party recap, the wine flu, and a j.crew review (mini bow sweatshirt).

Hi everyone!

Whew, what a weekend! We hosted a fabulous holiday party this past weekend, and I was MIA due to all the prep work. I quite enjoyed getting everything ready, much more so than the last big party we threw a couple years ago. I knew which recipes were simple and well-received, and didn't try so many new and complicated recipes this time around.

Me in my apron, readying some easy caprese apps in the background (hollow out a cherry tomato, stick in a piece or tiny leaf of basil, and a mini boccacini (soaked in an olive oil/balsamic conconction).

I had load of appetizers and sweets. I tend to overdo it, but I prefer that to under-doing it! Alas, I barely took any pictures of all the dishes, except this little (blurry) one. It's a super easy and pretty plate of olives. Just lay down some rosemary in the shape of a wreath, add some yummy olives, a few cherry tomatoes, and done. Easy enough!

We had a wine station, a beer station, and an apple cider station (with brandy optional of course!), with a few munchies nearby. The big food spread was in the dining room (no pictures, ack.)

I wore all J.Crew for the evening! Factory Draped Sequin Top, Toothpick Jeans in ecru (only $35 with the promo right now), Lula Glitter Ballet Flats (from last year), and the Translucent Stone Necklace. It was comfortable and festive.

I had a brief loss of common sense and decided to drink red wine, and of course paid the price the next morning with what we shall call the wine flu. Ah well, sometimes it's worth it. My DH wins the husband of the year, as he let me lie in bed all day while he cleaned every last bit up. Is that not amazing?

Anyway, I'm finally up and about, wrapping some gifts, mopping the floor, and ordering up invitations for my son's birthday party next month (how is he almost 6?!). I just received a little package in the mail, with J.Crew's Mini-Bows Sweatshirt, which I just couldn't resist. I think it's darling and better in person than it looks online. I ordered my normal size small and think it's TTS to slightly big (nice for layering under it). I don't think I'd size down though, as it will likely make it too short. The sweatshirt is a marled gray, with pretty navy bows, with a little navy rhinestone in the middle. No bows on the back. I like that it's short sleeves, so I can layer now, and wear well into spring .Super cute, this one.

Hope you have a wonderful week!