Another December, another company holiday party… and they seem to get just a little more fun with every passing year. We got the team together last week to celebrate all the photographers, writers, stylists, designers and other creatives who have made this year the best yet, and of course, we couldn’t resist sharing a few of our favorite moments. Hopefully it’s not too late to pickup a little inspiration for your own holiday gatherings… and at the very least, be sure to mix up a batch of my pomegranate punch on Christmas Eve! Click through for all the festive details shot by Sweet Louise Photography…
Tall branches dripping with red berries are an effortless and totally statement-making holiday centerpiece. These (and all the other blooms & greenery at the party) are from our friends over at The Nouveau Romantics, who always manage to get it just right.
I put together a massive dessert spread that was made-up mostly of (shh) things I picked up from the bakery at Whole Foods. Just goes to show that it really is all in the presentation!
A call to duty! I found these darling invitations at Minted, and knew they’d be perfect.
Lots of different levels add interest to a buffet — I used loads of different cake stands and platters to vary the heights and turn the food into a beautiful decorative element. This beauty is my current favorite from (where else?) Anthropologie.
Oh, how I love this bar cart… I think it’s my favorite purchase of 2013. (And hurry — it’s one of those Target must-haves that I have a feeling will sell out in about 5 minutes!) I used it to setup our Prosecco bar…
Iced-down bottles of bubbly, a couple of fancy mix-in’s like Luxardo cherry liqueur and St-Germain, and a bowl of sugared cranberries were so pretty, and the perfect little setup to greet guests at the door! I used this recipe to make the cranberries.
You didn’t think I’d forget the punch, did you? It’s become a bit of a Camille Styles tradition, and this year I actually had to make a second batch to satisfy, ahem, thirsty guests. Here’s what went in it (I quadrupled this recipe!)
Camille’s Pomegranate Punch
- 3 cups pomegranate juice
- 1/2 cup orgeat (almond) syrup
- 1 1/2 cups mandarin vodka
- 2 bottles champagne
- garnish: orange slices, grapefruit slices, cinnamon sticks, fresh mint
Combine the juice, syrup and vodka in a punch bowl. Stir to combine, then add champagne, citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, mint and tons of ice. Enjoy!
The best thing about punch? Guests can help themselves to seconds without having to ask, and I’m not left playing bartender all night!
Did I mention that the Peached Tortilla pulled their truck up in front of my house? Everyone braved the chilly temps to get their hands on the mouthwatering Banh Mi tacos, brisket sliders and sweet potato fries. Best party food, hands down.
A couple of my fave shutterbugs (Molly & Chelsea) get cozy by the fire.
Mexican wedding cookies, peppermint wafers and seven-layer bars were total crowd-pleasers… the holidays are always the perfect time to consume way too much sugar, don’t you agree?
I skewered some of the sparkling cranberries so guests could flavor their bubbly with a sugary stir stick.
Team CS! Chanel and Jenn get all dolled up in their festive frocks.
The leftovers from this cinnamon popcorn have been the death of me. Even Phoebe’s been waking up from her naps asking for “pop pops!”
Love these creative ladies (and their red lipstick!), Chelsea, Kate and Wynn!
Doesn’t get much prettier than big, fat peonies, and this shade of burgundy is so perfect for the holidays. Beautifully done, team Nouveau Romantics!
My favorite thing about each year’s party? It’s a warm and fuzzy reminder of the talented and amazingly kind people we get to work with all the time, and getting them all together in one room always promises to be an extra special night. (here, our contributors Ana & Cristina.) Cheers to an amazing 2013 — can’t wait to see what lovely and inspiring moments the next year holds!
Check out more of Carrie’s work over on her portfolio site, here!
