'Cause it's Ladies Night

Last Friday evening I had a few ladies in for a little soiree.

We were celebrating... lets go with good company. We shared laughs and many a story over snacks and drinks while admiring and trying on pretties from the latest Lia Sophia jewellery line.

Now typically when hosting a get together at my house I do well to get the floors scrubbed and the counters cleaned off - any company that comes by on a regular basis can attest to that. Our house is a home and is most certainly well lived in. You know what I mean? Which is the very reason why I decided to pull out some irregular stops and took this evening to the next level. We all need a change of scenery sometimes. And what better way than an elevated evening out for my guests.

My inspiration came from the Lia Sophia Spring and Summer Catalogue itself.

Pinks are not usually my style - I am definitely beige in life - but they were just the ticket to pulling the evening together. And as it turns out they brought Spring into my kitchen on an otherwise dreary rainy night.

With just a few simple steps I was able to pull my home together. Here are a few hints to help with your next shindig:

1. Pick a theme/colour palette for inspiration.

• As previously stated, I went with pinks overall but also added pops of green.

The colour scheme is evident in this bouquet.

2. Collect pretties from around the house that can be incorporated.

• For those of you who are on a budget like me, shop your house. Find things that can be incorporated with your colours and theme without going out and getting everything new. Unless of course you can, then by all means!

Drink Station

I incorporated my old dresser {that seriously needs a facelift in the near future} that usually acts as the computer desk and converted it into a drink station. My regular clear dishes did the trick keeping things crisp without competing with the colour scheme.

3. Get Shopping.

• You don't need to go overboard. That goes for food, drinks, and decor. Just take your time and pull things together in the details.
• Clear and white dishes are great staples to invest in along the way for just these occasions. But no need to splurge all the time, great things can be found at thrift stores and yard sales. My friend Leanne over at The Fancy Life just posted recently about a simple jackpot find she stumbled across for a mere 49 cents! 
• If you are going to splurge, I recommend doing it on flowers. They make such a statement no matter the size of your budget.

Using clear and white dishes, with the exception of the green vase, allowed the dishes to neutralize the background and let the food, drinks and of course jewellery take centre stage.

I chose to do fresh fruit, cranberry cream cheese pinwheels {the green spinach wraps fit right in}, pink lemonade cupcakes, a roasted red pepper dip with pita, and a sweet courtesy of Meema - which honestly are my new obsession! I am officially not getting the recipe because I wont be able to control myself. 

Things are simple at the drink station as well. A basic punch, Perrier flavours, and wine selection is all we needed. Water was in the fridge. And we just gussied it up a bit with tulips, berries, and the setup itself.

4. Pre Preparation.

• Once you have the whole picture in mind and the menu set, do as much preparation in advance as possible. Go ahead and do your cleaning the day before. And if your house is like mine, you'll need to do a scoop of the floors the day of but that is much less daunting than a deep scrub.
• Same goes for food items. Anything that can be done in advance, go for it! Then you are able to plate just before your guests arrive. Much less stress!

I baked the lemonade cupcakes the day before the event. And since my neighbour Janine and her sweet family were coming for dinner she volunteered to make decorate them with those darling flowers! Love them!

5. Enjoy Yourself.

• Dont put too much pressure on yourself. I know, easier said than done. But seriously, this is good advice I offer. If you follow the previous steps and keep it simple and organized, you can have everything out and ready before your guests arrive {or at least shortly after}. Then let it go. Check in of course but don't allow it to monopolize your night.
• Cheers yourself to success. Simple elegance.

Have any of you been taking your events to the next level? Any tips to share with the class?

And if you are in the area and want to book a party, check out our host Sherri here.

Chat soon!

Spring Spruce Up

Flowers of the week.
{A gift from my sister in law for hanging out with the kids.}

This time of year, when mother nature starts to give us Maritimers a little break, an automatic alarm seems to go off inside of me. A switch from 'lazy' winter mode to 'extreme turbo' happens in a split second sending everyone and everything running for cover. 

I attribute this 360 degree change to the weather mostly. After a long cold winter, I throw open the windows and doors and escape the cabin fever that engulfs us. Everyone else seems to do the same. Our street has been taken over by kiddos on their bikes and trikes, busy bee neighbours working in their yards, and everyone and their momma out for early morning all the way through to late night strolls. 

And this gal is in her glory! All of us here at the MacDonald/Gaudett household are loving every single itty bitty second of it. We finally get to pull out some of our lighter jackets and tuck away those bulky handmade wool sweaters {scored at Frenchies and loathed by the Common-Law}. The 'Spring Clean' gets cranked up to the next level. Out with the yard tools. In with the windex and paper towels. And this is the time of year for 'the list' to really take centre stage and shine! We can enjoy weather and be productive at the same time. Music to my ears.

But not just the house and yard need attention. After a cold winters worth of neglect, I need to turn some of that turbo energy inward. Which is why I have made, you've guessed it, yet another list. Winter  around these parts takes a toll on a person. It just drains all the warmth out of you making it difficult to stay motivated and leaves you all scraggly and plump, no sharp edges in sight. Thus, the much needed list.

Most people make their yearly resolutions at New Years. I make them too, but never follow through. I cant even remember what mine where this year. But when spring time rolls around and the warm sun shines its face, I hop right back on the resolution band wagon. A few seemingly menial goals will make all the difference for the season ahead. {And if I do really well with these, I will tack on a few more. Capeesh?}

Drum roll please...

• Walk Moe twice a day. {Simple right? Good for him. Good for Finn. Good for finding those sharp edges again.}
• Shower, Dry/Straighten Hair, apply Makeup three times a week. {Simple right? Will make all the difference I am sure.}
• Try a new recipe once a week. {Simple right?}
• Read a book {Does't have to be rocket science or philosophy. Just a little light reading. Simple right?}

And thats it. Nothing mind blowing. Just a few simple things that I don't always, or sometimes ever, take the time to do. But they will make all the difference in how I think and feel about myself.

What about you? Do you make resolutions or set goals for yourself this time of year? Care to share with the group?

Hope to hear back from you. And if not, chat soon!

Pinch of Productivity, Buckets of Fun

What a B-E-A-Utiful weekend we are having!

My apologies for being MIA but the fam and I have been off galavanting here and there and everywhere. I hope the same goes for you!

Just wanted to stop by and give ya's a quick update of our goings on.

First thing Saturday morning my girlfriend Shannon and her husband returned home after a week in Cuba {which I am not jealous about even a little bit. Zero.} and scooted down to pick up Charlie {their sweet pup who had been staying with us and was included in a mini photo-op here}. After seeing him off, which was a devastatingly sad time in Moe's life, Robert got to work finishing up the second shelf in the entry closet {which I alluded to here}. I am rather impressed with that mans Handy Manny skills.

Simple joy to an organizers eyes.

Leaving this as is, we packed up and headed to Truro for the afternoon. We scouted out fabric for a DIY project to start this week for the entry {keep checking back for more} and scored three bigger bin/baskets for the entry closet {which I am beyond excited about! They are so so me!}

This is the direction the entry seems to be taking.
{Still trying to find a pop of colour. Suggestions welcome.}

Upon our return home we did a quick once-over, because we had just left the house as is {which is never the ideal}, and hosted friends for the evening. After the exchange of many a story {some long winded} and the very best from-the-gut laugher we called it a night. A Saturday to be cherished.

Sunday brought with it sunshine once again and we have been out and about - collecting groceries and me falling madly in love with EVERYTHING in the Superstores seasonal section {bring on those summer days and nights!}. 

Now we are off with the neighbours to a local ball field to let the dogs have a 'tear' off leash {Roberts words}. That dog of ours is spoiled rotten. 

Check out his new friend!

I hope you have all enjoyed your weekends as much as we have. Perhaps you have even combined productivity and fun. Enjoy the rest of your day and we shall chat this week - on the flip side! Cheers!

Spreading the love from our home to yours!