entertaining

Martha says… Party Planning Guide

by admin on October 18, 2011

in entertaining, try this

Although I’ve been absent, my obsession with Martha Stewart continues.  Seriously, she’s my hero.  I’m a firm believer that everyone has something to offer, and despite how much of an expert you are at one thing (or many), you can always learn something from someone else… who knows?  It could be easier, more efficient, less costly… better.  Anyway, here is Martha’s Party Planning Guide.  You party planners out there may roll your eyes & tell yourselves “I know this already,” and you novice planners may think it’s the best thing ever.  All I know is there’s no harm in seeing how Martha does it, and adding to it, if you need to.

[click to read on…]

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Ice Cream Heaven

by jomylene on July 30, 2009

in entertaining

Who doesn't love ice cream?  If you're saying "Me!", then I applaud you for being able to resist one thing I can never resist on a hot summer day!  Jamoca Almond Fudge?  Forgetaboutit!  So with my love for ice cream, you can only imagine my delight when I saw the subject of the email from Food & Wine The Dish (Weekend Edition) – - "Ice Cream Parlor Redux: 25 Chilled Desserts; F&W's Beer Primer, plus the Ultimate Beer Pairings". 


What?  25 Chilled Desserts?  I immediately though, "Oh boy, I'm in trouble!"  So, my friends, here are my favorites, or you can check it out yourself!


You can try your own "Ice Cream Potluck" if you want!  {click on the recipe below to enlarge}


Fw1


Food & Wine


Fw2


Food & Wine


Fw3


{row 1: White Fudge Sundae; Bourbon-Nectarine Ice Cream Sundaes with Pound-Cake Croutons; Caramelized Pineapple Sundaes with Coconut; row 2:  Vanilla Ice Cream Sundaes with Hot Fudge and Caramel Sauces; Caramel–Passion Fruit Sundaes; Graham Cracker Ice Cream Sundaes with Raspberries; Roasted Pear Sundaes with Balsamic-Caramel Sauce}

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Must-Have for Hot Summer Bashes

by jomylene on June 29, 2009

in entertaining

Here is a must-have for your hot summer bashes.  They also add a classy touch to those who have an outdoor wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception.  It's a subtle way to let your guests know that you're thinking about them, their comfort level, and their well-being.  Believe me, it won't go unnoticed, and your guests will love & thank you for it!



Drinks1


{row 1: Target; Crate & Barrel; HomeWetBar.com; row 2: Pottery Barn; Z Gallerie; Pottery Barn}


 


You may also want to consider a tub of ice, offering a variety of drinks for your guests.  This is perfect for all those BYOB BBQs/pot-lucks!


Drinks2



{row 1: Personal Creations; Williams-Sonoma; Pottery Barn; row 2: Crate & Barrel; Target; Target; Poppies Gifts}


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Fight Night Inspiration

by jomylene on May 1, 2009

in entertaining

Saturday is Fight Night at my house, and we make it a big deal.  This Saturday, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao will be fighting Ricky "Hitman" Hatton. 


Manny-pacquiao-ricky-hatton


{source}


So, what to do with Fight Night?  Here are my ideas:


Music: Have the best fight music ready, rallying music, and songs that will get your heart racing &  your company pumped.  I personally have QUEEN on hand {"Rock You," "We are the Champions," and "Another One Bites the Dust" are my faves}!  Another song that reminds me of fighting is Pink's new song "I'm a Rockstar".


Decor: Put the breakables away.  We don't get too rowdy, but just to be cautious.


Food: Keep it simple – pizza, salsa, guacamole, hot wings, taquitos – - seriously, anything that is easy!  Why?  Because everyone is going to be around the TV watching, and a sit-down meal is completely out of the question… you know this, I know!  I was, however, considering making cupcakes {only a dozen} and decoarting them with little signs for each round. 


Activities: We write numbers one through twelve each on a piece of paper, and put it in a little bowl or hat.  Each participant puts in $5 {or whatever the decided amount is}, and picks a number.  The person who has the number of when the fight ends wins the pool.  If you have a Wii, you can have your own pre-game boxing match with your friends.


 Drinks: There are so many drinks to choose from… you can have Raging Bull Cocktail {which consists of Corona, Tequilla, & Red Bull}, Fight Night, Fist Fight, or a number of drinks to choose from… just get creative.  In the spirit of Saturday's fight, I found three perfect drinks: Knockout Punch, Pac-Man, and British Comfort Drink

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Another late Week In Review, so I apologize… but I realized that posting later on Friday is actually better {because I don't feel as stressed to put something right away}, so this can be your Saturday read.  Plus, it lets me include Friday posts.


Monday (2/9/09) ::   The Hostess with the Mostess, Jen Sbranti, shares some cute + edible desserts that you may be too apprehensive to eat {because they look so good}, but can't resist {because they look so good!}.  Jen Ramos has something new that she's offering in her etsy shop.  They're butterfly fabric prints.  I think they're ingenious + lovely.  I may have to order one or two for me!  Photo below of some sample work… courtesy of MadeByGirl, of course!


Madebygirl-butterfly


Eddie has been MIA lately, since his recent move, but I just had to show you my new WANT, that you may think is totally weird.  I posted in last week's WIR that I wanted that MS closet of goodies, and this week's odd + random want is from Eddie Ross's butler's pantry.  I want to have my own collecction of this stuff + organize it like this too!


Eddierossshelving



Tuesday (2/10/09) ::  Joanna was super-super busy on Tuesday, with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 {yes, that's right, FOUR!} posts… which I find all inspiring.  The first is some inspiration for Indian weddings/events, where she features the work of Michelle from Lemiga Events in Atlanta.  Then, there's the Modern Island Style Wedding that she found on Style Me Pretty.  Thanks for finding+sharing, Joanna!  The third + fourth both involve flowers… the calendar + flower vase that she has discovered and an announcement about the Orchid Show at the NY Botanical Gardens!  I wanna go!  Are you looking to get involved + contribute in some way to a wonderful cause?  Jen Sbranti introduces the opportunity of contributing to the silent auction that will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital brought to us by Let's Eat Cake.  Discovered a new blog today called YourWishcake from my new friend Lauren of Flightless Bird.  I almost had a major accident when I read her post.  Although it was light, but somewhat serious {definitely inspirational}, she mentions how she was drinking during the TV show Intervention {if you haven't seen it, it's a reality show that does interventions with people whose families + friends issue ultimatums for them to clean up their lives}, and I lost it!  It's a blog I will be reading regularly.  Another new friend, Kimberly, of InspiredGoodness {I swear it's JMG's blogtwin} has a guest blogger post a DIY project featuring farewell flags that I am definitely going to copy + try {although I'm still trying to wait for the perfect time… birthday? flag day? 4th of July?  we'll see…}


Inspiredgoodness_farewellflags



Wednesday (2/11/09) ::  I'm loving the Japanese Inspired Theme for the Emmys that Joanna spotted.  I love inspiration boards, and this one is by Ms. Stiletto on Weddingbee.  It has the b+w motif going on… and a damask pattern!  Well done! 


Msstilletoinspirationboard



Thursday (2/12/09) ::   Kim of InspiredGoodness shares some eye candy she spotted from another site that involves polka-dots + a color palette that includes shades of pink, peach, + coral.  Thanks to Kim for finding it on Claremont Road {loving that blog too!}… and the chain continues!  {I love giving kudos to those who deserve it!}  Lots of inspiring photos for a Pretty In Pink baby shower that HWTM mentions.  She displays {+ describes} the creative work of Amy Belle of  Stem Parties.  Surpirse, surprise… I have a new WANT… seriously!  It's an absolutely, I have to have, or else I'm going to die WANT!  I saw it on Weddingbee, where Ms. Perfume posted about her frustrations in picking her engagement ring!  Drool!  Thanks, Ms. Perfume… I already commented about how jealous I am.  =)


Msperfumeering



Friday  (2/13/09) ::    Tips on how to set the mood for a Romantic Dinner for 2 on HWTM… from decor + music to food + activities {clean thoughts!} to set the "mood" {I wish you could hear me say it out loud… it's like Sebastian–the tiny crab–from The Little Mermaid!}  Lauren gives us a play-by-play of her cupcake project {with the actual recipe} in her post "Cupcakes are Love!", which will surely make for good treats this weekend.  Thanks, Lauren!  Joanna is so sweet to have posted a Happy V-Day wish!  I just had to steal borrow the photo, because I think it's pure awesomeness {my new word!}.  The photo is by Duncan + Melany Berry.  Beautiful… and Happy V-Day to all!


Organiclove


More well wishes for this holiday, but this time from Eddie Ross.  I seriously {heart} him.  Please tell me that you're not inspired by this photo… so we can talk! 


Eddierossvday



In this post, I have mentioned Lotus Haus, MadeByGirl, EddieRoss, Weddingbee, Hostess With The Mostess, YourWishcake, Flightless BirdStem PartiesInspired Goodness, & Claremont Road.  These WiR are very labor-intensive {or I'm just being a little whiny}, but I'm sure you enjoy MORE photos + more references!  Sorry it's soooo long, but I am finding more + more!


P.S. : On a side note, a few things in store for next week: at least TWO subscription reviews {Food & Wine – February + March 2009}, plus a review on the Real Simple Weddings 2009 issue!  Cha-ching!  Happy V-Day!

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