All Things For All Parties

T.G.I.F. Micheladas!

 
This simple spicy Mexican Beer Cocktail recipe is great for warm days or Fiestas.  Cervezas preparadas, or "prepared beers," are popular throughout Mexico.  What goes in a Michelada varies by region by the simplest version uses the following recipe.  I am not a big beer drinker but there is nothing more refreshing than a ice cold Michelada. 

Ingredients:

12 oz beer
juice of 1 lemons
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 dash soy sauce
1 dash Tabasco® sauce
1 pinch black peppers
salt

Directions:

Mix ingredients in a tall high glass with lots of ice. Add beer, mix, and serve.

 

Class of 2011 Graduation Party

 

 
Hosting a Graduation Party, Senior Party or Prom?  Still looking for theme ideas?  How about celebrating the graduate in your life with this sophisticated and simple Black & White Printable Party...all you have to do is Print, Cut and Party!!!  What could be easier?!

 
Pop the champagne (or sparkling cider) and get this party started!!  You can print it on colored paper to match your alumni's school colors for a great grad party.  

 

Inviting Out of Town Family to Your Shower

 
photo by MarthaStewart.com

I think most brides give a lot of thought to who they should or should not invite to certain events and I think it's only natural to wonder if you should invite out-of-town family and future in-laws to your shower(s).

I say you should absolutely invite them - they will be thrilled to be included. It's a thoughtful gesture that shows you're thinking of them and hope they could be there, even though it's unlikely that they'll be able attend. One thing to keep in mind is that you don't have to invite all the women on your fiancé's guest list. After all, a shower is supposed to be a party for a bride's closest friends and family members, so be sure and send invites to your fiance's immediate family (i.e. mom, grandmothers, sisters) and maybe a few of his closest friends. It's doubtful that they'll think you're being greedy—in fact, they're more likely to feel slighted if you leave them out. 

 

Host a Chic Flick Movie Party

 

Invite your best gal pals to see a good ole fashioned chic flick.  Then make a night of it with cocktails and conversation at your house.

First set the date and time.  Plan to do most of the socializing for after the movie so everyone can relax and discuss the film without rushing out plus guests will understand certain references and some of your choices in food and decor.

Serve movie inspired signature cocktails.  For instance, if the movie takes place in NYC serve New York inspired snacks and if they show a specific restaurant try to recreate some of the items on the menu.  Even better if the movie takes place in a certain time period or country, you can delight your guests with various popular foods from that particular era or area. 

T.G.I.F. Cucumber Margaritas

 
Photo and recipe by Coastal Living, September 2005

I recently went to a new Mexican restaurant in our area and they had the best Cucumber Margaritas...I couldn't believe how refreshingly good they were and now I have such a craving to make them so I started scouring the internet to find a recipe that seemed similar and this is what I found.  Ole, Ole!

Makes 4 servings 
 
Ingredients
12 slices fresh cucumber
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
4 ounces (1/2 cup) Cointreau
6 ounces (3/4 cup) tequila reposado
6 cups ice
1/4 cup Grand Marnier
Lime slices 
 
Preparation
Combine cucumber and next 4 ingredients in a blender; process until smooth.
Pour into glasses. Top each serving with a tablespoon of Grand Marnier, and garnish with lime.

SURPRISE GIVEAWAY: Shabby Apple

  

Winner Update: This giveaway is now closed. Thank you so much to everyone that entered! I really wish we could give this prize away to EVERYONE who entered unfortunately, we could only have one winner, and that lucky, randomly selected person is….

Commenter # 1 – Sarah M. Congrats to you, Sarah and thanks for entering.

Can you believe it’s MAY already?  What better way to start the new month than with a Surprise Giveaway! I don't know if it's because the temperatures are rising or I am dreaming of a Roamin' Holiday but I am ready to pack away the sweaters and break out the dresses which is why this new giveaway comes at the perfect time from Shabby Apple; they specialize in delightful designs that allow every woman to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else.  These women's dresses are ideal to wear to your next summer soiree and you can bet that everyone will be asking, "Who are you wearing?"

Today, Shabby Apple is offering one of their gorgeous dresses from their new "Roamin Holiday” summer line to one lucky Social Couture reader. 

Bet you or someone you know (friend/Mom/daughter/niece) that would look pretty darn gorgeous in one of these women's dresses!

HOW TO ENTER:

• To enter to win one of these amazing dresses all you have to do is "LIKE" Shabby Apple on Facebook and then leave us a comment here saying you did so.
• Here is the link:  https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Shabby-Apple/56291792791. 
• Giveaway ends Thursday, May 12th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced here after they’ve been notified via email and accepted the prize. Good luck, everyone!!
• In addition, all of our readers will all receive a 10% off coupon on any purchase at Shabby Apple just use the code "socialcouture10off" (code expires in 30 days).

 

Inviting Your Friend's Friends to Your Wedding?

 
Photo by TheKnot.com

Ok, so one of my fiance's groomsmen (and his wife) would like to invite a few people that my fiance and I know casually. He said he thinks it would be the right thing to do since we have all hung out on occasions but I should also mention that we are not close in fact I would consider them his friends not ours. If we add these people it won't cost too much more but we barely know them. I asked my fiance about it and he said he would pay the extra for them but doesn't really care if they come or not. I am not going to ask my fiance to pay for them and we are on a very tight budget. My fiance really doesn't want to upset his friend. What should I do?  Should I talk to the groomsmen?

Wow!  This is definitely a tough one or is it?!  Hmmm, I think since this is not just some informal get together it is ok to say no this time.  I would say something like this to your fiance's groomsmen, "Bob, we absolutely adore the Smiths and the Hunters but unfortunately we are on a very tight budget and as it is we have already had to cut close (empasis on the CLOSE) family and friends from the guest list.  After the wedding we are planning to host a BBQ with a few friends and we would love to include them.  I hope you understand our predicament."  I think most people understand how expensive weddings are these days and unfortunately you can't always include everyone. 

In the words of good ole Honest Abe, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.

 

Throw an Authentic Mexican Fiesta for Cinco de Mayo

  

Aye Caramba!  Can you believe it's already May so whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo or just looking for a reason to mix up some margaritas, a Mexican Fiesta themed party is always a sure thing.  Casual, easy and inexpensive to throw, your guests will be shouting “Ole, Ole” with these festive ideas.

Cinco de Mayo Decorations

It’s hard to have too many decorations with this theme and you can make it look fabulous and authentic without having to use the typical plastic and foil decorations you usually find at your local party store.  For this party, mix brightly colored linens, like this red runner accented by brown and chartreuse napkins.  Better yet, if you have a serape around the house from your last trip to Mexico this also works great as a tablecloth or runner.  If you’ll be entertaining a lot of guests and will have several tables, try using burlap for your tablecloth.  The rough and natural texture is the perfect neutral base for all the color that you’ll be adding with these decorations.  To add an extra punch; colored glass votives, mixed with terracotta votives and tin luminarias will help set the mood once the sun sets.

Last Minute Cinco de Mayo Decorations

 
Add a little bit of spice to your next party. From Cinco de Mayo to a Classic Fiesta, Dia de los Muertos or a DIY Margarita Mixer; find everything you need to serve up nachos, guacamole, and did we mention the margaritas, at your very own Mexican Style Fiesta!