The Prettiest Lunch You Ever Did See

Fall has arrived here in Vancouver and with each season comes a new reason to celebrate and find joy. It has been raining a lot here this past week and I mean A LOT! However, rain always makes me appreciate my home, my warm cozy home that I am blessed to live in with my loved ones. 

To celebrate the season we hosted a Fall themed lunch to honour a few of the mentors in our life. As young moms we are often meeting with other young moms and their kids and talk about our children; what's working, what's not, the strifes, the woes and the joyful moments. We talk about it all! However, there are many times when I have needed advice or wisdom or just a landing spot from someone who has walked the same path as me and done it extremely well (in my opinion). 

But first, the details; all the pretty, gorgeous details that made this lunch possible! We teamed up with Maxwell Williams to highlight their Classic White Platter Plates and Gold Cutlery to create each place setting. We finished off the plate with a beautiful linen blush napkin, added a DIY watercolour name tag with a bit of fall foliage. The cedar trailing above created this beautiful, warm, inviting space for each lady to enjoy. 

They say you eat first with your eyes, and just looking at this picture makes we want to host this lunch again! Choices is a local grocery store and there is one close  Lauren's home in White Rock that we constantly walk to with all the kids. They have so many local options for meat and cheese and an incredible variety of artisan crackers. Everything you see on the platter was purchased at Choices and one of my favourite additions was their Red Anjou Pears. We displayed all of the food on a gorgeous Marble Platter making everything so beautiful and it was obviously delicious! 

Yes, that is a Magnolia Journal magazine! We had one for each guest, drawing them in from the minute they sat down. I know it caught everyone's attention. It is one of my favourite magazines for each season!

So why the lunch? Well, honestly, because of this woman on the right. This is our mom and she has always been an mentor to us. Now, as moms ourselves, we are constantly going to her for advice and listening to her wisdom. This lunch was to thank those in our life who are older and wiser, as they have helped mold us into who we are today and continue to pour wisdom, love and encouragement in our lives. I think it is important in your community to have a mix of people;  some who are in the same stage as you, but others who have gone before you and have done it well! 

In the summer, my sisters and I attended a women's conference in Redding, CA. We were so inspired by a speaker named Havilah Cunnington. She is funny, wise, loving, encouraging and is raising three boys. She runs a company called "Truth to Table" and her books will challenge you, encourage you and help you grow spiritually. We are currently reading Soul Food and loving it and cannot wait to dive into Eat. Pray. Hustle. 

This Gather Lily and Val print is what inspired the colour pallet for this lunch. I love the use of the slate blues, hints of blush pink and greenery that all work together to create a beautiful fall picture. (She just released her Holiday Collection and it is stunning - It's A Wonderful Life Print!) We added a light salad to our meat and cheese platter and served it with these stunning Bronze Pieces. 

We ended our lunch with a beautiful array of chocolates, nuts and caramels from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The ladies' jaws dropped when they saw the chocolates displayed on the beautiful Marble Board from Maxwell Williams. It was filled with a variety of chocolate bombs, nut clusters, caramels (new saskatoon berry, kahlua and cream, etc.) and more. Just breathtaking... and when I see the print from Lily and Val in the background, "Collect Beautiful Moments", I feel so blessed and honoured to even have the opportunity to say thank you to these women in my life. I have been surrounded by so many incredible people. I don't tend to have a huge friend following, but rather choose to have a smaller group of people who I completely trust, love and cherish. 

The pile of nut clusters was my favourite! I hadn't tried Rocky Mountain Chocolate's bombs before, but the mini apples were so cute. I'm also a sucker for anything coconut so their Powderhounds (chocolate and coconut clusters) were incredible! They also sent us some "No Sugar Added Chocolate" which blew my mind! I couldn't choose a favourite because I literally ate them all! (Local peeps - there is a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Willowbrook Mall!)

I'm sure you noticed the Magnolia Journal magazine peaking out from under each table setting. For me, I love being able to unwind and relax with a coffee or tea and flip through an inspiring magazine. The Magnolia Journal is one of the best reads around filled with beautiful home decor ideas, DIYs, and personal stories from Chip and Joanna Gaines. Its a newer magazine and one you will want to subscribe to. When I was growing up, I always looked forward to seeing the cover of the Martha Stewart Magazine. The fall issue cover is stunning and reminds me of all the colours and reasons I love fall.