The Perfect Holiday Party

This time of year brings together all of my loves, decorating, baking, cooking and entertaining.  This was the year of the Black Christmas and the theme carried into our annual holiday party.  With the tree twinkling in the corner there wasn't much left to do but to string up some lights and garlands and add little pops of life with poinsettias all around.  I have managed to keep some of my poinsettias alive from years past and now they are a bright shade of green, mixed with some new additions of bright white poinsettias add life throughout the house.

As for any party, the menu is very important.  I have stashed away some sure fire recipes but I also did a lot of research and brainstorming on Pinterest to find some new and exciting recipes.  I kept the menu mainly finger foods to make it easier to stand and mingle.  I love tartlets and crostinis but I also added some more substantial meat entrees.  The menu went as follows..

Porcini and Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin with a Port Wine Sauce
Swedish Meatballs (from Ikea, always a favorite)
Kale Salad with olive oil and salt
Mushroom Tartlets with Garlic Herb Cheese
Red WIne Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese Tartlets
Grilled Caprese Kebabs  (added tortellini)
Baked Brie with Balsamic Rosemary Cranberry Sauce
Goat Cheese Toasts with Walnuts, Honey and Thyme
Smoked Salmon on Mustard-Chive and Dill Butter Toast

The next important element for a perfect party is a signature cocktail.  This year I went with a Pomegranate and Rosemary White Sangria to keep things light, fruity and festive.  I made this the night before so that it had at least 24 hours for the flavors to blend and meld together.  I don't like really sweet sangrias and this one was light while being boozy from the cointreau and savory from the rosemary.  There was also a variety of white and red wines and beers cooling on the porch.

Lighting is important for setting the right mood.  I kept the ambient lighting low and strung lights around the interior to add a twinkle and sparkle.

We brought up the porto-bar which was perfect for our cocktail and wine station.

I hope your next party is successful and full of cheer.  Happy Holidays! 

Spread Holiday Cheer

peace&love

Rebecca

to decorate a #BlackChristmas

This is always my favorite time of year.  It's a time when I can transform the house into a magical wonderland.  Adding sparkles into hidden corners and garlands and lights everywhere.  Every year is a opportunity for new color combinations and arrangements.  This year I chose an unconventional Christmas color, Black, and I had a lot of fun with it!

Almost as soon as Thanksgiving dinner is done and I am able to move again, I set out in search for the perfect tree.  It's not such a difficult task since my Grammy has the final remains of an x-mas tree farm on her property.  This year I searched for a rough and rustic tree.  I am getting tired seeing perfect trees everywhere and I wanted to give life to a Charlie Brown tree.

Some staples for my tree and the interior are lots and lots of tinsel.  I love to drape gold and silver, yes I mixed both together, all over the house.

I've always wanted to use a popcorn garland.  The matte look of the popcorn perfectly complements the shine of the tinsel and gives my tree the rustic feel I am going for.

I used three types of garlands, tinsel, beads and popcorn.  I draped them in swags, asymmetrically yet balanced around the tree.

This is where I had a lot of fun with the spray paint, black ornaments.  I took some old ornaments and burnt out light bulbs and sprayed them in high gloss and stain finishes.  

The black ornaments add a nice contrast to all the bright lights and gold ornaments.  My trees always has at least three different sizes of lights to add an extra twinkle.  My secret is to wrap a strand around the trunk of the tree to add a twinkle from within.

My new favorite thing is black and gold shells.  They make a surprising and classy arrangement in a glass bowl or use them to class up your presents.

As a quick and simple decoration I gather all of my glass vases and glasses and fill them with the leftover ornaments and lightbulbs.  Depending on your color scheme and theme, you can fill these containers with almost anything!

As always, don't forget the gift tags.  These simple gift tags are perfect on any present!

Be Inspired. Be Bold. and Spread Holiday Cheer

peace&love

Rebecca