Monday Things + Cookbook Club Update

Is it just me or is 2018 moving at warp speed? Our Winter here in Charlotte was so dark and dreary it seemed to drag on forever here we are, almost midway through April already! 

We are finally enjoying longer, sunnier days and the blooming flowers make me so happy. Last week is one of our favorites of the entire year. Masters week for Mark and our azaleas going crazy and in full bloom for me. Everybody wins. It was all about the golf last week around here. Mark had Will and Kate out on a little makeshift putting green in our backyard and they were loving it. I think we have two future golfers on our hands. I took the Masters weekend as the perfect excuse to enjoy a few (adult) Arnold Palmers. It just wouldn't have been right without one! These were a random craving late in my pregnancy with Will (obviously sans the alcohol), and Danica and I easily drank 2-3 jugs during her visit for my baby shower back in 2013! I'm a golf fan by marriage and Masters weekend will always have a special place in my heart thanks to my West Coast Sister. Word to the wise though- don't try to be healthy and get the Skinny Firefly. Just go for the real thing.  

I hosted a bridal shower this past weekend for a dear friend and we had the best time celebrating the bride to be! We did a brunch menu which was a huge hit. I did the same thing for my sister back in the Fall and everyone loved it. Brunching is never a bad idea. I got a lot of questions as I posted pics on Insta-stories on Saturday so I have a post I'm working on with menu details and how we pulled it all together seamlessly! 

We also started our weekend with a Friday night trip to Inizio- our favorite pizza! If you are local to Charlotte, their Spring pizza with asparagus and prosciutto is not to be missed! It was beyond delicious.

A quick note about Cookbook Club before I sign off for the day- we are delaying this month's post until next week! Allie and I are both feeling a bit behind so we will post April's club on Wednesday, April 18. Just a reminder that this month's book is Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volumes I or II. Looking ahead, Skinnytaste Fast and Slow will be our book for May and Giada's Feel Good Food will be our book for June. I hope to see some of you back here next Wednesday to link up! Even if you don't have the book, many of these recipes can be found with a quick Google search!  

Will's First Birthday Bash!

It may be the first day of Fall, but before I say goodbye to Summer, 2014, here are some pictures and details from Will's First Birthday Bash back in June! This was definitely one of the highlights of our Summer. Planning this party for our sweet boy was SO. MUCH. FUN. I'm in my element when I'm party planning and entertaining and I love all of the extra details! 

A little back story...Way back when, before we even knew if our little lovie was a he or a she, a tiny pair of orange pants from Baby Gap were hanging in the nursery closet. Those orange pants with the matching onesie and zip up hoodie was the snuggliest little outfit and for whatever reason, orange became the signature color of Will. So, naturally, a little orange and teal combo was the only way to go for the party. I didn't want anything too theme-y, just bright, happy decorations, good food, and lots of people and love in our house to celebrate Will. I sent my good friend Jen (of Polka Dot Posie fame) some of my inspiration pictures for the party, and she came up with a darling invitation that couldn't have been more perfect! I literally cried when she sent me the proof. 

Will's monthly pictures made for the perfect banner decoration on our mantle. I used mini clothespins to attach the pictures to twine and used this circle party banner from Stampin' Up! to weave around. 

I used a giant easel and memo board to display some of our favorite pictures of Will from his first year. These were so much fun to look at. 

My mom made this incredible banner to hang outside on our screened in porch. It was one of my favorite decorations! The tiny details really made this pop. All of the products used are from Stampin' Up! as well. 

These cute lanterns from Target's party section hung over our drink table. My mom embellished two of them with washi tape and scrapbook paper- we LOVED the way these turned out! 

I ordered orange, gray and teal straws from Etsy and grabbed orange solo cups at Party City and found the orange striped napkins at Michael's. I love using mason jars and filling them with grocery store flowers for small touches throughout the house. This is an inexpensive way to add a little something extra to tablescapes, bar areas and end tables. Even the bathroom had a mason jar filled with a few white gerber daisies. 

With the help of my parents and my professional chef Godmother, we came up with a menu that was both easy to prep and cook, and also impressive to party guests. If I have learned anything with party planning, it's that making 4-5 items in bulk is much easier than making several different appetizers and smaller bites. This menu is perfect for a Summer party! 

No first birthday party is complete without a smash cake! My sister out did herself with this sweet creation and Will diving into it was certainly the highlight of the party. Andi made a homemade funfetti cake with blue vanilla buttercream and the most darling little bunting as a cake topper. Everything about this was perfect. Love love love! 

I think this moment was one of the highlights of Will's first year of life! 

Andi also made funfetti cupcakes for dessert! Simple and sweet. 

...and the after party was just as fun!

Special thanks to my parents and sisters for ALL of their help- we couldn't have pulled this off without them. And much love and many thanks to all of our dear family and friends who came to celebrate with us! We love you all. 

Have a Party- The 2012 Summer Olympics are Here!

Oh Happy Day! The Summer 2012 Olympics are finally here and I am positively pumped for the next two weeks. Swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, I truly love watching it all- Olympic athletes are so inspiring to me. The Summer Olympics are really my favorite...although, I always say the same thing when the Winter Olympics roll around. I guess I just love it all. Team USA for the win! 

Our friends are hosting an Olympics party next weekend and I think it is just the best idea. Everyone has to pick a country to represent in the form of food- it's going to be an international feast! If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate, this is such a fun and easy theme to throw together. 

Olympic Party Printables + decor ideas from Lil Sugar

A Small Snippet water bottle covers

Red, white + blue candies with flags for centerpieces via All You

Darling "Go for the Gold" treat bags (source unknown)

Vintage Olympics Tees from Gap

Puttin' on the GRITS' Red, White + Blue wreath is perfect to show Team USA some love

I love the idea of every guest bringing food to represent a country! Mark and will be Greek for the day next Saturday- so we'll be arriving to the party with Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki for dipping and Greek Salad skewers.

Mini Burgers + Fries (is there anything more American!?)

Greek Salad Skewers

Asian Lettuce Cups with Stir Fried Chicken

Pesto + Tomato Bruschetta

Olympic Sorbet Torches

And it's not a party without something to sip on. Don't forget the cocktails!

Red Berry Fizz

White Sangria

Blue Margarita

Red, White + Blue Shooter

Enjoy the weekend!