Please join Bunny and her friends for a fun filled stress free Happy Hour…
As soon as the rain ends these chairs are on their way out and will be replaced by nice big comfy chairs, the kind of chair that you never want to get up from….the music will be playing all night long… I just had an old farm table that I had from my first apartment (when I was in my 20′s) topped with galvanized steel. It cost around $80.00 and it looks great, really brought the table back to life. It will go under here and then in the Winter I will use it for a potting table in my garden room.
Care for a little bubbly…
I need to arrange the flowers… I’m going to keep it simple and chic, It must be the one and only White Casablanca Lilly..I have been talking about these all Summer. They fill the evening air with the most sultry exotic scent. Just perfect for outdoor Summer entertaining. I will cut some for the powder room and entrance way. Bonus, I grow them in my garden so they are FREE… Plant a cutting garden and you will always have fresh flowers for your floral arrangements. Very affordable and fun.
The glorious star of my August garden , The Casablanca Lilly
Lighting some sexy indoor fragrant candles. John Galliano is wonderful in the evening.
Chilling before I go change and get ready…letting all see the REAL me sans makeup… Being comfortable in your own skin…priceless!!!
Searching for some fun costume jewelry for the night….I designed this floral arrangement for a party I did for a client last January.
Thanks to the fabulous Karyn at French Charming I now know what I’m wearing at my party…My Victoria Secret Dress that I bought on sale!! Karyn posted a fantastic picture of a very similar dress with gorgeous large flowers at the waist and thanks to her post I don’t have to spend hours picking out an outfit or spend any money buying something new because I’m wearing this sexy little number tonight….love ya Karyn 
!! (The dress is on sale and comes in other colors) find it Here
Try and get my hair blown out like this but don’t think it is going to happen WAY to humid…will have to go curly…a kinda Rasta look for the evening! My husband loves my hair curly but of course I prefer it straight!! I always wanted long straight blond hair like Marcia Brady…
No way, never gonna happen…I’m wearing flip flops.. I know I know…not very sexy but there is no way I’m traipsing around in these all night.
“K” better get here soon I need him to whip up some mighty fine drinks for all to enjoy
I keep pushing these “Late Harvest Riesling Campari Cocktails” Honestly ,I don’t own an orange grove ..I just Loooooove them.
Make it simple and easy…this is an appetizer I put together during the holidays…now If I can only remember where the heck I found the recipe!??? I really have no idea!!
Ahhh..I think I remember, this may be from one of my Southern Living Holiday cookbooks… 
Apple Thyme Martinis is another option for a great cocktail.
Why I like to host Happy Hour at The Paris House:
Its Friday and it has been one heck of a busy week. The basement is finally all cleaned up. The appliances and workout equipment are working ( except the washing machine and we’ll get to that story next week….in the “When did I marry Fred Sanford” post) I have been working round the clock preparing my fall teaching Workshop schedule and working with my web designer on my new site and blog…that We hope to launch October 1st. I have started my next jewelry design and have made baby steps in the progress department but one of these days will launch it. The craft room is slowly slowly very slowly coming along and I think I have all three of my boys all ready for back to school…I think. I’m sure you all have a similar story to tell about your busy week, just different characters, and plots, but same idea. We are all busy and it just keeps getting busier and busier!! I love being a wife and a mother and I love having and owning my little creative business that I run. It just all takes time a lot of time to get it all done. As soon as I think I’m finished my Blackberry beeps and there is one more email that I NEED to answer or call I must return or form to fill out. Then comes Friday the weekend has officially arrived. I’ll still be busy, possibly busier than during the week but it is a different busy a more relaxed go with the flow kind of busy.
I’m kicking off this weekend with a Happy Hour Party at my house. They start around 5 and go until the last person leaves often with me holding on to their leg trying to pull them back into my house yelling PLEASE don’t leave just ten more minutes..this is usually in the middle of the night . My happy Hours last a very long time.
BUNNY’S TOP TEN SHORTCUTS FOR HOSTING HAPPY HOUR:
1) plan an easy menu
2) Put out everything you need the night before and set up a “Party/buffet/bar” area.
3) arrange cut flowers and put them in their spots
4) figure out what I’m wearing make sure it is clean and ironed
5) get everyone very tipsy so if the food is terrible they have no idea…LOL…just kidding. I put together easy delicious fresh food and cocktails and then late night order pizza if anyone is still hungry.
6) put on a something sexy. I’m either running around all day after a four year old or working out of my office or dressed very simply while with a client. So By Friday night I want to look hot.
7) get the iPod ready, chose party play list.
light the candles…I’m loving the sexy scents from Calypso and John Galiano these days.9) chill wine, beer, seltzers, and prepare one special cocktail of the night-typically “K” will do this, he makes fabulous drinks and I often leave it to him to handle that. (btw “K” is not my husband but one of our best friends)
10) Have Fun, now it is time to visit with my friends, flirt with my husband, and relax.
Menu: ( I eat a primarily vegetarian diet, it has just been my preference since I was very young, but I always prepare meat dishes to keep my carnivore friends happy)
Pepperoni pinwheels with gruyere cheese
pork baby back rib appetizers
Philharmonic shrimp dip
baguettes with fig and gorgonzola
baguettes with melted brie and strawberries
Pizza
wine, beer, cocktails, seltzers and coffee petron for late night
homemade espresso brownies and strawberry glazed mascarpone cupcakes
(I believe most if not all of these recipes are posted somewhere on my blog, if you can’t find them and want them let me know and I will get them to you asap)
almost all of this can be prepared the evening before. If you don’t have time the night before make one appetizer, order pizza and pick up something sweet at your local bakery and serve one signature cocktail!!
I highly recommend a happy hour get together at your home, they are affordable, easy to put together, casual , stress free and fun. And I’m all about the FUN!! I love to work hard and play hard…
See you next week and have a lovely Weekend
We Only Have One Life To live…Live it beautifully
xoxo
Bunny
wow…great post today…your party looks fantastic! I do love the dress and the heels (but I am a flipflop girl as well)…the food looks amazing!!!
A great big thanks for all your lovely comments left on my blog…Happy friday to you and an A+ for your post today!
Oh Bunny, it looks like you have such wonderful parties! And you are just beautiful without makeup too! I'll bet your guests love these special times…looks like everything you do turns into something magical… Julie Marie
I know I've said it before but…..oh to attend one of those fabulous parties. And you look so fab without makeup? p.s. Do you own those Loubies? Be still my heart!
yes they are mine and if you are ever in the area feel free to borrow them as I am often in flipflops these days
I'm a size 6 1/2!!
Bunny darling!
Your lifestyle is like a bright cheerful sunshine & 7 rainbows crisscrossing the landscape! Everything looks so amazing!! Cheers to a good blessed life darling…
xo*
Have a fun friday! wish I could stop by
Great post Bunny. I take note of your shortcuts.. Thanks for all those advice..
Just wanted to thank you again for the red picnic basket I won from your giveaway on Marta's blog. It arrived this week and I SO LOVE IT!! Oh my goodness! Thanks!
I also wanted to let you know I gave you a shout out on my blog. http://www.mikeyandkarie.blogspot.com/
THANKS AGAIN!!
What a wonderful blog you have! This was my first visit, and I will be back.
Laura
Bunny you are adorable! I love that dress. It looks cute and comfy. I can't wait to hear all about your party!! You are one busy, busy and creative girl….how do you keep yourself so organized?!! You are amazing.
hugs,
Mimi
You are just cute as a button in those pink shoes… I had to take a look at a gal that would name Mr. Redd as her favorite. I like some of his stuff alot, but most is too much for me. He is always interesting though. I really enjoyed your blog. Don't be a stranger, I look forward to getting to know you and stealing your food ideals, you made me hungry.
snap….i hope you had a sip for the gals that couldnt make it..you looked great, and the food…YUUUMM..i wont talk about those shoes at all.
Love the mix of drawings and photos!
Betsy
What a nice blog you have! I enjoyed reading your profile too!
Thanks for your sweet comments!
Katherine
How the heck did I miss this post?!
I just love your style, you really are fabulous! Can I please borrow those legs of yours? Geez, I'd kill for those legs! And while I'm at it, love to borrow the shoes as well!
Thanks for the shout out! Glad it worked out for you!
Thanks for all the tips and I wish we lived closer…I'd love to go to one of your happy hours and I bet we could get in a little trouble!
mom me love it oooo funny boo he he he he roor love ya xoxo oliver