Hosting New Year's Eve

Hosting a dinner party on New Year's Eve is a perfect alternative to dining out!  Celebrating New Year's Eve at home has long been our tradition.  After children came along we opted for a more subdued night.  The evening includes inviting friends over for dinner and watching the ball drop on TV.  Staying in can be just as nice as an evening out.  To make the evening festive I start with a tablescape!

Creating a fun twist with clocks, party poppers and a whole lot of sparkle adds to the ambiance of the occasion!

All around the table I've mixed gold and silver adding that metallic touch of sparkle everyone expects on NYE.

Using what I already had on hand I pulled our wedding china out of the china cabinet.  Just as easily I could have used our simple white dinner plates, remember you need not have formal china for the evening. 

Typically, for dinner I serve a tried and true recipe.  Honey's fav meal of Party Chicken, Boursin potatoes along with a fresh salad is my go to meal. Dessert is often simple with a sherbet and fresh fruit.  These dishes are easy to prepare and offers the ability to have the bulk of the prep dishes washed long before guests ring the doorbell!

I hope you're inspired to ring in the New Year with family and friends!

Here's to 2019!!!

The President's Home at Christmas

Before Christmas gets too far in the past I wanted to share with you the President's Home at Auburn University.  I had the pleasure of touring the public portion of the President's home as part of the Auburn Preservation League's Christmas Tour of Homes. I'm warning ya'll there are lots of photos and I'm not going to do alot of commentary for each photo!  Consider this merely a feast for the eyes.

Did you notice how there are magnolia leaves at the base of the outdoor trees?  Brilliant idea!

This is the formal dining room. 

This chandelier was exquisite.  The crown on this room I'd say!

It was a treat to have Ms. Leath present for the first day of the tour. She shared many insights to the remodel and decorating of the home.  Below in the garland that graced the stairs, I found silk hydrangea along with lamb's ear also tucked in. 

This room was lovely, the president's wife shared that the fabric for these drapes came from none other than Hobby Lobby!!  Many of the seasonal decorations were from Hobby Lobby and Home Goods, this was a surprising delight. 

The drawing below was done by an Auburn alumni, Stephan Malkoff of Enterprise, Alabama.  We went to high school together way back when, he even married a gal I was friends with in school.  Stephan has done many drawings around the southeast and this is one of our beloved Toomer's Oaks that were poisoned some years ago.

Of all the spaces I saw, the conservatory had to be my fav.  Our colors of orange and blue were a bit more toned down and I adored that!

Even though it rained, the grounds were still beautiful, just very wet!!

 There were so many beautiful vignettes around the home that I'm so glad I could share with all of you.  It was very much appreciated within our community that the Leath's along with the University allowed the home to be open to the public.  There is no other way I can end this post as an Auburn alum except with a big old

WAR EAGLE

GO TIGERS!!

A Christmas Home Tour

Over the past few months I’ve been working with the Auburn Preservation League’s Christmas Tour of Home.  It has been such a pleasure to work with and get to know the homeowners along with the countless volunteers on this project.  This past weekend was the actual tour, it was such a delight to see the homes in all their seasonal glory!  As I went about the tour each home had special details that  adored but, then I got to my fav house of all! 

 There wasn’t one thing about this home that I didn’t LOVE!  This is a home that I could literally move right into and not change a thing!  As I visited with the homeowner I asked if it would be okay if I dashed home got my good camera and come back to photograph for the blog, she graciously accepted.  Here is my warning…this is a photo heavy blog post, you’ll be glad I took so many photos!   Have I mentioned the weather was nothing short of miserable?  Ya’ll it was raining and cloudy and it definitely impacted my photos.

Let’s start in the kitchen, it is gorgeous.  The granite and the white subway tile look fantastic together.  I’ve debated if I could pull this off at our house since our granite is almost the exact same, this proved to me I could!

Every Kitchen Aid mixer should have darling Christmas balls in it don’t you think? 

The dining area was just as perfect as I found the kitchen! It was warm and inviting and perfectly appointed.

The homeowner sprinkled antique pieces through the home, this pie safe was beautiful!

The keeping room just off the kitchen was fantastic. It was a space that looked comfy and well decorated.

The small table was set for a romantic evening in front of the fireplace.

 The pillow tied in a linen bow was precious!

The oyster plates on the wall made me want to rush out and get some of my own!  Ya'll know how I love an oyster! Another beautiful vignette!

The family room was another beautiful space!  The simplicity of the mantel has made me rethink mine for next year.  The details of the pillows on her club chair doesn't go unnoticed!

 Having the perfect amount of antiques in the family room adds to the character of the home.

Surely I have seen Flow Blue china before but never knew the official name.  The homeowner's collection in the powder room is amazing!

 Honestly, I might have never done a patterned tile, this made me change my mind. 

Small details make such a huge impact.  No doubt I'll rush out and grab some greenery and stuff it in a pretty piece for the powder room!

Ya'll surely know this give me ideas for our powder room!!!  I do love a plate on the wall!! HA!

Out of every space the homeowner shared in the tour, without a doubt the sunroom was my absolute favorite.  I have sunroom envy!!  Honey, if your reading...we need a sunroom!!!

 More gorgeous antiques! I've seen clocks like this almost every time I go out antique shopping.  I'm trying to decide where I might put one!

 Again the weather was dreadful on Saturday, I plan to beg the homeowner to let me come back in the spring and snap a few pics of her garden and the outdoor entertaining areas!

The bunny looks into the keeping room and what a cutie he is!

My sincere hope is that this home inspires you as much as it has me.  This home is truly a beauty.  I appreciate so much the homeowner allowing me to share it with all of you!