Decorating from Zero

Six months into this whole suburbanite home owner thing, and we are still so, so, so happy with life these days. It's been a never-ending adventure. Sure, we are battling weeds in a yard and weird bumps in the night that never used to be an issue in our one-bedroom condo. But, it's been such a fun adventure!! One of the biggest things I have loved about being in our new home is that we can make it ours. From paint to furniture and wall decor, we are starting from a blank slate.

Well, maybe not a totally blank slate. Take, for example, the lovely recessed ceiling wallpaper border and dual-color paint job that came with the house in the dining room:

I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture of the window treatments that were also in this room when we bought it. They were poofy and pleated, and didn't match either of the paint colors OR the trim. Tearing those things down was the very. first. thing I did when we walked in after the closing, I think even before we poured that celebratory first glass of champagne!

The laundry room has some similar earth tones going on, this time in pea green. See photo at left below. So clean and cheery, right? And the upstairs guest bath, the photo on the right? I can't even. Thankfully, it at least matches our shower curtain and towels, although I would have preferred a happy moss green to this shade of ... brown. This room in particular is on the short term weekend to-do list, no doubt.

No home is without its decorating challenges, and while some might be overwhelmed by it, I take it as a challenge (say that with a nice Eurpean accent, "shall-ange"). I have been scouring home decor magazines for inspiration, and I know that a coat of paint and something on the walls can make a huge difference without spending a lot of dollars.

What to put on the walls is a statement in itself. In our kitchen, we have two large canvas photo prints from our honeymoon. Upstairs, we have our monogram "guest book" above the bed in our room, signed by all the wedding guests. I have boxed up the rest of our old black-and-white gallery wall for now (and may resurface the art in new frames soon) while keeping an eye out for other artwork to freshen up our space.

Have any of you tried out Minted before? It's an online marketplace of independent designers. It has the feeling of a boutique shop with the resourcing of an established big online store. What I love is that everything can come pre-framed, and they offer up a ton of frames to match your decor. So, if you are like me and loving the more rustic dark wood frames right now, they have you covered. Take this Georgia photo artwork for example:

Or this foil-pressed map. I love foil-pressed things for a subtle shine and some local personality. This one is of Atlanta's downtown streets. They have a large variety of other cities and states to pick from, too. I like how the gold pops against the "distressed cottage white" frame.

For rooms like my laundry room, I know I am going to be looking for something light and fresh to liven up the space, since there are no windows in there. Prints like this cheerful flower are right up my alley, and would look cute paired with another similar one, maybe like these pretty ones, once we repaint with a new color (I am thinking something very close to white).

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Minted's stationery line. Minted has gorgeous cards and invites for all occasions. They have a brand new Save the Date collection for all of you brides-to-be (or party throwers extraordinaire, for that matter). I am loving so many of these cards. This one comes in a variety of colors, but then you can custom pick a color, too! This would be so fun for a fun event of any kind, not just a wedding.

I love the phrasing of this one. It's not just "a" date, it's "your" date and you should make it yours!

I think what I love the most about their cards is the use of cursive or loopy handwriting fonts (my fav), and so many foil-pressed options! They all look so chic. And, the focus on photography in the cards is fab. For those of you with some killer engagement shots, this site has you covered so that you can focus on the image, vs. the copy. This one is a good example, where the copy doesn't take away from the shot:

So, whether you are home decor shopping, like me, or planning the next big event, go check out Minted! Let me know what you find! Have you shopped Minted before? What did you buy?

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Minted, but all opinions are my own! I was already shopping their site to begin with, too :) 

Dinner Party Prepping

The hubs and I did something very grown up this weekend. We hosted my parents for a nice, sit-down dinner party. Homemade pie, coffee and tea and all. Totally acted my 30 years of age ;)

When we got married, I knew that wedding china was definitely going on our registry list. I love to entertain, and have dreams of throwing big, lavish sit-down dinners for friends and family. Some day. 

For now, our tiny, non-expandable, condo-sized table for four will have to do. Two to three guests at a time, check. Once, we tried the awkward "add a bigger table next to the circle table" thing. But that wasn't so successful. No one wants to sit on the curve of the table!

I haven't had many opportunities to use the wedding china since the big day. If I had my act together more, I'd do what my friend Lisa does and use it on the 13th of the month, every month. That is such a nice thought. I think we have managed to use the china a handful of times so far, probably more like once every three months :)

So a dinner party was in high order! And hooray, sure enough, the china definitely upgraded the experience, from first course to coffee service. 

I did what I always do, a trick that I learned from my mom - set the table first thing that morning. It not only gets the atmosphere right, but it's usually something you will want to take time with, so why not get it done first? I ironed the tablecloth and napkins, spent time pulling out the right plates and utensils, and then put it all together. The weather was gorgeous, the door was open -- it was pretty much a perfect start to the day.

This dinner party was a lot of fun. We enjoyed a few different cheeses with crackers and beverages before the main meal. We decided on the following recipes --

* Mahi Mahi with Braised Tomatoes - Based on a Bacchanalia recipe from a cookbook we received, filled with famous dishes from tons of great restaurants around the country. The fish was light, and finished in the oven, making it easy to prep.

* Gratin of Belgium Endive - A Cooking Light recipe I tore out in 2009. Made it for the first time, and would definitely enjoy this one again! It paired well with the lighter fish and tomatoes, but as a Cooking Light recipe, it wasn't too heavy, like a true gratin might be.

* Malted Chocolate Pecan Pie with homemade whipped cream - Recipe from the Four and Twenty Blackbirds cookbook that I received at Christmas (thanks, Adrienne and Tim!). Oh my. The filling was amazing. The crust, I need to try again, now that I have made it once, but I could tell it will be stellar when I get it just right. 

It was all so good together! We chose the recipes partially by what would be seasonally appealing -- no need to make a stew when it is going to be 70 degrees outside! -- and also easy for us to prep while still spending time with our guests. The pie was the most time consuming, but I could make it in advance, along with the tomatoes. The endive, we also prepped in advance and just threw in the oven to brown when guests were due to arrive. That way, it was done around the time we were ready to eat. The fish was the one item that needed a little last minute attention, but it was a quick task, and one that the hubs could do while talking about beer with my dad.

All in all, it was a great night. And now, I can't wait to have another party and use that china again soon :)

Have you thrown any dinner parties recently? What did you choose to make? How did it go?!

Holiday Food Flashback

As I am sure is the case with many of you, I have just started in on the prerequisite New Year cleanse. Coming up for us over the next week or two are a lot of healthy soups, water and salads. But that doesn’t mean I can’t look back at and reminisce about some of the amazing meals we had over the holiday season, right :) Just consider this preparation for your next big get-together! Bookmark this one for later if you can’t risk the temptation.

Beyond the to-die-for local Italian cuisine we had after Christmas while up north, we also had a boatload of tasty dishes before we even left Atlanta, and they were all made at home from scratch. My uncle and his girlfriend, visiting us from New Mexico for the Christmas holiday before we went up north, granted my birthday dinner wish of enchiladas and whipped up chicken enchiladas with a homemade green chile sauce with ingredients they brought with them from their home. I was in heaven. I don't have the recipe but this one from Tyler Florence is similar and sounds good. Thank you, Tim and Adrienne! 

We also tried out the famed Burgundy Mushrooms and Creamy Rosemary Potatoes from Mrs. Ree Drummond herself for our big Christmas Eve dinner. Y’all. Make these dishes at your next formal meal. They are so worth it. I dreamt that night not of sugarplums, but of mushrooms dancing over my head. Bonus: both are also really good as leftovers, so the huge portions will pay off.

For my birthday dessert, my mom surprised us all with an ice cream cake with big wow factor that couldn’t be easier to put together. Our family doesn’t really do the whole “birthday cake” thing, preferring alternate treats to finish out our special days. Pies, tortes, flan and even banana enchiladas have been on the menu in the past for us. This ice cream cake, just like those, doesn’t disappoint.

Tip: This recipe would make a great kid’s birthday party treat since it makes a lot of small servings without the prep, mess and cost of traditional ice cream and birthday cake. 

Thanks to my mom and family for all of the wonderful meals! And now, I will fast. Ha! Happy cooking, everyone.

Ice Cream Sandwich Layer Cake 
Recipe courtesy of my Mom :)

Two boxes of mini ice cream sandwiches
One 8 oz. container of whipped topping (such as Cool-Whip)
One cup of finely chopped candy bar of your choice (Heath Bars would be excellent!)
Chocolate sauce

Arrange one box of the ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Top with half of the container of whipped topping, spreading to cover the sandwiches. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped candy bars over the top. Repeat with second box of sandwiches, remaining whipped topping and candy bars, and drizzle with chocolate sauce to finish. Place dish in freezer for at least 2-3 hours or until firm. Slice into squares and serve. Serves 12-15, or more with smaller slices.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

Hello, and Happy Holidays, Friends!!

Today is my 29th birthday. Golly geez, when did I live 29 years?! It's hard to believe that it was 29 years ago last night that my awesome uncle was making this poster to display at his annual Christmas party:

 

And yes, believe it or not, this 5-foot-3 gal started out as a huge 10 lb. baby. Big babies run in our family, plus I was a week late ;) 

I can't pinpoint exactly when it happened, but over the past year or two, I finally (finally) have felt like an absolute grown-up, rather than a young adult. My friends are mostly all married, have (multiple) children, are doing well in great careers and own their own homes. I have finally found The One with whom I have lots of plans for the future (and a pair of season football tickets -- I feel like if that doesn't scream adulthood, I don't know what does!). I have lived in my home for over four years and love the neighborhood and our high-rise community.

The 20's Decade has been really, really good to me, and I feel like the 30's Decade is going to be even bigger. I couldn't be happier heading into it, which I take as a good sign of things to come :)

XOXO to all of my family, friends and readers that have helped make the twenties such a good decade. I can't wait to see what the end of it brings in the year ahead!

Over the next week, I am going to unplug a bit as we spend time with family here in Atlanta and up in New Jersey. I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday! See you in 2013, and hooray for good years ahead for all of you! :)

Source: mylusciouslife.com via mommyzblessingz on Pinterest

Five Months To Go: Parties and Fun

Last night I had a terrifying dream ... about our wedding plans. Ugh. I had heard through the bride grapevine that, no matter how stressed or relaxed I might be about our wedding, the wedding nightmares would arrive. Sure enough, just as I am feeling in-control and really excited about what's coming up in April, a very detailed nightmare shows up. In it, our invites never went out in time, we never got wedding bands and I somehow forget the entire night and didn't get a videographer so the memories were lost forever. What?!

Of course, beyond the sheer ridiculousness of it all (um, hello, shopping for more jewelry? That is a MUST on any girl's list!), the nightmare did prompt me to check into our to-do lists and see where we stand. Just as I had thought, we are totally on par with where we need to be. Honeymoon plans are coming together, the invite proofs just came in and the first chatter of showers and bachelor/bachelorette parties have begun. We are entering the super fun time of wedding planning, and couldn't be more excited!

Here's a run-down of a few of the things on the list to knock out in upcoming weeks (according to my go-to Erin Condren planner!):

* Book the Rehearsal Dinner
* Book transportation
* Purchase shoes ... as if they had to tell me to do this one ;)
* Work on favors

Speaking of our wedding plans, Brad's best friend and his wife threw us an amazing engagement party a few weeks ago. It was Mad Men-themed, perfect for die-hard fans like Brad and me :)

Look at some of the adorable decor they set up in their home!

I loved how she included vintage-hued photos of us throughout the home.

And the drink stations were clutch. Bourbon for him, vodka for me! Each station had a few drink cards with recipes so that guests could help themselves. As you might guess, the men hovered very near to the bourbon bar for most of the night!

A Mad Men theme would be a fun way to class things up for a holiday party. You can find similar ideas and resources for yours over here on Pizzazzerie, and Etsy is full of retailers ready to create the paper for the party. AMC also has a full Man Men party guide that you could customize for the holidays with cranberry hued cocktails and a holiday-ish menu.

Me and my 'maid Annemarie, enjoying the party!

Happy Partying! And YAY wedding fun! Thanks to Kyle and Victoria for the sweet soiree last month :)

The groom and me in our Mad Men best :) I channeled my namesake "Joan" for the night!

Dressy Casual

With the holiday season right around the corner, I thought we might take a bit and talk dress codes for those shin-digs that will soon be filling up your social calendars. For most of us, there will be some sort of holiday party at work, and then, if you are on Santa's Nice List, also some sort of social gathering with friends. Whether it's a cookie or ornament exchange, a Secret Santa/White Elephant party (my least favorite one, ugh) or a holiday dinner, a girl's gotta look her best while still giving off that holiday cheer vibe! 

Source: stylemepretty.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Last year, I selected some work-appropriate holiday party attire to share with you, but today, I want to focus instead around the whole "dressy casual" phrase. What can that phrase really mean for a real girl with a real budget and a (maybe a little boring, last-season) real wardrobe to choose from? 

First, when I hear the phrase "dressy casual," I immediately think of the age-old classic of dark jeans and a sparkly top. Seriously, it might be the safest go-to that anyone can choose, and you likely already own at least half of the outfit! When paired with a pair of heels, you can go from work during the day directly to the party at night with this look.

I love this sparkly tank option from the Simply Vera line at Kohl's. It's a steal at only $33, and would look fantastic with your favorite pair of dark rinse skinny jeans. Add some blingy earrings and a chunky black bracelet to complete the look.

And look, they even have a holiday ruby-colored version, too! I love that the belt on both of these adds emphasis to your middle, but the flowy structure keeps things safe just in case you eat one too many cookies at the swap :)

I also love the combination of unexpected textures and materials to step things up for a dressy casual event. This combo of chambray plus glitz equals a South Beach holiday party gold mine, if you ask me. Just swap out that lavender scarf for a black one and add some black heels, and you are set for the evening.

Source: wendyslookbook.com via Megan on Pinterest

In the same vein, a basic gray tee can be glammed up with the addition of a sparkly skirt:

Source: glamorouschiclife.tumblr.com via Katherine on Pinterest

I also LOVE this look of a chunky cableknit worn over some sparkle on the bottom! This just screams "winter lodge semiformal" to me, ha!

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Katherine on Pinterest

No sparkly clothes in your closet? I also love stepping up an otherwise pretty casual outfit for a dressier holiday event by adding in some special accessories. An oversized clutch with some shine can do the trick ...

Source: hautemamasfaves.tumblr.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: brunchatsaks.blogspot.com via Anne on Pinterest

Or some blingy, oversized costume (or real!) jewelry, of course. Add these to an all-black outfit and your "dressy casual" look for the night is complete.

Source: ssasychic.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: instyle.com via Loloma on Pinterest

I hope this helps you look at your own wardrobe with some renewed interest this holiday season! I'd love to feature your dressy casual "looks" as you create them, so snap a shot and send it my way -- I might just feature you right here on the blog! :)

Collegiate Sweetness

Looking for a little inspiration for Game Day food this weekend for your tailgate? Southern Living has you set if you are an SEC fan!!

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

Usually I would be kind of irritated that my good old Yellow Jackets are left out of a round-up like this, but I am letting this one slide because it's an SEC Cookbook, after all! The ACC version would be oh so cute. Imagine Demon Decon Halloween cupcakes, Boston Creme Pie cupcakes, and, of course, a Georgia Tech-inspired creation, too :)

Southern Living, hit me up if you want some brainstorming ideas! ;)

Get all the recipes for the above cupcakes here: Southern Living College Football Cupcakes

Pinterest Love-Hate Relationship

While I would love to be Buckhead Betty Crocker all the time, sometimes life happens, and I just can't get it together in time to make an amazing homemade dish for a dinner party or a tailgate or a neighborly gift. Most times, I am more like Semi-Homemade Sandra Lee (your guess on whether I incorporate as many cocktails as she does, ha!), throwing things together at the last minute, ideally with whatever I have on hand. There's a benefit to a fully stocked pantry, after all. The cocktails help with creativity. Trust.

Pinterest has made all of this both easier and more intimidating at the same time. Late to an event and need to bring something along? I am loving Pinterest for a quick idea. I also have pinned countless recipes of "pretty" things that I can't wait to make ... someday. Like these beehive cupcakes. How adorable are these for a Georgia Tech home game?

Source: sweetopia.net via Katherine on Pinterest

Honestly, though, while I usually HEART Pinterest, I don't want everyone around me to be like "Oh I saw those on Pinterest!!" when I make something. Ugh. It just takes away from the creativity, the research and the time spent on making it. For me, it almost discredits that whole process -- if it is on Pinterest, "anyone" can find that recipe and make it themselves. I want people to be like "OoOoO this is so fun, how did you think of this?!" and THEN I can reference Pinterest ... or, more likely, I would reference the actual blog or other source that I found it on ... via Pinterest. I am all about giving some props!

If I had to be really honest, I really wish that I had the creativity enough to have been the creator/source of some of those pins that I have pinned. Because then I could respond, "Oh that's great! That was actually my recipe you saw on there!" and it would be awesome.

But I will likely not ever be that person. Sigh. I'd need to be a lot more creative in the kitchen that I am!

In the meantime, I have my recipe binder, and read countless blogs full of inspiring ideas, but Pinterest really keeps it easy when it comes to last-minute ideas. And so I am going to keep doing quick-searches of Pinterest when I am in a bind for an idea, and hoping people can just appreciate the end results for what they are.

Recently, I have made four last-minute dips for events. Two of the recipes are Pinterest finds, one was a no-brainer veggie dip mix (hello, Hidden Valley!) and one was a long-time WW recipe I already had on hand. My favorite so far? The WW recipe. This recipe is one I have had on hand for probably ten years -- and somehow had never tried before now. Success!

I hope that you find these three recipes helpful -- and if you are truly stuck, do like me and grab a spice packet from Hidden Valley for an easy solution. Either way, I will dream that my blog can be one of your last-second recipe destinations along with Pinterest :)

Beer Dip from Beauty and Bedlam -- Via Inspired by Charm on Pinterest (LOVE MICHAEL!)
Notes from Katherine: this was a huge hit. Definitely make at least three hours prior, but ideally the day before. No toppings are really needed because the flavors are awesome as-is. We used Sam Adams Octoberfest beer. 

Source: beautyandbedlam.com via Emily on Pinterest

Loaded Baked Potato Dip from Brown Eyed Baker -- via Inspired by Charm
Notes from Katherine: loved this one, too, though I used green onions and the flavor was almost too powerful. Chives would probably work better. Serve with Ruffles or a similarly strong chip to dip in.  

Source: inspiredbycharm.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Java Dip -- adapted from WW 
Notes from Katherine: So tasty! I served this with graham crackers, and it was a big hit. Nothing like a WW recipe to wow the crowd.

Yield: 12 servings (Serving size: 2 tablespoons)

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
2 teaspoons water
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1 container frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine coffee granules and water in a small bowl, stirring until granules dissolve. Place peanut butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl; microwave at high 30 seconds or until peanut butter begins to melt. Fold in whipped topping. Add coffee mixture, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and stir gently to combine. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Party with the Sun

Something about the summer months evoke thoughts of BBQ cookout parties, pizza parties, pool parties, random hang-outside-with-a-cocktail parties. While my weekends are pretty booked for the next few weeks, it won't keep me from "planning." You know, for that party-to-be, ha! The Fourth is right around the corner, though, and given our proximity in Buckhead to the fireworks, we can't wait to have friends over to hang.

I made an inspiration board on Pinterest with some of the things that have me thinking for these parties down the road. Take a look at these cute individual-sized sides! I love the baked bean jars.

Source: celebrationsathomeblog.com via Katherine on Pinterest

This set-up would be a great way to go afternoon into night - just add tea lights for a glamorous feel! Of course, my drink bucket would likely be filled with bottles of beer, not champagne ;)

Source: Uploaded by user via Katherine on Pinterest

I love the idea of grouping together utensils, napkins and mason jars for the drinks all in one arrangement. Pick different colored napkins to go with your theme. These red and blue ones are perfect for patriotic gatherings.

Source: nestcandy.com via Katherine on Pinterest

My fiance is a home-brewer, so we are constantly buying beer and saving empty bottles for his next batch. We always have an extra caddy on hand - what an easy idea to transport things down to the grills at the condo or to your backyard!

Source: realsimple.com via Katherine on Pinterest

We just made sausage, peppers and onions last week and topped some fresh, buttered baguettes with the mix. I DIE. This concept makes it crowd-ready in large portions. I think I will recreate that dinner again using these ideas!

Source: prouditaliancook.blogspot.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Bite sized savories and sweets! I love the mini corn muffins. They'd be perfect with some BBQ! The toppers would be easy to print off and attach to sticks, too.

Source: pizzazzerie.com via Katherine on Pinterest

What parties are you planning this summer? What other items should I pin to the board? I can add you as a contributor so you can share inspiration with everyone, too! Just leave me your Pinterest handle below if you'd like to join in the "Summer Lovin'" fun!

Push-Up Sweets

In the blog world, I have a lot of role models. Gals who post once or twice a day, every day (how do you do it?), girls who work in teams so they can cover all that is fab, and gals that have stepped outside of the box and are doing their own thing.

Courtney over at Pizzazzerie is one of the latter. She rocks her own job managing her massively awesome entertaining website, and she also just put out her first book! On top of it all, the gal is planning a wedding (one can only imagine it will be amazing since party planning is her forte). Seriously? How does she does it? No matter how much I schedule in "blogging time" on my planner, the days get to me and time slips away. Each time I read one of Courtney's or the other girls' blogs, I get re-inspired, though!

I had the pleasure of meeting Courtney briefly at Blissdom, but I am more excited to talk more with her right here in my very town! She is doing a book signing tour of her new book, Push-Up Pops, and the tour is stopping in Buckhead next weekend.

Yes, you are correct. It's THAT Tori Spelling.

 
This book would make an amazing bridal shower gift (making mental notes for some of the ones I have coming up this year ...) or a fun Mother's Day gift for a creative mommy. Forgo the cupcakes, mini pies and burgers - push-up pops are the newest "it" thing for parties.

Hello adorableness. Photo credit.

Here are the details: 

What: Book signing and demo from Courtney Dial, blogger at Pizzazzerie and new author of book, Push-Up Pops!
Where: Swoozie's in Buckhead, 4427 Roswell Rd NE
When: Saturday, 4/15 at 2:00pm
RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/341171485921816/

Looking forward to seeing you again, Courtney! Does anyone want to meet me at Swoozie's that day?