The “ART of the party” was an Amalfi inspired collaboration of my artsy friends and family celebrating new beginnings and the excitement of Baby Dixon, my first grandchild, on the way! Yippee!! The luscious lemon citrus stage was set in my backyard and newly remodeled deck on a picture perfect sundrenched Colorado afternoon. No azure waves splashing or vines dripping in lemons but boy did we have fun with the Italian theme splashing yellow, blue and white flowers arranged in a loose fashion with textured greenery.
When you have a group of female foodies planning a menu the ideas are endless. Our buffet was brimming with shrimp, lemon pasta, chicken skewers, salads and an antipasto platter bursting with the flavors of Italy. Kaki’s ridiculously perfect homemade focaccia, fresh burrata & mozzarella, Mediterranean olives, homemade pesto & meats from my favorite Italian market (Valente's) were garnished with an array of colorful fresh veggies. And with me, one must ALWAYS have good olive oil & balsamic. Assuredly, no one was going home hungry! Oh, and the lemon plates from none other than the Dollar Tree were perfect. Seems to be a popular theme everywhere this summer. The ART is in the orchestration of inexpensive items with fancy. If I hadn’t mentioned, you’d never know they were $1.25 each. Here’s my HUMOR….not a fan of paper plates.
Two abstract 48x36 panels of wine glasses that I painted 10 (?) years ago served as an impromptu backdrop for food and beverage. This was the brainchild of my daughter, Kaki, who was determined to camouflage and hide the view into the garage that was not too tidy…
Ha! Voila! ART plucked from the basement to the rescue. ( Yes, for sale..they have been in various apartments of my kids and landed here).
One of my many “collections” is vintage cocktail glasses found at estate sales and of course many from my mom! She had the same “problem” of loving glassware. Elevate the beverage with your bougie bar glass & all of the fixings for wine, prosecco, lemon infused cocktails and mocktails, Aperol spritzers and spa water. I’m happiest when nothing matches, especially with glassware! HA!
My sister, Jenny, and her friend, Tama, stacked lemons, flower sprigs and a silver candelabra to dangle vintage family silver baby cups and rattles as a table chandelier of sorts. Brilliant!
Top your palette off with lots of yummy deserts alla’limone, raspberries filled with chocolate & pecan bars garnished with edible flowers. Edible flowers add such a simple and elegant touch. Whole Foods usually has them!
Food! Art! Inspiration! Travel! And Humor….F.A.I.T.H. all part of the theme.
The zest of life and a celebration of the richness of friendship, family, love and the spirit of just being together in a magical celebration of Mary, the mama to be. And Chris, the dad to be!! We love you!