Fiesta Time

It's quite fitting that Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday this year. More fiesta time with less hesitation to imbibe one more margarita-- knowing that the office bell doesn't ring in the morning (just Church or something like that). But, anyways, it's party time. If you're having a few friends over with no extraordinary plans in mind, no need to hustle and bustle over the setup, just pull out the salted rims, gauc and chips and maybe a sweet treat like these adorable cacti cookies.

If you're feeling extra festive, then maybe a few of my decor ideas will lend a hand. I pulled together some of the cactus plants I had laying around the house to spruce up my table along with a colorful woven tablecloth from my latest travels to Mexico. A clever use of some extra terra-cotta pot saucers made for the perfect app size plates. A fun centerpiece idea, a piñata! If you don't have the time to make my DIY version, I'm sure the party store has a few Cinco de Mayo worthy paper pieces in stock. The mini margarita glasses were a Homegoods, as were the tassel trimmed napkins. Find more alike pieces linked below. Enjoy!

Creep It Real Bar Cart

I love Halloween. I love candy, dressing up in ridiculous and creative costumes, seeing kids dress up as their icons, decorating with monsters and blood and all that scary stuff. No parties happening over here at the Nord house, but I absolutely decked out our bar cart for my own interest. I went with an underworld theme, using a RIP garland from Target, faux bones from the party store, along with my DIY bloody pumpkins, and more. I couldn't pass up a spider web either! Happy Halloween! xo RCN

Pine Magnolia Garland

Garlands are very festive and naturally beautiful when made out of greens, flowers, and leaves. This holiday I wanted to emphasize our floor to ceiling length mirror with a green garland. When we bought our Christmas tree, the tree farm allowed us to recycle and take as many extra greens as we liked. I took a few dried stems of Magnolia leaves from the bedroom, the extra greens from the tee farm, and voila! The base of the garland is a faux wired garland, that I simply attached and wired the greens onto. At the end of the season, I will remove the fresh greens and save the faux garland as my base for next year, again. xo RCN

Bottoms Up Bar Cart

It's only natural that your bar cart gets a face lift when it comes to the holidays. Not only, does it likely need re-stocking of the booze, but also some festive primping. Here is a snapshot of our bar cart mood and necessities for the upcoming hosting, partying, and drinking that will be had. When it comes to Christmas, I can't help, but be a little over the top with all the decorations. What are your must haves on the bar cart?  Oh, and if you are not hosting anyone this year, then I have just the thing to bring along with you to your hostess. Keep scrolling and you'll see. xo RCN

I like to use the bottom of the bar cart for glasses and bottles. I used a polka dot place mat beneath the clear glasses to give them a foundation on our glass and plexi bar cart. The glasses stand out more without mixing into all the other glass.

My Mom gave me a pack of mini trees, from Target, when I was home for Thanksgiving. I went back and bought a couple more packs! $3 and so worth it. The "Party" bottle opener was a $2 find at Homegoods.

If you are going to have the wine flowing, beautiful bottle stoppers are a must. I like to keep a few on hand that mesh nice with the theme. It's nice to include something personal, and something seasonal.

Cocktail napkins are important, especially if you don't want to be cleaning up millions of sticky rings off of your counters and tables. I found these cute "Cheers" napkins at Homegoods.

The confetti was also a Target find. A pack for $3. Can't beat it. I love that they are wood, too.

Straws and stirrers are also a must on the bar cart. I'll admit, not many people love to use paper straws, but they are so darn cute that I can't stop buying them. If not for nothing, the polka dot pattern ties in well with the look of the cart and adds more color.

Our glasses come from many places, Crate & Barrel, Target, Vintage, Anthropologie, Homegoods...I can go on. For Christmas, I like to bring out some of our festive glasses, like the "Oh Deer" beer mugs from Target.

Lastly, if the party is happening elsewhere, pack the booze and bring it with you. If you want to update your wine host and hostess gifts, think about bringing a different liquor. Packaging always sells me, and Smirnoff does a great job with their Peppermint Vodka. I picked up a wine bag for one dollar at Total Wine, added some peppermint candies and a matchy-matchy bow. Easy and different than last year. Cheers!