Floral Bakery by Hatch Creative Studio

This was from awhile back, but I was perusing blogs this morning and one of my favorites, HATCH Creative Studio, designed the cutest thing for The Knot & The Empire State Buildings "Wedding with a View" Sweepstakes. Besides designing the set for 14 weddings, they created a Floral Bakery where they custom "baked" the brides bouquets and personal flowers. So sweet!

Images: HATCH creative studio (NY)

Featured in Nesting Newbies Magazine

Nesting Newbies is a digital shelter magazine introducing new nesters to the joy of learning how to cook, entertain, and decorate their new digs. I was very excited and flattered to be included in their 3rd issue. Click here to flip thru this fabulous magazine!

Some of my favorite things....

Yesterday was a sad day...memorial service, good friend and next door neighbor moves to Maine, and my boys last day of preschool....so thought I would focus on happy things today....

A few of my favorite things...
Grownup Peanut Butter S'mores
Party Pennants
Cocktails
Eating Outdoors with Friends, photo by Jose Villa

Real Soirees: Aiden's Pirate Party

Well this party could not get any cuter! Tracy submitted this amazing Pirate Birthday Party and Candy Buffet she designed for her sons 3rd birthday. Love the red and white polka dots, Pirate Illustration, and gable boxes. . The stinkin' cute little pirate labels, cupcake toppers and wrappers, flag banner, invitations, custom tee and front door sign were all by Munchkin Designs. (great go to site for party favors, gifts, and custom paper goods). Does that little man look happy or what! Great party, thanks Tracy for sharing!

Love these bowls!

I've been lovin' these bowls for awhile. Might have to head to Anthropologie this weekend!

Outdoor Centerpieces

Here's a couple great centerpiece ideas from Martha Stewart for an outdoor dinner party!

Paper Lantern Centerpiece
Moss and Stone Centerpiece

Images MarthaStewart.com

Magnet Street Weddings Blogger Contest for Charity

I had the opportunity to enter the Magnet Street Weddings invitation design contest for bloggers. It was so much fun taking one of their modern designs and personalizing it with one of my favorite color schemes, sunny yellow, charcoal, and white. Of course, I had to include my favorite fantasy wedding couple, Amanda & Graham from the movie The Holiday. Can I get The Holiday 2, please?

Any how if you like the invite, please VOTE HERE, and help me win $1000 for my charity, The Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Hospital. My boys were born at Emanuel and had amazing care during their stay in the NICU.
Thank you!!

Swanky Deal: Galvanized Planters

My favorite planters are on sale at CB2! Find them here!

Cocktail in a Bottle

Love this idea of serving cocktails in a bottle from Apothecary Bar & Lounge in Philadelphia. Bartenders mix batches of cocktails, transfer them into empty wine bottles, then let patrons pour drinks for themselves. Love it!

Fish House Punch

Ingredients

1. 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
2. 6 1/2 ounces dark rum
3. 4 ounces brandy
4. 2 ounces peach schnapps
5. 4 ounces cold brewed black tea
6. 4 ounces fresh lemon juice
7. 4 ounces cold water
8. Orange peels, for garnish
9. 
   

Directions

1. Set a funnel in a large, clean bottle that has a screw cap. Add the confectioners’ sugar and tap it into the bottle. Add the rum, brandy, peach schnapps, black tea and lemon juice. Close the bottle and shake vigorously. Add the water and shake again. Seal and refrigerate the punch until cold. Serve the punch in the bottle, letting guests pour it into tumblers; garnish the drinks with orange peels.

Recipe: Apothecary Bar & Lounge via Food & Wine
Image: Tina Rupp

Stella and Dot Giveaway Winner!

Wow!! Thank you for all the great comments! I loved getting everyone's opinion and really appreciate it. I'm having so much fun doing stella and dot trunkshows, and glad that others love the jewelry as much as I do. Here are the fabulous winners:

The $100 gift certificate winner is Abbie!
Here are your random numbers:

30

Timestamp: 2010-05

and since there was so many great comments I picked one more for a $25 certificate. The winner of this certificate is Hillcrest Acres!

Here are your random numbers:

19

Timestamp: 2010

Please shoot me an email at hello@swankytables.com to receive your certificate!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Tops on my favorite foods list is always Mexican and Latin. Maybe its the cocktails and coronas that go so well with it!

Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo celebration with good friends, good food, and great cocktails!

Cocktails:
Melon Agua Fresca
Fritz's Sonoran Sunset

Yummy Dishes:
Tortilla Soup
Yucatecan Tostadas

Images & Recipes: Sunset Magazine