I have always been fascinated by Dia de los Muertos {Day of the Dead}.  I love that it is dark, reverential and a little cheeky, all at once.  It also is a perfect way to bring together friends and loved ones to celebrate, which is exactly what we did this past Saturday.  I picked up a few beautiful pieces, including papel picado flags and paper mache hanging figurines from this lovely Mexican craft store {I am so thrilled that places like this still exist}, and candles found in Catholic churches in Mexico {loosely inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, one of my favorite movies}.

The menu included homemade carnitas and carne asada tacos {served with homemade pickled red onions, radishes, cilantro and queso fresco}, spicy fried chickpeas, homemade guacamole with chips and Mexican wedding cakes {also known as Russian teacakes} and a play on traditional “sugar skulls” – skull-shaped gummy candy and lollipops.  For drinks, we served up basil jalapeno margaritas {with jalapeno-infused tequila} and palomas {tequila, grapefruit juice and a soda topper} and Mexican beer.

Recipes {and a little DIY action} will follow throughout the week, but here are a few photos of the soiree during the day while we were setting up and by candlelight.

More pictures continued after the jump…

Thank you for reading!