All Things For All Parties

A Simple Memorial Day Menu

First of all, I can't believe that I haven't posted since Cinco de Mayo....Wow!  Where did the time go?!?!  We are back now with some fun food suggestions for this weekend's festivities!!

So, fire up the grill and break out the cocktails because Summer is almost here and it's time to Party!!

To Start:  I am all about bite-size appetizers so why not start things off with some Cheesy Mini Quiches...Yum!  I found this great recipe in All You Magazine - so click here to get the recipe for these tasty little treats.

Don't forget to put a little crudite plate together with a nice veggie dip for those guests watching their waistline (since Summer means Swimsuits!).

For your Main Course:  I think kebabs (turkey kielbasa or sirloin-vegetable) are such a great choice and an easy way to serve your guests. 

For the sides:  make a cold potato salad.  Boil the potatoes (whole with skin) than peel the skin and slice them like potato chips than just add olive oil, onions and season them to taste!!  Serve cold.  They are easy and super yummy (recipe by my mother-in-law). 

My husband's favorite Memorial Day side is ColeSlaw so of course that will be on our menu. 

To Drink:  I love drinks that allow your guests to be able to serve themselves so make-up a batch of Strawberry Lemonade Punch.  Just add 1 (12 oz.) pkg. frozen strawberries (with juice and sugar)
1 (12 oz.) can frozen pink lemonade.  Mix lemonade according to can directions. Add frozen strawberries, slightly thawed, and mix.

For Dessert:  Just keep it simple and go with good ole fashioned ice cream sandwiches.  Just make-up a batch of chocolate chip cookies; place one scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies and voila...You are everyone's Hero!!!

Happy Memorial Day!

 

 

 

 

T.G.I.F. CUCUMBER JALAPENO MARGARITAS

Aye Caramba!  Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and I am definitely planning on finding a nice patio to sit on to enjoy a frosty margarita.  The Cucumber Jalapeno Margie is my absolutely favorite and I think you will become as addicted as I am once you make-up a batch of these little diablos!  Ole!

Serving Size 1

Ingredients:

2 slices fresh jalapeno chili
3 slices peeled cucumber
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1.75 ounces Corzo Tequila Blanco
Garnish: unpeeled slice of cucumber

Directions:
1. Add jalapeno, cucumber in cocktail shaker. Muddle to break up chili and cucumber.
2. Add lime juice, tequila and ice. Cover and shake vigorously. Pour into a 12-ounce bucket glass.

All Things Preppy: Grosgrain Napkin Rings

Check out our online shop to find more great Grosgrain Napkin Ring Colors!  Perfect for any occasion (I just bought a set for my Mom for Mother's Day!)

Baby Shower on a Budget

 

Do you have a friend who's expecting?  Here are some great tips for planning the perfect Baby Shower for her without spending a fortune.

1.  For the invitation send a sweet email invitation.  Paper invititations are gorgeous but very pricey.  These days electronic invites look more like fine stationery than emails!  PaperlessPost.com has some great invitations for as little as $5; you can send plenty of beautiful online invitations complete with gorgeous addressed envelopes that open virtually in the recipient's mailbox. Evite also has some great baby shower invitations. 

2.  For the decor, choose a chic color scheme.  If you pick one or two solid colors and stick to the scheme for everything you buy, the harmonious color palette will look gorgeous and expensive. You can purchase a lot of great items from the dollar store or borrow from what your kids have or what you have at home.  I think some of the cutest decorations can be found right in your own home. The decor items pictured above (cupie dolls) come straight from Social Couture and are very inexpensive but definitely make a "OMG that's so cute!" statement.

3.  Another great way to keep costs down is to purchase one type of flower that will make a big impact and do the arranging yourself (cuts labor costs); for example, we just did a huge birthday party for my mother (100 guests) and we purchased all white hydrangeas from the local grocer - we ordered in advance from the grocer's wholesale vendors and we were given additional discounts for ordering in bulk.  For 12 tables of bouquets are costs were less than $150 which is usually what 1 arrangement would cost.  If you don't have enough vases borrow from friends or use these adorable pales pictured above. 

4.  For the food, cut-up veggies for a crudites plate...DIY always cuts costs by about a third.  Add simple hors d'oeuvres, then focus on a dessert that will get you tons of oohs and aahs.  

5.  Focus on an incredible dessert table!!  So easy to do and definitely makes a huge impression.

Ok so just a few extra things to remember...

Set the date at least 4 weeks before the baby's due date so your Mommy to be isn't stressed.

Don't be afraid to ask a friend to host with you.

Keep the guest list to a manageable number and if you can seperate it out from work friends to friends and family...it's not a bad idea to suggest that she have a seperate "office" shower just for her co-workers.

 

 

Hippity Hoppity Easter's On It's Way!

Here comes Peter Cottontail and his friends...hippity hopping all the way to your Easter table!  Anders Ruff has done it again with another one of their absolutely adorable "Easter" Printable Parties.

Universal Studios hired Anders Ruff to design a “HOP” themed Easter party for the release of the movie at Target!  All of the DVD and Blu-Ray discs at Target will have an insert inside with instructions on how you can download your FREE Anders Ruff printable Hoppy Easter party decor set! (For a LIMITED time so be sure to get to your local Target on 3.23.12!)

BUT WHAT SHOULD I WEAR???

How many times have you asked yourself or your friends that question when getting ready to go to the party...ugh!! I was admiring my BFF the other day (as I often do)...she hosts a morning TV show and always looks so perfectly put together with the right necklace, the right earrings and the right bracelet and I always wear the same old jewelry so I decided "NO MORE!" I may not be on TV but there is no reason I can't look like I am!! I discovered Stella & Dot and I must confess I have fallen in LOVE; they have the most stylish jewelry at incredible prices and since I have started wearing it people stop me all the time to ask me where I got it...you can turn the simplest of outfits into something chic!! I can honestly say that it makes me feel so put together when I wear it with such a minimal effort. Who doesn't love that?!?!?

They are the perfect pieces for that baby shower, bridal shower or just grabbing dinner with the girls.

Throw a (Beginners) Poker Party

Phot

Photos by Kelly Lyden from the Party Dress.

What a great excuse to get the Girls together...Invite them over to learn Texas Hold'em, America's new favorite and easiest style of poker.

#1  Round up all your players...the more the merrier.  Gather round a table that will fit all your guests comfortably.  Be sure and let your guests know what the "stakes" will be...you can limit bets to whatever 25 cents for example or for the first night just use poker chips and have all the fun without the money.

#2  For the decor, give your space a casino vibe.  Use a black and white striped tablecloth and game inspired decorations.

#3  Serve up "winning" cocktails like club sandwiches and Royal Flush Martinis.  Use cookie cutters to cut snacks like cookies into hearts, clubs, spades ord diamonds.

#4  Review the rules and be sure to keep a cheat sheet out for guests so they are able to see what hand is higher than another one. 

Winner, winner chicken dinner.

Have fun!!

 

Spring Brunch

We're partnering with Rosanna this week to bring you some fun ideas on spring and Easter Entertaining! You definitely need to stop on by and read their post on simple Spring Décor ideas plus a very yummy Coconut Crème pie recipe. You don’t want to miss this one!!!

Spring is just around the corner so let’s shake off the winter blues and bound into spring’s warm and friendly social schedule. Spring parties are for celebrating any number of occasions: Easter, birthdays, spring break, graduations and more. Spring is a time of renewal and optimism; so now that you’ve begun to thaw out and warm-up, invite your friends over for an intimate spring brunch.

Start with the invitation. Choose a colorful, personalized invite with a simple floral motif. One clever idea is to combine a favor and an invitation all in one, especially if it is an intimate affair. Purchase paper butterflies then print the party information on colorful tags and tie them onto the butterflies. Your guests will be so impressed when you drop them off (or send them).

Choose an easy menu that celebrates the bounty of the season’s produce, decorate your table with fresh blooms, and serve fizzy fruity cocktails.

Design a sophisticated and fresh look with a spring palette made-up of vibrant greens, brilliant whites and sunny yellows. Start by covering a table with a white tablecloth and bright placemats then add a rattan runner (a patterned, spring scarf can also double as a runner). Top the runner with colorful vases like these great and inexpensive Blumeboxes (like the ones pictured above) filled with spring blooms (like tulips or hyacinths). Little bouquets are easy and less intimidating to make. When you are choosing your flowers: stay seasonal, and don’t be afraid to mix your bouquet. Cinch napkins with our preppy grosgrain napkin rings.

If you are entertaining on a budget then go for a simple but charming grass centerpiece and place white tea lights in clear glass votives in the grass.

Paper lanterns are a simple way to make your party feel intimate yet very festive. Add colorful nylon butterflies to your paper lanterns and you will instantly give these lanterns a lift.

The key to a great party - for any season - is appropriate coordination. With so many spring party themes to choose from, it can be challenging to limit the party to one cohesive focal point, but with proper planning a spring party can bloom magnificently into a splendid occasion.

Keep decorations subtle and let Mother Nature do the rest with fresh flowers, bright green grass and crisp blue sky.

Coordinate activities with the party theme, including party games and appetizers.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Photo by Crafty Sisters

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  How delicious and tempting do these Red Candy Apples look?!?!?  So perfect to tempt that special someone. 

T.G.I.F. CHAMBORD CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

My Grandmother used to always say, "that the best way to a Man's heart was through his tummy" and judging by the way my hubby loves sweets...I might just have to agree with her ;-D  So today's recipe is definitely the perfect Valentine's day treat for someone real real sweet!