Curious why my dining room table was in the living room?

I threw a surprise bridal shower for a friend. And no, I did not iron the drop cloth tablecloth.

Her colors were a pear green and latte. The succulents – purchased at IKEA for super cheap {$3.18/each – including the pot!} – were in the right palette and made a cute centerpiece. Each guest got to take one home.

I love using things I already own for parties {saves more budget for food!}. The tablecloth is a clean painters drop cloth with a folded piece of pear colored fabric as a runner.

Already owned the drop cloth & borrowed the light green fabric from my mom.

The menu was a bit of a challenge as the guests really varied in tastes. There were a couple “meat & potato” only people, balanced out by those who vastly prefered “rabbit food”. I think we got a nice mix of healthy & naughty in the menu.

Beverages:

Trio of homemade tea. The Mintastic Herbal & Gunpowder teas are loose teas from Adagio Teas. Purchased online but the company is located in Garfield, NJ.

The Mandarin Orange Green Tea is just from Lipton. I also served water, which seemed to be the popular choice.

Starters:

• Artichoke Bites {found on Darby’s blog}
• Homemade Garlic Hummus with Pita
• Brie & Gouda with Crackers
• Kalamata Olives {pitted!}
• Grapes, cherries, clementines

Lunch:

• Grilled chicken from Ferry St. BBQ – my very very favorite Portuguese BBQ place in Newark
• Rice & Fries – yes. Rice AND fries. It’s a thing. I also think both the rice & fries should be eaten doused in their hot sauce {think Texas Pete}
• Watermelon, Feta & Arugula salad
• Mango Barley Salad {this recipe by Cara’s Cravings but I use barley instead of quinoa and forgo the chicken}

Dessert:

• Chocolate Cannoli Cupcakes
• Angel Food Cupcakes
• Macerated Nectarines
• Champagne to toast

I tried to make my own cannoli filling for the icing but it was an epic, EPIC, fail. Calandra’s Bakery in Newark to the rescue. They were more than happy to sell me 1.5lbs of cannoli filling, sans shells.

Parties like this make me ever so thankful I have a dishwasher. A relatively new addition to Brick City Love {as of January} the Bosch is still kicking major ass.

Now back to the garden apartment!