All Things For All Parties

 

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on It's Way!  I know, I know I can't believe that Easter will be here in 2 weeks - my my how time flies!   So, don't stress just remember to keep it simple.

   

Set a relaxed table...skip the formal tablecloth and china. Use brightly colored wrapping paper as a runner or scrapbook paper as place mats. This also helps to make clean-up a cinch and definitely keep costs down. 

 

Start with the menu.  Go with something simple for your Easter brunch. I like the idea of a frittata, fruit salad and mimosa's. 

 

Create a lively table.  Use fun stationery or hard-boiled eggs as place cards.  This is something you can even have the kids do if you choose to use the hard-boiled eggs as place cards.  It will be fun for them and it will keep them entertained.  Kids love to feel like they had a part in getting ready for the big day.  Don't forget fresh flowers.   Keep bouquets short and tidy...very easy to put together.  Think outside the box if you don't have enough vases. Try using unique things around the house...drinking glasses can even double as nice vases.  Line the arrangements down the length of the table.  Hydrangeas, tulips or peonies are great flowers for Easter.  They really liven your table up.  

 

Plan out your music in advance so you are not playing DJ all day.  I  like to put together a simple playlist on my iPod but if you don't have an iPod you can also use the pre-set music channels on your tv...there is always a holiday one.  Otherwise, just throw in a one of your favorite cd's. Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble or Frank Sinatra are a few good stand-by's.

 

Don't forget the Easter egg hunt. If you have different aged children attending - assign each child a color then hide the eggs based on the age of the child - the older the child the more challenging the hiding spot, the younger the child the more obvious the hiding spot - don't count the adults out - hide eggs near the buffet or around the living room and kitchen.  It's more fun when everyone can play. I like to hide one special egg - I call it the Golden egg (probably because it's golden), anyway, put something special in this egg - money or a ticket to a show or sporting event.  This egg is for all to find.

 

Just remember to relax and have fun with your guests. Easter is a day for family and friends. So have a Happy Bunny Day!

Modern Easter Basket

   

Are you looking for the perfect bag to getaway for the Easter weekend?!?!  Well, look no more!  This delightful cabin bag has an interior pocket as well as a shoulder strap. 

If you don't plan to get out of town Easter weekend then GUYS pay very close attention to this next suggestion...Fill it with all of your honey's favorite Easter treats (bath salts, lotions, candles, lingerie...you get the idea) - It's the Perfect "Big Girl" Easter basket. Here comes Peter Cottontail...hippity hoppity Easter is really on it's way now.

     

Spring has definitely sprung with these darling floral melamine sculpted 4 piece nesting bowls. I just ordered these and I cannot wait to use them on my Easter brunch table. They are perfect for any Spring occasion but they are definitely going to be in full bloom on my table.  Oh I also got a set for my mother and my mother-in-law...they were just too sweet to pass up.

Tulip Place Card Holders

   

These days I am all about repurposing and this adorable tulip place card holder or table decoration could not be simpler and is perfect exactly what I think of when I talk about repurposing.  Simple and sweet, this pale pink tulip is nestled in the blown-out shell of a clean raw egg. (Make the hole on top just big enough to accommodate the tulip stem to keep the flower upright.) The egg is placed inside a silver napkin ring for stability, but egg cups or tiny votive holders also do the trick. This is only one of the many great ideas that you can find at BHG.com - Better Homes & Garden.

Easter Brunch

 

Ask any chef - Easter Sunday is the brunchiest day of the year. But if shelling out for Eggs Benedict at the Waldorf isn’t on the menu, you can still do it up right at home. Start by setting a splendid table – our azar planters are the bunny’s ears. Arrange colorful Placemats & Napkins around a Spring centerpiece made from tulips and wheat grass, edible Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. Fill yellow and white pales with easter grass and eggs.  Don't forget these festive, mosaic melamine plates. Brunch, anybunny?

Pop Mats

 

        

Don't you just love these pop mats...how absolutely adorable are these?!?!  They are perferct for any party. You just pop up the cut outs and use them for place names (Come in a set of 10 PopMats. Different Designs - Chair & Birdcage, Balloon, Scooter, Safari, Pram, Crib, and Butterfly -  available in Natural or White!)

These whimsical multi-purposePopMats will brighten your table, entertain your kids, and prove the finishing touch at your party! Made from 100% recycled paper, these place mats have an adorable cut-out that pops up to make your table look fantastic.  It's a creative and charming addition to any tablescape...and so perfect for parties! Made of 100% recycled paper

Don't Forget Your Party Checklist

     

 

GETTING STARTED Establish your budget Finalize your guest list Decide on a Theme Consider Decorations (Go to www.socialcouture.com) Find an appropriate location for your upcoming event that also may be representative of your party's theme Set the date and time for the occasion Make sure to book your bartenders and caterers as well if you choose to have it catered (TIP:  you can call your local bartender schools to find a bartender...a lot of them will work just for tips in order to get some practice or for a very minimal fee) THE GUEST LIST Choose Invitations (TIP: eVite can provide online invitations if most of your guest are comfortable using the internet) Make sure to include the name and phone # of a local hotel for your out of town guests Manage RSVP's PRE-PARTY PREPARATIONS Create the menu (grocery shopping list)  Decide on the appropriate party decor and music (TIP:  Don't forget the candles...great for setting the mood of any occasion) Call guests who have not yet RSVP'd Make sure you have enough plates, silverware and glasses for your guests (TIP:  Not only can party rental stores provide you extra chairs and tables but you can also rent glasses, stemware, plates and servingware) Purchase all non-perishable food and drinks needed for the party Confirm with all vendors as well as location if you are not a having your party at home DAY BEFORE THE PARTY Clean house.  Remove all clutter. Buy Fresh Flowers Purchase meats, fish & cheese Refrigerate beverages Prepare food that can be refrigerated overnight (sauces, dips, veggie platter, fruit salad) Start setting the scene with the decorations Set Table and Bar Check camera to make sure you have enough film DAY OF THE PARTY Prepare food Chill wine, champagne and any other cold drinks (Don't forget to make your punches) Pick-up any last minute items (such as, ice or balloons) Get Ready (wear an apron if you still have dishes to prepare) Heat up any food that needs to be reheated Set out appetizers Light candles Turn on the music Lights, Camera, Action....Smile!!  Places everyone! Don't forget to enjoy yourself and your guests Say Goodnight and Turn off the Lights!

St. Patty's Day Menu

 

I love St. Patrick's Day and I love the traditional St. Patrick's Day Menu - It really is just to yummy!!! 

 

Main Course

Corned Beef and Cabbage

This traditional Irish dish requires just 10 minutes of prep time -- and the corned beef, cabbage, and onions all cook together in one dish, making cleanup quick and easy.

Sides

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Irish Soda Bread

Drink

Green Beer

St. Patty's Day Cocktails

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and if you haven’t planned out your cocktail menu yet, we have a no-fail suggestion with an Apple Martini. Yes the classic, done the Stirrings way with real Granny Smith Apple juice and cane sugar. All of the taste, none of the sticky sweet! Give it another try like I am sure if you do you will remember why you used to applaud the apple too! Give it a spin for St. Patrick's Day with our recipe for The Irish Apple.

 

The Apple Martini is unrivaled amongst its cocktail contemporaries for glamour and urban sophistication. One sip of this luminescent libation and you will feel the warmth of the spotlight.

 

1 part Stirrings Apple Martini Mixer
1 part Smirnoff Vodka
Garnish: apple wedge

 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add ingredients. Cover and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an apple wedge.

Photo Confetti

     

 

I am always looking for fun, personal touches to add to an event  and I think this photo confetti hits that target perfectly.  Recently I threw a baby shower and we used baby pictures of the mom & dad-to-be.  Their Mom's had given us several of their favorite photos.  It was absolutely adorable.  Here are some other uses for photo confetti:

 

• sprinkled on tables

• put in invitations and holiday cards

• put in thank you notes with photos from the event

• glued to picture frames

• for your scrapbook pages

• for clear holiday ornaments

• sprinkled in gift baskets

• applied to candles or bottles

• in paperweights

• tossed on the bride and groom

• for a matching game

• as a gift to loved ones

• for company events -- adorned with corporate logo

However you choose to use it...Have fun!!