Sunday Family Dinner

This past Sunday I hosted the usual Sunday family dinner. Nice to take the stress off my parents from time to time plus we wanted to do a meet and greet of sorts with a possible new furry addition to the family. I had a beautiful fall arrangement from the Black Tie event the night prior I was able to use which really made the table.

 

Essentially just whipped out some of the pretty china, decided to mix and match patterns, added in some fun funky anthropologie napkins, candles, painted antlers, and pumpkins and we were good to go with a fun fallish table.

I love the purple mason jars I nabbed a few weeks ago. I think they do different colors every year and it's fun to have a mix of options. Something about drinking out of a mason jar that intrigues me.

 

The whole back patio got a little fall sprucing. Plants that were looking a little haggard were replaced with fresh new mums, pretty pumpkins were added, and the dirt and grime swept away. Can't wait to enjoy several more dinners al fresco during this perfect weather time of year.

 

 We initially had planned to eat before it was pitch dark, but with fall approaching and it getting dark so fast that just didn't happen. So we dinned by candlelight which actually turned out quite fun. I really really need some of those fancy string outdoor lights!

 

An Instagram Glimpse of the Weekend

I had a fantastic weekend! The perfect mix of fun and relaxation!! Hope everyone else did as well.  

USACE Social 2011

Last Friday we had our annual USACE Social. I was one of the main event coordinators and had a great time planning the party and watching it be a huge success. Our budget was more or less nonexistent so we stole (errrr borrowed?) greenery from my parents back yard and mixed in a few roses.




Obviously nothing super fancy or showy but it went well with the room and the time of year. We had cocktail hour for an hour with over 100 of my co-workers mingling.
Along with a few of my family members and friends, pasta dinner, and




finally the main event. Jimmy Weber (who is amazing – you should all check his music out!) performing along with Kelsey Nord and Jason Clinton.


They did an excellent job and were able to keep people on the dance floor all night long.



No small feat, especially with my co-workers. Towards the end of the evening the dance floor was still hopping and not a single person was sitting down!


Thanks to those that helped me coordinate this event, thanks to our COL for supporting our event, to my co-workers, friends, and family that attended, and to our great band!

New Year’s Eve 2011

*Photos from Martha Stewart
After much debate I have decided to host a Cocktail soiree at my house to ring in the New Year (there may be a bowling excursion as well….). It is now a mad dash to transform my house for the festivities . I plan to use gold, silver, and white with a dash of turquoise. I would love these plates from Kate Spade.

And these glasses also from Kate Spade to serve Prosecco cocktails .

I need a pair of these Christian Louboutin shoes to wear on New Year’s Eve


If only I was made of money! Time to locate a few fun cocktail recipes.

Silpada Jewelry Party

My good friend and co-worker Stephanie just started selling Silpada. It is gorgeous and the collection has many statement pieces.




(These are the pieces I ordered)
I hosted her first party this week and it was a great time!



We had drinks

And an ice cream bar (with homemade frozen yogurt modeled after Pinkberry)



She even had her first sale – thanks Kathy!

I am excited to get all the new jewelry and for Stephanie’s new venture.



Thanks to all of my (and my mother’s mostly) great friends that came out to support Stephanie and purchase jewelry.

*Jewelry photos from Silpada website.