All Things For All Parties

It's My Party: Ava's 1st Birthday

Chirp and Buzz. Squiggle and Hiss. It's a Birthday Party you won't want to miss. Come outside and join the fun this little Princess is turning One!

Saturday, April 26th

This weekend I attended Ava's 1st birthday party and I wanted to share some of the pictures from this party and all the fun that she had. 

Every princess needs a hat and shoes and this one was no different. This little princess party hat had a pair of sparkling pink slippers or shoes (for your sticklers) to go with it.

And of course no party would be complete without a cake for the Princess.

My favorite thing about 1st birthday parties is always the cake eating part...I mean the part where the guest of honor eats the cake.  My family believes in getting two cakes. One for the guest of honor and another one for everyone else  since the cake for the guest of honor is usually not that appetizing after they get their hands on it and I do mean that literally.

Don't forget the napkins to clean up this little mess.

They did a buffet for all of the other guests which I always think is a nice gesture since most of the guests at a 1 year old birthday party tend to be adults.

A few extra touches that I thought were worth mentioning were the favors and gift bags.  The favors were these really yummy cookies...what kid doesn't like a favor they can eat...Yum!  More Sugar, Mom!  The gift bags were these really great monogrammed beach totes. Each tote had the little party goers name on it and was filled with all sorts of fun toys and games.

All the guests signed a frame with a personalized note to the guest of honor. I thought this was such a cute idea. How fun for little Ava to be able to look back at this day and see all the fun she had since she'll never remember it other than what you tell her.

But no party could be complete without the gifts and the gifts for this one were over the top. I felt like I was watching the Price is Right when the last gift rolled out and it was....A NEW CAR!!  And a Mercedes  at that...sheesh, I wish someone would give me a Mercedes. If only I had a birthday party like this one.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Ava!!!  May you have a life filled with love, laughter and happiness. 

   

Spring Gift Ideas

We LOVE Toss Designs and it's easy to see why.  These products are the perfect gift for that savvy fashion forward gal.  I love the bold designs and coordinated collections.  They have everything from home entertaining products to games and stylish sports gear. 

Look how cute the matching Ibiza serving tray and shaker is.  I love love this set.  Very laa dee daa! 

Have fun playing backgammon or dominos in style with these creatively designed games.  How cute is this travel backgammon set in a giraffe print. The set comes complete with a portable case for storing dice, cups and markers.  The moc croc domino set comes with jeweled domino tiles and a great portable case to store the game and take it with you where ever you go. I personally love to play games at the beach and I always take my travel backgammon game with me to the beach and on trips.   

Rick's Tropical Fizz

For a delightful spring time supper sipper try this fresh and fruity concoction.  You can do it virgin style for the kids or liven things up by adding vodka. Serve as an apertif or as digestif either way don't forget to add a citrus twist.

1 quart of pineapple juice

1 2 liter bottle of club soda

3 whole valencia oranges

1/2 cup Vodka per pitcher (optional)

It's a simple as using an old fashioned juicer to squeeze the juice of the oranges into a bowl.  Add the fresh squeezed orange juice to a glass pitcher with the pineapple juice and when you are ready to serve stir in the carbonated 2 liters of club soda (that's the fizz!). 

Spring Fling

Spring has sprung and it's time to thaw out  and warm things up by inviting friends over for an impromptu party.  Brighten your day and your guests by setting a colorful table for the occasion. Hang brightly colored paper lanterns over the table to create a cheerful mood. Instead of using the standard glass vase get creative. For this tablescape we used little yellow buckets and filled them up with colorful carnations.  Also, since last week was designated to honor Mother Earth we decided to keep the spirit of that day going by using these eco-friendly bamboo plates.  Oh and I should add that they are also great for clean-up since they are disposable..Love!  The dress place card holders and the mini purse magnets are not only fun but so sweet.  So break-out the Sauvignon Blanc and call your girlfriends to come over for a leisurely afternoon of good laughs and good company.

Cinco de Mayo Feast

After being held up in the house all winter, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse to celebrate the warmer weather and what better way to do it than to throw a Mexican Fiesta.  This year I have decided to do a simple menu and keep all the fuss to a minimum so I can focus on what's most important to me...My Guests!

Appetizer:  Nachos

16 baked (no oil) tortilla chips (about 1 ounce)
1 1/2 ounces reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/3 cup drained rinsed black beans
1/3 cup drained Mexican-style canned corn kernels
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 large plum tomato, seeded, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
1 generous tablespoon canned mild green chilies
3 tablespoons purchased chunky mild salsa

Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange tortilla chips closely together on ovenproof plate. Combine 1/3 of cheese, beans, corn, cilantro, tomato, green onion and chilies in medium bowl. Add salsa and toss to distribute evenly. Spoon vegetable mixture over chips. Sprinkle remaining cheese over. Bake until heated through and cheeses on top is melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Soup:  Tortilla Soup

6 cups chicken stock/broth

1 (14.5 ounce) can tomatoes

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in a small amount of water

Corn tortillas (about 10) cut into thin strips

vegetable oil

1-2 cups cooked chicken (2 oz. per serving)

Monterey Jack cheese (1 oz. per serving)

1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced

Puree cilantro, garlic, onion, chilies, and tomatoes in a blender or food processor. Heat stock and add pureed mixture into cumin and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 1 hour. Stir dissolved cornstarch into stock.

You don't have to add the cornstarch if you like your soup to be not so thick...it's up to you.

Fry tortillas in oil until crisp; drain well. Add chicken to stock and garnish with shredded cheese, tortila strips, avocado, sour cream, salsa, or whatever else you prefer.

Main Entree:  Taco Bar

For this one there are so many different things you can do and so many recipes.  My personal favorite are the crispy beef tacos but my Mother likes the soft beef tacos.  I say let your guests decide. Provide them with a few options and let them make their own.

2 lbs ground beef
1 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Chilli powder
2 tablespoons Paprika
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Garlic powder or 2 cloves
1/2 diced Bell pepper
1/2 diced medium Onion
12 corn tortillas and/or flour tortillas

In 2 quart sauce pan add ground beef, salt, chili powder, garlic, cumin, paprika, enough water to cover meat.

Bring to a boil. Simmer over medium low heat about an hour. Then add 1/2 medium chopped onion, 1/2 medium chopped bell pepper continue cooking 20 or 30 more minutes.

Soft beef Tacos: Wrap flour tortillas in foil and heat them on the grill until hot.

Spoon 2 Tablespoons of the beef taco meat in center of each tortilla. Fold tortilla over meat.

Side:  Spanish Rice

1 1/2 cups rice

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup plain tomato sauce*

3 cloves finely chopped garlic *

1/4 of a medium onion*

2 tablespoons oil

4 heaping tablespoons of finely chopped parsley (optional)

In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add in the fresh garlic and onion. Saute for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add in dry rice. Stir for about 5 minutes until rice becomes a golden brown color.

Cinco de Mayo Entertainment

To throw a successful Cinco de Mayo celebration there are two things you must have before you can really get the party started. The first is an understanding of what Cinco de Mayo is and the second is music & entertainment!

For those of you who don’t really know why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo here is the History 101 for this festive holiday. Many people think it is Mexico’s independence day but this is not true, Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the overthrow of the French occupation forces in 1867. Viva Mexico!  Arriba, Arriba!

During a traditional Cinco de Mayo party music plays a very important role. Dancing and food are also popular attractions but the one that seems to really set the mood best is the music, specifically… mariachis.  I think if you ask most people what comes to mind when they think of any traditional Mexican celebration they will definitely say mariachis along with margaritas! I have to confess that we had a huge Cinco de Mayo party last year and we hired mariachis and they were just too fun. Traditional Mexican music is some of the most beautiful and heartfelt music. It overflows with emotion. Guests will not only feel like they just walked off the plane and into Mexico but will surely be ready to dance the night away to the cucaracha and salsas.  Adios mis amigos! 

Sexy Slang

Spongeworthy!  Pocket Rocket!  Booty call! Hot Beef Injection!! 

These are just some of the things you might hear when you play Sexy Slang, the hilarious new party game for adults ages 18+.  Featured on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, ABC News, BusinessWeek and other national media outlets, Sexy Slang mixes charades and drawings with a naughty twist. It’s the perfect game to break the ice at your next party.  Sexy Slang is a great game for singles and couples alike and has  been a huge hit at dinner parties, bachelorette parties and group vacations. Unlike other party games, Sexy Slang is dynamic.  All players are involved in each round of play as the teams are competing to guess the same Sexy Slang term at the same time.  The game includes two dry erase boards, dry erase markers, a score pad, timer and a card box of 500 naughty terms and phrases ranging from PG-13 to super kinky!  The safe yet sexy terms are often erotic, sometimes raunchy, and always funny.  Play the hottest new adult party game, Sexy Slang – you’ll laugh until it hurts!  www.sexyslang.com

Available at Barnes and Noble and at sexyslang.com

Rick's Mango Guacamole

Holy Moly it's Rick's Mango Guacamole.  A couple of weekends ago my husband decided to invite a few friends over for sunset cocktails so we decided on a Mexican theme for the evening.  I have to say my husband is a fabulous cook and he loves to experiment when cooking. This time he out did himself with this fresh and zesty guacamole recipe.  It has quickly become our new favorite recipe and our friends who joined us that evening. I am sure once you try it you will understand why it will quickly become your favorite Fiesta recipe.

Ingredients

2 avocadoes

3 heaping tablespoons cream cheese

1/2 lime

1/2 white onion

1 mango

Directions:  chop and mix together all ingredients. 

This is just too simple!!

5 Tips for a healthy life and a happy home

1. Breakfast sausage is yummy but let’s face it, its a major source of fat.  One simple way to cut down on the grease is to add water to the pan and boil the sausage.  As the water starts drawing out the fat and the sausage is still pink on the inside replace the water and repeat.  Finish up the sausage without the water to brown them up.  100% of the taste with a tiny fraction of the fat!  Try it and this will be the only way to fry.

2. Dish sponges = yuck!  A simple way to keep dish sponges germ free, is to throw them in the microwave for 30 seconds every few days.  This will save you money by extending the useful life of your dish sponges and more importantly keep your kitchen germ free.

3. Watering the Garden can take up a lot of time and cost a lot of money.  The best solution is check with your nursery professional to plant indigenous drought tolerant plants (especially important in the southwest).  The birds and the bees will love your garden, you will love the money you save on your water bill and your garden will look better with less maintenance… a win, win for Mother Earth and your pocket book.

4. Thoughtful living with the help of old wives tales.  In this world of new information and preventative care it may be worth revisiting some old wives tales and taking real heed as to their practical application in this increasingly scary world.  Some ways that may add years of healthy living for us all and our loved ones is to:

1. Add a paper towel between your foods and aluminum foil.
2. Keep plastic containers and cellophane out of the microwave when reheating foods.
3. Wear protective gear when attempting any home improvement projects.  PROTECT YOUR LUNGS AND EYES… you’ll need them later, trust me!

 

5. Clean your own Jewelry and add glam and flash for next to nothing. You can save a lot of money by cleaning your own jewelry with plain old Windex.  Let your jewelry soak over-night and presto your Jewelry will look like it came straight from the back room at Tiffany’s.  The cleaning agent breaks down soap and greasy gunk that tends to accumulate in the small crevices of prongs and settings.  Windex has been used for years by pros and those in the know, and will be sure to save you money and keep you looking fabulous.

My Favorite Wedding Websites

My Bookmarks for Favorite Wedding Related Websites

You don’t have to be an event planner to find cool stuff on weddings and related wedding garb on the web. I have my favorites that I go to on a regular basis to keep up to date on the wedding biz plus some great sites that offer creative ideas and solutions to some of the toughest spaces. Many of these offer wholesale prices but you don’t have to be a wholesaler to get a great deal. Sometimes you don’t know if the products are going to be good quality, well with these sites, I will tell you they’ve all been tested by me and I love each and every one of them.

1. Bayley’s Boxes, www.bayleysboxes.com. There are many sites out there that offer favor boxes. I like this one in particular because the boxes are really sturdy, classy and you can order them in any color you can imagine. They custom make each box so ordering exactly what you want is not a problem. Plus their delivery is speedy for those short engagements.
2. Cultural Intrigue, www.culturalintrigue.com. I love this online store. What a find! They sell paper lanterns in all shapes and sizes. Plus fans for those hot wedding days, and even cute little imported mirrors and accessories that could be used as favors or bridal party gifts. A beautiful collection of eclectic goods that you won’t see everywhere. I recently purchased over 30 lanterns instead of renting them because the price was better. They also offer a LED light that you can put inside the lantern so you don’t have to pay extra for a lighting crew. A real find!
3. US Marriage Laws, www.usmarriagelaws.com. This is one of the most common questions I get asked. How am I supposed to get my marriage license? Do I need a blood test still? Well every state is different and the laws change all the time. Take a look at this site to find out what the laws are in your state.
4. My Own Labels, www.myownlabels.com. I’ve ordered labels from them more times than I can tell you. They are timely, accurate, and will send you a sample if needed. They have great customer service and their labels are well received. I’ve had so many complements on them and they make your favors look complete. The website offers many ideas and I’ve used them for holidays, weddings and birthday parties. A great value too.
5. Etsy, www.etsy.com. This is a place to buy and sell things that are handmade. I like this site because I’ve found some creative favors made by local craftsman. You can also find funny things for bridal showers, such as bridal scratch-off games or sugar cookies that can be shipped for favors. It’s also a good place to sell your leftover favors, candles, etc. after your wedding.
6. Wedding Wire, www.weddingwire.com. Wedding Wire’s unrivaled planning efficiencies are a tremendous value, saving time and money, and online social networking satisfies an emotional need to connect with other couples also planning their big days. I use wedding wire to connect with other vendors to discuss latest trends and for referrals. A great place to find vendors in your area.
7. The Knot, www.theknot.com. Again, another great wedding resource for photos of centerpieces, ceremonies, and favors. I use them for my own research of new vendors that have entered the wedding profession. They also offer wedding advice an addition to any you’re getting from www.socialcouture.com.
8. Bella Umbrella, http://www.bellaumbrella.com. An umbrella and parasol company. I’ve been looking for about a year for a good and reputable company to not only buy umbrellas from but to rent them as well. Umbrellas are one of those things that you may need or you may not need if you are having a ceremony outside. If you think it may rain on the day of your wedding you can reserve these beautiful umbrellas and they will be shipped to you for your wedding day. Some may think it’s a lot of money for a “what if” but it’s a lot less expensive than renting a tent and they look beautiful in photos.
9. Wedding Insurance, http://www.wedsafe.com. Insurance can protect you against certain types of financial losses you may incur in the event of unpredictable situations during the period leading up to and including your wedding day. Almost every site requires wedding insurance for the property but this is extra insurance to cover you for all situations. It costs only a couple hundred dollars and could save you thousands if happen to lose your grandmother’s antique earrings you borrowed. It’s totally worth it!
10. Beau Coup, www.beau-coup.com. Beau Coup is a catchall wedding site. I like to recommend it to couples that are looking for personalized gifts for their bridal party. They have everything from engraved vanity mirrors to Swiss-army knives for groomsmen.

Chris Flitter, is the founder of Twist, an event planning company out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Formally an HGTV producer with over a decade of television experience, Chris followed her dream to start her own event planning business and uses her creativity and attention to detail in every event she produces. www.eventsbytwist.com