A Wreath Making Party

For the past several years, I have been aware of a local tree farm conducting wreath making classes. It is a lot like a "Paint and Sip" night, I guess, except that you pay to decorate a holiday wreath and BYOB. But sadly, every year they sold out almost immediately. This year I was balking about missing out again to a friend on the phone who promptly suggested that I just throw my own event... What a great idea! So that is exactly what I did!

I sent out the invites to some girlfriends and my mom and aunt and a party was planned. I provided the supplies then had guest BYOB and bring an appetizer to share to keep the costs down. It was a fun and creative night!

To maximize space, I drug a long buffet table up from the basement which I sat up in the middle of the living room and split some into the dining room. I sat up boxes of supplies on end tables and in the middle of the tables. Guests mingled and shared the supplies they had near them with others.

Dante wasn't too sure what was going on with all these women all over the house.... but he patiently waited for every crumb that dropped on a chair near where the appetizers were set up.

The night was a huge success resulting in good conversation and some wonderful creations!

Throwing a Derby Party!

So this year I wasn't lucky enough to make it all the way to Louisville but I was lucky enough to throw a party surrounded by friends and family for the race. All food was provided by Tastefully Simple and was absolutely delicious. I also made punch versions of the famous Pink Lillies and Mint Juleps.

I used chalkboard place mats from the local party store to list the types of food that were on the buffet. My pulled pork was in the kitchen and a highly recommended recipe, paired deliciously with the Tastefully Simple Smokey Bacon BBQ Sauce.

To make my pulled pork recipe, buy a good cut of pork shoulder (the kind with the rope on it), then take the ingredients below to make a rub, leave roast with rub overnight in the fridge before roasting in crock-pot for 8hrs the next day....

• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Once done the pork will just fall apart.

No Derby party would be complete without the post times, the horses and the odds. 

 

 Decor around the house was from items previously stored away but configured in wonderfully to the theme of the weekend.

My dress was a fit and flare lace dress found online, my hat was a Liz Claiborne borrowed from mom's closet, and my wedge sandals were a NY&Co purchase last summer. (similar here)

And while my horse didn't win either (I bet on Lone Sailor and Vino Rosso).... it still was a fabulous day for a Kentucky Derby Party!