Renovated Lifestyle: Annual Summer Soiree 2012

This year I threw my first Summer Soiree. It's an all ladies intimate themed dinner party with just a few of my dearest friends colleagues and a few family members. This is a time to get together and celebrate being women. I decided to kick off this annual event by honoring Frida Kahlo.

I started off by teasing my guests with Save-the-Date cards intended to set the tone without giving too much of the theme away.

{Sorry about the grainy photo... photo credit: tami briggs}

Next I handcrafted an invitation. The invitations were completely handmade. No printer used. In fact the only machine involved was our wonderful sewing machine. A little fringe, some bright colors and flowers and a handwritten message invited select guests to come out and partake in some good food, great drinks and lots of laughter on the rooftop of my apartment building.

{Photo Credit for invite: Just Wenderful}

{Photo Credit: tami briggs}

All of the ladies were excited. But not nearly as excited as I was because up until now, I am still the only one who knows the theme and menu for the event.

I sewed up my own table runner and table linens, bought a few potted kalanchoe and succulents, hung fringed streamers and lit a few candles and we had a dinner party.

{Photo Credit: tami briggs}

Each guest found their name painted on oil pallets, which I fastened to the chair backs with raffia. And they each received a personal succulent to represent life in a dry spell and a unique card with a photo of Frida Khalo and along with one of her quotes on the back.  Don't you just love the really cool looking light fixture hanging in the gazebo on my rooftop.

I made a BIG batch of sangria {it was a hit}!

{Photo Credit: tami briggs}

I chose to make it a tortilla bowl buffet so that guests could build a bowl or two to their liking. On the menu we had:

Fresh baked tortilla bowls
Cilantro Lime Basmati Rice
Chili Beans
Salsa Fiesta Shredded Chicken
Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef)
Carnitas (Shredded Pork)
Sauteed Vegetables
Avocado and Grilled Corn Pico de Gallo
Fire Roasted Salsa
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Shredded Lettuce
Shredded Cheese
Sweet and Spicy Pepitas
Sangria
Tres Leche Cake
Spicy Cinnamon Chocolate Brownies

{Photo Credit: tami briggs}

This was about honoring one another as friends, celebrating the power of femininity and embracing our womanhood.

{Photo Credit: tami briggs}

My sister graduated UCLA just the day before and is taking off for Norway to attend the summer program at Oslo University. So it was only fitting that I make a toast in her honor and present her with a beautiful and unique locket from Origami Owl.

We had such a great time and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Cheers!
xoxo, tami