Creative Dining {Round 2}

Happy Wednesday! I shared last week a few images from my Creative Dining piece for LPF Mag featuring items solely from your local hardware store. As promised, I'm sharing some more insight into the shoot as well as some tips and tricks for recreating it at home with you today. I want to focus on the items used in the place setting. A great find was acrylic wine glasses on clearance from the summer. I was struggling with what to use for glasses until I found those. Next on the list to be found were plates, napkins, escort cards, and napkin rings. This is where the hunt began and where the tips and tricks jump in…

Tips and Tricks #1: A great option for plates are plant saucers. I used chocolate brown terra cotta ones that worked out fabulous. This was actually an idea from my mom that worked out perfectly. Another option is to use duct cap covers (like I used for a serving piece as seen last week). They are a bit deep but will work just as well.

Tips and Tricks #2: The painting section of the hardware store is your best friend! The napkins are actually cotton painters rags. I picked up a pack of 12 and used them for everything from napkins to decorative covers for the escort cards. Also found in the painters section are flat paint scrapers that make for excellent serving utensils. You can even wrap the base in twine to make it more decorative.

Tips and Tricks #3: The napkin rings are my favorite idea from the whole shoot. I found a medium gauge steel wire (with the screws, nuts, bolts, etc..) and bent it to spell out the word "enjoy". I then cut a 3" piece, bent it into a circle, strung it through the "enjoy" and connected the two ends. All that was left was to put it over the napkin. Another option is to spell out guests names with the wire. 

Tips and Tricks #4: For escort cards, I found cute little succulents in the garden section. From there I wrapped the bottom in 1/4 of the white rag used for a napkin and tied it with twine. I created the first letter of each person's name out of the medium gauge steel wire and attached it to the succulent to sit at each seat. 

Creative Dining

For the latest issue of LPF Mag, I took on the greatest challenge yet. It's something that I had been longing to do for months and taking on the task certainly proved to require a lot of creativity and a little bit of craftsmanship. Creating a dinner party entirely of items found at your local hardware store (with the exception of food) was more fun than I ever thought it could be. So much so, that Rob even joined in on the adventure. I'm going to share some images from the party today and over the next couple of weeks let you in on the supplies used and the tips and tricks to creating your own gorgeous table scape with unconventional items just in time for Thanksgiving! Hope you enjoy!

**Tips and Tricks #1: I was not able to find silverware or something to use as silverware, so the entire menu can be eaten with your hands!

*Tips and Tricks #2: For serving pieces, I used different porcelain tiles and a duct cap turned upside down for the bruschetta.

*Tips and Tricks #3: To create more table space, I placed a 4 ft piece of wood painted brown on top of quart size paint cans. This allowed room for centerpieces and food! 

Weekend Reads {10.25.13}

Hello Friday! If words could express my level of joy right now, I sure would be doing so. After a long two weeks with little sleep and no time off, my schedule is finally clear for a full three days. Over the next couple days I've got a packed schedule of eating, sitting, sleeping, reading, and football watching and I could not be more excited. Sometimes you just need some days of very little to do. But the best part of all of this is that the release of the newest issue of LPF Mag coincides with the weekend. Just a few days ago the latest issue dropped and it's better than ever and full of fall goodness to indulge in this weekend. It features a ghoul-tastic Halloween bash, fall fashion, easy hearty slow cooker meals, and my DIY dinner party put together with only items from Lowes. So instead of sharing my five favorite reads from the week today, I'm sharing the one most fabulous read of the season! Click the link below to flip through the whole issue and be sure to have a relaxing weekend!

Oktoberfest Beer Tasting

October is full of celebrations including fall festivals, bonfires, and Halloween gatherings. But the most overlooked October celebration though, is one of my favorites. Oktoberfest is the world's largest festival held every year in Munich. It originally began as a country wide marriage celebration for King Ludwig in 1810 but now, is associated with so much more, namely beer. The only beers allowed to be served at Oktoberfest must be brewed within the city limits of Munich and have to meet certain specifications including alcohol content and style. However, some of those beers can be a bit difficult to find stateside. So when hosting my own Oktoberfest gathering, I like to put a little spin on things by hosting a beer tasting featuring beers from around the world. I planned a similar event for the fall issue of LPF Magazine last year and decided to share with you today to get you in the Oktoberfest spirit. So, sit back, pour a pint and get inspired!

Guess What....

I'm leaving this one up to you guys. I am so excited about the next issue of LPF Mag that I can barely stand it. The thing is, I want so bad to share what I'm doing, but I want the shock and awe factor when the issue comes out. So, to tempt you and indulge me, I'm sharing this one image from the behind the scenes. I would love to hear your guesses about what I'm doing with a drop cloth, paint cans, air duct cap, spray paint and wine glasses. Hint...it's not home repairs!

Have a happy Wednesday!

Indulge In {Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream}

Well...did you check out the latest issue of LPF Mag after yesterday's post? Good! In that case, you saw all of the amazing things you can do with a big ol' scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sundaes, cones, splits, shakes, floats, sandwiches...I could go on forever, but the key to all of these is the perfect vanilla ice cream. I like mine extra creamy and sweet but with a touch of saltiness. After many failed attempts, we have finally nailed it! It gives you a mouthful of sweet followed by subtle saltiness. Honestly, it's perfection in a spoonful. Top with chocolate, sprinkles, whipped cream, pretzels, or caramel and enjoy till your heart's content. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
1 Quart Half and Half
1 Pint Whipping Cream
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon plue 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dash of Salt
Ice Cream Salt
Ice

:: Directions ::
1. Combine half and half, whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl and mix.
2. Add sugar, vanilla extract and salt to mixtures and combine.
3. Pour into old time ice cream maker. Layer ice and ice cream salt around center portion. Churn till thick.

*Image from a Hint of Honey

I Scream...You Scream

Have you checked out the latest issue of LPF Mag yet? If you have, how awesome was it?! And if you haven't, shame on you! If you took a few minutes to flip through the digital mag, then you probably saw this delicious looking ice cream social I put together. With it's bright colors and assortment of toppings, planning this shoot really brought me back to my childhood. To me there is nothing better than a make your own ice cream bar. Once you make your classic vanilla ice cream, the possibilities are endless. If you set it up correctly, guests can make everything from sundaes to floats to splits and anything in between that their heart might desire. This ice cream social is highly adaptable too. Keep it basic by just throwing an ice cream bash or incorporate it into weddings, graduation parties, birthdays, and so on!

Like what you see? Check out LPF Mag V4 for all the details.

Have a sweet Wednesday!

LPF Mag V4

Happy Friday friends! What better way to start the weekend than with the latest issue of LPF Mag? The summer issue is finally out and I am more than excited to share it with you. It's packed full of summer fun like our favorite "glamping" finds, recipes for apple berry cobbler and red sangria, an ice cream social, a peak inside the home of our favorite southern belle, and so much more! With every issue I become more and more proud to be apart of this magazine. To watch each contributor's talents grow from issue to issue is truly amazing and I can't wait to see what V5 has in store for all of us. So kick your feet up, grab a cocktail and relax into the weekend with the latest issue of LPF Mag!

Transformers

I know Issue 4 of LPF Mag isn't even out yet, but I've already began brainstorming for Issue 5. It might seem a bit far off, but my idea for the issue has me so excited that I couldn't wait to share my inspiration with you now. The concept is a gorgeous rustic chic dinner party set in a open field with giant old oak trees all around. Sounds pretty simple, I know. The part I haven't told you yet though is that I want everything (with the exception of food) to come from a hardware store wether it be Home Depot or Lowe's. The idea is to take what you might consider to be industrial and tough and turn it into something soft and beautiful. I'm still working out some details but know that I want to take rough materials and transform them into something you would never guess came from a hardware store. While places like Lowe's and Home Depot have started to include some beautiful pieces in the store, I don't want to use anything in it's original state. For example, a PVC pipe could be turned into a vase, washers into a metallic backdrop, or a paint can as an ice bucket.

The possibilities are really endless and I can't wait to get started. I hope you all enjoy the inspiration behind the project and look forward to seeing the end result as much as I do! Have a great Wednesday!

Cinco Style

I know it's only April, but May is full of some of my favorite celebrations, and it's never to early to start planning. One of these celebrations is Cinco de Mayo. I mainly use it as an excuse to drink margaritas and eat way too much Mexican food. It's kinda my favorite. Plus there are festive dresses, pinatas, and tons of bright color. In the latest issue of LPF Mag, I shared fun Cinco de Mayo brunch. It can easily be translated though to any Cinco celebration. Instead of mini pinatas decorating the table, hang giant ones from the ceiling filled with traditional candies. Adorn glasses with mustache stickers to designate glasses as opposed to escort cards. Drape colorful fabric to form a photo booth back drop full of fun for all. One thing you don't have to transform though, the build your own margarita bar. It's a party must!

What are your plans for Cinco de Mayo? Will you head out to a Mexican restaurant or bring the celebration home?

Beach Brunching

If you haven't checked out the latest issue of LPF Mag yet, shame on you. But if you have, then you probably saw my feature on brunching in style. I wanted to create three very different brunch experiences that you can replicate at home on as big or small of a scale as you want. In the article, I gave style tips on creating your own beach brunch by using shades of blue and gathered black shells as a centerpiece. You don't have to set up a table on the beach like I did to create a lovely beach themed brunch at home! Serve up chicken biscuits, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit and scones.  With relaxing colors, bold patterns, and bloody mary's, this brunch is a perfect way to ring in beach season.

LPF Mag Issue #3

I'm so excited to finally get to share the finished product with you all! Issue #3 of LPF Mag is finally here and it's filled with tons of amazing articles. In this issue we are showing you everything from how to make your own salad dressings to mix and match bikinis for summer. Don't worry, we are also showing you how to get bikini ready! This issue is the cumulation of all of our hard work. We have grown with each issue of LPF and I can't wait for a bigger and even better Issue #4. But, in the mean time check out this amazing issue and get my tips on throwing three distinctively different spring brunches.

Have a great weekend!


Issue #3: http://issuu.com/lapetitefashionista/docs/lpf_mag_issue__3/1

Party DIY {Fiesta Flags}

Happy fiesta Friday y'all! As I prepare today for upcoming LPF Mag shoots, I wanted to share a fun little DIY with you. It's a simple but impressive flag that illustrates the fun fiesta spirit and adds that perfect extra touch. String between poles over the table or attach to the cloth. While these flags have a Mexican feel, they are a perfect addition to any parties decor. Here's the DIY.

:: Supplies ::
Large Paper Doilies
Spray Paint
String
Double Sided Tape

:: Directions ::
1. Spray paint doilies in desired colores.
2. Position string in the middle of the doilies.
3. Using double sided tape, fold the doilies in half over the string.
4. Position as you please and decorate!

Happy Weekend!

Indulge In {Cajun Mac N' Cheese}

I'm really excited to share a recipe with you today that was featured in the latest issue of LPF Mag. Since this week is all about my favorite things, I wanted to feature my new favorite mac n' cheese recipe. It's loaded with pieces of chicken, andouille sausage, and tons of flavor! Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
½ lb. Pasta

3 cups Milk

4 tbsp Butter

4 tbsp Flour

16 oz Shredded Sharp Cheddar

1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning Blend

½ cup Bell Pepper, diced

¼ cup Onion, diced

1 tbsp Garlic, minced

1 tbsp Cooking Oil

1 can Diced Tomatoes, strained

1 ½ cups Andouille Sausage, sliced

1 ½ cups Chicken, cubed

½ cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar, for topping

:: Directions ::

1. Cook pasta according to box directions

2. In a medium pan, sautee bell pepper, onion, and garlic in oil until onion is translucent. Set aside.

3. In a medium pot, melt butter. Add flour and stir until paste forms. Pour in milk whisking continuously until it reaches a low boil and thickens. Mix in cheese and stir until melted and sauce is thick. Add Cajun seasoning.

4. In a large bowl combine pasta, cooked veggies, cheese sauce, 1cup sausage and chicken.

5. Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining sausage and ½ cup of shredded cheese.

6. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until sides are bubbly and sausage is browned. 

Fiesta Time

Happy Friday y'all! Since Friday is naturally a fiesta day, I thought I would share with you my inspiration behind the LPF Mag beach fiesta shoot I have coming up in a few short weekends. While the entire spread will be a series of three different themed beach parties, I want to keep the other two a secret until the issue comes out. For the beach fiesta, I wanted to stick with a traditionally Mexican feel (bright colors, bold patterns, etc.) but have it still be coastal (relaxed, fun, simplistic). The combination of the two seems a bit difficult to combine (loud but simple), but I think I've managed to do just that and can't wait to share the final product with you when the third issue comes out. Until then, I hope this inspiration board I used to plan will make you as anxious for the issue as it has me!

Have a great weekend!

Party DIY {Fiesta Time}

Over the holidays, I was hard at work prepping for the next issue of LPF Mag. The first two issues were amazing but I have a feeling this next one is going to be over the top. Instead of doing one party for this issue, I've taken on the task of doing three beach parties centered around different times of day and different style perspectives. I'm planning one for the traditional coastal gal, a fun fiesta for the firey type, and a late night luau for those who favor the tropical tones. What I need your help with today is deciding which fiesta themed garland I should make for the shoot. Let me know which one you like best and I'll not only give you a DIY version but you will see it featured in the next issue.

LPF Mag {Issue 2}

It's finally here! Issue 2 of LPF Mag is out and I'm so excited to share it with you. This time around I shared a beer tasting party and some amazing DIY Christmas gifts. Also in this issue you'll see Lauren's amazing Farm to Table party, Jocelyn's yummy soups to keep you warm, and an exploration of Charleston, South Carolina. As you kick off the weekend, I invite you to sit back and enjoy the latest issue with a cocktail in hand. Can't wait to hear what you all think!

The Happiest Hour {The Singer}

I must be honest with you. This post is a bit of a teaser. For the next issue of LPF Mag, I did an article on DIY gifts. One of the things I made, is the secret (for now) ingredient in this cocktail, but recipe I will be sharing to with the unique flavored vodka was too good to keep to myself. It's festive color will make it perfect for the holidays or any fall gathering. Not to mention, with only three ingredients, it's beyond simple to make! Here's the recipe and be sure to look out for issue 2 of LPF Mag on the how to for the secret ingredient!

:: Ingredients ::
1 part Red Zinger Vodka
2 parts Sweet & Sour Mix
1 part Club Soda

:: Directions ::
In a tall glass, combine ingredients over ice and stir. Serve with a straw and enjoy!

Kick It Off

Hello! How was everyone's Labor Day? We had the best time hanging out, drinking beer, and eating up goodies from the photo shoot. I can't wait to share it all with you when the next issue comes out. But, for right now, let's take a look into issue 1. With the help of Jocelyn from Saucy Jocey's Kitchen, we threw a fabulous tailgate sure to make the other team jealous! With handmade goal posts, spirited decor, and great food, it was definitely the best tailgate I'd ever been to. Now that it's officially fall and football season is upon us once again, I wanted to share and hope that it gives you the inspiration your looking for to throw the season's greatest tailgate.

Have a great Tuesday!

Lusting After {Magazine Layouts}

Happy Friday dolls! Today I'm very excited to announce the beginning of something great, LPF Magazine, started by the lovely Lauren of La Petite Fashionista! It will be a wonderful combination of fashion, entertaining, decorating, DIYs and more. And, I am happy to be contributing with entertainment tips and beautiful soirees. We are predicting it will be the best lifestyle mag to date. But then again, we are a little biased. With an August 1st release date for the first issue, it's time to kick it in to high gear. Ever sense hearing the news from Lauren, I've been paying more attention to beautiful layouts and lusting after all the perfect designs. Taking the extra time to notice the layout and not just the content has made me realize it's all about a balance of filling the space while not making it too overwhelming. It's about the little details. The big picture is important but close up shot can make an even bigger impact. 

Needless to say, it's becoming harder and harder to contain my excitement! I can't wait to share the first issue with all of you and celebrate this amazing fete with Lauren! Have a great weekend dolls!