MAGPIE'S CAKE
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Etiquette
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING AS A HOST / HOSTESS GIFT?
Wine and Flowers are fine, but don't expect the wine to be poured for you it's a gift. Cut flowers should be in a vase so the host doesn't have to stop and fix them. An empty vase is a great gift. So are chocolates or a pot of fresh basil.
SPARKLING WHITE SANGRIA
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sparkling wine (such as Cava or Prosecco)
- 1 1/2 cups apricot nectar
- 1 1/2 ounces triple sec
Directions
In a pitcher, mix together the sparkling wine, apricot nectar, and triple sec. Serve in wineglasses.
Via Real Simple
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
MAKE A WISH
"As a child I once found a balloon with a note attached. It was a letter from another little girl seeking a pen pal. At the time, I thought it was truly magical to find a message by way of a balloon and have thought about the experience off and on in the years since.
Fast-forward two decades. This week I turned 30. My life has been filled with countless blessings. So, in celebration, I wanted to follow the lead of my pen pal from years ago, spreading happiness and connecting with others with the help of a little helium. Last night a group of good friends joined me in releasing 30 balloons out into the world. On each card was a hand-written message from one of my guests to the balloon's finder." Via An open sketch book
Fast-forward two decades. This week I turned 30. My life has been filled with countless blessings. So, in celebration, I wanted to follow the lead of my pen pal from years ago, spreading happiness and connecting with others with the help of a little helium. Last night a group of good friends joined me in releasing 30 balloons out into the world. On each card was a hand-written message from one of my guests to the balloon's finder." Via An open sketch book
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Love. Love. Love.
I've spent more time, than I would like to admit look for colored vellum to recreate this gorgeous vellum mobile.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
How to Make the Pom-Poms
You'll need tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.
Hanging Pom-Poms
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inchwide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.
2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.
3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.
4. Tie a length of monofilament to floral wire for hanging.
via Martha Stewart
ORIGAMI LANTERNS
How-To
Fold a 25-inch square of vellum paper following the illustrations; blow into the bottom to expand the paper, and thread a 4-foot piece of string through the hole and out the bottom of the lantern. Tie a battery-operated candle to string 18 inches from end. Attach a large paper clip to the string about 3 inches above the candle. Pull on the other end of the string until the paper clip catches on the top of the lantern. Tie a ribbon to string at bottom of balloon; trim excess string. Tie other end of string to a pole.
I have a special nostalgia for luminariums. Every year growing-up my grandmother would have a holiday party the Friday between Christmas and New Years. I remember most every year lining the walkway with these very special lights. Luminaries are so welcoming and give such warmth! How can you not love 'em.
BOURBON AND ORANGE BLOOD BLAST
Yield: Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 cup blood orange juice
- 8 fresh mint leaves, plus sprig for mint
- 1 orange wedge
- Turbinado sugar for garnish
Preparation
In a shaker, mix together the bourbon, blood orange juice, and mint leaves. Serve over ice in a low glass and garnish with a sprig of mint. Rub the rim of the glass with the orange wedge, then dip the edge in a dish of turbinado sugar (also called sugar in the raw).
recipe via Real Simple
VELLUM LUMINARIES
You'll need 8 1/2-by-11 sheets of vellum paper in the color of your choice, chopsticks, and 7-day candles in glass vessels (sold at supermarket). Sandwich the candles between 2 sheets of vellum, clipping the sheets together with 2 sets of unseparated wooden chopsticks 1 inch from edges.
CLASSIC LUMINARIES
You'll need paper sandwich bags in the color of your choice, kitty litter for weight, and battery tea light candles (sold at michael's). Fill the sandwich bags with a cup of kitty litter, light or place the candle inside the sandwich bag.
Luminaries are always welcoming and add a bit of warmth to your party.
MINTED GREEK WINE
2 bottles dry greek white wine
mint syrup (recipe follows)
mint sprigs for garnish
Combine 4 part wine and 1 part mint syrup in a glass over ice, the garnish with a mint sprig (using these proportions, you can also make a pitcher ahead of time). For the wine, I recommend Domaine Spiropoulos Mantina Moschofilero, which is light and crisp, with hint of honeysuckle and subtle minerality.
MINT SYRUP
1/2 cup sugar
(evaporated cane sugar)
1 cup water
20 fresh mint leaves
Place all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer, until sugar is dissolved; let cool. Strain into a small pitcher, and refrigerate until ready to use.
TANABATA
Tanabata: is the custom in Japan. They write hopes onto strips of paper and hang them, wishing they will come true.
I'm obsessed with simple ideas, that give you the opportunity to make a wish. How wonderful would it be to have your guests write their hopes and dreams on a strip of vellum paper to be hung in a tree or tied onto the deck.
PEAR WITH BLUE CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO
Serves 8Hands-On Time: 10mTotal Time: 10m
Ingredients
- 2 pears (such as Bosc or Bartlett), each cut into 8 wedges
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup arugula
- 3 ounces blue cheese, cut into small pieces
- 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise
Directions
In a large bowl, toss the pears and lemon juice.
Layer a slice of pear, an arugula leaf, and a piece of cheese on a piece of prosciutto and roll up.
Recipe via Real Simple
Etiquette
HOW TO BE THE PERFECT GUEST
- Wear the right clothes. Dress appropriately for the event.
- Arrive on time - but never early. Generally 15 to 30 minutes after the appointment hour is acceptable.
- Bring an appropriate gift.
- Try to mingle and not spend the whole night talking to the same people.
- Learn some basic conversational escape strategies ( "I'm going to get a drink - Can I get you something?").
- Don't be the last to leave, unless you're very close friends.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
LIQUID CATERING
t: 1.818.998.3030
Liquid catering is an excellent beverage catering serves in the valley. They're slightly higher in price than Costco, but you're paying for the convenience of them dropping off all the drinks, and picking them back up at the end of the night. Plus, they provide all the ice, limes, and other garnishes. Also, liquid catering will take back anything that is unopened and refund your money. You can't beat that! They're a little frustrating to get a hold of, but once you've got 'em on the phone they're excellent!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)