All Things For All Parties

T.G.I.F. Watermelon Mojitos

 

The combination of refreshing watermelon and sweet mint is just perfect for summertime sipping.  The classic Cuban cocktail is the basis for this ruby-hued version.  I am so excited about this one that I actually feel like doing a little dance. (don't worry I won't...I don't want to embarrass myself)

1 part Stirrings Mojito Mixer
1 part Stirrings Watermelon Mixer
1 part rum
Splash of Club Soda

Combine Mixers and rum in a blender with ice. Pour into a tall glass, top with Club Soda and stir. Garnish with mint sprigs and a wedge of watermelon if desired.  Serve immediately.

Happy Friday!!

Truly EASYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Entertaining

Take those old plates and break 'em - OPAAA! Why? Because we are making entertaining easy with a fully disposable dinner party. Fantastic paper plates, plastic cups even flatware that you have to see to believe, and believe me, they sure aren’t what they used to be. This table setting has all the style without any of the clean-up.

No matter what the occasion when planning your tablescape start with a theme or even a simple color palette. Once you have chosen your theme then pick your plates and napkins - this is usually where you can find the most pattern and color. For this summer event, we used greens and yellows…it’s very fun and very fresh.

They say paradise is hard to find, but a simple, beautiful, interchangeable set of verdant paper tableware sure isn’t. For home entertaining reminiscent of that warm, beach getaway we all long for, look no further than this clean, green design. Paradise bloom dessert plates top Shangri-La green and white square dinner plates paired with Serengeti inspired green and white napkins. In lieu of a runner, we used yellow scrapbooking paper as our placemats and angled them in the shape of a diamond to add depth and additional interest to the table settings. Also, plastic silverware that looks “oh so real” are the perfect complement to this elegant table.

For the centerpiece, we used a colorful Blumebox, it’s the revolutionary innovation that’s more than a vase – it’s a gift box for flowers and a low cost alternative that kicks glass right in the – whoops… we get excited and so will you when you see it. You can fill it with fresh, summer florals and voila you have a simple, instant centerpiece. You can also use these as favors for your guests to take home.

The glassware we chose for this gathering is simple, plastic champagne flutes perfect for serving Bellinis or your favorite champagne. This disposable dinner party will really take the pressure off so you can focus on what matters most: your friends, your family and your fun! …without ever having to worry about the clean-up.

PopFlowers

 

PopFlowers are always in season! Just imagine: gerber daisies for your February wedding; dogwoods in December! They’re ideal for table decorations — centerpieces, balloon weights, napkin rings, placecard holders, fancy swizzle sticks at the bar!

Flower arrangements from PopFlowers are made of dirt-resistant, lightweight polypropylene and require no care other than an occasional wipe with a damp cloth. The handmade flowers come on coiled wire stems that can be changed to vary the arrangement. The flowers are 100% hypoallergenic and fragrance-free; the manufacturer recycles all post-production waste. The product is shipped using minimal packaging, which is itself biodegradable.

Bake It Pretty

 

How adorable are these colorful cupcake liners?!?!  They are the icing on the cupcake!  Use one liner or pair it with a second one to add an extra pizzazz!  Fill them with candy and use them as party favors.

 

Pick up a pack of 50 for $3.25 at www.BakeItPretty.com!!

Say Cheese!

 

Move over brie and chevre because Spanish cheeses are the new faves for full cocktail party status.  It's about time:  no tradition makes better use of cheese in its pure state than Spanish tapas.  Transforming a wedge of into an hors d'ouevre with a bit of olive, fruit, or meat is so simple, it may well be the ultimate party food.

I think a cheese platter is the perfect dish to center your party around..yum, yum!  Estimate about 4 ounces of cheese per person, and be sure to bring the cheeses to room temperature before serving.  Choose one accompaniment for each cheese (grapes, apples, honey and walnuts are my favorites).  Don't forget the crackers and sliced baguettes on the side.  Choose a couple of nice, summer wines to pair with the cheeses you have selected. If you are not sure ask the sommelier at your local wine store...they are more then happy to share their 2 cents on the subject. 

You can find some great Spanish cheeses at your local cheese shop or market (Whole Foods usually has a pretty good selection).

I love this party...it's the perfect summer soiree. So Cheesy!!

Tips For Planning A Bridal Shower

Start planning early – do not think you can pull a bridal shower together in a week! For a stress-free bridal shower, start your preparations well in advance.

• Have it indoors – although the outside can be pretty, it can also be extremely hot or cold and there is always the chance of rain. So that all of your guests can have an enjoyable time at the bridal shower, rent a hall or use a home that has air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.

• Use a food service that delivers – many local grocery stores will deliver for parties! Having this service will free you up for other preparations on the day of the bridal shower. All you will need to do is place the food on the tables when it arrives.

• Pick a theme – not a cartoon character like at your little nephew’s last party, but something like “love” or “commitment”. You can then center the games, decorations and even the food around that theme.

• Have the “Thank You” cards ready for the guest of honor – this is especially important if this is a surprise bridal shower. Have the guests fill out the stamped envelopes with their name and address. Then, with a list of all the presents and who they came from, the bride will have a much easier time sending out her thank you notes.

• Simple decorations are best – don’t go overboard when decorating for a bridal shower. The guest of honor is supposed to be the center of attention, not the streamers, balloons and flowers. Keep everything simple and elegant, so that the bride remains the focus of her bridal shower.

Even if you have never planned an event like this before – You can do it! The most important thing about a bridal shower is the bride and celebrating her upcoming wedding. Everything else takes a distant second.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Bridal Shower Games, printable activities, party planning tips, menus, recipes, and party supplies to help complete your celebration.

 

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

 

When making plans for your wedding day, there are quite a few items to consider regarding correct protocol. There are certain ways to carry out the ceremony, the reception and all of the fine points that are essential for a marriage. There are standards for situations including apparel, manners, processes and announcements. Also, there is wedding invitation etiquette.

Wedding invitation etiquette comprises the proper processes to proclaim your wedding. Invitations are distributed to friends, family and additional acquaintances who you would like to attend. If performing a big church affair, invitations are sent to friends and family of both the bride and groom. If inviting individuals connected through business, it ought to be done out of closeness, not for connections. For smaller home weddings, the list can be narrowed down to family and dear friends. Consideration should be given to how many guests can comfortably fit into the gathering area.

Here are several general guidelines when it concerns wedding invitation etiquette:

*Invitations must communicate the mood of the event, be it traditional, contemporary, simple or informal.

*The invitations have to set out the particulars about the events of the day.

*You must be unambiguous in both the words and the connotation when it comes to time, location, clothing, directions or any additional information necessary for the big day.

*You will need to send out your invitations far enough in advance of the occasion to allow your guests to respond and make their plans appropriately.

*When inviting a guest to the ceremony, it is correct protocol to also invite them to the reception.

There are two kinds of wedding invitations, formal and informal. Formal wedding invitation etiquette, the conventional style, is most often employed when planning a large elaborate gathering or a huge church wedding. Informal etiquette can be for small family weddings where things will be more relaxed.

Formal wedding invitations typically have the following rules:

*Names are normally written out in full, including middle name

*All words are supposed to be spelled out, including the date, time and year. All street addresses must adhere to this rule as well.

*Instead of 3rd, or "the third", use III (Roman numerals)

*Formal invitations include two envelopes, the main one and the reply envelope

Religious circumstances "request the honor of your presence" while non-religious gatherings "request the pleasure of your company"

Informal invitations typically keep to these guidelines:

*Hand written, email and telephone invitations are acceptable

*Less formal use of tone and words

*Uncomplicated statements of time, date, place, directions, along with who is to be wed.

Formal wedding invitations are the most common. On the other hand, informal invitations allow couples more opportunity for originality.

There's more to wedding invitations than choosing a design. There's a also a certain protocol involved with inviting guests to share your special day. Make sure your invitations measure up by visiting the Wedding Invitation Etiquette site.

Finding the Best Wedding Favors to Preserve Wedding Memories

Wedding favors are not just a simple gift of thanks given to each wedding guest, but they also serve as the memorabilia to preserve all the wedding memories that happened during the big day. When it comes to wedding favors, it is not new for you that there is a plethora of choices available nowadays. Thus, finding the best favors can be quite tricky. Fortunately, there are some ways to help brides and grooms on how to find the best wedding favors for their nuptial. Wedding favors can be anything, from edible treats, decorative items, useful items to unique items.

Edible wedding favors are very popular these days. They can also make an inexpensive options for those who have tight wedding budget. Edible giveaways can be chocolates, candies, mints, Jordan almonds, jams, coffees, teas or wine. Homemade edible treats such as cookies and jams are a popular option if you only have a limited budget. You can get as creative as you want when making your homemade edible favors by incorporating colorful edible decorations, as well as using cute favor boxes or bags as your containers.

However, if you don't have enough time to make your homemade edible treats, you can always purchase pre-made edible wedding souvenirs online. Plus, you can have them personalize with both of your names or initials, wedding date and a special message. There are so many creative edible favors that are sure to impress your guests!

Another popular choice of favors today are customized decorative items. With customized wedding favors, you are sure to reflect a unique personality you and your spouse's have. You can purchase a volume of decorative items and have them customized according to both of your similar hobbies, favorite sports or crafts. Decorative items that often get customized include mini picture frames, place card holders, coasters, hand fans, mugs, ceramic plates and the likes.

In case you are a couple who wants to be unique, you may incorporate a unique touch on your wedding favors. Your imagination is the limit, and you can also get very creative when it comes to unique souvenirs. There are lots of fun and extra ordinary items you can purchase as your wedding souvenirs. You can find candles molded in different fun shapes and themes, as well as clever tins where to put colorful little candies or bubble gums. Unique wedding favors also means to complement a unique wedding theme. For example, if you are planning a Vegas themed wedding, find unique favors that features a Vegas theme as well. Of course, you can also find other themed wedding favors to suit a specific theme you want for your wedding.

Different wedding supplies such as wedding souvenirs, invitations, decorations, bridesmaids gifts, groomsmen gifts and etc. are widely available online. At reasonable prices, personalized wedding supplies are always in demand. Along with personalized wedding supplies scrolls different edible, decorative, useful and unique favors to choose from. Make a choice and order in volume so can avail great some great discounts.

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you're looking for personalized wedding favors, visit the website Americanbridal.com and browse their extensive collection. Find groomsmen gifts to make your wedding extra special!

(Pictures by the Knot.com)

 

Dancing And Your Wedding

 

Recently a friend of mine asked me if I thought guests would be bored at her wedding if there was no dancing?

Both her wedding and reception is going to be held at a gorgeous winery, where amplified music of any kind is not allowed. They are planning to hire a flamenco guitar player for the ceremony. They fell in love while dancing but they don't plan to have a dance floor at the reception. They do, however, want  some sort of background music. The problem is that their reception will begin at about 7 p.m. So she asked if I thought her guests would be bored out of their minds at an evening wedding with no dancing?  This is the best answer I found on the Knot by Carley of Ask Carley. 

Answer:  This just means that the feel of your wedding reception will be more like a dinner or cocktail party (you don't mention whether or not you are serving dinner) than a more traditional dance party. If this is what you would like, you are certainly entitled to do so. Guests will get the idea when they arrive and see no dance floor; and since they will not be expecting dancing they will probably mingle more. Talk to your musicians as well about occasionally changing the tempo of the music to jazz or something more upbeat to keep toes taping. You don't have to dance to have a good time at a party -- good conversation, delicious food, and beautiful music can make for an equally enjoyable time.

Grill It Up!

Summer is here and it is time to BBQ!!  Whether you are staying in the city for a backyard bash or chilling at the beach, making a simple meal of grilled meat and fish, summer salads and frosty desserts is always a crowd pleaser.

The Lazy Hostess loves this type of stress-free entertaining and has scoped out some of the best gadgets, tools and products to make your BBQ experience even easier.

Fry on the Grill
Steaks, burgers and chicken are not the only things that can go on the BBQ. We love cooking vegetables like sweet Vidalia onions, red and yellow peppers and Portobello mushroom caps in this Mesh Grill-Top Fry Pan ($29.95). Made from heavy-gauge, stainless steel wire, this fry plan creates perfect grill marks, while preventing food from falling into the fire. And, its dishwasher safe for simple clean-up!
 
Marinade Your Meat
This is an easy preparation tip that makes all the difference to the flavor of your meat. Marinate the night before with a savory and sweet sauce like Jonathan Q BBQ ($4.29), which is made from all natural ingredients and ideal for grilling, baking and broiling.
 
Perfect Flipper
Here’s a great tool for the grill master in your group! It’s a stainless steel Meat Hook  ($9.96) from Sur La Table that makes flipping food mess-free and safe!
 
BBQ in a Bucket
For most urbanites, outdoor space is hard to find. This  ($34.95) is an ingenious portable BBQ that works well for small decks as well as grilling on the beach. All you need to do is fill with charcoal to get the party started!
 
Corn Zipper
Fresh corn salad is a favorite side dish for summer meal but it can be labor intensive to cut the kernels off the cob. Now making it can be super efficient with this Corn Zipper ($12.95) which lets you uniformly strip off the corn. We like tossing the corn with thinly sliced radishes, chopped parsley or cilantro, red onion, jalapenos, olive oil and lots of lime juice and pepper!

A seasoned event planner, Celia Chen is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Notes on a Party, an online magazine about entertaining that celebrates Events from the Inside Out™.  For a behind-the-scenes look at VIP events and more tips on party planning, visit http://www.notesonaparty.com.