by Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

I love this candy garland!! I’ve used yards of it to decorate a candy bar at the most outrageous birthday party and now to decorate my colorful Christmas tree! Here’s how you do it.

Candy Wrapper Garland
(about 15 candy pieces per foot of garland)

Ingredients: 
4-inch Multicolored candy foils in a variety of colors (each peanut takes one foil to wrap, about 15 peanuts per foot)
Recycled packing peanuts (I used the white biodegradable kind that seem to multiply in my studio)
Embroidery floss (I used grey)
1 large needle

What to do: 

Step 01: Lay candy foil out flat, place packing peanut towards the bottom in the middle.

Step 02: From bottom to top, begin to roll the packing peanut up

Step 03: Once rolled, twist both ends like a candy.
Pro Tip: Twist carefully so you don’t rip the foil.

Step 04: Thread the floss through the middle of each peanut carefully to form a garland. I kept my series of colors consistent, but feel free to mix it up. About 15 pieces of “candy” per foot of garland.

Watch the video to get a sneak peek at one of my Christmas trees this year! 

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

When I was 13, I had my first innocent and lackluster make out sesh with a boy named Tom. We were both dressed in handmade costumes, (Tom’s more elaborate than mine) at a campy Halloween party and The Monster Mash was on repeat. This vintage-inspired Halloween Party is for you Tom…wherever you and your husband are now.

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by Candace Brower and Anthony Lunsmann
Photography by Cedric Smith

When one of the coolest chicks in the land (I’m talking about you Autumn Van Gunten) is turning 40 and her even cooler boyfriend (Yep, that’s you Cedric Smith) asks you to cater a little surprise dinner party for her and her closest friends, you scream HELL YES!

Inspired by the juicy ruby colored fruit of the season, I used cherries to inform the table and the menu spectacle for this very special event.

The result, like Autumn, a total cherry bomb!!!

The menu on a chalkboard made of a vintage vanity mirror

Greens, roses, fresh cherries and vintage milk glass ran down the middle of the farm tables as a centerpiece. 

The birthday girl, Autumn, in blue and feeling happy surrounded by her dearest friends including her best friend who flew in from Ohio for the surprise! 
Me…explaining the menu and looking tired! 🙂 

First Course (sat on the table for guests to pour themselves):
Southern Peanut Soup 

Second Course:
Salad of Pea Shoots, Avocado and Watermelon

Tablescape Ingredients: Fresh rosemary, eucalyptus, fresh cherries, pink roses, garden greens, vintage glassware, mix of flatware, torn french fabric napkins, mix and match plates, vintage milk glass, glass cloches and burlap. 

Main Course:
Slow Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Fried Potatoes, Cherry Salsa, Handmade Charred Tortillas

Happy 40th Birthday Autumn!

by Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

If you’re the person who gave me this book years and years ago…thank you. For the life of me, I can’t remember who it was or when it was or where I put my keys an hour ago. Nevertheless, this was a fun reference to pull out and play using my custom dyed bandanas. I think this book is out of print, but do yourself a solid and invest in one. It’s so cheeky it’s cool.

The Everyday Fold

The Sail Boat

The Palm Leaf

The Buffet Napkin Fold

The Rooster

by Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

Hand-dyed and inspired by the colors of tropical fruit, these bandanas aren’t just for tying around your neck! I share 4 ways to take a bandana from ordinary to extraordinary!

https://www.facebook.com/AFoodInspiredLife/videos/1612599278770940/