Greenery on my mind

The countdown begins. 3 months till we leave our home in the Big Apple and move to the "burbs". I have mixed emotions about this move. I have lived in NYC since graduating college. The city and I, we had a good run. So much has happened here. I got my first job out of college, lived in my first studio apartment alone, spent more money on a pair of shoes then I could afford and spent the next month eating canned soup, had fun, had a lot of fun, got engaged, got married, had my beautiful daughter and then, ran out of space. The city is the most wonderful place on earth to live, and also the most expensive. There is no bang for your buck here. So, as our 1 bedroom apartment gets more and more crowed each day with another toy, we made the decision to move out of the city. So, with this exciting new adventure ahead of us, what else is going to be on my mind but of course, decorating! With the weather still beautiful out and a backyard to look forward to, greenery is on my mind. Some pictures below that have been inspiring me...

It's actually a fabulous time to buy outdoor furniture and accessories right now as the summer is ending, most of it is on sale. Some great deals I found in my perusing the internet...

 West Elm Dexter Dining Table

Originally $499, on sale for $423.99

West Elm Dexter Outdoor Dining Table

Restoration Hardware Provence Dining Table

Originally $3295, on sale for $2965

90" Provence Beam Dining Table

Restoration Hardware Majorca Sofa Chaise Sectional

Originally $2750, on sale for $2200

Majorca Sofa Chaise Sectional

Lava Rock Fire Bowl

Originally $1195, on sale for $1075

Lava Rock Propane Fire Bowl

Perennials Cote d'Azur Stripe Pillow Collection

Originally $69, on sale for $44

Cote d'Azur Stripe Pillow Collection

Party Globe Light String

Originally $39, on sale for $35

Party Globe LIght String

West Elm Droplet Lantern

Originally $19, on sale for $9.99

Droplet Lantern

5 pc Ceramic Dinnerware (perfect for outdoor entertaining)

Originally $78.80, now $69.95

Ceramic Dinnerware

Tuscany in NYC

So, as July comes to an end and I would much rather be on vacation in Tuscany, sipping fabulous Italian wine then in my hot 1-bedroom apartment in NYC I'm thinking a "Tuscan Themed Dinner Party" with friends may be a fun idea.

First and foremost, the table scape, obviously. We are going with a "Tuscan theme" here so we will need a long continuous, preferably wooden, dining table.

I'm thinking rustic. So, what better then pizza boards to display cheese, charcuterie and french breads...

I don't want to spend a fortune so I found these on amazon.com and they are pretty perfect. Also a perfect size 14x14",  $29 each.

Rustic Wooden Pizza Boards

Next, we obviously need lighting. I'm thinking votives. Lots and lots of votives.

West Elm has the perfect Mercury votives for $5

                                  

Mercury Votives

Next, napkins and plates.

Again, don't want to spend a fortune but want it to look super cute! Etsy.com of course is my answer.

Betsygrace has these great linen napkins, and she will embroider anything you can think of on them. I went with the simple lowercase, "eat."

$72/set of 6

    Personalized Linen Napkins

Sundance catalog has great rustic flatware and serving pieces.

I love the below Artisan Hammered Flatware.

$35/ 5-piece set.

Hammered Flatware

Pottery Barn has great wooden platters and serving bowls. They come in an array of shapes and sizes.

                          

Vintage Wood Platters

Flowers. I think sunflowers would be a perfect touch here. Simplicity is key. Go for a simple glass vase. Even a mason jar would do.

So let's get to the fun part, um... the Food!

A typical Tuscan meal has a certain format. An Antipasti is the appetizer and is the first course which includes Prosciutto, salami and marinated veggies. Also, a selection of cheese such as provolone, mozzarella and roasted red peppers.

Primi is the next course and I am feeling a nice crisp salad.

My favorite is Caesar and I have a fabulous recipe-

    Ceasar Salad

Secondi is the second course. For this, usually a meat or seafood. I am more of a fish kinda gal so i'm going to go with my fav, zuppa di pesce. Fresh, fragrant Italian bread to soak up the sauce from the zuppa is most necessary. 

zuppa di pesce

Dolce, which is the 'sweet' course or the dessert will finish the party (well, and the flowing vino). This can include seasonal fruit, cakes, or Italian ice cream like Gelato. Go to a good Italian restaurant or deli and pick up a few different flavors of Gelato.

And last, but definitely not least, the wine!

Kick back, relax, close your eyes and with enough Pinot Noir, you may just think you really are in Tuscany for a fleeting moment.