Lifestyle

May 13th, 2012

Upbeat Dinner Party Playlist

I’ve been working on a  project recently that will involve a lot of background music so music has been much on my mind! Here is another playlist I put together. This one would be appropriate for an upbeat cocktail party or dinner party.

Happy listening!

Brighter Than the Sun SMASH Cast
Shake It Out (Acoustic) Florence + the Machine
Heartbeat The Fray
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) Kelly Clarkson
Slumber Needtobreathe
Modern Love Matt Nathanson
Run (feat. Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush) Matt Nathanson
Bottom of the Sea Matt Nathanson
Lights Ellie Goulding
Rolling in the Deep ADELE
Down By the Water The Decemberists
This Is Why We Fight The Decemberists
Radioactive (Remix) [feat. the West Angeles Mass Choir] Kings of Leon
You Know It’s True Jules Larson
Shooting Stars Bag Raiders
All I Have (feat. Diane Birch) [Live] Mat Kearney
Heaven (feat. Natalie Merchant) Brett Dennen
The Outsiders Needtobreathe
I’ve Got the World On a String (Live from Madison Square Garden) Michael Bublé
Steer Missy Higgins
You Are the Best Thing Ray LaMontagne
Little Red Corvette Mike Zito
When You Love Someone Bethany Dillon
Come On Get Higher Matt Nathanson
One Mary J. Blige & U2
First Day of My Life Bright Eyes
When the Stars Go Blue Tyler Hilton & Bethany Joy Lenz
What About Now Lonestar
Heads Carolina, Tails California Jo Dee Messina
Angels Of The Silences Counting Crows
Walk On U2
Hold on Tight Christopher Jak
Don’t Panic Coldplay
We Can Work It Out Stevie Wonder
Over My Head (Cable Car) The Fray
Breakeven The Script
here comes the sun Beatles
May 8th, 2012

Cocktail Party Playlist

I have been working on a playlist for an upcoming corporate cocktail party. They were looking for something classic and elegant. I went with Ol’ Blue Eyes, some Tony Bennett, and thew in a little Bossa Nova for good measure. Here’s the result (which I am still tweaking a bit). Hopefully it will offer some ideas for your next party playlist!

I Was Doing All Right Barbara Morrison
I’ve Got You Under My Skin Bono
You Make Me Feel So Young Charles Aznavour
Meninha Flor Charlie Byrd
So Danco Samba Charlie Byrd
Let’s Get Lost Chet Baker
It Had To Be You Connick, Harry Jr
La Contradiction Coralie Clément
Destination Moon Dinah Washington
They Didn’t Believe Me Dinah Washington
Relax Max (Single) Dinah Washington
Aguas De Marco Elis Regina & Antônio Carlos Jobim
I’m In The Mood For Love Ella Fitzgerald
I Get A Kick Out Of You Frank Sinatra
Fly Me To The Moon Frank Sinatra
All Or Nothing At All Frank Sinatra
Come Fly With Me Luis Miguel
I’ve Got the World On a String Michael Bublé
You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To Nancy Wilson
They Can’t Take Away From Me Natalie Cole
Love Me Or Leave Me Nina Simone
Let the Good Times Roll Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra
Every Saturday Night Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra
I Can’t Stop Loving You Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra
Feel So Bad Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra
I’ll Wait For You Ruth Brown
The Best Is Yet to Come Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
Are You Havin’ Any Fun? Tony Bennett & Elvis Costello
Just In Time Tony Bennett & Michael Bublé
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore Tony Bennett & Michael Bublé
Watch What Happens Tony Bennett & Natalie Cole
On the Sunny Side of the Street Tony Bennett & Willie Nelson


May 5th, 2012

Flower Arranging by Vase

I am a loyal reader of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop newsletter. She always offers such interesting tidbits on topics ranging from cooking to travel to general lifestyle tips. Her most recent newsletter offered advice on floral arranging — particularly, what vase to use for what type of arrangement. It was so helpful, I just have to share it. Check it out here.

House Beautiful also suggests tips for making arrangements in various vessels — including coffee mugs. Martha Stewart offers great basic tips for floral arrangements. I am hoping these tricks-of-the-trade will help me the next time I am struggling to assemble an arrangement for a special occasion — and that they might be of use to you, as well!

Image via Goop


April 25th, 2012

Easy reusable labels

Washi tape — Japanese masking tape — is so fun to work with. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns and is easy to use. A nice feature is that it can be removed easily and reused. I used it most recently on my Christmas cards to affix our photo to the card.

Martha Stewart suggests using washi tape for making labels. The tape peels off easily allowing you to reuse your folders. I may have to try this with the extra tape left over from Christmas!

folders with washi tape labels via Martha Stewart

April 20th, 2012

Mother’s Day Spa Gift Basket

Mother’s Day will be here before we know it. Start thinking now about the perfect gift for mom. You may want to consider putting together a special Martha Stewart-inspired Spa Basket for her. Include special soaps, a candle, plush towels, a healthy snack… get creative!

Mother's Day spa gift basket by Martha Stewart

April 2nd, 2012

Gardening caddy

Spring has sprung and we’ve been enjoying some nice, sunny weather which has coaxed me outside to survey my lawn and garden. While the landscaping around our house still needs a lot of attention, there are a few spots that I am proud of — my herb garden is one of them. I am in the process of plotting and planning what to put in there when the weather gets a little warmer. In the meantime, though, I’ve been doing a lot of weeding and tilling to prepare. This gardening caddy idea from Martha Stewart is a clever way to keep all of one’s gardening tools in one spot. I might have to try it out!

Martha Stewart gardening caddy

March 15th, 2012

Papier Mache Nests

Do you remember making papier mache projects as a kid? One of my favorite projects was making a globe by papering a balloon. Ah, the memories. Ah, the glue everywhere.

Here’s a papier mache project for grown ups and kids alike — papier mache nests to hold dyed Easter eggs. Aren’t they so pretty?

papier mache nests via Country Living

February 23rd, 2012

How to Have a Well-Stocked Bar

Beckett Bar Cart from Williams Sonoma

Recently, I worked on an at-home party where we were offering an open bar. It required purchasing some of the key staples of a bar and ensuring it will be well-stocked for any request.

Today I found this great article in Matchbook magazine that has a host of tips and tricks on stocking a bar. It covers everything from bar tools to decor to a comprehensive list of alcohol and mixers. If you are considering building or updating your home bar, it’s well worth the read.

Once you’ve purchased your supplies, check out Elle Decor‘s review of the top 10 best bar carts.