{in season) Cranberries

I have a fabulous client, who is more like a friend.  When I visit her home to discuss upcoming parties, she offers coffee, smoothies or a glass of wine ... it hardly feels like work!  This holiday season, I'm helping her with her decorations, including new greenery for the staircases.  I found this inspiring photo on pinterest; isn't it fabulous?!

The little pop of red reminded me of cranberries ... and how much fun you could have creating the look and feel of a holiday party based on cranberries.

Red ornaments atop candlesticks?  Stunning and simple decor!

Rosy Cranberry Cider ... perfect beverage to warm up a crowd on a cold winter's night!

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites!  Yummy appetizer!

Other creative ideas for cranberries:

Garnish

spear a few onto a drink stirrer

Floral

add cranberries to a clear vase for a festive touch

Candle Holder

embellish a tray of votive candles with cranberries

Ice Bucket

DIY ice bucket decorated with cranberries

Tutorial forthcoming soon!

What are your clever uses for cranberries this holiday season?  Please leave me a comment and let me know!

All images found on pinterest.  Credits include BHG, Martha Stewart and Yummy Mummy.

Leftover Turkey and Brie Quesadillas

At my family's Thanksgiving dinner there's always leftover turkey!  That wouldn't be a problem except I don't like turkey and I don't like leftovers ... that was until I discovered this really yummy quesadilla recipe with gooey brie, cranberry sauce and turkey.  Now, it's one of my favorite recipes and go-to party recipes.  [Quesadillas are great crowd-pleasing appetizers] So, on the day after Thanksgiving, if you want a delicious meal after some serious Black Friday shopping, try this recipe!

Flour tortillas

Dijon mustard

Turkey slices

Cranberry sauce

Thick slices of brie cheese

Brush mustard on tortilla.  Layer turkey and 2 slices of brie on one half of the tortilla.  Add a dallop of cranberry sauce (try to avoid any juice).  Fold the tortilla in half.  Heat in a skillet with a little olive oil, or bake at 450 for 10 minutes.  Did I mention the gooey brie?! It's so yummy!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and if you try this recipe, please let me know!

Photo credit and recipe inspiration from Martha Stewart

Thanksgiving Treats that Kids will Gobble Up!

If you are hosting children for dinner this Thanksgiving, consider one of these super adorable - and easy to make - treats.  I guarantee that everyone, not just the kids, will gobble them up!

Rice Krispie Turkey Pops

via Kelloggs

Little Gobblers

via 7thHouseontheleft

Oreo Turkeys (with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!)

via OurBestBites

Do you have a favorite turkey treat?  If so, please leave a comment to share it with me!

Wine Bottle Disguise

Whether you are a novice purchaser, recycler or matching-maven, you can always be a savvy hostess by dressing up your wine bottle!  See how pretty the bottle sits on the dinner table?!

To dress up the wine bottle above, I used a cloth napkin folded into thirds, wrapped it around the bottle and secured it with a complementary ribbon.

Other materials to dress up your bottle include:

fabric remnants

gift wrap

tissue paper

twine

raffia ribbon

wasabi tape

custom or pre-made labels

... and what about acorns, leaves and felt rosettes to embellish??

Has this article inspired you to dress up your wine bottle?  Please leave me a comment to let me know.

{in season} Gourd-geous Tablescape

Last weekend, during the east coast snow storm, my family visited our local pumpkin patch; it was two days before Halloween and we were without pumpkins!  We found little ones for the girls and perfectly round pumpkins for my husband and I.  I turned my pumpkin into a vase, filled it with seasonal flowers and placed it our dining room table.  I'm not one to brag but I really think it's gourd-geous! What do you think?

To make your own pumpkin vase, select a medium-size, not-too-tall pumpkin.  Cut the top and gut it.  Place flowers inside a glass container and then, insert this container into the pumpkin.  Voila!  In 10 minutes or less you have a gourd-geous floral arrangement, too!

More photos and posh in a pinch tips of my Gourd-geous Gatherings tablescape may be found in this month's party possibilities newsletter.  I invite you to read it and let me know if you like the butternut squash vases, mink brown satin table linens, place setting embellishments and leaf-shaped butter!