Prost to the Host » Celebrations

Celebrations :: Cinco de Mayo 2010

Alysia — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:33:06 +0000

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy the festivities as we celebrate the Batalla de Puebla. See you later for our regularly scheduled Wedding Dress Wednesday.

Kevin and I having a margarita morning in Puerto Vallarta.

{One Year Ago: Happy Cinco de Mayo}Also check out a few refreshing {Margarita recipes}

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Celebrations :: March Events

Alysia — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:10:20 +0000

The month of March is almost gone. Where did the last 29 days go?! My weekends were filled with a mini trip to San Francisco, a science/unicorn themed baby shower, meetings with Fall 2010 brides, a week long family visit and pom orders up the yahoo. Throw in St Patrick’s Day festivities, March Madness and upcoming Easter celebrations, making the month of March beyond hectic. Otherwise, I am doing fine. How are you doing?

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Celebrations :: Oscar Inspired Dinner

Alysia — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:05:01 +0000

The Oscars are coming! The Oscars are coming! Low key and casual, will make for a fun Sunday celebration with your closest friends. Nom on this mouthwatering menu and tune into see which nominations will make headlines. Themed dishes incorporate the season’s best films and can easily be made into a potluck style party.

Pre-Show

District 9 – Grilled Prawns

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire – Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting {Picture Source}

The Messenger – Fortune Cookies

Up in the Air – Roasted peanuts and pretzels {not pictured}

Up – Airpopped Popcorn

An Education – Champagne

Avatar – Cool Blue Martini {not pictured)

Main Feature

Inglorious Bastards – Green salad with Vinaigrette

Blind Side – Bacon Potato Salad

Lovely Bones – The Lovely Bone-less Chicken Strips

Encore

Print off ballots, so your guests can predict the winners

Hit up an award shop and pick up some Oscar trophies for your guests or make your own trophy cookies a la Bakerella

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Celebrations :: Mardi Gras

Alysia — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:52:08 +0000

Fat Tuesday is here! A celebration that marks the beginning of Lenten Season. Invite your closest friends and get roudy with some sparkly beads and soothing soul food worthy of Fat Tuesday!

MENU

Red Beans & Rice: Hearty and satisfying, this red beans and rice dish is essential for a Mardi Gras themed dinner. Omit the sausage for a vegetarian friendly dish.

Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo: This one pot wonder make a stellar main dish. Adjust the spices for your preferred level of spice and heat.

Beignets: Light and crispy mini donuts make for a sweet finish.

Grilled Shrimp with Remoulade: Quick and easy, but makes for a great presentation. Spice rubbed shrimp and a a healthy remix-remoulade will be a crowd pleaser.

King’s Cake: Traditional dessert served during the festivities. Be sure to add a little baby in the mix to determine who will host next year (or make up another rule). Once the cake has been removed from the oven, insert plastic baby into cake.

What is Fat Tuesday without a Hurricane? Mix in large quantities!

Cheers to you!

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Celebrations :: Valentine’s Day DIY Tablescape

Alysia — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:19:59 +0000

What do can do you do with crepe paper and candy? Make an easy colorful diy table setting, of course! Kelly Oshiro and The City Sage joined forces to create this punchy place setting for two. Check out the details at The City Sage’s Blog.

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Valentine’s Day Dinner :: Choose Your Own Adventure

Alysia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:18:37 +0000

Epicurious created a quiz for some interactive menu planning fun. A twist on the “choose your own adventure” theme paired with tantalizing menus will help create a fun Valentine’s Day dinner for the one you love. Click through a few easy questions to find what menu is best suited for suitor.

Based on my skills, food preferences and time, my recommended menu is “Tasty Thai”. We personally don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but the menu seems easy enough to tackle for a Saturday dine-in dinner.

What did menu you get?

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Celebrations :: Happy New Year

Alysia — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:43:46 +0000

Happy New Years! I am welcoming 2010 with open arms. The year flew by and did not stop to say goodbye. I wish you the best and hope you have a safe and warm New Year! I raise my glass to you!

Cheers!

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Holidays :: Gift Tag Templates

Alysia — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:00:05 +0000

There are only 9 days until Christmas! Oh my. If the panic has set in and you are in need of some gift tags. To avoid insanity by shopping at the store, follow these simple steps: 1) click 2) print 3) stick. Voila! You are done.

Festive retro reindeer make any present prettier (Eat, Drink, Chic)

Winter lace embellishes tags for a frosted feel (Martha Stewart)

Bold and punchy red circles will brighten up anyone’s heart (Lauren Makes)

A snazzy purple and blue color palette add a twist to the tradition (Tricia-Rennea)

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Holidays :: Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel

Alysia — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:00:28 +0000

I made you out of clay. Well, actually these dreidels are made out of marshmallows and other sweet treats. Enjoy a few simple recipes to get the festivities started. Happy Hanukkah!

Mello Yellow Mallow: Marshmallows and non-pareiles make this a simple and sweet treat. Luckily, non-pareils come in a variety of shades, so finding the perfect color combination will not be hard.

Wagering Kisses: Pretzels and chocolate kisses make this a great salty and sweet snack. If you want to be authentic, use royal icing (it will harden when it dries) and write the four letters. (Scroll through the gift guide to find the recipe).

Icing on the Cookie: Decorated Stars of David and dreidel make a lovely and delicious hostess gift.

Make sure to make plenty for you and your guests or you may be faced with “nun”.

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Celebrations :: Cupcake Birthday Party

Alysia — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:14 +0000

Cupcakes + Princesses + Pink… OH MY! Sofia turned 3 and her parents went all out to share Sofia’s love of cupcakes, princesses and the color pink. The little details make this party outstanding.

Welcome to Sofia’s Party. Where all things are pink, delicious and frilly.

The scene: Tissue Poms, Princess Throne, Cupcake Tower and Birthday Banner

Princess Sofia + her friend on her Princess Throne. A perfect place to take individual pictures with Sofia’s guests.

Gift Bags and Pink Chinese takeout boxes were decorated with stickers and balloons.

A Giant cupcake creates a eye-catching hanging centerpiece in the adjoining room.

Pictures of Sofia from the last three years decorated the stair rail.

Cupcake cards from Auntie’s Card shop accented the floral centerpieces on the tables.

Candy necklaces made sweet napkin rings and cupcake plates were a bargin discovery at TJMaxx.

Candy bar and sammies cut into hearts made the food table sugary and delicious. Don’t forget about the customized crown cookies in the party’s colors!

Thank you Tricia for sharing your pinkalicious princess party with us! Photos by the stunning hostess, Tricia and her friend Kristen at Sweet World Photography

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