Friends, even though I shared a few photos from our Valentine’s Day party, I completely forgot to tell you about the invitations! Since I was only making four, I could go all out with the handmade details, and I did! Here they are: I printed the text in black and white on watercolor paper, then penned in hearts in black ink. I then watercolored over the hearts with pink and red, and backed the invites with deep red cardstock. I had some pink and white baker’s twine lying around that made a perfect “belly band” of sorts. The finishing touch was the watercolor envelope liners. I scanned the sheet of paper that I used to test the watercolor strokes while coloring the hearts, then printed a few pages and cut them to size. Voila! In case you missed my post about the party, the photos are right here!

More than two years ago I wrote on this blog that I wanted to host a dinner party inspired by the movie Julie & Julia. And this past Saturday, John and I did just that! We were furiously preparing right up until the last minute (seriously, the kitchen was a disaster zone at 5:30, and guests were scheduled to arrive at 6!), so I didn’t get too many great photos, but thanks to my Instagram pals Graham and Nancy, I put together the collection above! Our dining room table (which normally seats four) expanded to seat all ten of our guests. We went simple with a white tablecloth, then added small bunches of carnations in milk glass and mint julep cups and some heart confetti. My parents also surprised me with a delivery of red and pink flowers, which was SO sweet of them! We served Julia’s recipe for boeuf bourguignon and plenty of fresh baguettes in latte bowls with our simple faux-French cloth napkins. Guests were guided to their seats by hand water-colored place cards, and went home with crepe-wrapped chocolates. We also had a little bar set up that stayed within the color scheme (red and white wine, Shirley Temples (my fave!), and raspberry lemonade) and featured heart striped straws. The best part, though? Besides the company, it had to be the outfits. I wish I had a photo, because everyone completely dressed the part – and looked fabulous!! I’m already dreaming up our next dinner party… P.S. More Instagram photos