Roasted Chicken & Goat Cheese Salad with Lemon Dijon & Cranberries | To-Go

This week, I took lunch to the School House girls since they've been working so hard on packing up orders from the fall launch.  I've added these Kraft To-Go Boxes (set of 10, $6) to the store just for moments like these.  We've used them so much in just the last week that I've had them at my house.  Emma and I put sliced baguette, cheese and apples in for an impromptu picnic, too - so glad to be able to just recycle it when we're at the park instead of dragging it home to clean.

I've also used them to pack up leftovers for lunches - if we don't plan to eat them right away, I can wrap in plastic wrap and put it in the freezer for another night.   

They are also great for Boxed Lunches for Baby or Bridal Showers - especially at a casual party.  Everyone can grab a box - they can be tied with ribbons and pretty paper napkins.

Shop Kraft To-Go Boxes >

In addition, I added a couple more to-go items for the Fall.  Claire (the school house manager) is married to my Brother, Josh - he requested a larger 20oz. to-go coffee cup.  He leaves really early in the morning to feed cows and wants to fit two KCups of coffee in his cup.  What Josh wants, Josh gets.  Little brothers!

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My Dad requested these to-go Soup Containers.  He said they would be great for a harvest meal in the combine.  I'm guessing that means I'll be filling some with chili to deliver to the field, soon.  I think they'll be great filled with soup to go along with my box of salad and box of sliced baguette and cheese for a fall time picnic.   I also plan on using them at the School House Open House in October for samples of soup.

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Great ideas, guys.  My Dad and Josh have become more involved in my store operations since it moved near their farm.  They get caught carrying boxes they see on the front porch of the School House when they drive by.  And for the record, one day my Dad carried in a box of the to-go coffee cups and said 'why would you need these??'  They've since become one of his favorite things.  Ha!

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Set of 10 boxes with 20 small ramekin containers and lids.

Roasted Chicken & Goat Cheese Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing

Salad Greens
Roasted Chicken Breast, cubed (or rotisserie chicken)
Goat Cheese, sliced
Dried Cranberries or Cherries
*toasted walnuts
.....
1/3 cup of red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of dijon
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of honey
1/2 cup of olive oil
1 teaspoon of sea salt

Assemble salad by putting greens in the box, or on a platter.  Add cubes of chicken, slices of goat cheese and on sprinkle cranberries and walnuts.  Make dressing in a small jar or container with lid.  Add all ingredients and shake well.  Divide up into small ramekin with lids (included with to-go boxes).

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The Color Collection | The Very Big Sale Continues...

This is the last week of the Very Big Sale.  It is a perfect time to stock up on essentials from the Color Collection to get you ready for any occasion coming up this Spring.

We always think of the Holidays as the busiest entertaining season, but Spring is huge.  Many of your are likely hosting baby or wedding showers, birthdays and graduation parties.  I know when I am planning a party, I always start with the season and then think about a color scheme.

I've updated and restocked much of the party supplies inventory... ribbons, candles, tags & cards - all part of my Color Collection.  I love this part of my store - it is something I wished I'd had available to me as an event planner.  I created this one spot where you can find everything you need to design a festive celebration, birthday, wedding or shower.

You can "Shop by Color" in the store, which automatically sorts all of the products into colors.   This is the "Privet Berry Blue" Color Collection.  Not only does it show actual products like ribbons, tags and candles, but also projects that you could make to coordinate with them.

Hand-Dipped Taper Candles

I've separated each color of candle in the store onto its own page.  I think this helps to see the entire offering - and the amazing colors available.  Doesn't it look pretty?!  You can choose the size of candle you'd like on its color page.  For example, the Edgartown Sand Candle is available in 6", 12" & 18".

Everyday Tags in the Color Collection

Of course, I love all of the tags in the Everyday Color Collection.  In the screen shot of the store above, you can also see the more natural colors available, like Lexington Wheat.
I suggest picking a couple of colors you love to keep stocked - then you'll be ready to tie it around a bottle of wine or a cello bag full of cookies for a quick gift.

Find the tags in the Everyday Essential Tags page, or Shop by color.

Here are some of my favorite colors in the Color Collection : 

Seaside




































Papaya Pashmina

Green : 
East Hampton Hedge & Concord Green 

What are your favorite color combinations for parties and entertaining?  Of course, I'm also a huge fan of mixing all shades of blue, from a pale powder blue to a deep navy, too.  I'd love to hear about the colors that you always look for, and that always seem to pop up in your home as accents.

Hope you're having a great week!

Shop the Everyday Occasions Very Big Sale >

Sugar & Spice Baby Shower at Our House | Entertaining

I'm sorry I was gone most of last week, we had a very busy and fun schedule packed with a volunteer table design benefit, visit to a childrens' farmstead and a baby shower hosted at our house... I have a zillion photos to share this week...  as Emma would say, "Here go!" - a complete sentence in baby language.

Last things first, I just can't wait to share the photos from the Baby Shower Brunch I hosted at our house yesterday.  My friend, Susan, is pregnant with twin girls so a very girly, "Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice" shower was in order. 

 I love these invitations from Minted.  It really is the only way to go for custom invitations for a small number of guests.  I'm still enjoying these "Angel" peonies today as I type - my very favorite.

Before each event I host, I make these types of little sketches to help me envision what everything will look like.  It also helps me make my shopping list because I'm able to figure out what I'll need for linens, props and styling before the actual setup.

Because I tend to entertain in a very casual fashion (because I think everyone enjoys it more than fancy...), I designed the party to be special with plenty of flowers and girly touches, but relaxed with big bountiful platters of help-yourself food and drink and comfortable seating. 

 The night before I always set out everything I possibly can for the next day... especially in a brunch situation.  Hosting a party can go from fun to stressful if everything is rushed and left to the last minute.  I definitely learned this the hard way during my catering days.  I found that it took all of the fun out of my job if I was running late and rushing through everything.

I set this beverage table up in my kitchen - the table is usually used as my desk.

I also made the Sweetie Pie favors the night before.  Each bag contained either a Mini Apple or Strawberry Pie.  Here is the link to the Mini Pies step-by-step instructions and recipes!

 Here are the Strawberry Pies - I'll share the step-by-step and recipe later this week.  

UPDATE : Here is the link to the Mini Pies step-by-step instructions and recipes

Here is the dining room setup.  Because it was going to be a small casual brunch, we left he seating open - a fix a plate and "make yourself at home" type party.  To make the banners, I use the Rifle Botanicals Garlands I found at Paper-Source... only $16 and took just minutes to hang.  

 I'm obsessed with these - still haven't taken them down.  I plan to do one with E-M-M-A in her room later this week... and I might hang the "Sugar & Spice" one in there, too.

I really like casual centerpieces like this.  Everyone asked if I cut these from my garden - exactly what I want people to think.   

 But, no unfortunately I don't have any peony bushes in my garden... yet.

The pewter pieces are Match (wedding gifts), and the glass pieces are old candy apothecary jars.  I also placed some wrapped gifts for Susan amongst the flowers.

More uses for the Rifle Botanicals Garlands - I couln't help myself.  Easy Banners = Insta-Party

Last one...

Here is the beverage bar setup the morning of - Bellini's and Coffee.  We also had Sparkling Pomegranite Juice for the pregnant ladies... we had four out of ten guests that were pregnant!  Five babies and ten ladies.

 Stations make it so much easier for your guests to help themselves - I think it makes everyone more comfortable.




Bellini is a drink with Peach Puree (or juice) topped with Champagne or Prosecco.  I think it must be the "new" mimosa.

Brunch Menu...
recipe links coming later this week!

Upon arrival :

Bellini's
Coffee
Mini Vanilla Bean Scones (we called "Sugar & Spice Scones)
Brunch :

Cheddar & Chive Quiche
Strawberry & Spinach Salad
Fruit & Cheese Platters
"Homemade" Cinnamon Rolls

Favors :
Tiny Mini Pies - "Sweetie Pies"

Mini Vanilla Bean Scones (we called "Sugar & Spice Scones) 

Forgive the re-used photo from original post... I didn't have my camera out when the girls arrived and the fresh scones came out. 

The BEST Strawberry & Spinach Salad.

Bountiful fruit platter made by my Co-Hostess, Melissa.

Cheddar Chive Quiche (warning : old post from my sister's baby shower I hosted 3+ years ago!)

 "Homemade" Cinnamon Rolls (re-used photo from original post)

I was so glad to host the shower for Susan at my house - I can't wait to meet those little ladies in just a couple of months!

Here is the easy-to-pin strip!

Shower Hostess Gifts | Baby Shower Paper-Source Hostess Gift | Personalized Stationery & Labels

Last weekend my Sister and Aunts hosted a Baby Shower for me.  I wanted to do something special for them as a Thank You/Hostess Gift.  It's always a challenge to think of a small gift that is special, personal and something that they'll actually use. 

I wanted it to be something that I made... at least part of it.  Since we were traveling back to KC for the shower, baked goods weren't really an option (we aren't bag checkers). 

I made a stop to my favorite spot for homemade goods supplies that don't look homemade - Paper Source.  My plan was to make personalized stationery sets and personalized "From the Kitchen Of..." labels.  When I found these Vera Bradley lunchboxes, I thought they'd be the perfect 'package' and useful, too.

Baby Shower Hostess Gift :
- Stationery Set
- From the Kitchen Of Labels
- Lunch Bag

For 4 sets of 10 Personalized Stationery (card & envelopes), you'll need :

- 1 pack of Lux Cream Cover (contains 10 sheets of cardstock)
- 4 packs of A2 envelopes (contains 10 envelopes each) from Paper-Source
- Printer
- Paper cutter
- Ribbon (for wrapping)

To create the Stationery Template, use a graphics design program (I use InDesign), Word or PowerPoint document divided into 4 equal sections (each being 5.5"w x 4.25"t fit on one 8.5"x11" page).

Put the initials or name of each person on the top margin (about 1/2 inch from top) of each card.  Print onto Lux Cream Cover and cut using a paper cutter to 5.5" x 4.25".

This straight edge paper cutter ($19.50) from Paper-Source has been my saving grace for so so so many projects.  Straight cuts really help to make professional looking paper crafts.  It is definitely worth the $20 investment!

Cut it length-wise in half...

Then in half again.

I use this thin satin ribbon from Paper-Source to wrap each set of cards and envelops.

Flip it over and twist, bringing the sides up over the top and bottom...

Flip over again and tie a bow.  I really like how the thick textured paper looks - it gives it a professional quality.

Coming Soon : how I made the "From the Kitchen Of..." Labels here using Paper-Source adhesive labels.

Here is all of my gift supplies ready to be assembled.

I am really pleased how they turned out!  Have I inspired you?  If you have a hostess gift to put together, click below to all of the items on sale at Paper-Source!