Halloween

This year I didn't really decorate for Halloween because I really haven't been home and didn't want to add clutter with decorations since the house still is on the market. I also didn't feel like crawling around in my attic until I found the box where everything is.. ( I soo need to label). But... I did put out these lovelies..

White garden bench: Old Time Pottert $19.99, Scary book : Borders Bin sale $2.99, Black Rose: Walmart $1.50.

Glam Pumpkin display above Curio cabniet. I made these from this Tutorial . I just loved the concept and decided to add my own touches. I ran out of sparklies so I decided to take a swing at freehanding some of the designs.. I also Added another black rose and Crow from Michaels that Ed hates... and a sea lamp from the Pottery Barn outlet.

Lastly we have this DIY Glam Rose Wreath. My mom helped me with this one last year, its simple to make...
What you'll need:
Floral Wreath from your local craft store (in your preferred size).
About 4 bushes of roses (I used these black with purple glitter ones)
3 long sprigs of Eucalyptus
Roll of shiny Black Ribbon
Hot Glue Gun

Cut the Roses  and leave close to the stem and hot glue to the floral wreath. Make sure to open up the flowers prior to glueing so that they take up more space... once you make it all the way around and like the fill amount add in some random cuttings of the Eucalyptus at random intervals.
Add a length of ribbon long enough to hang wreath at desired height, Tie at the top with a large bow.
Hang and enjoy your sucess..

Fall Dinner Party

It was high time that my parents met my Bf's Parents (well mom) and I had the bright idea to throw a dinner party. I love to cook and entertain but planning a 4 course meal for 8 people was a little more daunting than I expected; considering that this was my first official dinner party with non- immediate family guests. Which to me means decorations and no plastic tableware... so heres how it turned out.

 

It went off without a hitch... Even though I was still stuck at the kiddie table in my own house...

For decorations I used a simple white table cloth, with Burlap from Michaels as a runner down the middle. I picked up some fresh harvest veggies at Walmart for about $2 total, and some fall colored flowers from the local grocery store. I wrapped a burlap scrap around a bedside water decanter I used as a Vase. I have 2 sets of 4 place settings as you can see above the square black set from Ikea and the circular white set from Oneida (gift), I mixed and matched the two sets to have a full 8 place settings and to look more cohesive. Cost to decorate $20.

Menu:
Appetizers:
Caprese Salad with Basil infused EVOO
Homemade Bruchetta
Garden Veggie Hummus and Pita Chips
Main:
Ceasar Salad with Homemade Dressing
My Signature Turkey Meatballs (that are fried in EVOO then baked in the oven).
Whole Grain Pasta with Heirloom Tomato Sauce
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Dessert:
Coffee flavored Bread Pudding
Wine Wine and more Wine!!! Oh and some of my homemade Iced Sweet Tea with lemon.