party on the porch

Party on the Porch = fun party for a good cause! Hello, my name is Jenna and I have Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I also have amazing support from my friends and family, and that is why I am who I am today suffering from these diseases. Sorry to get personal … but this is very close to my heart …

Every year, I plan to host a party with my good friends Amanda and Lee for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Even writing this short post, I am getting teary eyed with emotion. It is still very hard for me to accept, live with, and suffer with. 1 out of 10 people with Crohn’s and/or Colitis will be diagnosed with Colon Cancer – which is why I am making an effort to be active in finding a cure – not only for me, but for all the children and other adults suffering from these obscure, mysterious diseases. This event is a way to get beloved friends and family together, but more importantly, we are trying to raise awareness (and hopefully a cure in the future) for these awful Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Thanks to everyone’s support for the party this year: Fleur de Lis (a paperie), Raw Perspective Photography (Kristopher Lewis), Justin Donovan Band, The Ruffly Rose, 3o3 Magazine, Denise Plante, and all our friends and family who came out to support this special cause … THANK YOU! I look forward to next year’s Party on the Porch 🙂

Please contact Jenna at Fleur de Lis for more information on donating, sponsorship opportunities for 2012, and more information on the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and Crohn’s and Colitis Diseases. Thanks to all our loved ones for attending this year, and wearing your white … we hope to see you next year!

{images via Raw Perspective Photography}

royal wedding viewing party

To most women (or at least to me), the royal wedding is equivalent to the Super Bowl… times 10. I am beyond excited to watch the historic events unfold. I’m a sucker for romance, and it’s a true Cinderella story. A commoner (a beautiful one) meets a handsome prince. They date. Fall in love. He proposes with Princess Diana’s gorgeous sapphire ring. She says yes. They are to be wed in front of millions at the Westminster Abbey.

At least for a day, girls everywhere believe, even more than ever, that they too can and will meet their prince charming and be a ‘princess.’

It’s a perfect opportunity for a royal wedding viewing party. Here are my ideas and inspiration board. Invite your girlfriends over…it’s a party fit for royalty.

Cheers!

P.S. Be sure to TiVo the event, as it will be aired either really early in the morning or really late at night, depending on where you live.

royalteawatchingparty

Food: Serve blueberry scones with jam. Shortbread cookies with a variety of teas, of course. Strawberry champagne. Assortment of tea sandwiches and strawberries and cream on cake stands and pretty platters. Champagne cupcakes courtesy of With Style and Grace.

Decor: DIY Britain flag table cloth. Floral arrangements in vintage or new tea tins. Tea cups placed on DIY mini cupcake stands (tutorial to arrive soon). DIY or store-bought British flag banner. British cupcake toppers or free printable from The TomKat Studio. For place cards at the table, remove the tags from tea bags, replace them with small handwritten name tags for each one of your friends.

Favors: Each friend receives a pearl necklace wrapped around a napkin (set at each place setting) with a replica diamond sapphire ring on top so she is made to feel like a princess. Or tell your girlfriends to pucker up with royal lip gloss.

Be sure to tell guests to wear their best hat. Ask each guest to bring a vintage tea cup and saucer. You can stack and use as decor, and even swap a tea cup and saucer set with a friend at the end of the party.

 {images via Martha Stewart, The Party Dress, People online, The Charm of Home, All Things Nice, HGTV, Food Network, Celebrations at Home}