2 lovely fall wreath.

Since the fall dinner party that I held was in honor of my mom's birthday, I needed to make her a birthday present! I put together this wreath a few days before the party and she loved it! I'm hoping it will greet me at the front door tomorrow when we arrive at my parents' house. I cannot wait to go home for Thanksgiving and see my family! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels if you happen to be traveling!

2 the holiday season.

As I mentioned before, I love the holidays.  I couldn't hold off on decorating any longer, so when we got back from Minneapolis today I put up our Christmas tree!  I know it's not even Thanksgiving, but we are leaving to go to the UP on Wednesday so I wanted to get everything decorated before we left.  That way when we come home we'll be all set for Christmas!  I added some purple ornaments to the usual red and green this year for a little added interest.  I think I like it, although the purple ones don't really show up in pictures.

Now I just need to wrap some presents to put under the tree...

Have you put your tree up yet?

0 lovely decor: no-sew fabric wreath.

I love this fabric wreath idea from V&CO on So You Think You're Crafty! I might have to make one to hang in our apartment for Christmas with some of my fabric scraps. Good news for the non-sewers out there, this doesn't require a single stitch. Hot glue guns are your friend.

Get the tutorial from V&CO on SYTYC.

2 grateful for: sisters.

Yesterday we had a little scare in our family that reminded me that your whole life can be turned upside down in a matter of seconds. My sister got into an accident and rolled her car. Luckily she was wearing a seatbelt, and that seatbelt saved her life. Thankfully there was no one in the passenger seat, because that side of the car was essentially ripped to pieces. My sister has some bumps and bruises but she is alive and virtually unscathed, thank goodness. Incidents like these remind me to tell the people that I love how much they mean to me, because you never know when they'll be taken away.

Today (and everyday) I am grateful for my sisters. Lindsay, Dani, Gabrielle, Angela & Megan I love you all! I'm so lucky to have such wonderful sisters like you.

0 resisting temptation.

I hate to admit it, but I am one of those people that wants to decorate for Christmas as soon as Halloween is over.  I'm trying to resist the temptation to actually be one of those people who decorates before Thanksgiving.  But today I just had to buy these beautiful glittery green trees at Target.  And now they are sitting on the floor just waiting for me to bust out the rest of the decorations and start spreading the holiday cheer in our apartment.  I'll keep resisting at least until tomorrow.

Glittery tabletop tree from Target.

1 pretty paper garlands.

I am a huge fan of Christmas. Even though it doesn't feel like winter yet outside, I have the holidays on my mind. How cute would these little garlands look wrapped around Christmas presents? Very cute I think.

Garlands from KristinaMarie's etsy shop via elephantine.

7 lovely events: a fall dinner party, part II.

Now that you've seen the inspiration for the party, it's time to see the results!

My family really enjoyed the fancy fall-inspired dinner. My mom said she had never had such an elaborate dinner in her honor. I loved putting it all together for her!

Next up, I'll show you how do put together a tablescape like this one, including a tutorial on the pinecone napkin rings, dinner recipes, and some handmade birthday gifts!

2 lovely events: a fall dinner party.

Last month, my husband and I hosted a dinner party at our apartment. The party was in honor of my mother's birthday. She was traveling to visit us with my aunt and my sisters and I wanted to surprise her with a beautiful fall tablescape and an autumn-inspired dinner. Here is the inspiration for the party.

All images from Martha Stewart except dining room image, from Better Homes & Gardens.

Stay tuned for photos, recipes, and DIY projects to create your own fall dinner party. The way the weather has been lately, you could still plan your own before the first snowfall!

5 what's in a name?

Welcome to bijou lovely.  This blog is named after my great grandmother, Bijou Lillian, who encouraged me to embrace all the lovely things that the world has to offer.  She used to say that if you looked at a flower, REALLY looked at it, that it would be impossible to believe that there was no God in this world.  I hope to provide you with inspiration for events, design, and daily life here at bijou lovely!  It's truly lovely to have you here.