Party central part I

Hi there...well as I had spoken about I had two parties here this week and phew am I wiped! I have decided to break this into two parts because I took a lot of pictures and frankly it would be too much for one post (even by my standards)!  Before we get busy..I want to announce the lucky winner of Soiree, Danielle Rollins new book aka bible on entertaining, congratulations goes to......

Result: 57 

Arell June 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM

Every picture had me oohing and aahing! I just love gazing at all of these settings. They really sent my imagination into overdrive. I have immensely enjoyed your posts and this one was like the cherry on top of the whipped cream, on top so much yumminess! Goodness Gracious...
And thanks for another chance to win a book on my favorite subject! Entertaining!

Please email me with your shipping information so this can get on it's way to you!

By the time you read this I will be off on a little trip for just 3 days but a much needed break:) I enjoyed all the prep (as I always do) getting ready for these little shindigs but as I put a lot of effort into the details....I must say two in one week is a lot. The first get together was a luncheon for one of my best friends for 14 girls. The weather was not cooperative so we had drinks and appetizers on the loggia which I must say was so cozy and fun...then we moved indoors for lunch.

Every time I entertain I always try to add a new dish, I love experimenting and you never know unless you try, right? I kept the menu light which is appropriate for summer. A few light appetizers,  three different salads and Mediterranean pitas.....light, guilt free but no skimping no taste!  Then it was topped off with a sinfully good Weight Watchers Carrot cake, no you are not reading this wrong...it's Weight Watchers!! So a guilt free meal that tastes good? My kind of menu! Hope you enjoy this recap.


Here is a recap from before, during and after............

My pretty glasses in their wicker holders awaiting the peach sangria....love these for summer!

Prepping for the Greek baby spinach salad...yum!

Dip for tex mex salad and peach sangria marinating...

The birthday girls' gift....all wrapped and ready to wow her!

We gave this beautiful orchid as part of her gift...she loves orchids and this planter from my online shop

The yummy peach sangria..heavenly good, light and perfect for a summer luncheon (or dinner) I make a double portion in a big plastic bowl and then transfer to either a punch bowl or pretty pitchers

My Chinese chicken salad is a staple in my house......

This really really good spinach/basil Greek salad.....excellent!

Of course, flowers and blue and whites are always part of the deal for anything I do!

 One set of the pillows!! Love them, will be doing a separate post on my two sets of pillows......added the hurricanes and the garden seat and I just love the way it came out......

 Even though it was raining it was so cozy to sit here while we heard the rain falling......

 Dining room table ready to serve as a buffet table...buffets are so much easier!

Meanwhile...more prep going on inside the kitchen:)

 More salads at the ready.....

My Tex Mex salad getting all the fixings........

 Yum! Crostinis with brushetta and shredded fresh parmigiano...my fave! Served on my Vagabond gorgeous cheese/carving board

 The table getting set up..I even wrote out what each item was and put them in small silver frames.

 Beautiful flowers always make a table.....well that and good food:)

 The mini Mediterranean pitas...filled with olive tapenade, hummus and feta cheese

 I had a big bowl filled with wine and Pellegrino..............

 And of course carried over my blue and white theme to the napkins and plates.......

 My friend always make this delicious Weight Watchers carrot cake for dessert, heavenly and sinfully good is understating it, it is so hard to believe its Weight Watchers!!Thankfully there was a bit left for leftovers..ice cold carrot cake and a big glass of milk the next morning is awfully hard to beat:)

So that's my recap of the birthday lunch. When its a labor of love for someone you  care about...it doesn't feel like work at all. I always get a lot of requests for recipes (totally flattered) if you click on keywords recipes, you will see all posts that featured them, only recipe not on there is the Greek salad which is new to my repertoire but I will be sure to include it in my next random musings post...promise! I enjoyed putting it together and tapping into my inner Martha Stewart and Carolyne Roehm! 

Hope you enjoyed the recap...thanks as always for stopping in, stay tuned for party central part 2- I think you are going to loooove it, it's one party I really have to say where my vision came alive and even surpassed my own expectations and that was a total thrill! Here is a sneak peek-

Until Thursday, hope you have a wonderful next few days.....will be back soon! Thanks for stopping in, am always happy that you do:)

A prayer for Newtown and my birthday recap.....

I start this post by saying my heart is heavy over the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, and asking everyone to keep those affected in their prayers.   Absolutely devastating and frankly hard to wrap my head around. For those families left behind dealing with the most unimaginable grief, I hope God will protect, bless and guide them during this dark time and in the difficult days ahead. My heart breaks for each of them. All we can do is keep them in our prayers, which I will continue to do. 

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT YOUR HOLIDAY PICTURES.......IT CAN BE OF YOUR TREE, YOUR HOME, YOUR GIFT WRAP, AS LONG AS ITS HOLIDAY RELATED! I WILL BE POSTING MY READERS SPECTACULAR IMAGES TOMORROW! YOU ARE IN FOR A ROYAL TREAT......SEND ME YOUR PICTURES TO THEENCHANTEDHOME@GMAIL.COM

As you know Friday was my birthday as well. I am glad I didn't know about it beforehand, admittedly it would have been difficult to get into a celebratory mood knowing what was going on just a state away.  I first want to say thanks so much for the wonderful and warm birthday wishes and was so touched by your comments, emails and even a few E-cards!  I really had a wonderful day. It meant so much to have a "day off", no pressure to run around, play mama elf and do a million things in a day, do anything other than allow myself to be wined and dined by those I love and who thankfully love me back:) My dear friend made a beautiful luncheon for me and five of my closest friends. It is more than apparent that she put a lot of love and care into this special day as these pictures will attest.

The food was amazing, the atmosphere picture perfect and holiday ready and the company bar none....being surrounded by my closest friends, who could ask for anything more! I gave out nutcracker ornaments as favors and then she showered each of us with a beautiful Ralph Lauren candle and giant gingerbread cookie! It was like Christmas 11 days early! Besides feeling very loved and cared for, it was fun to be in her stunning home all decked out for the holidays! So you know I love to share with you my comings and goings and I thought you would all enjoy seeing highlights from this special day.....

 Such a beautiful and elegant holiday/birthday tablescape!

 Her dining room is absolutely beautiful and you know I love that paper (and those jars)!

 Killer view.......

 Her 15 foot tree, its a stunner and could give Rockefeller Center a run for its money!

This is a beautiful vignette in browns and greens...love it!

 A peek into the kitchen

 Another angle of that amazing view....

This is such a pretty picture, don't you think?

 Her elegant and warm butlers pantry.....

 

And for all you Gracie wallpaper fans......this is one stunning powder room!

 Coffee was served in these darling nutcracker mugs....

 How about this darling pair of lab fireplace fenders for her two labs, love this!

 Her beautiful new mohair chairs.......love the color!

 The pooches are partied out....they are ready for an afternoon siesta!

 Looking from the family room into the kitchen and breakfast room, such a pretty shot.

 My "favors" for each of my friends, a trio of nutcracker ornaments

 The ornaments that I gave out as favors....love nutcrackers!

 And the second favor! A beautiful Ralph Lauren candle and giant gingerbread cookie!

 The beautiful table setting, love the plaid, the gold and of course those darling napkin rings!

 There are the "party animals"

 Part of the spread to start....yummy cheese and a crudite

 A wonderful rose champagne, that just kept on flowing...I certainly didn't say no!

 Pretty!

 Nutcrackers are everywhere....

I am getting hungry all over again!

 A wonderful really yummy pasta with fresh lemon and olive oil...soooooo good!

 And this lemon sole was heavenly!

 The colors are so pretty and warm

 Time for the "goodies"!

 My friend putting her last minute touches on her wonderful cooking!

 

This green tea ice cream was sooooo good, love the peppermint topping she put in for a little holiday cheer!

 And my special birthday cupcake....yum!

 And my beautiful gift, it was almost too pretty to open. I said almost, but I was able to oblige:)

Her beautiful welcoming family room.......pretty!

With a view like this, it was hard to get up and get back to our schedules...mesmerizing!

 

 What a fabulous day!! Thank you so much for making me feel like one special lady! This was such a nice break from the chaotic days that I have had, and the perfect remedy to a crazy busy last few weeks. I feel recharged and ready to carry on with the holiday hustle bustle! Thanks for stopping by, hope you are getting through the holiday craziness OK........I am taking it easy today, wrapping gifts but not even thinking of venturing into stores, supposed to stop by a holiday party a friend is having, and just catching my breath before I begin what will be a super busy week (I am determined to finish all my shopping no later than Wednesday)! Have a wonderful Sunday......