Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Kandell Fiesta

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Last weekend we held... what may need to become an annual Mexican Fiesta at Casa de Kandell.
I feel like we completely lucked out... 2 hours before the party our house was getting full blown down poured on.... which unfortunately ruined quite a few decorations and also soaked all my table clothes and table runners which never ended up making it back to the party. But about 20 mins before the party was set to start, out came the sun and with some crazy running around.. we got things looking about 80 percent of what it was before the downpour.
The Mexican Party idea came about because frequently on date nights in SLC after going ot dinner, Jazz games or whatever, Eric and I stop by our favorite taco cart in the Sears parking lot for authentic street tacos by Don Rafa. We are obsessed with them. One night while eating our street tacos in the car in our fancy clothes from going to a nice dinner that obviously didn't even fill us up. I told Eric I would love it if Tacos Don Rafa would park their cart in our backyard for a party. Since no caterer could ever pull off authentic Mexico quite the way a taco cart could.
My spanish speaking husband got to work wheelin and dealin to make it happen. And it was sooo worth the headache of stalking Mr. Taco cart. I want him at every function for the rest of my life!
Although another funny story was getting his huge taco cart/van into our backyard. Let see, on one side of our house the van slid into our neighbors fence, which we will be replacing... sorry Sister Christensen! Then on the other side, he almost drove over our in ground trampoline. My stress level was through the roof. But it worked out.
And here's the party...

(my apologies for my rain soaked the air dried frizzy hair... its was the sacrifice I made for re-set up)
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(the above party favor thanking everyone for adding "spice to our party" is Eric's famous pebre)

For all the sides, and appetizers that the taco cart did not provide, our friend Aubrey, pictured below catered. Isn't she darling? And her food is even more amazing!
Aub teaches our cooking club once a month but also does private chef work and party catering. I will for sure be using her again. Everything she made was divine.

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Now for the good stuff. Mechanical Bull riding was our main entertainment for the night.
Ever since the party we have all been discussing who is going to invest in owning one so it can be at every party from now on.
I was a very nice friend and only posted the fairly un-embarassing photos. But I am happy to possess blackmail now on most of our friends.
I even wore a dress to the party so I didnt have to ride the bull but I ended up changing cuz it did look like so much fun.

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Cute party couples... I see some of you avoided the camera.

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Eric is the trickiest. The guys had fun swimming.

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Thanks to everyone who came to party! It was a lot of fun. I didnt want it to end.
And a big thanks to
Tiffany Bills for all the tags, and food labels
Aubrey Dyches and Don Rafa for the great food
AND of course, Nicole Carmen for the photography
and to Eric for not divorcing me when I almost had a panic attack during the rain storm... but in all honesty I really did feel like my throat was closing in. But thats still no excuse for acting crazy.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

HI Hailey, I’m a big fan of your blog for party inspiration. I am in the process of overhauling our backyard and have been searching for some lights like you have in these photos. Can you share where you bought them from? Thanks so much.

Tiffany said...

It was such awesome food! Thanks again for inviting us, we always enjoy being there with you guys! Loved everything!

Scott and Chelsey said...

I loved it and the food was amazing!!!! Still craving it!

Shelly Hyde said...

SO fun. What a shindig!

Aubree said...

It was a blast! I say make it a yearly thing for sure! Thanks for having us!

the waites said...

what a cute idea! I love megan, I used to work with her

Derrick Tornow said...

I don't usually post things on blogs but this was a fiesta to remember forever... Did you ever give back the bull or is it still in your garage?

Jason and Amy said...

dang it!!! i don't think i will ever move on from 'the kandell fiesta that we missed due to the annoying baby sitter incident of 2011" looks like the best party yet

Nicole Christensen said...

Loved being a part of this, AND even more thrilled about this Pebre recipe. Changed my life!

Haley said...

!!fiesta fantastica!! :) you know how to throw a party. looked like an absolute BLAST =)

jodeeharris said...

It MUST be annual. I'm still on a party high! Lessons I will take with me for next time: Leather pants are not as conducive as you'd think for successful bull riding. Eat MORE tacos. Invite your single friends because there are love matches to be made with the taco chef and/or the bull operators. Invite Nate Gardner and Derek Tornow to any and all future parties. If you want a true friend and a good time always, always party with the Kandells.

Lisa said...

Did you have a mariachi band to serenade everyone while they ate? That is my favorite when I go to Mexican restaurants! Love all the pics!!

becky kimball said...

looks like such a fun party! i love every detail you put in to that. lovely!

Chelsea said...

Looks so fun.
Main question: where are your shoes from? I need those?

I live in the Bell's and Gardner's neighborhood, so I think next time I will have to hide in their trunk and sneak a taco or two.

hayleyrowan said...

um yeah. that looked liked a blast. so bummed about missing it. glad it stopped raining for you!!

Kaci said...

That food looks AMAZING!! I want all the recipes!! Those tricks in the pool look SUPER scary!

Amber Lynn said...

looked amazing as always

Summer said...

Party Perfect. xoxo Miss you guys!

Martha said...

Great party! I love reading your blog for your party posts and to see all your great outfits. Where did you get the cut out "Kandell Fiesta" flag in the first image? I am needing something similar...

Chelsey said...

I am always so amazed by your parties! Mexican on the east coast is AWFUL, so I am seriously so jealous of your fiesta food. The mechanical bull looks like a blast!

Rolled Up Pretty said...

Okay, I have seen your blog a couple times and just wanted to say that you are GORGEOUS, your family is GORGEOUS, and your PARTIES are GORGEOUS! Go YOU! ;) You're who I want to be when I grow up!!! :) Just thought I'd share that with you!
Savannah