Susie Homemaker Party

A clever friend brought a tray of SPAM and Twinkie bites to share. The SPAM went home with her, unopened, but its presentation was fabulous! I can't get over how well the golden cakes match the lettering of the word SPAM.

I like to build up internal excitement as my birthday approaches. To do so, I always celebrate Valentine's Day, and I usually plan a party or a fun outing to get me in the birthday spirit. This year I had a girls' night the Friday before my birthday. The theme was "Susie Homemaker." I invited my gal pals to come over bearing retro goodies and wearing their best vintage aprons.

Protecting the innocent, unless they say otherwise. That's me in the mirror. I am definitely the guilty party-thrower.

We had such a deliciously fun night. We filled it with honest and intimate girl talk and tasty treats. Although not as many ladies were available as I had hoped, in retrospect, the right amount of people showed up. The group was large enough to be interesting, yet small enough to have one large group conversation. If there had been any more people, we probably would have broken into small groups. I am really happy with how the evening turned out. 

Hanging vintage aprons. The chick in the photos? That's me. The photos were made by the brilliant Josh Moutray, ca. 2002.

It was especially satisfying to bring together a group of smart, gorgeous and amazing women who all really hit it off with one another. 

My all-in-one office/library/dining room/art studio. Tonight it was all about the spread on my retro dining room table (given to me by a family friend who knows what makes my heart go pitter-patter). Vintage aprons from my collection hang about. Do you spy my weighted hula hoop inside my bedroom door? Best piece of exercise equipment ever!

Mmm, look at those vittles! Clockwise from left: Sweet & dill pickles & pickled okra (I have southern roots, all right?), Jello salad, icebox cake (an old and super secret family recipe), chips and salsa, more pickled foods - green & black olives & pickled baby corn, goat cheese and crusty toast, cheese & summer sausage, and sushi. And my owl centerpiece surrounded by it all. More came later, if you can believe it! You could hardly see the strawberries on the tablecloth I borrowed from my mom.

The dishes in the top left, top right and bottom left photos were thrifted. The dish at the lower right belonged to my grandma.

Have you ever thrown a theme party? Do you host regular girls' nights? Or guys? How do you throw a tip-top guys' night? I would love to hear details!

Hope your night is ending on a lovely note,

Alison :)

Project Me: Getting Better...

The only Project Me topic I've been focused on this week is getting better. I have felt puny since I developed a cough and congestion last Thursday. Since then, I've spent the majority of my time in bed, or, now that I am back to work and feeling somewhat better, on the couch in the prone position. From that position, I have had a lot of time to contemplate my living room. See below for a few of my favorite views from the couch:

Row 1: The television (Criminal Minds tonight), of course, along with my new mantel tableau, which includes two vessels handmade by me, a framed print that once belonged to my grandma, a segmented box from my grandma's house, random natural objects, and what I choose to refer to as my "mantel clock."

Row 2: 1) My most favorite garage sale find ever - a green Frankoma shell vessel. This baby became mine for the high price of $2.00 and kicked off a love affair that's still going strong; a wooden vase hand-turned by me; Memory Box, a printer's drawer customized by me; garage sale pillows; and vintage radiator native to my apartment. 2) A red purse beside a woven basket under the coffee table I borrowed from my grandma years ago.

Row 3: 1) Just a few of my books accompanied by framed photos of my family and me, a ceramic bowl filled with a variety of seed pods, a shoe sole, and a silver spray painted replica of The Thinker. Kitschy, no?; 2) The gorgeous light fixture came with my apartment. I wish I could take it with me when I move. 3) The door to my porch with feathers originally featured here.

What objects in your own home do you admire on a regular basis? I would love to take a peek!

I hope you are all having a lovely Thursday night,

Alison :)