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.

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.

 

 

Easy Easter Decorating Idea

Are you looking for a fun, simple idea to dress-up your Easter table?  If so, this is the perfect way to add a little something without a lot of fuss.  Even plain water bottles or glasses can be decorated for Easter!  How cute is this band with a friendly bunny face!

How to do it:
Draw and cut out the pattern, print the bunny stencils on pretty wrapping paper, then cut out. With a black marker draw eyes, nose, and a happy smiling mouth. Connect and secure the ends together with a transparent adhesive.
The ends can be of any length to fit for a vase, for example.

Easter Cake Pop Inspiration

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Here comes Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail...Easter's on it's Way!!!  How adorable are these Easter Cake Pops by Bakerella?!?!  I just love Easter and I can't wait to make up a batch of these for my son's Easter Basket - he is going to go crazy for these adorable little treats.  Check out Bakerella for more Easter Cake Pop ideas and recipes.

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!)

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!!

 

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! 

T.G.I.F. ESKY'S HOT SPOT

OK, I have to confess that I have seriously been the biggest slacker when it comes to blogging these days...I think the holiday took all my mojo and any bit of energy I had; but I have decided that enough is enough and it's time to get rid of this lazy, slacker attitude so I am back!  Starting next week I will start posting on a regular basis and I am also planning on making some exciting changes to this blog.  I welcome any and all ideas. 

Let's get this weekend started with the perfect happy hour cocktail...Esky's Hot Spot!