Busy, Busy, Busy

{Candid Chic Photography}

I am so excited that the holiday season is here! My calendar is full, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love being able to celebrate this special time of year with family and friends!

I do feel a little overwhelmed though with not only the hustle and bustle of Christmastime, but I am also in the process of planning Conrad's second birthday party which will take place in a few weeks AND Nick's birthday party in January. I guess I need to accept the fact that this time of year will forever be insanely busy! A November anniversary, Thanksgiving, two birthday parties, Christmas, shopping, house guests, parties, school functions, New Year's...you name it!

I miss blogging on a daily basis! I truly am so sad that my time is limited for the next few weeks. I promise to post ideas and parties during this Christmas season, but I just wanted to explain my absence and lack of posting. I look forward to sharing Conrad's party details right after Christmas!

A heartfelt thank you to EVERYONE who checks in with me daily and for all of your uplifting comments. Reading your sweet words truly make my day and encourage me to continue blogging.

Coming up right after this post...an unusual Christmas dessert!

xoxo,

Christi

{Real Parties} An Anthropologie Inspired Bridal Shower

Whenever my friend, Cindy Gatewood, hosts a shower, I know it is going to be amazing. I am IN LOVE with this Anthropologie-inspired bridal shower Cindy hosted (along with several other very talented ladies) for bride-to-be, Jill.

The party was captured by the talented Angela Francis of Bella-Smile Photography.

The setting was perfect. The luncheon was held at BRIO Tuscan Grille in the new City Centre here in Houston. The gathering took place on the outdoor patio which lent for a neutral and organic space.

What I love about this party are all of the handmade details. The hostesses styled the tables themselves along with all of the centerpieces. Don't you love the baby's breath arrangements?! The ladies purchased fabrics and went to work creating table runners, napkin rings, favor ties and even the apron on the mannequin. Yes! The apron was made by one of the hostesses which I could not believe!

The favor table was precious and perfectly styled!

My good friend, Hayley Hardcastle, designed all of the gorgeous paper products including the favor table sign.

Another amazing handmade detail besides the napkin rings seen above are the vases. All of the vases were spray painted and a few were stenciled with a beautiful floral pattern!

The table with aprons tied to the chairs was the reserved table for Jill and her family. The lucky ladies got to take home the Anthropologie aprons as a gift!

The specialty drink of the day was a "Jill-Ini"...a nod to the bride's name which is Jill. CUTE!

Cindy and her talented friends handcrafted a gorgeous shower for Jill that I am sure she will always remember! Congratulations to Jill on her upcoming wedding THIS weekend!

Vendor Sources:

Paper goods - Hayley Hardcastle of HH Design House

Photography: Angela Francis of Bella Smile Photography

Location: BRIO Tuscan Grille

Glitter and Snow Table Design by Bird's Party

Let's kick of the Christmas season with a ultra chic and stylish table designed by Bird's Party (Bird Crafts)! If you are looking for a glam party idea, this is it! The colors and designs are perfect for a grown-up soiree full of glitz and glam. It's also a perfect design for New Year's Eve!

The black and white party collection includes invitations, party labels, stylish drink tags for champagne flutes, favor tags, thank you labels, candy jar labels, place cards and even CUSTOMIZABLE templates!!

The collection is currently half price ($7) until Friday, November 26th! Visit Bird's Party to learn more details about this gorgeous party design...

{Recipes} Pumpkin Bread

{image via Flickr}

You will forever love me for this recipe! Seriously, this pumpkin bread is phenomenal and people will be asking you for the recipe. The recipe comes from a college friend whose family has baked the bread for years. Ever since I got my hands on the recipe, I have made it many times during the fall and winter holidays. I just made two loaves tonight to freeze and then serve on Thanksgiving morning!

Ingredients:

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 can Libby's pumpkin

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees

* In a large bowl, mix the sugar and oil together

* Add the eggs and mix until yellow

* Add the canned pumpkin and mix

* In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon

* Then, add the bowl of dry ingredients to the egg/pumpkin mixture and mix.

* Add tsp of vanilla and stir again.

For Muffins:

Spray muffin tins or use liners and fill about 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes around 30 muffins.

For Bread:

Spray two loaf pans and divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes.

{Real Parties} Friar Tuck Cup

My good friend, Christine, recently hosted one of the best parties I have ever attended! That's because the length she went to, to entertain that evening, would compare with a wedding reception. But the occasion was intended just for a fun night out and to celebrate the completion of the tennis court on their property. I know...amazing, right??

{the fabulous Goodlight Photography studio captured the evening}

The party was called The Friar Tuck Cup which was named after their street. I wish I had an invitation picture to share with you! One morning, I awoke to a small box on my doorstep. It was a white box that contained a tennis ball packed in crinkle paper and the round, flip-book invitation was tucked inside. Amazing presentation and designed by Atelier du Papier!

All of the real tennis players were invited to play in a tournament that day and the rest of us, who just wanted to party, joined in the fun that evening. I knew it was going to be an unforgettable evening, but my jaw still managed to drop when I pulled into her gate. I could tell right away that the decor was phenomenal.

After the tournament was finished, Events in Bloom swooped in and turned the tennis court into a preppy lounge area and dance floor. The party colors consisted of yellow, green and navy and you saw touches of the palette all throughout the space...from the custom houndstooth pillows and tablecloths, to the ribbon chandeliers, napkins and drinks.

The decor was simply stunning, and for this event planning junkie (me!), I was in party heaven. Events in Bloom covered areas of the court with seagrass rugs and they brought in tables set with ghost chairs and different styles of banquettes to create lounge areas throughout the space.

Flip flops were available for the guests who wanted to get more comfortable or forgot that they could not wear heels on the court. I wore wedges...problem solved.

We were wined and dined by A Fare Extraordinaire which is one of the best catering companies in Houston. Then, The Spazmatics performed!!! If you are from Texas, you just might be familiar with this outstanding 80's cover band! I had a guess they were going to be the surprise entertainment and I was right! SO.MUCH.FUN.

Can you see the stage?! Those are tennis balls placed throughout the greenery on the facade! I love this picture. Everyone was asked to wear "tennis whites" and sweet Valerie, a current Belle (Belle of the Ball), said she came dressed as the tennis ball!! Love that story!

As we left, we were handed tennis ball cans which were filled with sweet potato chips dusted with powdered sugar...a signature dish of A Fare Extraordinaire. Delicious!

And to complete the evening, when my car was delivered to me by the valet, this small card was hanging on my rear view mirror. Seriously, Christine never leaves a detail out!

I just couldn't leave you without a few real party pics! Here I am hanging out with some of my best friends, guests dancing the night away to the 80's cover band and the hosts of the evening, Ty and Christine.

Thank you for an unforgettable evening! Can't wait until the Second Annual FTC!