Since Father’s Day, life seems to have hit me at full speed – with work, a presentation to give (work), 3 challenges completed in TOH 20 day challenge (details later this week), a baby not sleeping very well at night, a new business ‘idea’ that is probably crazy but I am thinking about it anyway and, you know, just life in general. But thankyou for all your sweet comments about our Father’s Day lunch. I thought I would share some of the details with you. Decorations Starting with my favourite decorations – fresh blooms. A bunch of yellow lilies and some other yellow flowers -  that I placed in some recycled jars I had on hand. I found this print online (somewhere?) and popped it in a frame for the dessert table. Finished with the addition of some homemade bunting – and of course – the cake. The bunting was rather easy – created simply with some leftover scrapbooking paper,  ribbon and double sided tape. The menus and cake label were created with the help of picmonkey.com – printed onto paper then glued to some cardboard. Simple, cheap, yet effective. Food As for the food – the markets were my saviour. Between the deli, the butcher and the greengrocer – the produce spoke for itself. Starting with the antipasto platter – which came together in 5 minutes (or less!) Prosciutto, truffle salami, stuffed olives, marinated bocconcini and some crackers. While the side dishes were made in advance inspired by these recipes – Carrot and chickpea pilaf – brown rice used in place of white. Eggplant, walnut and feta salad – the key being good quality feta! And of course, the main meal, cooked by my two trusty BBQ chefs… Butterflied leg of lamb – that I had marinated in olive oil, garlic and cumin overnight. And finally – the star of the show – that ever impressive kit kat cake! Two GF vanilla cakes, layered between chocolate butter icing. Finished with the kit kat edging and a ribbon, and topped with M & Ms. Again – an easy yet impressive addition to our lunch! But I don’t think you can go too wrong when it comes to that much chocolate. Between my trip to the markets, and the assistance of some items I had at home (glass jars, ribbon, paper etc) – this party really came together with not a lot of fuss. And I certainly had a lot of fun planning and preparing it (although I am a little strange like that!) What about you? Do you like planning parties?