Time to Wine and Dine!

This weekend my husband and I hosted our annual dinner party and wine tasting. It's an evening and affair that we both look forward to and one that came about due to my curiosity! Several years ago a friend of ours spontaneously and very generously opened an expensive bottle of wine when I casually mentioned that I had always wanted to taste that particular wine. My curiosity was sparked! The wine was delicious but it made me think, how did this particular wine compare to other notable high-end wines? Thus our annual dinner party and wine tasting was born.

Selecting and bringing together all of the details for this soireé is nearly as much fun as the evening itself!

This year we selected a simple silver themed invitation and an envelope with a contrasting liner in black and white. Silver and black inadvertently became the colors of the evening.  

Given the time of year I decided to step away from my favorite and go to whites for flowers and went for a vibrant Fall color palette. We have a wonderful local gourmet grocer that always has beautiful flowers. I am horrible with knowing the various types of flowers so aside from the large Dahlias I have no idea what else I selected. 

The top left arrangement is the one I made as the centerpiece for the table. The top right is a smaller arrangement that I made to place in our guest bathroom. The vase is actually a vintage crystal decanter. Below on the left is an arrangement that I placed on an end table in our great room and then I mixed the roses with the delicate yellow sprays to sit on the kitchen counter. You can never have enough flowers! 

Our go to for linens has always been Napa Valley Linens. Diana Cardenas in particular is spectacular to work with! They have a wonderful selection of linens from traditional and simple to fun and fancy. I also love that they will deliver and pick up linens even if its only a small order. This year I selected their "Ember Silver" linen for the table and paired it with "Faux de Soie" napkins in the Tahitian Pearl color. The combination made for an elegant table. Each place was set with a tasting card folded for guests to make notes about the different wines. This year we tasted five wines all were 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Each place was also set with a place card that sat atop a champagne cork. My husband sliced the top of each cork making it a breeze to secure the place cards. Each year we have wine glasses etched with the year and at the end of the evening we send them home with our guests as a favor to remember the evening.  

Party favors included etched wine glasses and homemade pumpkin spice bread. It's always nice to have a little something to send guests home with. 

It was a lovely evening filled with wonderful friends and great wine and I'm already looking forward to next year! 

Cheers!

Molly 

Pumpkin & Spice

This past weekend my husband and I hosted one of our favorite annual events, our wine dinner. More on that in an upcoming post! Given that it's officially Fall and we've had a few days here and there where it's actually felt like Fall is in the air it's gotten me in the mood for some seasonal treats! When I do cook or bake which isn't too often I like to keep things simple and healthy. I found this recipe for Pumpkin Bread online years ago and it has become my go to. I decided to make mini loaves as part of the favors to give our guests at the end of the evening. 

The recipe was pretty healthy to begin with and uses egg whites and yogurt, however it called for oil which I substituted with apple sauce. I like to add chocolate chips for a little sweet treat. 

The Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 large egg whites

1 cup pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1/4 canola oil *substitute with apple sauce

1/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt * I used non-fat vanilla yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

* 3/4 cup chocolate chips = sweet treat!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Spray metal loaf pan with nonstick spray

Mix brown sugar, egg whites, pumpkin, apple sauce, yogurt and vanilla

Add flour, wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda

Stir until combined

Pour batter into pan and bake 45-50 minutes

Let cool 10 minutes

I wrapped the loaves and tied them with a simple bow and note that said, "A Sweet Ending to a Wonderful Evening!" 

Cheers!

Molly

Happily Ever After | Designed by Love!

“Design and its integration into our daily lives extends far beyond our homes, it’s the style and manner in which we live our lives.”

This weekend my husband and I had the privilege of attending the wedding of some of our dearest friends. We have attended many beautiful weddings over the years but this one is truly one we will never forget!

To begin with, this particular couple is one of the kindest and most thoughtful pairings of two people one could ever hope to meet. Truly beautiful souls both inside and out they are the embodiment of creativity, originality and authenticity of self. Their wedding was an unforgettable evening, designed by love and brought to life by meaningful details. The entire event was a testament to the incredible heart and soul of our dear sweet friends.

Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the wedding was hosted by the bride’s family on the estate and farm of the groom’s family. The setting was picturesque, and the love and personal touches could be seen and felt from the moment we entered the property. The groom is a skilled woodworker and created beautiful handmade signs that both greeted and directed guests for the evening.

One of our favorite details was the “family tree.” A towering tree marked by a handmade sign and adorned with family photographs created a stunning work of art and told the story of the couple and their families. A gentle babbling brook ran along the backside of the tree while guests walked past the tree on the path that gently meandered to the ceremony site. 

The ceremony was stunning. True to the style of the bride and groom it was simple, sophisticated, and yet elegant. The bride’s brother officiated the ceremony as they stood beneath an arbor of wood and greenery with the property’s fairytale like lake as the backdrop. It was magical!

Following the ceremony the bride and groom took what are certain to be some beautiful photos while all of the guests enjoyed cocktails and hours devours on a vista overlooking the property.  

Before we knew it we were seated at our tables overlooking the lake at sunset. Each place was set with a beautiful linen napkin sewn by the groom’s mother, delicate china and a small sachet of lavender grown on the farm with a note of thanks from the bride and groom. Not a single detail was overlooked!

In place of a typical guest book, guests were asked to sign and write messages for and to the bride and groom on a beautiful piece of raw wood. Following the wedding the groom will transform it into a bench for their home. I couldn’t think of a more fitting way for our friends to remember their special day!

From the handmade signs, to the “Family Tree,” the homegrown lavender and the personalized bench you can see the creativity, originality and authenticity of self that we spoke to before! All of these unique and special details made for a truly unforgettable and extraordinary event!

At the end of the day it’s how you thoughtfully bring together and curate meaningful objects and personal details that transform any design or event from ordinary into extraordinary. 

Cheers!

Molly

Be a thoughtful guest!

Being a thoughtful guest is always appreciated by your host and let's be honest it's also just downright polite. My mother always told me, "Never to show up empty handed!" Even if it's as casual as dinner with friends in their home never forget to show your appreciation. 

What makes a gift thoughtful?

FLOWERS | A lovely gesture but always be sure they are arranged and in a vase if possible, especially if it's a dinner party or gathering where you know your host will be busy. 

A CANDLE | Candles can be wonderful and yet also slightly tricky. Not everyone enjoys the same scents and some are stronger than others. When selecting a candle it's always a good idea to choose something you know is a subtle scent. 

One thing that's paramount to us at Bond Daws Design is health! Did you know that even candles can put your health at risk? Most well made candles these days are made utilizing safer health practices, but always check to make sure that your candles use a cotton or paper wick, are scented using essential oils and made with 100 percent soy, beeswax, coconut wax or a combination without paraffin.

CHAMPAGNE + WINE | Of course we had to list Champagne first! A nice bottle of wine or champagne is also a thoughtful gift, especially if you know your host enjoys a specific type or brand. Remember that you are brining this as a gift and therefore the bottle should never be chilled, slightly cool from being properly stored if being given from your own collection is just fine! 

At the end of the day it truly is the thought that counts! 

Cheers, 

Molly 

P.S. Don't forget to promptly send a handwritten note of thanks following your lovely time together!