressure there is. Your decor sets the stage for how the evening will flow--make sure it's a warm and cozy one, and most importantly a representation of who you are.

I promise that by adding a few individual touches to your table & bar, guests will leave with a smile on their face and a few borrowed ideas for their own next occasion.

Our Home.

From time-to-time, we will share amateur snapshots of our humble abode. We are currently shacked up in an 800 sq. ft. apartment in Uptown Charlotte, NC until September. While we love being immersed in this Southern town, I'm excited to bring all I've learned here back with me...

click, click, click

Thanks to the eighties, the world has (me, of course), and, Polaroid camera's. Unfortunately, one of us is becoming a bit outdated and obsolete. None the less, the process of the Polaroid is such a unique treat and one that I will eternally cherish. 

Some ideas to inspire you to dust off your old smart shooter and get to snapping. Whether it be used for fun, as an organizational tool, or a medium to share and keep timeless memories, the Polaroid camera still has a few tricks up it's sleeves...

As a wedding favor:

You may have attending a wedding or two (or ten) where the hosts have placed disposable cameras at each table to encourage guests to snap candids and capture those moments that the bride & groom might have missed. But before you head to Walgreens to pick up those eye sores think about providing party-goers with Polaroid cameras. The joy folks get from instantly seeing their photo-skills come to life is fantastic. Place a shabby-chic magnetic or cork board out and have guests write well-wishes on the pic, use one of these fabulous push pins to clip up their snaps and it becomes a work of art the new couple will cherish for years.

Or as a tool to tout (and keep track of) your clientele:

 

Every time your client comes in, take a snap of them. I've seen this work wonders in Dental & Doctor's offices, especially with the under 10 crowd. They get to see their progress and you score major points for remembering the names of every patient. It also gives them something to look forward to and can break up the sometimes stale atmosphere of an office space. 

Now, if you are already a Polaroid fan, you may have noticed how difficult it's been locating these gems, particularly where film is concerned. Have no fear, luckily, major retailers like Urban Outfitters, have started lines of their own, and relatively more compact Polaroid's. They come in assorted colors and sizes, so you can base your buy off particular occasions or needs. 

So my friends, start click, click, clicking away...

On any given Sunday you can find me whipping up pancakes, whipped cream, really anything (I'll take any opportunity to use my amazing eggplant kitchen aid mixer)...wouldn't it be dreamy to be a domestic goddess in one of these dream kitchens:

Elle Decor recently featured a shoot of all-white kitchens. There is just something to be said for a classic, crisp, white nook.

And this ceramic sink is my absolute favorite accessory. Not only is it wonderful to look at, but it's so functional and family-friendly, the perfect place to wash apples and kiddos alike...

For those of you who find yourselves lucky enough to call one of these fabulous kitchens your own, find these 5 tips for doing white on a budget by the Inspired room.

All rolled up.

Featured in several design & lifestyle mags, Ice Milk Aprons offer beautiful and functional frocks for bakers (and want-to-be-bakers) alike.

THIER STORY: "Growing up, things were always made from scratch. We all sat down together for dinner. And, we had the best birthday cakes on the block.

IceMilk Aprons was inspired by my grandmother, Cele. A masterful seamstress with a love for cooking & an art for entertaining. There isn’t a childhood visit I can remember that didn’t include her infamous dinner of waffles, fresh fruit & icemilk that we so looked forward to.

IceMilk Aprons has given our family the ability to spend more time together & to pass down our traditions from generation to generation. We hope they afford you the same luxury."

Snag yours here: I support small business owners!

1, 2 & 3...

ONE... TWO... THREE...

So, unfortunately (understatement) someone, ahem, me, gave up shopping for lent...but that doesn't mean window shopping isn't allowed, right? 

The website I spend the most time perusing (after Knock Denver, of course) is etsy. Take a gander at Devon Bear's new line of fun and fresh new duds. Someone, please buy for me.