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!

 

 

 

 

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!)

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!!

 

IT'S A DONUT THEMED BRIDAL SHOWER!

Photos by A Beautiful Mess
If there's one thing I love...it's DONUTS!! I absolutely LOVE this super fun donut themed bridal shower that blogger, Elsie of A Beautiful Mess hosted for her future sister-in-law. I love the festive colors and the giant chalkboard she used as a backdrop for the food table filled with descriptive doodles...so creative and fun! For all my followers, click here to save on your donuts-themed bridal shower, or party!

 

 

Raw Bars are the NEW Rage!

Hey Brides or Party Planners - Check out this new, healthy idea for your wedding.  Event planners, Josh Tierney,Co-Director of Style and Design at Great Performances says, "this cocktail hour staple doesn’t have to be messy melting blocks of ice, stringy seaweed, and thoughtless piles of seafood.  “The raw bar can be a clean, elegant, cocktail-hour friendly presentation. Instead of piles of shrimp and oysters, we’ve created a ‘grab n’ go’ seafood presentation, featuring small plates of oysters on a bed of sea salt and individual shrimp cocktail shooters in clear glass votive holders,” he says.

“Accent the menu with a condiment bar: Cocktail, mignonette, lemons, and horseradish presented in martini, highball, and rocks glasses. Miniature bottles of Tabasco sauce will complete the look,” adds Tierney.

Have floral arrangements peppered across the raw bar, with colors complimenting the seafood, to help enhance the overall statement and specialty rental furniture to “push the look from ho-hum catering hall, to one-of-a-kind, urban sophistication.”.

2012 Wedding Industry Predictions by Christine Dyer

In 2012, brides will look to be transformed on their big day and they will make their day an extension of their personal individuality.  According to one of our wedding community's members, Streetlight Republic Photography¸“2012 is all about Romance. Lace. Ruffles. Princesses.  The scenery and props of Pride and Prejudice combined with Cinderella’s wedding gown and horse drawn carriage (maybe not a pumpkin though) would be right on trend."  Here is a little preview of what Streetlight Republic Photography expects to see this coming year:

How to Host the Perfect Holiday Open House

My Mother has a Holiday Open House every year for her clients so I decided to write her a "How To" Blog to help her have a stress free Open House this year (Stress-Free is the Key Word here).  Even though she has been doing it for years it still becomes the most stressful time for her (I usually like to avoid her house around this time).

A Holiday Open House is by design a very relaxed and informal party and a great way to entertain a large group during the holidays.  The best thing about it is that friends and neighbors can arrive at their convenience betweeen a very wide timeframe and during these busy times it really is such a wonderful gesture.  What I love the most about this type of party is that you usually have a lot of time to get to really catch-up with friends and family since you can are able to do it during staggered times in the day verses that 2-3 hour window you have at most parties.

Holiday Entertaining Budget Tips

Photo by WorkingDivas.com

A holiday party doesn't have to cost a lot. Use a few of these quick tips to make your holiday party a night to remember.

I have always been a big believer in repurposing what you already have.  An old-fashioned sled looks great by the front door, a scarf can make a festive table runner, and fluffy woolen mittens accent tabletops or walls.  Frame festive holiday cards and use as wall art or set the frames on tabletops.  You can also make your own garland by stringing together popcorn, cranberries cinnamon sticks or any other fun edible item you can think of...don't be afraid to get creative. 

Use candles to create the perfect ambience.  Candles are inexpensive and an easy way to set the mood.

For the drinks, choose a simple signature cocktail this is a great way to keep costs down.  You can also have everyone bring their favorite bottle of wine or champagne.

Create your own soundtrack from iTunes or Pandora to create your own favorite seasonal playlist. 

Get your hair blown out from a local salon to make you feel extra special.  Wear one of your favorite dresses and pair it with new fun costume jewelry to give a little extra oomph! 

Fa, la, la! 

 

Extra Chairs for your Thanksgiving Table

 

I can hardly believe that it's already November 2nd...Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  I love Thanksgiving but this year I want to be prepared for those last minute guests which means I don't want to be scrambling through every room looking for seating options.  Ugh!  So, I sought out to find some extra seating options and with these stylish option there is no need to relegate your guests to a rickety seating situation. I definitely plan to step up my game with one of these upscale options.