The sun is out, the breeze is mild and the air is filled with the sweet smells of spring. Where better to host your next dinner party (or luncheon) than outdoors? Taking your party outdoors almost makes it easier to plan. The blue sky and surrounding greenery offers instant decor, the springtime fragrances fill the air and replace your need for candles. Outdoor surroundings fill up your space which means you are required to do less, buy less, and make less. I say, gather a few things you have around already and repurpose them for entertaining. Here are two great ideas courtesy of Martha.

I love this simple idea. Transform flower pots into serving dishes and platters. This is a great way to pull your outdoor dinner party together and in a very frugal way.

It doesn’t get easier than this! Pluck a few leaves off your outdoor trees and you have instant spring coasters!

Here are just a couple decor ideas for your outdoor entertaining. We would love to hear how you celebrate spring outdoors as well!

Photos via Martha Stewart Living

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Posted by Myriam under Table Setting | No Comments »

Perfect dessert recipe for your Spring entertaining. A classic upside-down cake with sweet rhubarb slices atop a light, fluffy vanilla cake. Yum!

What You’ll Need:

-3 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine, softened
-1/2 cup(s) butter or margarine, softened
-1/2 cup(s) (packed) light brown sugar
-1 pound(s) rhubarb
-1 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
-2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
-3 large eggs, separated
-1 cup(s) granulated sugar
-1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
-1/2 cup(s) milk

How to Make:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 12-inch nonstick skillet with oven-safe handle (if not oven-safe, wrap handle in double thickness of foil for baking in oven later), melt 3 tablespoons butter on medium, swirling to coat side of pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over melted butter and continue to cook 1 to 2 minutes or until sugar begins to melt, stirring constantly. Remove skillet from heat.
-Trim tough stem ends from rhubarb stalks. Place  stalks in skillet in parallel rows across top of sugar mixture, cutting and piecing together stalks as necessary to almost completely cover bottom of skillet.
-On waxed paper, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In small bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites until foamy. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and beat until whites stand in stiff peaks when beaters are lifted.
-In large bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat remaining 1/2 cup butter and remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar until blended. Increase speed to medium; beat 3 minutes or until light and fluffy and a pale lemon color, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Beat in egg yolks, 1 at a time, and vanilla until well blended.
-Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl. Stir in 1 large spoonful beaten whites to loosen batter slightly. Then, with rubber spatula, fold in remaining whites, half at a time, just until blended.
-Transfer batter to skillet and spread evenly. Bake (350 degrees) 38 to 40 minutes  or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in skillet on wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cake onto platter and remove skillet; cool slightly, about 30 minutes, to serve warm, or cool completely, about 2 hours, to serve at room temperature.

 This sweet treat from Delish.com

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Posted by Myriam under Party Food | No Comments »

It’s that time of year again– time to plan your child’s birthday party. What will it be this year? Firetrucks? Star Wars? Oh the decisions.

Rather than trying to come up with the perfect party theme for your child’s birthday yourself, let them inspire you! Check out these three ways your child can inspire his own party theme!

What he watches: Is it endless replays of Shrek? What about that cartoon on Disney Channel he cannot get enough of? If your child is always eager to watch something in particular, chances are they would be thrilled with a birthday party focused on that show or movie.

What he does: Is your child constantly playing with his dinosaurs or pushing his toy tractors around the house? Pick a party theme inspired by what he likes to do. Whether is be is favorite action toy or outdoor activity. Soccer party to play dough party- he’ll be happy to participate if it is already one of his favorite things to do!

What he is interested in: If your child is fascinated by art and always creating little materpieces- then I say have an art party! Does he love science? Do some experiments. Children are naturally curious, it would be great to run with one of his interests and create a party around it. You’ll be sure to keep his attention!

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Posted by Myriam under Occasions | 1 Comment »

My favorite reason to host a party is actually no reason at all. I love having friends and family over “just because.”  Without a Christmas color scheme, birthday decor, or formal attire, I find it fun to get a bit creative when entertaining. Here are a few trendy party supplies you might not otherwise use; but that can really make a statement.  Mix up patterns and bold colors and your decor will be as vibrant as your party.

Retro Cake Platters {set of 2}

Whimsical Flower Napkin Rings

Modern Orange Placemats {set of 4}

These are a few bold party accessories I found that can get your creativity flowing. Now- all you need is a non-reason to host a party!

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Entertaining for a crowd? Get a jump start on your party prep and read these 5 tips that you can do ahead.

1. Clean out your fridge (yes, seriously). This will give you more room to store party dips and appetizers that you have prepared ahead of time.

2.  Make any dishes (that can be prepared ahead of time), including casseroles, dips, and desserts the night before your party. This will cut down on the amount of time you are stuck in the kitchen the day of your event.

3. Dress and set your table the night before. You can place all the table settings and do just about everything except light the candles the night before. This will free up a ton of time the next day.

4. Gather all your serving dishes and utensils ahead of time and place them all in one area. This way when you go to plate and dish up all your food, you will not be searching around your kitchen for that serving dish you misplaced.

5. Clean (yuck I know). The only thing you should have to do the day of your party is make your beds. Do all that “dirty” work like cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors ahead of time. This will cut down on your pre-party stress…which is the whole point after all!

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Everyone has someone in their life that is either a great chef, wanna be chef, or a foodie fanatic. Me? Well, I consider myself all three depending on the day. However, I also have a few of these “food type” as friends and as part of my family. One thing thing always seems to cause me confusion…what type of gifts do “food types” enjoy? I thought it might be helpful to put together a few gift ideas for that chef or food lover in all of our lives. So the next time you find yourself wandering the aisles of Pier One and World Market, stop and consider some of these great gift options.

- Personalized Recipe book and/or recipe cards. I know when I eat a fabulous dish prepared by a friend, I almost always ask for the recipe. I bet  having personalized recipe cards ready to give out would be a joy for a chef (or even wanna be chef)!

- A novelty kitchen necessity. Think of fun items that you typically would not buy; like colorful baking spatulas or a fun kitchen timer. What about a set of quirky dish towels? Or really exotic spices?

- A themed cookbook with accompanying gift. For example, an Asian themed cookbook and a set of fancy chopsticks. Or an dessert cookbook and personalized ice cream bowls.

- Gift Certificate! For a food lover, even the “boring” gift certificate can be reinvented. Choose a new restaurant or one they have never been to before. With a “free” meal, they may be more inclined and eager to try a new place out.

What are your gift suggestions for those who love to cook (and enjoy) great food?

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Posted by Myriam under Uncategorized | No Comments »

Take a double look, these items are not what they appear to be. A new green trend is to reuse and re-purpose items around the house to fit your needs. Here are two creative ideas I just had to share!

Books for shelves? License plates as bookends? Who would have thought?

Get the scoop on how to turn your old books into a new and unique bookshelf. Find the instructions over at Inhabitat.

This bookend idea is so creative. Dig out those old license plates from the garage and put them to good use! Check out how the how-to from Fun in the Making.

The key here is those well known three R’s… recycle, reduce, and reuse! Now, go find something old to make new in your home and come back and share with us!

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Posted by Myriam under Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Some of my favorite parties are kids parties. Birthdays, school parties, holiday celebrations, any kid-orientated event I love! Perhaps its the whimsical decor or pure excitement in the air, I just think children’s parties are magical. Here is one of my all time favorite party themes for kids…Robots!

These super cool Robot Party theme is sure to create excitement for all ages. I love the bright colors and how unique this theme is. Check out these cool robot themed party ideas. I love the little details like the silver pipe cleaners wrapped around the forks- perfect touch!

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If you plan on hosting an Easter brunch, this sweet morning treat would be a great addition to your menu. Even if you are not hosting a brunch or having guests, whip these up and enjoy with a nice warm cup of coffee (or cocoa) Easter morning!

You Will Need:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg
¼ cup sugar plus extra for sprinkling
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
½ pint blueberries (1 cup)

How To Make:

-Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with oil or cooking spray. Place the cream cheese in small bowl and stir until completely smooth.
–Separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Place the egg white in a small bowl and add the egg yolk to the cream cheese and stir until combined. Lay the sheet of puff pastry on a flat surface and cut into 9 small squares. Spoon a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture down the center of each square from one corner to the opposite corner. Press the blueberries into the cream cheese. Fold the sides into the center, wet the points with a little water, and press tightly to seal. (Press the sides tightly together or they will open while they bake.)
-Place the turnovers in the baking pan, brush with the egg white, and sprinkle lightly with sugar. (If you are making these ahead, you can cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for up to 4 hours before baking.) Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until golden brown. Remove form the oven and serve warm.

I can smell these baking already!

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