SPRING BOUQUETS & BRUNCH

Recently, Derek and I have been using our weekend date on early Saturday mornings for breakfast or brunch. We head out and dine one delicious and savory options that remind us why we love maple syrup so much. Last weekend (while Derek was working), I had some girlfriends over for a brunch and bouquet building party. I first saw the idea here, and thought it was darling! All of my guests were invited to bring a bouquet of a single type of flower to contribute to the bouquet bar. With a table full of crème brule French toast, Greek frittata, and fresh berries, we brunched and enjoyed a lovely spring morning. After, we cleared the table and started to assemble our bouquets. With so many lovely choices, colors, and aromas, it was so fun to see what each of us came up with! We all left with full tummies, and a lovely bouquet to brighten our homes with. I already have ideas floating in my head of how to make this Fall friendly with pumpkin muffins, savory squash & zucchini quiche, and all those deep orange and red florals for bouquets!

A SEASIDE PICNIC

On Sunday afternoon, we called up our friends with the idea of a potluck picnic on the beach. We rummaged our kitchens, gathered blankets, and headed to Scripps Park in La Jolla for an afternoon picnic. Our spread ranged from ham & swiss sammies, green salad, fresh fruit, and delicious treats. All of the food was wonderful, and the company even better. I swear, San Diego normally likes to show off in the Spring. Instead, we all bundled up with impending rain clouds and set out. We managed to eat and visit before a huge downpour had us running to our cars. It wasn't perfect weather, but it was still memorable and fun. This is what Sundays are made for.

SHOWERING DANIE & BABY SAGE

My sweet friend Mandy and I teamed up to throw a lovely baby shower for darling Danie and her baby, Sage. Funny story, we originally had this shower planned in January, but baby girl decided she needed to make an early debut and was born the day before her original shower date! It worked out in our favor, because we were all able to love and snuggle on this sweet & tiny bundle of joy. Mandy, being the amazing baker she is, whipped up home made raspberry tarts & lemon coconut cookies. I decided to stick with my forte of cooking, and dazzled with my fig & goat cheese crostini, yogurt parfaits with coconut almond granola, and lemon zested berries. We were also able to surprise Danie with beautiful newborn photos Mandy took when she arrived at the shower. It was a morning full of great friends, food, laughter, and baby coos. 

HOLIDAY DIPS & SIPS WITH THE SMITHS

My sweet friend Stephanie (another Smith with a love of parties, yummy food, and darling decor) and I teamed up for a holiday party this past weekend. We focused on having holiday dips & sips, which was essentially finger foods, dips, and fun mocktails. With both delicious and pretty holiday sangria in hand, guests loaded plates full of baked and cranberry goat cheese, candied pecans, bacon wrapped chestnuts, and cucumber canopies (my favorite!). We ended the night with a round of white elephant, and boxers of all styles were quite the 2014 hit. It was a fun night of great food, company, and friends!

THANKSGIVING TABLE SETTING

In the years we have been married, Derek and I have had our own Thanksgiving for two years, been with family for two, and last year, Derek was delivering babies while I flew solo with my family. Every year is a new chance for my tried and true recipes like my cornbread, bacon and apple stuffing (recipe to come!) and new table settings for your guests to enjoy. Dress up your table this year with fresh sprigs of rosemary, dainty gold pumpkins, and simple decor like butcher paper and lace doilies for a casual, yet somehow elegant feel.

FABULOUS AT 50 SURPRISE PARTY

Can I just say, I totally lucked out in the in-law department. I'm not just saying that. I married into such a wonderful, loving, and FUN family. In January, my sisters in laws decided that we should try to surprise my sweet mother-in-law Trina for her 50th birthday in September. We managed to pull off a total surprise by corresponding via texts, e-mails, and phone calls, all while being long distance from each other! Between Katie, Whitney, and myself, we managed to shop, create, decorate, and figure out all the fine tuning, while sweet Grandma provided her lovely yard, Aunt Tanette and Tami gave us lists of friends to invite, and ALL of us for keeping a tight lip for about 9 months, we totally pulled off the surprise without a hitch! Alright, I might have slipped a couple times, but HOW do you not?! 

GETTING OLDER IS S'MORE FUN WITH FRIENDS

My sweet friend Mandy and I have birthdays about a week apart. We are both major fans of the beach, bon fires, and s'mores, so we decided to celebrate our birthdays will all of the above! We invited friends for a night under the stars, roasting mallows and just hanging out. The weather was perfect (we had been battling HOT weather earlier in the week!) and the ambiance of the cool breeze, smoky fire, and warm treats was the perfect way to ring in a new year. The saying is true, getting older is much s'more fun with family & sweet friends to celebrate!