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Hi there! So excited to be here for our last By Invitation Only post for 2013…….hard to believe! Where did the time go? 2013 has been an amazing year and I am so fortunate to have been included with such a talented and inspiring group of women/fellow bloggers. It has been fun coming up with our own take on various themes this year……..and I so enjoy seeing what everyone else comes up with too!
The theme this month is both a festive and fun one, Christmas cocktails…..and I had a ball putting it together. Especially since I was originally planning on throwing a real live shindig but alas it was not meant to happen, however am hoping to do a post holiday bash in January. So I had fun living vicariously through this party and best part of all…you are all invited!
Ready for me to open the door so you can come on in and get this party started?
My invitation might look something like this…..
And as your festive hostess, this is what I will be wearing…..
This gorgeous red lace dress (my Christmas wish came true early…I can eat all I want forever and ever and never gain a pound, hence how I will fit into this dress)!
And of course to show my spirit….gotta add a little green!
And can’t decide which of these beauties to include, maybe both!
A little gold polishes it off!
And when the party is in full swing, and no one is looking I will change into these (hey at least they are festive)!
Come on in…….
The first thing that greets you will be the Christmas tree in the foyer…but it’s not the last one you will see!
You will hear all of your favorite holiday tunes being sung by real live Christmas carolers all dressed up in their holiday finest!
You are then handed a glass of champagne to start the celebrating!
And as you stroll throughout the house with the hum of the carolers singing their tunes, you see that in every room, Christmas had indeed arrived. I have tables set up all over the house as “food stations” so that people will walk and mingle…..
Paperwhites will be all over….permeating my home with their intoxicating scent
A local master baker has created this incredible take on a gingerbread house as one of my centerpieces!
This is a cocktail party…no formal stuffy sit down dinners. This is a casual but elegant affair with a ton of appetizers, both stationery and passed. A quick look at some of the foods that will be served…….we know it’s all about the food!!
Mini ceasar salads served in small mint julep cups
Feta and tomato crostinis
Fruits and chocolate tuxedo strawberries
Crab stuffed mushrooms
Mini shrimp cocktail
Mini Fish tacos and patron
A modern and whimscial take on pigs in a blanket:)
Crab ragoons
Skewered lime shrimp
And if you are like me, what you really want to know about are the desserts, here is just a sampling of what will be served….
A gorgeous cookie display of amazing cookies to take home!
All kinds of amazing cakes!
Donuts and milk anyone?
And these cakes do not need narration….YES they are that good!
An assortment of Ms. Prindables apples
Incredible cameo cookies
This is cruel, I know……… to post so many delectable goodies especially when I am hungry, sorry for any binges this might create…hey, its the holidays, enjoy!
Once we are done toasting, cheering, laughing eating to our hearts delight and of course singing through it all…..I hand out these darling party favors!
The new theme is “Hooray for the Holidays“. I am accepting pictures for anything having to do with the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas) up until Dec. 4th. I will run the contest through Dec. 8th and announce a winner on Monday, Dec.9th. I have already gotten some beauties so be sure to send yours in!
No rules…however you interpret “Hooray for the Holidays”. Could be a favorite meal, your home all decked out, your Thanksgiving table, a pretty table setting from a holiday past, a pet or child showing their spirit, etc…..I know I am in for a treat, your talents and inspirations always blow me away. Same rules, two pictures per entrant, you must put Hooray for the Holidays in the subject line of your email (I get a ton of email and don’t want it lost in the shuffle). Email them to [email protected].
A reminder that these must be your pictures (not necessarily of your home but pictures that belong to you, not taken off internet)
And if you missed the announcement yesterday of my newest giveaway, by all means click here to enter to be in the running for this gorgeous large chunky trivet!
That was so much fun! I really think your parties have all that going on for sure! You seem like the best hostess there is and your lovely home looks gorgeous decked out in all its Christmas sparkle! Love everything!
A beautiful party Tina… your dress is heaven… and I can’t wait to come!! xv
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh dear, I just went and had a glass of champagne chez Vicki Archer, and my head is already buzzing, but I think I’ll dip into some of that food you show to curb my imbalance here! And I’ll wiggle into that wonderful dress and balance on those fantastic platforms! WOW, Tina, what a party! This is a time of dreams and this is what I love to dream of, parties to gaze upon, enjoy a glass of bubbles, then slip into some soft slippers by the fire. Well done my dear….thank you so much for this invitation.
LOVE YOUR NEW HEADER! Anita
What a perfect party! I love your outfit and jewels and of course all the beautiful festive touches throughout the home. I love cocktails and appetizers way more than a formal sit down dinner and you will be serving many of my favorite foods. This was perfect from start to finish. Thank you for a wonderful way to start my day Tina.
Oh my goodness Tina …… I can’t wait to eat all of that wonderful food !!!! What a spread and how beautifully done …. a perfect BIO post for December.
Gorgeously decorated home, delicious food …. even Father Christmas but, my favourite part were your slippers !!!! XXXX
An enchanted home indeed…absolutely fabulous, Tina…what a party…and you’re going to look stunning in the red dress and emeralds…wow 🙂 xx
You do know how to throw a party Tina! Festive and beautiful, you will indeed need these slippers…
Tina! Thank you for coming to visit MY HOME, yes! There is so much more to show, but again, my photography is not my forte! We live a quiet life here at our cottage/mini castle, and I love my angels’ wings and things of that nature….all I need outside is a white horse (HA! my neighbor would have a say on that!) and I would be pleased as punch.
Many hugs and thanks for always coming to comment and if I gave you goosebumps, then I’ve accomplished my dream: to carry away my readers to hope.
HAVE A BLAST! (I should be coming home today to a gorgeous plateau!)
Anita
I think you can add party planner to your repertoire! You haven’t left out a detail and I love the addition of the carolers, you are giving me an idea for our own party on Dec. 21st. We always have our annual party for between 70-100 people. Its a lot of work but always such fun and we can’t stop now, everyone starts talking about it in the summer! Love all these decadent details. Thank you Tina!
What an incredible party Tina, I will be straight over after I leave Marsha’s house, but I might have to wear my slippers by then too. So much beautiful food and such amazing attention to detail. Thank you for choosing this great theme this month with Marsha, it has been fun, I only wish we could all be together. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas. xxx Coty
The images of your home are absolutely stunning, Tina…and the food looks divine…I need your recipes. Merry Christmas. Mona
You certainly know how to throw a party!!!! Love your nutcrackers…I need to add to our collection this year. We’re almost done with the decorating…not quite as all out as in years past, but love lighting my Nest holiday candle and putting on the Christmas music.
I haven’t had breakfast, so now I’m wanting cake!! 🙂
Merry merry everything!!!
xoxoxo elizabeth
Truly a gorgeous party- so elegant! I love your dress and the heels are a perfect touch! Thank you for sharing such fabulous ideas!
Gorgeous party! Holiday dress is one of the best ever.
Truthfully ….. totally exhausted just looking at festivities and food!!! Where to begin and when to stop …. haa.ha.
Ohwell. We can all dream …..
Marcee …. ILLINOIS
Tina I can’t go back to work now…caught a buzz from too much champagne!! That was fun!!
tina, hands down you are the BEST hostess! can i come?
xo
debra
All you can do is just gaze and daydream at the beautiful Christmas pictures!!
What a chic bash, Tina. Every detail is perfect. I’m hungry just looking at all the amazing treats (and the best part, they are virtual so won’t put me at risk of not fitting into my own cocktail frock!) Thanks for inviting us to such a spectacular party. Hope your season is just as fun and festive as this post! XOXO
So much beauty! I can imagine the atmosphere filled with love and laughter. You have an enormous capacity for giving–your friends and family are so blessed.
Tina, would be so grateful if you would help me help a friend get the word out about her new novel. For details, please go to http://www.illuminationbycindy.blogspot.com. Thank you so much.
What date is this party, Tina? I definitely want to be there!
Of course, I love everything you’ve done, down to the very last detail, that’s why it will be such a fun party. And, you’ve given me some really good ideas for the foods, seriously. I can tell we both love Christmas, we both love entertaining, a great combination which is certain to produce a wonderful evening for friends and family. Just wonderful !!! Merry Christmas !
Those mini tacos and (modern;) pigs in a blanket are so cute! .. and the desserts… goodness!!! I’m ready to dive in at 7:45 a.m.! Those Jimmy Choo pumps are gorgeous. I wish they weren’t so high 🙁 It was fun to see glimpses of your home in the mix Tina. The Nut Cracker display is lots of fun and I like all the gold on the tree. Enjoy your day!
You’re correct, it is cruel, LOL! The gingerbread house is beyond magnificent, as well as those cookies, my word. The really stellar piece IMO is the lace frock, what a beautifully understated piece. I’ll take a pair of those slippers, mandatory after the Jimmy Choos!
The concept of finger foods – when done so well – better than sitting down to eat! Wouldn’t it be fun to have a house so thoroughly decorated, too.
It sounds like my idea of a perfect party!!! I am catching up on old posts so this may be the first of several comments from me today!
Have a lovely day! xoxo
Perfection. Truly! Perfection. I think we ALL breathed a “Thank you Tina!” of relief when you suggested this fun theme – even though it took me so long to explain the cocktail I didn’t even make it to the party, the fun part! And this is all so beautiful. I get such a kick out of the details that you think about–amazing. I will happily attend ANY party of yours. 🙂
Happy Holidays and Gros Bisous from Provence!
Heather
What a delightful and enchanting post, dear Tina!
Thanks for your invitation!!! Love and enjoy every piece/image/room….and…and…!
Wonderful party! CHEERS!
Wish you a lovely pre-Christmas time and Holiday Season,
warmest greetings, karin
This is a perfect party if I ever saw one. LOVE your outfit and the idea of having carolers to sing all the tunes, great idea.
The foods have me starving for chocolate cake, crab bites and everything else, that is my favorite way to eat. Your have superb taste, unlike anyone I know Tina and I love the way you show us the beauty in the world. Your blog is my guilty pleasure!
Evelyn
Tina, you are officially our queen of parties!
Thank you for a beautiful post
Sharon
xx
You have absolutely exquisite taste. It will be memorably magnificent, surely the best party anybody has ever thrown in your neighborhood ever!
It’d fabulous to have the money AND the classy taste to be able to do this! Very lovely. Enjoy:)
Ho utterly enchanting Tina!!! I can’t wait for a ride on that sleigh!!!!! Whoohooo……Thank you for the fun idea you had for Dec BIO! I have so much blogging “catch up” to do here….just as soon as I am back from my trip I am having a day of visiting you here…Have a splendid month of December filled with amazing memories…
Sending Love to you Tina
Veronica
xxx
Okay just tell me when the party is I will be there!! WHat fun festive ideas and of course the classic blue and white touches are a staple!!!
You do know how to throw a party Tina. I cannot imagine any way to improve upon this, it is perfect! I love your outfit too, and smart girl to have those cute little slippers nearby. All that food has me hungry. Love your blog. Happy holidays to you.
By the time we have eaten all that feast, we will look as rotund as Father Christmas himself, methinks! What a party!
Stunning, as always the mystery is the host…..who is she? under what true name does
she go by? most of all, hmmmmm….is it N.Y. state? Will she ever come out of hiding?
Where or where…..
the menu is so appealing, tina! i love the idea of tons of apps and tasting it all rather than sitting down for a heavy meal with just a couple dishes. you’re a heavenly hostess methinks.
happy holidays.
michele
Love the red and white check and the plaid…..so cute! Everything sounds yummy!
Tina,
Where ARE those cakes from? I’d love to know if you have a moment. What a beautiful affair this would be.
Michelle
[email protected]
What a cool design and the ideas is most important for create design this type. Love your design thanks. Bedroom Decor ideas
Oh what a fun and fabulous post! Sitting in a plane…won’t want to miss this party for anything!
What a beautiful and memorable night this would be. That red dress stunning. Now you’ve done it, must have Chocolate…. Hi Tine this was so much fun. I’m going back to take a few more looks. Thank you for sharing your very lovely Christmas Spirit. Regards Esther from Sydney.
Oh my goodness, that was so much fun!! I’m stealing all kinds of your beautiful ideas for my party next year! 🙂
A glorious party Tina! Your decor is stunning and you will look fabulous in that dress!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
This is one party I would love to attend! Wow, you really are in the Christmas spirit, and I love your decorations. I stopped trying to keep up with favorites. So much beautiful and deliciousness!
Teresa
xoxo
This is almost overwhelming in its glorious abundance. Definitely Christmas in grand scale, and ooooo would it be fun to pop by and stay for about… two weeks! (So much to see, to breathe in, to nibble.)
But I must warn you. If those Jimmy Choo peep-toes are a size 5 1/2 or 6? And they disappear? I know nothing. Niente. Nada. Rien du tout.
Just saying…
Gorgeous! And have a wonderful holiday season!
D. A.
Deliziose le immagini scelte, golose le torte, e la scelta del “Moscato” non posso che condividerla! Tanti Auguri a te e famiglia per una manifico Natale e tanti tanti tanti brindisi! Ciao
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
Bring you Good wishes of happiness.
Sorry for greeting you earlier,, just don’t want miss saying this.
By the way, I’m clotee. It’s my first time visiting your blog. I am blogger too, and now try my best luck to open an e-store. Nice to know you.
Regards,
Clotee