Monday, October 29, 2012

Wine Club's Halloween Party

Our wine club met here Saturday night and we had a frightfully good time!  Since everyone brings an appetizer,  it was not a very labor intensive event.  As an example, the flowers here are very simply mounded into Oasis.  With a black tablecloth, I needed some contrast, so I used an antique doily under this felt trick-or-treat bucket from Target.  

Then these brilliant orange roses co-operated perfectly and were fully open just in time.  

Here's the table before any food.  I hadn't even taken the chairs away yet.

Love these napkins from Target!

This greeted the guests on the outside of the door.  This iron grill has a little "speak-easy" type door behind it.  When the doorbell rang, we cranked up the fog machine for a good puff of fog, slowly opened the little door, and stuck a mechanical skeleton hand out.  It was fun to hear the giggles on the other side.  Call me immature, but these things never get old!!!

These glittery pumpkins that I used as a fall centerpiece earlier in the week for my bridge luncheon (post to follow) were moved to the sideboard and I added black glittery pumpkins and a skull with orange votives.  I placed them on that gauzy "creepy cloth" from the Dollar Store. 

The other chest in the dining room had a few lovelies on it.  See that hand?  It's battery operated and that's what I stuck out the little door in the entry door.

In the living room, the coffee table got a few fun items.  The other candelabra and a black urn with the rest of the white mums gave it some height.

And this plate held some glittery bones and skull.

My little French shepherd girl moved over to this side table.

On the kitchen counter, I put this wire witch stuffed with moss.  See her broom?  I added a black cat and a small pumpkin in the straw.

The wine glasses are lined up in the bar.

And for later, the coffee cups.....

and the set up for coffee are ready.

Here's the dessert table.  I put my salted carmel cupcakes in this white wire basket and served a terrific pumpkin praline cheesecake with them.

She's ready to count the calories for us.

I always make sure the powder rooms are ready for a party.

Just a few touches make guests feel welcome.

This is the one room in our house where these colors work well!

I still love this glass log and the way it can be used so many different ways.

Each couple got a little booklet with information about each of the six tastings.  I chose all wines with a Halloween theme.  It took a long time, and reds were easy with lots to choose from, but the whites made me work!  I chose "Twisted" Pinot Grigio , "Ghost Pines" Chardonnay, "Black Cat" Reisling, "Vampire" Pinot Noir, "Cult" Cabernet, and "Poizin" zinfandel.  All but one were a hit.  Not too bad!!!

I planned on taking more photos after dark, but as soon as the candles were lit and I was ready to shoot, the doorbell rang, and our first couple was there.  They were 15 minutes early.  Whooooo does that?????

Tabletop Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Open House Thursday

Tablescape Thursday

Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Fridays Unfold

Seasonal Sundays

Let's Dish







17 comments:

  1. You'd think with all the spare body parts laying around that someone could have given you a helping hand with all the work!?

    This was very well done!

    Andie

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  2. Terrific Halloween vignettes! I love all your dishes with ghosts! Great!! Happy Halloween from Table To Tuesday! Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  3. Great vignettes. What a great party idea.

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  4. What a fun party set up, Linda! You really outdid yourself! I must be a kid at heart, too, because I love the idea of the fog machine and the skeleton hand out the door! It just adds to the spooky fun! Seriously?!? You had someone to show up early?!?!?!! That always freaks me out. I use those 15-20 minutes prior to "show time" to catch my breath, light candles, turn on the music, put ice in the cooler...all those last minute kinds of things. When people show up early I always end up forgetting something! Off with their heads...then put some salad greens around those heads and add them to the decor! :-) :-) :-)

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  5. Oh how fun and all of the decor is unreal. Thanks for joining TTT Hugs, marty

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  6. How funny and what a great way to get a party going with the creepy hand at the door!! All of your deco looks great...especially the pile of bones!

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  7. Clever idea for a Halloween party. The wine selection sounds interesting. I'm going to look for these just to see the wine labels. ;-)
    Happy Halloween.......Sarah

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  8. Well! Looks like a great time! Those salted caramel cupcakes sound divine and all your attention to detail is amazing. Early guests? Off with their heads!

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  9. Wow, it looks great! You have amazing attention to detail! Here from Inspiration Friday. (I have that gauzy dollar store fabric too-isn't it great?!)

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  10. You did a lovely job with the table. I really liked the little menu cards and I am so impressed with the note cards you made. Did you watercolor each one yourself. Wow. So pretty.
    Yes, I have a couple of groups of dear friends that I have known for years and it's always fun when we share lunch at one of our homes. All of us share a love of entertaining and each time we get together there is sure to be fun and good eats.
    Karen

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  11. I bet your Bridge Buddies love coming to your home. Just beautiful! Visiting from Table Top Tuesday and am your newest follower. Stop by Still Woods Farmhouse when you get a chance!

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  12. Toile Table,
    Love this tablescape for your luncheon!!! That Lenox salad palte is exquisite!!! Your menu and parting stationery are works of art! The tea and coffee tray with those adorable pots has to be my very favorite! I adore how the rest of your decor was truly, eye candy for the event and the Season! Thank you for sharing...visiting from Marty's!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  13. First, LOVE the chair treatment!!!!!! Wow, Linda! That really rocks!!! REALLY rocks!!! The wreath chargers are a really great touch because of the color, the beads, and the wispiness. Love 'em! The salad looks extra inviting on the beautiful leaf plate, and I'm sure the dessert was equally gorgeous. I am a big Mirassou wine fan. The pinot grigio is mmm-mmm good! The little pepper shaker dude looks guilty of something. What's his deal? :-) He looks like the cat that ate the canary! Or the squirrel that ate the....well, you get my drift! :-) GORGEOUS 3-D menus and very thoughtful (and useful!) favors!!! I love all the little touches of fall around the house, too. I'm sure your guests felt EXTRA welcome and pampered!!!

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  14. What a well thought out party. Enjoyed all your great touches...

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  15. I want to be a bridge buddy! LOL! Beautiful table-LOVE those plates for the gooey pumpkin cake! Thanks for sharing your beautiful style! Hugs, Meghan

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  16. Linda, I'm back to visit this beautiful setting. Lots of inspiration here.

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