If any of you have not heard of Eddie Ross, well, Catherine and I are glad to be the ones to share news of him with you! Now the creative force behind a design studio, columns in Southern Living (you know my feelings on that publication!)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Cake balls, how we love thee!
When it comes to desserts, if you’re looking to really impress your guests, then serve them Cake Pops!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Oh Baby!!
Today will mark two firsts for the Buncolator blog... one, Catherine and I have decided to stop writing in the royal "we" - although blimey, it's been fun :o) - and write our posts as individuals. That way, our readers (that would be you!) can get to know each of us.
Secondly, this will be the first post in a series of posts on baby showers.
Secondly, this will be the first post in a series of posts on baby showers.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Beer Punch (aka Raspberry Beer Cocktail)!!
We hope you all enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend! Here in Atlanta, it was hot but lovely, perfect for hanging out at the pool, a cookout, or just out on the porch. We had great holiday weekends with our families and friends, appreciating all that the service men and women of the U.S. have done for our wonderful nation, now and of course in the past. They are heroes, each and every one.
In honor of Summer's official kickoff weekend, we wanted to share a favorite recipe with you - "Beer Punch." OK, we must admit, it's not really called Beer Punch.... its technical name is actually the much-more dignified "Raspberry Beer Cocktail."
In honor of Summer's official kickoff weekend, we wanted to share a favorite recipe with you - "Beer Punch." OK, we must admit, it's not really called Beer Punch.... its technical name is actually the much-more dignified "Raspberry Beer Cocktail."
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Our Bunco Group Turns 2!
Normally our Bunco group meets every 2nd Monday of the month to roll the dice, but since the month of May marked our 2nd anniversary, we decided to celebrate with a weekend-evening Bunco Bash. No game, just uninterrupted girl time... with lots of good food and drink of course. And since the festivities took place on a Friday night, we could have that extra glass of Sangria guilt-free. Well, almost guilt-free - Catherine and a few others got up the next morning to run a 5K so they couldn’t get too crazy, but needless to say we had a good time. ;)
Everyone brought a dish or their favorite cocktail beverage, and we gathered on a friend’s porch and did what women do best - talked the night away. We also chipped in our usual $15 but this time, instead of going to the prize pot, the money went to charity. We decided to donate to the Alabama tornado victims. Being that we live in Atlanta, this disaster hit close to home; we all wanted to do something to send aid to our neighbors just one state over. Caitlin Zygmont, one of our group's founders, acted as treasurer. She collected the cash and turned it over to the American Red Cross on our behalf. She also took the group picture you see above. (Caitlin is a budding photographer and you can see more of her work on her blog: caitlinzygmont.blogspot.com).
In addition to our usual chatter, we did a round robin of introductions as in the past several months we have welcomed several new-comers. It was really cool to look around at so many faces (new and old) and think about the friendships that have formed through this group. We’ve met so many wonderful women whom we would not have met if it weren’t for our game night gatherings… and that gives us much reason to celebrate. Because after all, Bunco is more about raking in new friends than it is about raking in the winnings.
Cheers to many more Bunco anniversaries!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Calligraphy.... maybe a little fancy for our usual Bunco nights, but....
OK, OK, we admit.... we know you are not going to generally send out fancy invitations with calligraphy for your monthly Bunco nights (us neither!). But we just can't help but love the swirls and intricacy of a hand-lettered envelope or place card for a special event. It just gives paper goods that little extra oomph, you know? And we believe that calligraphy should be utilized far more often than just for weddings. Try it for your next wedding/baby shower, holiday soiree, or girls' only event - we know your guests will love it. The tone such beautiful handwriting sets is memorable, and your invitees will know a truly special occasion awaits them.
A lover of all things paper-related, Lindsay had always wanted to try her hand - pun intended :o) - at calligraphy. So she decided to research taking a class. First things first, who knew about all the gorgeous styles out there? Italics, Pointed Pen/Copperplate, contemporary... they are all just lovely, with their own personality. Lindsay chose Pointed Pen/Copperplate for its traditional vibe and gorgeous swirls... plus, Lindsay wants to add some extra "flair" to her capital letters, once she has the basics down pat of course, and Copperplate lends itself nicely to extra flourishes.
For about the past month, Lindsay has been making a weekly trip over to the beautiful Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta for her class. At the start of the course, Lindsay was delighted to find that the instructor, the uber-talented Mrs. Carol Gray, is her neighbor. Carol's talent at calligraphy is unbelievable - she could take even words like "potato" or "garbage can" and make them glamorous. The class itself has been just wonderful as well; Carol breaks the sessions into learning the strokes for related sets of letters, and she is a constant encouragement as her students practice their words and phrases. She also shares the insider tips and tricks, such as must-have equipment like light boxes, special inks and paper, and nibs. Always adding to the fun, the class has been full of personable and eager fellow students, creating a perfect environment for learning such a delicate and challenging art.
If you are interested in taking a calligraphy course in the Atlanta area, you simply MUST check out Carol's class:
(Callanwolde also offers a host of other great classes - if you have an interest in art, music, writing, or dance, take the time to peruse their offerings).
And if you have a special event for which you want to utilize calligraphy services, do yourself a favor and contact Carol. Her talent, dedication, and kind demeanor make her a true professional.
Last, we would be remiss if we did not mention what a gorgeous site Callanwolde is - the mansion itself and the lush grounds are breathtaking. Don't forget to consider it for your next special event! (We are biased, we'll admit - Lindsay's wedding reception was there).
Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, May 6, 2011
An ode to our mothers....
A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~ Tenneva Jordan
Every day should be Mother’s Day because every day our mothers love us unconditionally. They teach us the basics in life such as how to take that first step, tie a shoe, and ride a bike, but they also teach us things that are less tangible, such as how to be a good friend or how to be a mother ourselves. Leading by example is one way they accomplish this; you might say we are able to give love because we have been loved: children grow up and have children of their own and pass that love on to the next generation.
This year, Mother’s Day takes on a new meaning for us – Catherine now has a 4 month old daughter and Lindsay is only a few weeks away from giving birth to her first child, a little boy. As we enter this new chapter in life we would like to thank our mothers for the love they so willingly poured out on us and for teaching us the meaning of friendship. After all, that's really what the game of Bunco is about.
Every day should be Mother’s Day because every day our mothers love us unconditionally. They teach us the basics in life such as how to take that first step, tie a shoe, and ride a bike, but they also teach us things that are less tangible, such as how to be a good friend or how to be a mother ourselves. Leading by example is one way they accomplish this; you might say we are able to give love because we have been loved: children grow up and have children of their own and pass that love on to the next generation.
This year, Mother’s Day takes on a new meaning for us – Catherine now has a 4 month old daughter and Lindsay is only a few weeks away from giving birth to her first child, a little boy. As we enter this new chapter in life we would like to thank our mothers for the love they so willingly poured out on us and for teaching us the meaning of friendship. After all, that's really what the game of Bunco is about.
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| Catherine and her mother Kathy |
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| Lindsay and her mother Sandy |
Thank you Sandy and Kathy!
In loving memory of Sandy
April 19, 1949 - September 24, 2003
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Viva! Cinco de Mayo
Hola Senoritas! Here in Atlanta, this morning is a tad bit chilly, but it looks like it will be a beautiful day to celebrate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. And it sure does help us forget about any twinge of chill in the air when this holiday's traditions include delicious food, fun colors, vibrant music, and tasty cocktails!
Although, sadly, we are not hosting a soiree today (Bunco-centered or not), these beautiful images and party inspirations sure made us wish we were!! Enjoy... and after you do, why don't you go enjoy a tasty margarita in a pretty salt-rimmed glass? Yum!
These next three scenes are simply lovely - they would be perfect for an intimate Cinco de Mayo dinner!
Although, sadly, we are not hosting a soiree today (Bunco-centered or not), these beautiful images and party inspirations sure made us wish we were!! Enjoy... and after you do, why don't you go enjoy a tasty margarita in a pretty salt-rimmed glass? Yum!
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| Vintage castanets - what could be finer? Image courtesy of mzhollygolightly.blogspot.com |
| These pics from this island wedding just say tropical, warm-weather fun! (And can we please try those adorable cupcakes with dried pineapple on the top???) For more on this event, visit myislandwedding.blogspot.com |
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| Cute and casual - no better way to celebrate and eat outdoors! Image courtesy of mostazaseed.blogspot.com |
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| Beautiful and colorful oilcloths will protect your eating surfaces from hot sauce spills in style. Several of Atlanta's local Ace Hardwares carry yardage of these gems for a great price in Atlanta. Image courtesy of mostazaseed.blogspot.com. |
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| Tissue paper party decorations - adorable, easy and affordable. Image courtesy of mostazaseed.blogspot.com |
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| Isn't this vintage Mexican dish towel great? If you had enough, they would be perfect as place mats or party napkins! We love to score vintage linens like these at flea markets, ebay.com, or etsy.com. |
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| Another GORGEOUS wedding that gives us loads of ideas for warm-weather parties! We just love the succulents, don't you? (For more on this wedding, visit poetrybooths.com). |
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| Image courtesy of b-townblog.com |
These next three scenes are simply lovely - they would be perfect for an intimate Cinco de Mayo dinner!
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| Image courtesy of marthastewart.com |
Have a fun and festive Cinco de Mayo, everyone!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sweets for your Bunco sweets
Although any snacks are well-appreciated come Bunco night, sometimes what really gets us geared up for rolling the dice is the sweet stuff. We're talking cookies, cakes, brownies... you know the drill, ladies. A few Bunco nights ago, Lindsay brought little strawberry shortcakes for each player to enjoy. A little messy, yes, a true finger food, no... but delicious and (mostly) eaten up nonetheless!
This past Monday was our March Bunco night and Catherine had just the idea for a fun new dessert - petit fours in the likeness of dice! We knew that these would be a sure fire hit. After all, they're small, tasty, and feminine too, besides being the perfect shape for dice to begin with. Our local Publix bakery was happy to oblige Catherine's swell idea, and the results are below. Yum!
And isn't the tiered dessert stand that Catherine's mother-in-law gave her for Christmas just perfect?!?!
After the success of these petit fours, this got us thinking about other Bunco-themed desserts to try at future Bunco nights. The web is the perfect resource for inspiration. Just look at these adorable sweets that other Bunco players are creating out there!
We can't wait to borrow a few of these adorable ideas in the future.
Happy rolling and sweets-snacking, ladies!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Holiday Bunco Gathering - Time to Get Festive!
Although getting together for our favorite dice game is loads of fun year round, getting together at this special time of year is especially enjoyable. Just getting together with friends, snacking on some delicious treats, and playing Bunco is enough - but why not add in a few festive touches to make December's gathering even more memorable? Here are some ideas to add that special little somethin' to your holiday Bunco gathering!
* Why not serve a timeless holiday beverage like eggnog or cider? Yes, these are tried and true, but these consistent favorites will not let your Bunco players down! These can be store-bought or homemade, and served with a little kick of alcohol or without. Yum! If you are feeling adventurous - and we know you are! - why not try making this version of egg nog, found on the Food Network site (it calls for Brandy): Emeril's Old-fashioned Egg Nog.
* Fun cocktail napkins? Yes, please! There are so many cute options out there, at a variety of price points. Check out these luxe napkins - inexpensive, no, fabulous for a gift for your fave Bunco hostess, yes! Bangle Neiman Marcus napkins. Now for our more bargain-savvy Bunco players (and we include ourselves among you!), check out this cheeky option, shown below: Sassy Santa vintage napkins. But our favorites of all are vintage linen cocktail napkins you have to hunt, peck, and find in glorious victory at local flea markets and antique stores. Check out the beauties, right, that Lindsay snagged last year at Atlanta's monthly Scott Antique Market.
* Now you have to serve something really mouth-watering on those fabulous napkins... we love little bite-sized snacks so that the Bunco playing is never slowed down! And what better to serve at your festive game night than holiday cookies? Southern Living is a veritable treasure trove of wonderful recipes, and their holiday cookie recipes can't be beat! For a fun mix, try their Almond Snowballs (hey, is that powdered sugar on the dice?), Salted-Caramel Pecan Bars (sweet AND salty.... mmmmm), and Blackberry Thumbprints (think Pepperidge Farm, only homemade). Delicious.
* Want to jazz up your buffet or game tables? Easy! For an elegant look, gather some beautiful greenery and other goodies from outdoors and place around your serving table alongside some white candles in silver candlesticks. Timeless. In our neck of the woods, we love Holly and Magnolia, but bare branches in an assortment of silver vases also make a stunning statement. Bowls of cranberries are also a beautiful touch. Looking for a different feel? Check out Plumparty.com - this website is chock-full of easy and fun decor. One of our favorites for this season is their Retro Ornament Printable Set - this set is a colorful and adorable mix of everything you need.
* Lastly, why not get back to what this season is really about and make a group donation to a favorite charity? In our Bunco group, we put in $15 apiece at each monthly gathering, and the pot is divided among an assortment of winning categories at night's end. However, at last year's holiday gathering, we decided to forgo playing for money and instead donate our pot to the local food bank. Other charities we always love to support are local homeless shelters, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and local pet shelters. But the options are limitless for giving a financial gift to a group that really needs it!
Happy Holidays, everyone!
* Why not serve a timeless holiday beverage like eggnog or cider? Yes, these are tried and true, but these consistent favorites will not let your Bunco players down! These can be store-bought or homemade, and served with a little kick of alcohol or without. Yum! If you are feeling adventurous - and we know you are! - why not try making this version of egg nog, found on the Food Network site (it calls for Brandy): Emeril's Old-fashioned Egg Nog.
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| Vintage linens make the holidays merry and bright! |
* Fun cocktail napkins? Yes, please! There are so many cute options out there, at a variety of price points. Check out these luxe napkins - inexpensive, no, fabulous for a gift for your fave Bunco hostess, yes! Bangle Neiman Marcus napkins. Now for our more bargain-savvy Bunco players (and we include ourselves among you!), check out this cheeky option, shown below: Sassy Santa vintage napkins. But our favorites of all are vintage linen cocktail napkins you have to hunt, peck, and find in glorious victory at local flea markets and antique stores. Check out the beauties, right, that Lindsay snagged last year at Atlanta's monthly Scott Antique Market.
 |
| Sassy Santa cocktail napkins |
* Now you have to serve something really mouth-watering on those fabulous napkins... we love little bite-sized snacks so that the Bunco playing is never slowed down! And what better to serve at your festive game night than holiday cookies? Southern Living is a veritable treasure trove of wonderful recipes, and their holiday cookie recipes can't be beat! For a fun mix, try their Almond Snowballs (hey, is that powdered sugar on the dice?), Salted-Caramel Pecan Bars (sweet AND salty.... mmmmm), and Blackberry Thumbprints (think Pepperidge Farm, only homemade). Delicious.
* Want to jazz up your buffet or game tables? Easy! For an elegant look, gather some beautiful greenery and other goodies from outdoors and place around your serving table alongside some white candles in silver candlesticks. Timeless. In our neck of the woods, we love Holly and Magnolia, but bare branches in an assortment of silver vases also make a stunning statement. Bowls of cranberries are also a beautiful touch. Looking for a different feel? Check out Plumparty.com - this website is chock-full of easy and fun decor. One of our favorites for this season is their Retro Ornament Printable Set - this set is a colorful and adorable mix of everything you need.
 |
| Plum Party's Retro Ornament Printable Kit |
* Lastly, why not get back to what this season is really about and make a group donation to a favorite charity? In our Bunco group, we put in $15 apiece at each monthly gathering, and the pot is divided among an assortment of winning categories at night's end. However, at last year's holiday gathering, we decided to forgo playing for money and instead donate our pot to the local food bank. Other charities we always love to support are local homeless shelters, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and local pet shelters. But the options are limitless for giving a financial gift to a group that really needs it!
Happy Holidays, everyone!
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