I started planning parties for a large company over 20 years ago.  One of the most important skills I learned early on was ‘Organization’.  For all of my projects, such as Party Planning, Designing a ring for a client, Garden-Interior design projects, travel etc.  I always get out a folder or binder and also store my notes on my computer in my Pages Documents.  We recently had to touch up paint on the exterior of our farmhouse and we are repainting some of our interior rooms and within seconds I can open a labelled binder and find the numbers, names and paint swatches that were used.  If I am writing about a place we travelled to 10 years ago I can pull out the travel folder and all my notes and photos are there.  This comes in handy professionally and personally.  It definitely saves me a lot of time!  I teach classes at our local library occasionally, when they ask for a specific theme I can quickly pull out my notes/folders and put together an informative class for my students.

As much as I love to plan out elaborate parties I really love to throw ‘spur of the moment’ casual get togethers.  If I have some good cheese, crackers and olive oils on hand,  a few appetizers I made ahead and froze and a few bottles of wine, I can have a party in minutes. (on our ‘La Cuisine’ section we have great appetizer recipes that can be made in minutes or you can simply enter key words in our search button on the side bar and be directed to our strawberry butter toasts, cheese stuffed figs in a Niagara on the Lake wine drizzle, pepperoni pinwheels, and many more quick and easy recipes)

For our Labor Day weekend party I set an antique table out in one of our gardens.  The Autumn Clematis is in full bloom.  I use nature to guide me in the color choices I use.  In September I like white, dusty pinks, mauves, purples and late Summer Sunflowers.  Asters, Clematis, late Summer Roses, Autumn Joy, Hydrangeas drying on the plants are all flowers I love in September. Everything else was set in the indoor garden room and near the pool, it was very casual.  Our friends and family wander through various gardens and rooms that are set year round for entertaining. We typically always end the evening in the Springhouse.

Find a pretty spot and set up a ‘Little-Getaway’ where your guests can grab a glass of wine and wander off to sit an chat for a few minutes. I love seeing how relaxed everyone is when they come to our home.

I Always Make a Fabulous Cocktail and other non alcoholic beverage selections.  Its a great way to get the party started. And of course there is always Champagne. ( thanks ‘D’ for making so many homemade Fresh Pina Coladas, they were incredible…so strong!)

Fresh Flowers always add beauty to a party and of course the ambiance that candlelight provides is wonderful.

Don’t forget your home fragrance.  I had a friend recently stop by and he told me I have the nicest smelling house he has ever been in.  It just smells fresh, clean and natural.  One of my favorites is Laduree’s Parfum de Maison mist, it is so lovely and subtle.

I made this fantastic Paella for our Labor Day Party at our home.  It is a combination of several recipes that I have put together over the years to make ‘The Paris House Paella’ one of our signature dishes.  It got rave reviews.  I always make sure there is a dish that is so delicious everyone remembers it.  I also love bringing out a gigantic pot filled with this and putting on the center of a giant farm table out in the orchard.

I plan my menu in pages on my mac and I put my shopping list on my iPad and bring it with me.  It saves on paper and it is super efficient and fun!

And Of course I love my Fashion.  Whether I am ‘The Traveling Fashionista’ or Hanging at home I like to look nice but I need to be comfortable.  I love wedges and sundresses for backyard garden parties.

Most important thing is to have fun!

Yes that is My Mr. Bunny in the pool wearing the goggles,  He had a little bit too much fun at our Labor Day party and today he is paying the price with a killer hangover!!  We ended our soiree late night down at the Springhouse.  Today we are chilling poolside with the family. Happy Labor Day to all! Please stop by and visit the wonderful Susan at Tablescape Thursdays for more lovely tables!  And on Friday please pop on over to Gollum at Foodie Friday for hundreds of delicious recipes!  I am also linked over at Pink Saturday stop over and visit Beverly and all the lovely bloggers and see lots of pink!!! For those who stop over here today on 9-11 please say a prayer for all those who lost their lives.  The weather at our home today is exactly as it was 9 years ago.  We live one hour from the Towers and that morning on my peaceful run I would  never have imagined what I would find on the news when I returned home.  God please bless our beautiful country and World.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 6th, 2010.
Tags: Autumn Clematis, cocktails, Labor Day Fashion, Late Summer Parties, Paella
Posted in Bunny's Garden, Cheers, La Cuisine, La Cuisine - Appetizers, La Cuisine - Desserts, La Cuisine - Entrees, Party Girl