Featured | She Plans Parties

Summer Party Planning Tips

June 21, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Today I have a few summer party planning tips to share. It’s wonderful when you have everything planned out, and ready to go, so you can kick back and enjoy yourself at party time. Summer parties always work better when they’re laid back, and easy. A complicated formal summer party just isn’t as much fun.

Guests love to hang out around the pool, or on the back deck in their chair, playing a game of cornhole, horseshoes or around the grill on warm summer nights, talking and laughing about good times.

Keep your summer parties easy going and fun. Here are a few summer party planning tips to get you started:

Set the mood for the party before your guests arrive. Add some tiki lights for decoration, or some candles placed on the tables to help set the mood.
Keep the decorations simple, let the great outdoors do your decorating, with some simple single flowers in vases for table centerpieces.
Look in your cabinets before you go to the grocery to see what you already have to serve to your guests. Sometimes some simple crackers and dip will save you from making an extra run to the store.
You don’t have to make everything from scratch, use a few prepackaged items in with your homemade and no one will know the difference.
Make dishes you can prepare ahead of time, marinade your meat the day before, make chilled desserts you can store in the fridge until party time.

I guess basically what I’m trying to say is, keep your summer party simple! Oh, and have fun and enjoy the night!

Filed Under: Featured, Summer Entertaining Tagged With: summer party, summer party ideas, summer party planning

When Do You Open The Gifts?

May 12, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

When do you open the birthday presents? The trend today is to not open birthday gifts until later, after the party is over, or to wait until the end of the party.

Opening gifts used to be part of the entertainment at a birthday party or wedding or shower, but more and more people are opting to wait until after the party to open the gifts.

There are several reasons why there’s a trend to not open gifts until later, here are just a few:

1. Saves Aunt Bessie, and Aunt Jean embarrassment if they both purchased the exact same gift.

2. Leaves more time for other party activities, like food, games, and just socializing and hanging out.

3. Gifts can’t be compared to each other, smaller gifts may be just as special as grander gifts.

4. It’s a hectic time for the birthday child, or guest of honor. They don’t have as much time to enjoy each gift as they open it, without pressure to get the gift opening done so party goers can move on to something else.

If you don’t plan to open your gifts at the party, state that on the invitation so party guests won’t be disappointed, or ask them to omit gifts completely.

Don’t forget to send out those thank you cards!

Filed Under: Featured, Kid's Parties, Planning, Weddings Tagged With: gift etiquette, gifts, party etiquette, party trends

Cinco De Mayo~ Summer Tequila Cocktail Recipes With a Twist

April 30, 2010 By Linette 2 Comments

Today I have some fabulous Cinco De Mayo cocktail recipes to share with you. These recipes would also be perfect vor any summer party. I can see myself beside the pool, or lounging in the beach chair with one of these in my hand.

These cocktail recipes would also be fabulous for a backyard barbecue, with a tropical island theme. Just looking at them makes me think of sandy beaches!

I might just have to make one of these tequila cocktails this weekend!

The recipes are courtesy of Oro Azul Tequila.

Island Sunset

1 ½ oz Oro Azul Blanco Tequila
½ oz Cointreau®
2 oz pomegranate juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz simple syrup

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add above ingredients shake well and pour into a Collins glass filled with ice.

La Bonita

1 ½ oz Oro Azul Reposado Tequila
½ oz Cointreau®
2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 oz pear juice
1 oz simple syrup

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add above ingredients shake well and pour into a Collins glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

El Matador

1 ½ oz Oro Azul Blanco Tequila
3 oz pineapple juice
Juice of ½ lime

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add above ingredients shake well and strain into a champagne flute.

Pomegranate Perfection

1 ½ oz Oro Azul Añejo Tequila
½ oz apple brandy
2 oz pomegranate Juice
2 oz fresh squeezed lemon Juice
Splash of cinnamon

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add above ingredients shake well and strain into an ice filled 12 oz glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Mangorita

2 oz Oro Azul Reposado Tequila
½ oz Triple Sec®
2 oz mango juice

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add above ingredients shake well and strain into a martini glass.

Oro Azul is produced by the Lopez Garibay family, which has been in the tequila business for over 100 years. Established in 1921, their present ranch is located in the heart of the tequila region, Los Altos, where only the finest blue agave is found.

After five generations, the family continues to follow a traditional style, handmade tequila production process that focuses on 100 percent estate grown blue agave and attention to preserving the original cultivation and distillation techniques used over a century ago.

Always remind your guests to drink responsibly, and never drink and drive!

Filed Under: Cinco De Mayo, Cocktail Recipes, Featured, Summer Entertaining Tagged With: Cinco De Mayo, Cocktail Recipes, cocktails, summer party, tequila cocktail

Cut Some Fresh Flowers For Your Summer Party Decorations

April 30, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Fresh spring an summer flowers make fabulous table centerpieces, and decorations for your outdoor or indoor party. Just walk out in your garden and clip a handful of your favorite blooms, and arrange them in a vase.

A couple more quick flower arranging tips:

1. Use the freshest flowers possible.

2. Clip your flowers early in the morning, late in the evening, or just after a light rain. The flowers will be holding more moisture at these times. The extra moisture will keep them fresh longer.

3. Carry a pitcher of warm water with you as you clip, and put your flowers in it as soon as you cut them. This helps keep the stems open, and helps the plant continue to take up moisture.

4. You can use almost any flower in your arrangements. If you’ve got enough flowers, you might want to do a practice run ahead of time to make sure the flowers you pick will hold up, and to check out what looks good together.

5. Even tiny flowers can be used in small vases, or glass jars to make a cute table display.

You can’t go wrong with cut flowers for a summer party centerpiece. It’s really hard to make a floral arrangement look bad if you include an assortment of different flowers, and plenty of greenery! Just have fun with it!

Filed Under: Decorating, Featured, Summer Entertaining Tagged With: decorating with summer flowers, flowers, fresh flower party decorations, Summer table decorations

Graduation Party Themes

April 30, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Every graduate has their own unique personality. You don’t have to stick to caps and gowns for your graduation party. You can create a party that’s as unique as the graduate themselves.

Here are a couple graduation party themes and some basic ideas to go with them. Over the next couple days we’ll expand on some of these themes, and give you more food, decorating, and cake ideas.

Do you have a music fan? Someone who loves to play the guitar, drums or any other instrument? Plan a music themed graduation party. Use music notes, or cardboard cut out musical instruments to decorate for the party. Music note cupcakes, a keyboard, or guitar shaped cake would also be fun.
Plan a graduation luau, complete with roast pork and grass skirts.
Is the graduate into sports? Either playing a sport, or a spectator, plan their party around their favorite sport or sports team (high school, college or professional). Decorate your party with team colors and memorabilia.
Plan a Mardi Gras theme graduation, use the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold to decorate. Hang brightly colored streamers and and masks for decorations. Let New Orleans influence your menu choices.
Make graduation a red carpet event. Take photographs of the graduate and their friends as they arrive, and let them walk the red carpet, just like the stars. Serve a star shaped cake, or add star sprinkles to your cupcakes.
Does your graduate speak a foreign language? Are they thinking about studying in a different country? If they’re fluent in French or Spanish use those cultures to influence your party decorations and food.

For personalized graduation invitations, cake ideas, graduation postage, banners and more, make sure you check out Graduation Party Ideas and Supplies.

If you have a unique graduation theme party idea please share!

Graduates Image: istockphoto

Filed Under: Featured, Graduations, Summer Entertaining Tagged With: graduation party, graduation party ideas, Graduation party themes, luau graduation party theme, Mardi Gras Graduation party, music graduation party theme, Rock Star graduation party, sports themed graduation party

Red White and Blue Dessert Idea~ Cupcake Flag

April 29, 2010 By Linette 2 Comments

Here’s a fun twist to the flag cake. This cupcake flag would be a fun dessert idea for Memorial Day, The Fourth of July, or any summer party. I used mini cupcakes to put this one together. You could also use regular size cupcakes to make the cupcake flag, if you’re making it for a large party. You can use a large covered cardboard, or assemble the flag right on the dessert table.

The cupcake flag takes 48 cupcakes to make. Here’s the breakdown: Ice twelve cupcakes with royal blue icing, use one of the star tips to make white stars on the blue cupcakes. Arrange the blue cupcakes in 3 rows of 4.

Ice the rest of the cupcakes with white icing. Arrange the white cupcakes 4 more cupcakes to finish off the blue rows. Add 3 more rows of white cupcakes below. For a total of 6 rows of 8 cupcakes. Add strawberry slices to make stripes.

Like I said above you can assemble the flag right on the dessert table, or you can cover a large piece of cardboard, or a baking sheet with silver foil. If you will be traveling with your cupcake flag, add a tiny dollop of icing under each cupcake to help hold them in place.

Filed Under: 4th Of July, Featured, Holidays, Party Recipes, Summer Entertaining Tagged With: Fourth of July party, Memorial day party, patriotic dessert, red white and blue dessert, summer desserts, summer party

Cinco De Mayo Party~ Guacamole Mexican Flag Dip

April 29, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Today I have a fun recipe to share with you for your Cinco De Mayo celebration. I love guacamole, salsa and sour cream, so this dip is definitely a big hit as far as I’m concerned! It would great for any Mexican fiesta, or just because for a summer outdoor barbecue, or fall football party.

The recipe is courtesy of Wholly Guacamole , I have to say I’ve had the opportunity to try their guacamole and their salsa (they sent me a sample a while back), both are delicious.

Here’s the Guacamole and Salsa dip recipe:

Quick Cinco de Guaco Mexican Flag Dip

Prep: 7 minutes

Ingredients

14 oz package Wholly Guacamole
Fat Free Sour Cream
Wholly Salsa—your favorite heat level
Rosemary sprigs
Black beans and olives
1 bag your favorite dipping chips

Instructions:

1. Divide a rectangular pan into thirds. Spread guacamole, then sour cream in the center — and salsa on outer band last.

2. Top center with an “eagle” of olives, beans, and sprigs of greens. Use as a dip for fresh corn chips, or vegetables, and enjoy.

Image via Wholly Guacamole

Filed Under: Cinco De Mayo, Featured, Party Recipes Tagged With: Cinco De Mayo, dip recipe, Fiesta recipe, guacamole recipe, recipes

Couples Wedding Shower Ideas

March 18, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Couples showers are becoming more and more popular lately. Why should the groom miss out on all the fun? Why not plan a shower that includes both the future bride and the groom, and all their friends together! The mixed crowd will have a wonderful time showering the lucky couple.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started planning your couple’s shower.

Give your couple’s shower a theme. What does the couple enjoy doing together? Are they golf fanatics, do they both love football, NASCAR, a favorite movie, hiking, or cooking? If the happy couple have a common interest it can be a great theme for your shower.
Make sure you note on the invitation that this is a couples shower, both men and women are invited, and gifts should be for the happy couple.
Play games that encourage everyone to interact and learn more about the couple. Have the couple answer some questions in private before you start the shower, then play “He Said She Said.” Read the questions and answers out loud, then have your guests decide who said it, the future bride or the future groom.
You can also ask the guests a series of questions to see how well they know the couple. A couple sample question ideas might be: Where was the bride born? How many brothers or sisters does the groom have? Where did the bride go to school?
You can also make up some theme related games for your guests to play.
Keep the food simple, with finger foods, appetizers, or pizza.
Serve the guest of honor’s favorite cocktails or beverages.
Make or buy theme related party favors that will work for both men and women. Golf balls in a small gift box for a golf party, cupcakes or hand dipped chocolates for a cooking party, or a Nerf football with the couple’s name and wedding date written on it for a football party.

Have you ever planned or attended a couples wedding shower? Feel free to share your favorite ideas.

Image istockphoto.com

Filed Under: Featured, Showers Tagged With: couples wedding shower, wedding shower, wedding shower for couple, wedding shower ideas

How To Make a Decorative Ice Ring

March 17, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Can you believe it, spring is here, and summer is just around the corner, which means summer parties and entertaining will soon be in full force.

During the summer ice melts fast and can dilute your drinks, that’s why I almost never use plain ice cubes in the punch bowl. I usually make my own decorative ice ring. It’s simple to do with a little pre-planning, just freeze your ice ring a day or two before the party, with some of the punch you plan to use for the party.

I use a Jello mold, or Bundt pan to freeze my ice ring in. To make the ice rings I show here I used a Wilton Silicone Mini Fluted Tube Pan. It released the finished ice rings without much fuss.

To add texture and color to your ice rings add in season fruit like strawberries, or lemons slices. You can also add fresh mint leaves, lemon balm, or edible flowers to the mold.

Fill the rest of the mold with some of the juice you’re using to make your punch. If you use juice instead of water, when the rings start to melt your punch will not be diluted. Freeze the rings a few hours, or a few days before your party.

I used strawberries and lemons in one of the rings, in the other two rings I used mint leaves, and lilac blooms. You can use your favorite herbs, or berries to add flavor to your ice rings, mandarin oranges are also fabulous!