A Garden Party

Yesterday, my girlfriend Nick (Nicole to some, Nick to me) was hosting a ladies Garden Party Luncheon at her home.  She’s an amazing entertainer, the consummate host, and superb cook.  She invited a number of her girlfriends including me and ten other girls.  Initially, we were all to wear dresses at her request but due to the weather forecast she advised us we could wear pants if we wanted too.  It turned out to be a beautiful day. We both love to entertain and are always trying to come up with fun and creative ways to bring our friends together.  With anything that she plans, you can be assured it will be a fun filled day.  She even had ten trivia questions that everyone had to answer and whoever, got the most right won a $10.00 gift certificate to Whole Foods.  Congratulations Tuti! 

Nick always makes entertaining look for effortless (even when she spent all weekend preparing).  I equate entertaining to interior design,  it’s a skill, an art, and it all has to come together.  Anyone can throw a fabulous party when you have money or decorate a house but I love seeing what everyday people do on real budgets.  I had such a great time, I had to share the pictures with you.  I hope it inspires you to have your own garden party!

Her back yard space behind her apartment.  She planted all these flowers herself.

Friends Below:  Cathy, Roxie, and Trish

Cosmos and Loves Lies Bleeding Flowers

Friends Below:  Sanam and Denise

 

The Beautiful Table Setting

 

Flower arrangements up close, made by Nick in pretty red vases.

 

Friends Below:  Ann (me), Tuti, Sanam, Nick (the hostess)

Instead of wine charms, she used stickers and put each persons initials.  Clever idea.

Everyone picked a number and you sat according to your number. I was number 12.

 

MENU

REFRESHMENTS

Fresh Lemonade

Maddelana Chardonnay

APPETIZER

Mixed nuts with Spices

FIRST COURSE

Fresh Zucchini Soup with Goat Cheese Rounds topped with Fresh Chives

  

MAIN COURSE

Homemade Grilled Pizzas topped with Pesto, Cheese, Mushrooms, Artichokes, Tomatoes, & Basil

Mixed Green Salad with Chick Peas, Cheese, Salami & Your Choice of Dressing

DESSERT

Homemade Banana Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce topped with Fresh Baked Madeline's.

Nick and I use to work with Tuti.  We just reconnected and it was the first time I saw her and her daughter Sanam in ten years.  How fun!  What a great picture.

Garden Pictures

We start out lady like but this is how the party ends!

Cheers to You!  I hope you have a FABULOUS week!

 

 

ITEMS USED FOR PARTY:

• Tables & Chairs were Rented at her local Rental Shop.
• She used Red & White Fabric to enhance the table.
• All Vases are from Home Goods / She used four.
• Flowers were from a local flower shop / discount store.  She bought various greens and flowers and made her our arrangements.
• Dishes are actually plastic from Target.
• Wine Glasses are plastic as well from Target.
• Stickers were used for the initials on the wine glasses.
• She made her own napkin rings tying paper ribbon with a number.
• Soup bowls are from Crate and Barrel.

John Derian Store in New York City

I’m a little behind in finishing my post on New York City.  Ever since I saw John Derian's  decoupage wall art, I’ve been a fan.  I have to say it can border on cheesy if it’s not done right.  But his work always looks classy and tasteful.  For those of you that might not be familiar,  Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, etc. Each layer is sealed with varnishes (often multiple coats) until the “stuck on” appearance disappears and the result looks like painting or inlay work according to Wikipedia.  There is infinite possibilities for design and one is only limited based on their imagination.  For the complete history visit National Guild of Decoupeurs..

He makes individual pieces that can be hung to create a picture.  I love that it’s all individual pieces that create one piece of art.  He also has paperweights, plates, platters, and all sorts of amazing accessories. I’ve been dying to visit his store tucked away in the East Village in Manhattan.  I was so excited that I had a little time one evening to pop by.  He has two stores side by side with one displaying home accessories and decoupage and the other one with mostly pillows, textiles and bed linens and carries my favorite textiles by John Robshaw. 

Potted plants with boxwood.

Guy Wolff Pottery  Decoupage galore!  Amazing plates, decorative wall pieces, wall art, etc.  He does everything from bugs, birds, trees, flowers, love letters, etc.  Simply an amazing talent.  Vintage Lighting.

If animals are your thing, there are lots to choose from. Loved this art work. This guy creeped me out (see below).  He reminds me of a grown up Chucky!

Loved the over scaled shaving brush perfect for my 6’4” boyfriend.

 

I’m addicted to these antique egg and fern book plates.  I have a ton of them from the flea market that I need to frame.     Decoupage Skeleton looked great on the wall. An example of how breaks down the pieces to create a picture.  Couldn’t quite capture it in the photo.Loved the over scaled ladel and whisk!

Leather poufs in all different fun colors!

I loved this series below and the whale reminded me of Marblehead north of Boston.   Beautiful textiles from John Robshaw.  I want them all. When I grow up and have a real house, I want these linens for a guest room. 

I hope you all have a great week!

 

 

Photo Credits:  All were taken by me at Peggy & Fritz.  Your welcome to use them, just kindly link back to Peggy & Fritz or kindly reference.