Oktoberfest is right around the corner, its a time of fun local festivals celebrating this yearly tradition. So why not indulge in a Oktoberfest themed wedding?? Full of light fun, family, friends and of course beer.
Category Archives: Parties
Your Personal Serving Guide
With summer comes parties! And one of the biggest worries for a hostess is knowing how much food to have. There is nothing worse than running out of food. To help ease your anxiety here is a guide to help with your planning.
SourceDining Ettiquette Made Easy
Whether you are planning a wedding, a cocktail party or a casual dinner. Here are some tips for dining like a pro.
A Classy St. Patty’s Swarray
St. Patty’s day is just around the corner. Have a memorable party with these St. Patty’s day drinks and appetizers.
Appetizers – Enjoy something both festive and delicious.
The traditional corned beef and cabbage. Find the recipe here.
Colcannon – A traditional cabbage side. Recipe can be found here.
Irish Soda Bread – Recipe found here.
Irish Stew – A great way to warm up on a cold winter day. Recipe found here.
Themed Drinks -If you are tired of the traditional green beer try one of these delightfully themed drinks.
The Public Enemy No. 1
From Washington, DC restaurant The Passenger
Ice
4 sprigs of mint
2 ounces Irish whiskey
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
3/4 ounce ginger beer
Fill cocktail shaker halfway through with ice. Add the remaining ingredients. Shake and strain through a fine mesh strainer into martini glass.
Irish Coffee
From downtown San Francisco restaurant The Buena Vista, which serves up to 2,000 cups of it a day
Coffee, enough to fill an Irish coffee glass (about four ounces)
1.5 ounces Irish whiskey
2 cocktail sugar cubes or 1 ounce brown sugar syrup
Lightly whipped unsweetened cream
Fill glass with hot water to preheat, then empty. Pour hot coffee into hot glass until about three-quarters full, then drop in two cocktail sugar cubes or syrup; stir until dissolved. Add whiskey. Top with cream. Enjoy hot.
Token Irlandese
From downtown Los Angeles restaurant Drago Centro
2 ounces Jameson Irish whiskey
3 drops Fee Brothers Mint Bitters
5-6 of fresh mint
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
splash of soda water
Muddle mint with simple syrup. Add remaining ingredients and strain over ice into an old fashioned glass. Add splash of soda water and garnish with mint.
And for good measure you will have to throw in a classic Irish dessert. Irish ginger snaps.
Unique Super Bowl Snacks
One of the biggest non-holiday celebrations is on its way. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY! Here are some super-crazy super bowl snacks.
Tangy Root Beer Can Chicken
Chicken
Football Shaped Zucchini Fritters
Game Day Cake
Mini Cheeseburger Bites
Bites recipeBuffalo Chicken Nachos. Combine two snacks into one.
Football Truffles
Truffles.Chilli Bread
bread
And lastly….The snack stadium
Bachelorette Ideas For a Low Key Bride
Not every bride wants her bachelorette party to be the female version of The Hangover. The importance of the bachelorette party is not to be a stereotype but to have a fun night out with the women closest to her. If she is a wild party girl than maybe strippers, Vegas and a large hangover is the perfect fit. If not that’s OK too! Here are some party ideas for a more low key bride.
Spa Day
A spa day is a great way to spend quality time with the bride. Reserve a few massages, pedicures, manicures and facials for the bride and guests. Most places offer spa day packages for parties at a discount and allow for you to sip a few mimosas as you enjoy your relaxing day.
Karaoke
Most bachelorette parties involve a little bit of humiliation and silliness. Karaoke is the perfect way to do that. Gather around for a few drinks to get the courage to get up there and sing. Check around and see if there are karaoke bars in the area that let you rent private rooms for the not so outgoing bride that still wants to have a little fun in front of her party guests.
Wine Tour
Going on a wine tour doesn’t mean you have to travel to Martha’s vineyard. There are tons of wineries right in your backyard. Log on and see if you can find one in your area and ask if they do tours. A wine tasting is a great way to loosen up and have a little fun and a little wine with your favorite ladies. Bride not a wine drinker? You can tour breweries or other distilleries.
Road Trip
Doesn’t matter where you go. Maybe you rent a cabin a couple hour away, or take a trip to a past vacation destination. Getting there is half the fun so pick a spot and get going. If you have a more adventurous bride perhaps have a camping trip.
Comedy Show
Bachelorette parties are all about having fun. What better way to get in the mood then to enjoy a comedy show. Follow it up with a couple drinks or a nice dinner. This is great for a stressed bride. Laughter is the best medicine!
Slumber Party
Who says you have to go out to have fun. Enjoy a night in with your ladies. Get some drinks, pizza, popcorn and enjoy a good old fashion slumber party. This is a great option especially if some of your guests are long time friends its a great way to reminisce about when you actually used to have regular slumber parties.
Murder Mystery Party
Why not spice up the party with a murder mystery bachelorette party. You can go online and find dozens of murder mystery party’s specifically catered to a bride or bachelorette. Here is a great choice Bachelorette’s and Bullets.
Hopefully this helps you to think outside the box so you can customize your party plans to fit your bride to be.
What Would David Do?
One of my favorite wedding and event planners it David Tutera. If you have never seen My Fair Wedding you are missing out. David transforms any event into an unforgettable evening. So what are his secrets? Here are a few of David’s tips and tricks of turning your party from mediocre to magnificent.
Get creative with fruit:
- Use citrus fruit as a decorative element. Use different fruits , bowl sizes and heights to create striking color and an inexpensive decoration
- Cut a lemon in half and slice out the inside to place a tea light inside. Not only is it a creative way to create a candle holder but the lemon scent will transform the room
- Hallow out fruit to create bowls. Fill them with ice cream, sorbet or crushed flavored ice
- Decorate deserts with fruit shavings to add a touch of sweet fruit taste
Create your own:
- Create your own colored glass by purchasing basic glassware and paint with translucent glass paint
- Use old costume jewelry as napkin rings
- Use wine corks as place card holders
- Reuse small glass candle containers as mini vases for floral arrangements
- For a holiday party create place mats out of old holiday cards
Scent Matters:
- Use scent to capture the mood of the evening each scent means something different.
* Lavender oil reduces anxiety and improves sleep
* Lemon, orange and citrus oils improve mood and alertness
* Rosemary oil assists with muscle relaxation - Stear clear of incense for afternoon parties. The musky smell is too strong and heavy for an afternoon party
- To get rid of smoke odors and bad smells place a shallow bowl filled with white vinegar in the corner of a room for 48 hours. It helps absorb unpleasant smells
- Don’t burn more than one candle in a room. Having too many scents becomes confusing and can conflict with one another
These are just a few tips and tricks from David, to see more check out his website!
Stylish Superhero Costumes
Not sure what to wear to your kids/kids friends superhero themed party? Or maybe you want to throw a adult superhero party on your own. Here are some creative ways to be a superhero with style!
Click on the image to get more ideas and get more superhero costume ideas.
4th of July Party with a “BANG”
The 4th of July is vastly approaching and so is your planning preparation. The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a great chance to get together and enjoy a great barbeque, fireworks and spend time with family and friends.
If you are looking to organize your own party this year use these 4th of July suggestions.
Appetizers
Consider serving appetizers since most guests struggle with travel, getting the kids together and parade traffic not everyone will arrive at the same time.
- Have mini-burgers
- Blue , Red, and White tortilla chips with salsa
- Blueberry, strawberry and Banana fruit tray
Main Course
For the main course I would suggest sticking to the classics. Nothing says 4th of July like a good old hamburger and brats. If you are looking for a twist on the classic consider these hamburger suggestions from punchbowl.com.
“The All American” – bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo
“Uncle Sam’s Favorite” – barbecue sauce, Cheddar cheese, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, mayo
“Hot as Fireworks” – jalapenos, pepper-jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo, hot salsa
“Declare Your Independence”- Set out a variety of burgers and toppings for guests to make their own burger creations. Encourage guests to come up with patriotic names for their burgers, then share the names and ingredients with other guests! Here’s everything you need to set up your burger bar:
- Burger patty: beef, turkey, garden burger, etc.
- Vegetables: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mushrooms, etc.
- Cheeses: American, Cheddar, Swiss, Provolone, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Brie, etc.
- Sauces and condiments: ketchup, mustard, Tabasco, A-1, Worcestershire Sauce, ranch, etc.
- Additional toppings: relish, bacon, pineapple, guacamole, onion rings, etc.
Desert
Use Better Crocker’s Recipe for fruit pizza but with a twist by using the fruit to design an American flag.
Or conside
r some of these tasty Pinterest treats.
Which include Chocolate sprinkeled pretzel sticks and strawberries.
Entertainment
Pull out the old backyard games. Big hits include:
- Bean bag toss
- Horse Shoes
- Latter golf
- Bocce Ball
- or create your own 4th of July game
Beverages
Get inspired with Independence punch
What you need:
- Cranberry Juice
- Blue Gatorade Frost
- Diet 7-Up
- Ice cubes
How to Make it:
- Fill your container with ice
- Pour In the Cranberry Juice.
- Next Pour in the Blue Gatorade Frost, BUT make sure that when you’re pouring the Blue Gatorade Frost that you pour straight onto some of the ice to gently add the layer. If you pour it directly into the juice it will mix!
- Next, pour in the Diet 7up, also pour onto an ice cube to prevent them from mixing.
Last but not least every good party needs a great playlist. Here is a patriotic lists of music to add to your ipod. (created by punchbowl.com)
- “Spirit of America” — The Beach Boys
- “Travelin’ Soldier’ — Dixie Chicks
- “Star Spangled Banner” — Jimmy Hendrix
- “R.O.C.K. in the USA” — John Mellencamp
- “Independence Day” — Elliot Smith
- “America” — Neil Diamond
- “American Pie” — Don McLean
- “Fireworks” — Louis Armstrong
- “America the Beautiful” — Frank Sinatra
- “4th of July” — Shooter Jennings
- “Shed a Little Light” — James Taylor
- “American Girl” — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “Light the Fuse”— John Mayall
- “Stars and Stripes Forever” — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- “Yankee Doodle” — Broadway Quartet
- “You’re a Grand Old Flag” — Mormon Tabernacle Choir
- “God Bless America” — Celine Dion
- “American Woman” — Lenny Kravitz
- “Red, White and Blue” — Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “The West Point March” — United States Army Band
- “This Land Is Your Land” — Pete Seeger
- “Born in the USA” — Bruce Springsteen
- “God Bless the USA: Proud to be an American” — Lee Greenwood
Rehearsal Dinner Dress Success
Like it is for most women one of the most stressful events of your day can be picking out what to wear. You search through your closet and although you know there are tons of options none of them seem to look right. So what should you keep in mind when picking out your rehearsal dinner outfit?
- The Event- The type of rehearsal dinner you are having can drastically affect what you wear. Backyard BBQ? Dress in comfortable jeans or a sundress. Hotel restaurant? Wear a black elegant dress. Just don’t show up to a back yard rehearsal in stilettos.
- The Future You- Yes leggings are making a comeback but haven’t we learned from that. Being trendy always has the inevitable embarrassment to the future you. Don’t forget that these photos you will look back on for the rest of your life. So perhaps this event you should stick to a classic look, trust me future you will thank you.
- Comfort- Everyone wants to look great but we all know that if you walk out in something you are clearly uncomfortable in everyone can see it on your face. So maybe save the uncomfortable lace shoes for another day.
- Accessories – If you are having problems picking out the perfect outfit try wearing something simple and accessorize it with your favorite jewelry. Nothing says confident women like a classic dress and drop dead gorgeous accessories.
To help you out here are a few outfit examples.
For a Garden Party Reheasal
For a Hotel Restaurant Reheasal
For a Fun Flirty Reheasal
Click on one of the pictures to view more outfit suggestions.
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