Lunch @ RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Yesterday we were fortunate enough to enjoy a leisurely and delectable lunch at the newly renovated RAYA, (former Restaurant 162' at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel).

RAYA, a restaurant concept by acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval, showcases Coastal Californian seafood with a sophisticated blend of Latin-inspired styles and flavors, with ingredients from around the globe. RAYA's menu features a wide variety of local, sustainable and organic seafood and delicacies from Southern California.

RAYA reopens to the public tomorrow, May 24, 2010.

Please see the information page RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

to see their entire menu and specials, hours of operation, and additional details on the entire resort and all the wonderful amenities they offer.

Here is a sneak peek of my savory Lobster Salad (butter poached lobster, sweet

potato puree, baby spinach, yuzu-port reduction)

which was paired rather nicely with a savory glass of champagne!

Free Printable Milk + Cookie Favor Boxes

Found on The Sweetest Occasion are these fabulous DIY Milk + Cookie

Favors created by Paper Crave.

These printable milk carton favor boxes, "report card" recipe cards, and envelopes

help create everything from school-themed children's parties, teacher appreciations,

baby showers, picnics in the park, vintage parties, or even late night "to go" snacks for

wedding guests.

Place baked goodies in the favor boxes for guests to take home, and include the recipe

for the goodies and other favorites in the report card envelopes so they can make their own yummies long after they've finished yours.

[Tip: wrap baked goods in oven parchment or waxed paper before placing in the favor

boxes so any butter or oil in the treats won't leak onto the box].

Additional decorating ideas:

Use the recipe report card envelopes as place cards for each guest by adding labels with their names to the front.

Use bowls of apples or bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils (for adult parties where pointy things aren't an issue) to create table centerpieces.

Set up a coloring station with boxes of crayons and coloring pages for a fun activity for both children and adults.

Write the party menu on a chalkboard, and hang it on the wall or place it in some other prominent area where everyone can see.

Download your free milk carton favor box / recipe cards / report card envelope templates

{Real Party} Owl Themed First Birthday Party

I'm going to be posting some owl-inspired parties in the coming weeks. I just love the

idea that you can use the theme for a baby shower ("whoo is going to have a baby") or a birthday party ("look whoo is turning one") or even a valentine brunch ("whoo loves you");

or in this case the party invitation was inscribed "it will be a hoot"!

In any event, I think it's an adorable theme and you can customize it in so many different

color palette's as you will see in my upcoming posts!

This adorable birthday party was planned by Kallie with Kallie Brynn Photography.

She chose a color scheme of peaches and pinks and added owls for fun. Be sure to head over to Kallie's blog to read about all the DIY details she incorporated (including the handmade cake topper), a touch I think it so sentimental for a first birthday party!

DIY Vintage Apothecary Jars - Free Labels

Inspired by vintage apothecary labels, I found these decorative labels designed by

Eat Drink Chic. Simply downloaded and attached them to beautiful colored glass bottles!

Download Free Label Template

Instructions: Print out onto glossy white stock and cut around the edge of the labels. To stick them onto the bottles, use double-sided tape.

These glass bottles were purchased from Ikea, however, you can always find apothecary jars at flea markets, antique and thrift stores.

The bottles can be used for a variety of reasons including flower vases as part of centerpieces.

Ultimate Desert Summer Fiesta

This is the ultimate dessert summer fiesta originally spotted on Design Sponge and compliments the free DIY printables I posted yesterday.

A lot of tissue paper was used for the decor in this styled shoot, including banners, drink stirrers and tissue paper fringe was sewn on at the top and the bottom of the invitations. Not only did carry the theme throughout the event, but it's an inexpensive way to decorate!

To make the overhead decor out of tissue paper, simply fold the tissue paper in half a couple of times and then use scissors to fringe the bottom. Then, using fishing line and thick wooden dowels or poles that have been placed in the ground, hang the tissue paper gently onto the fishing line. Tip: if the ground is hard, you can also get buckets or posts and then fill with dirt/sand and rocks. Hanging the banners from tree to tree also works well.

The signature drink was Mint Mojitos and a simple dessert of Mexican Wedding Cookies

serve as the perfect compliments to this dessert oasis party!

The place card holders doubled as cactus planter favors for the guests to take home. To recreate the place card, simply print out the names of your guests, cut them down to the size you like, sew or stitch on some fringe, then attach to a thick stick with a nail.

Photos and blog post found on and adapted from Our Blog of Love

Head over to their blog to see a list of all the talented designers and stylists

Event Design & Styling by Ashley Meaders of The Flashdance

Free DIY Printable ~ Pre-Wedding Fiesta Invitations

If you are planning a pre-wedding fiesta, whether it's in your backyard, at the beach,

or at a sun-drenched destination resort, here is a free DIY printable invitation template

and matching address labels you can customize for your party!

The invitation design is a fun, fresh color palette of sea foam, emerald and a touch of

tangy yellow, along with design details inspired by traditional Mexican motifs!

There is also a more spicy option, a second version of the invitation in chili red.

Check back tomorrow ~ I will be posting the ultimate Mexican summer fiesta!

Download your free templates HERE

The templates are easy to use, all you need is Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download for free if you don't already have it.

For the invitation:

Type your wording in the template, print on cards tock and trim using the crop marks as a guide.

For the address labels:

Type your return address in the template, then print on Avery labels #5164 (3 1/3" x 4") 6 labels per sheet.

Photos, DIY templates, and post adapted from The Sweetest Occasion

{Real Party} Vintage Puppy Themed Birthday Party

I love vintage themed parties and fell in love with this Puppy Themed Party I found on

The Sweetest Occasion! Photographer Jeremy Harwell's wife planned and designed the

party in celebration of their daughter's birthday and I absolutely adore all of the handmade vintage-inspired elements. Such a great assortment of buttons, ribbons and pretty patterned fabric! Of course, being the dog lover that I am, I can help but think this would be so

'dog-on' cute for your puppy's birthday too! =)