Buenos Noches (Couples' Sunset Dinner)

I pulled together a quick couples dinner out on the patio for tonight.  We're grilling fajitas, and hope to enjoy a nice evening outdoors (before our Texas weather gets too warm).  

Nothing fancy -- but given our Tex-Mex menu, I decided to play up a cool fiesta theme of greens and blues.  The tablecloth is bold and beautiful, but rather small for our dining tables, it works just fine outdoors. 

The centerpiece is the succulent soda crate I made recently -- I added a few recycled bottles that were turned into candles that I found from At West End (unscented) and set the soda crate on top of a platter stand (just to give it a bit more lift). 

I used some beautiful hand-painted stoneware I picked up recently for a steal ($5.96 for 2 plates) within the Willow House online outlet store. 

These are Gail Pittman designs, Provence is the colorway and they are gorgeous!  I share these kind of deals on my facebook page - this deal was only good for 1 day but other outlet deals are weekly (Monday through Sunday) and are also announced on my facebook page. 

The flatware is rolled up snug in a cloth napkin tucked within an Ingleside Luminary.

I included a few tidbits filled with slices of limes -- for our cocktails and for the wonderful citrus aroma they offer.  While we will be grilling and nibbling with margaritas in our hand, we enjoy having wine with our dinner. 

I set aside a bottle of wine within our Argyle Outdoor Hurricane, that was designed with an arm that clamps securely onto your table, porch rail or dock.  It comes with a removable glass insert, and is very pretty with a candle -- but holds a bottle of wine nicely.  I have one clamped to my craft table as well filled with paint brushes.

Tonight we are hoping for gorgeous weather, limited pests and the company of good friends & food!

If you are planning a Cinco de Mayo or Fiesta Party,

keep reading for more ideas.  

From BHG

Make it easy for friends to remember which glass is theirs with monogrammed limes. Use your handy lime zester to engrave each guest’s initial into their drink’s lime.  And if you are looking for margarita recipes try these proven winners from Southern Living.  Though my (former bartender) husband reminds me it is not a true margarita -- I have never gone wrong with
my Beerita Recipe when serving a crowd . . . Simply Mix the following in a large beverage server and serve over ice :::

2 Large Cans Frozen Limeade Concentrate

1-2 cups tequila

2 - 12oz cans Sprite or 7up (sure you can use diet)

2 - 12oz bottles Beer (I prefer light beer - Coors Light works well)

~

Have fun with your serving pieces -- let them dress for the occasion too :) Pick up a few budget friendly fiesta supplies at a party warehouse store and dress up your serveware!

From Emily O Blog

A fiesta calls for, no, demands dressing up & goofy moustaches. I love the Dinner Party Club pictures Emily shares on her blog.  If we were having a bunch of people over I would definitely be using her as a resource for great ideas!

~

Here's a FuN Fiesta Celebration Tablescape that will hopefully inspire you to try something new as the weather warms up.  These photos were taken at the Willow House (then, Southern Living at HOME) product showcase in the summer of 2009 (held at my back door in Grapevine, Texas - yippee!)

Lots of color and texture included in this setting.  Check out the colorful play on patterns with the striped chair cushions and floral tablecloth. 

The fabric umbrella is covered with tri-colored tissue garland (available from a party store) -- just pinned on.  Of course this idea was showcased indoors, so if you have a fear of a rain, consider adding oodles of the Drake Firefly Lanterns (some with tea light candles and some with flowers) as shown here . . .

So pretty when lit up at dusk.

Each guest is further greeted at the table with a little favor tied to their chair -- a hand-painted tambourine for instance.

The tablescape itself was set with Gail Pittman's Garland Dinnerware in Siena with Verde Serving Dish used as individual chargers.

Another sweet little noise maker (maraca) tops the bright napkin and is simply tied with a bow . . . and who doesn't like an umbrella in their drink?    You can't go wrong with a picture of flowers -- especially Gerbera Daisies to brighten up a table! 

If you are interested, you can still find several of the Gail Pittman Garland Dinnerware pieces within my on-line outlet store here. 

cookie piñatas!

More work than I would probably put into it, but WoW!  Get a load of the cookie piñatas found here!  Plus lots of great links to more Cinco de Mayo ideas and tasty recipes.

Lastly, there are so many free printable decor & great recipes for Cinco de Mayo parties --

it is easy to pull one together quickly.   I hope I have inspired you -- if you pull together a fiesta, please share your pictures -- or better yet, INVITE ME & MR V :)

~I am linking up with Between Naps on the Porch, Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper, Six Sisters Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Petite Hermine Sunday Linky Party, the Organised Housewife Linky Party, My 1929 Charmer Sunday's Best, Under the Table & Dreaming's Sunday Showcase, Bird and Branches - Color My World, and Fine Craft Guild Party -- thanks for coming by!!

Psst . . . don't forget to Enter My Current Giveaway -- cut off is Sunday, April 29th at Midnight -- This GiveAway is now Closed -- stay tuned for more giveaways coming your way soon!