Thank for the well wishes. We ran ourselves ragged on Friday but I think it went well. A few minutes before the guests arrived, I snapped a few photos of the decor.
We started by putting up last years decorations. The tree, the bows, the glittered snowflakes, etc.
But it needed more so on Friday, we took a predawn trip to the flower district. Not sure what I wanted, I found the whole experience of pretending to be a pro a bit intimidating. In any event we brought home a a case of carnations and some silver twigs.
Using wire I strung up some carnation heads on the branches for some drama on the buffet.
Then for added pops of red, I filled tomoto cans with carnations and put those on display.
Using the rest of the carnations, I filled a load of Ikea vases. Some got some some silver twigs, some got some glittered snowflakes and others just stood alone.
And of course there was food, food, food. We tried to keep it mostly Italian - always a crowd pleaser. Pasta and meatballs in silver chafing dishes, italian cheeses, cured meats, olives, etc..
Let's not forget the spirits. Aside from the Italian varieties, we cheated with Australian wine and Russian vodka :)
We served eggnog but it wasn't that popular. I'll have to remember that next time round and make a lighter signature cocktail next time.
Once the guests arrived, I put down my camera and took part in the festivities. Mother Nature even gave NYC the first snow of the season to keep the theme going!
It looks so festive! I like the unexpected pop of the carnations in the tomato tins. (And Pellegrino always looks festive grouped together, no matter what!)
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely perfect and grand! great job!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous! The flower arrangements are simple but classic and beautiful for the season.
ReplyDeleteI served eggnog at my holiday party last year and had the same experience. I think people are a little nervous aboute eggnog that doesn't come out of a carton, haha.
Looks lovely as usual. Something about eggnog just rubs me the wrong way. :)
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh it all looks SO great! the repeating of the carnations is fabulous. i want to come to one of your parties just so i can oooh & aahhh at the decor lol.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, if this is what you can put together on short notice, I can only imagine what you could do with more time! It looks fantastically sophisticated, and I love the cute and inexpensive touch of the carnations in the tomato cans.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example of the notion that beautiful design doesn't need to cost a fortune. I love the simplicity of the decorations.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! your last minute decorations really paid off!
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful~again<3
ReplyDeleteIt looked amazing, sorry I couldn't make it ;) Hugs from Conroe, TX!
ReplyDeleteEgg Nog definitely came from a carton - I just poured it into pretty pitchers. I don't drink the stuff myself - tastes like an omlet mix to me :)
ReplyDeleteLove the tomato cans also - I've never seen pretty ones in my grocery stores! The peek at your tree was also a treat - is it real or artificial? Everything looks extremely sophisticated! I've got to get my decorations done this week! LauraC
ReplyDeleteWow the party looks beautiful, festive and very warm and comforting. I love homes like that.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous decorations and the food looks fantastic. I really love the idea of the silver branches and the red carnations. Simple and stunning!
ReplyDeleteStunning decor. Such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, it would take me a month to come up with those ideas! Amazing!! Those carnations are beautiful. Heck, it's ALL beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the red...I was beginning to think that I was the only one who liked it anymore...gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful! Especially love the Italian tomato cans-come-flower-vessels, and rows of Pellegrino - always a classic touch!
ReplyDeleteI love your tomato cans too! What a wonderful, elegant party... and you "pulled" that together!
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
Michelle
Looove your silver twigs!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun party and I love that you kept to a theme of sorts. All the red with the silver/gold sparkly was very pretty and classy. Great job pulling off something so festive on such short notice. We have snow here as well with a lot more to come today/tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWow, stunning! Definitely magazine-worthy! Where did you get the "Happy Holidays" sign? Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteCompletely festive and beautiful! Janell
ReplyDeleteAnon - My tree is a fake. I was very against it for years but now Im converted. So many perfectly spaced lights!
ReplyDeleteDagny - I got that sign last year from Michaels. I don't remember the brand.
love this post!! the photos are great...the cheese signs are so cute! and the colors of your place are gorgeous..i'm sure the party was fun!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fabulous! You are such a creative and thoughtful hostess. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you threw a fabulous party! Great job with the florals. Nobody'd know you weren't a pro! And the food sounds like it was wonderful. Being Northern Italian, antipasta, rose and Frangelico are staples at Christmas...I love what you did!
ReplyDeleteI love the red and silver florals - absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFor a last minute soiree you did a stunning job! Bravo!!
ReplyDeleteomg, love, love LOVE!!! I just did my house this weekend in red and silver, but its NOTHING like this!! GORGEOUS, absolutely!! My family is Italian, and every year for Christmas dinner we do ravioli, brajiole, homemade pasta... you have totally inspired me to bring something a little more "outside the box"!!
ReplyDeletevery very pretty! love the carnations in tomato cans. and the cheese labels. cute. pam
ReplyDeleteSo festive! I love the carnations in tomato cans idea! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to go to there.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. As always. : )
ReplyDeletepk @ Room Remix
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, festive, creative - great job!
Everything looks amazing! Truly, truly amazing!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your holiday decor! Where did you get the glittery snowflakes? Great idea to hang them from the ceiling! Looks like you had a fabulous party :)
ReplyDeleteI knew that you would pull it off and you did it right! It is absolutely beautiful. You are so talented. Everything is very welcoming. I promise to send you the chocolate chip cookie recipe soon:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning party!! I just LOVE how the carnations look with the branches, sooo beautiful!
ReplyDeleteStunning! I love the way you used the red carnations!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI am beyond obsessed with your decorations... Love the flowers, love the happy holidays banner, love the white branches with cranberry fillers...
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteAmazing as usual,great job!
Mrs. Limestone, your party has inspired my Christmas Eve celebration! I can't get over how fab it all looks!
ReplyDeleteYou def now what you are doing!! I need to find me some cool stick (in my yard, hopefully) so I can spray paint them a cool silver color and hang ornaments on them. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love the red carnations- what an unexpected way to add red for Christmas- especially when you (by you I mean me) have little ones since pointsettias are poisonious! The decorations are gorgeous with a capitaol G!! Love the silver branches mixed in and tomato cans? Genius!
ReplyDeleteAbsolute perfection--you really outdid yourself! The red and silver look so fresh and festive :)
ReplyDelete(And I know what you mean about the flower district--it can be so overwhelming! I usually just end up leaving empty handed and picking up some cheap mums at the corner store ;)
Okay, I think you're fabulous! That party looks amazing and you're tree...could it be any more perfect? You are so ridiculously talented. and i love the door for the desk!
ReplyDeleteso festive & fun. makes me want to throw a xmas party too! alas...that will have to wait bc of our renovation. sigh.
ReplyDeleteSimply AWESOME! I am loving the pops of red! Really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBuona Festa , Buon Natale e Buon Capodanno !
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome photo shoot in such a lovely setting!
I'm a little behind on posts...what a beautiful job you did! All this was on the fly? Amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour ideas inspire me! Love the tomato cans. The home is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAgain, so impressed! Looks like it was a HIT!
ReplyDeleteWOW....I mean really, you're putting the sad wreath on my front door to shame. I LOVE those pops of red and silver. The decor is festive without being garish. And I LOVE Eggnog, esp. spiked eggnog, so if I'm at any of yoru Christmas parties in the near future (hint, hint) please have a little bit left for me:)
ReplyDeleteYour party was lovely!
ReplyDeletejust SO gorgeous!!! looks like it's straight out of a magazine!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewhat fun!! :)
xoxo,
lauren @pure style home
Gave my mother a bottle of frangelico. Was very happy.
ReplyDeleteHow are the snowflakes hung?
ReplyDelete