Autumn Cocktails

Enjoy the flavors of Fall in these cocktails I blended together.  Like most martinis, they pack a punch so take it slow.  The slightly sweet-sour blend goes down rather smoothly.

Caramel Appletini
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Sour Apple Pucker
1/2 oz ButterShots
3 oz Apple Cider
Shake up incredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with slice of green apple or caramel candy piece.

Apple Pie Martini
1 oz Vanilla Vodka
2 oz apple cider
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of apple.

Autumn Party For Kids

I've been holding on to this party to share with you for a while now and finally have a chance.  This is a spectacular play date party created by Amy & Bri of The Savvy Moms Guide.  There is so much fun Fall decor, and ideas to inspire an Autumn birthday party or Thanksgiving day activities.  Check it out below and see their blog for even more details.
Photos by Racz Photography

Thanksgiving Tablescape

This Thursday I'll be appearing on our local morning news show, Virginia This Morning, sharing ideas for Thanksgiving entertaining.   To help bring the ideas to life I created tablescapes using some of the ideas I'll be sharing.  The look is easy to re-create using glass vases and organic items such as dried lentils, rice, pine cones, acorns, mini pumpkins, and a few craft store items.

(To view larger, click on images)

I've re-purposed the manzanita branch so many times but it's always the perfect accent.  This time I attached it to an open frame to be used as seasonal art.  I'll also be using it on the kids table for tomorrows post.

The table is covered with orange fabric and a burlap runner that I wove yarn through to add a little stitch detail.  The yarn was also used to wrap around a couple of vases as well as tie up the favor pouches.  

I created name cards and displayed them on a small wood pedestal made from a pruned tree branch in the back yard.  Wine glass stems were tied with thin strips of fabric remnants. 

I wanted to set up an appetizer table to hold some light nibbles to snack on while you're waiting for the turkey to finish cooking.  Nothing too heavy, just crudite served in individual bread cups, small nut cones, and goat cheese & olive tapenade canapes.  

The tall frame serves as the centerpiece and holds the dinner menu so guests know what to expect.  The small bale of hay is the perfect base to hold the nut cones - just stick a wooden skewer in the hay and up through the tiny hole in the bottom of the cone, to hold it upright. 

I was finally able to incorporate the hanging buffet idea I shared here.  I simply used the pole & drape system I designed here, and hung a wire basket from it to hold the canapes.

To continue using fabric as I did with the glass stem ties, I used one of the patterns to wrap the wine bottle, frame out the menu, and to add color and interest to the tree branch candle holders.   I have to admit I thought the branch candle detail was pretty cool & clever!

To end the day, send guests home with a small burlap pouch filled with candy corn.

There you have it - at least 14 ideas to help you host Thanksgiving in style and on a budget.

Cheers!

Thanksgiving Style, Printables Collection & A Giveaway

This feature contains so much inspiration as it showcases the new Thanksgiving Printables collection from Shindig Parties.  There's a freebie being offered and a set being given away so keep reading to find out more, but first - the styling...
To begin with, the dining table is the epitome of rustic elegance with it's hand-made burlap runner with ruffled burlap trim, and corn husk "fringe!"  Amanda is a whiz with her sewing machine and continues the magic with the hand made napkins. 

For the perfect ending to a perfect dinner, Amanda designed a dessert table which is a little more rustic than the dining space. You'll notice the gorgeous swags she made to drape behind and below the dessert buffet as well as above the dining table.  A great way to tie in the 2 areas.  Another repeat element is the corn husk used to embellish the candy apple sticks (below)....too cute! 

Each dessert is beautifully adorned with an appropriate garnish, turning a simply yummy dish into a treat for the mouth AND eyes! 

The printables collection being featured here is sophisticated and elegant and available in the Shindig parties Etsy Shop. 

• As a special gift to you, Amanda is offering a FREE thank-you tag below, which coordinates with the rest of the collection. 

•  She's also giving special pricing for Facebook fans (the entire set for $8).  Become a fan here.
• And finally, she's giving 1 Thanksgiving set away(with free personalization of buffet & place cards)! 

To enter to win it, just "like" the Shindig Parties Facebook page, and leave a comment here letting me know.  I'll pick a random winner on Friday, Nov. 12.

Visit Amanda's blog for more on this amazing design and tutorials for the menu card assembly, and burlap & corn husk runner (coming later this week).

Sweet Endings {Autumn Dessert Recipes}

Warning:  This post today will give you uncontrollable cravings for some sweet, yummy, goodness!

I found some delicious-looking treats for Fall that are pretty simple to make and provide pretty presentation too.  Just click on the names below for the recipe.

1. Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies - whoopie pies are the latest craze and they aren't difficult to make when you begin with a boxed cake mix.  With it's cake-like texture and filling of marshmallow cream, this is sure to please kids and groan ups alike!
2.  Pecan Cheesecake Pie - can't decide if you want traditional pecan pie or cheesecake?  Have your pie and eat it too with this recipe that combines the two classics!
3. Ginger Pumpkin Mousse - a lighter choice for dessert, but full of flavor!
4. Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee - admitedly this recipe is a little more labor intensive with it's mini pumpkin preperation and caramelized sugar drizzle, but for a special occasion it makes an incredible presentation.  And if you've ever had creme brulee, you KNOW it's worth it!
5. Pumpkin Tiramisu - Italy's classic dessert gets an Autumn twist with this recipe that combines maple syrup and pumpkin flavors.
6. Gingersnap Crumble Pumpkin Parfait - I love crunchy gingersnap cookies and this pumpkin spice ice cream dessert is like a Thanksgiving Sundae!

How's It Hangin'?

To finish up our week of Autumn Entertaining inspiration, I wanted to share some unique and unexpected hanging decor that you can DIY, and use either inside or out.  I think the projects below are pretty self explanatory, using twine, a branch from the yard(or grapevine wreath), and various items to tie on: leaves, large nuts, pine cones, candles, and even small fruit.  They each provide a wonderfully rustic accent to your entertaining space.

All photos via Wohnidee

Modern Pumpkin Design For Entertaining

You're going to "Fall" in love with this design from Katie Grace Designs.  Katie is the winner of the Fall Celebration Challenge on the City Cradle, and I'm sure you can see why.  She is an amazing talent and found a way to make rustic pumpkins = modern entertaining.

Katie set up a dessert and tea bar full of interesting and unique details.  She's a wiz at doing that, as you may remember from this amazing party she also designed.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

I love all the wrappings she did for everything, especially the tea bags that are wrapped and hung on the branches.  You can read more about Katies design here, including the Pumpkin Trifle recipe, and the DIY pinecone chandelier.  Why not think about doing something like this for Thanksgiving?! 

Photos by Kristin J. Portraiture

Dinner And A Movie - Autumn Entertaining

My friend Sharon of Cupcakes and Cutlery has got some mad skills when it comes to stylish design! She recently designed this "Dinner and a Movie" party to help inspire Autumn entertaining for the Fall celebration challenge on the City Cradle. Every little detail is divine and I soooo want to be at this party.

Not only is her styling impeccable, but her idea here is sheer genius - she wrapped glass votive holders (or jars) with dried corn husks and cut the edges with a decorative craft punch.  She also fashioned 'flowers' out of more corn husks to help frame the outdoor movie screen.

The "concession stand" is presented in a red wagon and every snack is beautifully displayed.  Check out the twizzlers and mini Hershey's bundles below!  Oh, and the popcorn boxes?...a swatch of denim fabric is used as a fun accent under the sticker label!

In case you're wondering, why all the references to vegetables?  The location for the shoot was at a local restaurant which has it's own vegatable garden out back, and is the place where the outdoor movie theater was set up.   You can read more about Sharon's photo shoot here and here, and get the recipe for the Apple Spice Sangria (pictured above) here.

Photos by Sadie James Photography