Have you read
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern?
If you haven't yet, then put it on hold at your library or grab it the next time you're at the bookstore, because it is fantastic! I first listened to the audio version (read by the fabulous Jim Dale) last year but later bought my own copy because I knew it was one I'd like to read again. When my friend Becca invited me to join her book group last month and told me that October's book was this one, of course I agreed to join! And because Becca is a very kind friend, she even agreed to let me put together a display of treats for the book club meeting.
One of the things about The Night Circus that I love is that the author is good at describing the details of the beautiful, magical circus. I find it to be a very creatively inspiring book--so much so that I even created a
Pinterest board devoted to the world of the book! As I was reading again this time, I kept notes of details from the book that would be fun to include in my display.
For treats, Becca made ooey-gooey caramel popcorn, which we served in black and white striped paper popcorn bags. Peeking from behind the popcorn you can just see a big, glittery raven (to represent Celia's raven). I also tucked a black and silver feather boa around the platters and the whole display sat on a base of black satin fabric.
I made cinnamon twists from puff pastry brushed with butter and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon to represent the ones that Poppet, Widget and Bailey eat at the circus.
My favorite treat to make were these chocolate mice, served up on a pair of black glass pedestals that were ringed with a black mirrored wreath. Their bodies are made of Oreo truffles and then I rolled them in more crushed Oreos to look like fur. I gave them sliced almond ears and a black licorice tail (it was actually cherry flavored--it's made by Wilton). They were darling and delicious.
To drink we had spiced cider (ours was cold, though the cider in the circus was served hot) and I got to use the absolutely fabulous owl and pumpkin punch bowl that I bought last year. We served our treats on black and white striped plates with matching paper napkins.
I had fun incorporating details from the book into my display. I just so happened to have one little white glove, perfect to represent the one that Poppet gives to Bailey. The bottles represent Widget's Bedtime Stories tent. I wish I had thought to print off some of Isobel's tarot cards.
The black and white striped paper lanterns are actually a string of lights I bought at Target last year. I forgot I had them until I opened up my Halloween boxes this past weekend and I knew I had to use them in my display. The black and white striped candles stood in antique cut glass candlesticks that are hung with crystals. Very elegant!
The glittery vintage-style banner with the moon and stars is another part of my Halloween decorations that I forgot I had. I think it was a perfect touch for this theme!
Somehow I managed to forget to take a picture of the whole spread at once but hopefully you can imagine from glimpses what I looked like. I had such fun putting it all together and I think it looked really great--definitely evoked some of the sparkle and magic from the book. It was very creatively fulfilling to put it all together--the only thing I had to buy were the plates and napkins! All of the rest of it came from my stash. I even got into the spirit, dressing like a
reveur in a black and white striped cardigan and a red scarf. What a fun night!
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