All posts tagged entertaining

room love: vintage inspired

by Megan on March 21, 2013 in room love, style a room with No comments

It’s been a looong time since I’ve done a “Room Love” board but I just had to bring it back today. If you haven’t seen it yet, Emily Henderson styled Bri Emery’s living room and it rocks my world. Plus, it’s pretty cool when two bloggers you follow religiously, team up.

This room is outstanding! It’s bright and airy, it’s got lots of fantastic styling, and it’s beautifully mis-matched. Plus, it’s a rental! They brought this whole room together without painting the walls and doing anything super dramatic so it’s very achievable. Take a look:

Ahhh! It’s styled up but I don’t think too girly, which is obviously what they were going for because a couple lives here. The furniture, which is mostly reupholstered vintage finds, is all complimentary and all the color comes from fun accessories. And plants!!! We have zero plants in our apartment because I have a black thumb, but my birthday will be rolling around in a few months, and it’s been a tradition for the last few years to attempt to not murder a new plant so, we’ll see.

Now, here is my take on Bri’s new living room. It’s so amazing what Emily can do with those vintage pieces, but if you want to recreate the it’s nice to have a few easy-to-go-to resources:

There is so much fun stuff here!

According to the design recap, one of the goals was to purchase investment furniture; pieces that might have been a little pricy but would last forever. So, even though that Carter Credenza will run you in the neighborhood of $1700.00 it has a life time guarantee!! The couch is also a splurge at $1900.00 but it’s got a classic shape and the darker fabric will keep it looking nicer longer. Plus you can change up the look with different pillow case covers and throws!

I also mentioned how much I love the plants in this living room! Especially that huge fiddle leaf fig tree! The ficus plant from IKEA gives you a similar effect with the big gorgeous leaves with a smaller price tag.

Another one of my favorite elements is that black and white tribal print chair. According to Emily, it was a vintage find that was reupholstered in that awesome fabric but I think the Varanasi Stool from CB2 has a very similar vibe!

And, as far as accessories go, it’s all good, baby! Emily incorporated a lot of gold accessories, which totally rules. (I mentioned I’m really digging gold right now, right??). Fill in the gaps with fun, colorful items like lamps, pillows, and books!

I think the reason I love this space so much is because it is a room that looks very livable. It’s not a matchy-matchy, buy everything in a set sort of vibe. It’s very true to Bri’s style.

What do you think of this makeover? Do you love the “lived in” vibe as much as I do??

nutella hot cocoa with candy cane marshmallows

by Megan on December 11, 2012 in celebrate, christmas, food love with 2 Comments

Well, the cold finally kicked in down here in Texas. Not that it will actually stay chilly for long, but it’s nice to have actual winter weather at all. Anywho, the dropping temperatures made this past weekend the perfect time to make some homemade hot cocoa!

Now, I grew up on the powdered stuff, with the tiny cardboard-textured marshmallows, so I was pretty certain I would like the homemade version. Oh my goodness, was I right. Seriously, this recipe is so rich and filling; it’s amazing. And combined with the homemade peppermint marshmallows I whipped up, you might as well just call it a day! And I’m going to give you the recipe for both!

Now, the recipe just for you!

Homemade Nutella Hot Chocolate: (Adapted from Honey & Fitz)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
- 1 10 oz bag dark chocolate chips
- 5 cups milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 big tablespoons nutella

Directions:
1. Heat all ingredients over the stove on medium-high, stirring frequently. And, DONE!

Candy Cane Marshmallows:
Ingredients:
- 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 c. water (divided in half)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
- Powdered sugar

Directions:
1.Spray a 9×13 pan liberally with non-stick spray, line with parchment paper, then spray again. Don’t skimp on the spray!
2. Pour 3/4 cup water into mixing bowl and sprinkle in gelatin. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
Combine sugar, syrup, salt, and the remaining 3/4 cup water into a medium sized pot. Boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Without stirring any further, heat to 238F (use candy thermometer). When it’s ready, it will start to look bubbly and foamy on top.
3. Pour done syrup slowly into mixing bowl. Work up to a high mixing speed and continue to beat for about 12 minutes until stiff, fluffy, and white.. I usually like to put a towel over my mixer to contain the steam and any potential splatter while I’m increasing speed.
4. Spread into prepared pan and let sit for 3 hours uncovered. If you want to add the red swirls, add a few drops of red food coloring (I usually use the gel kind so as not to water down the marshmallows) and swirl with a toothpick.
5. When done setting, spread top with powdered sugar and then release onto a clean surface covered in more powdered sugar. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and dip all sides into powdered sugar and enjoy!

The awesome thing about serving up from scratch hot chocolate and marshmallows is that they aren’t really that hard to make but they’re things that most people buy pre-made, so the homemade version always feels like a super special treat.

And if you want to grow this treat up a little, you can add some candy cane vodka! We used this recipe (which was on our Christmas to-do list) and it certainly warms you up!

What are your favorite holiday treats? Do you have recipes because I’d love to try them out!!

get organized for the holidays! {free printables!!}

by Megan on November 13, 2012 in celebrate, do it yourself, freebies, organization with No comments

I don’t know about you guys, but it is a yearly tradition for me to catch the “holiday bug” around the end of August. I just can’t help myself. Fall is my favorite season and I start to crave the warmth and excitement of the later months. And since my husband is faster than me (and also very apt to catching the decorating-crazed look in my eye), I get my holiday high from preparation rather than having to explain why exactly I’m putting up the Christmas tree in September before he has me committed.

My pride and joy as of late has been my Holiday and Party Binder. Its. Got. Everythinggg and it makes my heart happy. Today, I’ll give you a short run down of mine (to help you with yours!) and some free printables so you can get started too! Let’s go!

The first tab is dedicated to “Birthdays!” I’m a big believer in birthdays and try my darndest to make sure all my family gets, at minimum, a nice card. Here, I keep a calendar of all family birthdays and a gift planning worksheet.
Next up is the “Upcoming Holiday” Tab. With the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas (which get their own), I lump all holidays into one tab. Here, I keep our “Traditions Checklist” and also any decorating and party planning worksheets. Once the holiday is over, I’ll replace the worksheets with new ones for whatever holiday is next. Pretty Simple.
The next two tabs are “Thanksgiving” and “Christmas”, respectively. They both contain recipes (we have a different menu for each), menu planner, house guest planner, party planner, and a tradition checklist.
“Christmas” also gets a Christmas Card List, a Gift Planner, a General Gift Planner (for hostess/boss/secret santa gifts; we put together a few of one gift to have on hand), and a Gifts Received List (so we can be sure to send out Thank You’s!).
A tab dedicated to “Traveling” helps me keep trip itineraries and packing lists organized.
The last few tabs contain extra blank sheets, sheets from past years, and, at the very back, I keep an “Inspiration” tab. Thanks to Pinterest, this tab is largely unused, but I do have a few magazine pages I save for reference.

Now for the free stuff!

Here are my Gift Planning Worksheet, my General Gift Planner, and my House Guest Planner so you can start your own holiday binder (or add to the one you already have, you savvy thing!). These printables are uncluttered, work for all holidays, and won’t jack up your printer ink bill. I am hoping to get the rest of the planning sheets mentioned available to print, so stay tuned for more.

When it comes to the holidays, do you get an early start or are do you love the later December scramble?

the entertaining basics (according to megan)

by Megan on July 31, 2012 in entertaining, throw a party with No comments

Google “entertaining basics” and you won’t have a hard time finding lots and lots of comprehensive lists telling you what goods are necessary to throw a great party. But a quick glance at those lists will tell you they were not keeping a tight budget in mind. I thought it might be fun to share a boiled down list of what I have deemed my “entertaining basics” which won’t cost you any pretty pennies or spare body parts! These choices are meant to be timeless and compliment any additional décor you might be using (for themes or special occasions).

Here we go:

1. Candles & Candle Holders. Candle light makes everyone (and every room!) look better. Clear candle and votive holders and white candles set the party mood in no time. A few clusters around the room and you’re ready to go. Numi Candle Holders from CB2 -$4.95 each.

2. A Great Wooden Cutting Board. I chose this because it is a versatile purchase! You can use it to prep the meal and/or display cheese and crackers as appetizers for easy guest access. The wood makes everything look a little classier and using it to create a food display just saves you from ‘having’ to buy one more serving platter specifically for whatever you’re serving. Grand Epicure Butcher’s Block Cutting Board from Target – $29.99

3. Basic White Dinner Plates. Now, keep in mind, this is just what I deem as my entertaining basics. I happen to think that white dishes are beautiful and super versatile but really it’s up to you and your style. We snagged our white dinner plates (which are almost an exact match to the ones pictured) from the Dollar Tree for, you guessed it, $1.00 each! I bought them about four years ago and they are still pristine. Aurora 11″ Dinner Plates from Target – set of 6 for $34.99

4. Small Bowls. Again, these are a really versatile purchase. We use small dishes like these for dips/sauces, desserts, or even to set out any ‘fixin’s’ your meal might have (like lettuce, tomato, and corn for tacos). Great for a party but also for daily use. Square porcelain bowls from Crate & Barrel – set of 6 for $14.95

5. A Glass Pitcher. Simple and classic. A clear glass pitcher lets your drink choice stand out. Whether it’s sangria with gorgeous fruit slices or even sweet tea with lemon; it’ll look beautiful in one of these. Plus, setting out a pitcher lets your guest get their own refills if you’re busy with something else Caspar Pitcher from Crate & Barrel – $29.95

6. Cloth Napkins. This was a purchase that made me feel so grown up! Cloth napkins just up the class of any party. I think that is undeniable. A quick search on pinterest will show you some gorgeous and easy ways to incorporate cloth napkins into your table setting. You could choose a neutral color like white or the gray ones pictured or go with something more color. Heck, for the price of these napkins from World Market you could snag a few colors and mix and match! Gray Buffet Napkins from World Market – set of 6 for $9.99

There is certainly no one list that should be regarded as the be-all-end-all list of entertaining needs but I thought the blogosphere needed one with the budget conscious in mind. I mean, just because I can’t afford a $130.00 ice bucket doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to throw a party. (No, that’s not a joke. This advice is out there!)

What’s on your entertaining must-have list? Share below!

throw a: late summer bash

by Megan on July 26, 2012 in entertaining, throw a party with No comments

Row 1: watermelon smiles, diy lawn twister, bbq chicken pizza
Row 2: paper cup lights, refreshing ice cubes
Row 3: outdoor seating, grapefruit and strawberry popsicles

The Feel: There’s just something charming about a laid back, chilled out get together. No need for matching plates or cups. Just pull what you’ve got out of the cabinets and let the guests serve themselves from a food spread. Fun outdoor games like lawn twister or ladder golf will keep guests having fun. Easy entertaining at its finest!

The Food: Keep the menu casual with easy-to-eat food. BBQ Chicken Pizza is an easy adaption of a classic summer recipe with very few ingredients. (I’ve made this several times at home and it is seriously yummy!). Supplement this main course with light, refreshing treats. Obviously, watermelon slices are an easy favorite. Maybe even some individual servings of baked chips in cute containers like this. Cool down and finish off the meal with some homemade popsicles! Take advantage of all the delicious in-season fruit before the fall rolls around!

The Drinks: An easy choice is tea and lemonade. Mix up these classics and try lavender lemonade, watermelon lemonade, or strawberry iced tea. Try blueberry vodka lemonade or ‘grown-up’ sweet tea for some summer-y cocktails. Go the extra mile with fruit filled ice cubes! A cute drink bucket filled with ice, bottled water, and some sodas would be perfect for a party with guests of all ages.

The Décor: Let the outdoors do this for you! A table, some outdoor chairs are all you really need. (Those fun colored ones would be cute though!). If your party is going into the night, add some lanterns, candles (with citronella to keep the bugs at bay), and/or some festival style lighting. The cute lights above are just white string lights and inexpensive paper cups. Cute, casual, and an extra way to utilize your holiday decorations!

Have you thrown any casual summer parties this year? Send in photos or links to maybe be featured! If you want more of my summer time inspiration you can visit the TLC Summer Time Pinterest Board!

entertaining tips for overnight guests

by Megan on July 16, 2012 in entertaining with No comments

This past weekend, we hosted Josh’s sisters (Rachel and Jennifer) in our new apartment who were in town for Rachel’s college orientation. And even though I am the self-proclaimed “aspiring hostess” in my family, overnight entertaining is a challenge.

Here are a few tips to make it easier!

Set everything out in advance – There are certain things you can anticipate your guests needing. Towels, pillows, water glasses, and extra blankets are a few examples. You can avoid running around to pull these things out after your guests need them by setting them out in advance.

via Emily Henderson

Have a snack basket – We always have one of these set on top of our refrigerator for easy access but if you don’t it would be a great way to make sure your guests are never hungry! We filled ours with granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, and a few popcorn bags.

via Teal and Lime

Set up your coffee maker to start automatically – It’s hard to get the timing right in the morning with guests. Someone has to wake up first and if it’s your guest(s), you’ll want to make sure they have something to start the morning. Of course, non-coffee drinkers (if any of those exist) need not worry about this.

via Apartment Therapy

Have something to do – With my family, good conversation is usually the primary activity at get-togethers but it’s always good to have something else on hand. We are huge advocates of board games! They’re fun and can create some really hilarious memories. Depending on your guests, you might stick with something classic like cards or dominos or you can go a little bit silly with a game like Quelf (one of our favorites) or Apples to Apples, which we played this past weekend.

our game shelf

Make sleeping arrangements in advance – knowing who is sleeping where early on lets everyone relax a little bit sooner. They can have a designated place to put their belongings and when they’re ready for bed they already know where they’re going!

our bedroom from 1313

And there you have it! Just a few things to consider before your overnight guests arrive!

Do you have any other overnight entertaining tips? Share below!

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