Friday, June 5, 2009

Fabulous Find Friday and a Very HAPPY Birthday...

Happy Friday! I hope you've all had a great week! Last week we talked about the constant parties and the need for a fabulous gift for each one. Well, I'm always up for a good party, and I love to be the hostess! There are few things that I love more than being with my friends and getting together for a big game, a big celebration, or just to hang out. Although it's so fun to be the hostess there can often be a lot of pressure. You want the food ready on time, you want everything to look inviting and you want a fun atmosphere. Sometimes I have a hard time finding inspiration for the theme of my shindig...have no fear, inspiration is here!
Here are some great ideas to kick start your party season! First and foremost, your party doesn't have to break the bank!When you're inviting over friends for an evening of good times share the wealth. You can decide what you want to provide and ask others to bring items like an appetizer or a dessert, beer or a bottle of wine, tortillas if you're doing a fajita bar, etc. I'm always happy to bring something when I go somewhere. In fact, I usually bring something even if I'm not asked, so don't hesitate to ask!!

A few tricks of the trade: You're always going to have drinks whether you're serving tea and water, a full soda bar, beer and wine, or your signature punch. Make it part of your decor. You can set out fancy drink dispensers, a bucket filled with ice and your choice beverages or fun pitchers. You can find all varieties at Potterybarn, Crate and Barrel and Sur La Table (I love this hourglass beverage jar!) to fit almost any need or decorating style.
And here are some fun table settings. I absolutely love the color in the bandanna table runner. What a fun (and cheap!) way to spice up your table. And the use of real fruit in ANY centerpiece is so fresh and gorgeous to me. I love the use of these limes to really add that extra punch to this bunch of tulips.

For an evening party this is a gorgeous table setting. I love to use candles anytime I can

LOVE this Free-ninety-FREE idea to use leaves as coasters!

A Summer cookout is pretty much a staple, but it's not always fun to spend your entire afternoon making hamburger patties in preparation for those sliders that are sure to be a hit. These totally cool tools from Sur La Table are sure to cut your prep time in a 1/3!

And what better way to cap off the evening than with a dish of homemade ice cream? Now, y'all remember that I'm from Texas, but my family makes homemade ice cream at least 3 times a summer. YUM-MY!!! I use this one when I make ice cream or yogurt at home, but this one only produces about 1 gallon (Not enough for a party!). But, my family has this one from Rival (also sold at Target) that will make enough for Cox's army!

And finally, the happiest of birthday's to my baby brother!! Who also happens to be the luckiest kid I know because he is spending his birthday in Coco Beach out on a huge boat that he didn't have to pay a dime for! Ah that's the life. Brother, I hope your birthday is a blast and I'm looking forward to you coming home so we can celebrate!! XOXO!

No comments: