Dressed For A Dinner Party

Recently, my friend, Debbie had a group of girlfriends 

from her old neighborhood over for dinner.

Nothing like a dinner party to get your home in top form.

Some of the ladies hadn't seen her home before. 

(Unlike you, if you are a regular reader 
posted here and here). 
They got the full tour.

They met each other when their children were small. 

This is a tradition that they started to stay in touch.

Debbie borrowed my salad plates and rattan chargers 

(that's what friends are for).

She created the center piece with small green and white plants 

in gray and white containers.  

The charcoal linen napkins are from Matteo.

I'm hoping to borrow her Venetian style glass votives some day.

I'm sure her guests felt special.  Wouldn't you?

Each friend received a striped 

cotton cosmetic bag as a party favor.

When I last posted about Debbie's house,

 there were a few emails requesting 

information about this bench.  

It is by Louis J. Soloman. 

The aqua leopard fabric is

Ocelot by Cowtan & Tout.

The bench can be ordered in different finishes.

This arrangement was from one of Debbie's guests.

God bless Oklahoma.

Classic Copper

Pans made with copper are great for making sauces as copper heats quickly and evenly.  And I like the "bling."  

It's expensive bling, even when you can find it at Home Goods.  

Dehillerin, a huge cookware store (with lots of copper), 

is a favorite stop of ours in Paris.  

Coastal Cottage Dreams writes about this store.

 I saw this image on Design Chic...

and it reminded me of our kitchen.

Some of our copper, like the tray above, 

 has been bought at flea markets

...and comes with a pretty patina like these...

Source

Source

How pretty is Tina's, from 

The Enchanted Home, copper cookware?

Here is a good report on understanding cookware 

and the differences in materials.

I keep these clean with just a little effort using 

Bar Keepers Friend.  

Try it on brass and stainless steel, too.

A chef at a cooking class once told us that every 

kitchen could get by with just three basic pans:

•  a copper sauce pan
(such as Mauviel M'heritage 10.9-Quart Sauce Pan) 

•  a stainless steel stock pot

•  and an iron skillet

I made this centerpiece in five minutes using 

kumquats from the yard and leaves from the indoor tree.

(ok, maybe it looks just thrown together).

For dessert, we had Ina Garten's 

Chocolate Chunk Blondies. Try them!  They're great.  

I've already had two :(

But I packaged up most of them for our guests to take home.

 Participating in

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Time to Shine Tuesday @ A Diamond in the Stuff 

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia