Comments : 66

Hi there…well as I had spoken about I had two parties here this week and phew am I wiped! I have decided to break this into two parts because I took a lot of pictures and frankly it would be too much for one post (even by my standards)!  Before we get busy..I want to announce the lucky winner of Soiree, Danielle Rollins new book aka bible on entertaining, congratulations goes to……

Result: 57 

Every picture had me oohing and aahing! I just love gazing at all of these settings. They really sent my imagination into overdrive. I have immensely enjoyed your posts and this one was like the cherry on top of the whipped cream, on top so much yumminess! Goodness Gracious…
And thanks for another chance to win a book on my favorite subject! Entertaining!
Please email me with your shipping information so this can get on it’s way to you!

By the time you read this I will be off on a little trip for just 3 days but a much needed break:) I enjoyed all the prep (as I always do) getting ready for these little shindigs but as I put a lot of effort into the details….I must say two in one week is a lot. The first get together was a luncheon for one of my best friends for 14 girls. The weather was not cooperative so we had drinks and appetizers on the loggia which I must say was so cozy and fun…then we moved indoors for lunch.

Every time I entertain I always try to add a new dish, I love experimenting and you never know unless you try, right? I kept the menu light which is appropriate for summer. A few light appetizers,  three different salads and Mediterranean pitas…..light, guilt free but no skimping no taste!  Then it was topped off with a sinfully good Weight Watchers Carrot cake, no you are not reading this wrong…it’s Weight Watchers!! So a guilt free meal that tastes good? My kind of menu! Hope you enjoy this recap.

Here is a recap from before, during and after…………

My pretty glasses in their wicker holders awaiting the peach sangria….love these for summer!
Prepping for the Greek baby spinach salad…yum!
Dip for tex mex salad and peach sangria marinating…

The birthday girls’ gift….all wrapped and ready to wow her!

We gave this beautiful orchid as part of her gift…she loves orchids and this planter from my online shop

The yummy peach sangria..heavenly good, light and perfect for a summer luncheon (or dinner) I make a double portion in a big plastic bowl and then transfer to either a punch bowl or pretty pitchers

My Chinese chicken salad is a staple in my house……
This really really good spinach/basil Greek salad…..excellent!

Of course, flowers and blue and whites are always part of the deal for anything I do!

 One set of the pillows!! Love them, will be doing a separate post on my two sets of pillows……added the hurricanes and the garden seat and I just love the way it came out……

 Even though it was raining it was so cozy to sit here while we heard the rain falling……

 Dining room table ready to serve as a buffet table…buffets are so much easier!
Meanwhile…more prep going on inside the kitchen:)
 More salads at the ready…..
My Tex Mex salad getting all the fixings……..

 Yum! Crostinis with brushetta and shredded fresh parmigiano…my fave! Served on my Vagabond gorgeous cheese/carving board

 The table getting set up..I even wrote out what each item was and put them in small silver frames.

 Beautiful flowers always make a table…..well that and good food:)

 The mini Mediterranean pitas…filled with olive tapenade, hummus and feta cheese

 I had a big bowl filled with wine and Pellegrino…………..

 And of course carried over my blue and white theme to the napkins and plates…….

 My friend always make this delicious Weight Watchers carrot cake for dessert, heavenly and sinfully good is understating it, it is so hard to believe its Weight Watchers!!Thankfully there was a bit left for leftovers..ice cold carrot cake and a big glass of milk the next morning is awfully hard to beat:)

So that’s my recap of the birthday lunch. When its a labor of love for someone you  care about…it doesn’t feel like work at all. I always get a lot of requests for recipes (totally flattered) if you click on keywords recipes, you will see all posts that featured them, only recipe not on there is the Greek salad which is new to my repertoire but I will be sure to include it in my next random musings post…promise! I enjoyed putting it together and tapping into my inner Martha Stewart and Carolyne Roehm! 
Hope you enjoyed the recap…thanks as always for stopping in, stay tuned for party central part 2- I think you are going to loooove it, it’s one party I really have to say where my vision came alive and even surpassed my own expectations and that was a total thrill! Here is a sneak peek-

Until Thursday, hope you have a wonderful next few days…..will be back soon! Thanks for stopping in, am always happy that you do:)

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Gorgeous and it looks delicious. You’re a hosting genius! Thanks for sharing, can’t wait for the next one.

Oh Tina, thank you for inviting us into you party….outstanding food (that spinach salad is calling my name; I have an addiction to spinach!) and all the other hors d’oeuvres are FABULOUSLY displayed on all of your serving plates. Tina, has your home been in a magazine yet? I am aiming to submit photos and articles to a few magazines for my little cottage…..you MUST get your home into a magazine like VERANDA or another elegant home mag! Your loggia looks stunning and the pillow really worked out nicely.

WOW. Do work on getting an article out with some photos. Your dream has come true and thank you for all the beauty my dear. Anita

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So fun, Tina! Love the little frames telling you what you’re eating. I’m going to have to borrow that cute idea! Also, I MUST have that carrot cake recipe!!! Would your friend be willing to share it?! M.

Tina,

You are such an inspiration. I love reading your blog. I have been following since the beginning and it has been wonderful to see your beautiful home being built. Today’s post made me very hungry. What a lucky lady to have a friend like you to host a fantastic birthday luncheon!! Jan

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Tina what a beautiful party! Every detail is incredible, great pictures to pin and be inspired by! You must write a book- you are so talented!
That loggia with your pillows is a “10”!!
Thank you for continuing to awe and inspire me.

Hello sweetie,

Whoa… this is a dream, Tina! Everything looked incredibly delicious and impeccable! You’re a wonderful person for preparing everything to your friend… she probably felt very special!

Thank you for all the inspiration today! 🙂

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Tina!!!! You really hit it out of the ballpark sweetie pie! O MY GOSH! Could a little birthday brunch be any better than what you created? NO! You are an amazing friend and I’m sure you friends just adore you! Such a nice gesture and I love all of the recipes you made. The Chinese salad is a big favorite of mine and my aunt makes it all the time. The problem is… I can eat the whole bowl because it’s that good! Great pictures and I am going to try to wait patiently for the next party pics! The sneak peek looks amazing! Have fun on your getaway trip! XO

Tina you truly deserve a getaway! I do believe you could be a specialty caterer and home staging expert! (not that you need to of course!). We could also nominate you as Hostess of the Year! Everything is perfect and I must have the carrot cake recipe!

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Wow, it all looks so wonderful and fun.
Your are a loving and very giving friend to do this…
Can’t help but wish you were my friend as I love this look and all of your fabulous entertaining accents!
Your outdoor area is so spectacular!
Love your blog….
Thanks for sharing all the lovely photos with us!
Ree

Everything looks perfect Tina! I like the way you labeled the foods with the silver frames.. great idea! Spinach salads are so good in the summer time. I like the Greek twist with the cheese and a little Penne. Well.. you cake was definitely healthier than mine Lol! I think I saw that recipe a while back and I might try it for my next birthday party coming up in two weeks. Good for you for trying something new every time you entertain. They say you should entertain every few weeks to stay stay savvy .. I think you’re on it! Enjoy your getaway:)

Okay Tina, now I am sooooo hungry! I wish I had a piece of that cold carrot cake to go with my coffee right now! Everything looks beautiful and delicious – your friend must have been delighted with every detail. What a lucky birthday girl. Hope you enjoy your mini break. Looking forward to round two of party central. XOXO

Oh Tina, you are Martha but better. This is truly amazing. And I LOVE your pillows – they are perfect! I hope you are having a great mini vacation…
Stacy

Tina, WOW!!! You have such a generous spirit, and a flair and panache for entertaining. What a God given talent. You have mastered the art of living well, my dearest. Cannot wait to receive my Staffordshire dogs!

Blessings,

Irma

WOnderful Tina!!! Your pillows look fantastic, I love what you chose. You must share your Chinese Chicken salad recipe!!! Please!!!
And your friends’ carrot cake recipe too.
Table looked beautiful, I adore the peonies in the ginger jars. Can’t wait to see the next soiree!
Hugs

Awesome party and can’t wait to see the patio / porch party! Tina, do you have help with all the guest cooking and preparation? Our daughter, daughter-in-law and I put together all the food for my husband’s 70th birthday outdoor party last Sunday with 84 people there in all. It was good for me to have the two ladies helping me!

thanks,
Julia

How blessed your friend is to have you in her life! The luncheon was picture prefect! The porch is divine, Tina! For some reason this is the first time I have seen it with the furniture! Another perfect fit!!!! Your jars with the pink flowers… peonies and cherry blossoms make my heart flutter!

Love your classic sassy style!!!

Tina,

I have been enjoying family for a few days nd I have missed your beautiful log. Your party looks spectacular. What a wonderful fiend you are and a very lucky friend you have. Salads are the perfect summer luncheon looking forward to tryin your recipes.

The preview of your second party looks amazing! I cannot wait to see it.

Have. Great night, Elizabeth

What a beautiful party, Tina, and a lucky friend indeed. The food looks amazing and I am loving the different arrangements. Of course I love all of your blue and white with the amazing flowers and your fabulous new pillows in the sneak peek…can’t wait for more!!

You need to publish your own book on entertaining! Your party could not have been more fabulous…the flowers were beautiful, recipes look delicious, and your home is gorgeous! Looking forward to trying the Greek salad recipe when you post it!

I’m on eye candy overload!!! that was a lot of fun Tina. You are such a great friend. Love the outdoor setting,furniture,food,flowers etc. I love everything you do. I cannot wait to see more. xoxo

Loved the party pics in your beautiful home!! Couldn’t get recipes to come up. Was I doing something wrong? Jenny Blanc

Tina this is INCREDIBLE. She must be one special friend to have gotten such a gorgeous luncheon that looks like its part of a magazine spread! I love every detail and its so nice to see someone who really enjoys using all her pretty things. I think I may need to take mine out of my china closet and use them a lot more often!

I like others would love the recipes if you care to share them. Your patio looks so beautiful and that sneak peek of part 2 has me needing to see more! Thank you for sharing all this beauty.

Oh my goodness Tina, my jaw has dropped and as my kids say it takes a lot to wow me. But this is incredible. I love how you think of everything down the silver framed names of the foods! What a good idea.
Would love the recipes it all looks so darn good. That porch is a dream. I would sleep, eat and live out there. Love the pillows/lanterns addition, are you able to share your sources? Thanks for helping me to take a renewed interest in my new home, to love blue and white more than I ever have and to really care about the small and elegant details that make even every day meals special. Love your taste and style.
Fondly, Anne

Such a gorgeous presentation. I love that you prepared the food yourself! But I have to know, where did you find that stunning gold crown wrapping paper for the gift??? I have to have some! Susan at Romancing the Home

Everything is truly spectacular! And the food…way too pretty to eat! It looks divine! I am still dying for your recipes!! They all look so delicious! I”m sure the birthday girl was more than thrilled with everything! I would give anything to you throw a party for moi! LOL! It would be the highlight of my year! Hope you are enjoying your get away! Can’t wait to see the next lovely party! By the way…the pillows are fabulous!

I KNEW a party was happening over here. Well, it looks fabulous as always, Tina. I know how much work and planning goes into this and I’m sure your efforts were very much appreciated. Love how you took it outside on your new ‘patio’ (west coast-speak). Can’t wait to see the next partay!

What lucky friends you had and especially the birthday girl. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like you. Your decor and food all looked fabulous! You have such an eye for detail right down to that beautiful gold crown gift wrap. I too would love to know where you
purchased it. You have a fun getaway! You deserve it!!

lovely tina, i can see that you do fuss and the results are fab!
peach sangria, mini pita’s, WW cake?! the loggia is gorgeous and yes, cozy indeed, great space for entertaining.

enjoy you mini vacation!
xx
debra

I absolutely love the way your entertain. I am so inspired! I also love the way your display your salads on platters. I must try this for my next party!
xo
Sharon

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Tina!
YUMMMMM! All looks delightfully delectable and gorgeous ‘simple’ styling! I would love to just be ‘clean-up’ crew on one of your soiree’s!
xo

gorgeous looking tablescape and delish menu! I especially love the mini pita’s–will be borrowing that for my next little fete! Happy summer!!
xo Barbara

Everything looks beautiful AND delicious! I’m so glad your recipes are here because I was going to have to ask for the peach sangria & Chinese chicken salad recipes. Sounds amazing!

Keri

How beautiful Tina, as always, and your stunning patio, or rather terrace with arches and columns is perfection, love your choice of table and wicker with it…you are right, in the rain, covered patios are the best….ours is also covered, not as gard as yours (: but it works in a warm summer rainy day perfectly…loving the rain right now…everyting is greeeeeeener (:

hugs Z

Can I be your friend…..PULEEEEASE???!!! The luncheon is picture perfect as is everything you do. The food sounds PERFECT for a luncheon, my kind of food. The carrott cake sounds wonderful too, will have to serch for that recipe. Thanks for sharing your wonderful party. XO, Pinky

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