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February 7th, 2010

Warm Up Your Next Party with a Hot Cocoa Bar

Hot cocoa bar (photo via Food Network)

We are in the midst of the Snowpocalypse here in the DC area. At our house we have at least 30 inches of snow outside. We’ve already shoveled the driveway three times and will certainly be out there again before all of this is over. It’s good exercise, I guess. But let’s be honest, shoveling is not fun!

What will make this all better, I ask myself? Hot chocolate will help. Better still? A hot chocolate bar!

Hot chocolate bars — where you can make your own custom hot cocoa with a variety of “fixings” — are becoming very popular. They are great on a snowy day at home, but even more fun at a party. Guests love the interactivity and the ability to create their favorite cooca concoction. Try it at a winter engagement party, a SuperBowl bash, or a birthday party.

Set out some mugs.

These celebrity-designed mugs are not only whimsical, but they also help raise money for Whatever it Takes, a charity to raise money to combat the most pressing issues of the 21st century.
Celebrity-designed mugs available at Neiman Marcus

Celebrity-designed mugs available at Neiman Marcus

Pillivuyt has such classic tableware. These extra large mugs are no exception — and would leave plenty of room for making the perfect cocoa creation.

Pillivuyt Eden extra large mug, available at Geary's

Pillivuyt Eden extra large mug, available at Geary's

Make a few batches of hot chocolate.

A batch of regular hot cocoa for the base is a great place to start. This recipe for Creamy Hot Chocolate from Epicurious would be perfect. I’d recommend offering a couple of other bases, as well, like white hot chocolate or peppermint hot chocolate.

Provide some add-ins — offer both liquid and dry.

Dry:

  • Crumbled peppermint sticks
  • Marshmallows
  • Chocolate-covered marshmallows (like these from Bissinger’s)
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Orange twists or peel
  • Chopped up candy bar
  • Chocolate chips
  • Caramels

Liquid:

or for the adults…

  • Kahlua
  • Bailey’s
  • Creme de Mint
  • Grand Marnier
  • Peppermint Schnapps

To top it off:

  • Whipped cream
  • cinnamon
  • cocoa powder

Set out some stirrers.

  • candy canes or peppermint sticks
  • cinnamon sticks
  • artisan stirrers (like this tempting one from Knipschildt — white chocolate with butterscotch and whiskey)

knipschildt stirrer - white chocolate with butterscotch and whiskey

Enjoy!!

January 25th, 2010

Beauty for a Cause

Recently, I had the chance to interview Victoria Stiles, an amazing makeup artist in the DC Area. My interview with her will be posted soon, but until then, I wanted to share some information about a very important event Victoria is hosting to benefit Cancer Schmancer, Stand Up to Cancer, and Critters for the Cure. What could be better than an afternoon of beautification by some of the areas top artists — all for such an important cause?! Sign up today!

MAKEOVERSFORTHECURE

December 28th, 2009

Happy Holidays!

Rex & Regina will be taking a short break to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with family. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season!

September 10th, 2009

Top of the Cupcake To You!

In case you wondered about this cupcake craze we’ve been going through in recent years? Yah, it’s not going away.  It’s alive and well and growing stronger day by day — especially here in DC.  New “cupcakeries” are popping up left and right and established cupcake purveyors are expanding, confirms a recent Washington Post article on the sweet trend.

If you’ve been hit by the cupcake craze and are planning on serving them at your wedding or next event, why not embellish the cupcakes with special toppers to give your event an even more customized appeal?

Here are a few cupcake toppers that I love (check out the captions for sources and click on the photo to take you there); they’d be fabulous for a wedding, shower, birthday, retirement party, anniversary… you name it!

Paper Flower Cupcake Toppers from Millalove on Etsy

Paper Flower Cupcake Toppers from Millalove on Etsy

Retro Cupcake Pennant Template from Vintage Glam Weddings

Retro Cupcake Pennant Template from Vintage Glam Weddings

Mini Cupcake Topper Pinwhirls

Mini Cupcake Topper Pinwhirls

wedding cupcake toppers by Etsy's goosegrease

wedding cupcake toppers by Etsy's goosegrease

Printable Bright Baby Cupcake Toppers for Baby Shower - DIY by The TomKat Studio

Printable Bright Baby Cupcake Toppers for Baby Shower - DIY by The TomKat Studio

Creature Comforts DIY Cupcake Toppers

Creature Comforts DIY Cupcake Toppers

Little Birdie Cupcake Toppers from TheCupcakeGirls on Etsy

Little Birdie Cupcake Toppers from TheCupcakeGirls on Etsy

September 4th, 2009

The “Perfect Fit” for a Bridesmaids Party

On October 2 and 3 the Tysons Corner and Pentagon City Nordstrom stores respectively will be participating in Nordstrom Fits America — a special event to raise money for Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Nordstrom Fits America Get your bridesmaids or girlfriends together and do one of the most “girly” things you can do: go shopping for lingerie!

Nordstrom’s Lingerie department is known for its expert bra fittings,  its certified stylists are so helpful, and they have a wonderful collection of styles, sizes, and brands. The newly remodeled Tysons Corner store is even more welcoming — with comfortable dressing rooms and seating areas.

Call the store directly and speak with the Lingerie Department manager to reserve time and space for a personal Lingerie Party.  Ask them if you can bring in champagne and sweets to make the experience even more decadent for you and your bridesmaids!

The best part? It’s all for an incredibly important cause. For every bra purchased during the event, $2 will be donated to Susan G Komen for the Cure. Visit www.nordstrom.com for exact times and other participating locations.

Now THAT’s a perfect fit!

May 2nd, 2009

Win Big at the Kentucky Derby? Treat Your Friends to Dinner. In Nantucket.

At 50:1 odds, betting on Mine That Bird really paid off for those that went for the longshot. If you cashed in, treat yourself and your friends to an unforgettable trip to the newest luxury accommodations in Nantucket.

The White Elephant Hotel, one of my favorite places on the island, will unveil its newest addition to their hotel family on May 14, just in time for the 2009 summer season on the island. The White Elephant Hotel Residences offer one-, two-, or three-bedroom accommodations perfect a getaway with friends.

White Elephant Hotel Residence

White Elephant Hotel Residence

Inside one of the White Elephant Hotel Residences

Inside one of the White Elephant Hotel Residences

The Residences offer all the benefits of staying in private quarters, while still being able to enjoy the full amenities of a luxury hotel.

While there, show some traditional Nantucket hospitality to your friends with a lobster boil or clam bake. And be sure to toast the success of Mine that Bird!

April 5th, 2009

Diving in Feet First

I am a perfectionist by nature. But one of things I have learned as I have gotten older is that sometimes I can let perfect be the enemy of the good. 

Blogging is completely new to me and if I had waited until I had it all figured out, all pretty and perfect, I would never have started one. So here I am, diving in feet first. 

I hope this blogs inspires. I hope it inspires me as I strive daily to serve my clients and deliver exceptional work for them, and I hope it inspires you, the reader, to find as much joy and beauty in entertaining as I do. 

This blog won’t be perfect… but I think it will be pretty darn good!

Come back often!