~ The Cupcake Flower Tower~
find it in our Boutique Here
Happy March everyone! Â Today was mild and sunny, a lovely way to go into March but does that mean we will be going out like a lion?? Goodness I hope not. Â Last week the boys were home for days as we were blanketed with nearly 2 feet of white powdery snow. Â I must admit I loved it, the snow twinkled like Fairy Lights when my gardens were lit up at night and during the daytime it provided hours of outdoor entertainment for me and my boys. However I am greatly anticipating Spring and getting back in my gardens.
{ The old fireplace in the woods on the way down to our little flowing stream, It must be over 200 years old }
We took a walk down to our stream with the dogs.  That is our Sweet Rufus, he is the dog we rescued a month ago.  He is so sweet and wonderful, it is as if we have had him forever.  Ruffie comes everywhere with me. Mr. Bunny is in love, even Dorkalicious, (how horrid is D’s nickname, poor dear ) is smitten, he was with him for hours the other night, everyone who meets this sweet little boy falls in love.
We also entertained  Friends and Family Saturday night.  Our home is always filled with children, family, friends and pets.  I love having a house full of people. I don’t like quiet, I’m no longer accustomed to it and it makes me sad. Even though there is always so much commotion going on here it still somehow remains tranquil.  I’m telling you I laughed so hard Saturday night that my abdominal muscles hurt Sunday morning.  Dorkalicious and I had created this ridiculously funny story/scenario/plot , its a long story, you know the kind where you have to be there to find the humor in it, and having a few glasses of Champagne in you doesn’t hurt.  Never~the~less I laughed, ate and drank for hours.
{Thanks W,K,L,J,T,J,C,S,T,O,&F for coming I had a great time!!!}
menu
More of those Pepperoni Pinwheels, Homemade dips, Shrimp Cocktail, French Baguette and Honey Brie with Mesclun salad and pistachios, Swedish meatballs,
Julie Child’s Beef Bourguignon recipe , Gratin De  Pommes De Terre Aux Anchois, Broccoli cheese Casserole,
Magic Bars, More  Marie Antoinette Strawberry glazed petite cupcakes,  Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes topped with Violets
recipe for Chocolate Ganache HERE
Wine, Champagne, Mixed Drinks, Seltzers, Coffees
~ All I had to do is open the French Doors that lead to our Wrap Around Porch to find creative inspiration for our dinner table~
The Table Setting
I had absolutely no idea how I was going to set my table, but I knew I wanted it to be very elegant.  Even though I was cooking a French dish that could certainly be considered  rustic, I knew I didn’t want a French Country Theme.  I like French Country, but this dish was being made with Beef Tenderloin and we were entertaining on a Saturday Evening. I wanted more elegant and formal. I will say no matter how formal the setting is, my husband and I are very laid back and our home always feels warm and welcoming.
When I am not sure of my design theme I often open the door and look outside to be inspired.I looked out onto our wrap around porch and looked at the colors outdoors.  Then I went into my ‘Bag of Tricks” and pulled out gorgeous napkin rings that I purchased at S.F.K. in San Francsico. They reflected the look of the Blue Spruce and Evergreen trees.  Then I pulled out the elegant white dinner plates to tie in the white snow, next, sparkling crystal glasses to show off the way the snow was sparkling in the evening. As for napkins, the sky was a faint bluish grey so I pulled in the perfect shade with gorgeous over sized linen  napkins.  I went with very chic  gold modern flatware to keep the table from becoming to busy. We placed beautiful votives around the table, simple elegant Lilies and gorgeous French topiaries that are potted in very very old antique urns found in England.
All the appetizers were set on our antique gate-leg table in the kitchen and the bar was in the room directly off the kitchen keeping a nice flow.
My favorite part was the ‘Cupcake and Flower Tower’ as Oliver called it. Â We used our three tiered wooden round tray from the paris house boutique, and filled it with mini cupcakes, elegant linen wrapped votive candles and glasses filled with a variety of simple grocery store flowers that Mr. Bunny picked up for us. Â I found it enchanting especially when lit up at night.
{ Images of Flowers and Cupcakes, by my son Samuel }
Fashion:
For me living Creatively encompasses more than just one aspect of design. I love designing the rooms that beautiful living takes place in.  I love designing the tables that beautiful conversation takes place at.  Of course I love creating the delicious food that makes people happy and creating the most delicious cocktails that make people giddy.  Creating gardens enables us to bring beautiful arrangements indoors to enhance our homes year round.  Even my little sketches that I put in my scrapbooks delights my creative senses.  Fashion is no different to me, I enjoy using my body as a blank canvas to put together  something pretty, just as a table is my blank canvas.  I love everything about fashion and how it tells the story of my mood that day.
My sweet husband spoils me,  part of my Valentine’s Day gift from him are these fabulous Badgley Mischka shoes . They were perfect at my dinner party.  When it comes to fragrance  I like to layer lotion with a couple different perfumes, varying my scents almost daily.  This Lemony luscious fragrance is one that I used in the mix Saturday evening.  Annick Goutal’s fragrance fill me with joy, especially, L’ Eau d’ Hadrien in this hand painted limited edition bottle. Find it here. It is incredible.
I’m not a huge fan of any strong perfume, I like to smell pretty and edible like a delicious piece of fruit and a lovely bouquet of flowers, throw in a little almonds and coconut and it is bliss.
I hope you enjoyed the little tour of our party and weekend fun. Now I am off to rest. Â I had a root canal last night and didn’t get home from it until 9pm! . I am still having pain in this blasted tooth of mine and migraine headaches on the same side. Â So I am going to take it easy for awhile, I’m not sure when I will be posting again. Â Most likely in 1 to 2 weeks. Â The boys start their Spring Break soon and are on Vacation for 2 & 1/2 weeks, I’m so excited!! We have a few fun trips planned now and over the next 3 months, which we are fitting in around Mr. Bunny’s work schedule which has been extremely hectic lately. Â Things should calm down once these deals are finalized and signed off on soon. My son Teddy picked The Bahamas and Disney as his 13th birthday present and a little ski trip up in Vermont, just as I assumed he would. Â It should be fun. Â We are also working on a barge trip in France when time permits, but I am getting psyched planning for it. I’m excited to buy lovely items for my boutique and home!
I will do my best to visit you and please feel free to email me anytime if you feel like talking!! Â I may not have a chance to blog but I always have time to send a quick email out to you!
and thank you for your patience with my loooooooong Post
Please stop by Tablescape Thursdays, Foodie Fridays and Pink Saturday to find hundreds of gorgeous table settings, yummy recipes and beaucoup de pink loveliness.
{ Le Jardin Hiver at The Paris House}
This week for Pink Saturday I decided to keep it short and sweet and share my favorite watering can with you. ( I am posting this picture now because I won’t have time over the weekend ) Â This beauty is from England and of all my watering cans in my collection this hands down is my favorite. Â It makes me happy every time I use it.
Live Life Beautifully and I will see you soon
Tags: Badgley Mischka, cupcakes, dinner parties, English watering cans, fragrances, julia child recipes, party planning, tablescapes
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Bunny, This is all so very beautiful. I love everthing it looks so very enchanting and enjoyable. You have such a lovely home and the way you set the table is amazing. Love your cupcakes too. Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. Cheers, Lia
Bunny,
Reading every single word of yours in this post made me giddy (and I didn’t even have any champagne!) – your incredible love for life and how you make every thing so beautiful and glorious is contagious, and I adore it!
Hope your tooth pain eases soon!
Now I’m going to make some cupcakes, and if I get the courage, I’ll try one of Julia’s delicious recipes for our weekend dinner party! You inspire!
Bisous,
Melissa
Your house is just lovely, and nothing makes a beautiful house look even better than fresh flowers. Speaking of flowers… KILLER SHOES DAAAAAAAAAHLING! I must come over and raid your closet. If you see in any Laduree crumbs on your carpet, you know Moi was there. I am not much of perfume wearer but you might smell traces of sugar and donuts and stuff
. Occassionaly I wear L’eau Dissey, or Prada’s Iris perfume, but its rare. I am more into soaps. I have quite a love for them. My fav is Claus Porto.
*kisses* HH
p.s. Your chocolate topped cupcakes with the violets have the most wonderful shine to them. they look amazing.
Those sandals are absolutely perfect, Bunny!
P.S.: I am moving my blog. (janetteria.com), but I have a big problem with DNS of blogger.com and now the blog update is not working. (for example: google reader, bloglist…) I hope so the problem will be resolved soon. I want let me know this. Please don’t forget to visit this blog because I can make a new post for everyday, will not break my habit.♥
My darling how fabulous, can;t wait to get an invite to one of your parties. The shoes are simply divine, I love them. Darling, I popped in to personally thank you for the sweet birthday wishes you left for Christopher. We are both ever so grateful for you kindness.
Love & Hugs
Duchess
Hello Bunny, my, you have been so very busy! Your party looks like something out of a beautiful magazine…I love the cupcake tower and the beautiful cupcakes with flowers on them… your topiaries are so very pretty, I love bringing Nature indoors… and your watering can is so sweet! I too am so anxious to get outside once more in my gardens… hope you have a nice time on all your travels… xoxo Julie Marie Now I am going back to look at your post once more so I don’t miss a thing!
Good morning Bunny! What an absolutely gorgeous dinner table!!!!!! I love the way you described your inspiration for setting the table, and how you use yourself as a blank canvas as well – it’s such a refreshing way to view everything that we do! Your menu sounded wonderful and I love that you include Ruffie as part of your family. Feel better with your recovery from that root canal, aren’t they awful – but surrounding yourself with family, friends and beautiful things will help your recovery move along faster. By the way, did you get a chance to try the Irish Blessing with anyone over the weekend? Not sure it would have gone with your menu. Take care!
Hi Mommy
Your the best blogger in town your number 1 blogger!
XoXo
Oliver
Oliver you are a riot, but I feel the same way about you and your blog sweetheart!
Beautifully elegant table…love the cupcake tier……and the sandals!
Hi Sweet Bunny,
Oh my goodness what a feast for the eyes this post is! First of all that cupcake flower towers is DIVINE! Your table setting is so gorgeous and elegant, your menu sounds divine and those cupcakes are incredible.
Loved seeing the photos of your kids playing in the snow…so cute! And oh my…what amazing shoes!
Your home is so beautiful and it would be such a treat to be a guest at one of your lovely and elegant dinner parties!
Hope your week is going well!!
Big hugs,
Karyn
It’s all just so wonderful ….. so fun to find you!
Love the tulips. Table looks fab too!
Hi Bunny Sweetie…
Oh my goodness your post today is just so exquisite. I cannot believe how beautiful it is.
I love the cupcake flower towers. (Hello Sweet Oliver) What a beautiful job you two did making
this beautiful tower of cupcakes. You do such a beautiful job Bunny of setting a table. How special
you have made your party and how special I know your quests must feel.
Oh you lucky lady, you mentioned on my blog you are going to be meeting a blogger friend soon too. How exciting. There is nothing more special than meeting a blogger friend in person. I so enjoy meeting the AZ bloggers and can’t wait to go to Maryland to see Marydon and actually get to see a few folks there. It is my birthday celebration so I am tickled to be spending my birthday with Marydon. I have never had an adult birthday party, and only 1 with little friends that I remember as a child, so what fun it is going to be to have a tea for me. I can’t wait.
Bunny your home is just beautiful. Please give my Oliver a big HUG. I bet he is getting anxious for the nice weather to come too. You must be getting tired of the snow and cold. It will be Easter before you know it.
I am always so happy when you stop by. Have a beautiful Friday sweetie. Those shoes of yours, oh my gosh they look precious on you. (my heel days are gone, but I still love them.) Country hugs sweetie and so much love…Sherry
I am swooning over that menu! And your shoes are gorgeous! You are so fabulous, Bunny. Really and truly so.
Ahhhh Bunny! You are the best. And the most talented. Love your cupcake tower AND bar! And table setting. So very charming! I MUST get on your guest list! What a superb menu! You fussed!
Love visiting you….
Take care of your mouth AND headache….hate root canals. They seem to go on and on!
And have fun on your various trips and plans for trips. Visit when you can, but right now, take care of yourself so you are all better for the birthday boy.
BUNNY!!!!!!!! Are you trying to kill me?? I am in love with every single thing in this post!!! I dont even know where to start! I WANT that cupcake tower, oh is that ever gorgeous!! And those SHOES!!!!!!!!!! **SCREAM**!! Those are fabulous!!! You have the most beautiful home ever Bunny, it is truly stunning!! You are such an inspiration and I just love visiting you!!
Lots of love and hugs,
Amy
Bunny, this is absolutely gorgeous!
Bunny, I loved your tablescape… and those gold ballroom chairs! WONDERFUL!
Is the crystal Baccarat? I love it. You outdid yourself with the whole thing. Great job!
Love the shoes, too. They’re darling…
XO,
Sheila
P.S. Love the DR walls and the chair at the head of your table. Fabric and the chinoiserie paper (or is that painted?) are gorgeous!
Bonjour Bunny,
What a stunning dining table, your parties must be THE place to see and be seen! It’s clear you really love entertaining and taking time with all the little details that make each of your guests feel special. You are a lovely friend indeed. Of course, I see Oliver (The Blogster) is there doing a great job helping. Those Badgley Mischka shoes are so fabulous – Mr Bunny has such good taste.
Sounds like you have some exciting trips planned for your son Teddy’s birthday, good taste seemes to run in your family. Bargeing through France will be such fun, do you speak French? I’m still having a terrible time with the language – I think it’s worse than when I first moved here. Is that possible?
Take care of that tooth pain – hope it all went okay for you – I took care of my tooth problem too and need to thank you for encouraging me to do so. Also, hope your migraine is better now, I can relate to that too, all the women in my family have them. Take it easy and do try to get plenty of rest.
Have a lovely week-end
Oh Bunny everything looks amazing…your table is so beautiful and your home is beyond words! Now for those shoes…..sigh..I would love to be wearing those right now. Have a great weekend my dear. I so love visiting you..you inspire me soooooooo much. xoxo
What a beautiful tablescape! I enjoyed reading all about your inspiration and seeing your beautiful photography!
The mosaics are very nice featuring different subjects!
Love those shoes, they look like yellow roses! Mmmm!
Katherine
I don’t know which is more gorgeous…the cupcake flower tower or your fabulous BM shoes!
Holy cow….I love it all! Your flower tower is fabulous.
Love your post! Happy Pink Saturday!
Darling just popped in to wish you a blessed filled rest of the week. I know I commented on the shoes before, but I have to tell you again they are to die for.
Love & Hugs
Duchess
Gorgeous and yummy!!!
EVERYTHING looks GREAT!!!!