Time Out For A Good Cause

.

As you all likely know by now, I'm heading out soon for Operation Shower's Red, White and Coo event in Florida with THE PGA TOUR and March of Dimes. Excited doesn't begin to describe the feeling knowing we're about to throw an amazing shower for 36 well-deserving military moms-to-be!

.

So, please excuse the lack of posts this week and stay tuned for next week when I should have some fun photos from the event to share. Then, sometime in the near future, I should get some actual professional photos of the day from the lovely and talented Amy of Wildchild Studios and Velia Roldan Photography. Both ladies volunteer their time and talent with Operation Love Reunited and now Red, White and Coo!

Check out this Press Release from THE PGA TOUR on some of the amazing details to come! Squeeeee....so fun.

Until then...how blessed are we to live in this country and have amazing folks that serve it?

Cheers,

Amy

Your First Stop To An Eco-Chic Party...

begins with Cocodot! (there's FREE stuff below...keep reading!)

.

If you can't take my word for it, then listen to Colin Cowie: “Online invitations are the new eco-chic way to entertain and Cocodot.com is the ultimate destination for style and sophistication.” - Colin Cowie

Whether you want to save time, money or the planet without sacrificing style, cocodot has over 6,000 exclusive images shot by famed fashion and lifestyle photographer Amy Neunsinger. Amy shoots the Target campaigns and I think we all know how awesome those are!

.

cocodot’s invites will inspire you to host your next party. Don't know your theme yet? Don't worry. One look at cocodot's designs and you'll be instantly inspired. I'm dreaming of citrusy summer parties and pool parties the colors of the sea above. And below? An eclectic tea party, a vintage/retro girl's night, book club and an easy, breezy Chinese take-out and movie. Those are all parties I'd RSVP yes to!

.

.

Unlike other online invitation sites, cocodot is ad free and offers an advanced guest management and communication platform, event home pages and easy tools for linking invites and greetings to social networks.

Cocodot is subscription based and not only has invitations, but also has some great e-greetings and notes as well. For just $19 for one party or $99 for a year, you can cross "get invitations" off your list!

.

Here's the free stuff!

.

In honor of Earth Day last week, cocodot is giving away a COMPLIMENTARY cocodot invitation for Stem Parties readers. in honor of Earth Day by entering cocoEarth2010 at checkout, now through June 1st for a free party invite, which can be created, personalized and delivered to an unlimited amount of guests within minutes.

Fiesta Week: The Party Dress

.

As I run out to do some errands for Operation Shower today, I leave you with this. I can't help but repost and share this Cinco de Mayo inspiration board from The Party Dress.


It features what might be my favorite of all of Kelly's designs...the fabulous Missoni-inspired invitation. Does Kelly have a knack for pulling together the most lovely posts or what?

Have a good weekend everyone!

We Interrupt This Fiesta Week To Bring You...

.

This GORGEOUS wedding of a friend of a friend at the Grande Dame, Biltmore Hotel , in Coral Gables.

.

Parrish Designs London created absolutely stunning florals and a canopy for the ceremony, and later the cake, that is out of a dream.

.

.

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Mel, and for allowing me to show them Jill! Congratulations! (If these are just great snapshots that Melanie took, can you imagine the photographer's photos to come? Swoon.)

.

.
More pictures of the girls in their fab dresses and the like seen here on Melanie's blog. Get cozy, Mel's blog is full of fun finds.

Fiesta Week: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

.

True story: I could live on Mexican Food. I think it should be a food group.

.

So, you give me any of these recipes for Cinco de Mayo or any old SU, M, T, W, TH, F, SA I'm a happy girl. It's one thing I miss most about living in Austin, Texas. I was also 40 lbs. heavier back then, too. El Coincidence? I think not.

.

Feast your eyes on the Savory:

And the Sweet:

And here's where you can find them for your very own fiesta! Just invite me, okay?

Mexican Brownies
Blueberry Lime Margarita
Chunky Guacamole
Bakerella Fire & Ice Cupcakes
Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Green Sauce
Spicy Shredded Pork
Watermelon Basil Margarita
Three Cheese Quesadillas

Fiesta Week!

.

I think we'll just make this Fiesta Week here on Stem and keep the margaritas flowing with this fantastic printables collection from mi amigas at Paper & Cake.

You still have plenty of time to pop over to their Etsy shop, purchase, print and decorate your Cinco de Mayo party with these colorful and clever goods!

Set includes:

Invitation (Fits A7 Envelope)
Cupcake Picks
Menu
Napkin Rings, Vase Wraps or Candle Wraps
Cupcake Wrappers
3” Rounds - coasters, garland and gift tags
Lanterns
Pinwheels
Margarita Glass Charms
Favor Bags
Nacho Tray
Recipes - Margaritas & Guacamole
Papel Picado Banner
Full Pattern Page

It's NOT Goodbye....

.

This weekend we had a few people over for a going away dinner for two dear friends and their husbands (who are also dear). Since Katie and I have had more than one girl's night involving mexican food and margaritas, it was only fitting to host a fiesta de bye bye.

.

.

Mexican crepe paper flowers in bold colors were the decor of the day. I mixed it in with black and white to match the adorable placemats from Michaels that served as the inspiration for the fiesta.

.

The table was kept relatively simple as space was needed to serve the food familia-style! Just a couple of cylinder vases with colored-water and floating candles and a "floral" centerpiece made with crepe paper flowers attached to one of these wire stem and leaf decor items I picked up a couple of years ago at World Market. Definitely one of those "now what can I do with this" moments!

.

.

Hello, chandelier. You just got pimped Fiesta style.

.

I hadn't pulled out the paper lanterns in awhile, so I decorated the window above the bar with coordinating lanterns. Hard to see here, but Michael's $1 section has these adorable felt floral keychains that I attached to the bottom of every other one.

.

.

Fun French Bull ring pattern napkins in a plastic container from The Container Store were placed on the bar with the appetizers and drinks. Need an instant decor addition? Type up a menu and frame it. This one was placed atop an extra placemat cut to size and adorned with a theme of the night sticker: "It's not goodbye. It's Hasta Luego."

.

The dessert was so simple but a hit because of the presentation. White small plates dishes from World Market were used with crystal dessert dishes to hold vanilla bean ice cream with a cinnamon crisp, warm caramel sauce and homemade sauteed cinnamon apples. How easy is that dessert? Further proof...presentation is everything!

.

.

Chairs got the mexican flower treatment to give them new life. I printed little cards for the napkins and slipped some ribbon through them and embellished with floral stickers from Michaels. The font is Vila Morena and is free from dafont.com by the way. Love it!

.

.
Corona box as welcome decor by front door? Check!

.

Party favors for the girls were initial journals (again...Michael's) and little treat bags of cookies for the boys (not shown..oopsy). I also framed a photo collage of the pictures of the four of us girls at the party from over the years and gave those to my two friends who are moving in the yellow and green gift bags.

.

A few more pictures can be seen on our Facebook page. Don't forget to become a fan. A Facebook fan only giveaway is coming soon!
.

The biggest party success? I managed to not cry. Those that know me know this is amazing. I make no promises when I go see Katie Saturday for the last time for awhile.