There’s nothing that says ‘spring is here’ more than the buds pushing on the trees and the floral shoots popping up from the ground. As the great Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party!” If these colorful peonies don’t make you want to celebrate the season, we don’t know what will. From the soft and classic Sarah Bernhardt Peony to the vivid Hawaiian Coral Peony that reminds us of a tropical sunset, these are the top 9 peony varieties that we adore! A big thanks to our dearest of friends at Mood Events in Birmingham, Michigan and Dawn Owen Design in Royal Oak, for this happy image of a most “inspiring” event they planned and designed one spring- why a Gospel Brunch birthday party?! We say, why not?! Not to mention, these pretty blooms are the perfect distraction from the snowstorm we are currently in the midst of in Northern Michigan!

Photos via Mood Events LLC, Dawn Owen Luxury Design, Sunset Magazine, Wayside Gardens, Blaine Siesser Photography.

Last year, Emily and her darling mom, Anna, took a trip to Ireland in search of adventure and beauty only the great Green Isle can reveal. In honor of St. Patty’s day, we asked Emily to share with you her favorite Top 9 things to do in Ireland!

1. Dare to explore the countryside! Ireland is about the size of Indiana and very traversable by car.  Some of the best scenery is found in the most unexpected places. You may be driving down a two track in the middle of a hillside and come upon the sweetest coastal village, perfect for strolling around.
2. Talk with the locals. It is true that Ireland holds some of the friendliest people on earth. You’ll feel as though you’ve made a lifelong friend over the time it takes to enjoy a pint in a corner pub. Each little town offers the most amazing people and an evening’s full of stories.
3. Walk through the Library Trinity College. You may find yourself wishing for an extra tall roller ladder to zip down the aisles and aisles of books. The beauty is in the details at Trinity College. If the stunning architecture doesn’t move you, the rich wood banisters and soft-bound books are sure keep you perusing for hours.
4. Go to the Guinness Factory! Although the factory is well over 100 years old, you would never know it upon entering. Magnificently branded and modern in design, the factory is easily an afternoon’s worth of exploring! You can even learn to pour the perfect pint on one of the building’s many floors – that is if you’re willing to leave the roof top bar with 360 degree views of Dublin…
5. Eat a true, Irish meal. A delicious stew paired with a baked potato the size of your head and Ireland’s Brown Bread may be the best thing you’ve ever had. If you have to opportunity to enjoy some Fish and Chips as well, it is a delicious must – and don’t turn your nose at the mashed peas that are always served alongside!
6. Count the sheep! Along your travels you will find that it seems just about everyone farms sheep. These snuggly little things are all over the countryside and you may find yourself asking “how do the farmers know which ones are their own?”. Sheep Farming in Ireland is a massive industry and to keep all of the sheep accounted for, each farm tags their sheep with their own, intricate branding.
7. Never pass up the opportunity to explore a castle. Castles pepper the countryside and most all of them are open to the public. One of Ireland’s most popular castles, Blarney Castle, offers a stone to be kissed for good luck, but only if you’re willing to climb the 127 spiral staircase, wide enough for one person to climb at a time. If you do brave the climb, watch your step, as the stairs are intentionally created with varying rise heights and thread depths as ‘stumble steps’ so that invaders wouldn’t be able to rapidly climb the stairs in an attack. Crafty!
8. Visit the Cliffs of Moher. There so many stunning and wild places to see in Ireland, but nothing compares to the majesty of the Cliffs. Morning brings silent, slow rolling fog filled with the sound of Puffins calling to one another. Once the fog dissipates, the immense size and beauty of the Cliffs are revealed and you find yourself wishing you never had to leave.
9. Go with someone you love. Ireland is a country richly laced with a passion for family and friendship. ADIM’s own Emily had the chance to go with her mom in Spring of 2015 and such an experience is one she will never forget.

And lastly…remember, everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day! Sláinte!

We believe that every great party starts (and ends) with champagne! There’s something about being greeted with a glass of bubbly that says fun and frivolity await. Whether you are registering for your wedding or hosting a dinner party and want to show off your stems, these are 9 of our favorite looks of the season to serve your bubbly in. Our very own Tana shared her recommendations for five bubbling beverages sure to make you the life of the party over on Dempsey & Carroll’s blog, Eighteen Seventy Eight.

Appearing left to right…

1. Anthropologie Gilded Rim Coupe
   The ever so delicate and dainty blush hued glass with gold rim is the epitome of poetry. How could you resist the pinkie-pop sipping from this glass?
2. Schott Zwiesel Pure Champagne Flutes
   A clean and classic design, this is the perfect flute to watch all 8 million or so bubbles dance in your glass!
3. Ralph Lauren Brenna Champagne Flute
   This vintage inspired flute marries two of our favorite surfaces, glass and metal. We approve!
4. Kate Spade Larabee Dot Crystal Flute–
   The etched glass detail brings the bubbles of champagne into the design element, we can’t resist it’s charm!
5. Vietri Optical Smoke Gray Champagne Glass
   Champagne has a beautiful hue,and this smokey glass is the right kind of lens to observe it’s shine.
6. Monique Lhuillier Waterford Ellipse Flute
   Monique can do no wrong in our book and this partnership with Waterford has our hearts fluttering!
7. Juliska Graham Flute
   The feminine embellishments and elongated bowl on this flute are the perfect accompaniment for a memorable toast.
8. Saint-Louis Oxymore Crystal Champagne Flute
   Architectural yet approachable- one cannot deny imbibing from this glass when a tray waltzes by!
9. Baccarat Massella Champagne Coupe
   This timeless glass begs to be positioned with it’s friends in the most epic of champagne towers filled by a sabered bottle, but of course!

*All images provided by the listed links, Cover image by Jen Kroll Photography.

Can’t decide what to serve at your event? Here are our some of our favorite cookbooks for menu inspiration and development! Whether a multi-course, plated dinner for 200 of your closest friends and family or a chic beach side BBQ, there’s something for everyone in these pages. With an abundance of distinctive flavors and serving styles, each chef and author has their own way of sharing the “culinary love”- get ready for a feast! But above all, don’t forget to infuse your menu with your favorite flavors and with details that excite you!

ADIM Top 9 Books for Menu Inspiration:

1. America–Farm to Table: Simple, Delicious Recipes Celebrating Local Farmers by Mario Batali (Fun Fact! Our amazing friends at Epicure Catering were featured in this title!)
2. Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party by Peter Callahan
3. The Cocktail Party by Mary Giuliani
4. The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook by Jennifer Appel & Allysa Torey
5. Tiny Food Party!: Bite-Size Recipes for Miniature Meals by Jenny Park & Teri Lyn Fisher
6. Martha Stewart’s Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Snacks, Small Plates, and Other Delicious Hors D’Oeuvres
7. The Little French Bakery Cookbook by Susan M. Holding
8. Seriously Delish: 150 Recipes for People Who Totally Love Food by Jessica Merchant
9. Sunday Suppers: Recipes + Gatherings by Karen Mordechai

(Photos courtesy of the links above and Amazon)