Our Sweethearts Valentine’s Day Dinner Party {Part 1: The Tablescape}

Hi Lovelies! I have to say I am rather excited it’s Friday. It’s been a long week but all for good reasons. So happy to finally share with you Part 1 of my Sweethearts Valentine’s Day Dinner Party. I figured so many other of us party/entertaining ladies would be covering the kids, I thought I would step out the box to share some ideas on how you can host a dinner party this Valentine’s Day for couples (not to say you can’t do it with the children).

I tried to style this tablescape, again, with items I had around my home, only buying embellishments and red plates to go with the theme. I partnered up with the talented Rebekah of A Blissful Nest to use her Vintage Sweet Party Collection party printables when I did the styling. I thought with the striped shades of gray she used in her designs, it was a modern twist that complimented the traditional colors of red and pink. The photographs were beautifully captured as usual by none other than Jennifer of J.Fiereck Photography. Thank you ladies for all you contributed! XO

I plan on hosting dinner with my hubby, my daughter, her boyfriend and his parent. It’s going to be a sweet night for couples only.

I was able to rent a stripped tablecloth from my local party rental store for $11. I thought it went well with the design. Save money on flowers and try your local grocery store. When I want to save, the floral depart at Wholefoods is my go to source.

I embellished Rebekah’s printables with some glitter accents I got at JoAnn’s for $1.99. What a difference a little glitter heart makes. The ribbon swag was found at Michael’s for $12 and I used my 50% coupon to save money. Stay tuned to the blog for a future post on  how to DIY  your own ribbon swag.

I used the same pack of glitter embellishments to add a glitter heart to the invite. I also matted the invitation with red glitter paper to make it extra special.

The red plates I got on clearance for $1.99  each, but wait, they were 50% off of that (could you hear the squeal that I made when I scored these plates) I accent the napkins with two textures of ribbon for visual interest and just laid some foam hearts on top. Simple prettiness always wins in my book.

I hope this inspires you to make a special dinner and evening for some very special people in your life on Valentine’s Day. Stay tuned next week for the dessert table I styled to go with this. I can’t say enough about it. It’s just perfect!

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Valentine’s Day Party Supplies Giveaway

Valentine’s day is a little more than 2 weeks away. I mean it’s not like we can forget, the aisles at CVS and the Hallmark stores are constant reminders. I make an effort to give a little lovely token of love to my hubby and my daughter. They both get gifts, nothing big or expensive, just a little something that says “I Love You”. I mean it’s not like we need another holiday to share the love (didn’t Christmas just happen) LOL. Any-who I love my fans/followers, I really do. Without you, where would I be? Seriously. YOU make my days brighter, with words of encouragement and continued support. I feel so blessed and what better way to show you than to give one of you some pretty party supplies from my online party store Pretty Little Party Shop. Use the partyware/supplies to make a stylish party now or in the future. So I’m doing a giveaway in celebration of my love for you all. You can enter now until next Wednesday February 1st at midnight.

You will receive the following items:

• 1 Giant 36″ Polka Dot Red Balloon
• 15 Yards Red/White Bakers Twine
• 24 Stripey Red Straws
• 24 Wooden Utensils (forks and spoons)
• 24 Red and White Stripped Chevron Treat Bags
• 3 Yards Red and White Polka Dot Ribbon
• 24 Pink and Red Scalloped Sweet Cups
• 1 Special Edition Valentine Garland

Here Is How To Enter (there is more than one way) Just do as many of the following as you want and leave a comment saying you did so for separately for EACH: All actions must be posted as a comment HERE on this blog post, NOT on the facebook fan page OR email if you are a subscriber to the blog. Make sure you are on the actual blog post and that the comment shows up for the entry to count.

1. “Like Us” on Facebook – Sandra Downie Event Desings (CLICK HERE) If you are already a fan, just leave a comment ON THIS POST NOT on the facebook fan page.

2. Follow Me on Twitter (FOLLOW HERE)

3. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter, leave a comment saying you did so. (TWEET HERE)

4. Tell me if you will be using the goodies for a Valentine’s Day party or for a later party

GOOD LUCK!

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How to Throw A Touchdown of A Superbowl Party

With the Superbowl quickly coming (go Patriots) aren’t you trying to pull all your party ideas together. What do you serve? Beer or Wine? Dips and Chips? Wings and Things? It can seem a bit overwhelming right. When it comes to the man in your life, and you ladies that love football too, the reality is that sitting in front of the T.V. is where the action will be all day. I know I wouldn’t be focusing on setting out a huge buffet spread, but rather opting for finger foods (think portable and mini).  You can check out our Superbowl party from last year for ideas, or take some clues from these ideas.

This is after all a Superbowl party right. Think about incorporating a football feel throughout the party. From the food itself, to how you decorate your food with. #1 Football Meat Pies # 2 Football Deviled Eggs #3 Football Food Picks. Add to your appetizers for a fun touch! #4 Easy Crackers and Cheese #5 Football Cookies and covered Juice Boxes And Everything Sweet

Decorate your space with DIY party printables you can do at home. So easy and the kids can even help put the party together. Love these! #6 Wants and Wishes Designs #7 Spaceships and Laserbeams

# 8 You don’t have to make life complicated when you are a busy working modern day woman. You can find pre-made mini burgers and mini burger buns at your local grocery store. Be creative and consider offering different toppings for your burgers such as roasted red peppers, sliced avocados and various mustards.  How to here

Now go throw the most fabulous Superbowl Party!

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This or That? Daybeds

Daybeds are one of those things that just say home and cozy. They are perfectly sized as not to take up to much room wherever they are, but are multifunctional to allow for the sleeping of house guests or a space to kick up your feet and just chill out (or as I say, get away from the kids and hubby) You just want to crawl into one with your favorite book of the moment or a nice cup of tea. (a cup of chamomile for me, please and thank you).

The other day I was helping my girlfriend, who lives in a country home as I do, choose one from the Pottery Barn website. We were both like “and how are we supposed to do this”? because they have so many beautiful and appropriate options. We did choose one together and can’t wait until it arrives as it’s the basis of the entire room I am helping her to decorate. So if you had to chose? What would it be?

Savannah Daybed with Trundle

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Must See Monday: Improper Greetings Cocktail Napkins

I hope your weekend was a relaxed one. You all know how much I love a good party, and with a good party comes good laughs, interaction with your guests and of course cocktail napkins. When I stumbled upon these cocktail napkins from Improper Greetings, I didn’t know whether to gasp “no they didn’t” or to laugh. Once I showed my hubby the pictures, laughter was the obvious choice. The napkins feature classic vintage images from the 1920′s that have been revamped with vibrant colors and modern laugh-out-loud verbiage (I totally wish I had these at my housewarming party)! These really are the perfect cocktail napkins for those of you that like to serve up your drinks with sass and humor. There are 12 designs to choose from, so guess what, there is sure to be a few that tickle your fancy. Sure to be a hit at any party!  p.s. they make wonderful hostess gifts or party favors. The perfect icebreakers at any soiree!

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Confessions: Wishing I Was a Momaholic

Time for another confession. A momaholic sure is better than other “aholics” right. But what if you felt like in your younger years you weren’t as much of a momaholic as you wish you would have been. What do I wish I knew at 38 that I didn’t realize when I was 20 when I had my daughter? What are the lessons I learned? The things I would have changed looking back now? Where do I begin?

Cute as all heck at 3 years old…I could never get mad at this little angel.

I remember the nights we were cuddled up in her little bed reading some of her favorite books… Goodnight Moon, Guess How Much I Love You, Strega Nona and other classics. Those moments were so sweet. But they ended at some point as she got older. I wish I would have crawled into bed with her and read the Harry Potter series or the Twilight series when she was. Even though she was a “big girl”, those little moments were memories I missed out on.

I wish I gave more hugs. I think I missed many hugs growing up, so I wasn’t sure how to give those a lot. Not that I didn’t, but as she grew older and could voice her feelings, I realized just how much she loved hugs. Kids really really do.

I was a military wife (Marine Corps for 6 years) this was our little pup Fluffy, but we had to give him away when we were re-stationed.

I wish I took more pictures. OK, sure I didn’t have my fancy Canon camera like I do now and back then there was no such thing as digital photography to keep your photos safe. I was young, so I really didn’t know/think about just how very much “captured” moments would have meant to me now that she will be off to college in the Fall.

I wish I mad more memories, took more vacations, went  to the park more. Again not that we didn’t, but between the ages of 20-26 I really was focused on trying to finish college and build a better life for her. Not thinking, a better life isn’t all about the money/future career.

Such the fashionista she is now. That girl can rock an outfit I tell ya. FYI, I want her legs

I remember when 9/11 happened and we were driving through NY she said “mommy how will I know that we are in NY now”? I had always pointed out the twin towers to her whenever we drove through there. She got used to associating arriving in NY with the towers, as we all did. I wish I would have jotted down more of those funny/cute and memorable things she said in a journal

I wish I would have video recorded. There is a little clip of her leaving a message for her grandma “mema” on her grandma’s answering machine. I cry every time I listen to it. For no other reason than to hear my daughter’s “baby” voice. I can’t even type this now without getting teary eyed.

Listen lovelies. We all want successful careers. To make our children proud. What I have learned is that they are proud just being able to call you “mom”. Honestly knowing that at the end of the day they have you to come home to. You to call when they are sad. You to lean on with your shoulder when they need to cry. Losing my mom to cancer at 14 has impacted me forever. I wish she was here. I wish she knew how much she is missed. How I wish I had asked her more questions, made more memories.

Our babies won’t be babies forever. Cherish every moment with them. The best times I have with my daughter is when we are being just plain silly. A laugh is worth a 1,000 words. Make them happen everyday. As she prepares to spread her wings and fly, I realize just how much I don’t want to let my little birdie go.

Us a few years back at Christmas

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Fairy Garden Birthday Party

What a treat I have for you all today. Whimsical, sweet and pretty is the best way to describe this Fairy Garden party that Amanda of Invite Me did for her daughter’s Milla, 3rd birthday. Milla loves all things fairy, so it was a natural choice when it came to picking a theme. Soft pastel colors, lots of sparkle and pretty little wings were used throughout the party. The dessert table is beyond charming and is so pretty and well done. Any little girl would just be giddy with joy over this party.

If you can’t find a chalkboard heart, you can easily turn any surface into a chalkbaord with chalkboard paint or spray paint.

Vendors:

Printables & Party Styling- Invite Me
Photography- White Spark Photography

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Away With You Winter Skin

So I am a little obsessed with exfoliating. I do it at least a couple times a month, why you ask? Are you even asking? Well I’m telling. It’s because I want to have touchably soft skin. Our skin renews every 28 days or so, so if you don’t exfoliate your body, that lovely lotion or cream you slough on everyday… it isn’t really getting to the skin. The moisturizer is just being blocked by old cells. It’s just sitting there taking in your lovely surroundings wondering why it can’t get home to your skin to do it’s job. Are you glad you took 2 minutes to read this now? Your welcome, that’s what I’m here for. Bottom line, if you are touching your skin and you are saying to yourself “man I am feeling crusty”, it’s that time to exfoliate again. Some of my favorite picks are here for you to choose from. These are ones I have personally used and have come to love over the years. Go ahead and exfoliate that dry winter skin away.

#1 Cocoa Butter Body Scrub from The Body Shop 6.5 oz$18. A staple in my shower. Creamy base and does a great job of getting a good scrub on. #2 Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash from Philosophy 16 oz. $37 It’s really gentle but does the job. If you have sensitive skin or suffer from patches of eczema like I do, this one is for you. #3 Brown Sugar Body Polish from Fresh 14.1 oz$65. I discovered this in a little boutique near my home a few years ago. It smells AMAZING. Clean, sweet and fresh all at the same time. #4 Vanilla Coconut Scrub from Sabon 36.8 oz $30. Discovered this lovely treat while walking down Newberry Street in Boston. It’s a must have pickup whenever I go there. It’s really luxurious, has a sweet smell to it and leaves your skiny really soft because of the oil base it has.

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This or That? Stylish Candlesticks

If you come to my house, you will see I have a fetish. Yes, I admit it. I love candlesticks. White ones, silver ones, colored ones, they are all so pretty. They add height, visual appeal and texture to any space. I love mixing and matching them. Feel free to mix glamorous ones with rustic ones for a truly eclectic modern vintage look. They really can go anywhere. Perch them on your mantle, side table or console table. They make great “fillers” to a vignette. My silver ones that I have on my dining table, I don’t even polish them because I love the old tarnished look of them. I feel the aged look gives them a bit more character. So tell me which ones do you like below? As you guessed, I can’t choose, I love both styles equally.

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Must See Monday: Toms Ballet Flat

They’re coming, they’re coming.  I love Toms, their shoes are so comfortable I never want to take them off. They are a brand that gives back which is one of the reasons I buy them. Coming Spring 2012, TOMS will debut a line of ballet flats that will keep us all twirling with happy, stylish and comfy feet. The Spring collection features a bevy of pretty prints. To make the purchase of these lovelies even sweeter for me, some of the fabric choices will include, burlap, leopard, suede and linen. LOVE! As always, Toms will donate a pair of shoes to a person in need with every purchase you make. How many pairs will you get?

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