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!

Party? Appetizers? Ways To Avoid Double Dipping

Holiday festivities are around the corner:   Parties, family reunions, work soirees and casual entertainment.  And what's a party without appetizers, delicious finger food!  But these delectable little concoctions bring out the worst in everyone; double dipping.  How do we avoid this unsanitary act? How do you swallow that last piece of vegetable without more ranch dressing?  Do you look around make sure no one is looking and dive in for that tasty last bite?

NO!

Carefully planning appetizers and snack platters for guests is the key ingredient in avoiding double dipping.  Appetizers can range from cheese and cracker trays to an array of dips.  Traditionally appetizers were served on one dish and guests helped themselves to whatever amount they wanted.  Dips are notorious for double dipping, and cheese and cracker trays are prone to all kinds of hands touching the food, if no serving utensil is available.  All this amounts to unhealthy risk of germs to every guest at the party.

As a host, how do you make sure double dipping doesn't happen?  Make your appetizers single serve portions.  Sure, this may take a little extra time and may cost a little more money for all the individual "plating."  In the long run, it's worth going that extra step for yourself and for your guests. Not only will your guests appreciate the easy to carry and eat food, they will enjoy the sanitary factor.

Here are few popular appetizers served at parties that can be "replated" to avoid double dipping.  A picture depicts "how to" serve the appetizer and a link to the recipe follows (if you have your own favorite recipe, use it!) :

•  Seven Layer Taco Dip:  An all time favorite, this mini appetizer is easy to serve in small individual cups for your guests.      http://allrecipes.com/recipe/seven-layer-taco-dip/ 

• Shrimp Cocktail:  Plating this delicious appetizer individually takes into account those guests that might have an allergy to shell fish and by serving them separately helps with cross contamination. 

• Veggies:  A favorite for whatever occasion you are having a get together for, veggies and veggie dip go hand in hand with the word "party."  Notorious as a magnet for double dipping you can avoid this by fixing individual cups for everyone; just like in the picture. 

One thing to remember is to make your presentation of these appetizers stylish.  Be creative with items that you have around the house.  Use small champagne glasses for your shrimp cocktail; or shot glasses for your veggie dips.  For other appetizers you can use small disposable plastic cups.  Don't limit your imagination; be creative!  Stores such as www.disposableminiplates.com and Pier 1 have a wide variety of dishes and unique plating ideas.  

First Birthday Party

Your bundle of joy is soon turning one and it's time to start planning that special milestone birthday. Planning the perfect children's birthday party takes time, patience and lots of creativity. So many decisions have to be made, the theme, the cake, the food, the entertainment and how many guests should be invited!

Step 1: Theme

Animated cartoon characters such as Sesame Street, Barney, Baby Einstein or traditional 1st Birthday decorations? There is such a vast assortment of theme ideas and trying to decide which one to chose is overwhelming. For a 1st Birthday the theme is self evident, 1st Birthday decorations for your little prince or princess, but to make it extra special personalize the invitation with a picture your child. The website http://tinyprints.com/ has a wide variety of decorations and ideas to help you purchase everything you need for the party. Throwing a 1st Birthday party where all the napkins, cups, banners, plates and tablecloths are personalized with the celebrants name is truly memorable for your guests!

Step 2: Location

Depending on when your child's birthday is, and outdoor birthday party is ideal. For summer months rent a tent that will accommodate all your guests. If this is not an option, renting a small banquet facility or having it at home are your other alternatives. Whichever decision you make, attention to detail and having a party that is unique to other party is your goal.

Step 3: Guest List

To be truly honest, your little birthday boy or girl will not remember their 1st Birthday party, so why all the hoopla? This is a milestone birthday and a wonderful occasion to gather your closest family members to help mark it.

It is obvious that the party is geared towards children, therefore, they should be the main guests at the party. Inviting family members with children that are age appropriate is something that should be taken in account.

Step 4: Menu/Catering

Wikipedia defines catering as the supplying of food for a social event. Deciding what type of food should be served at a 1st Birthday party seems simple. But you have guests that are adults, young children and toddlers that you have to cater to. Serving chicken nuggets and pizza to the adults is not acceptable, you need to also provide food for them. Should you opt to have your party catered, the caterer may suggest some menu options for you to serve. On the other hand, if you would like to prepare the food yourself, consider the following:

• Appetizers- Chips, dip, finger sandwiches, meat and cheese tray, potato, macaroni or pasta salads
  
• Adult food menu- Chicken, ribs, potatoes, pasta (i.e. fettucini, mostacolli), fresh salad
  
• Kids food menu- Pizza, chicken nuggets, hot dogs
• Beverages- Pop/Soda, water, alcohol, non-carbonated drinks

Step 5: Entertainment

How do you entertain a houseful of children and adults at one time? Simple! Children are easily entertained with games and fun activities such as arts and crafts, toys and pinatas. Personalized pinatas are a fun way to get children, and adults, involved in the birthday activities. Customize your pinata with your childs picture to make for a conversation piece that will be remembered for days.

Throwing a successful party is simple if you plan ahead and when the day arrives you need to manage your time efficiently and effectively. Planning and preparing in advance gives you the opportunity not only to host the party, but to sit back and enjoy your childs 1st Birthday!

It's A Graduation Party!!!

It's that time of year, graduation parties!  


Are you one of those parents who will be planning a high school or college graduation party?  If so, you want to make it as memorable and unique as the person who you are throwing the party for.  Planning a small or large get together depends on the preparations of planning every single detail from the guest list to the music.  To make the planning go smoothly, I have listed tips and resources to make sure you have every detail from beginning to ending covered.

One of the first things you should do before you begin the planning the details is to ask your graduate what they want and how they can help.  After all, this is their big day to celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments of their life, finishing twelve years of schooling!  Here are some questions you can ask your teenager about how he/she would like to celebrate their graduation:

What kind of graduation party do you want?  Big party or small family dinner?
Depending on your teen’s personality, they may not want to have the big hoopla of a graduation party but opt for a small family dinner with their closest loved ones.  If your graduate has chosen a party, then the real decisions in planning have to be made.  

Who should we invite?
Remember, this is your teen's party.  The guests should include friends and family of the graduate to join in the celebration.  Have your teen make a list of those he/she wants to have attend the party and let them that you would like to invite your closest friends to celebrate your child's achievement.  Making a list of persons closest to your teen and to yourself makes the party feel more special and personable. Once you have decided on the list, start planning the invites.  You don't have to order those expensive invites from the school when you have the world at your fingertips.  Vistaprint is one of many online resources where you can develop your own invites and make it as creative as you want.

Set a date and time for the graduation party.
Unfortunately, the first few weekends in June are the busiest not only for graduation parties but for weddings as well, and setting a date that doesn't conflict with a friend's graduation party is difficult.  Holding off your party until August is a little late, but reasonable.   Have your graduate tell you when other parties are being held and talk about various dates when to have your graduation party.  The more options you have, the better, but start your planning at least six weeks before the party!

Plan your graduation party budget. 

Once you have made the list of how many guests you will be inviting to the graduation party next you need to decide how much plan to spend and start checking for prices of the different things you would like to have or do. This includes decorations, drinks, food, utensils, party rental supplies, thank yous, postage and invitations.  Write everything all down and compare prices!  

Find a place to have the graduation party. 
Deciding where you are going to have your graduation party depends a lot on the number of people attending.  The larger the guest list, the larger the venue needed and the larger the budget!  Keep all this mind as you make your plans and remember plans do change.  

Traditionally graduation parties are held at home, but keep your options open by having your party at the park, beach, hall or even on a boat!  Think outside the box and chose a venue that is as unique as your graduate and one that will be memorable for all your guests.

Choose a fun theme and decorate.
Many opt for the graduation themed party, but try something different.  Theme your party with the graduates college they will be attending.  Purchase decorations of the college colors and banners with the schools name.  Online stores such as Oriental Trading have an array of party themed supplies to accommodate every party.  For more specific decorations you may need to visit the college website to purchase elite decorations and websites like Birthday Direct has a vast selection of colleges throughout the United States.  Also, special touches such as personalized candy or cups make it an even more unique party.  Visit mymms website to order personalized M & M's, candy bars and other unique items.

Pay attention to every single detail of the decorating process from napkins to lighting.  Coordinate napkins, cups, tablecloths, plates and even flowers with the colors of the school.  This kind of detail is what makes the party special and classy.  Don't skimp out on cheap plastic-ware, but purchase higher end supplies.  This tells your guests you care and are proud of the party you have put together for your special graduate.  

Decide on the menu.
To cater or not to cater?  This is one of many questions that you will have to answer.  Which ever your choose you will have to decide what you will be serving.  Simplest route to take is buffet style catering with your traditional foods of chicken, mostacolli, salads and potatoes.  

Why not go for a more unique approach and hire a caterer that brings his equipment to your party site and all the food is cooked there as the guests watch the pig being roasted, the chicken slowly turning on the rotissiere, the salad being freshly chopped, the vegetables slowly boiling and all of this coming together for an unforgettable meal?  This type of catering can be more costly, but the effect of watching the meal come together can be part of the entertainment and what a conversation starter for your guests!

Get some help for party day. 
Twenty-four hours in a day seem like plenty of time to get everything ready for the day of the graduation party.  Before you know it, you are frantically running around trying to get all the last minute touches complete before the guests arrive.  To save you from insanity, gather anyone and everyone to help you do all the preparations.  Whether it's a sibling, spouse or hired helper, you will need lots of help on the day of the party. Assign people tasks for the day of the party and make them responsible for things like drinks, plates, appetizers, sitting and gifts.  After all, this is a special day for you as it is for your child.  You want to enjoy the festivities and lessen the responsibilities of the party so  you can kick back and enjoy this moment.  

Unique Ideas for Graduation Parties

• Set your invitations apart from other invites.  Grab a calligraphy pen, neatly write out your information, roll the special paper up and tie the invite with your color theme.  Format your invite to look like a high school diploma, when it's really an invite!
• Play pin the mustache on the teacher. Blow up a picture from the year book of one of your child's teachers and watch as his/her classmates have fun pinning the mustache.
• If it's hot outside, a water balloon toss is always fun, (played just like and egg toss but not as messy). Choose the balloon colors to match the school colors.
• Have a sign in board. You can use a large scroll to keep the diploma theme or place pictures of as many of the classmates as you can find around the edges of a large poster board. Have the guests write a special message to the graduate.  After the party, laminate the board as a memoir. 
• Don't try to have too many activities. Teens love to just get together, talk and listen to music.  Make sure that music is what your teen wants.  Have a DJ and prior to the party, have your child make a list of songs to play at the party and make sure the DJ takes requests from the guests and let them dance the night away!

Cinco de Mayo Themed Party

Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and what a wonderful opportunity to host a Mexican themed party commemorating this holiday. This holiday recognizes Mexico's victory over the French militia in 1862, but many of us have deemed it a day of celebration.

To help with planning your fiesta, here are some helpful hints:

Decorations

The decorations pictured are a perfect option for the budget conscious individual. The mini plastic hats available in various colors can be purchased at any party supply store such as Party Adventure or Dollar General for only .50 each.  At these retail stores you can also find fiesta themed decor like the pop up displays, maracas and plasticware and paper plates, cups and napkins to make the day mucho grande.

Whatever you chose, make sure that attention to detail is not sacrificed. The placements pictured I found at Pier One for less than $5 each. Combine them with napkins of siesta colors such as golden yellow, orange, red and forest green, you have perfectly set table sure to "wow" your guest.

Drinks

Tequila is synomous with Mexico and the number of drinks that can be concoted with it are endless. Mojito's and Margarita's are the most popular. If you are a novice and need help, Epicurious.com has a great demonstration of how to make these drinks and more.  Ole!


Music


If you are lucky enough to know a Mariachi band to play at your party, the better!  If not, grab a CD that has a variety of popular Mexican songs such as La Cucharacha, La Bamba or any Latin flavored musical!  Grab the maracas, your sombrero and cha cha the night away!

Easter Table Scape Ideas

April 8th is Easter and the time has come to plan your Easter festivities. What color linen to use? Which china to serve? What type of glassware to set? So many questions, so little time! To lessen the chaos of those holiday dinners, here are some ideas to make your dinner preparations go a little more smoothly.

Linens: Spring is a wonderful time of year. The beautiful subtle colors of new beginnings are slowly emerging from the cold winter. The soft colors of Hyacinthia's, the vivid brightness of daffodils, and the crisp clean look of crocuses. All of these colors can be incorporated into your table scape for Easter. A subtle change in the color of your linens, changes the look of your place setting.

White Table Linen:















Lilac Table Linen:
















Name Holders: If you are entertaining a number of guests, it’s a good idea to use name holders to let your guests know where to sit. Stores have a wide variety of name holders or place holders for every season and occasion. Pier 1 has a great selection for those one of a kind trinkets to make your entertaining extra special. For Easter, you have an array of choices, such as the chick and egg place holders, used in the following pictures.

Centerpiece: A table is not complete without "dressing" it up a bit. Whether it is a traditional floral arrangement or an Easter wreath with plastic pastel eggs (pictured below, an elegant or fun centerpiece is always a nice touch. Also, adding the green grass and placing the candlesticks in or around the wreath lets your guests know that you care.



















Table Decor: Setting a table entails a great deal of preparation and detail. Choosing the right linens, centerpiece, flatware, and china are all very important in setting the mood for the party, but adding a little pizazz like themed statues or topiary (picture below) encourages table conversation and sets the ambiance for the night.



















Whatever the occasion, whatever the theme, choosing the right table presentation ensures for an elegant, successful party and it will definitely be stylish.