Happy New Year's

A few inspiring images to get you in the mood for tonight's celebration!

Happy New Year's to all! x

Links to all images here.

Party time.

I love an excuse for a party.  After spending some time on the Shop Sweet Lulu site, I have a serious party bug.  Don't all these adorable goodies just cry out for a par-tay?!

All items sold here.  Now get partying!

Photo Prettiness for your Monday

I want to get married...again.  No, not to a different husband.  I just want to redesign my wedding again...and again, and again.  Don't get me wrong.  I LOVED my first wedding and wouldn't have changed anything about it.  (Even the things that went kind of wrong like the flowers still added up to make it one of the happiest days of my life.)

Now with my Pinterest addiction and all of the blogs I read,

Michelle Edgemont has a really cool job.  She styles weddings.  She also does floral arrangements, invitations, etc.  The whole kit and kaboodle.  I just love looking at the pictures and imagining the fabulous parties that were had.  Makes me happy for a Monday.

All images from here.

Feta Dip Appetizer

This is an easy appetizer to whip up and goes great with hummus and veggies and you can serve two dips, both with the same "dippers."  Perfect little thing to make before a party.

What You'll Need:
8oz feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
6 tablespoons olive oil+ extra for serving
fresh thyme


What You'll Do:

Add feta, lemon zest and juice, garlic and olive oil into blender and mix well.  Put into small serving bowl and top with additional olive oil and fresh thyme.  Serve with pita chips or veggies.  I made some quick homemade pita chips by baking fresh pita at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes drizzled with a little olive oil and salt.  

Homemade Pico de Gallo

Even in the winter when the tomatoes are not at their peak, pico de gallo tastes fresh and healthy.  And it is so easy to make at home, why buy it already prepared?

What You Need:
6 roma tomatoes, diced (you could use another kind of 'mater but these are my hubby's favorite)
1 small onion, finely diced
1 large handful of fresh cilantro
juice of one lime
1/2 jalapeno, seeds removed, chopped finely
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

What You Do:
Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix together.  Seriously, that's it.

We had some friends over for a little quasi-Mexican themed dinner.  I set the table with mixed colorful napkins, colored tea light holders and some paper mache fruit I picked up in Mexico on our honeymoon.

and set out some appetizers (including the pico and some guac!) to get the party started.  Oh, and guess who wanted in on some appetizer action.  That's right, G Dubs...

Oh, and even though its not a Tuesday, here's a little tip.  I just served store bought guacamole but if you dress it up with a little chopped tomato, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, everyone will think it is homemade!