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
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
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
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.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on November 4, 2009
Well the candy buckets have been emptied and the Halloween costumes packed away but I hope you enjoyed Halloween, however you chose to celebrate. As for yours truly, I headed to one of LA’s biggest house parties with an astounding 800 guests. I was amazed that four, average yet party savvy, twenty somethings could pull off such a feat from the outdoor common area of their apartment building. However, despite the tall order, these guys used some clever tips to ensure that the evening went off without a hitch.
1. Cover Charge - rarely do I see cover charges implemented for parties hosted at residences but in this case, it was completely appropriate. Guests were notified on the invitation that a $5 “donation” would be collected at the door. Upon handing over the cash, you were provided an infamous red cup. Inside the party, a buffet of libations were on hand to kick start the celebration. Truth is, with the sheer volume of guests and the financial plight of young urban dwellers, this party wouldn’t have been possible without recouping some of the costs. While some people might not feel comfortable charging guests to come to a party, a nominal fee is completely acceptable in these types of situations were presents and hostess gifts are not expected.
2. Revolving Door - truth be told, the party was very crowded but not to the tune of 800 people. Why? Because a steady flow of traffic ensured that with guests coming and going through out the party, there would never been an outrageous number of people at one time. If you are hosting a party where there is a set start and end time, be sure you are mindful of how many guests your space can accommodate and limit your invitees accordingly.
3. Easy Entertainment - to keep the party lively all night, guests were entertained by a deejay, spinning not on turn tables but a laptop. Instead of hiring expensive entertainment at your next celebration, use your computer to create playlists and put your home stereo to work for you.
We hope that with these simple tips, you’ll enjoy entertaining despite the tough economic times. A strict budget doesn’t necessarily have to hamper your celebration, it just requires a little creativity 
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on October 23, 2009
With only 8 days left ‘til Halloween, it’s time to get serious about getting a costume. The window to order your costumes online is slowly closing and with websites offering a broader selection of costumes and accessories, it’s one stop shopping without ever leaving home.
Flashback to the Gatsby-era with this 1920’s inspired flapper costume, sold on BuyCostumes.com. This costume includes a black sequin dress, gloves and headband but can be further accessorized to with heels, a feather boa and a black bob wig. We love that this costume can be sexy without too revealing or uncomfortable. A little mystery never hurt anyone, right ladies?
Start your own Vampire Diaries with this Vampira Deluxe costume sold on BuyCostumes.com. This elegant gown channels deep red and black hues and comes complete with the dress, choker and petticoat. While it may not land you a roll on True Blood, it’ll ensure you have a truly spooky Halloween.
Ahoy Matees! Watch your junior pirate sail the high seas in this Pirate Girl costume sold on BuyCostumes.com. Complete with a dress, bandana, leggings, gloves, hip wrap and headband – your favorite swashbuckler will be fully decked out in Pirate gear this Halloween.
We hope that these Halloween costumes will inspire you to get creative this year – whether hitting the town or handing out candy, it’s always fun to get in character, even if you return to reality at the stroke of midnight.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on October 5, 2009
Scaring up a ghostly Halloween party? Check out some of our favorite invitations sure to please ghosts and goblins of all ages this Halloween.
BELLA INK TRICK OR TREAT WITCH INVITATIONS
A modern, yet girly spin on the Holiday - perfect for even the most “Wicked” parties. We love the black and white ornamental pattern on the top and bottom as well as the vivid purple background. These festive Bella Ink Halloween party invitations provide the perfect alternative to pumpkins and ghosts.
Price: $17.50/10
JASMINE & WOO TRICK OR TREAT INVITATIONS
We love paper that packs a bunch, and can think of no better way to kick off your Halloween bash than to pose the question: Trick or Treat? This simple Halloween party invitation by Jasmine & Woo boasts a bright orange and bold black - the season’s signature colors. We also love the patterned borders on the bottom of the invitation that add an extra whimsical touch.
Price: $50.00/20
INVITING COMPANY COSTUME PARTY INVITATIONS
You don’t have to be a super hero to scare up a fun Halloween celebration. This festive Halloween party invitation by Inviting Company features people in Halloween costumes shown from the waist down. Perfect for any costume party, this invitation is a great way to get your party started on a fun and festive note.
Price: $13.00/10
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on August 26, 2009
Getting ready to throw a soiree? No party would be complete without a little vino. While in Napa, my family and I visited some of Sonoma county’s best wineries. We tasted some amazing blends, were educated on the wine making process and learned a few tips for wine and food pairings.
A general rule of thumb is to have the depth of the wine match the depth of the food. For example serving a summer fruit salad with a full bodied, aged red might not be the best idea. The more powerful the wine, the more substantial you want the complementing flavors to be. While the general rule of thumb is red with meat and white with chicken or fish, we were educated on focusing the flavor of the pairing and not the food. Did you know that a zesty marinara is just as good with a full bodied red wine as a meaty steak?
Our favorite winery was Sausal Winery Vineyard in Healdsburg, California. Angela, who led us through our tasting, was incredibly knowledge about the various blends and helped us stretch our minds and palettes. In addition to a friendly staff and tantalizing wines, Sausal also offers a wine club where members can experience the finest Sausal blends on a seasonal basis. For more information on the wine club or Sausal Vineyards, be sure to visit their website.
Our intimate experience at Sausal was perfectly matched by the more commercial Sterling Vineyards. A gorgeous cable car ride provided expansive views of the vineyard, and awaiting us at the top was a tour of their facilities and an education on the wine making process. The self guided tour of the vineyard is complete with several tastings and concludes with a stop in the Main Tasting Room. My family and I were treated to samples of several delicious wines and took a few photos with a giant sized wine bottle, which sadly we did not stow in our suitcase. For more information about Sterling Vineyards or the self guided tour, please visit their website.
Hopefully, our experience will give you a few tips or at the very least, some entertaining photos. If you’re ever up in Northern California, be sure to check the bountiful riches of the the Napa Valley. From the wine, to the weather, to the beautiful scenery - it’s a trip my family will never forget.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on August 21, 2009
So the lazy days of summer have left us well, lazy… at least when it comes to the blog. One thing on our plate recently was a much needed vacation to the Napa Valley where my family and I enjoyed beautiful weather, gorgeous wineries and the wonders of California farmer’s markets.
Last weekend, we hit up one along Sonoma’s Bohemian Highway that boasted a mean paella (worthy of challenging Bobby Flay). We made a special trip to see this master at work and sadly, he too was taking a bit of time off. However, we did enjoy the bountiful fruits (literally) of Sonoma agriculture. We stocked up on several favorites including some heavenly heirloom tomatoes but were sure to also grab plenty of fruit for one of our favorite summertime desserts… fruit pizza. This recipe from Paula Deen provides baking instructions and lots of inspiration, but the fruit toppings can be substituted to accommodate picky eaters and seasonal favorites.
INGREDIENTS
* 1 package store bought sugar cookie dougH
* 8 ounces softened cream cheese
* 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
* 1 large peach, sliced
* 1 large green apple, sliced
* 1 large orange, sectioned
* 1/2 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
* 6 ounces fresh blueberries
* 6 ounces fresh raspberries
* 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted
* 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Flatten cookie dough onto a 6-inch pizza pan. Bake until firm to touch, about 11 to 15 minutes. Cool. In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar. Spread the baked cookie with the cream cheese mixture and decorate with sliced fruit. In a small bowl, combine melted white chocolate with chocolate syrup. Top the pizza with remaining berries and chocolate mixture. Slice and serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy of Food Network and Paula Deen
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on July 15, 2009
In search of a delicious sweet treat to serve at your next party? Look no further than Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cupcakes. Red velvet cupcakes happen to be my personal favorite and Paula Deen’s recipe is especially red hot for summer, producing an end result that is much brighter than other comparable recipes. Adorn the cupcakes with either pecans, sprinkles or try crushed red velvet cake for added color and texture. We’re sure these cupcakes will hit the sweet spot at your next soiree!
CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
* 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
* 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
* 2 large eggs, room temperature
* 2 tablespoons red food coloring
* 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS
* 1 pound cream cheese, softened
* 2 sticks butter, softened
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
* Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.
Cook’s Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on July 4, 2009
Wishing you and your family a fun and safe 4th of July weekend. Hope you enjoy your local fireworks display, good food and precious time spent with family and friends.
FOURTH OF JULY FUN FACTS
- Over an estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed today. That’s roughly 1 dog for every two people in the U.S.
- The 4th of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
- Over $211 million has been spent on the importation of fireworks from China.
- The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.
Source: www.yumsugar.com
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on June 30, 2009
Have your cake and ice cream too with this delicious Ice Cream Cake recipe from Rachael Ray. Ice Cream Cakes are a great alternative to a traditional birthday cake, and are especially perfect for summer birthday parties. Rachael Ray’s recipe features time saving short cuts which make putting together this treat, simple and fast!
INGREDIENTS
* 1 pound cake, vanilla, chocolate, or swirl
* 1 rectangular box vanilla, chocolate, or swirl ice cream, slightly softened
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup coffee liqueur, or any liqueur you have on hand, divided
* 3 to 4 tablespoons leftover coffee, divided
* 1 cup cocoa powder
DIRECTIONS
Line a meat loaf pan with plastic wrap so that it is completely covered, with lots of extra hanging over the edges.
Cut the pound cake lengthwise in 4 equally thin rectangular slabs. Cut 1 of the rectangles in 1/2 widthwise, then cut another 1 of the rectangles in 1/2 lengthwise. You should have 2 full slabs, 2 thin rectangular strips, and 2 squares. Begin layering the meatloaf pan with 1 of the full slabs on the bottom, then the 2 strips on either side. Place the 2 squares of pound cake vertically on each end of the pan. The loaf pan should now be completely encased in pound cake.
Lightly brush, our drizzle, the pound cake with the liqueur and leftover coffee, reserving some for the top piece. Scoop the ice cream into the cavity of the pound cake and smooth it out with a small offset spatula or your fingertips so that it is all even around the pan. Once the pan is full of ice cream, pour the remaining liqueur and coffee over the remaining piece of pound cake. Top the ice cream with the remaining piece of pound cake and press down. Cover the cake with the plastic wrap and put back in the freezer for at least an hour. Using the overhanging plastic wrap, remove the ice cream cake from the loaf pan. Place the loaf on a serving platter and sprinkle with the cocoa powder and serve.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Administrator on June 28, 2009
Step right up to the greatest birthday party on earth! With a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to be the ring leader of your very own Circus Themed Birthday Party.
INVITATIONS: Announce your celebration in style with these colorful Circus Dots Invitations by Whitney English. We love the bright colored polka dot background and think it is the perfect way to get your circus theme across.
DECORATIONS: Fill your party space with brightly colored balloons and party ware. To recapture a true circus feel, create your own big top by draping red and white streamers from the ceiling. Drape the streamers from the center of the ceiling, to the edge and then down the wall to create the effect of a circus tent.
FOOD AND DRINK: Keep it simple with popular snacks found at most circus concessions. If your budget allows, rent a cotton candy machine from your local party rental outlet. Your guests will be delighted to see their favorite circus confession made right before their eyes.
Other popular circus food favorites include caramel corn and hot dogs.
Sandra Lee’s Caramel Corn Recipe (courtesy of Food Network)
INGREDIENTS
* 2 packages microwave popcorn (not butter flavored)
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 3 tablespoons water
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
Prepare popcorn in microwave according to package directions. Pour popcorn into 1 or 2 large bowls. (You will need plenty of room to toss with hot sugar mixture.)
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add water, sugar and cinnamon, increase the heat, and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Be careful; the sugar mixture is extremely hot! Pour half of mixture over the popcorn. Carefully stir or toss to combine. Add remaining sugar mixture and combine. Serve.
FUN AND GAMES: One of the staples of any birthday party is a circus clown. Consider either hiring a professional clown or have a friend dress up in a clown costume and entertain your guests. One of my most memorable childhood birthday parties was when we had a clown who performed and made balloon animals for my friends and I. In addition to balloon animals, set up a face painting session and let your guests creative with their very own “clown makeup”.
Another fun clown party game is a relay race where you divide the guests in to two teams. Let the kids relay race across the room and dress in clown gear (nose, wig, oversized sunglasses etc.). Have the first player run toward the costume, dress themselves, run back and remove the clown gear and pass it off to the next person. The first team to get all members to relay the clown outfit wins.
With a few simple tips and a lot of creativity, you can create a celebration worthy of circus fans young and old.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
