All Things For All Parties

GIVEAWAY: MINTED.COM {STATIONERY & INVITATION}

 

Surprise!!!  We have a super fun Giveaway to share with you today from Minted.com!  Can I get woo hoo?!?!  If you have never been heard of Minted.com then you are in for a real treat!!!  They are the perfect place to go if you are looking for super cute invitations for all sorts of celebrations that you might have coming up – from wedding invitations to kids parties and beyond!.

I’ve been a huge fan of Minted.com for quite a while. We actually just used them for my BFF's bridal shower invitations. This week at Social Couture, Minted.com is offering up a $100 SHOPPING SPREE to use towards any Minted stationery or wedding product – from personalized stationery and gifts and more...

HOW TO ENTER:
• Post a comment below, mentioning something (or things!) you especially love from Minted.com.
• Giveaway ends Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced here after they’ve been notified and accepted the prize. Good luck!

 

T.G.I.F. ESKY'S HOT SPOT

OK, I have to confess that I have seriously been the biggest slacker when it comes to blogging these days...I think the holiday took all my mojo and any bit of energy I had; but I have decided that enough is enough and it's time to get rid of this lazy, slacker attitude so I am back!  Starting next week I will start posting on a regular basis and I am also planning on making some exciting changes to this blog.  I welcome any and all ideas. 

Let's get this weekend started with the perfect happy hour cocktail...Esky's Hot Spot!

Raw Bars are the NEW Rage!

Hey Brides or Party Planners - Check out this new, healthy idea for your wedding.  Event planners, Josh Tierney,Co-Director of Style and Design at Great Performances says, "this cocktail hour staple doesn’t have to be messy melting blocks of ice, stringy seaweed, and thoughtless piles of seafood.  “The raw bar can be a clean, elegant, cocktail-hour friendly presentation. Instead of piles of shrimp and oysters, we’ve created a ‘grab n’ go’ seafood presentation, featuring small plates of oysters on a bed of sea salt and individual shrimp cocktail shooters in clear glass votive holders,” he says.

“Accent the menu with a condiment bar: Cocktail, mignonette, lemons, and horseradish presented in martini, highball, and rocks glasses. Miniature bottles of Tabasco sauce will complete the look,” adds Tierney.

Have floral arrangements peppered across the raw bar, with colors complimenting the seafood, to help enhance the overall statement and specialty rental furniture to “push the look from ho-hum catering hall, to one-of-a-kind, urban sophistication.”.

Toasty Baked Brie

What party would be complete without a cheese plate, and what could be better than a warm, baked brie!!!  It definitely makes a comforting cold-weather addition to your next soiree. While some recipes serve up the gooey goodness in puff pastry, this version takes an even simpler approach, with just four ingredients to spread atop accompanying crackers or crostini...come on who doesn't love easy?!?!

I don't know if I am just really hungry but the maple-pecan-topped wedge just looks so incredibly yummy that I think I am going to have to make this appie for my hubby's bday celebration tomorrow evening

Ok so here's how to make it straight from Everyday Food...(thanks for sharing)

A Glamorous Birthay Party in Paris by Anders Ruff

Bonjour!  Check out this Glamorous Parisian Birthday Party by Anders Ruff Printable Parties - it has all of the necessary components to put together the perfect Parisian Birthday Party or Bridal Shower or Girls Night In Party or...gosh the list just goes on and on. 

The theme was Parisian Inspired based off of the classic bridal shower scene from the movie.  Are you ready for the highlights?

The Dessert Table is simply divine along with all of the other wonderful details. If you have seen the movie then this will be the perfect excuse to invite your girlfriends over and watch it!  Oh and if you have already seen it then you know it's also a great reason to watch it again. XOXO!

 

 

Custom Cake Topper

Pull it all together with a cake topper that adds a lil' something extra.  How cute would it be to have a little you in pint size?!

Happy & Handmade!  Carefully detailed custom wooden cake toppers by OYAMA Art. Hand-painted and hand-stiched with fine fabrics & trims.

The Brides' gowns is actually made from silks, imported French ribbons, veiling and tulle. Grooms' bow ties are stitched from 100% silk. Ties are four-in-hand knotted; also made from 100% silk.  Wow!!! 

Wooden plaque can be customized with either the couple's names or wedding date.

You can customize the couple with your own hair color, complexion, gown & accessory choices; and, you can actually send pictures and/or descriptions and they will work to re-create the look you want.

 

T.G.I.F. THE WASABERITA

Photo by Brian McCay

New Year's Resolution #1:  Low Calorie Cocktails

Another high-calorie monster, the margarita was long overdue for a makeover. Whittle down the calories in this happy hour classic by leaving out the Cointreau (saving 95 calories per ounce) and adding a powerful punch of wasabi powder. Her (Ruhe) clever spin on this go-to is unexpected and guilt-free.

1 teaspoon wasabi powder
3/4 ounce lime juice
1 ounce light agave nectar, such as Wholesome Sweeteners
1 3/4 ounces Tequila blanco

Salt rim of a margarita glass. In a shaker add all of the ingredients with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and then strain over fresh ice into glass.

Calories: 224

 

2012 Wedding Industry Predictions by Christine Dyer

In 2012, brides will look to be transformed on their big day and they will make their day an extension of their personal individuality.  According to one of our wedding community's members, Streetlight Republic Photography¸“2012 is all about Romance. Lace. Ruffles. Princesses.  The scenery and props of Pride and Prejudice combined with Cinderella’s wedding gown and horse drawn carriage (maybe not a pumpkin though) would be right on trend."  Here is a little preview of what Streetlight Republic Photography expects to see this coming year:

Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier

Hull strawberries easily using a straw.

Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes. Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.

A New Secret to Having a Closer Marriage

Photo brought to you by Tiffany's

OK, it's the holidays and I know everyone is running around like a crazy person (including me) which is why I thought I would keep it short and sweet today and share with you an interesting study I read recently about how to have a closer marriage with your hubby.  Apparently, studies have proven that if you let your husband have more guys-only nights he will be a much happier person!  I know you are probably thinking...what the heck but it's true a Cornell University study revealed that husbands who regularly spend time alone with their male friends - to say, watch a game, play sports or drink a beer or two - feel closer to their wives than men who rarely get the chance at male bonding.  Giving him the freedom to spend time with the boys makes your guy feel more independent and masculine, which makes him happier with his life and you! 

My husband has always said that he loves me more because I don't make him feel suffocated so maybe this study is onto something.  Anyway, either way I thought it was a fun one to share and definitely always good to get the conversations going.  Love to read your thoughts.