Wednesday, September 26, 2012

{a birthday cocktail party}


Last night we hosted a little cocktail party get together to celebrate our birthdays.  This was the first large gathering we have had at our new place in Chicago and I decided to keep it simple rather than going all out with a theme.  Inspired by the fun mix of colors from this photo, I created some simple decorations using a mix of tissue paper I already had laying around.  A few strands of garland and some confetti was all this party needed to turn it from a regular get-together into a birthday celebration, along with a spread  of savory and sweet snacks.  And to top it all off (because its not a cocktail party without alcohol) we made big batch of whiskey punch and diy champagne cocktail set up!


 {our dining room set up moved around slightly, instructions for garland here}


 {a party staple- our party sized recipe version here. every time we make this punch I bet Chris that there is no way our guests will finish it and I am consistently proven wrong as this was drained clean by the end of the night even though it had 3 full handles of whiskey in it!}


{champagne cocktail set up}

 {my favorite champagne bottle bucket from here}



{recipe for this party favorite is right here

{I did not make these from scratch (no one has that kind of time)-
 they are available in the freezer aisle of target}


 {easiest recipe to make. ever. its only three ingredients and your friends will be so impressed- recipe here}


{funfetti-obviously. this is a birthday party after all.}

{mini red velvet}


26 comments:

  1. Looks great!!!! Can you come throw a party for me please?

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  2. Where is your whiskey punch container from? I loooove it!

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    1. The drink dispenser is from Costco and I LOVE it. I have tried to find a link to it for forever but I can never find one online. It sells for $50 in the store and I have two of them- it is glass which is scary but it has held up really well and we get a ton of use out of it!

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    2. Thank you! I may have to go see if our local Costco has them! So beautiful!

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  3. This look so yummy! I wish I could figure out how to ice cupcakes like that without them looking like a 5 year old was decorating... :-/ PS I'm giving away a gold monogram necklace this week and I would love for you to enter! http://lovealamodeblog.com/2012/09/25/giveaway-100-monogram-necklace-from-nashelle-jewelry-design/

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  4. Wow...I love all the details and the food (and drinks) look amazing. I can see how much time and effort went into everything and it makes the event so much more personal. Amazing job!

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  5. can you tell me where did you got those arrow pick from?

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    Replies
    1. Target! They are near the toothpicks and matches!

      Hope you find em!

      -Natalie

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  6. Natalie, I love your personal touches to every little event you throw! I'm newer to your blog but I must say I am a huge fan already! Are those vintage cake plates that you have the food displayed on? If so, I'll have to start hunting...
    And while you are exploring your new home of Chicago, check out Mercadito and/or Tavernita, they are both great little restaurants a friend of mine owns, and I'm sure you'll enjoy them!

    Julie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words! Im so happy you are enjoying the blog!

      The green cake stands are vintage jadeite stands which you can usually find on Etsy or Ebay. The white cake stands are all from the Martha Stewart collection at Macy's. Hope that helps!

      Thanks for the restaurant recommendations! We definitely welcome any insider Chicago info since we are still learning our way around the city! :)

      <3Natalie

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  7. Your set up is lovely and you have the perfect combination of foods xx

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  8. Wow Natalie looks amazing! You always throw the most beautiful/creative parties! I have a question about the fringed streamers: did you cut them into triangles and add the gold lining at the top or did you find tissue paper that came that way? My birthday is next week and I would love to do something like this!

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  9. Wow! I always love admiring all of your fun blog posts, especially the amazing parties! You are so talented! Where can I find those great arrow images for the food labels?
    Cheers!

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  10. This is straight up the cutest party set-up I have ever seen! I wish I was invited to fancy parties like these! :D

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  11. Your parties are just amazing! Great job, as always!

    xo,
    Heather

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  12. You guys seriously throw the best parties! I wish Chris was going to school in Boston so we could be friends and I could attend these fab events!!

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  13. I check in on your blog every day hoping to see a new post! I love all of your entries-- especially those on decorating and entertaining. I enjoy seeing how you put things together like your tablescapes and appetizer/ dessert tables. What kind of software do you use to make the food labels?

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    1. Hi Lupita,

      Generally I design things into Adobe Illustrator, but you could easily use Microsoft Word to achieve the same results!

      -Natalie

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  14. How many people does the whiskey punch serve? I'm trying to figure out how much I need for a smaller party (of maybe 15 people).

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    1. For 15 people I would use the recipe in this link:

      http://www.mintlovesocialclub.com/2011/12/plaid-party-drinks.html

      which uses one handle of whiskey for the punch. For the birthday party we had about 45 people and we used three handles in our punch.

      Hope that helps!

      -Natalie

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  15. Hi there! What sauce do you use for the sourdough pretzels?

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  16. LOVIN your garland! Did you make it or buy it? Looks like fringed tissue paper...maybe? THANKS :)

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  17. What a stunning party set up!!!!
    I am also very interested in the garland...
    I was really hoping to make something like this for my sister-in-laws wedding and am just wondering about the gold tape or ribbon running along the top??? Also is the gold and glossy white more of a plastic wrap or cello than a tissue paper??
    I would love any advice you could give on making one..
    Thanks so much

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  18. YES, That garland! I have to know if it was bought or made. I need to have the same type for a baby shower!! Please share!

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    1. Hi Heather,

      I made it- you can see directions right here: http://www.mintlovesocialclub.com/2012/09/diy-mini-triangle-garland-backdrop.html

      Or if you would like information on ordering one from me you can contact me through my etsy shop right here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MintLoveSocialClub?ref=si_shop

      hope that helps!

      Best,
      Natalie

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