All Things For All Parties

Oh So Chic Eco-Friendly Tote

 

I am all about the environment but I am all about style as well and these RuMe bags are not only super stylish but also eco-friendly...Who doesn't love that!  These ingeniously designed Fair Trade reusable bags are durable, lightweight and hold more than any other reusable bag I've seen. The design is very similar to the paper bags you used to get at the grocery store years ago with the squared sides and a bottom to easily fit anything. Plus, the handles are made to fit everyone with plenty of room to slide over a bulky jacket or sweater. Each bag folds flat to fit neatly in your back pocket; one velcro strap can secure 1 bag or all three together.  RuMe's come in sets of 3.  Purchase a set of 6 (patterns + solids) & SAVE!  Next time you are invited over to your friend's for dinner and you decide to bring a couple bottles of wine...bring them in one of these bags.  What a great gift!
 

Eco-friendly Tableware

 

Let's all do our part and do whatever we can to make our world a better place. Start by using this Bambu dinnerware at your next party...you gotta start somewhere.  

Happy Fat Tuesday!!!

 

Need I say more!  Try not to have too much fun.  Happy Fat Tuesday to you all!!!!

Fat Tuesday is Here - Let's Celebrate Mardi Gras!

I can't believe that tomorrow is already Fat Tuesday...So on that note, break out your beads because it's time to get this party started.  If you are throwing a Mardi Gras party create a flamboyant and fabulous atmosphere.

Start by covering the table with a green or purple tablecloth then add Mardi Gras confetti. Clump together various sized, glittery gold candles to make a sparkling centerpiece. Create mood lighting with purple (or green) Christmas lights.

Hang feather boas, hats and masks throughout the party. Serve drinks in plastic hurricane cups. Make and clearly display a flashy Mardi Gras sign and fill the ceiling with gold, purple, and green metallic balloons.

Give guests a handful  of beads when they arrive or play silly party games for them to earn their beads.

Cocktails with Oscar

  Oscar Manhattan

ingredients:
• 1/4-1/2 oz.  sweet vermouth  
• 1 1/2 oz.  blended whiskey  
Dash  Angostura bitters  
 Maraschino cherry  [optional] 

Mixing instructions:
Mix all ingredients with plenty of ice in a mixing glass or pitcher and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Amount of vermouth should be adjusted to individual taste.
To create the " Perfect Manhattan" add 1/4-1/2 oz of dry vermouth. Search under "Manhattan" to find 20 other variations on this true classic that is presently enjoying a revival.

Anne Hathaway Margarita (aka Skinny Girl Margarita) 

ingredients:
• 1 1/2 oz.  tequila  (100% agave - count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring) 
• 1 Splash  lime juice  (from one freshly squeezed lime) 
• 1 Splash  Orange liqueur  (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec ) 

Mixing instructions:
Makes one cocktail.
Combine all ingredients over a glass of ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge and salt (or sugar) if you’d like.
 
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, Anne Hathaway (nominated for her role in Rachel Getting Married) mentioned her preference for a particular version of Margarita. Enjoy the low calorie, low salt, award winning ANNE HATHAWAY MARGARITA (aka Skinny Girl Margarita). 

Red Carpet Fizz

ingredients:
• 1/3 oz.  Orange liqueur  (Cointreau, Triple Sec, Grand Marnier) 
• 1/2 oz.  pomegranate juice  
• 1 750-ml. bottle  champagne  
 fresh raspberries  

Mixing instructions:
Mix Pomegranate Juice and Orange Liquor with plenty of ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled cocktail or champagne glass.
Top with Moët & Chandon White Star Champagne.

Everything You Need For Your Bar

 

(You can purchase this bar at Pottery Barn)

Ok, I have to start off by saying I am very sorry that I have been so flakey about my posts lately but I promise to be more consistent.  I have been so focused working on putting together new parties for Social Couture that I have barely had any time (or energy) to do anything else.   

Anyway, I thought I would share with you some essential items you will need for setting up your bar... 

These items should meet all your cocktail needs — and will give you all the ingredients needed to make "too many" different cocktail recipes.

Don't forget the vino & cerveza!

Pssst!  For all you brides & grooms "to be" this is a really fun shower to have someone host for you - It's the perfect couple's shower. Everyone will be sure to have a great time. 

Liquor

• Bourbon

• Cointreau or Triple Sec (some people swear Cointreau is worth the money even if you mix it)

• Gin

• Rum (light)

• Scotch (blended)

• Tequila (white)

• Vermouth (dry)

• Vermouth (sweet)

• Vodka

Mixers

• Cola, ginger ale, club soda, sparkling water, tonic water

• Lemons

• Limes

• Cranberry juice

• Orange juice

• Angostura bitters

Garnishes

• Green olives (pitted)

• Lemons

• Limes

• Kosher salt

• Maraschino cherries

Gadgets

• Long cocktail spoon

• Paring knife

• Peeler

• Cutting board

• Corkscrew

• Bottle opener

• Juice squeezer

• Standard shaker (metal bottom, metal lid with a strainer). If you don't want to invest in a shaker, use a jar with a cap, a piece of Tupperware, or anything that seals, Dale DeGroff says.

• Jigger (usually with a 1-ounce measure on one side, 1 1/2 ounces on the other). Most recipes call for 1 1/2 ounces of alcohol (a jigger, or a shot), but some call for 1 ounce (a pony). If you don't have a jigger, 3 tablespoons are about equal to 1 1/2 ounces.

• Bartending handbook

• Cocktail napkins

• Cocktail toothpicks

Glasses

• Martini glasses — must-haves for every bar because they say "cocktail"

• Highball glasses

• Red Wine glasses

• White Wine glasses

• Margarita glasses (just for fun - you can actually use a highball glass) 

Let's Spend the Night with Oscar!

 

Roll out the red carpet for your friends this Sunday and show them what a real Oscar Party feels like!  This party is so easy to put together and so much fun. 

Make your own "Walk of Fame" just add your friend's names to the stars and set them on the floor around the house. You can write something funny under their names as to what they are "famous for!"  (have fun with this one). Hang gold stars on the various doors as if they were the star's dressing rooms.

Serve popcorn in authentic popcorn boxes and champagne in old style (plastic) champagne glasses.  Give the women a boa as they enter the party and the guys a top hat or tuxedo tie (funny sunglasses is another option). People love to dress up. You can also have everyone dress for the occasion and come in their best duds. 

Don't forget to give out the awards throughout the night. Use TV commercial breaks to start mingling or for party activities - such as Oscar trivia or a mini-marathon of Name That Movie Tune. Start your pool before the show starts - Chiff.com actually has a printable Oscar Pool Sheet.

No Oscar Party would be complete without your clapperboard - it's a great way to get your guests attenetion.

Go fancy or casual - whatever suits your style - either way have fun with this one.

Movies, movies, movies...I love the Movies!

Happy Hour: Valentine's Day Chocolate Martini

 

Kick your Valentine's Day off early with one of these "Oh So Yummy Chocolate Martinis!"  My husband is coming home early today and guess what I am making him?!?!?   I love chocolate and I love martinis so what could be a more perfect combination....Now all you need to do is break out the scrabble, turn on the fireplace and the rest is history! 

This recipe comes from Party Sugar @ www.YumSugar.com

Thanks for the idea!  It is the perfect cocktail to kick-off this weekend.

Valentines Day Chocolate Martini

2 oz. base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy)
1/2 oz chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz white creme de cacao
chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass

Coat rim of martini glass with syrup.
Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into martini glass.
Makes 1 cocktail.

Etiquette Tips for Dating Success

 

Dating can be quite a challenge, especially when modern technologies lure us away from connecting with others.  Now more than ever it is important to nurture old fashioned human interaction.   Use these 8 etiquette tips to help you achieve dating success in any social situation.

1. Remember first impressions set the tone.  Take the time to make sure you are well-groomed from head to toe before leaving the house.  Don't forget to dress appropriately for the occasion.  

2. Enter the room with poise and confidence.  Stand up straight with good posture and your head held high.  Scan the room briefly and walk slowly and assuredly.  Watch others as they immediately take notice and approach you.

3. Brush up on current events.  Read a national newspaper, go online or browse your local cultural calendar.  It is most  appealing to speak with someone who is well-read and well-rounded. 

4. Pay attention to personal space.  An arm's length or 18 inches is the appropriate distance one should keep when conversing with others.  

5. Listen, be interested and ask thoughtful questions.  Try not to be too self-absorbed.   Instead, take a moment to find out what is unique and wonderful about the other person. 
 
6. Use proper table manners.  Refrain from picking at your hors d'oeuvres or talking with your mouth full.  The proper hold for alcoholic beverages is the following: white wine & champagne by the stem, red wine by the base, beer in a glass, not bottle.

7. Be discreet with your personal information.  You do not need to offer your entire life story in the first meeting.  Remain a bit mysterious to heighten the desire and secure an additional date.
 
8. Wear a good sense of humor and a smile.  It will help you appear younger and make you the life of the party! 

Lisa Gaché is the President and Co-Founder of Beverly Hills Manners™, an education and entertainment company which promotes a “new school” approach to manners and etiquette for both children and adults.  Lisa is passionate that good manners can be natural, spontaneous and fun.  Her company has partnered with leading brand names to spread the word from American Girl Place and McCormick & Schmick’s to the famed Hotel Bel-Air and Hillcrest Country Club and a host of other Los Angeles-based private schools and social organizations.  She is a sought-after lecturer and modern manners maven whose work has been covered everywhere from National Public Radio to the Huffington Post.

 

The Hip Hostess Comes to LA!!!

So last Thursday, I attended HWTM, Jennifer Sbranti's Hip Hostess Event at the SLS Beverly Hills.  The decor was absolutely stunning!!!  I can't wait to re-create this Hot Hollywood Party!  Jennifer truly has an amazing eye for what's stylish yet elegant. For the decorations she used a mix of our decorations (Social Couture - thanks, Jennifer!), feathers from www.fabulousfeathers.net and many other really great online stores.  Here's what Jennifer had to say about the evening...

Jennifer says:  I’m very happy/relieved to report that the event was a success - despite the substantial rain, even-heavier-than-usual L.A. traffic (due to the weather), and very last minute swap of our party space from the hotel’s outdoor terrace to the indoor ballroom…thank goodness it was available! I actually think the ballroom worked out even better than the original space though, so these particular rain clouds really DID have a silver lining!

Given the event location and the fact that we’re right in the middle of Awards Season right now (with the Oscars coming up soon!) - we went with an “Old Hollywood Glam” theme and featured ideas for hosting an Awards Party or Red Carpet-themed bash. Many thanks to Chambord for generously sponsoring the evening!

I hope to have our own photographer’s pictures back soon to do a full recap of the event & party ideas, but in the meantime, one of our guests - who also happens to be a photographer - was kind enough to share her own photos with us so I could give you a little preview today. (Thanks again, Pamela!)

 

Tic-Tock Couture Florals made the fabulous - and huge - chandelier tree pictured above - and I gave tips on how to easily create a scaled-down, DIY version for at-home parties during the demonstration portion of the evening (more info on that to come soon). We also had a photo booth and life size cardboard cut-outs of Old Hollywood movie stars around the room for fun photo opps! (Cardboard cut-outs from HollywoodMegastore.com)

 

Pictured above: guests browsing the party decor ideas table; martini glass decked out with marabou craft boa, and a French Martini - one of the parties 4 signature cocktails. (All feathers & feather boas from FabulousFeathers.net)

Pictured below: more shots of the decor ideas and a sneak peek of the tablescape.

Lots more images, details & cocktail recipes to come soon… please stay tuned!

{All photos by Pamela Masters Photography}

Be sure and check-out www.HostesswiththeMostess.com for more great ideas!!!! 

You never cease to amaze me, Jennifer!  You truly have an amazing vision!!  You are a STAR!!!