Party-Time

Tonight, I begin our preparations for our mini Christmas Eve party for my mom's family. On the menu? Chicken skewers with chipotle sauce, red pepper and goat cheese crisps, homemade egg rolls, tomato crostini with balsamic vinegar, fudge and festive cupcakes. Now off to the kitchen! Image of red pepper and goat cheese crisps via Real Simple.

Skating

As a child, my brother (and mother... and sometimes me) would flood our backyard and make a skating rink. We had endless hours of fun with pick up games of hockey and skating until our toes were slightly frost-bitten.

This ice skating party has me completely inspired to go back to that tradition and convince my mom to flood her yard yet again so that I can host such a soiree. Our new house would be swell as a venue, but our stone, tiered-patio is less than ideal for an impromptu hockey rink. I suspect, however, that we'll have to settle for our neighbourhood's annual skating party at St. Bon's on January 2 (which BTW is also such a fun idea, I love that our neighbourhood has an annual skating party!). All images via The Sweetest Occasion.

Ice Cream

Next summer, I want to host an ice cream party to put the ice cream maker that my mother-in-law gifted me to good use. I'll make colourful paper jackets for the ice cream cones (to help keep melting cone drips at bay) and serve scoops of ice cream on top of cupcakes in lieu of icing (what's better than ice cream and cupcakes?). The menu will also include gourmet ice cream sundaes, with toppings like candied violets and pistachios, and layered chocolate and vanilla milkshakes. Though summer now seems a long way off, I'm excited! Inspiration via Amy Atlas. Image via Garrett Kern.

Champagne

Next weekend, I have the house to myself and have decided to host a cookie swap. One invitee suggested serving champagne, which I think is a great idea. Do you have a favourite sparkling wine? I'm a Yellowglen Pink lady myself.

Fairy Lights

I'm curious if I can find a way to re-purpose this idea (fairy lights hung from above) for the cookie swap... hmm... Image via Oh Happy Day!

P.S. I love these ice cream cone balloons too!

Cookie

In honour of my forthcoming cookie fete, you might want to check out this fun food blog - Oh Joy Eats. Image via Swet.

P.S. Aren't these cupcakes super fun?

Parties

I love playing hostess and am starting to feel a very strong urge to graduate from the typical BYOB college-party with chips and punch, to themed parties. We held a cheese party for our housewarming last fall, but I'd like to take our next soiree a step further.

In giving it some thought, I'm now bursting with ideas for event-themed parties (think a Kentucky Derby or Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot event with hats!), food-themed parties (maybe a wintertime party with pink champagne and gingerbread, a port tasting, or a cookie swap), seasonal parties (such as a pumpkin carving post-Pumpkinfest at Lester's Farm) and competition-based parties (perhaps a soup-off, a macaroni and cheese tasting, games night or a staring contest). So much fun to be had! So many events to plan! Image via Sara's Party Perfect.

Pillows

In terms of seating, our living room offers only a denim couch and a matching leather arm chair and foot stool. Across the pieces we can seat 5 comfortably and 6 or 7 if people are feeling close. At our last mini party, people ended up perching on the area rug - a fact that left me slightly embarrassed after the fact (why I didn't think to pull over a few chairs form the dining room is unknown to me). These Hawaiian floor pillows from the Purl Bee are the perfect solution. I love the colours. Image via the Purl Bee.

Sequins

Finally, after searching high and low, last Monday, while on a work holiday, I found the perfect rehearsal dinner dress. Though visions of a short while dress danced in my head previously, I settled on a soft taupe dress covered in grey and pink sequins from Blank UK. It makes me feel like a bride... which was the challenge, as many dresses felt completely dinner party appropriate for every other occasion, but not a wedding. While I'm unable to find a photo of my exact dress online, the above snippet (the dress with the arrow pointing to it) from Elle via Blank's blog bears a striking resemblance. I'm quite pleased with the find (from August and Lotta Stockholm on Water). Now all that's left to decide is whether to wear blue heels or brown flats to complete the look.

Also related to the rehearsal and its accompanying party, we've booked my cousin (a fantastic chef!) to cater the dinner!

Moustache

Aren't these moustache and smile sticks wonderful? What a fun addition to any party and a great prop for wedding photo booths! Image via Smitten Sticks and sticks available for purchase here. While you're surfing, why not check out the sticks' use at a sweet wedding in Hollywood here.

I've recently brainstormed an alternative to wide smiles and handlebar moustaches, but its reveal won't occur until our big day.