Y’all. This was a fun one, I ain’t gonna lie.
But then, I love parties. I like to party like it’s 1999. Except I don’t anymore. Because that was before Pinterest. And who wants to party without the help of Pinterest? Not me.
And I like to plan for them plenty of time in advance so I can froof everything up, without feeling completely stressed and overwhelmed.
The occasion was a clothing party (CABi) for my friend, Susan, and since I knew that their new Spring line was French-inspired, I wanted to do a girly, French-y, Anthropologie-esque type party.
So, off to Pinterest, I went-a-searchin’. (see, Silhouette board and Spring party board.)
I started with colors. I wanted black and white, with various shades of pink and fresh greens, in the form of plants and topiaries and magnolia clippings. And silhouettes seemed like a natural addition to a fashion party. I brought the bust of Aphrodite to the kitchen to be the goddess of our soiree.
She wanted to wear her pearls. She’s a goddess. She can do what she wants.
Nothing says “French” like black and white stripes and cute girlfriends and sisters, sipping on champagne and pink lemonade.
I wanted topiaries but that’s not exactly the easiest thing to find in Bean Station in February. So, I went to our farm and Papa G helped me dig up a few pine tree saplings, which I trimmed up to topiary style.
Does that seem like a hillbilly way to make a topiary? It seemed so normal at the time. No animals were harmed in the making of these topiaries.
I covered up the raw dirt with book page butterflies.
I did all kinds of Helter Skelter moves in this photo.
After I got all the black and white accents up, my window treatments seemed a little lacking—like they hadn’t been invited to the party. So, I bought wide black ribbon from Hobby Lobby and pinned it to the bottom. It made all the difference. I may just switch out the ribbon color, periodically, to give them new life!!
I also printed a silhouette and taped it onto a tray and then sat it upright to look like wall decor.
Then, I chopped down half a magnolia tree to put in the vase.
All in a day’s work.
I made a little food, like tangy mushroom soup, cheese tortellini soup, some quiches, some chicken salad croissants, a strawberry dream cake and brie en croute.
I even jazzed up the hardest working gal in my kitchen, with a little homemade scrap paper banner and an adorable silhouette.
The homemade banner may just stay til summer. Because, why not, right? It’ll be as if we’re always on the verge of breaking into song and dance.
The cake competed with the tablecloth for star of the show award. Buttercream always wins. My motto is: “It’s not a party without buttercream and champagne.”
Can I get an amen? The ruffles are so easy to do. I watched a YouTube video, because YouTube is the fountain of all learning.
To add more silhouettes than one person should possibly be allowed to have in their house, I kept printing them off. I framed some…..
And when I ran out of frames, I randomly stuck them places…..
I made David a garland of book page butterflies, which he wants to wear indefinitely. He’s David. Who am I to object?
The best part, as always, was all the wonderful ladies who came. My sisters brought friends and my high school bestie, Shawna, brought lots of friends.
Suffice it to say, we had a ball and partied all morning into the afternoon. I’m still lingering with all the festive touches, hoping that I’ll think of a reason to throw another party soon.
Musical guests were The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers and The Wailin’ Jenny’s.
Because it’s not a party without good music.
Okay, hope you felt like you were there.
I wish you would have been!
Mwahhhhhh!
Oh such fun!! Just love it and wish I could have basked in the good music, wonderful food and better fellowship. 🙂
Can’t wait to see you soon.
counting down the days, miss jen!!
xoxo
It was a fabulous party Edie, and you are a delightful hostess. I think the lesson I learned from you that day was to give with great joy! You are amazing!
So glad you came, sweet Heather!! I have the best friends :))
i got your amen right here sister. right here.
may it always be said that YOU can through some kinda party. little tree saplings from the hood and a plethora of silhouettes. well naturally!
love you roomie 😉
and i don’t know WHY you didn’t drive up, honey child?
it’s not that far.
and it is BEAN STATION, for crying out loud.
can’t wait til October!!
perhaps i should bring banners and silhouettes for our room??!
you can never be too gaudy when traveling.
xoxo,
edie
Love it!! How fun! 🙂 Your ruffled butter cream icing looks fabulous! i know it tasted fab because I have made your recipe several times. 😉 I had a family gathering Saturday since my daughter was visiting and I cut some boxwood and stuck in a pitcher. 🙂
Love it all! Your house feels like so much fun.
looks wonderful!
Fun! I am going to a Cabi party next week and would love to know if you picked up any of the pieces for you?
Love the banners. Every home should have one. Or ten.
Ha! I love how your party planning involves some lumberjacking 😉
Very sweet soiree Edie!
Every bit of it is absolutely fabulous!!! I love your plethora of silhouettes and of course Aphrodite is looking amazing. How very French and chic. So wish I could meet you and attend a soiree you host.
Ruth
Adore!
My vote on leaving up the banner till summer is YES!
So much fun!!!
French inspired lovliness with the best music in the world! It looks fabulous. Keep the pennant banners.
It was spectacular! So much fun! Thank you miss Edie ! Food, friends,fashion! Life is fabulous!
That sounds like all kinds of girly fun! So glad you shared your decor with us : )
I absolutely love, love, love your tablecloth. Thanks for the tip on the YouTube video on ruffle icing. I’ve been wanting to try that.
I hated to be sickly and miss out on all this glorious fun from the Queen of Bean Station! Leave up the decor so I can see it soon, and I am just praying that you have a slice of that cake left to freeze so I can get some at a later date! You know my main reason for making homemade strawberry jam is to make your strawberry buttercream icing!
oh edie, I love everything you do! total eye candy here – but I know it’s more than that. you speak to my heart and my eyes. just lovely. thank you for sharing!
Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing! I’ve got a questions for you kind of on the party subject, what do you hang on your front door (to greet your guests) this time of year? I hate the fake wreaths. Christmas is easy with all the live choosings. I’ve also tried a metal door bucket with dirt and put plants in, but a little chipmunk always likes to get in there and make a mess! I would love to see your ideas. Thanks!
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Love it!! Total eye candy, thanks for sharing!! Glad to hear it was fun!!
Oh Edie! I LOVE this! Such a beautiful and fun party just filled with personality! It seems exactly like something you would throw. Thanks for sharing!
Edie, I had a great time and your home is beautiful! You’re just precious and your story touched my heart!! Thanks for your hospitality! 😉
PS:love your taste in music!
Love the pink ruffle cake! Adorable!!
Remind me to get myself invited to your next soirée! It looks amazing.
I love everything. You are a remarkable lady!
Good gravy! It’s just so lovely! Every where you look. More beauty. I bet your friends felt so thankful to be blessed like that!
oh, thank you sweet Jen!!
wish you could have been here.
we did have a beautiful day!!
xoxo
THAT looks like an awesome good time had by all!!
I love the pine topiaries. You are a regular “Marthie Stew-art! I am so glad you had a great time and are so (enthusiastically) able to share the fun! I am going to make butterflies and banners, and perhaps some cedar topiaries; right after I print out some silhouettes.
Love your pine topiaries. And the silhouettes. And the menu. And the pink ruffles. Shoot, I just love it all! What a fun party! I’ll have to check out The Wailin’ Jenny’s. I am not familiar with them, but since all the other bands are my favorites, I’m sure I’ll dig them, too. A beautiful day to you, Edie!
Hi Edie. You are not only the soup whisperer but The Party Queen! Bravo!
I love seeing all this french goodness! I had hoped to come by and didn’t realize i was the week I had company overnight. Glad to catch the party vibe online. Little saplings will never look the same to all of us eyeing them in the ground, and imagining them indoors! The spread is fab and all the details help us imagine we could do this ourselves, too! Thanks Edie, get well.