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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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Edible Flowers On An Early Summer Day

I have been using edible flowers for years to decorate and flavor food and beverages. Working as an event stylist for years, I’ve found tricks to make meals, appetizers, and drinks look and taste amazing.

Presentation is so important. There is something about a beautiful tray with a simple orchid flower as a garnish. The pop of color and the gorgeous organic bloom brings any presentation to a whole new level. It elevates the dish to appear more elegant and sophisticated.

There are four edible flowers that I like to use the most. They are pansies, violas, lavender, and orchids.

pansies and violas are late spring blooms that come in various colors. I grow them organically with no pesticides to use in any dish, a salad, appetizer, dessert, main meal, or drink.

This is lavender goat cheese that was rolled into an oblong shape. Pansies and violas were placed on top with a few herbs for a pretty presentation and added color and flavor. The goat cheese was rolled in a plastic wrap once the flowers and herbs were set on top. The process helps the flowers and herbs adhere to the cheese without fingerprints all over the goat cheese. It was then unwrapped carefully and placed on a dish. I drizzled lavender honey on top and added a few lavender sprigs as a garnish to the plate. It was served with thinly sliced baguettes roasted with garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and ground pepper until crispy. A few rosemary crackers were added to the dish. The appetizer was both savory and a bit sweet.

Lavender has such a fragrant scent, and the taste is somewhat sweet. Infuse the flavor into a simple sugar by using the flower blooms. You can use the finished lavender liquid in baked goods and beverages. The flower buds are a lovely shade of purple or pink. Using a single stem of the lavender flower resting on the rim of a cocktail glass makes a lovely statement. The presentation is simple but elegant.

This is a prosecco cocktail. Prosecco was poured into the coupe glass, and a teaspoon of infused lavender simple sugar was added. A sprig of lavender and a lime slice was added for color for garnish.

The orchid has many different sizes and vibrant colors. The flower bloom is not toxic or harmful, but you should not eat too many. I will often use the bloom as a garnish for drinks and appetizers or place them on serve boards for a pop of color. If I host a dinner and have appetizers that I pass around, the orchid is the first flower I will choose to use as a garnish on my trays. The presentation is simplistic yet sophisticated!

This beverage is all about presentation. The glass is filled with Prosecco, and added just a drizzle of Grenadine was added to it. You can also use a delicious sparkling rose to substitute for the Prosecco. An orchid was added for color and to create a more elegant presentation.

To read my blog on this presentation, click on the picture.

"The orchid is Mother Nature’s masterpiece. " -- Robyn

Pansies, violas, lavender, and orchids can be used on charcuterie boards to create a spectacular visual presentation. Whether using an organic-shaped burl serve board or an antique sterling silver tray, the blooms bring a presentation to a whole new level.

Remember, people, take in food with all their senses. When serving a dish, color, texture, and patterns are the first thing we see. Visual appeal is almost as important as taste.

Spring blooms are always a favorite when decorating with edible flowers.

The pop of color for a backyard garden party makes this presentation much more festive.

"Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring? " -- Neltje Blanchan

Add spring blooms to an ice tray. Fill them up with water. Once they are frozen, add them to cocktails or mocktails. It is a lovely presentation.

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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anothergirlrecovering · 6 years

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Lynn 58

I got to her office and she was in the bathroom so I waited outside even though her doors open. When she came out I went in and use the restroom and then went back and knocked on her door. She said come in so I sat down and she asked how I'm doing I said I was well and asked how she was she said she was also well. She asked how things have been and what was new I said the only thing that came up was Thanksgiving and it was fine. She pointed out that my face said otherwise and I was like well I'm in the cops and income this year so that's definitely an improvement from last year. I asked her if I told her about my mother-in-law's passing aggressive remark before hand and she said yes and she had remembered which honestly I was on the surprise should remember that but she did and so I told her all about how I had tried communicating with her about feeling hurt by the passive aggressive of remarks and also about her hiding the cookies. Her response was basically that she was proud of me and that she thought I did a really great job handling myself. We talked about family dynamics and how my mother-in-law is not in a healthy place and it was obvious that me being an adult and trying to talk about these things show that. I said I wish it felt better and I just felt like another reminder of what's the point in trying to get my needs met when people are going to be receptive or give a shit if I'm being hurt. She pointed out that she feels like I need to look at that differently because she things I did get my needs met but not by her. She pointed out that I'm at my own needs by communicating what I needed. She reminded me also that when I have a house we can host and things can be different. She also talked about setting strict boundaries and the idea of bringing my own cooler of food and bringing the dog to my friends apartment and then basically I would have to always leave and spend less time with them because I need to go take care of my dogs and she doesn't want my dog there and that basically it would be a natural consequence which might actually show her that having the dog there would actually be better. She explained how sometimes people do better with learning from natural consequences when they aren't willing to listen or hear you. We talked about family traditions and I said it's just a really big jump because in my family we always have a formal sitdown lunch or dinner and everyone dresses up and it's very formal and there are traditions. She said that she grew up the same way and she thinks that maybe a northern thing with people getting dressed up and being formal. So then she ended up telling me about her family and how she grew up very traditional as well and how she didn't really do a good job caring that on with her kids. She said that part of that was simply out of necessity because she had three of them and two of them were the same age. She said that on Christmas they stick with the tradition of her making meatballs and everybody kind of just come down whenever and they all eat together. I was like wait you're Italian right and she was like yeah and meatballs is what my grandmother always did growing up so I have carried that part down but I do wish looking back that I had tried to carry on some of the other traditions a little bit more. She was like yeah sometimes it was just like to hell with it come to dinner I don't care if you're in your pajamas. She said how she likes to change up holidays every so often and still occasionally over the years they have gone out to eat. She said this year they actually went out to eat because her father offered to pay for them to all do a meal if she didn't feel like cooking so she was like actually you know what I'm going to take you up on that offer. She said they went to Chesapeakes and she didn't tell her kids it's a seafood restaurant so they went there and she figured that maybe they would have some kind of turkey plate since they were open for Thanksgiving and the kids walked in with her and just saw fishtanks everywhere and they all just started laughing because they realize that it was a seafood restaurant and they're definitely wasn't going to be any Thanksgiving food there. She said that one of her kids was disappointed one was like and whatever and the other one didn't care. She said she sees holidays as being more about the time spent together than the actual traditions and feed them selves so she doesn't mind going out to eat. She said growing up that they often made ham and she didn't like him and I was like yeah I was in allowed to have pork as a kid. She said she hates making turkey because it's just this big huge carcass that you have to cook LOL. I explained how I offered to help cook and so did my husband sister and that my mother-in-law ended up literally just making the stuffing in the turkey and the rest of it we all dead. Lynn was like well that's a different story my kids always say that they are going to help out but then they never do. I told her that I don't mind cooking and helping out. I told her about running the 5K and how I didn't actually run but that I actually walked and I was able to just tune everybody out and listening to dear Evan Hansen the whole time. She smiled and was like that's awesome and asked if I was going to go see the show. I was like Lynn it's literally sold out for months in advance and she was like yeah but you can get a re-sold ticket and I was like no you really can't and she was like yes you can and I was like how and she was like we didn't and I was like OK when was that and she was like a year ago and I was like OK but since they won all the Tonys it has become ridiculous to find tickets. She was like I really don't think so and she told me to go to stub hub tonight and check and see if ticket prices drop tonight for the show for tonight and if I am willing to be flexible and go hang out in New York City for the day I may be able to get a ticket for more like 200 bucks. I told her I would definitely be willing to pay $200 to go see yet. She said if not it's going to go on tour eventually anyway I'm and I was like yeah well it won't be the same and that's not even with Ben Platt anymore so you would think the price would go down. I told her that I got the waving through the window back and that I am still super abscessed with the soundtrack and everything. She explained how Hamilton was basically and still is always sold out because of winning all the Tonys. I told her about James the guy at church who is friends with one of the guys who produced dear Evan Hansen and how he studied musical theater competition at NYU. She said that was cool and asked if he still does any of that anymore but I said I don't think so but I don't really know what he does. She mentioned how different things will be when we own a home and that I can bring back some of the traditional things that I love about holidays there. I explained how I definitely do want to carry that on with my kids if possible. She asked where we are at with the homebuying process and I explained that I actually went and looked at a house yesterday but we decided not to pursue it but we are preapproved and just continuing to look. She said that was good and definitely will be nice with getting The house that has everything that we are wanting rather than being pressured to quickly by something. I told her which two towns we are looking to purchase in and how currently I commute 30 to 35 minutes to my office. Lynn was shocked by this and was like oh my gosh you definitely need to move closer and I was like I mean that's kind of standard for our area. I explained how the homes nearby in downtown are basically all zoned for terrible schools so it wouldn't be good to get a Home in that area so basically either way I will need to commute at least 20 minutes. Lynn said she commutes 6 miles so it's just a few minutes away from her house and it's great. I was like again living the dream LOL. I explained how it was just really frustrating having that conversation with my mother-in-law because it just feels like I tried to communicate how I feel and things will not really change with her and she will continue to be insensitive. I explained how it's frustrating because you would think that somebody who knows my history with an eating disorder and try to be more sensitive to issues around food but that instead she made that joke about the cookies and always is mad that I eat her food and always makes snippy remarks about her food not being organic for me. When was like yeah you would think but not everybody is sensitive and willing to think about how their actions Hurt other people. I told her that I spent the majority of my time at their house playing with the toddlers because I love babies or getting lost in my paint by number Kit. Lynn had no idea what that was so I was like OK I will just take a picture and show you at the end when it is complete. She was like wait so do you hang it up on the wall? I was like honestly I'm not usually I just end up throwing them away it's more about finding a mind numbing activity that I can just zone out and enjoy. She said she feels that way about puzzles. I was like I love puzzles to. She explained how she loves doing puzzles at the beach but that it becomes almost addicting and then you sit there like one more piece and I was like yeah and that's how it is with the paint set. She said that sometimes she ends up doing puzzles instead of actually being out on the beach but that the best is when it rains at the beach and then she can actually sit there and do a puzzle for a while.

So then she asked me if I like to read and by this point I knew that she was kind of trying to fill time because we didn't have enough time to do EMD are. I said yes I love to read and she asked about movies. I said no I don't like watching movies or TV remember because I'm sensitive and I get over involved with the characters and then I end up really upset and way too into it. She was like oh that's right and then she started telling me about the movie ladybird and what a great movie it is. She went on and on about how it shows good family dynamics and how her hope for me would be that at some point I will be able to watch movies like that and maybe get teary like most people but not have this overwhelming I'm unlovable response. She explained how she watched it with her daughter and there's this one scene where the mom and daughter are in the dressing room and the daughter comes out and she loves the outfit in the mom hates it and the daughter basically says something like I wish just for once you could see me for me. Lynn said that her daughter was actually crying and this was her daughter who apparently dressed sassy and not how Lynn would have wanted. Lynn explained how she was able to quickly apologized to her daughter and explain how she never meant to make her feel that way and how someone like my mom would have watch that movie and Azlan point it out would have probably breezed over that unaffected and been like I never did that to you. She explained how Lynn and I are very different than the general population because we are therapists and we are introspective. She explained how people like my mom are in denial and aren't interested in becoming self aware and looking at how they are hurting people and probably never will. She explained how much better life will be when I can be aware of that and accept it and move on from it. She also said the movie had 100% on rotten tomatoes and I can always consider going to see it.

Lynn said that it sounded like overall that I'm doing really well. I was like I mean I guess but I think it's more or less that I'm just not complaining about things that I know won't change. She was like well isn't that progress and I was like no because I'm still thinking about those things when I'm not in here. She was like what do you mean? And I was like well like the way that I still get upset and obsess over feeling fat or ugly or feeling guilty about how much money I've spent on getting better. She was like but isn't it progress that you aren't talking about it in here and that you didn't come in with the list today? I was like I don't know I guess. I just took it more as I am realizing that it's not really helpful to sit here and complain about it. She was like well maybe it's going to shift and I was like I don't know maybe. She asked how things with my husband were and I said they were pretty good for the most part. She asked how we responded with me talking to his mom. I explained how he was kind of just like oh OK. She was like really? I was like yeah I think he has pretty much excepted that she's passive aggressive and it is what it is and we can't change it. I also explained how I noticed that the lower was coming back into style which she laughed and said it was a thing in the 80s too so it must come back every 10 years and I was like yeah and I had this one outfit that I loved and that was galore and that my mom like hated it and I have been thinking recently about how the only times that my mom ever told me that I was pretty weird when she had dressed me includes that she likes that of course were things that I didn't like and when she did my hair in a way that she liked my hair to be and that I'm wondering how much of my mom only telling me I'm pretty when I look her certain way has affected my views of myself.

I told her that she had asked me to remind her about how I'm not good with the float back technique and then I had thought about it more. I explained how I was thinking about how I was so checked out during childhood and then I was just always dissociating and daydreaming that I think that's why I really can't connect feelings in my body now with the past. She was like oh that's OK and that's really common for kids with lots of chronic trauma. She was like and you've got plenty of things that I would say are chronically traumatic . I just sat there like I mean I guess. She talked about with me having suds of one and becoming OK with that or working through whatever it is and what is stopping me from that. I don't member how it came up that I said that I do admit that there is a part of me that is afraid to get better and she scribbled down and I was like what the heck are you riding over there and she laughed and was like I wrote down fear of getting better. I was like oh OK and she was like I mean I think that's pretty significant. Don't you? And I was like I may not really and she was like wait what and she like made a face of complete disbelief and shock and laughed and was like Really? You don't see that being a big issue and I was like I mean it is but it's not like I don't feel like that's what prevents me from getting over certain things like the phobia aspect. She was like I don't know I think that's a pretty significant piece and could potential he be what stopping all of the ones from going down. I was like I don't know maybe and she was like well we can address that next time and start with that. I said OK and we scheduled for next week. I asked her about using office ally and she said she uses that one and it's the free one and she doesn't have anything to compare it to but she's happy with it. She said whenever it switches to having to do the electronic medical record she thinks she will retire LOL. I was like or you can just do life coaching and she was like I was forget that's a thing but I've had colleagues tell me that and I was like yeah I already pay you and it's not like my insurance is helping out at all so it would basically be the same thing and she was like yeah that's true I need to look into that at some point. We said our goodbyes and I headed out.

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damagemirror94-blog · 5 years

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Day 3 & 4 of My Bachelorette to Mexico

We're back with the second part of my bachelorette party in Mexico! With this final post I feel like it's really over :( I still hope you enjoy the recap as much as I did!

Day 3:

If you missed day 1 & 2 from the trip, you can catch up by reading this post. We're now on to Saturday of the four-day trip and our last full day in Mexico. We had to wake up really early for our excursion. We met at the buffet around 7am and grabbed all the food we could before we left at 7:20. The original plan was to drive to Cancun, take a boat to Isla Mujeres to snorkel, spend the day at the beach, shop, swim and parasail back to the hotel. But when we woke up that morning it was pretty overcast and super windy.

As it turns out, once we arrived in the lobby they decided to cancel our tour. The water was way too choppy for us to go out and the ports in Cancun closed. I wasn't too disappointed because I'd rather they cancel it early than cancel it once we got to Cancun. So we went back to the buffet for a real sitdown breakfast. I was easily the most overdressed person there lol.

After breakfast, some girls went back to the room to sleep, and others to the pool (like me) to read and hangout. I took a nice little nap as captured by Morgan's photo below haha.

We spent most of the morning at the pool. A few girls went to explore downtown and have a bite to eat. The sun was peaking out here and there but nothing like the day before. Thankfully it was still warm, and the spot where we were in the pool was blocked from a lot of the wind!

Also, this was my favorite look from the trip! I felt so sassy and bridal. It was fun.

There was also a foam party at the pool. Of course I wanted to view it from afar, so we hung out in the pool but far away. It was still super windy so some of the foam bubbles were flying over to us. One of them smacked Caitlin right in the face and it was pretty funny.

Ultimately, we discovered another excursion very similar to the one we were originally going to join. Instead of a full-day it was a half-day and instead of Isla Mujeres, we would go to Cozumel. We decided to go for it. In hindsight, I probably wouldn't do it again but it sure is a fun story to tell! Because the docks were closed in Cancun, we left out of downtown Playa Del Carmen. It was about an hour long ferry ride straight across the ocean. It was still super windy so the dock area was a little crazy. I've never been sea sick like this before! Thankfully the further away from Playa Del Carmen and closer to Cozumel we got, the more the water calmed down.

The excursion was a catamaran tour. I've been on a lot of excursions in my life -- Andrew and I take one or two every trip we go on -- so I can say it wasn't the best, but it also wasn't miserable. If the weather was better and the music louder, it could have been more fun. The sun would pop out here and there and the water was calm enough, but the hosts were kind of "meh" about the whole thing.

What made it fun was having everyone in Lilly! I originally wasn't going to make it a thing, but after we had hopped in the pool in the morning, I thought a quick outfit change could be fun. Lilly Pulitzer was so kind to us for my bachelorette. They gifted all the girls a swimsuit and dress of their choice from their current collection. It was fun to see everyone in their swimsuits and have most of us matching!

One-piece on Jen, Allison and Ashby / Bandeau top on Kim, Morgan and Caitlin & bottom / My one-piece

The first stop was for snorkeling and only Ashby joined. I love to snorkel, but didn't feel like hopping in. Most of the other girls didn't either. I've been to some of the most amazing snorkel spots in the world and I didn't think I'd be missing much at this location.

This is where the trip kind of went dull. It was a very long and drawn out process of getting to the ferry, waiting to get on the boat, waiting to leave, waiting to get to the snorkel spot, waiting an hour at this spot, going all the way back to the other side of the island to swim ... everything was just long. And a lot of us were tired. The weather wasn't nice either.

BUT THEN it all turned around when we got to our next spot. They docked the boat and said this was a great place to swim. Me, my sister, Ashby, Caitlin and Morgan were going to jump in, but when we got there, no one really felt like it. We were sitting around and playing games (starving also btw lol) and then the sun popped out. And it stayed!

It was really nice and I really had to pee (haha), so I jumped in. We all banded together and said, "If you jump in, I'll jump in." So my sister, Caitlin and I decided to go for it. Morgan joined at the last minute and we all jumped off the front of the boat into the warm blue water!

This was the best part of the day! We had SO much fun in the water. We were laughing and flashing the girls on the boat and being so silly. We had a wonderful time. The sun stayed out, the food came and it was like a whole new burst of life. It was a lot of fun as we went back to the docks to catch the ferry back to the hotel.

The waters were fine and the sun was setting. And then we got closer to the Playa Del Carmen dock...

The next part of this story turns into a drama. The sun had completely set by the time we reached the dock. We all looked around the boat, and it was tipping from side to side. We were parallel with the waves as we waited for the other ferry to leave the dock. We were getting thrown around pretty good. Then we tried to dock.

These waves were NO JOKE and were hitting the boat hard. These poor guys out on the dock are trying to wrangle in the ferry as they're being hit by the waves and pulled by the ropes. It was crazy. The waves were so big they were reaching the second floor. One even came up to the third deck and drenched a bunch of people sitting behind us.

The mentality on the boat was pretty much, "Kids and elders get off first." The stairs to get off were packed with people so we decided to wait it out. As we're seeing the boat get thrown around by these waves and people flying around, it clicked: we need to get off this boat ASAP. Honestly, I was surprised they even docked. It was NOT safe, but there was no way I was staying on that ferry or going back to Cozumel. We needed to get home.

We made a bolt for it. Ashby and I got off first and it was a race to run off the boat. They had workers holding us back until it was safe, then they were yelling "big steps!" and "move fast!" as we ran off. It got pretty scary at the end of it all. When Ashby and I made it to land we hugged and jumped and were like, "Let's get the F out of here."

Everyone made it off safely in our group, although Allison gave us a scare. The bridge from the ferry to the dock swung her left and right before she jumped off. It was crazy and scary and funny. How did we let ourselves get in this situation?!

We were supposed to be back around 7pm, but didn't arrive until around 9pm. Thankfully everyone was a trooper and we decided to quickly get ready for dinner and put on our Lilly for our last night.

Dresses from Left to Right: Allison, Catherine, Ashby, Kim, Me, Caitlin, Morgan, Jen

I think I got ready in record time and we headed to the last restaurant we hadn't eaten at yet. I think it was an Italian/seafood place. We all got drunk quickly because we could feel ourselves still rocking from the ferry. It was a wonderful last dinner and we ended up closing the place down (and ordering about three meals each lol).

We wandered a bit after dinner looking for dessert, but 11pm on Saturday night was a dead time for the hotel. It was so weird! We went back to the room to play more games and have some fun girl time before leaving the next morning.

Day 4:

Sunday morning we all met for brunch at the buffet and yet again stuffed our faces lol. Morgan, Catherine and Jen had early flights, so soon after brunch they were off to the airport. Caitlin and I got ready in our room to take some blog photos. Ashby was at the pool and would help when we were ready to shoot. My sister and Allison went into town to do some shopping.

Sunday was another overcast, humid day, so I didn't mind leaving! After we were done shooting, we packed up our bags, hung by the pool a bit longer and then were off to the airport.

The rest of the day was spent traveling home and watching GOT! Nothing overly exciting. Just a no-fuss travel day. All in all it was an amazing bachelorette and I cannot thank my friends enough for such a wonderful weekend. I'm so sad that it's over. But I'm happy I can stop stressing over it! Honestly, I want to go back asap.

What does make me really excited when I think about it was how well everyone got along. Not that I was worried about that, but it's so wonderful having your friends come together like we did. It meant the world to me! It's great because we'll all be reunited again (except for Catherine, she's dead to me!!!) at the wedding.

Now I'm on to planning our couples shower which is happening in less than a month!!

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You guys also sent in some questions via Instagram stories that I wanted to help answer for you as well:

Peak and pit from the day?

Pit was the weather not being amazing 100% of the time. Peak was the girls!!

What would you do differently?

I keep going back and forth, but probably the excursion. Did you go into town? Did you feel safe? I never did, but a lot of the girls did and said it felt totally safe. What was your favorite part of the trip? Gingham night! It was really fun to see it come together like it did and it was just a very me way to celebrate. How did you decide on location? How did you decide where to go? You can find a detailed story about this in my Q&A bachelorette party post. Are you glad you opened it up to friends? Yes! Especially since I technically only have one bridesmaid. How did everyone get along? Everyone got along really well! I don't deal with dramatic people in my life, so I wasn't worried about this at all.

How did your makeup hold up? It was great! I'm doing a new routine that I LOVE and it worked like a dream.

Did you use a travel agent/were you able to get any deals through the blog or for being a larger group? No, we just booked directly through their website. My sister was able to get a discount because she was a Hilton rewards member, and we booked/paid right away with no option to cancel.

Average cost for the trip? I honestly don't remember what I paid. But outside the reservation and excursion (which was $100 pp) there were no other costs.

Pros and cons of the hotel? Pros -- all-inclusive, great staff and a fun time Cons -- drinks were weak

Who planned what for the trip? I like to think I was involved with pretty much all of the trip's planning. I gave input but the coordination of most everything else was my sister (MOH).

How did you coordinate outfits? Caitlin emailed everyone in advance saying that we were having a gingham night. Everyone was aware and had time to shop. Lilly let everyone pick out an outfit and swimsuit for the trip as well (that will be tomorrow's post). They knew we'd be wearing that for one night.

How did you convince friends to join due to timing and price? I didn't really need to convince them. I feel like since we're older and have money (vs. right out of college) it wasn't an issue. It just so happened we found a weekend that worked for everyone. The price, being that it was an all-inclusive was too good to pass up!

Most thoughtful thing the girls did for you? I really liked the marriage game and how they each had a little part of putting it together!

How detail oriented were you with scheduling the weekend? I was super chill about what we did and when we did it. No plans other than a gingham night, an excursion and a Lilly night. It was all up to us when we did what.

How was the beach? We actually didn't end up going. Well, I didn't! A few girls dipped their toes in the first day. Playa Del Carmen isn't really known for their beaches. I heard from hotel staff it was super rocky!

And if you missed it, here is a link to Day 1 & 2, here is more information on our trip and a large Q&A on it, here are all the links to my outfits and here is what I gave the girls on the trip.

Source: http://www.coveringbases.com/2019/04/day-3-4-of-my-bachelorette-to-mexico.html

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merzelifestyle · 7 months

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Chinoiserie Blue and White with a Pop of Autumn: A Stunning Tablescape for Fall

Chinoiserie is a timeless style that can be used to decorate any room in your home, but it is especially well-suited for the fall season. The classic blue and white color scheme is elegant and sophisticated, while the intricate patterns add a touch of whimsy.

To create a stunning fall tablescape using chinoiserie, add a pop of autumn color with natural elements such as fall flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and berries.

Here are a few tips for creating a chinoiserie blue and white tablescape with a pop of autumn:

Start with a neutral base. A white tablecloth or runner highlights the blue and white chinoiserie elements. I chose blue and white as base colors, using my chinoiserie vase as my inspiration.

Using this lovely salmon and white fabric, I made a runner to add color to my tablescape. The fabric is not too vibrant and still adds color and visual interest.

Add other autumn colors with natural elements: Place pumpkins, gourds, and berries in bowls and vases along the table’s center. You can also add sprigs of fall foliage to each place setting.

.These are all the lovely colors I wanted for this table. As I design a table, I generally add items and then remove them as I start to get a theme going. This was my work in process.

Use chinoiserie blue and white vases or dishes. This will create a cohesive look for your tablescape.

I chose these beautiful French mini blue tureens as additional blue that I could bring to the place setting. I layered using white and blue. The chocolate was added as a treat for everyone who sat at my table and had additional color.

I have been collecting these Hot Skwash pumpkins for a while now and love to bring them out for Thanksgiving. They add a beautiful velvet texture to the table that I love. I mix them with natural elements like real pumpkins and flowers.

Add touches of gold or silver. Gold and silver will add a touch of luxury to your tablescape. You can use gold or silver chargers, placemats, or flatware. I chose to add my sterling silver flatware.

Centerpiece: Place a blue and white chinoiserie vase in the center of the table. Fill the vase with a mix of autumn foliage, pumpkins, gourds, and berries. These centerpieces were removed before dining since they were a bit large. I place them on my sideboard as a decoration, still keeping all the pumpkins on the table for accents.

A chinoiserie blue and white with a pop of autumn tablescape is a stunning way to celebrate the fall season. The classic blue and white color scheme is elegant and sophisticated, while the intricate patterns add a touch of whimsy. Add a pop of autumn color with natural elements such as pumpkins, gourds, and berries to create this look. You can also add touches of gold or silver to add a touch of luxury. With some planning, you can create a stylish and inviting tablescape.

To learn more about this table and how to host a Thanksgiving dinner, go to my blog, A Few Easy Steps: Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner.

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please either ask on my blog or email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

Design with your heart™️

Happy Entertaining!

Mary

Click on the picture below to see my video

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merzelifestyle · 1 year

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Impromptu Gatherings Made Easy with Blue and White Decor

Blue and white is a timeless classic perfect for any occasion, including impromptu gatherings with neighbors. This color combination is elegant and inviting, and it can be easily dressed up or down to fit the mood of your event.

Blue and white is also a versatile color scheme that can be used to create various looks, from casual to formal, and a great choice for decorating for any gatherings.

Whether expecting company at the last minute or hosting a potluck dinner, blue and white decor can help create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.

Here are some tips for using blue and white decor to create a beautiful and inviting space for your next impromptu gathering:

Start with a neutral base. A neutral base, such as white walls or furniture, will allow the blue and white decor to pop.

Add pops of color. If you want to add a pop of color, try using accessories in shades of blue, white, or other complementary colors.

Use a variety of textures. Textures can help to add interest and depth to your decor. Try using a variety of fabrics, such as linen, cotton, and lace, as well as different types of wood and metal.

Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns. Mixing and matching patterns can help to create a more interesting and visually appealing space.

Use fresh flowers. Fresh flowers are a great way to add a touch of nature to your decor. Try using a variety of blue and white flowers, such as hydrangeas, lilies, and irises.

Candles. Candles can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Try using a variety of blue and white candles, such as tapers, votives, and pillar candles.

Table settings. Use blue and white table settings to create a cohesive look. Try using a white tablecloth, blue napkins, and blue and white china.

Décor. There are many different types of blue and white décor available, from vases and figurines to plates and bowls. Choose décor that reflects your personal style and taste.

By following these tips, you can easily create a beautiful and inviting space for your next impromptu gathering. So don't be afraid to mix and match blue and white décor to create a space that is both stylish and welcoming.

"“Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” " -- Billy Baldwin

This is the color palette that I used when designing for this event. I used the basic blue and white and then added shades of orange and brown. The use of brown then allowed me to use a pink rose that is muted with some brown tones it is.

Design tip about color: Colors have varying degrees of other colors. This is because all colors are made up of different wavelengths of light. When two colors are mixed together, the wavelengths of light from each color overlap, creating a new color. The new color will have the wavelengths of light from both original colors.

For example, when red and yellow are mixed, the wavelengths of light from each color overlap, creating orange. Orange is a new color with wavelengths of light from red to yellow.

The amount of each color in a mixture will determine the overall hue of the mixture. For example, if you mix equal amounts of red and yellow, you will get a pure orange color. However, adding more red to the mixture will make the orange more red.

The same principle applies to all colors. When two colors are mixed together, the amount of each color in the mixture will determine the overall hue of the mixture. This is why colors can have varying degrees of other colors in them.

An example I used is the pink roses and the different blues I used in the design. The pink roses had a very low brown tone, and the blues were muted with white tones.

INterior Design Tip:

Not all colors are created equal when designing an event or interior space. pay attention to the overall value of the color, A color may work great with other items in the space, but another may not.

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. " -- John Burroughs

I started with a few blue and white pieces and then added pink and orange items that all had shades of blue, white, and brown.

An impromptu gathering often doesn’t give you much time to go to the store to purchase things you would generally serve at your party. Since I didn't have much time to prepare. I decided to make a quick charcuterie board with the items I had in the refrigerator. I started with a large cutting board and arranged a variety of cheeses, fruits, and nuts. I added some crackers and bread, and I was done! My guests loved the charcuterie board; it was a great way to feed a crowd without much effort.

Charcuterie boards are a great way to impress guests with little effort. They're also a fun and easy way to snack on your favorite meats, cheeses, and other treats.

Here's how to create a simple impromptu charcuterie board:

Start with a large cutting board or platter.

Add a variety of meats, cheeses, and other snacks.

Arrange the items in an attractive way.

Serve with crackers, bread, or fruit.

Choose a variety of meats, cheeses, and other snacks, adding visual interest and flavor to your board.

Arrange the items in an attractive way. You can do this by grouping similar items or creating a visually appealing pattern.

Serve with crackers, bread, or fruit, allowing your guests to enjoy the different items on your board.

Here are some ideas for meats, cheeses, and other snacks to include on your charcuterie board:

Meats: salami, prosciutto, chorizo, pepperoni, ham

Cheeses: cheddar, gouda, brie, mozzarella, goat cheese

Other snacks: nuts, olives, grapes, figs, dried fruit, crackers, bread

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and impressive charcuterie board that will surely please your guests.

Here are some additional tips for creating a charcuterie board:

Use a variety of textures. This will add interest to your board and make it more visually appealing.

Use a variety of colors, and this will also add visual interest and make your board more festive.

Don't be afraid to get creative. There are no rules when it comes to charcuterie boards. Have fun with it and experiment with different combinations of ingredients.

I had gone to the store the day before and bought a lovely lemon rosemary bread and a sundried tomato baguette. I sliced them to serve for my charcuterie board. I seasoned them with lemon olive oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, and some salt and pepper. I put them in the oven and baked them for about 10 minutes. Once they were cooled, I put them on my charcuterie board to have with my brie cheese and other hard cheeses.

It was so simple to do and the results were delicious! The bread was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The lemon and rosemary flavors were so fragrant and the garlic added a nice touch of savory flavor. It was the perfect accompaniment to the cheeses and other charcuterie items on my board.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your charcuterie board, I highly recommend trying this recipe. It's sure to impress your guests!

"Wine, cheese, and friends only get better with age." -- Unknown

This is my quick, straightforward charcuterie board using a favorite walnut serve board. A lovely wooden board adds to the aesthetics of your design. The board’s texture brings interest to your charcuterie board, bringing an organic look and feel to my gathering without sacrificing elegance.

"Friendships make the world a better place to live. " -- Anonymous

I served a delicious Aperol Spritz garnished with large round orange slices and rosemary sprigs. The herbs and fresh fruit created a deep rich flavor THAT COMPLEMENTED THE PROSECCO'S SWEETNESS. It was the perfect drink to enjoy on a warm summer day.

The Aperol Spritz is an Italian cocktail with prosecco, Aperol, and club soda. It is typically garnished with an orange slice, but I added a rosemary sprig for a touch of extra flavor. The rosemary added a subtle herbaceous note that really elevated the drink.

If you want a refreshing and flavorful cocktail to enjoy this summer, I highly recommend trying the Aperol Spritz. It is sure to become your new favorite drink!

Here are some tips for serving an Aperol Spritz:

Use fresh ingredients. The fresh orange slices and rosemary sprig will make a big difference in the flavor of your cocktail.

Use good quality prosecco. A good quality prosecco will make your cocktail taste more expensive and luxurious.

Serve it chilled. An Aperol Spritz is best served chilled.

Enjoy it with friends! An Aperol Spritz is the perfect cocktail to enjoy with friends on a warm summer day.

I also served a gin and tonic with a touch of blood orange simple syrup and garnished with blood orange slices and a sprig of rosemary. It was a lovely refreshing cocktail that everyone loved.

The gin and tonic is a classic cocktail perfect for any occasion. It is made with gin, tonic water, and lime juice. I added a teaspoon of blood orange simple syrup to my cocktail. The blood orange simple syrup added a touch of sweetness and tartness to the cocktail. The blood orange slices added a pop of color and flavor. The rosemary sprig added a touch of herbaceousness and elegance.

If you want a refreshing and flavorful cocktail this summer, I highly recommend trying the gin and tonic with a touch of blood orange simple syrup garnished with blood orange slices and a sprig of rosemary. It is sure to become your new favorite drink!

Here are some tips for serving a gin and tonic with a touch of blood orange simple syrup and garnished with blood orange slices and a sprig of rosemary:

Use fresh ingredients. The fresh blood orange slices and rosemary sprig will make a big difference in the flavor of your cocktail.

Use good quality gin. A good quality gin will make your cocktail taste more expensive and luxurious.

Use good quality tonic water. A good quality tonic water will make your cocktail taste more refreshing.

Serve it chilled. A gin and tonic is best served chilled.

Enjoy it with friends! A gin and tonic is the perfect cocktail to enjoy with friends on a warm summer day.

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining, my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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Summertime Garden Entertaining Using Roses and Citrus

Midsummer weather is the perfect time to gather in the garden. When entertaining outside, I love to design around the season’s colors. August is the perfect time to use vibrant colors from roses growing in the garden and add a little surprise to my table.

I had this gorgeous array of pink, yellow, and white roses that I thought would make an enchanting spray along the center of my table. Laying flowers in the middle of a table looks fantastic if you group them in bundles, leaving very little negative space between them. As with a garden design, your flowers do not have to be perfect on your table. I simply placed a few bundles here and there along the center of my table and filled the negative space with citrus and other flowers.

Since living in California, I have become much more aware of all the citrus in this region. Did you know that vineyards will at times grow lemon and lime trees? Weather is a huge factor in growing grapes; the grape is affected by the climate changing faster. Using trees will cool down and shade and increase the moisture in the soil.

Climate change has raised average temperatures, which speeds up the ripening of grapes. This leads to lower acidity and increased sugars in the fruit, yielding higher alcohol levels in wine and altering other compounds in grapes that affect aroma and flavor.

"The growing of woody perennials like trees in combination with annual crops and fruits, in a system that increases cooling and moisture levels while sequestering atmospheric carbon — from wine grapes to grains and fruits. " -- Earth Island Journal "“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” " -- – Luther Burbank

These English roses are just so beautiful to look at. Why not make them the centerpiece of a garden party table design?

Creating a table design using white on white can be elegant. You don’t need to put a ton of color on your table if you use contrasting dishes that have different textures and patterns.

Layering your dishes on top of one another and adding a napkin in between one of the layers is a great way to bring color to your tablescape. Take one of the colors from your flowers and use that color ON your napkin. It will bring a more cohesive look and feel TO your tablescape.

These imported French champagne glasses are absolutely adorable. I first saw them when going to lunch at a restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA. I ordered a Prosecco, and they served it in this glass. I had to have them. They gave a little bee on the side of the glass, which I love! The presentation was adorable and fun to drink out of. I looked high and low for them the next day and finally found them. I ordered six of them and plan to add them to my inventory in my boutique as soon as they are available again. Hopefully soon!

Before serving, I place the glasses in the freezer to get them super cold. Once they were filled with a sparkling Prosecco, they became frosty on the surface. Perfect for a gathering in the garden on a warm summer day.

"“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face and great music in the background.” " -- Ina Garten

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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My First Days In California

It is a warm sunny day here in California, and I wanted to make a quick non-alcoholic beverage and sit outside to enjoy the day.

I found these heart-shaped Linzer cookies at a local shop here in San Luis Obispo (SLO) and had to pick them up. They are my favorite type of cookie, and having raspberry jam in the middle makes them even better!

Most of you who follow me know that I am from Connecticut and have recently moved to California. My company is now located both in Connecticut and California. I will spend some time on both sides of the country throughout the year. For now, I am enjoying the fantastic weather, topography, and people here in SLO. It’s truly a wonderful place to live.

Here in SLO, you have the massive Pacific Ocean just a stone’s throw away and outstanding boutique vineyards even closer. What’s not to love!?

"“She stood there bright as the sun on that California coast.” " -- Bob Seger

SLO has a huge festive farmers’ market every Thursday evening in their downtown. It is filled with fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other goods that local artisans sell to the public. There is music and shopping along the way. It is a very good time.

As I was shopping for flowers, I found a vendor that told me about Eufloria Flowers and recommended I go there to find beautiful roses. The following day, I traveled to the distributor, and I was not disappointed in the least. I couldn’t be more delighted to see the large varieties of roses they sell, and they will undoubtedly be one of my leading suppliers for MERZE Lifestyle. The bouquet I picked when I visited was an array of large blooms to sweetheart roses.

This tea rose is gorgeous. It is small, but what a statement it has!

The next day, I decided to make a beverage for my husband and me and sit on the patio to enjoy the summer day.

The beverage I made has four ingredients:

Raspberry Lime Rickey

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raspberry simple syrup

1/2 cup lime juice

48 ounces club soda, or you can use Ginger Ale if you want a sweeter drink

Lime wedges or other fruit for garnish.

Mix all in a pitcher and add ice.

That’s it!

Recipe for the raspberry simple sugar

3/4 cup of raspberries (6oz)

3/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups cleaned raspberries

In a small saucepan, add together the sugar, water, and raspberries. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer for about 3 minutes.

Reduce the temperature to low and simmer for another 5 minutes. Take the pan off the burner.

Let cool

Strain the mixture so that you only get the raspberry juice.

Once all the liquid is strained, place the liquid in a container.

You can keep the rest of the simple sugar for one week.

NOTE: You can also freeze the simple syrup in ice cubes to be used later

That’s it!

This is the bouquet I made with the roses I purchased. The array of roses IS just spectacular. This confit pot is an antique, and I didn’t want to add water to it. The trick is to PLACE a smaller vase filled with water into the confit pot. then place the flower stems into the vase that is filled with water.

Note: Ensure the vase inside isn’t too filled with water. I tested it before I placed it in the confit pot. The water can splash into the confit pot and ruin the vase if it is filled too much. Antique confit pots are truly precious and should be treated with care.

"“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face and great music in the background.” " -- Ina Garten

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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Entertaining Idea’s for a Memorial Day Backyard Gathering

Memorial Day is considered the beginning of summer here in New England. It is when it’s finally warm enough to go outside, and we can barbeque with friends and family after a long winter season. Everyone is excited to breathe the fresh air and gather with loved ones.

When hosting a backyard barbeque, I like to decorate more casually while paying attention to the little things that make a complete design.

A savory charcuterie board is one of my favorite go-to’s when I want first to serve appetizers. It can encompass so many different foods, and the presentation is both visually delicious and festive to look at.

"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start. " -- Anthony Bourdain

This is a roasted tomato, ricotta, and basil crostini that I made. I got the recipe from the Food Network. Click on the link below or the picture to bring you to the recipe. It is delicious!

Roasted Tomato, Ricotta, and Basil Crustini

I love using little hints of red throughout my design. I am not a big fan of using too many red colors because it can overwhelm the design quickly. For a patriotic presentation, I will often use primarily blue and white and add hints of red here and there.

Here, I let the tomatoes and strawberries represent the red and added blue and white napkins for a patriotic look and feel.

If your server board is large enough, you can add all your appetizers creating a grazing table. This serving board is giant, and I was able to add some of my crostini to it and meats, cheeses, and crackers.

The little displays of red, white, and blue flags create a more festive Memorial Day celebration. The summer flowers were purchased at my local nursery. The summer

I placed my little arrangements here and there throughout the dining area. The pop of colors using yellow sunflowers and blue hydrangeas bring some color into the space where I am entertaining.

Always keep with your specific theme when designing for any event. Don’t forget the interior of your home. Small arrangements in your kitchen or bathroom are a nice touch.

""Patriotism is not short, frenzied outburts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." " -- – Adlai Stevenson "May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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Sentiments of a Daughter on Mother's Day

I love Mother’s Day. I do! It is a time when my extended family gathers to share a lovely brunch, sip delicious cocktails and remember all the mother’s in our family. We get dressed up, share gifts, talk of memories of days gone by, and solidify our love for one another on Mother’s Day. You walked away knowing you are deeply engrained in the beautiful heritage of so many women before us. I love that.

"A mother is your first friend, you best friend, your forever friend. " -- Amit Kalantril

In my home, we had some particular customs on Mother’s Day. It started when my daughter was just a petite redheaded little girl. She loved flowers of all kinds and often would pick dandelions or other flowers and bring them to me when she was 1 or 2 years old.

When she got a little older, my husband would bring her out for an exertion the day before Mother’s Day. She would become excited and try not to look like she had a secret she was hiding. They would go to White Flowers Farm in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, where you could find a vast collection of flowering shrubs, trees, and plants. It is a place where you can meander for hours just looking at the gorgeous landscape and blooms. They have a fantastic host of unique flowers to choose from.

Once there, my daughter., Alex, picked out a flowering tree, shrub, or another type of bloom to give to me as a gift on Mother’s Day. After she picked her favorite plant, they would go to the Litchfield center to have lunch and return home. She was always giddy and excited about her secret, and of course, I never let on knowing what was to come.

On Mother’s Day, Alex would gift me her unique selected plant, and we would go outside to plant it once we were finished with brunch. Today, I have beautiful flowering lilacs, peonies, hydrangeas, dogwood trees, lavender, many roses, and daisies. All bloom at different times of the year and have grown just as she has through the years. It is a thrill to see them come to life every year in the springtime.

Today, it is no surprise that we share the love of gardening, whether planting a vegetable garden or caring for blooms.

This blog is dedicated to all the colors of the lilacs, peonies, roses, lavender, dogwoods, and other assorted plants she has given me through the years that grace my home today.

All of these photos are just some of the shrubs, trees, and other plantings she has GIVEN me through the years. As you can see, many are thriving and still give us amazing blooms.

This table design has many of the different colors found outside my home. It is filled with different shades of purple, pink, blue, and creams. Put together; IT is a garden of delight.

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. " -- John Burroughs

Some of my favorite colors are blue, pink, green, and purple. They are represented here in my centerpiece.

Floral centerpiece filled with roses, hyacinth, delphinium, and orchids, to name a few. Between the roses and the hyacinth, this centerpiece has a fantastic scent.

The centerpiece's different colors are also found throughout the tablescape, creating a more cohesive table design.

I adore these cocktail glasses! They are paisley etched glass with a platinum rim around the foot. They are elegant but have a bit of a romantic casual feel to them. Perfect for my table!

I played around with the plates that I wanted to use. At first, I thought I would use just the cream colors since they have so much texture, but when I added the blue vintage Spode, oh la la…I love the contrast and color combination! That pop of color and the floral rim around the plate made my heart sing. The blue in the plate picks up all the blue hues around the tablescape. Who doesn’t love blue and white?!

"Here's to strong women. May we know then. May we be them. May we raise them. " -- Unknown

There are a lot of layers throughout this design. I have an antique white linen tablecloth, a purple runner, a charger, and three other plates. It isn’t necessary to have so many layers, but I recommend layering at least a little. It gives your table a more interesting look and feel and keeps your eye traveling throughout the design. Without layers, your design can come across as flat. It’s a designer’s trick!

Here are just a few little design details that I added to my table design to make it more interesting. The color of these French Jacquard linen runners and napkins has a gorgeous pattern, and the texture of the linen is a nice weight. It represents the lilacs and other purple hues in my flower selection in my centerpiece.

Of course, I had to serve a delicious cocktail. I poured some Prosecco into the glass and added just a drizzle of Grenadine to it. The orchid is spectacular, and the bloom is edible as long as you get them without pesticides. To me, orchids are one of the most beautiful blooms you can use for garnishing drinks, appetizers, and the like. They are elegant and colorful. What a presentation!

I placed this tiny cake dish on my table to create a little drama. The color connects with the centerpiece and pulls out the pinks in the runner and napkins.

These are little arrangements I designed and placed around the taller centerpiece. Once we sit down for brunch, I will remove the larger centerpiece; I like to have other flowers around to keep with the look and feel of the table design while we enjoy our meal.

The pink English roses are my favorite. They are David Austin Roses, and honestly, their scent is just spectacular!

"Mother's love is bliss, is peace." -- Erich Fromm

Alex then and now. How quickly our children grow!

Here’s a video of my table design….ENJOY!

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Have a lovely Mother’s Day, my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 4 years

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Backyard Sangria Gathering

Just recently, I had a small get together at my home to celebrate a birthday. Because we are still social distancing, I limited my guest list to those who my family has had contact with on a regular basis.

Honestly, I am use to having very large crowds when hosting a party, I come from a very large family and I feel more comfortable with a household filled with people verses just a few…but I am getting used to it. I tend to make multiple large dishes filled with food and pairing that down has been a challenge for me. I guess one would say it is a nice problem to have. A home filled with people just makes me happy and if I can feed them…even better!

I love to serve a robust sangria when I am entertaining guests. This recipe is my go-to when I am looking for something that is super rich and tasty. I used a Spanish red wine along with an abundance of citrus fruits. I added just a small amount maple simple sugar and some cherries for a more full-bodied complex flavor. Throughout the evening, I continue to refill the pitcher as needed and added heaping amounts of ice.

To find the recipe for the Sangria I made, go to gimmesomeoven.com by clicking on this link or the picture above.

""Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words." " -- Plautus

Sangria is a punch which traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients or spirits. Sangria is one of the most popular drinks in Spanish cuisine and is commonly served in bars and restaurants, throughout Portugal and Spain. Although Sangrias are typically made from red wine, you can make it with any other type of wine depending on your preference. The only caveat is that you need to change up the ingredients based on the type of wine you choose to use.

An example of this would be if you use white wine. White wine typically already has natural fruity notes. By adding more fruit you can compete with those delicious flavors. you will want to be careful which other fruits, you add to your sangria to complement its original flavors.

To learn more about sangrias using the type of wine of your choice, go to FoodandWine.com. Here they give you everything you will want to know about this scrumptious cocktail, which fruits to use for which wine, and so much more.

I adore using different types of vessels to gather flowers for a bouquet. This delicate glass pitcher was perfect since I wanted my centerpiece to be casual yet still have some elegance to it. Just because you are entertaining outside doesn’t mean you have to compromise a beautiful presentation.

When decorating this cake, I wrapped each of the flower stems with clear wrap and then inserted them into the cake. If I plan to have a cake decorated for a longer duration and I know the flower will wilt, I will often times fill flower water tubes, insert the flower stem into the tube, and then insert the tube into the cake. I am always careful with flowers to use when styling for an event.

Note: Many flower blossoms are NOT edible. In fact, some are poisonous. To learn about which flowers are safe to eat, go to Southern Living Magazine by following this link.

This cake was baked by Taste By Spellbound in Avon, Connecticut. They are always my go-to for desserts. I love that this cake is a 7” round but stands three layers tall. It makes for a beautiful presentation and can be decorated in so many ways. Generally, I will order a cake with the color and flavor of my desire and then style it myself. Through the years, I have come to depend on them for their high quality products and creativity for designing gorgeous cakes and other baked goods.

What better way to eat alfresco in the summertime than to use what you have in your garden for dinner? These are some of my heirloom tomatoes I used for a salad. All the other ingredients I bought at my local organic open market since mine were not ready to pick.

Color and presentation are so important when hosting a party. This salad was filled with a melody of colors and textures that screamed delicious!

This dish didn’t need a heavy salad dressing since the combination of flavors really stood on its own. A simple olive oil complimented the dish without interfering with the natural flavors. I added the feta cheese gave this dish even more depth of flavor.

"flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind." -- Luther Burbank

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 4 years

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Hydrangea’s and Edible Flowers - I Share Some of My Design Secrets When Entertaining

I can’t say if hydrangeas are my favorite seasonal flower or if it is peonies. Maybe they are tied for first.

One thing is for sure, hydrangea’s have a long-lasting bloom that goes throughout the summer….and I love that! They supply me with endless amounts of beautiful flower arrangements all summer long.

This year, we had an extremely hard rain and many of my hydrangea blooms were broken from the weight of the water on the flowers. I had clipped the ones that broke before they were fully bloomed. The colors of a hydrangea become brighter as the days go by. Once fully bloomed, they are gorgeous with deep hues of colors.

To learn more about the hydrangea’s I would recommend the book, Hydrangeas written by Naomi Slade and photographed by Georgianna Lane. The book has an amazing amount of information about all kinds of hydrangeas, how to care for them and so much more. It is both informative and the photos are just gorgeous. I have mine sitting on my coffee table.

Click on the picture to bring you to Georgianna’s website.

""There are few things as naturally beautiful as a handful of fresh flowers from the garden, simply arranged with a single leaf to lift one's soul." " -- —Tricia Guild, Out of the Blue

Here are all the hydrangeas that were broken. I collected them and brought them inside to create a pretty arrangement.

I gathered all different flowers from my garden and put them in standing water so that they wouldn’t wilt. I made sure to picked off the stems. I filled ice trays with water and then submerged a few violas in the water.

I honestly find design rather interesting. it really is the little things that create a complete design. often, guests won’t realize it is the little flowers and the pops of colors that have made your presentation so remarkable…but they know there is something different that is captivating. It is the total design that is enchanting. I never neglect the details. It’s all the simple little additions that ultimately make a big splash with a presentation.

I’ve put the link here for the ice cube trays. They add such a lovely little addition to your beverage especially when entertaining. You don’t have to add the flowers…just the shape and size of the ice cube is enough to add interest. They make for a lovely presentation.

I created a little vignette using beautiful flowers. I decorated my beverage with lavender, the frozen viola ice cubes and a few more pansies. To my tray, I added some more flowers from my garden like hydrangeas and daisies for a pop of color and to visually enjoy the presentation.

Note: Hydrangeas are NOT edible. In fact, they are poisonous. To learn about which flowers are safe to eat, go so Southern Living by following this link.

Later in the evening, I created a simple cheese plate for us to enjoy. We had this along with a botanical gin and tonic decorated with the same flowers used earlier in the day.

For the cheese tray, I just gathered what I had in my house. I added several different cheeses, a variety of nuts with honey poured on top, fruit, meat, chocolate, and crackers. I must say, pairing the deep rich dark chocolate with a bit of honey tastes amazing. Give it a try.

"flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind." -- Luther Burbank

The thing is….using flowers to decorate a plate, dessert or beverage just makes your presentation so much more beautiful. Simple pansies, violas and lavender really have such gorgeous pops of color in a variety of different hues. In a time when we are social distancing, we need to create space in our lives that make us feel centered and happy. This is one of the ways for which I bring calm into my day.

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends and have a beautiful day!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 4 years

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A Day in the Garden

I spent a few long days in the garden last week pruning and weeding my flower beds. I tried to bring the last of my peonies indoors so that I could put design a pretty arrangement. Many of the blooms were spent but I did manage to bring a few inside.

I had a business meeting in the afternoon to discuss some new ideas and wanted to serve a cool beverage. It was a bit hot during the day and thought a sweet pink lemonade would be perfect. I put a few chairs in the shade just around one of my flower beds and served a delicious thirst quenching beverage.

I wanted to bring the natural colors of summer to my table and encourage a welcoming and homey environment. A mix of absolute natural summer floral shades are always magical and calms the soul. The soft colors of pink, blue and green portray feelings of warmth and comfort.

""There are few things as naturally beautiful as a handful of fresh flowers from the garden, simply arranged with a single leaf to lift one's soul." " -- —Tricia Guild, Out of the Blue

My french market basket is always my favorite container for collecting flowers. It is sturdy and beautiful at the same time. It’s both a functional and beautiful basket all in one. You can’t get any better than that!

I always wear a hat when gardening. I never realize how long I am outside until I look up and hours have passed! I want to protect myself from the sun as much as I can since it has been proven that the sun is very damaging to the skin. This hat has been my constant companion for many years. I think it might be time to get another…don’t you think?

I wanted to make a special beverage and thought of a Rose Lemonade. It sounded perfect for the hot summer day and we certainly did need a refreshing cold drink.

The Rose Lemonade had a lovely sweet flavor with just a hint of floral scents and notes. Everyone just adored it.

Note: When making the rose lemonade, I made a rose simple sugar and added it to the recipe. The combination brought depth and sweetness of the overall flavor. I would recommend it highly. Here is the recipe for rose simple sugar.

Always keep with your specific theme when designing for any event or interior. It will keep you on track and give continuous vision.

I designed these little bouquets with the peonies that I had in my garden. The French style vase is perfect for creating a lovely casual atmosphere that I just adore.

"flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind." -- Luther Burbank

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 4 years

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Adding Linens to Your Tablescape - How to Style a Tablescape Like a Professional - 9th in this series

Vintage linens are some of my favorite finds in the last few years and they were sure a hit at the fundraiser!

Did you know that linen, both vintage and new, are becoming all the rage again? Yup.

Why? Because linen is a sustainable product that is easy to care for. They can be used repeatedly, and it is a sustainable product that contributes to the overall health of our environment.

Let’s look at just a few facts about linen in general

Linen is one of the most biodegradable and stylish fabrics known in history. It is strong, naturally moth resistant, and made from natural plant fibers.

One of my favorite linen manufactures who live and breathe organic sustainable products is Libeco Belgian Linen Company. They are one of the leaders in this global industry and are certified as a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

Linen comes from flax seed which is a very sustainable fiber

It requires no irrigation: the flax plant loves the Belgian climate (wet and moderate). The natural circumstances are ideal for flax cultivation, so the plant doesn’t need extra irrigation.

No GMO's or crop protectors: organic products are made from flax that is cultivated organically, without the use of GMOs, crop protectors or fertilizers.

There is no waste: all parts of the flax plant can be used as a resource for other products.

To learn more about linens and how to care for them, follow this link to my blog, Oh those DAUNTING Linens!

Now, let’s look at the linen fabrics I used for my tablescape design

For me, linens are everything on a tablescape. Using linen give a sense of luxury to an ordinary table design. If you want to bring your design to the next level, use lovely linens and layer them to give more texture and pattern to your table.

I used four main table linens to add layers and patterns.

I first chose a simple round table skirt to place over the table base. It puddled to the floor so that the legs would not show and to add elegance of the table.

Note: If you have a tablecloth that goes to the floor, it is considered formal. The shorter the tablecloth the less formal.

Next, I chose a beautiful square white linen tablecloth for my second layer. This gorgeous tablecloth went to the floor on four sides of the tablescape. The tablecloth had a lovely embroidered detail all around the edging of the fabric making for a more structured look. It really helped to make that specific layer stand out against the white tablecloth below it.

I then added a luxurious light gray French Jacquard tablecloth on top of the white linen. This added a pop of color I was looking for. I had a good amount of gray in my centerpiece and this tablecloth was perfect for adding and coordinating the colors elsewhere in the table design.

And finally, I curated a beautiful table runner that had all the colors I was looking to add to my tablescape. The runner was beautifully embroidered with flowers of blues, greens and grays that cascaded down the length of the fabric. It added to the overall texture and color of my design and added a romantic garden feel.

I also added a few more linens such as vintage and new napkins as shown here.

Monogrammed napkins are always a good idea and are now a big design trend as well!

I had these beautiful linen napkins monogrammed in an ice blue color to give my design just a little bit more color and some interest. The “H” represents our family name, Hickey. This is definitely a napkin that is special enough to hand down as a family heirloom.

I curated the monogram design placing a bee just above the “H”. This was done so that the napkin can be simular to the other vintage bee linens I was adding to the design. I wanted the entire tablescape to have a cohesive look and feel to it

To learn more about what the Bee symbol represents in the French culture, click on this link. This link is to my other blog where I give more information about the special symbolism of the bee and how to create a color pallet for your table.

I absolutely adore these vintage cocktail napkins. I found them at an estate sale a few years ago in Connecticut. They were originally from a little store in Paris called Majolique that no longer exists. The embroidery is gold and silver thread and is very delicately crafted. They were never used and are in perfect condition. It was a lucky find.

""The details are not the details. They make the design."" -- CHARLES EAMES

“The thing is…linens create an ambiance that sets the tone of your dining experience. Using a combination of vintage and new linens give your tablescape character and warmth. They bring to a design, in my opinion, a softness and romance that can’t be found otherwise.”

I also added another gray linen napkin to the inside of the basket just in case my other tea towel moved. I wanted to be sure I secured the stems of the flowers the best I could.

Here is a quick video of my finished tablescape.

“Mon Jardin à la Française” or “My French Garden”

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 4 years

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Gardeners Gather With Lilacs and Scones

There is something so very innately satisfying about bringing the flowers that you have grown in your garden indoors to brighten your day.

Finishing up on a creative project is rewarding especially when you have cultivated and labored over your hard work. For me, gardening and design go hand-in-hand. Growing flowers in my garden is a labor of love and there is nothing I adore more that bringing nature into my home when designing for when I am hosting an event or styling a home. Little vignettes around your living space using colors from nature brings a sense of wellbeing and health into your life. Whether a potted plant or a vase filled with blooms, they bring joy to a seemingly ordinary day.

I absolutely adore and always look forward to my lilacs blooming every year. For me, lilacs remind me of my childhood. During the springtime, I used to gather lilacs in big bundles and bring them to my mother as a present. She just loved them. Today, the scent of lilacs reminds me of her and that feeling warms my heart like no other.

"Lilacs are May in essence. " -- Jean Hersey

Did you know that the lilacs have been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history? Impressionists Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet both have famous works depicting the beauty of lilacs in their paintings.

Today, I have put together a small centerpiece using lilacs from my yard that you too can do when hosting a small gathering or creating a small vignette in one of your rooms.

Before I start any design, I always try to get a color palette together and a vision in my mind for what I am trying to create. This picture really tells a story about what I want to portray in my design. The theme is a small get together with my closest gardening friends. The picture above gives me inspiration for the deep rich colors of lilacs and all the green hues that are growing in my garden today. Of course, I have my favorite gardening sheers in the picture as well.

Let us look at some of the things I put in my centerpiece that came from my garden

I chose three types of botanicals to go into my flower arrangement. Since it is only late spring, my flowers are just starting to bud but, I do have other choices that I can use that are growing in my yard.

Woodland Ferns

Hosta Leaves

Two Types of Lilacs

Note: I have several large sterling silver mint julep glasses that I found at an estate sale a few years ago. I often repurpose them as vases and place them here and there around my home when entertaining. If I am designing for someone else’s event, I often bring them with me to decorate their home.

Using a vintage item and simply repurposing it is such a great way to create a sophisticated arrangement that will look elegant with any flower. You can put roses, peonies or even just a bunch of lilacs as I have done here and it will look amazing. I love the romantic vintage feel it brings to a design.

These Portmeirion dishes with the botanical garden pattern fit perfectly with my theme. I have had them for a long time and they still make me smile. Each dish has a separate flower scene on them with blooms, butterflies and other critters you would find in a garden.

I brought out some of my favorite things that I have been reading lately. I adore this garden book from Georgianna Lane, Hydranges and my other little book, Markets of Provence that my husband bought me for a gift before we when to Provence a few years back. My gardening sheers were just used to gather all the flowers from outdoors.

What’s a gathering without some treats? Right before my friends came over, I baked some ginger scones using a recipe from The Stay At Home Chef. This recipe gives you a variety of flavors that you can create. There is nothing like entering a home that smells of fresh baked goods. It is just a wonderful way to greet your guests.

Did you know that Lilac blossoms are edible, though they smell better than they taste, so use in small amounts. Another springtime delight is to make a lilac cold-water infusion.

I love decorating with edible flowers. I grow all my flowers organically; therefore, I don’t hesitate to use them if I can. Once I finished drizzling the glaze on my scones, I quickly added the lilac flowers for a garnish.

NOTE: Not all flowers are edible. To learn more about which can be used for eating or decorating follow this link to What’s Cooking America. Here you will learn what flowers you can use for cooking, decorating and eating and they also give you a good idea as to what each flower tastes like. It’s a great source that I often use.

Of course, when designing for a party, I always like to add warm colors, natural textures, and patterns. The bowl I selected for this design was created from our New England surrounding made of natural upcycled wood. I love the unexpected in design and this really does the trick. With the warm homemade scones placed in the bowl, it creates a farm to table feel that is organic and welcoming.

I also served a wonderful Summer Lavender Prosecco drink. The recipe is from Self Proclaimed Foodie and I recommend it highly. I garnished my drinks with some blueberries and served them in my favorite vintage champagne glasses.

Note: When making the lavender Prosecco drink, let the lavender sit in the simple syrup longer if you want a more robust flavor. That is what I did, and it was amazing. What a treat!

""The details are not the details. They make the design."" -- CHARLES EAMES

“The thing is…with just a few simple steps, creating a lovely gathering can be made easily. Follow the same color scheme throughout your design, serve some yummy treats and you are on your way. What is most important is that you create your own design using what makes your heart happy.”

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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Mother's Day Tablescape With Love

There is something very endearing about Mother’s Day. It is a time when we want to show our mother’s how much we love them.

Flowers symbolize love, and this table reflects how my mother made me feel throughout my life. She was a warm sweet mother who was fiercely protective of her children and a constant nurturing soul.

"“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.”" -- Stevie Wonder

The theme of my table is Mother’s Day. I channeled the warmth and deep love of my mother when designing it. Creating with your heart makes the best of any design.

I mixed old decor with new. I used a combination of vintage flatware that was my mother’s with new place settings. The napkins are lovely linen embroidered French blue flower that gives this table a spring-like look and feel and complements the florals throughout the rest of the table. I was looking for a more springtime grandmillennial design. Ruffles, flowers, and vintage decor always WORK for this design AESTHETICS.

The table runner is just a gorgeous piece of beaded lace that I found at a fabric wholesale WAREHOUSE. I love to rummage through these stores to find remnants, and at times you can run into amazing finds. This was one of them.

"“Earth laughs in flowers.” " -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The centerpiece is a lovely combination of spring colors that tie the different color hues in the tablecloth to the other items on the table.

I had enough flowers leftover to create another sweet floral design using this cement female statue head planter I found in Flower Magazine. I put it on my coffee table to complement the rest of the space near the dining table.

After dining, I always place the centerpieces that I designed in areas where we can appreciate them a little longer. I generally like to serve dessert in my LIVING ROOM after dinner. The flowers are perfect for a pretty little dessert vignette on my COFFEE TABLE.

This tulip just captives me!

When using my vintage gold flatware, I love to add other hints of gold elements throughout my table. It brings together the overall cohesiveness of the table.

"When you are an avid gardener, flowers are a window to the soul!" -- Mary Madore-Hickey

The vase I am using is a Simon Pearce hurricane vessel. I use it for so many things. I add candles, twinkle lights, and even use them as a flower vase. It’s one of my favorite purchases since it is versatile and can be used almost anywhere.

Design with your heart™️

"may your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows." -- Anonymous

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome your input anytime!

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

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merzelifestyle · 2 years

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Valentine's Day Pink Lady Cocktail

This is a cocktail that I created for my Galentine’s Party. I wanted to create something that is both delicious and pretty to look at.

I served mine in an antique coupe glass for both presentation and to be sipped slowly.

The heart-shaped ice cubes are made of raspberry simple sugar. As you sip the drink, the ice melts and your drinks intensify with the flavor of raspberry….and it looks so pretty!

It pairs so nicely with mostly everything, but I served finger sandwiches and chocolate dipped cookies for a nice late afternoon get together.

"The best drinks are the ones you share with friends."

Valentine’s Lady’s Cocktail

INGREDIENTS

Recipe with Egg Whites

1 1/2 ounces of gin

1/2-ounce applejack

1/2-ounce fresh lemon juice

1 egg white

2 teaspoons of grenadine

Put all ingredients in a shaker, and shake without ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute. This will activate the egg whites and help them froth while creating the cocktail. Add ice to your drink only when it is in your cocktail glass.

Recipe with Aquafaba

1 1/2 ounces of gin

1/2-ounce applejack

1/2-ounce fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons aquafaba (drained chickpea juice)

2 teaspoons of grenadine

Place the aquafaba in a cocktail shaker , shake vigorously 20 or 30 seconds to aerate.

Add the rest of the ingredients along with ice. Shake vigorously for 1 minute.

Recipe for the heart shaped raspberry simple sugar ice cubes

3/4 cup of raspberries (6oz)

3/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups cleaned raspberries

In a small saucepan, add together the sugar, water, and raspberries. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer for about 3 minutes.

Reduce the temperature to low and simmer for another 5 minutes. Take the pan off the burner.

Let cool

Strain the mixture so that you only get the juice of the raspberries.

Once all the liquid is strained, place the liquid in an ice mold and freeze overnight.

You can keep the rest of the simple sugar for 1 week.

That’s it!

This is the mold that I used for my heart shaped ice cubes. They can be found on Amazon for $6.98. They are called “Chocolate Cookie Mold for Mother's Day, 10-Cavity Love Heart Shaped Silicone Baking Molds for Candy Mini Soap, Cake Bread Cupcake Cheesecake Muffin and Jello”.

I love to garnish all of my serveboards with a flower of some type. Here I added a few roses to keep with the theme of the day.

I made some dark chocolate heart shaped cookies and orange shortbread rounds and dipped them in chocolate.

I added heart shaped chocolate and marshmallows to add color to my plates.

I served egg, tuna, chicken salad, and cucumber finger sandwiches. Here is a just a few examples plated. I added English bisques and fruit to garnish the plate.

"“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face and great music in the background.” " -- Ina Garten

“The thing is…a beautiful cocktail presentation makes a difference when entertaining. What say’s Happy Valentine’s Day better than a heart!”

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. " -- Anonymous

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