Posts Labeled ‘Entertaining’

July 13th, 2011

Mix Up Your Champagne With Flavored Lollipops

Here’s a playful twist on flavoring champagne. While I love a good Kir Royale, these flavored lollipops allow you to stir in different flavors of choice. Using corn syrup and flavored extracts you can make lollipops in traditional circles or a fun shape like a heart or star.

Note that you’ll need to make sure that the lollipop stick is proportional to your glass. Here they use a stemless flute paired perfectly with a long stick. Other glasses might require different length sticks.

Martha Stewart's liqueur lollipops

 

July 5th, 2011

Keep it on ice.

Keeping food fresh at an outdoor party can be tricky. Potato salad sitting in the heat? Warm fruit?  Disaster! I saw these serving pieces the other day at Sur La Table and thought they’d be a perfect solution for outdoor entertaining. So practical — and the clear acrylic will match anything.

 

Sur La Table's On-Ice Sectioned Bowl

Sur La Table’s On-Ice Sectioned Appetizer Tray
June 30th, 2011

Celebrate Independence Day with a Patriotic Picnic

If you plan on watching fireworks for the Fourth of July, why not pack a picnic to enjoy while waiting for the festivities to begin?  Here are some travel-friendly picnic essentials that will help make it a fun outdoor event.

This handy insulated picnic cooler tote from World Market features melamine plates, stainless steel silverware, cotton napkins acrylic wine glasses, a corkscrew, and room for a bottle of wine or other beverage.

Picnic Cooler Tote from World Market


Need some easy recipes for your picnic?  Food & Wine and Paula Deen share their favorite recipes for sandwiches, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts from which you can mix and match to create your own menu.

Indian Pulled-Chicken Sandwiches

Paula Deen's Broccoli Coleslaw

Chocolate-Oatmeal Carmelitas

Paula Deen's Watermelon Cooler

 

Pass the time with Bohnanza, an entertaining card game about buying, selling, and trading beans.  Or, bring along some corn hole for a playful diversion.

Happy Independence Day!

May 23rd, 2011

Easy Ideas for Memorial Day Entertaining

Celebrate the beginning of summer with a Memorial Day cookout using these helpful entertaining ideas.

Looking for some fresh, tasty sides to include on your menu?  Check out these salads from the Food Network that are perfect for outdoor eating.

Food Network has great ideas for sides and salads

Desserts like this cupcake flag and berry trifle are colorful and easy to make.

Cupcake flag with berries and coconut from Good Housekeeping

The Food Network's Patriotic Berry Trifle

Simple paper lanterns can be transformed into festive decorations by gluing on red and blue ribbon and ric rac.

Better Homes and Gardens embellished lanterns

Fill rustic buckets or watering cans with sand and stick in some red, white, and blue pinwheels for table or porch decorations.

Better Home and Gardens Festive Pinwheels

Enhance your place setting with these patriotic napkin rings made from grosgrain ribbon, buttons, and elastic.

Martha Stewart patriotic napkin rings

April 26th, 2011

Tips for Selecting Music for an Engagement or Other Dinner Party

Today I am so excited to share an interview with Evan Reitmeyer of MyDeejay, one of DC’s premiere wedding and corporate DJ companies. Evan shares helpful tips for selecting music for an engagement party or other cocktail or dinner party. Thanks, Evan!

Evan Reitmeyer, owner of MyDeejay.com

1) What’s the best way to set a festive tone with music at an engagement party?

It’s always smart to stick with upbeat, recognizable music, and leave the obscure B-sides at home.  People are moved by music that’s familiar.  Also, be sure you only use music with a positive message – no breakup songs!  You don’t need a theme, unless of course your party is designed around one, but try to group songs together in logical sets.  For example, group a few 80′s songs, a few 90′s songs, and so on.

2) Should someone be responsible for music or is an iPod playlist ok?

It really depends on your expectations.  If you’re having friends and family over for a cocktail party or a barbecue, an iPod is probably fine, since you won’t have the need to tailor the music to the crowd and make changes on the fly.  However, if you want people to dance, or if you want your guests to be able to request their favorite music throughout, the event, then you should probably have a DJ.

3) What songs would you recommend for a playlist for an engagement party?

I think fun and kitschy classics like “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups are a great place to start.  Depending on how long the party is, you can certainly program anything from classics like “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra to current top 40 hits.  It really depends on the atmosphere and energy level you’re trying to create.  If you and your event planner have chosen a theme for the party, a good DJ can help you create a custom playlist that will enhance this theme and make it all the more memorable for your guests.

4) What other advice would you offer to hosts in terms of making music a special part of the event?

Music, for better or worse, sets the tone for any event.  Most people have no idea how much the background music in a room affects the mood and atmosphere.  Music can really reinforce the type of vibe you want to have, so pay close attention to your song selections or hire a professional to do it for you!

April 25th, 2011

Have Some Fun Watching the Royal Wedding

Anglophiles across the globe are throwing Royal Wedding viewing parties to commemorate Kate and William’s big day.  If you’re hosting one of these parties, here are some fun ideas to consider to plan and style your party.

Royal-Themed Decorations
Check out these festive free printables from Design Editor which include Union Jack wraps to go around drinks or top treats, and red and blue patterned pennants that can be hung as a banner or used as individual flags to enhace your tablescape.

printables from Design Editor

Food
The Food Network has created a royal wedding party menu that features William and Kate’s favorite traditional foods.  If hosting a tea party, Food & Wine offers some great English breakfast and afternoon tea recipes.

Orange-Glazed Blueberry Scones from the Food Network

Pimms Iced Tea from Food & Wine adds some "punch" to a party

Games
Entertain your guests during the wedding coverage by playing “Broadcast Bingo.”  Print out these bingo cards designed by Johnnie Boden and cross off the words or phrases as they are spoken in television commentary.

Royal Wedding Bingo by Johnnie Boden

This Wedding Spotter’s Guide is a great activity for children!

For more ideas including recipes for mixing Kate and William’s favorite drinks, visit the blog of Debi Lilly, an event planner who was featured on ABC’s Royal Wedding Breakfast Party.

If planning a sleepover, here is a great DIY kit from Brides.com with complete instructions including recipes and decor and party favor printables.

Have a jolly good time!

April 11th, 2011

Serve it up: A stylish tray from Gretel

This serving tray from Gretel captured my eye today. I am addicted to trays and love how they can be used for so many things — collecting objects on an entry table, as a “home” for candles or objects de art, or for their original purpose, serving food. This one seems particularly appropriate for the latter given its culinary motif. I love it!

Large Luna Spoon Tray by Michael Angove via Gretel

close up of Large Luna Spoon Tray by Michael Angove via Gretel

April 7th, 2011

Food Trend: Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs, a comfort food staple, are making a grand resurgence this year. Many restaurants are serving both classic deviled eggs and tasty variations. The eggs are also very popular as passed hors d’oeuvres at events. A bride I am working with this month has included them in her menu; when we tasted them with the caterer, they were divine!

A beautiful food blog, Tastespotting, has a great photo montage of deviled eggs, many photos linked to their respective recipes.

If you are inspired to make a platter of deviled eggs, here is a recipe from Food & Wine with an elegant twist.

Deviled eggs via Food & Wine magazine

INGREDIENTS

  • 10 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 3 cornichons, minced
  • 2 tablespoons goat cheese, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced shallot
  • 2 teaspoons snipped chives
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 ounce thinly sliced country ham or prosciutto, torn into 20 pieces

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large saucepan, cover the eggs with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice water bath until chilled, about 5 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, cornichons, goat cheese, mustard, shallot and 1 teaspoon of the chives. Peel the eggs and halve them lengthwise. Add the yolks to the bowl, mix until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Set the egg whites on a serving platter. Scrape the egg yolk mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip and pipe the filling into the whites; alternatively, spoon in the filling with a teaspoon. Top each egg with a piece of country ham, sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of chives and serve.