Posts Labeled ‘party’

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


March 28th, 2012

Elegant Chair Back Covers

I am not a fan of traditional chair covers and ties, but these chair back covers, or “jackets,” can be really beautiful. You can use them on all of the chairs at your party or just guests of honor chairs.

BBJ Linen Acorn Contour Chair Back

Select Rentals Vienna Chair Cover

Cloth Connection Champagne Lamour Gathered Chair Back Cover

Cloth Connection Fuchsia Tangerine Brocade Chair Back CoverSelect Rentals Vienna Chair Cover

chair covers via Tara Guerard Soiree

Mosaic Ivory Cascading Chair Back

January 25th, 2012

Super Bowl Entertaining Ideas

One of my favorite days of the year is just around the corner: the Super Bowl! This year is even more exciting as my New England Patriots are playing! As you prepare for Super Bowl Sunday, here are some fun Super Bowl party decoration ideas, including a variety of printables from Hostess With the Mostess.

Go Pats!

football garland via Better Homes and Gardens

football brownies via Better Homes and Gardens

Super Bowl printables via Hostess with the Mostess

Football field runner and coasters via Martha Stewart

January 4th, 2012

Bellini Bar

At our recent New Year’s Day brunch, we set out a bellini bar for our guests to enjoy. Bellinis are a perfect brunch beverage and setting up a make-your-own bellini station allows guests to create the drink to their taste.

I followed Giada De Laurentiis’ recipe for the fruit purées and offered peach, strawberry, and blueberry. A note to those who may wish to try this — blueberry was not very popular! I’d suggest blood orange or lemon as an alternative.

Set out a little sign indicating what the bar is and how to create the drink, and put labels in front of each purée so guests know what they are pouring. Many thanks to Jennifer Olmstead of Deleted Space Creative for the design of the sign and labels.

Cheers!

January 3rd, 2012

New Year’s Day Dessert Bar

I hosted a little New Year’s Day brunch at my house to welcome in 2012. I had a lot of fun putting it together — especially the dessert bar. The bar included chocolate-cinnamon mocha cake, pistachio cake, pumpkin spice cake, pizzelles, coconut macaroons, rosemary lemon bars, cafe au lait pudding, and banana pudding with.

August 29th, 2011

Cornhole lawn game

Cornhole is experiencing a major resurgence recently. A fun lawn game similar to horseshoes, cornhole is played with little bean bags and a platform with a hole in it. It makes for hours of fun!

Custom cornhole platforms would be adorable at weddings or other special social gatherings. I love this one featured on Style Me Pretty and photographed by Shyla Photography.