A Post-Turkey Return

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Didn't get the chance to post last week, since I was running around prepping for (and ultimately enjoying!) the holiday. Lots of fun crammed into the last 5 days or so... I'm still trying to recover! Not only did I have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, I played hostess for our 5th annual "friendsgiving" on Saturday, aptly titled Thanksgiving 2 (or T-Givs 2 for short). Flaming marshmallow drama aside, it was a wonderful time spent with my favorite people, sharing my favorite foods.

The photo above is of a little arrangement I put together for the celebration, inspired by found items from the Fall. Shadow boxes and floating frames were used to display various nuts, cinnamon sticks, leafs, feathers and a few fabric scraps that tied in with my palette. Glass bottles wrapped in twine held branches and floral stems, while pine cones and mason jar votives punctuated the display. For the focal point, I affixed unfinished wooden letters (custom made by woodenletters.net) to a 24" x 36" canvas and propped up the number 2 in front for added dimensionality.

I didn't document my work in progress, but everything here is easily DIY-able! The bottles did take a while to wrap, but I love the way they turned out. Super cheap to make, and the end result is something that I'll get a lot of use from! All of the frames will also be recycled for other projects, or become a part of everyday décor.

Did you host your own holiday get together? What are some of the things you did to dress up the room or table? Feel free to share pictures if you have them!

Pattern Party

If you know that I love packaging and pretty patterns, it goes without saying that I would be completely amazed by these brilliant take-out cups. Graphic artist Sarah Walsh designed these beauties as part of an image overhaul for Mallard Tearooms, a specialist tea company. According to Sarah, "the mix and match branding is inspired by the eclectic feel of the establishment, which is quirky, eccentric and unmistakably English." Check out more from this project on her portfolio site.

Obviously a bit excited about these cute designs, I took her cue in putting together a quirky, eccentric and unmistakably English tea party that incorporates both the patterns and palettes from the Mallard project. From tabletop to dessert buffet, the details we might normally overlook are an amazing opportunity to incorporate more of your theme--just check out the cookies with stunning houndstooth-print icing!

Clockwise from top left:
Red ranunculus arranged in a teacup from Domino's, "Unexpected Vases" (via Duet Weddings )
DIY aqua mason jar project via Apartment Therapy
Houndstooth print cookies designed by pastry artist Amber Spiegel
Classic red teapot from Whittard of Chelsea (£17.50)
Dotti red cup and saucer on Living and Giving ($10.99)

Fabric potted plant in black houndstooth by janejoss on Etsy ($28)

Shabby chic English rose napkins on Shabby Chic Rose Interiors (£1.95 for 20)

Picket fences floral plates from Home A La Mode ($24.99)

Sabre red gingham charger plate, found on French Habits
Teal bamboo lattice letterpress note cards from the Garden Aviary collection by Elum Design
Turquoise M&Ms in a candy buffet inspiration photo from Details Event Rental
Strawberry cupcake recipe by Bumbleberry Cakes
Red gingham muffin cups from Fancy Flours  ($4 for 40 wrappers)

Cakes inspired by calico-print fabric on Martha Stewart Weddings
Houndstooth table runner from CoCoMalé (£21.00)

Recycled glass votive holders from Target ($49.99 for set of 6)

Earthy Apps

This image above features a logo, color palette and imagery style for Bella Sicilia's new brand identity, by Denis Olenik. I saw it floating around on FFFFOUND! and it definitely caught my eye! The palette suits this company well, as the earthy tones reflect their commitment to high quality foods made from natural ingredients.

The olives and the mushrooms got my gears a-turnin' and I set out on a hunt for some simple (and tasty!) apps that complement our palette, above. Really makes me want to set some time aside this weekend to try a few of these recipes.

Miniature napoleons with eggplant creme from Vegan YumYum

Spanakopita photo from DarbCU on Flickr , recipe from Epicurious

Green and black olive tapenade via Top Appetizer Recipes

Italian-style steamed mussels from My Gourmet Connection

Honey and chili glazed nuts recipe by Walnut Grove

Coconut shrimp recipe from My Recipes

Garlic stuffed mushrooms on My Recipes

Bacon wrapped dates on yumsugar

Luscious spinach artichoke dip on bfeedme

Mini Asian crab cakes from Martha Stewart

Lemongrass meatballs by Eat Local Northwest

One for the Forest

This happy little guy is a creation from Bosque, as seen on the bosque photostream.  Bosque is a particularly awesome new design studio based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that works with a wide range of media. From graffiti murals and print designs to 3D installations, tote bags and commissioned designs for Vans, the Bosque team applies their street art-inspired style in some pretty unique ways.

I loved this sticker design for its muted colors and its trees-make-me-smile message. Trees do happen to make me smile, and with the lovely fall leaves outside my window, I've been thinking a lot lately about applying this inspiration to an eco-friendly fall event.

The natural linen table runner below would look great with the Japanese Maple bonsai landscape, or any other bonsais you might find to match your style! I prefer a lot of the deciduous trees, but indoor bonsais would be a great takeaway for guests to keep in their own homes. Check out bonsai rental services in your area for the same look at a lower cost.

Photo-realistic forest wallpaper murals and votives wrapped in birch bark take things one step further in transforming your space into a woodsy sanctuary. Throw in some branches and other rustic details and you're well on your way..

Screenprinted leaf table runner in natural/cream linen by elisabethbentz on Etsy ($68)

Manzanita candelabra branch from West Elm  ($99)

Hand-engraved pint glasses with branches and leaves by daydreemdesigns on Etsy ($28.50)

Screenprinted fig leaf napkin, also by Elisabeth Bentz ($18)

Sunrise dahlia, photo from Eiseman Color Blog

Woodgrain fabric in Chocolate from Aviary by Joel Dewberry ($9.50/yd at Quilt Home )

Birch votives with natural bark from Crate & Barrel  ($3.95-$9.95)

"Misty Forest" photo mural wallpaper by Murals Your Way ($5.57/sq ft for vinyl print)

Japanese Maple bonsai penjing landscape by Qingquan Zhao via Art of Bonsai

Natural pine cone garland from Wisteria via Remodelista

Rustic floral arrangements by Stephanie Elhayani of Seed Floral for Kevin & Paige on Once Wed

Dessert Buffet: Chocolate & Cream

Dessert and candy buffets are all the rage at weddings and events this year. Photos of stylized buffets, like this one above from a Martha Weddings magazine spread, are almost unavoidable when doing party planning research. As someone who likes to bake and decorate, I've yet to come across a buffet of treats that seems difficult to replicate.

This blue, brown and wintery white tablescape is no exception. The linens are simple, the cake stands are plain, candies are in clear glass vases and the display pedastals for bite-sized goodies are clean and modest. This modern style uses enough basic pieces to allow even those with a tight budget to find a perfect match.

Below are some easy recipes for elegant-looking desserts that you can whip up in your own kitchen. For a smaller crowd, downsize your table and swap out some of the tiered cakes shown above for tiered platters with cupcakes or petit fours.

Clockwise from top left:

Whoopie pies from Gourmet magazine via Epicurious 

Chocolate marbled meringue recipe from BBC GoodFood 

Chocolate-dipped pretzels, photo by Schakolad, recipe from Robin Miller via Food Network

Chocolate ganache truffles by Culinate 

Foolproof chocolate fudge recipe on Hubpages  

Mini vanilla cupcakes by Mary Bakes 

Jordan almonds with a bronze candy coating from Patchi 

"Hot" chocolate cake spiced with cinnamon and cayenne pepper by Country Living 

Hazelnut chocolate linzer cookies from the LA Times 

English buttermints and brown sugar licorice from Fiona's Sweetshoppe 

Boston cream pie recipe from Country Living 

Homemade marshmallows with toasted coconut by recipe by Ina Garten  

Dia de Los Muertos

When I saw this print from super-cool illustrator, Andrew Bannecker, I was immediately inspired.  One of his recent blog posts offers a peek into his studio, and it's definitely worth checking out. This design, along with several other of his works, appear throughout the space with other eclectic pieces that any artist could admire.

The above print reminded me of a colorful Mexican fiesta. With El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) coming up on November 1st, I thought it was the perfect time to share some ideas for hosting your own party. Perfect excuse for sugar skulls and Mexican food with friends. Don't forget the guac ! 

Clockwise from top left:
Turquoise papel picado banners from Casa Bonampak ($12.50 for 18 ft)
Black floral oilcloth from Denver Fabrics ($6.45/yard)
Seafoam dot oilcloth from Denver Fabrics ($6.45/yard)
Orange Icelandic poppies featured on Brides.com 
Metal wire votive holders from Target ($4.98)
Poblano risotto with garlic shrimp by What's Cooking  
Roasted pork taco with Mole, recipe from FoodNetwork , photo by What's Cooking 
Orange Vinyl Lace Placemat from Dream in Plastic ($1.49)
Laminated fabric trays from Simrin's Surya collection 
Surya printed glassware in Ocean from Simrin  
Capri blue candle in a jar from Anthropologie ($25)
Lace strewn knob in sky blue from Anthropologie ($10)
Ceramic melon knob with antique brass from Anthropologie ($8)
Blackberry sugar skulls handpainted and sold by ArtofSkulls 

Pink Ruffle Cake

Leave it to Martha to feature a simple 3-step "how-to" on the most perfectly iced cake I've ever seen.  Chances are, I wouldn't be able to replicate this gorgeous confectionary marvel with or without a tutorial, but I appreciate their assumption that I could.

Since this cake is obviously deserving of a setting that's comparably girly, I put together a few fantastic finds that would do our ruffles justice. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a pink-loving girly-girl, but there was just something about each of these items and photos that spoke to me!  The colors of the balloons and the pink depression glass are especially appealing.

Clockwise from top left:

Pink pom-pom decoration kit from Baby Favors & Things (7 for $19) or make your own with this tutorial from Martha Stewart
Candy favor bags designed by Amy Atlas

Cherry rock candy swizzle sticks from Oh Nuts! candy store ($.69 a piece)

Balloons from a Pretty in Pink theme party by Your Home Based Mom (tons of cute photos!)

Pink depression glass plates from teaforallreasons on Etsy via mcCalled.com

Swirled meringue puffs from a dessert table by Amy Atlas

Pink depression glass candy dish at Weller Store ($25)

Pink plastic tumblers from Target's Spring '09 collection via Such Pretty Things ($2.49 each)

Screenprinted hydrangea invitations by Parrott Design Studio on Wedding Bee Pro

Mini string lanterns on Hometown Evolution Inc. ($15.95 for set of 10)

Photo of pink peonies via Twirl and Taste 

Pink sweetpea arrangement on tanakawho's photostream (via Flickr)