End of Summer Dinner Party Soiree in Berry Hues

Yes, I realize that TECHNICALLY summer isn’t over for a few more weeks. But you know what? It’s hot. It’s realllllly hot here in Florida. Low to mid-90s, high humidity, all sunshine, minimal rain. It’s brutal. So to take my mind off the heat, I thought about what I would do to make the most of this weekend, leading me into this week’s party ideas board. I was thinking how great it would be to have a beautiful patio, with nice rich shades of dark purples and plums. This fairytale patio would be the perfect setting for my end of summer, dinner party soiree.  Delicious berries would be the highlight of the menu. From cool drinks to sweet treats, a hint of berry could be found throughout the evening. Simple centerpieces near a vibrant, living wall of succulents with candlelight shimmering from hanging lanterns, would just make for a wonderful evening among friends and family. While I’m waving my magic wand to dream this up, I throw in an extra swish and flick to get a personal chef who would prepare this meal. Oh and a helpful staff that would help tidy up after!
Here’s what I had in mind for this berry hued summer dinner party:

End of Summer Dinner Party Soiree in Berry Hues

End of Summer Dinner Party Soiree in Berry Hues

Be sure to see where I found each of the different elements from this week’s summer dinner soiree:

Berry and Plum Modern Outdoor Living Room Patio – shared by the Seattle Times

Plum and Purple Party Invitation Printable – created and sold by Time4TeaParties on Etsy

Purple, Plum, and Berry Food Display – spotted on Pinterest

Vertical Succulent Wall (to be used as a photo backdrop) – spotted on Tumblr

Red Wine Berry Spritzer – recipe shred by Aggie’s Kitchen

Purple Plum Submerged Wisteria Centerpieces – shared by Desiree Banka on Flickr

Blackberry Ombre Popsicles – recipe shared by Tutti Dolci, All Sweets

Purple Plum Petal Photo Booth Backdrop – shared by blkbridalbliss on Instagram

What is your favorite end of summer tradition?

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A Rustic Foodie’s Dessert Party – Fall Edition {with salted caramel and lace}

On most days, I would not consider my style anywhere along the descriptive terms: chic, country, or rustic.

But this week I make an exception for that. This week I am sharing with you my idea of a rustic, foodie’s dessert party. A party that is farm-to-table fresh, cooked and prepared with love, and boasts great company and delicious wine. I love the emphasis of salted caramel desserts lining a lace and burlap table, allowing guests to graze on delicious treats as they mingle with other attendees. The only thing that’s missing would be a handful of accent candle lights, in mason jars, of course, scattered around.

Keep in mind as you are enjoying this party idea board, that this set of inspirational images could easily translate to a birthday party theme, or even a wedding.

Here’s what I had in mind:

A Rustic Foodie's Dessert Party – Fall Edition {with salted caramel and lace}

Take a look at where I found each of these images for more information:

Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake – shared by Half Baked Harvest

Rustic Dessert Table – shared on Style Me Pretty

Fig Almond Tea Cake with Coconut Honey Glaze – recipe shared on Hungry Rabbit

Rustic Burlap Lace Birthday Invitation – created and sold by SunshinePrintables on Etsy

How To: Candy Feathers – tutorial shared on About.com

Lace and Twine Kraft Paper Favor Boxes – created and sold by AnnaLouAvenue on Etsy

Caramel Dipped Pears – recipe shared on Just Between Friends

Rustic Shabby Chic Pom Pom Décor – created and sold by pomtree on Etsy

Are you a caramel fan? Or do you prefer something more along the lines of chocolate to satisfy your sweet-tooth?

Rainbows and Butterflies….with a Side of Chocolate – Soiree Party Ideas

How perfect would you consider your birthday if you had pretty butterfly decorations, colorful fruit to nibble on, and decadent chocolate brownies to savor? I know I’d be thrilled.

You really can’t go wrong with these three elements being the center of attention at your next bash. Be it a bridal, birthday, baby, or just a get together with the girls, rainbows and butterflies…..with a side of chocolate, how can you go wrong? Here’s what I had in mind for this upbeat, sweets filled soiree:

Rainbows and Butterflies….With a Side of Chocolate - Soiree Party Ideas

Here are the individual images that I found and the fantastic sites I found each of them on:

Rainbow Butterfly Birthday Invitation – created and sold by CharlesAlexDesign on Etsy

Fruit Heart Kebobs – shared on a roundup on 100 Days of Real Food

Colorful Berry Spring Tart – recipe shared on My Little Expat Kitchen

Raspberry and White Chocolate Bites – shared on New Nostalgia

Blue and White Chocolate Butterflies – shared via How To Cook That on YouTube

Summer Berry Cones – shared on The Cottage Mama

Bite Size Rainbow Brownie Kabobs – recipe shared Cake Whiz

Stacked Chocolate Brownies with Flowers and Butterflies – shared Louise’s Kitchen …. & Other Rooms

If you could add ONE more thing to this party, what would it be?

Afterschool Midweek Treat – Candy Corn Themed

Happy October! And a happy Wednesday! It’s really a double treat today- it’s hump day (Friday is so close!) AND it’s the start of Fall, as far as I’m concerned.

So to celebrate, I thought it would be fun to throw a little midweek party. If I was a kid still in school, I would be surprised and so excited to come home and have a candy corn themed dinner.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

Afterschool Midweek Treat – Candy Corn Themed

Afterschool Midweek Treat – Candy Corn Themed

Grab all the recipes here:

Candy Corn Quesadillas – shared by Julie’s Eats & Treats

Candy Corn Quesadillas – shared by Julie’s Eats & Treats

Candy Corn Quesadillas – shared by Julie’s Eats & Treats

Candy Corn and White Chocolate Softbatch Cookies – shared by Averie Cooks

Candy Corn and White Chocolate Softbatch Cookies – shared by Averie Cooks

Candy Corn and White Chocolate Softbatch Cookies – shared by Averie Cooks

Payday Caramel Corn – shared by Shugary Sweets

Payday Caramel Corn – shared by Shugary Sweets

Payday Caramel Corn – shared by Shugary Sweets

Healthy Halloween Snack Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail – shared by Family Fresh Meals

Healthy Halloween Snack Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail – shared by Family Fresh Meals

Healthy Halloween Snack Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail – shared by Family Fresh Meals

Candy Corn Veggie Tray – shared by Real Housemoms

 

Candy Corn Veggie Tray – shared by Real Housemoms

Candy Corn Veggie Tray – shared by Real Housemoms

What’s a sweet treat that you can go for on a Wednesday afternoon?

Great Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

Are you ready for Mother’s Day?

It’s this weekend! I hope so!

Are you treating your mom out to dinner? Or does she prefer to do something quiet at home?

A great idea for avoiding the crowds at restaurants is to have your mother’s day celebration at home. A brunch can be a fun meal to praise and thank your mom. Plus, there are lots of delicious foods that easier than you would think to make that are perfect for a brunch party with the family. Here’s what I had in mind:

Great Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

Great Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

See where all of these inspirational images were found:

Tiered Mother’s Day Arrangement – shared by Entertaining Grace

Tiered Mother’s Day Arrangement – shared by Entertaining Grace

Tiered Mother’s Day Arrangement – shared by Entertaining Grace

Strawberry Poppers – spotted on Pinterest

Strawberry Poppers – spotted on Pinterest

Strawberry Poppers – spotted on Pinterest

Triple Berry Wake-Up Breakfast – recipe shared by Michelle Burgard on Food.com

Triple Berry Wake-Up Breakfast – recipe shared by Michelle Burgard on Food.com

Triple Berry Wake-Up Breakfast – recipe shared by Michelle Burgard on Food.com

Brunch Tablescape and Window Seat – image shared on The Magazinea

Brunch Tablescape and Window Seat – image shared on The Magazinea

Brunch Tablescape and Window Seat – image shared on The Magazinea

Fresh Squeezed Blackberry Lemonade – recipe shared by Paint Chips and Frosting

Fresh Squeezed Blackberry Lemonade – recipe shared by Paint Chips and Frosting

Fresh Squeezed Blackberry Lemonade – recipe shared by Paint Chips and Frosting

Purple Napkin Fold – spotted on Pinterest

Purple Napkin Fold – spotted on Pinterest

Purple Napkin Fold – spotted on Pinterest

Crepes with Peanut Butter and Jam – recipe shared by Giada De Laurentiis on The Food Network

Crepes with Peanut Butter and Jam – recipe shared by Giada De Laurentiis on The Food Network

Crepes with Peanut Butter and Jam – recipe shared by Giada De Laurentiis on The Food Network

Blackberry Mousse – recipe shared by Bayaderka – A Culinary Blog

Blackberry Mousse – recipe shared by Bayaderka – A Culinary Blog

Blackberry Mousse – recipe shared by Bayaderka – A Culinary Blog

 

What’s one way you like to say “thanks” to your mom?

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but on Valentine’s Day, it can be so much more than a meal!

Let your special someone know how much they mean to you and fix them this yummy breakfast spread. A quick trip to the grocery store and some time to prepare is really all you need.  Let’s see what’s on the menu:

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Breakfast

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Breakfast

It’s amazing what a few extra minutes and a heart shaped cookie cutter can do!

Get more information about these lovely images I shared here:

Heart Shaped Fried Egg in Toast

Heart Shaped Fried Egg in Toast

Heart Shaped Fried Egg in Toast – spotted on this pin here

Heart Shaped Melon

Heart Shaped Melon

Heart Shaped Melon – shared by Alessandra Zecchini here

Heart Shaped Bacon

Heart Shaped Bacon

Heart Shaped Bacon – spotted on this pin here

Heart Shaped Boiled Eggs

Heart Shaped Boiled Eggs

Heart Shaped Boiled Eggs – spotted on this pin here

Valentine’s Day Smoothie

Valentine’s Day Smoothie

Valentine’s Day Smoothie – shared by Jeanne Winter here

Valentine’s Day Place Setting

Valentine’s Day Place Setting

Valentine’s Day Place Setting – shared by Be Different Act Normal here

Heart Shaped Potatoes

Heart Shaped Potatoes

Heart Shaped Potatoes – spotted on this pin here

What is your favorite breakfast food that always makes your day?