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Showing posts with label an invitation to the garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label an invitation to the garden. Show all posts
In the Heat of the Night
Is there anything as fun as a big party with loads of friends? As the winter continues I am thinking of some fun party ideas for in the garden this coming summer. One of the best parties we ever hosted was shot for my book, An Invitation to the Garden. I think the reason it was so successful, aside from a fun mix of people, is that it started late for Kinderhook, at 9 pm after the sun had gone down.
When the guests arrived in the candle lit garden and saw the impressive colorful lantern tree, it set the tone for the night.
We made it an easy to host party by having all the food, from nuts to dessert, on the center table buffet style. The food was served on a mix of trays from my collection. That freed our time up so we could spend it enjoying the evening with our guests.
Freezing flowers, bachelor buttons shown here, in ice cubes goes a long way to
making the ice bucket more attractive.
The seating area was set with candles and an array of favorite summer plants, like pulmbago, scented tobacco and geraniums, in glorious full bloom.
The scented tobacco had the added benefit of scenting the evening air with its heady perfume.
Since it was a hot summer night we provided fans for the guests. These were found on the street in Chinatown below Canal Street in NYC.
Christmas in the Garden
Recently I was looking through my book, An Invitation to the Garden, and was particularly mesmerized by the last chapter, Elegant Christmas Eve Dinner. It’s funny how time has a way of dimming the details of things that were once omni important. Looking through the chapter brought back many memories of that shoot that I had forgotten. Like the deep conversation about how many rock candy trees and what sizes we would need which at the time was critical.
Now with the holidays once again looming the rock candy trees still looking as good as the day they were shot. It seems like a good time to share some behind the scenes tips and tricks of my own with you for a happy and bright season. Enjoy!
To change out the look of our Bagatelle we rented Ghost chairs which we love but really wouldn’t want own. The walls were tented in my Celeste fabric that was printed in a custom metallic gold on corduroy.
The brilliant red table cloth is inexpensive felt that makes a smart looking table. Best of all the felt only requires light pressing and not a full on ironing like a linen table cloth might. A fun napkin fold, like this tree shape, can make or break a setting.
An array of small snowmen held court in a field of pine and cyclamen for a crazy cute vignette.
Lumieres lined the path to the bagatelle adding to the festive mood and preventing the guests from falling in the snow after the dinner.
Dessert was a delicious Poached Fig and Pear Beggars’ Purses with vanilla port sauce. The recipe is in the book.
You can purchase a signed copy of my book, An Invitation to the Garden, here and get free shipping in time for the 25th if you order by the 17th of December. Ho Ho Ho!
Hello Dallas!
One of the big perks of writing my first book, An Invitation to the Garden, is the book tour. It’s a fantastic chance to speak about the book and meet loads of really interesting people in new places. So I was vey happy to accept the invitation to be the keynote at A Writers Garden Valentine Tea in Dallas, Texas., the annual fund raiser for the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
The Women’s Council is responsible for the Woman’s Garden which is the centerpiece garden of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Since its establishment in 1986 its mission is the design, construction and funding of the only public garden by women for women.
The Valentine’s Day Tea will be held Februray 10, 2015 from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Arboretum Rosine Hall. The night before there’s a fun Patrons Party for sponsors and underwriters to meet the author at a private residence.
For tickets and more details please visit: www.
For tickets and more details please visit: www.
A New Look for the New Year
Michael Devine has a brand new look. A new URL. An easier to use site with free shipping on all orders over $50. Why not stop in and take a look around? You will find great new trays and gift items, new additions to the dinnerware collection, 21 Irving vintage finds and a new bespoke pillow service.
Of course, the star of the show, our hand printed fabrics are there in great style too.
We even have a few gift ideas....
Have a traveler on your list? For a fun gift we have added some snappy luggage tags in three patterns.
Spruce up with a few new pillows in our great fabrics?
Happy Shopping!
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