Stay Curious, Don't Stay Too Long.

Life is the ultimate seesaw.  We stay in one place too long and we might feel bored or stifled.  We move around too much--seeking and searching--and we can become a bottomless pit of curiosity, never feeling fulfilled.  For me, I think finding a balance will be my forever quest. 

I keep these books in my living room to remind me to always travel and to stay curious.  But, I keep the mala beads on top because they were given to me at a yoga class right down the street from my apartment.  Which, reminds me that the best gifts are sometimes right around the corner.

The monkey is sort of my apartment's best friend.  On any given day, you may see him on a make-shift bar holding pistachio nuts and another week he will hold court with matchboxes in his banana bowl for easy candle lighting.  Some weeks, he also travels to my desk to hold a stack of my business cards. So, he moves around alot, but also likes to be right at home.

Gypsies & Desert Moons

I love when something small inspires me to host a party.  Like a postcard or a book. 

I feverishly snatched up this book "Gypset", published by Assouline, when I saw it marked down at Saks on the top floor. The styles are seductive whether you love a bohemian look or not.  Think squash blossom turquoise necklaces, flowing pants and scarfs in the hair.

I gave a copy to my mom (she named her dog Gypsy!) because she was a former boho-chic kind of girl, but also, I knew she would find inspiration for decorating her home in the book.

I can't wait to invite friends to arrive in their own version of a Gypset style to the party.  I've already ordered little gold bell anklets to pass out to the ladies at the door and am working on a recipe for a "Desert Moon" cocktail.  

Until then, let's keep the free spirit in our souls, Mermaids. xo

Fall Fetes.

Fall is in the air. High boots, chunky sweaters and lots more walking around the city now that it's not like walking through "Humidity Soup".  Other things I can't wait for: Pumpkin soup, butternut squash "fries" and hosting an Octoberfest party.

At my Octoberfest party, the perfect party favor will be the ingredients to make homemade mulling spices packaged in a mason jar with a recipe card. 

As the guest of a Fall fete last month, my perfect hostess gift was this pot of lavender honey I picked up in September from the Sag Harbor Farmer's Market.

This is my favorite recipe for mulling spices. It’s so easy!

2 t whole allspice
1/4 t whole cloves
1 whole cinnamon stick
1 strip orange rind, thinly peeled

Put the above ingredients in a plastic zip-top bag and beat gently with a rolling pin. Bring two cups of water to a boil and then add a couple of tablespoons of your mulling spices. Simmer the mixture for a warm and inviting smell. Store the remaining mulling spices in an airtight container. An even easier way to achieve this is to simmer apple cider on the stove mixed with a few sticks of cinnamon but be careful not to overboil!  I once ruined a great pan by turning the water on too high.

Mull away Mermaids. XO

Down and Derby Time!

Mermaids were off to the races this weekend celebrating the fabulous Kentucky Derby.  Want to host your own 'Day at the Derby' party?

The Betting Guest: A fun invitation idea--create and send out betting sheets that feature the details of your event and ask your guests to bring them to the party with their top horse picks for the chance to win prizes.

"Minty & The Thoroughbred": Get into the spirit of the south by providing mint juleps accompanied by mini pecan pies.  We love serving up two versions of this classic cocktail,  this year we themed them "Minty & The Thoroughbred".  The Thoroughbred was for our guests that craved a little less mint, a little more bourbon...if you plan ahead you can pre-order authentic mint julep cups that are monogrammed. 

Buffet of Roses: You don’t need to be at Churchill Downs to make your place feel like you’re racing for the roses.  Dress your buffet table with a bed of roses...cut tons of red rosebuds and place them along the center of your table.  Buy another bouquet of miniature red rosebuds and create horseshoe shapes with those to decorate the corners of large white serving platters.  Go to the hardware store and purchase some brass rings, those will look great as napkin rings.  Buy two or three traditional black velvet riding hats (or plastic to be cheap and chic), overturn, place white bowls inside and fill with appetizers like chips and dips, nuts, etc.

Leave Your Boots at the Door: A fun way to welcome your guests to your party?  Visit a local tack shop or log onto eBay and buy a vintage pair of black riding boots.  Fill each one with a lovely green topiary tree and place the pair at the door as a celebratory greeting for your guests.  

Hats Off: Big, beautiful hats are a requirement; if guests forget - set up a little "stable table" at the party with plenty of plastic “derby” hats found at your local party supply store.  Lay out beads, feathers, flowers and glue next to the hats so guests can decorate and write the names of the horses they are rooting for!   Go to a thrift store or search online for some beautiful and budget-friendly hats--hang them throughout your home on doors or give some away as prizes to those lucky betters.

Southern Goodbye: A fun party favor?  Monogrammed Southern Style Fans  Guests will look oh-so-gracious leaving your soiree with fans in hand.
 Wishing everyone a fabulous Derby Day from the Coasts to Kentucky. Celebrate and Swim Lightly,

The Mermaids

'Laid Back' Love With A Twist...

A wedding that was nothing short of breathtaking was perfectly captured by one of our favorite photographers, Abby Liga.

The stunning bride, Katie, and her professional wake boarder groom, Kyle, wanted a laid back atmosphere to reflect their fun loving personalities but still craved an elegant setting.

Katie and Kyle struck the perfect balance between formal and fun.  Guests were welcomed with cranberry garnished champagne flutes as they were seated at sunset to watch the ceremony. Later, guests helped themselves to a S'mores bar, an old fashioned candy bar and then rode their sugar highs to a surprise trunk full of disguises and a Polaroid camera where they captured memories for the couple's photo guest book.

The Mermaids were thrilled to be a part of this beautiful day.

Celebrate and Swim Lightly,

The Mermaids

Hop To It, Hostess!

A quick and easy hostess gift for Easter? Start with a beautiful spring potted plant.....

........Next, scatter wrapped Easter egg chocolates through out the plant to create a mini Easter egg hunt for the kids at the table.

And don't forget a bottle of bubbly for the adults at the table; enjoy!

Holiday Spotlight

The Mermaids love nothing more than when people come together to find creative ways to celebrate. 

Our holiday spotlight shines on a group of friends who have a kept a tradition called "The Holiday Loop".  This is their TWELFTH year (simply amazing!) so this year is appropriately themed:

The Twelve Days of Christmas.
How does it work? A few friends volunteer their homes as a "stop" on the loop. After the theme and all of the stops are decided, each person creates a menu, cocktail, decor and attire based on the theme. 
 
Creative Invite Idea for Loop:  FOUR CALLING BIRDS...
 

First Stop on the Loop: FIVE GOLDEN RINGS...
Appetizers at Don and Margaret's House - Don and Margaret are making five different appetizers that are round and will serve beautiful gold sparkling champagne with artistic golden rings around each glass stem.

The Mermaids also like the idea of scattering clusters of 5 gold tealights around your tablescape.

Second Stop: THREE FRENCH HENS...

Dinner is served at Shelley's house!  Shelley is making three cornish hens paired with a festive French wine.

SIX GEESE A-LAYING...

A cute and creative centerpiece for her table!

Third Stop: TWO TURTLE DOVES...
Dessert at Karen and Mark's house. Karen and Mark are making chocolate turtle doves and serving Raspberry Chocolate Turtle Dove martinis.

TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING...
And, delicious "Pa-Rum-Pa-Rum-Drum" Chocolate Rum Cupcakes!

Fourth Stop:
Holiday gift swap and cocktails at Tim and Jeanette's house. Guests will do their holiday gift exchange as well as play a few games and winners choose from these great themed prizes:

NINE LADIES DANCING...

TEN LORDS A-LEAPING...

Loop In Style!

Renting a car service allows everyone to be safe and enjoy the ride to each stop, together.

Loop Down Memory Lane.
Here are some of their favorite themes from the past:

• Black and White: Everything from food, drinks, decorations and attire must be black and white.
• Ugly Wedding Attire: We will let you use your imaginations for this one!
• Tacky Tourist:  Each home was a different tourist attraction like "I Heart NY" or "Dessert at Disney",  Attire ranged from logo tees, shorts and fannypacks to sandals worn with socks! 

Thank you to our festive friends in Melbourne, Florida for sharing great ideas and fun memories.

Celebrate and Swim Lightly, 

The Mermaids