I love Manhattan in the fall and I especially love this cocktail that pays tribute to Manhattan in the Fall. Flavors of ripe pear and amber spirits reminds the drinker of fall and New York in all it's glory this time of year.
Ingredients:
1 part Stirrings Pear Martini Mixer
1 1/2 parts Bulleit Bourbon 1/2 part sweet vermouth
Directions:
Shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker and strain into a cocktail glass.
I can hardly believe it's already November...Where did the year go?!?! And I can't believe that I am writing about Thanksgiving and already beginning to plan Christmas...Yikes! Well, I guess it's true what they say, "Time Flies When You're Having Fun!" Well, here's one more way to have fun with your family and friends this Thanksgiving - Play a Game. My family is all about games and this year since my Mother will officially be hosting the Big Turkey Day this year I am going to bring this game as my contribution.
This is one Thanksgiving game that is guaranteed to inspire fun and meaningful conversations at your Thanksgiving dinner (oh no...look out!) It really is a fun ice breaker that also makes a great hostess gift! A great way to help foster family togetherness and create a memorable Thanksgiving. I guess it's better than watching Uncle Ned do that same old dance he does every year with the floor lamp while lip syncing all the words to "Sweet Caroline" - although that is pretty fun, too.
The Thanksgiving Box of Questions comes in a beautifully designed gift box with a snug top and 35 glossy pumpkin pie cards. Playful, original illustrations with clever, engaging and entertaining questions.
Bonus: 20 placecards + 20 Thanksgiving stickers
Age: appropriate for the entire family
InStyle Magazine named Social Couture as one of their favorite website in this year's "Best of the Web" list. The magazine selected Social Couture as the best party decor & favors site. Check out the full list in the November 2009 issue.
1. Spider Placecard Holders - Have a haunting good time finding your spot at the table with these furry little black spider place card holders. Comes in a set of 6.
2. Witch's Black Hat - These adorable black witch hats make the perfect decoration whether by themselves or lined up. Use them to top each place setting for a spooktacular table set up. They are made of woven straw and come with an orange organza ribbon. Comes in a Set of 4.
3. Orange Paper Lantern - Fill the room with paper lanterns. Add your own black bat embellishments or creepy spiders. Indoor or outdoors, blowing in the wind or hanging over the table. Stack them up or hang them from a fishing pole. Nothing says party like paper lanterns. They really are today's version of streamers.
4. Black Candelabra - Just add cobwebs and dripping candles for the perfect Halloween centerpiece. All you need now is a little spooky music. Oh so eeerrrieeee!
Halloween is getting closer and last night I started writing out my Halloween checklist. I am definitely going to make a big batch of Stirrings Blood Orange Punch - it's spooktacular! You can also try a Stirring's Blood Orange Martini or a Blood Orange Bellini by combining the mixer with vodka and sparkling respectively.
Ingredients:
Steps:
I love it when companies make throwing a party easy (i.e. Social Couture - sorry had to say it) and I also love this printable partyware - so simple and absolutely adorable. This printable partyware collection includes everything from place cards to invitations, charming napkin rings to wine glass tags and so much more...Wow! What could be easier.
As many of you are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My mother-in-law is a cancer survivor (she was one of the lucky ones). I have lost too many people over the years to this horrible disease and every day I spend with my family I am reminded just how important finding a Cure is.
Paper and Cake are doing their part in fighting this cause by donating 50% of the proceeds from each "Pink Party" sold straight to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. So, do your part and throw a party!
You will find everything you need to throw a wonderful event In this gorgeous "Pink Party" collection.
PRINT • CUT • PARTY!
We dedicate the following playbook to the rookies and the seasoned pros alike, and we know this will help you score big with your guests.
SO - Give me an F, give me a U, give me an N….What’s that spell? FUN!! FUN-FUN-FUN –FUN-FUNNNNNN!
Here’s the game plan:
Pre-Game Warm-Up
The first and most important part of planning any game and any party is the preparation. So consider starting with a list of all the items that you’ll need. Write your guest list, and plan the food, snacks, serving wares, and drinks. Every detail is worth jotting down, and will make the execution as easy as checking items off your list. Also, make sure you choose an invitation that will set the tone of the party. The invitation will excite both you and your guests.We love these great football ticket invitations.
Team Roster
If you are tailgating don’t be afraid to enlist the help of friends that will be joining you. After you’ve determined what items you are going to need– including the all important food, snacks, and drinks, you can start delegating. Choose people you can rely on and who you know can complete a pass. Remember, there’s no “I” in TEAM.
The Playing Field
If you’re hosting a party at home, a kitchen buffet set-up lets you enjoy the game along with your guests, and make sure if you and your guests are going to be spending a good amount of time in the kitchen that you place dishes on a counter, an island or a table, and have a small television tuned into the game so nobody misses a crucial play. Wrap silverware in napkins paired with these adorable football napkin rings.
Team Spirit
Transform grass patches into playing fields with miniature plastic football players and goalposts. Place cheerful colored flowers bunched in simple glass vases. Set out a tray of football themed cupcakes as dessert and favors. And spread snacks around, easy and accessible by everyone.
Also, ladies – don’t be afraid of noise! Turn your TV up so that everyone can hear the pre-game interviews and keep track of the other big games that are going on that day. Let’s be honest, the guys will demand this anyway so make them happy and get the energy up right into the kick off.
And sure, you always hope the game is going to be action packed, but some games just turn out to be snoozers. A great way to get your guests excited is to start a pool for the game or pass out mini footballs to toss around during commercials- these also make for great favors.
Not everyone quite understands how to throw a pool, but trust me on this one the guys will love this and the girls will tune in just as eagerly to the game as the most ardent fans when money is on the line. This is how you do it:
On a piece of blank paper mark 10 columns across and 10 rows down for a table of 100 squares – DO NOT NUMBER THEM YET; however, above the columns write the name of the home team and to the left of the rows write the name of the visiting team. Have everyone write their names in each box and you can even charge people $1 dollar per square (or more!!!). When every square has been filled in, take 10 pieces of square scrap paper and write a number from 0 to 9 on each piece and throw them into a hat, shake it up and then randomly pull 1 piece/number out at a time and write that number on top and across the columns. Replace all 10 pieces of paper back into the hat, shake it up and do the same to randomly number the rows downward. Presto! There is your pool. Assuming you sold the squares for let’s say $1 a piece, the entire pool will be worth $100 to the winner and the winner is the person that owns the square that has the far right digit of the home team score as well as the far right digit of the score that corresponds to the visiting team. You can even split the money into 1st quarter, halftime, 3rd quarter and final score. This really will liven up any party, trust me!
Food
Consider the time of the game, as this can help you decide what type of food and drinks to serve. If it is a 10 am kickoff, then Bloody Marys would be the obvious drink of choice and Champagne/Mimosa Brunch might make for a lively and interesting twist to a football party.
When tailgating: Drinks actually might be the first thing you think of. With so many different options – beyond boring old beer, you’ll surely be able to find a drink that perfectly complements your menu. Be adventurous and use the flavors of the season– mint for those warm Indian summer afternoons, or cinnamon as the season moves into the cooler days of the playoffs.
Be sure to also offer nonalcoholic options, like iced tea and soda during the beginning of the season when it is still warm and hot chocolate and coffee during the colder months.
Remember, the key to any great party is all in the preparation. With a little forethought and an ounce of creativity, you’ll go a long way to ensure that your party is an S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!
There is always something so beautiful and classic about monogrammed gifts. Whenever you personalize something people really feel like you have thought of them...it's very flattering. I had a few sets of guest towels embroidered with "WELCOME" which I now keep on hand as a last minute gift item for friends. They are gorgeous. I absolutely love monogrammed gifts especially linen napkins; I think they truly refresh and dress up any tabletop. These also make for a great wedding gift or you can give a set of monogrammed cocktail napkins to your weekend host. Whatever you do - Monogram it!
It's hard to believe that Labor Day is already here even more surprising is the fact that it signifies the end of summer (wasn't it just Memorial day?!). Where did the time go?? I guess it's true what they say, "Time flies when you're having fun!" It's definitely been a really fun summer. I say let's not go out without a fight or at least a BBQ.
This Labor day call everyone you know that's in town and invite them over for a good ole fashioned end of summer party/Labor Day BBQ. What's great about this weekend is that everyone considers the entire weekend a holiday so with that in mind pick any day of the weekend to throw your BBQ.
Let's start with your table setting. Since Labor Day honors all of the working people let's get back to the basics when it comes to the decor. For your centerpiece, fill an old wooden box or galvanized bucket with wheat grass and throw in a few American flags in honor of all those hardworking Americans. Check out the local scrapbooking store or craft store to find bandana paper then roll it into cones and serve popcorn or homemade fries. In keeping with this theme use a bandana as a napkin to hold silverware at each place setting pair with rattan chargers and simple white plates. Sunflowers double as placecard holders and definitely add a pop of color to your table.
Keep it simple when it comes to the food (hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, steaks, chips, pretzels, and festive summer drinks). If you are trying to keep your costs down serve a signature cocktail rather than offering a full bar.
Whatever you decide to do - Have fun! After all, this is the last hurrah of the summer.
I have a good friend who's getting married and when she went to register she became very overwhelmed and ended up walking out with nothing. She called me shortly after and explained to me what had happened - she said she had no idea where to begin. I told her that I believe you should always start with the basics. It's the same as building a wordrobe - you always start with your core items then build upon it.
For tableware, I believe this core wardrobe is white plates and bowls, clear glasses and simple white and clear serving pieces. This way your table can always be adapted to whatever the occasion just by adding colorful linens, fun napkin rings and festive centerpieces. If you are going to make an investment in your tableware then you should be able to use it for multiple occasions. Let's face it - nice tableware is NOT cheap.
Be sure to always keep plenty of votives, tealights and candles in your pantry. Candlelight is the perfect (and easiest) way to set an elegant ambience.
