Entertaining Basics :: Dinner En Blanc

So excited for next week's Dinner En Blanc, the countdown has officially begun.  If you're planning on being a part of this stunning soiree, here's a little inspiration on what to bring next week.  With all the traveling and logistics, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but we've put together a little list of essentials.  And do get you in the mood, check out this lovely Diner En Blanc documentary.  If you aren't going, not to worry, you could easily recreate an all white soiree for your next summer evening dinner party. 

{1.} First and foremost, let's not forget the bubbly, champagne flutes, & bucket

{2.} Set the table with lovely white linen, beautiful dinner plates and napkin rings. 

{3.} Add to the romance with hydrangeas and candle light.

{4.} Go for fancy details with this stunning parasol and this seasons hottest trend the floral crown.

{5.} You can't forget dessert like these lovely rose cupcakes.

{6.} Finally bring something handy to carry your goods, like this handmade picnic basket, as you'll be walking all over downtown Chicago to get to the final location.

{7.} Other items to consider: food (unless you're getting a catered basket), sparklers, cutlery, napkins, etc. 

The Wise Baby :: Gold & White Nursery Decor

We are over at The Wise Baby today with our gold & white nursery design inspiration.  We found out that the newest member of our baby pack is going to be a girl, and a gold & white nursery is the perfect place to lay her head down at night.  Get all the design inspiration and links over at The Wise Baby.

Vintage & Rustic Rehearsal Dinner

So the BIL (brother-in-law) and soon to be sister-in-law are hosting a welcome dinner this Friday before their wedding ceremonies.  Their welcome dinner is being hosted by extended family, and they have a beautiful outdoor space, which is perfect for the couple's rustic and vintage theme.  Imagine hay bales as seating around a bonfire, old whiskey barrels as high boys or the base for a smores bar, and drinks stations with mason jars for friends and family to toast the happy couple.  With any vintage and rustic theme natural elements play a big role.  Raw wood (barrels, and directional signage); jute, burlap, and twine (as table runners, or wrapped around tins or mason jars); cotton balls (as decor); vintage glass bottles (as decor or centerpieces).  Classic treats like spiked lemonade, iced tea, smore, and pies add the vintage element, and we love the idea of relabeling beer bottles your own brand of moonshine.  Create an interactive drink station using the beer bottles as a ring toss, where guests get a chance to wine a prize (or a drink) if they get a ring around a bottle.  This is a great alternative to corn holes, and adds the element of old school traveling carnivals.  Finally, add modern conveniences like an outdoor station with cool towels, shawls, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent for guests to stay comfortable.  

{Photo Credits: Top Row: Wood Signs, Drink Station; Second Row: Favor Jars, Bonfire, Barrel Table; Last Row: Baby's Breathe Centerpiece, Pie Bar, Glass Bottles, Cotton}

Baby Week: Nursery Inspiration

It's Wednesday of Baby Week, which means we are sharing our nursery inspiration board!  When it came time to design our nursery/guestroom we knew we wanted a modern feel and that we liked a color palette of yellow & grey.  Working with just that, and after finding out we were expecting a lil' sir this March, we came up with this inspiration board to serve as a jumping off point for the room.  I love that this nursery inspiration board is both a lil' modern & a lil' retro, and has a variety of patterns & textures.  It's not too babyish, and perfect for him to grow into over the years.

No. 1   | You Are My Greatest Adventure Print
No. 2   | Collapsible Wire Basket
No. 3   | Wool Animal Bookends
No. 4   | Chicago Print
No. 5   | My Hair Isn't Messy, It's Just Erupting With Awesome Print
No. 6   | CB2 Daybed
No. 7   | Anthropologie Oversized Zinc Letter
No. 8   | Jonathan Adler Utopia Elephant Lamp
No. 9   | Zebra Pillow
No. 10 | Pendant Lamp
No. 11 | Rug
No. 12 | Ottoman Pouf
No. 13 | Curtains
No. 14 | Crib Bedding
No. 15 | Chevron Pillow
No. 16 | Armchair
No. 17 | Melissa & Doug Stuffed Giraffe
No. 18 | Yellow Apothecary Jars
No. 19 | Dresser 

Winter Wonderland Birthday Party

Given the weather this past week, this winter wonderland birthday party is the perfect excuse to stay indoors.  I love all the pastel colors, the soft ambiance, the delicious treats and the festiveness of the party.  The goodies included: chocolate covered pretzels, Oreo pops, sugar cookies, marshmallow flakes, choclate mini balls, wonderland cake, and of course hot cocoa and milk.  So festive and perfect for a girly winter birthday party.

{photos via Kara's Party Ideas}

Traditional Christmas Inspiration

Inspired by one of my favorite holiday movies, Little Women, I love the warmth and ambiance of a traditional holiday decor.  A traditional Christmas: where stockings were hung by the hearth, oranges were stuffed with cloves, carols were sung by the fire, and Christmas decor mostly involved bringing the outdoors in.  Some traditional Christmas inspiration for your holidays, enjoy!

{photos via: Gift, Holiday Prep, Stocking, Wreath Chandelier, Tree, Acorn Hurricanes, Christmas Crackers}

Naughty or Nice Holiday Dessert Table

I am smitten with this lavish all white, naughty or nice holiday dessert table!  The mercury glass, feathers, and silver accents really add a pop of holiday glamour.  And those delectable desserts are making my mouth water: mini pudding shots, meringues, cake pops, cupcakes, marshmallow pops, kettle corn and vintage candy.  And I love the naughty or nice favor bags.  This would also be perfect for a NYE soiree!

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Holly & Ivy

I officially have the holidays on my mind...

Colors | Crimson, Vermilion, Biscuit
Photos via | Wreath, Cranberry Bread, Macaroons, Noel Card

Winter Wonderland Wedding Inspiration

I love snow from the texture to the color to the way it softly blankets everything in its path.  And the idea of a white winter wedding is just dreamy.  With white on white decor, white lights, silver accents, and gorgeous winter jewelry.  The perfect inspiration for your winter wonderland wedding, enjoy!

{Photos Via: Top Row: Couple, Bouquet, Ornaments; Second Row: Invitation, Cakes; Third Row: Shoes, Bride, Cocktails}

Green and Black Engagement Party

Today's feature is the engagement party of my brother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law, captured by the talented Mike Fan.  We decided that,since he is a pharmacists and she is a soon to be optometrist, that we would play off their occupations in fun ways.  Thus the prescription bottle escort cards that doubled as favors filled with Jelly Bellys, and the Snellen eye chart that doubled as table numbers.  So excited for the both of them, and we can't wait to celebrate their wedding!

{photos via Mike Fan}

Masquerade Ball 40th Birthday

Love this fun and flirty masquerade ball themed 40th birthday bash.  From the stunning dessert table, to the black, white and pink color palette, to the masquerade masks, there are so many gorgeous details.  I am obsessed with those lovely bird topped apothecary glass jars, and the beautiful birdcage cookies.  And the dessert table featured: vanilla cupcakes, vanilla cookies, cake pops, strawberry mousse, macarons, profiteroles, and a yummy assortment of candy.

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Our Wedding

Three years ago today, the Mister and I said our I Dos, at our first wedding ceremony.  I'm so thankful for the amazing man that I married, Happy Anniversary A!!

{our lovely bridesmaids}

{all the groomsmen had matching socks}

Venue/Caterer:  Skokie Banquet and Conference Center
Decor/Flowers: Shaadi Creations
Cake: Rolf's Patisserie
Hair/Make Up: Hiral Vyas