Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Signature Mardi Gras Madness Event



Mardi Gras Themed Event

Planning a fun, interactive Mardi Gras themed event is simple. With a little creativity and a lot of Mardi Gras themed decor, you can create a chic event. As with any themed event, your invitation, entertainment, food and favors should reflect the feeling and experience you are trying to evoke with your attendees. 

Mardi Gras Invitation
Mardi Gras Event Program

The invitation to your event should set the tone for how the event
will be and create excitement and anticipation for your expected
guests. Your invitation don't have to cost a lot. The above
 invitation was created and customized through Vistaprint.

 
















 
It's all in the details!  Each of the centerpiece at this event
were similar yet different in design. Dawn Spenser of  Patches
created these fabulous Mardi Gras centerpieces and each one
was distinctive in design and drop dead gorgeous.

 











 
 
 

 
A French Quarter Cafe vignette was created at the back of the
 room to help add to the authentic feel of Mardi Gras. A back drop
 was erected and balloon bouquets were placed on both sides.
Two cafe tables were placed in front to give the authentic feeling
of dining outside at a cafe in the French Quarters. The backdrop
was purchased from Shindigz at a fraction of the cost that one
 would normally have to pay for backdrops.





 
 Having the right kind of entertainment will keep your guests engaged
 and wondering what will come next. At this event, we had a
Stilt Walker and a Juggler to help keep smiles on the face
of the guests. We also had interactive games like
pin the mask, bean toss and spin for a prize among others.


 
To top it all off...we crowned our King and Queen of Mardi Gras
 for the event. It just wouldn't be a Mardi Gras event without
 a King and Queen!


Friday, February 24, 2012

Signature Oscar Night Party


Pomegranate Soda


In years past, I've recommended a formal Red-Carpet approach to your Oscar Night Party. This year I decided that a more casual laid back movie night kind of a setting will work just as well.

Wolfgang Puck's 2012 menu for the Oscars has been unveiled and it is Oscar worthy as usual, no pun intended. The only format that he has this year that I'm recommending is 'small plates'. There won't be a formal sit down dinner as years before but small bites of different dishes. The guest this year will be able to mingle more in lounge settings.

The movie night format that I recommend is more kid friendly. For the children's drink, a Pomegranate Soda will be a big hit. A signature drink for the adults, is a simple yet delicious Ginger Sparkler which is  made of ginger syrup and sparkling wine.


Cheese Fondue


For red-carpet munchies, I recommend flavored popcorn and cheese fondue. Flavored popcorn's are fun and delicious for any TV time. Try unique flavors like Cajun, Italian or Southwestern. Fondues of any kind is another fun activity at the event. Guests can create their own cheese fondue plates from small bite sized crudites and crusty breads.


 Edible Movie Scenes

Forest Gump Shrimp

 
 Mystic Pizza
   
Fried Green Tomato
 Here's a wonderful idea from Martha Stewart. Create an Oscar menu based on movie scenes. I absolutely love it!

From the movie Forest Gump, do you remember this scene (one of my favorites) when Bubba repeats this line that seems to go on forever when he reminds of all the ways to cook shrimp? Barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan-fried shrimp, stir-fried shrimp and on and on. Well, prepare a shrimp dish just the way you like it to serve to your guests.

Another old favorite movie is Mystic Pizza. Prepare a pizza for you and your guests with all your favorite toppings. Come up with your own delicious recipe and have your guests to guess the ingredients.

How can we forget Fried Green Tomatoes. It is an all time movie favorite, especially among women. Serve up a good batch of these and your guests will be signing your praises.


When Harry Met Sally Apple Pie

Let's end the meal with a yummy Apple Pie. In the movie When Harry Met Sally, Sally Albright (Meg Ryan's character) said these words;" I'd like the chef's salad, please, with the oil and vinegar on the side and the apple pie a la mode. But I'd like the pie heated, and I don't want the ice cream on top. I want it on the side. And I'd like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it. If not, then no ice cream -- just whipped cream, but only if it's real. If it's out of a can, then nothing."

You may not be in any of these movie scenes but you can prepare your own award winning recipes. Get your invitation list together and enjoy your night at the Oscars!

All Photos from MarthaStewart.com

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Signature Valentine Celebration Ideas

Hot Chocolate Date with Personalized Mug

Ooh it's Valentines again! I will share some simple ideas that you can easily do for your Valentine. These ideas are simple, inexpensive and heart-warming. The following 3 ideas are from Better Home and Garden.
The hot chocolate and personalized mug above is a perfect way to turn a valentine gift into an intimate date. In each mug place a packet of Gourmet Hot Chocolate and Irish Cream Liquor packaged in beautiful tissue paper. Write a personal heartfelt message and or drawing on your respective mugs and exchange. This can be an after dinner treat for you both to enjoy.

Fortune Cookies with Dipping Chocolate
Fortune cookies with a chocolate dipping sauce is also a tasty idea after dinner. Line a Chinese takeout box with tissue paper and add store bought fortune cookies. Wrap the dipping sauce with patterned paper and ribbon and tuck a heart in the ribbon to complete the look. This is a fun and sweet treat to share as dessert with your Valentine. Have fun reading your fortune together!

Brownie Trifles
 Hmm...what a yummy dessert! To make this decadent dessert is simple and easy. Layer brownies, whip cream and raspberries to make this scrumptious treat!

Valentine Candy
The above idea is from Martha Stewart online. For a modern twist to Valentine candy, line a clear, round container with heart shape cookie cutters and fill the cookie cutters with multicolored candy for a unique presentation. This is a nice treat for the Valentine who loves candy.

Happy Valentines Day!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Signature Game-Day Party Ideas


Martha Stewart Crafts


 

         



 It's Game-Day and tomorrow the New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. I don't know who you are cheering for but I'm going for the Giants and old Eli Manning. I know that he can get the job done! It doesn't matter who you are cheering for as long as you are celebrating Super Bowl.

I've gathered some delicious recipes and entertaining ideas for your game-day party. Martha Stewart featured football field runner with football coasters are really neat crafts for you to re-create for your  party table. Hang a garland behind the table of your favorite team. Give the children poms poms in your team colors so that they can feel a part of the celebration. Add drink tags to wine glasses and drink glasses in your team colors and logo. To further enhance your theme, add flags in your team colors and logo to brownies or cupcakes for dessert. Your can obtain any of these items at a party store like a Party City. Serving your side dishes and main course on your team plates with team napkins is fun. If this will cause problems with your guests, then use plain colored plates in your team colors.

I want to share some recipes with you for a Crabby Guacamole from Rachel Ray, a Honey Ginger Lime-Aid from Better Homes and Garden and  Bowl-Ready Brownies with a fudge brownie recipe from Martha Stewart.





 Crabby Guacamole
Ingredients
1 recipe guacamole
8 ounces lump crab meat
Old Bay Seasoning
1 small rib celery from the heart with leafy top, finely chopped
1 small red Fresno chili, seeded and finely chopped
A few dashes hot sauce, such a Frank’s Red Hot
Yields: 2- 2 1/2 cups 
Preparation
Prepare base guacamole in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, run your fingers through the crab to check for shells. Season crab to taste with Old Bay. Add half of the crab to the guacamole, along with the finely chopped celery and Fresno chili. Gently combine, transfer to serving bowl and cover the top of the mound of guacamole with remaining crab. Garnish with a little hot sauce.

Guacamole
Ingredients
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
Salt
2 avocados
1 large jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
A small handful cilantro leaves, finely chopped
1 large or 2 medium cloves garlic, pasted or grated
Yields: 1 1/2 cups  
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, douse the red onions with the citrus juice and a liberal sprinkle of salt. Let stand 10 minutes.
Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop flesh into a bowl and add jalapeño, cilantro and garlic. Mash with a fork into a fairly smooth dip. Adjust seasonings to taste. 






Honey Ginger Lime-Aid
Ingredients
3 cups water
½ cup finely chopped fresh ginger
2 3-inch strips lime peel
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup honey
1 ½ cups fresh lime juice*
1 fresh jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and thinly sliced** (optional)
1 1 liter bottle sparkling water, chilled
Ice cubes
Lime wedges
Fresh ginger slices
Directions
1.In a small saucepan combine 2 cups of the water and the finely chopped ginger. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime peel. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain into a pitcher; discard solids.
2.Add brown sugar and honey to ginger liquid in pitcher, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in lime juice, jalapeno pepper (if desired), and the remaining 1 cup water. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours (up to 3 days).


Simply use a football-shape cookie cutter to carve these winning treats from a tray of brownies and then pipe on frosting.

Fudge Brownies

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon best-quality cocoa powder, preferably Valrhona
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
3/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light-brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (4 1/2 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, optional

Directions
1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment paper and butter parchment.
2.  In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside
3.  In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter and espresso. Place over low heat and stir until butter has melted. Add chocolate, and stir constantly until mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in both sugars until well combined.
4.  Add eggs and vanilla and continue stirring until well incorporated and mixture no longer appears grainy. Sift flour mixture over batter, and stir until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips, if using.
5.  Pour batter into prepared baking pan; smooth top with the back of a wooden spoon or a spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 28 to 30 minutes. Be sure not to over bake. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 9 brownies.

Happy Game-Day with family and friends!

cupbutter
ouncesunsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
cupssugar
eggs
teaspoonsvanilla
cupsall-purpose flour
teaspoonbaking soda
cupminiature semisweet chocolate pieces
Honey-Ginger Limeade
Loved It?