Event fancy

My sister is a recent graduate of high school, so, naturally, an open house was held in her honor. My other sister and I were in charge of decorating, and after months of preparation, the result was very pleasing (to say the least). Our main goal was to keep our guests entertained, since open houses are usually incredibly boring. All you can do is eat and look at the graduate's accomplishments! We wanted to think outside the box, so we added outdoor twister, a candy bar, and various yard games. The color scheme was aqua and red, with off-white accents. The theme we were going for was a vintage garden party, and we tried to accomplish that by making coffee filter gardenias and pinning red plaid or aqua fabric squares to the tablecloths for the centerpieces.  Across the tent, we hung handmade triangle flags made from old books from thrift stores.  Take a gander at our decorations.

Table centerpieces

Yard twister

Triangle flags

Candy bar

Drink table

So what do y'all think?  It was so fun to plan everything out and see it all come together.  Creating all the decorations was my favorite part.  Now I'm off to figure out how to make flowers from some plastic tablecloths I received today!  Should be an adventure!

Royal Style

Duchess Kate has the best style ever.  If I could have anybody else's wardrobe, it would be her's.  Her style is so modest and fit for a princess.  Take a look at some of my faves:

Pink Jenny Packham gown worn to the Ark Charity Gala

Alexander McQueen gown worn to BAFTA Awards

Jenny Packham dress worn to a charity polo event

White Reiss dress worn to the Canada Day Ceremony during visit to Canada

Smythe les Vests blazer and J Brand jeans worn during Canada visit

and her custom designed Alexander McQueen reception gown.  I think this dress is so gorgeous!  

Pippa Middleton's reception gown was also a stunner, but no one can upstage the bride!

Grissini: yum!

I really love breadsticks, and I've always wanted to make my own.  So when I found this recipe, I just had to give it a try.  They are healthy and so much better than the buttery and fatty kind at the store.  Give em' a go, you'll never be able to eat a storebought breadstick again.

Grissini (adapted from Sweet Girl Confections)

• 3 3/4 cups flour (more if needed)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 cups water
• cornmeal (for baking)

This was made using my breadmaker.  The original recipe has directions for kneading dough by hand.  The following steps are for food processors and breadmakers.

Mix flour, salt, and yeast together 

Add honey, oil, and water to dry mixture

Knead for about 30 seconds, adding extra flour if needed.

Grease a bowl with olive oil (I used a glass bowl) and place dough in it.  Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel.  Let rise for 45 minutes.

Punch dough to deflate it and roll out on cutting board or counter.  

Heat oven to 420 degrees

Cover baking pans with cornmeal

Cut dough into pieces, as long or short as you like, and place on baking pans.

Bake for 13-18 minutes.  Enjoy!

*Makes about 8 foot long breadsticks

{things I love this week}

Old song, but I still love it.  Chicago by Sufjan Stevens.

These White by Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses.  The large organza flowers on the skirt are so cute!  You can find them at David's Bridal.

18th century movies.  Marie Antoinette (pictured) and The Duchess are my faves.

This teal hi-low dress from Forever 21.  Lovin' this hi-low style!

These mustache lollipops on A Beautiful Mess

And this beautiful Alexander McQueen cowl neck dress