All Things For All Parties

What Are You Doing for Lighting?

 

Photo by the Knot.com

I am on the Spring Event Committee at my son's school and we have been discussing how important the lighting is; I think most people forget about the lighting but it is definitely a key ingredient to the decor.  You can keep the decorations simple and elegant and add lighting that will really make the decor pop for that "wow" factor. I am always surprised by how much it can change the way a room looks. I think we area all guilty of picking out unique decorations to set the ambiance of an event but we usually forget about this aspect of a party and it is one of the most important ways to set the mood!  Too bright and you feel like it's an interrogation, too dark and yikes...is that your hand!  Turn your room from standard to simply stunning by lighting the way. So my challenge is for you to design a party purely around the lighting, I think you will be pleasantly surprised how great it turns out.  Whether it be candles or colored lights do something that really changes the mood of the room. Oh and when you do please send us your pics we would love to see what you did. I am going to really focus on the lighting for my son's school event especially because we have a very small budget. I can't wait to share the pictures with you. 

Adorable DIY Easter Egg Cups

 
How adorable are these festive egg cup holders?!  They are the perfect addition to your easter table or spring gathering; you can also use them as place card holders and favors - Just make the grassy coil tighter, write your guest's names on a card, and tuck them into the tall grasses. Ta da!!! 

Materials Needed:
How to PDF
8 1/2″ x 11″ Text Paper (Moss, Sage & Curry)
Medium Adhesive Pearls
7 Point Shape Hole Punch
Double Stick Tape
Bone Folder
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Cut strips of moss and sage text paper to approximately 2″ x 11″. Use the grass template on the "How to PDF" to cut out blades of grass or cut freehand.
2. Take one strip of moss grass and sage grass and loosely coil to allow room for an egg to fit snugly inside. Secure outer and inner strips of grass with double stick tape. Curl ends of grass outwards with a bone folder.
3. Decorate the base of the grassy egg cup holder with a curry flower, using the 7 point shape hole punch. Use double stick tape to adhere to egg cup. Embellish the center with a pearl.

This craft and photo was brought to you by the Paper Source.

T.G.I.F. Income Tax Cocktail

 

Ugghhh!  I just finished my taxes and now I need a cocktail!  I found this recipe and I couldn't think of anything more perfect for this Friday and the next week...we all might need a pitcher of these after Uncle Sam takes his fair share of our hard earned $$$.  Happy Friday to you!

Yield: 1 Drink
Ingredients:
•2 oz gin
•1/4 oz sweet vermouth
•1/4 oz dry vermouth
•1 oz orange juice
•Angostura bitters to taste
•orange twist for garnish

Preparation:
1.Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes.
2.Shake well.
3.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4.Garnish with the orange twist.

What's Your Entertaining Style?

 
Photo by Brown Eyed Baker

Taken from a page out of Party Basics by Schinharl/Dickhaut/Lane

If you don't have this great entertaining book - you should definitely pick it up - it is a "Must Have" for your entertaining library.

The Formal Dinner - This is the fine art of dining at a table with courses served on plates, at least two courses and often three to four but seldom more than six.  A formal dinner party is more work and more impressive than ordinary dining and cooking - which is also why more is expected - interesting cuisine, interesting conversation and an interesting time.  It's best to invite a varied group of 6-8 people so it won't get too lonely at the table when the hosts are in the kitchen, although hopefully they won't be gone long.  Serving more than three courses to 12 people is only for professionals.  Not good:  "What's all that yelling coming from the kitchen?'

Should You Expect Gifts at Your Engagement Party?

 

I love this question!  My friends and I can debate this one all day long and sometimes we do.  So the correct answer is although giving a gift at a celebratory event is always thoughtful and appreciated, it definitely isn't required at engagement parties. Therefore, the couple shouldn't be expecting gifts.

It's probably a good idea to start thinking about a registry but if you don't have one before your engagement party some possible gifts you might receive are: couple's cooking classes, a wine club membership, or a gift certificate to a spa or restaurant.

If you do receive gifts at your engagement party then you should definitely send a handwritten thank-you note to the giver as soon as you can after the engagement party. There is one other key thing to keep in mind when throwing your engagement party...Make sure that anyone who you invite to your engagement party is also invited to the wedding.

 

Simple Centerpieces in Seconds

 
 

You definitely won't need a florist with these simple DIY centerpiece ideas; they are sure to wow your guests.

No matter what your budget or time restriction is these centerpieces are the bomb!!!  I have always thought a more simple, but creative piece is way more chic.  Centerpieces are a great way to make your guests feel important and of course make your table look very elegant.  

How to Make a Bunny Napkin Fold by Better Homes and Gardens

 

T.G.I.F. How about a Blood Orange Campari?!

 
photo and recipe by Global Cocktails

I've definitely got Spring Fever!!  We live in LA and this week has finally started to warm-up; we have had beautiful, summer like weather for the last few days and it has put me in the mood for something new.  This week has been incredibly busy and stressful so I am really looking forward to being to being able to sit outdoors and enjoy one of these tasty drinks.

Ingredients

3 large blood oranges, juiced, about 1/3 cup juice

1 oz. Campari

Chilled Prosecco or Champagne

Optional garnish: blood orange peel or blood orange slice

Directions

Pour 1 ½ oz. of blood orange juice in each Champagne flute. Add ½ oz. of campari. Top off each drink with sparkling wine, garnish with a slice of blood orange, and enjoy.