Browsing Tag

holiday

Party

Holiday Dinner Party Recap

December 22, 2014

Every year we look forward to hosting two of our favorite people – Kevan and Anita around the holidays.  It is so fun to menu plan, decorate and cook with my mom and sisters, and the final product this year was our best yet (according to my dad)! Here were some of the highlights:

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Our menu:

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A few fun notes from the party:

  • When making stuffed mushrooms gently slice off a sliver of the mushroom cap (which will become the base of the stuffed mushroom) to prevent any movement or toppling over.
  • An easy placecard idea is to tuck a twine wrapped bundle of rosemary and cinnamon sticks with a rustic name tag into the napkin.
  • Do a seating chart.  I know people feel a seating chart is too formal, but putting thought into creating a seating arrangement that will yield the most fun and interaction is key.  We also prefer a “don’t sit couples together approach.”

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Christmas Decor

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Christmas Decor

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Stuffed Mushrooms

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Do you have a favorite holiday party you attend or host every year?

 

Domestic

Christmas Card Shopping with Minted

October 23, 2014

Christmas Card

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7.

I can’t believe that we will be celebrating Christmas in 2 months!

The funny thing is, even as I type out that sentence I can’t help but think “Two months… What’s the big deal? I have time! It isn’t even Halloween yet!” But as I have big plans each and every year to carve pumpkins, cut down my own Christmas tree and host a holiday cookie decorating party, every year life seems to zoom by and I have yet to accomplish any of that.

BUT, when Minted reached out to me with their gorgeous holiday card designs, I thought now is as good as any time to get everyone in the holiday spirit and let’s get rolling on our holiday to-do lists! First up? Christmas cards!

Whether your style is more classic or funky, festive or fancy, I love that with over 1,000 designs, you are sure to find something you love.  My favorite part? Most of the designs allow you to swap out colors, shapes, etc. to completely customize your holiday cards.

So do your stress level a factor and start perusing your options now… or better yet, put them in your cart! With free recipient address printing and 10% off your holiday card order (use code: JOY2014 by 10/27) – this is way easier than figuring out what to get your sister in law for Christmas!

Also how cute are their foil pressed and  ornament cards?!

Party

4th of July BBQ Menu

June 30, 2014

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Summer is in full swing and 4th of July is always one of my favorite holidays – the celebration of America’s birthday, the weather… the FOOD.  I wanted to share one of my favorite BBQ menus for you to enjoy over 4th of July weekend!

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Menu

BBQ Menu

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Party

Spring Brunch

May 19, 2014

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A little late, but I wanted to share some pictures from our Mother’s Day brunch.  I’ve been trying to “eat clean,” so scroll down for my attempt at a “whole food” brunch menu.

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Menu

  • Poached Farm Fresh Eggs
  • Roasted Asparagus
  • Roasted Tomatoes
  • Truffled Mushrooms
  • Avocado Toast on Gluten Free Toast
  • Mixed Berry Salad with Chopped Mint

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Roasted Tomatoes

For the veggies, I simply drizzled them in olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper and roasted them at 425 for about 10 minutes (keep an eye on them).  I sliced mushrooms (you can use cremini or regular mushrooms) and sauted them with truffle oil (from Trader Joe’s) until the water released. The eggs were poached (you can use this tutorial) and we sliced avocado over toast (you can mash it, add lemon pepper, drizzle high end olive oil, Maldon sea salt… get crazy!). The berry salad was simply blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries sprinkled with chopped mint.  We paired everything with some yummy champagne (can’t be totally diet centered on a holiday!) and breakfast was served!

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Glasses/Placemats/Serveware/Mom’s Vintage China

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Party

Easter Brunch Recap

April 21, 2014

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After my parents 30th anniversary party, my sisters and I have been itching to have another party… while we couldn’t pull the funds for a 30 person sit down party, we COULD make it work for a fabulous Easter Brunch.  Here were some of the highlights:

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Menu

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We finally had a great reason to pop open my parent’s magnum of Veuve Clicquot, and nothing gets the party started more than a large format of champagne.  Once the bubbly is flowing, we set out the pickled eggs and caviar bites (PS we recommend omitting the sugar from the pickled egg recipe).  

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Champagne

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We spent a couple more hours snacking, sipping and putting some last minute touches on our meal. After opening our Easter baskets, we were able to enjoy the fruits of our labor and celebrate the real reason we were all together today. 

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