Tablescape Tuesday: the perfect tablecloth is everything

When decorating your table for a dinner party a sure fire way to have a stylish soiree is a pretty patterned tablecloth! Choosing the right bold pattern will give your party an instant look of chic. Don't be afraid to get fearless when mixing patterns. If you feel thats too risky for your style, go with simple colors in your dishes and flatware and let the tablecloth speak for itself. 


The Art of Living...how to properly set a table

The weekend is here and the dinner party invitations are steadily coming in.
As always, I offered my help to each of the hosts and surprisingly I got asked a question...
Do you know how to properly set a table for a dinner party?

My grandmother taught me at the age of 5 and she always insisted a formal table setting at every single family occasion.
{I figured you guys might like to know the answer too...so here are my cheat sheets.}


This setting is perfect for intimate dinners with close friends...

Now if you are having a large party or just want to impress your guests this formal setting is for you!



A well styled table is a sure fire way to achieve harmony at a dinner party and ultimately create the perfect mood for you very own domestic bliss!
images via stylenote

The Art of Living...dinner party goodness



There is nothing this decorista loves more than throwing a good dinner party.
Here are some things to remember when having one yourself...
1. Pick a theme...whether it is just a color scheme or an all out theme, set a signature look + rock it.
2. Create a signature cocktail...and let guests bring the wine or bubbly.
3. Set up appetizers immediately...munching guests = happy guests!
4. Have assigned seating...separate couples and seat boy, girl, boy, girl, always.
5. Smelling good is essential...make sure the guest bathroom is full of super yummy soaps + sprays and candles that smell good are throughout.
6. Keep the music exotic...brazilian, italian, or spanish music in the background edifies the mood.
7. Break out the goods...your best dishes, best silver, use everything you have for anything, like a gorgeous teacup for the salsa or your precious china for the butter + bread.
Don't keep anything beautiful hidden. It makes it that much more pretty of a party.
8. Always over dress...encourage your guests to dress up and look fabulous. Who wants to attend a party with bad fashion?

Decorating for a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta + RECIPE

I love holidays (any excuse to decorate and I am on board) and Cino de Mayo is no exception. It's all about mexican food, drink and decorations. I am a sucker for Mexican Food so I love learning new recipes and finding new decorations for fun and festive get-togethers. 
Why not try some colorful mexican themed banners, fun colorful flowers + tablecloths?

Want to learn how to make tissue flowers like these?
Check out a step by step DIY here.
or check out how to make these here.


On the menu for my fiesta...Out of this world SHRIMP TACOS (my fave!)
This recipe is from Real Simple (where I get most of my recipes)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 limes, cut into quarters
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 2 to 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
  • bottled green tomatillo salsa


Directions

  1. Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, and cumin. Set aside. 
  2. Skewer the shrimp. (If using wood skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes beforehand.) In a small bowl, combine the butter and garlic.
  3. Preheat a gas grill to high; adjust to medium after 15 minutes. (If cooking over charcoal, allow the coals to burn until they are covered with gray ash.)
  4. Brush the skewered shrimp with the garlic butter. Place them on the grill with the limes. Cook about 4 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are opaque and the limes are browned. Remove from grill. Lightly salt the shrimp.
  5. Grill the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, then place inside a paper bag to keep warm.
  6. To serve, pull the shrimp off the skewers and divide them evenly among the tortillas. Top with the cabbage, sour cream sauce, tomatillo salsa, and a spritz of grilled lime.
  7. This is the method i use: Broil the shrimp and limes about 4 inches from the heat using the Total Times above. Wrap the tortillas in foil and heat in a 350° F oven for 15 minutes, or wrap them in a napkin and microwave for 3 minutes

Trust me...it is absolutely DE-LISH!




images courtesy of...
vintage domino
elizabeth ann 
martha stewart

The Art of Living...like a starlet

make like Lauren Conrad and throw a dinner party.
(She tweeted this pic of her place.)
Throw down a zebra rug, mix floral + studded dining chairs, light white candles in clear glass hurricanes and sprinkle in some pink tulips and
voila...starlet dinner party!
loves.


and in other blissful news...
added my blog to her
wow. i feel so honored because girl is a rockstar!

NYE bash ideas

Having a New Years party this year?
I found this video at Decor It Yourself for some cute DIY ideas for the home.
You should check out the website, they have tons of creative videos.



Also, here are some adorable NYE decorations you can find on Etsy.com


 These adorable decor gift toppers from MothtoaflameStudio

Happy New Year double banner from bekahjennings

Party Pom Pom Set from OrangeKisses

Masquarade Decor from SimpleJoyPaperie

Even New Years Party dresses you can find at OtherPeoplesProperty
Don't you just love Etsy?

a holidays worth of memories

So, our little holiday dinner party turned out to be a huge hit. My cousin (the lovely roommate) and I worked so hard on making our cozy + blissful home into a party pad.
The dinner was fantastic, we had tortellini and fresh turkey meatloaf, amazing sauces and a cheese platter that anyone would die for. In fact, one of our party goers stayed at the cheese spread all night. ;) (i heart you matty!)
I love holiday parties and the holiday spirit! 

UNFORTUNATELY, our wacko neighbors have been complaining about bedbugs...
(sidenote: their place is so cluttered and messy and they always leave their trash 
by the front door for weeks...yuck!)
The ORKIN men came the day after our dinner party, turns out they have to exterminate the entire building! ugh.
Our happy + beautiful christmas tree aka 'chrissy' died. 
She couldn't handle the poisons. 
Needless to say, we are utterly bummed.
Bright side: we get to do the whole 'decorating the tree while listening to Christmas music' madness all over again. 
I guess its worth looking at the brightside.
For now, some pictures from the fiesta to document our beloved Chrissy!

my cousin and i (the happy hosts)


we miss you Chrissy!