THE ELIZABETHS

Elizabeth Anderson and I hosted Gourmet Club last week!
It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.
From the beginning, she and I thought a literature-themed dinner would be interesting (we both love to read!), so that's what we did.  Elizabeth A. is a PRO in the kitchen and pretty much took care of that side, while I did most of the decorations.
And she generously let us have it at her house, which worked out great.

Here's the wreath I made for the front door.

Used old book pages and colorful cardstock to make medallions, layered that with tissue flowers and washi tape, and added some vintage buttons and a stamped tag.

the appetizer table.

My globe collection comes in handy!  They're so big and colorful.  Love Elizabeth's "a" and "z" bookends and crochet tablecloth.  And I found those orange melamine plates at TJ Maxx and fell in love with them. :)

the favor table--or desk, actually.

 I made a couple of these medallion-covered posters so I could just tape it up in one piece. I got that red metal lunch box when I was in Utah (with my friend Nora) and this is the first time I've gotten to really use it.  For one of the favors, we wrapped up second-hand novels--mostly classics, all good ones.
 For example:

 I made these little paper clip bookmarks (this tutorial is similar).  Used a bit of my current favorite fabric, Amy Butler's ikat.  I have serious crush on these little guys for some reason. 

And possibly my favorite favor--handmade notebooks.  I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to make my own using kraft cardstock and graph paper, washi tape and my sewing machine.  I stamped them, I rounded the edges, and then I taped the world's best pencil to a strip of scrapbook paper and folded it so it would stay together, but still be removable.

I spent a long time working on these, being as slow and precise as possible so they would look professional-ish. Not always my way of crafting, haha. :)

I was so excited to use that new ink stamp, found here on etsy, and used it in several places. 

Here are the bookplates we also gave as favors.  Found those super-randomly at Nordstrom Rack.  Never knew they sold book plates!

the tables

 LOTS going on, I know.
Those little floral glasses are still available at Ikea, if you hurry. :)  The pinwheel and polka dot plates are from Target a few years ago.  The bowls are Anthro's genius latte bowls. 

Hanging from the ceiling: more book page medallions.  Originally inspired by this image.

We had two tables of six ladies each.

This was one of my very favorite details--EVER!!!  Inspired by this image, pinned 32 weeks ago--I was waiting for my chance to use it!  It was love at first sight!  This bright stripey fabric is also from Ikea.

I used circle tins as placecards--filled 'em with peanut m&ms.  There's that stamp again! :)

 Oh, and these pretty floral dinner plates came from the thrift store!  This is why people get addicted to thrifting!  :)

One of my other very favorite details--I cut scalloped edges on old book pages and used washi tape to wrap them around glasses to hold votive candles and orange roses.  

Costco had the most beautiful orange/yellow roses.  I about died.  Wish I'd taken more pictures of those pretty roses!

The other place setting featured my everyday china pattern, with polka dot plates.
Elizabeth A's grandmother made those gorgeous linen napkins and tablecloths--swoon!

the menus

This part was ALL Elizabeth A.  She's amazing!!!  The food was seriously PERFECTION.
Several of the recipes came from a literature-inspired cookbook.  Elizabeth tea-dyed the covers to match our invitations.  The bookmarks were made by moi when I was up way too late: kinda lame--that's why I made those paperclip ones later.  :)

 

The pretty green books were given to me by my grandmother June.  I was really nervous to put them near water, but I figured since we were all adults, they'd be okay--and they were--thank goodness. Just too pretty not to use, and they went along with our original color-scheme inspiration so well!

My friend Jenee lent me the beautiful bead garland.  Added a little sparkle.

Okay, now let's talk about the FOOD.
We were inspired by the idea of a gourmet summer picnic.

 Elizabeth's gorgeous made-from-scratch peach pie!  Tasted even better than it looked.

the appetizers

 pear and walnut sandwiches
and
green tomato tartines

So tasty!  (Recipes to follow, don't worry!)


 the soup

Elizabeth's famous Spicy Tomato Bisque--so delicious!

 
 Here we are, enjoying the soup course...

 the salad

Fresh Mozzarella Salad with Avocado, Roasted Corn, Grape Tomatoes, and Lime Vinaigrette.
Possibly my favorite dish?

the main course

Chipotle Maple Barbeque Beef Brisket
Orange-Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Lemon Roasted Asparagus
Golden Sweet Cornbread with Honey Butter

Everything was SO, SO good!

the dessert

Peach Pie with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
Unbelievably good.  Especially the crust.  But especially the ice cream. :)

the Elizabeths!

 Couldn't have asked for a better partner!

group shot  (Emily is due any day now!  We weren't sure she'd make it to the dinner!)

(Olivia had already left--oops!)

almost forgot--the invitations

Elizabeth A. tea-dyed watercolor paper to get this beautiful aged effect.  She designed the inside with this great quote:

[I]t is imperative to read and to live with the same intensity...without flavor, life is not worth living...and...without the flavor of life, literature doesn't exist.

                                          Laura Esquivel, Between Two Fires

We choose Pride and Prejudice for our "cover" because of Miss Elizabeth Bennett, obviously, and because it's a favorite of ours (and at least half the female population, probably).  Added brown satin ribbon and mailed them in sparkly blue envelopes.

WHEW! It was SO much work but I feel it was a huge success.
Now, we're both excited to sit back and enjoy the rest of the year!
:)