Baby It's Cold Outside

With the big winter storms behind us, it seems that temperatures are warming up across the country. For now at least. However, a cold front is sure to pop back up at any moment and I've got just the ticket for entertaining on those brutally cold evenings.

If you have friends who don't enjoy a "create your own" bar, then they probably shouldn't be your friends. We all have different tastes and the ability to create your ultimate grilled cheese is one of my favorite concepts. Build your grilled cheese bar with a variety of mild and pungent cheese, fresh basil, prosciutto, and any of your other favorite toppings. Pair it with the homemade tomato soup I shared with you last week and you quite possibly have the most unique cold weather entertaining set-up.

What's your favorite way to entertain when it's cold out? How do you make your guests feel warm and welcome?

Real World Soiree {Date Night at Home}

I talked briefly last week about our at home date night when I shared the recipe for my Zucchini Parmesan Stacks. Today, I wanted to share a little bit more about it and give you my tips on creating your own date night at home.

It all starts with one crucial step, unplugging. Turn off the tv, put away the computers, phones, and iPads and just be together. From there, it's all easy. While you can customize date night to your interest, here's a look into what we did. The afternoon of fun started with opening a bottle of wine. From there we pulled out the board games and played a few rounds of Jenga and Checkers. After that we cooked dinner and ended it all with chocolate espresso pie for dessert. Hands down it was one of our best date nights to date. We weren't fighting over those around us to carry on a conversation and we got to maximize our time together. It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of the week and I would seriously recommend at home date night to all!

What would you do if you stayed date night?

Real World Soiree {Rustic Plantation Wedding}

Happy Tuesday friends. I hope everyone survived their Monday. Mine was quite strange and I am hoping for a much better day today. Yesterday I spoke about the lovely wedding I did this past weekend at a wonderful South Georgia Plantation. It was so beautiful that I used it as my inspiration behind yesterday's post. Today I want to share with you a few detail shots from the day. With a pallet of soft sage, silver and gray the flowers were kept simple and natural with lots of peonies, baby's breath and greenery. The ceremony site fit perfect with the color scheme as well taking place under a gorgeous old oak tree. The bride incorporated as many personal touches as possible with a framed carving of the couple's monogram and a table of old family photos. It's details like this that make what I do so fun! I could probably ramble about each dashing detail until the cows come home but instead I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

Have a wonderful day!

Real World Soiree {Fourth of July Bash}

We are continuing the holiday week into today with a look back at my Fourth of July bash. This year Rob and I took two days to celebrate with a trip the beach on Wednesday and a crab boil and oyster shuck at the house on Thursday. The way I figured it was if I couldn't be at the coast on the Fourth, I might as well bring some of my favorite things from the coast here. The intent was to do the crab boil outside, grill the oysters and enjoy a pitcher of sangria with friends. However the constant rain we have been receiving for the last week, put a kink in that plan. We moved the party inside but kept the feel the same. Rustic touches, bold blooms and patriotic elements filled the room. We wanted to keep the whole gathering simple, stress free, and big on fun. Even with the rain and cancelled fireworks, it was just that. I can't wait for next year's get together as we may just have to make the crab boil and oyster shuck a tradition!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Real World Soiree {Sunny Disposition}

Happy Tuesday friends. I hope everyone's Monday was productive and happy. If it wasn't, I've got something that will put you in quite a sunny disposition today, a bright yellow and gray wedding from this past weekend. I was privileged over the past few months to work on a wedding for a wonderful couple. Katie and Brian wanted to host an event they knew all their guests would enjoy. Bright yellow buds, chevron stripes, tissue paper pom poms, and a color coordinated candy bar helped to create their fun, relaxed vision. My favorite touch was the statement wall behind the sweetheart table. A ceiling to floor gray curtain was adorned with a chevroned "S" flanked by yellow and white tissue paper fans that created a huge focal point in the room. My other favorite elements include the super fun kids table, photo booth, and cigar bar. Hope you all enjoy a few images I captured from the big day!

Real World Soiree {Vintage Outdoor Wedding}

Happy Tuesday y'all. I'm excited to unveil a new series call "Real World Soiree" where I will post real parties I have done or take submissions of your gatherings to post. To launch the new series, I'm sharing a vintage outdoor wedding I did a couple weekends ago set here in Tallahassee at the beautiful Dorothy B. Oven park. With a naturally gorgeous back drop, it didn't take much to dress up this wedding. Each table was adorned with vintage books, lace doilies, milk glass vases, oil lamps, and old pictures of the bride and groom from childhood. The best part of the whole thing though was the chevron corn hole boards and the silhouette artist who cut images of guests free hand for the guest book and favors.

I must say it is one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever done and these pictures don't do it justice. It was a pleasure bringing this couple's vision to life and I hope you all enjoy the images!