Creative Summer Entertaining

Summer is here and so is outdoor entertaining. As you plan your outdoor festivities, make them memorable, unique and creative with the following suggestions.

What is a backyard BBQ without watermelon. Not only does it refresh and cool you off in the summer heat, but you can reuse it to make a fun punch holder. First, cut the top of the watermelon and hollow out the fruit (for later eating). Carefully drill a hole at the bottom of the watermelon where your shank will be inserted.You can purchase the shank kit online at Amazon.com.  Make sure that your hole is smaller than the spout and if you need to make it larger, use a knife to widen. Attach the shank and you are ready to fill your watermelon with a summer drink favorite such as watermelon Margarita.

Summer is the best time for fresh fruits.The sweetness of muskmelon and honeydew, the crispness of pineapple and fresh strawberries are a light, refreshing snack during those hot summer nights. These are also a great supplement to your party. Instead of traditionally cutting up your fruit and place them in a serving platter, serve it in the actual bowl of the fruit. Cut up your fruit in cube sized bites in your color coordinated bowls; strawberries, cherries, raspberries, watermelons serve in a hallowed out small melon. Pineapple, banana, peaches, mango, papaya inside a pineapple bowl; place your honeydew, grapes, kiwi, green apples in a honeydew bowl. If you have any other fruit favorites, color code them by placing the fruit in appropriate bowl.

Turn the night into a glow night! Glow sticks are a fun and inexpensive way to brighten up those summer nights for both kids and adults. Make a statement by turning your refreshment table into a glowing bucket of fun. Place the glow sticks at the bottom of the bucket and fill with ice.Your guests will be excited to dive into that magical glowing bucket of fun.

Have some mason jars you want to reuse? How about making a glowing mason jar centerpiece instead of candles or other lighting? All you need is some mason jars, scissors and glow sticks and you can create a unique centerpiece for your party. Here is the link on how to create this great idea!

As you plan your outdoor party, try these ideas and think outside the box. There are so many creative ways to make a BBQ smokin' fun, a pool party a splash hit and a picnic a basket of memories. But always make them stylish and entertaining for your guests and also fun for yourself!

Stylish Easter Decorating Ideas Using Pantone's Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Entertaining for Easter?  Your decor does not have to be over the top or cheesy with the typical Easter fixings.  Here are a couple of ideas to help get you started towards a stylish Easter party.

1. Pick a color theme.  This year Pantone's color of the year is radiant orchid, a delicate pastel hue that is a perfect color theme for Easter. A table linen in this color in a lighter shade and your accessories such as napkins, napkin holders or plates in fuscia, purple or pink would match perfectly and look elegant.

2. Less is more.  Entertaining can be overwhelming, and when it comes dishes, a centerpiece and all the essentials needed at the dinner table where do you start!? Begin with your china. Instead of having your fine china displayed only in your china cabinet, display it for special occasions like this and accentuate it with a beautiful floral centerpiece complemented by the radiant orchid color theme.  Adding a simple, elegant candelabra adds to the elegance, along with simple Easter themed napkins, egg cup holders, serving dishes adds a touch of style.

Planning a party can be stressful. Make it easier by picking a theme and a color and sticking to the basics of keeping it simple, but attending to the special details such as napkin rings, name cards and other personal touches help in making your party like it took weeks to plan.  These little things add a unique touch to your party and keeps it stylish. 

St. Patrick's Day: Match Your Beer and Food

St. Patrick's Day preparations are here and it's time to plan on pairing your favorite Irish beer with traditional Irish meals.  Irish reds to rich, dark stouts here are some suggestions to complement your Irish meal and make your party a success!

Stout

Irish stouts like Guinness and Murphy's are dark, rich in flavor. Many do not know that they are surprisingly light and do not have as much calories as people think.  Their flavor is predominantly coffee like, making them a perfect pair with chocolate desserts.  You can also use the beer as an ingredient in your Guinness chocolate cake.  No only do these stouts taste great with dessert, but they also go well with oysters and fish 'n chips.

Red Ale

Irish reds like Smithwick's and Killian's Red Irish are medium-bodied beers.  These beers have a distinct caramel flavor and get their color from the roasted barley that is added at the end of the brewing process.  Their balance of sweetness and bitterness are a perfect paring with corned beef and cabbage and Shepherd's Pie. The saltiness in this St. Patrick's Day staple is counterbalanced by the sweet, caramel flavor of these red ales.  

Lager

Lagers are light and refreshing beer and Harp's and Rogue Irish Lager have the perfect touch of carbonation. Served cold, but not too cold to lose its flavor, lagers should be dry, a little bitter, flowery and bready in flavor. This unique mix of flavors make lagers an ideal ingredient for Irish soda bread.  

Serve all three types of beer at your party and complement them with the appropriate food pairing and you are sure to bring out the flavors of the beer and the meal.  Taking that extra step to perfectly match your meal and drinks, will make your St. Patrick's Day stylish!  Erin go braugh!

Traditional Valentine's Day Gifts Done Right

Valentine's Day is soon around the corner.  Is it ok to go with the traditional gifts, box of chocolates, dinner, getaway?  Yes and No.  Here are few things that women do not want to get as gifts for Valentine's Day and if you do get any one of these items, make sure you do it right!

1. Teddy Bear - That beloved creepy little Teddy Bear that is holding a heart with a special saying.  Unless you are in high school or are under six years old, this is not the way to go.

2. Small jewelry box, no diamond- If you plan to give your Valentine jewelry, make sure the box has the right bling! Girl sees box and automatically thinks, "yes!" only to discover it's a charm.

3. Freecourt Flowers- Don't make that mad dash into Sam's Club to buy that bouquet of flowers!  Instead, do it right. Order a delivery of special flowers from sites such as FTD or 1800Flowers to her workplace.  Nothing puts a smile on your Valentine's face than a beautiful arrangement of her favorite flowers.

4. Cheap Chocolate- The corner drugstore is a convenient place to get a box of chocolates, but not for Valentine's Day!  Instead, go to Godiva or Charonnel Chocolates purchase a special box of Marc de champagne truffles or chocolate covered strawberries, a sure favorite!

5. Sexy Lingerie- There is nothing romantic about sexy lingerie.  If you want to purchase something sexy, the lingerie should be red but from  La Perla, Damaris or the like.

6. Charmless Bracelet- You have decided to splurge and buy your Valentine a Pandora bracelet.  Make sure that you purchase a meaningful charm, believe it or not, you can forget to buy the charm.

Whatever you decide to buy your Valentine, make sure you do it right to make a special and memorable day for both of you!