Yup, an assortment of these would really glooow in my apartment. Click here to shop their fantastic array!
I am in Scotland for a British take on turkey day (and to celebrate my actual birthday). I hope you eat lots of yummy pies like Martha Stewart's stunning Apple-Blackberry Pie with a 'Fall Leaves' top. 
PS. How fabulous is my flower accessory from Anthropologie? Also care of Rhia (yes, she has amazing taste) - it is either a pin or a slide so can be used to accent almost anything - a coat, a top, a ponytail, a bag, a headband, a necklace, I could go on...
It's in good taste never to show up to a party empty-handed but sometimes it's just too easy to grab a bottle of wine and go. Try this - if you take three minutes to tie a clear wrap with a ribbon and add in a flower or two, you will have a stand-out gift for your hosts!
The tri-color salad, also commonly known as the caprese salad, was perfected by Alison last week at our inaugural dinner on Hilton Head. The savory mozzarella and sweet, juicy tomatoes topped with a tangy balsamic and a touch of basil was a delicious way to create an aesthetic side - not to mention perfect for our hungry group. Pair with an Italian dish and you have heaven in a meal or reduce the ingredients and you have a great snack!
There's nothing more fun than setting the mood for an evening with a signature cocktail. It's a great way to welcome guests to a party and instigate excitement for the coming festivities. The lovely Alison brought an inspirational cocktail concoction book by Kate Simon down to Hilton Head entitled, Tiny Bubbles - "Fizzy Cocktails for Every Occasion, Using Champagne, Prosecco, and Other Sparkling Wines." Let's not forget to note that bubbles are my absolute weakness and the majority of the recipes in this book look completely divine. The book covers traditional mixes, contemporary twists, non-alcoholic suggestions and some delectable looking bites to compliment the beverages.
In my blogging absence I have been doing productive things - I swear! One of those is walking. I have walked everywhere (within Boston). And everywhere there are cute restaurants, and chic restaurants, and cozy restaurants. Despite differences in overall decor or attitude exuded by these (I am assuming to be yummy) establishments there seems to be an underlying similarity in that there are very simple clear candle holders with tea lights on tables in a huge range of them. 
Yesterday, I saw a waiter at Figs, one of Todd English's Charlestown spots, placing these little luminaries on the tables. While sauntering past Bricco in the North End, I noticed the bright white lights dotted amongst the dark brick. Even Cary and I have them placed around our apartment adding a warm glimmer. There is something so simple, yet so elegant and sweet about a little tea light.
I'll be back next week, granted I survive tomorrow's U-Haul adventure!
Of course, I've been saving dessert for last - the sugary end to my dinner party posts. Cute and simple yellow and green cupcakes were in keeping with the color scheme and a delicious post-dining delight!
I must admit, cooking for fourteen was a bit daunting - all those proportions had me dizzy so I ended up using some creative improvisation with my ingredient amounts! (Lucky me, it worked out.) I decided on two kinds of crostini for passed appetizers - pesto, tomato, mozzarella and basil and hummus with cucumber. Thanks to Lucy's stellar photography you can see the preparation in action!
As a vegetarian, pasta is a staple in my diet and fortunately one of my favorite foods. After a failed attempt at a new recipe the night before, I decided to make my all time favorite dish - bowties with roasted garlic-covered cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmesan and lemon zest. I wish I knew who to attribute the recipe too, but Helen has been making the dish for years and is missing the origins and I can't seem to locate it on google. The main course was accompanied by a green salad, consisting of baby mixed greens, cucumber and avocado, lightly dressed with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. 
Yum yum. I'll let you head into the weekend with my favorite photo of my prettier guests!
American Greetings has a whole array of place cards that are ready to print. All you need is card stock and a pair of scissors and ta-da! The perfect table accessory. I love these cute pink and green ones. They also have ready to print candy bar wrappers - so not only do guests know where to sit, but they also get a sweet treat!
Just as I had hoped, the yellow and orange gerber daisies popped perfectly against the pink table cloth, while still picking up the plaid accents.
Thank you so much to everyone who made the night so memorable - more details to come!
