FIESTA GATHERING INSPIRATION - Cottage Style

My sister is visiting from Texas for a couple of weeks and I wanted to have her, my mom and sister in law come for dinner while she was out.  She hasn't been to our little cottage in a couple of years so I wanted to make it a fun and festive occasion   Since the focus with any gathering is connecting, I knew I wanted to keep it simple and for me that usually means Mexican food so I thought immediately of throwing a fiesta inspired gathering.

Once I had the theme set I started shopping my home for anything that might provide a fiesta
atmosphere.  I've had a set of Pioneer Woman napkins for a few months and thought the vibrant colors would be the perfect jumping off point for my little get together.  So I started pulling fabric, serving bowls and dishes out and assembled them all in one place.

While I was at Walmart last weekend I somehow ended up walking down the clearance isle (I could feign surprise but that would be a stretch) and found all the Better Homes and Gardens Mexican pottery inspired dinnerware on sale and I knew it would be a perfect addition to my inspiration color scheme.  I bought four regular size bowls and four small bowls plus a set of three Pioneer Woman storage bowls to use for the occasion.

I knew I needed napkins and a tablecloth and before I headed out to look for fabric to make them, I made a quick stop at Kohl's and found the perfect ones at 50% off.  I couldn't have made them for less and the colors fit our cottage perfectly so I know I'll get plenty of use out of them.

I cannot wait to pull all of this together.  I will be sure and take lots of pictures to share with you next time along with the menu and recipes.

I'm also making a little gift for each guest that I'll show you as well.

And lest you think I have it all together, let me assure you that our cottage is far from perfect and there are plenty of visible projects that need to be completed but I am determined not to let those "things" keep me from connecting with the people I love.

My hope is to invite others into my home once a month.  Last month I had a couple of girlfriends over for wine and appetizers and this month my sister's and mom.  I'm already plotting next months gathering.  What about you?  What's stopping you from inviting others into your home?

xo, Patty

Here's a post from a few months back on How to host a girls night out that you might find inspirational and how to host an all American feast here.