Category — Party Time

I love Cinco de Mayo – it’s an awesome holiday full of chips, salsa, margaritas, and a pretty great excuse to play dress up ( … in lots of color!) And hubby and I have made it a bit of a tradition to throw a Cinco de Mayo fiesta – even if we are occasionally a few weeks late (this year we’ll be out of town … but I’m thinking I won’t let that stop me from throwing a mid-June/July fiesta.) We usually keep it pretty casual, we serve a TON of food, and the drinks are endless, so I love the idea of a sweet little dress, a great pair of heels (that can easily be swapped out for flats), and plenty of coasters to go around.  (If you’re throwing a fiesta of your own, don’t forget to try my Sauza-rita Margarita recipe: easy to make and oh-so-good.)

By the way, how adorable is that embroidered dog bed?  Oh, Free People, you’re so clever!

Get the Cinco de Mayo look: Tory Burch Marlow Loafer (25% Off for the Tory Burch Friends & Family Event, with code: TBSPRING) // Ace and Jig Maine Mini Dress // BaubleBar Silver Snake Ring // Mara Hoffman Mexican Blanket Shorts // Chan Luu Beaded Eye Bracelet // J.Crew ISARO by Jill Golden A-list wide cuff // Blonde Ambition Renata Dijon Yellow Strappy Studded Sandals // Cleobella Cantina Large Bag // J.Crew Embroidered Scarf // Kenneth Jay Lane Flower Post Earrings // Agate Coasters // Free People Embroidered Dog Bed

I’ve always loved Cinco de Mayo.  When we first moved into our house, a few months after getting married we threw a huge Cinco de Mayo fiesta, mariachi band and all, and though our schedules have been busy since then, I’ve been dreaming of ways to throw fiesta numero dos.  And a a Cinco De Mayo girls’ night in seems like the perfect way to celebrate.

Every great party has it’s very own signature cocktail; in comes the Sauza-rita, easy-as-could-be to make, delicious, and perfectly festive.  {And don’t let the addition of a bottle of light beer scare you – I know it made me nervous – but it actually adds some fizz (and alcohol!) to the drink, and the whole thing winds up as a perfect party margarita.}

The Sauza-rita recipe:

• 1 can Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila*
• 1 bottle light beer
• 1 can frozen limeade
• 1 can water

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Some people take the new year to tackle a big diet or fitness regimen, I figure, “I’ll get to that, one day”… but in the meantime, I’m all about tackling home design projects.

This vintage-meets-modern table setting has me re-thinking my own dining room design.

I dream of this kind of organization, especially organization this lovely.

This clean bedroom with a pop of crisp white fur has me plotting the packing-up of half my bedroom knick-knacks (and piles of shoes … I call it “organized chaos”).

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With the holidays now nearly over, and New Years Eve fast approaching, my mind turns to my tabletop.  I have been on the hunt for perfect white dinnerware sets.  A white place-setting is always a classic, and it gives me wiggle room with the rest of my decor. I’m also going through this bizarre stage of nesting where I want everything in the house to look perfect (though it’s far from it!) I’m going to call this “third year of marriage syndrome”. I blame our wedding registry. A few years ago I got to beep a gun to my heart’s content at every pretty dish, fork, and vase, and voila: they appeared at my door a few weeks later. I’m having decor withdrawal.

I thought I loved the square shape.  We went to a friends’ house and they served everything is this funky square bowls, and I thought, “These are awesome!”, but after seeing all of the other gorgeous shapes, I’m more confused than ever.

So I need a bit of help:  Porcelain or stoneware?  Square or rounded edges?  Modern or classic?  Mix and match?

Dishes, Clockwise from Left to Right: Williams-Sonoma // Crate & Barrel // Pottery Barn // Greenhouse Design Studio // West Elm