Vegas, Baby!

by Natalie on February 5, 2010

My wonderful, beautiful mother took me on a trip last week….to LAS VEGAS! We had such a great time sightseeing, shopping, and eating our way through this spectacular city. I have been to Vegas a few times, and though I’m not much of a gambler whatsoever, I always have the time of my life. We stayed at the Wynn, which I would recommend to anyone! The lobby and rooms are beautiful and the service is fantastic!

vegas3

If you know my mom and I, you’re probably well aware of our slight obsession with food. We never make many plans before heading out on a vacation, but we usually have a pretty good idea of where we will eat. The first night we ate a delicious stone crab dinner at Joe’s in Caesar’s Palace. If anyone watches ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate’ on the Food Network, this place might sound familiar. Bobby Flay named their stone crabs as one of his food obsessions! The crabs were light and decadent…perfect for a late-night meal.

joes2

On Sunday we feasted on the Bellagio’s brunch buffet which was surprisingly reasonable for the amount and quality of food that was presented. Wood fired pizza, fresh sushi, turkey and pot roast carving stations, pasta, eggs, pancakes and waffles…you name it, they had it! Our final meal was at the Hash House A Go-Go at the Imperial Palace, and it was probably my favorite meal of the trip. The portions are HUGE and very reasonably priced. We had a unique take on eggs benedict, which contained fried chicken, mashed potatoes, fluffy biscuits, and bacon. YUMM! They also have a location in San Diego. If you’ve never been, you must go!

hash

Although we spent most of the trip eating, we did manage to squeeze in some shopping at the Fashion Show Mall and sightseeing at all the grand hotels.

The Mirage Hotel

The Mirage Hotel

The Strip at Night

The Strip at Night

Treasure Island Hotel

Treasure Island Hotel

Although a trip to Vegas is pretty much a guaranteed good time, you don’t necessarily need to make the trip to experience some excitement! A Vegas-themed party is great way to celebrate birthdays, graduations, retirements, and most things in between. To start off, this invitation is perfect to set the tone of the evening.

San Lori Poker Chip Invitation

San Lori Poker Chip Invitation

Decorate with plates, napkins, and cups that have casino and card graphics. The website Party411.com has some great casino themed decorations and games. I also love these poker chips for a personalized touch!

Photo Poker Chips

Photo Poker Chips

There are lots of casino games out there that can be purchased, but I especially love this all-in-one casino game night tin from GameDaze.com

Complete Casino Night Game Tin

Complete Casino Night Game Tin

And finally, for the adult crowd, serve this pretty, festive Lady Luck drink with two parts gin, one part blue curacao, and a splash of orange juice! Look how lovely!

'Lady Luck' cocktail

'Lady Luck' cocktail

Also, and I know this is totally off-topic, my wonderful fiance picked up our new kitten Marco from the local animal shelter while I was in Vegas. He is adorable and we love him!

My new kitty Marco

My new kitty Marco

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Super Bowl-Me-Over Party!

by Natalie on February 4, 2010

I love Super Bowl Sunday for two reasons:

1. Football

2. Food

Depending on the teams playing, the order of those two things can vary greatly. As I mentioned before, my beloved Cowboys did not make the Super Bowl this year. Neither did the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, or New York Giants. With all of my favorite teams out (although I am pulling for the Colts a little more than the Saints…), I must say that I’m looking forward to the food just a little more than the football this year. I can’t think of a better excuse to get in the kitchen and whip up a ton of my favorite comfort foods than Super Bowl Sunday. Big parties, big guys with big appetites, lots of beer, and of course, football. Sounds like a food-filled occasion to me! Today I am giving you my top ten favorite “Super Bowl” foods. They are sure to please everyone at your party, or can easily be packed up and brought along with you were ever you go this Sunday!

1. Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

Photo Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Photo Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

For those of you are not yet aware of my love for The Pioneer Woman, don’t worry…just keep reading and it will soon become obvious! I have tried countless of her recipes, and have not yet been disappointed. Her blog The Pioneer Woman Cooks contains some of my all-time favorite recipes, including this one. These delicious jalapeno bites will disappear faster than you can imagine. If you serve nothing else this Super Bowl Sunday, serve these. You won’t be sorry!

2. Buffalo Wings

Photo Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Photo Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Buffalo Wings are a classic football food, and this recipe from the Pioneer Woman is one of the best I’ve had! Just spicy enough, they have a yummy tang that makes them slightly addicting. Serve them with your favorite ranch or bleu cheese dressing and some celery to cut the spice. And be sure you have plenty of wet wipes on hand!

3. Stuffed Mushrooms

Photo Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Photo Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

One last recipe from the Pioneer Woman, these mushrooms are absolutely scrumptious. Stuffed with gooey cheese and spicy sausage, they are sure to be a hit!

4. Guacamole

guac

Guacamole makes me happy. Beautifully ripe avocados combined with garlic, plump Roma tomatoes, and tangy lime juice just spells out perfection to me. This is my very favorite guacamole recipe, courtesy of Mr. Alton Brown. Serve this on a big platter with your favorite salsa and chile con queso and a big pile of tortilla chips for a triple Mexican hit!

5. Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Photo Courtesy of Our Best Bites

Photo Courtesy of Our Best Bites

These yummy, creamy chicken taquitos are brought to you courtesy of Our Best Bites, one of my favorite food blogs! They are delicious served hot with Alton’s guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.

6. Pizza Pops

Photo Courtesy of ArtisanBreadinFive.com

Photo Courtesy of ArtisanBreadinFive.com

Pizza is probably the most common football food. These pizza pops are equal parts cute, fun, and delicious and will be a topic of conversation among your guests! Kids will love them just as much as the adults, and they can be made with all your favorite pizza toppings!

7. Cheese and Spinach Puff Pastry Pockets

cheese-spinach

I first made these cheese and spinach puff pastry pockets for a party about 4 years ago, and have been making them ever since! This appetizer comes from one of my favorite celebrity chefs – Giada de Laurentiis, and is a perfect choice for both vegetarians and carnivores alike.

8. Ham & Cheese Pretzel Bites

Photo Courtesy of Pennies on a Platter

Photo Courtesy of Pennies on a Platter

Ham. Cheese. Pretzels. Served with honey mustard dipping sauce. Just make them…you can’t go wrong.

9. Baked Chicken Meatballs

Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

This recipe is from Deb at Smitten Kitchen, another one of my favorite food blogs! These meatballs are one of my most favorite dinners to make with spaghetti and marinara sauce, and they can easily be made into mini versions of themselves. Serve them on toothpicks with your favorite marinara sauce for sure-fire, crowd-pleasing dish!

10. Mini Chocolate Football Cakes

Photo Courtesy of Baking Bites

Photo Courtesy of Baking Bites

We can’t forget dessert, and how fun are these?! Chocolate cakes in the shape of footballs are delicious and a perfect way to top off the party!

And that’s it! You now have the perfect recipes for a perfect Super Bowl party. You have 3 days until the big event….it’s time to get cooking! Be safe, have fun, and Bon Appetit!

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Amy & Kyle

by Natalie on February 3, 2010

So today is the start of Wedding Wednesdays! Every Wednesday I will be doing a wedding-themed post with pictures, décor ideas, and everything in between that has to do with weddings! And I can’t think of a better couple to do my first post on than my friend Amy and her fiancé Kyle. Amy and I went to high school together at The Woodlands High School, and she is one of the sweetest people ever. Not only has gladly agreed to help me with my first post, she has also given me tons on vendor information for me to use in planning my own wedding! I owe her….seriously!

First of all, how CUTE are they??

Photo Courtesy of Kreative Angle

Photo Courtesy of Kreative Angle

And look at this set-up that Kyle arranged for the proposal…SO sweet! And that ring! Beautiful. I’m quite impressed, I must say. (If there are any single men out there reading this…TAKE NOTES!)

set-up

amy-ring

Here is the interview I had with Amy about her wedding:

Me: How long have you and your fiance known each other?

Amy: 7 years

Me: How and when did he propose?

Amy: July 25th at New Trails Park after dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Me: When is your wedding date and where will it take place?

Amy: May 22nd at Hilton Houston North

Me: What are your wedding colors?

Me: Teal

Me: What is the general tone or theme of your wedding?

Amy: Formal… but a dance party!

The Donatello Room at the Hilton Houston North where Amy and Kyle’s wedding will be held is absolutely beautiful! I know they’re special day will be spectacular. Stay tuned for pictures from Amy & Kyle’s wedding in a few months…

Photo Courtesy of Kreative Angle

Photo Courtesy of Kreative Angle

THANK YOU Amy & Kyle for all your help, and good luck with the rest of the planning!

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Bun in the Oven

by Natalie on January 23, 2010

Raise your hand if you want to see the CUTEST idea for baby shower favors EVER?!

Anyone? Anyone?……

Wait for it….

Wait for it….

Photo Courtesy of bakeat350.blogspot.com

Photo Courtesy of bakeat350.blogspot.com

TA-DA!! It’s COOKIE of a BUN in an OVEN! Get it?? A bun in the oven! I just love it so much.

Wrapped in cello bags and tied with a ribbon, these would make fabulous baby shower favors.

Photo Courtesy of bakeat350.blogspot.com

Photo Courtesy of bakeat350.blogspot.com

Or you could just serve them on a platter during the shower. They are sure to get plenty of “ooo’s” and “ahhh’s”.

Thanks to Bridget at bakeat350.blogspot.com for this ingenious idea! Bridget’s blog is one of my very favorite baking blogs. She makes some of the most creative and beautiful sugar cookies I’ve ever seen, so hop on over to her site for more amazing cookie and baking ideas. Bridget provides step-by-step instructions on her site on how to make these cookies, or you can contact her directly through her blog to have them made for you.

And, to continue the “bun in the oven” theme, you can pick up this fun bun in the oven game for your guests.

Photo Courtesy of candlesandfavors.com

Photo Courtesy of candlesandfavors.com

Each guest pins a personalized dress on their shirt at the beginning of the shower. When you ready to reveal the winner, the guests remove their dress, and whoever has the mini cinnamon bun underneath is the winner! How fun.

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?

by Natalie on January 22, 2010

For those of you who keep up with football, you probably know that the final two play-off games that will decide the two teams going to the Super Bowl will be played this Sunday! Sadly, my beloved Cowboys did not make the play-offs this year. That leaves me now pulling for the Indianapolis Colts (who face the New York Jets) and the New Orleans Saints (who face the Minnesota Vikings). They should both be great games!

No matter what team you root for, you probably have at least some idea of what you’ll be doing for Super Bowl Sunday on February 7th. Hosting a party at your place? It’s time to get out those invitations! You have just over two weeks until the big event. Here is one of my favorite super bowl invitations.

San Lori Football Stadium Invitation

San Lori Football Stadium Invitation

Or maybe you’re going to a friend’s house? Be a pal and bring something scrumptious to eat! Next week I will do a huge post with creative ideas for delicious Super Bowl food. Until then, here is my recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip, one of my all-time favorite party foods!

dip2

Buffalo Chicken Dip

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 2 pounds), boiled and shredded

1 (12 oz.) bottle Frank’s Hot Sauce

2 (8 oz.) packages regular cream cheese

1 (16 0z.) bottle Ranch dressing

1/2 cup chopped celery

8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack/Cheddar cheese combo

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan, combine shredded chicken and entire bottle of Frank’s hot sauce, spreading into an even layer. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine cream cheese with entire bottle of ranch dressing, stirring until smooth and hot. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken mixture to form a second layer. Sprinkle celery over the top. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbly, but not browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving with tortilla chips.

Good luck to all four teams and happy football-watching!

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Country Lovin’

by Natalie on January 19, 2010

Soundtrack to the movie "Crazy Heart"

Soundtrack to the movie "Crazy Heart"

Congratulations to Jeff Bridges for winning the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for Crazy Heart! Crazy Heart tells the story of a beat-up and broken-down country western singer whose life is changed when he meets a journalist, played by the wonderful Maggie Gyllenhaal, who longs to know the real man behind the musician.

The song “The Weary Kind” from the movie Crazy Heart also won a Golden Globe on Sunday for Best Original Song. The soundtrack to this moving film was released today, and would make the perfect gift for the county music-lover in your life! Or gather some friends, go see Crazy Heart, and save the soundtrack for the car ride home. And if you just can’t get enough Jeff Bridges, pop in The Big Lebowski (one of my personal favorites) for a laugh-fest to top off the night. You won’t be sorry!

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Our favorite digital photo cards

by Administrator on November 30, 2009

The turkey has been carved, the family has finally emptied your nest and now it’s time to start looking forward to the next Holiday season. One of my favorite Holiday traditions is to send Christmas cards to family and friends. While the recession may have you rethinking the little extras this year - our affordable digital photo cards by Jasmine and Woo make it easy to send a little Holiday greeting this year. Check out some our favorite new styles for 2009:

jw_baroque
BAROQUE RED PHOTO CARD BY JASMINE & WOO
We love the traditional style of this simple photo card. The baroque ornament in the upper left hand corner gives it an added touch of Holiday elegance for those seeking a less whimsical greeting. This photo card exemplifies Holiday sophistication at its best.

jw_merrychristmas
CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT LIME PHOTO CARD BY JASMINE & WOO
Inspired by a classic, Holiday tune this whimsical photo card perfectly captures the joy of the season. Another bonus, this card is available with lime green envelopes at no additional charge. This photo card is sure to bring a smile to your face as well as those you send it to.

jw-hollyjolly
HOLLY JOLLY PINK PHOTO CARD BY JASMINE & WOO
Not only is this photo card my personal favorite but it is also one of our best sellers for 2009. We love the hot pink and lime accents that add a touch of unexpected color this Christmas. As an added bonus, this card provides room for two pictures which gives you more flexibility with photo selection.

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Happy Thanksgiving!

by Administrator on November 27, 2009

img_5821web

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. Have a wonderful and safe Holiday weekend!

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Blooming Inspiration

by Administrator on November 17, 2009

18989_194-flowers-uncut
Wish you could have access to the kind of stunning floral arrangements that are a highlight of seven figure weddings? Well now you can thanks to renowned floral designer, Jeff Leatham and his new show on TLC.

Flowers Uncut
profiles Jeff and his team as they style high end events with stunning floral design. Jeff has been commissioned by top designers and celebrities alike, having done the arrangements for Eva Longoria’s wedding to NBA star Tony Parker and several top runway shows. While can afford such elaborate designs for their own affairs, Jeff’s creativity and artistic genius may provide a little inspiration.

Be sure to check out Jeff Leatham’s show, FLOWERS UNCUT Wednesdays at 10 PM on TLC.

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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Our favorite Christmas Music

by Administrator on November 11, 2009

With the Holidays just around the corner, it’s time to get in the mind frame of the Christmas season. Besides the influx of seasonal commercials, I defer to Christmas music to get myself revved up and in the Holiday spirit. Here are my recommendations for some great Christmas CDs:

HOTEL CAFE PRESENTS WINTER SONGS
wintersongs
A low-key mix of unplugged Christmas songs by breaking artists and bonafide stars alike. The tunes are assembled by one of LA’s indie music venues and boast contributions of Katy Perry, Sara Bareilles and Fiona Apple. Since its release last year, this CD has become one of my favorites for the Holidays.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS TRILOGY
transsiberian
No Christmas music recap would be complete without the inclusion of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This 3-CD includes all of their Holiday music and features 70 tracks. These classic instrumentals are sure to become the cornerstone of your Christmas music collection.


NOW Essential Christmas

nowchristmas
With a mix of classic Christmas songs and modern Holidays hits, NOW Essential Christmas my favorite Holiday CD for well-rounded Christmas music. Featuring tracks such as “Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)”, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” as well as Carrie Underwood’s take on “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, this is my go-to CD for this Holiday season.

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Socially Yours,
Debbie

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