Stock Your Pantry Like A Pro

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   Picture it. Sicily 1923... Wait, that's not right! Oh, here we go.  Picture it. You're sitting at home, in your sweats, or maybe your pj's, binge watching something on Netflix, and your phone rings. It's your family calling to say that they are about 20 minutes aways and they are going to drop by. Or better yet, they just show up without warning! Yay! What do you do?
   Hopefully you have your pantry stocked with snacks that you can put out to serve your unexpected guests, or better yet, items to create a decent meal!  Because chances are, they will be peckish. Well if not, I got you covered!
   Today's post is all about pantry staples that are a good choice to have on hand at all times, and some of these items are my faves. Even having just a few of these will make sure you are party ready at any moment! I'll also be sharing an easy recipe that can be whipped up in no time.
   So get your pencil and paper ready, (or phone) and start making your grocery list!


    NUTS: roasted almonds or cashews (unsalted/salted), or mixed nuts

    HONEY: use it in salad dressings, or on a cheese board

    CORNICHONS/GHERKINS: these mini, tart pickles are great with sandwiches or with cheese                                                             and cured meats. Dill pickles will also work if you are not a                                                                   fan of gherkins.

    TUNA: good quality tuna in oil is great in pasta dishes; in a pinch, mix it with diced red onions,                      chopped fresh parsley, some black pepper and a bit of olive oil; serve with crackers or                          fresh crusty bread.

    OLIVES: kalamata, green, or cocktail olives are always a hit.

    MARINATED VEGGIES: artichokes, giardiniera, or sun-dried tomatoes are great additions to                                                       sandwiches, cured meats and cheese. Add sun-dried tomatoes to                                                             hummus, whipped feta or goat cheese and serve with crackers.

    DRIED PASTA: you can make a quick, easy and delicious meal in about half an hour. A simple                                      recipe to try is Pasta Aglio e Olio. ( find the recipe at the bottom of this list)

    SAN MARZANO TOMATOES: they are sweeter and firmer than other canned plum tomatoes                                                                 and lower in acid; use them in sauces, soups and on pizza.

                                                           
    DRIED FRUITS: apricots, figs, cranberries, go well with cheeses; but even better are mangoes,                                        papaya or pineapple. Delicious as a snack all on their own.

    DIJON MUSTARD: great in dressings, a spread for sandwiches or add it to a marinade for                                                     chicken

    CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS: because you always need a sweet, fancier treat!

    CRACKERS: this is a given. Any type of cracker is acceptable; breadsticks are a good choice too.

    GOOD QUALITY CHIPS: I like Terra veggie chips. They are great served with dips like                                                                hummus, onion dip and baba ganoush. Pretzels are a great snack too;                                                    either on their own or with dips and mustards.

And like I promised, here is the pasta recipe:

                      Pasta Algio e Olio

1 pound pasta (preferably spaghetti)
1/3 cup olive oil 
6-8 cloves garlic, finely sliced
1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
salt and pepper to taste

*cook pasta according to pasta directions in salted water
*meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet; add garlic and when oil begins gets hot, reduce heat to medium-low; cook garlic until it its golden brown (5 minutes). Stir in chilli flakes and salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
*add drained pasta to skillet; sprinkle in the parsley and half of the cheese; stir until combined.
*sprinkle with the remaining cheese when ready to serve
   -tuna would be a great addition here as well


   Now you have a few ideas of what to stock in your pantry so you are always ready at a moments notice. With even just a few of these items in your pantry repertoire, you can rest easy and indulge your guests with a great meal on the fly!
   The only problem with that is, they may be so impressed with your culinary abilities, that they may stop by more often! :) 
   Until next time!

~A


TIP: Whenever you make your next grocery trip, be sure to replenish any pantry items that may have been used up, so you are not without the next time company drops in. Most of these items are fairly inexpensive, so you can always buy a few at a time too. 

Cheeseboard 101

 

   Hi there everyone! Today on the blog I am going to share some great tips for setting up a cheeseboard and cheese table for your next party or get-together.

   Nobody loves cheese more than I do. Okay, fine, I'm sure there are lots of you out there who love cheese just as much as I do, and a great cheeseboard is something your guests will gravitate towards for sure. 

   With some easy tips and how-to's, you can create a beautiful display that will have your guests wanting more!
   First things first, when shopping for your cheese items, always think about serving cheeses with a variety of textures and flavours, and serve at least one familiar cheese.
   There are four categories of cheese:

                                  AGED - such as cheddar or comte
                                  FIRM - such as Parmesan or Manchego
                                  SOFT - such as brie, camembert or chevre
                                  BLUE - such as stilton or gorgonzola

   Serving one type from each group is a good place to start when creating your cheeseboard, but no more than that. You don't want it to be overwhelming! You will need to serve 2 - 4 ounces of cheese per person; that's considering the fact that you will be serving other things with the cheese, which we will get to later on.
   So, for a party of 12 guests, you should have at least 24 ounces of cheese served at your party. If cheese is the star of the party and the only thing you will be serving, then plan on buying 3 pounds for 8 people, 6 pounds for 16 people, and 9 pounds for 24 people.
   Keep things simple by serving cheeses in wedges or big chunks, and always serve cheeses at room temperature; all except soft cheeses. Take them out of the fridge at least one hour before serving. This will ensure the flavours of the cheeses shine through!
   A good tip is to separate the strong smelling or pungent cheeses from the others, so as not to have competing flavours. Just place them in smaller dishes or platters, and have them at opposite ends of the table.
   Also think about labelling your cheeses; this way you won't have to keep reciting it to each guest who asks. Why not take it a step further and describe the cheeses in a few words on a piece of paper or place card and place it next to the cheese type. Here are some examples:

                                   PARMESAN - nutty, sharp and savoury
                                   CHEDDAR - creamy and sharp
                                   GORGONZOLA - nutty aroma, sharp
 
   This little extra bit, helps your guests understand what they are tasting, and might make the ones who strictly eat cheddar, a little bit more adventurous!

 
ACCOMPANIMENTS

   I am going to give you some ideas now for accompaniments that can give your cheeseboard or table visual interest and delicious side options! Many of these accompaniments complement the flavours of the cheeses as well, making the tasting experience that much more appealing.
   Offer a selection of breads, breadsticks, and crackers (such as melba toasts, water crackers and crackers with dried fruit or nuts). Jams, jellies, compotes and chutneys are perfect with cheese and crackers. I have a delicious recipe that I am going to share with you today. It's an easy recipe to remember and it works well with a variety of cheese types that you may be serving at your party.

                             FRUIT AND ONION COMPOTE

                    1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
                    1 pear, peeled, cored and finely chopped
                    1/4 cup finely chopped onion
                    1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
                    1/4 cup marmalade
                    1/4 cup packed brown sugar
                    1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
                    1/2 teaspoon EACH salt and nutmeg
                    Pinch of ground cloves

-In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients and bring them to a boil; stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, and stirring frequently, until thickened; about 25 - 30 minutes. Let it cool before serving.
-If you happen to have any left over, it can last in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

   Some other ideas for accompaniments would be to have a selection of cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto, and Serrano ham.
   Dried fruit such as figs, apricots, cherries and cranberries always go well with cheeses and enhance the flavour, as does, fresh fruit such as pears, apples and grapes.
   Think about serving nuts on your cheese board or table as well. Smoked or roasted almonds, halved walnuts or pecans, and Marcona almonds are good and familiar options.
   Jarred pickles/cornichons, roasted peppers, marinated artichokes/eggplants and olives are all delicious served with cheeses. I have a recipe for marinated olives that I have made before, which is really easy and tasty. Of course you can always buy marinated olives at the store, but I bet if you try this recipe, you'll be making them all the time.


                               MARINATED OLIVES

                      3 cups of mixed black and green olives
         ** if olives are in a brine, drain them and discard the brine**
                      crushed chilli flakes, to taste
                      2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
                      1 cup olive oil
                      1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
                      zest of half lemon or orange ( I like a combination of both) - you can also use larger                                strips of the zest instead
                      kosher salt, to taste


SERVE WARE & SET-UP

   Think about what you are going to serve your cheeses and accompaniments on, and do this in advance of the party. A variety of bowls in different sizes and shapes can hold items like olives, marinated vegetables and nuts. And remember to spread out platters around the room, if space allows. Or, if using a dining table, think about taking all the chairs away from it, so your guests can reach their food from both sides. This way there isn't a traffic jam or line up, and it also keeps guests mingling.
   Baskets, platters and trays can hold your crackers and breads. Breadsticks can be displayed in mason jars, pitchers or plain glasses.

   If you can find them, slate or chalkboard platters make displaying your cheeses easy and appealing. You can even find chalkboard paper runners to display on your table. You can write the names of the cheese right on the board or paper itself, and not have to worry about cheese tags/labels.

   Marble and wooden boards or platters are also good surfaces for cheeses. It may be a good idea, if using marble, to place a piece of wax paper under the cheeses, so they don't leave stains on your marble!
   Cheese knives and spreaders are a smart idea to have to help your guests serve themselves. Each cheese should have their own, this way you won't be tempted to mix the brie with the parmesan!

   Don't forget to have small appetizer plates at the ready, as well as, napkins, cocktail picks or cocktail forks, and small dipping bowls for olive pits. [The black cheese knives above are from www.loblaws.ca,; wooden cheese markers are from www.homesense.ca; gold cheese knives are from www.chaptersindigo.ca]

   Depending on whether you are doing a cheese board or cheese table, adding visual interest is key. If you are only serving a cheese board, make sure it is large enough to hold at least 2 - 3 cheese types, as well as a few accompaniments. You can serve everything loose on the board or choose to serve some things on small plates or in small bowls for easy access.
   If you plan on doing a cheese table, then adding serving pieces in different heights and levels are a good way to add visual interest. It also helps your guests to see all the items you are serving, as well as, making it easier for them to reach said items.

   Use items you have around your home, such as boxes or crates, cake stands and books stacked in a pile. For an easy do-it-yourself cake stand, take a cup or glass turned upside down (a candlestick holder also works well) and add a plate on top.
   Once you are happy with your layout and display, fill in any empty spaces with candles and flowers. Fresh herbs in vases, planters or glasses, look really beautiful and are a more affordable option to flowers.

   It is no secret that wine and cheese go hand in hand, so it's only fitting that wine should be served along side your cheese board. You, of course, can serve other drinks or cocktails to give guests options. Champagne, from dry (brut) to sweet to extra dry (demi-sec), pairs very well with all cheeses too. For 12 guests you should look at getting at least 8 bottles of wine if this is the only drink you will be serving, and if serving champagne as well, a couple of bottles should suffice.
   Here is a breakdown of a few examples of what wines go with what cheeses.


             CHARDONNAY/SAUVIGNON BLANC - Brie, Blue, Chevre, Gruyere
             CHAMPAGNE - Chevre, Gouda, Brie
             PINOT NOIR - Cheddar, Chevre
             ROBUST REDS -Parmesan, Blue, Manchego
             DESSERT WINES - Blue
             REISLING - Gruyere, Chevre, Gouda,
             ROSE - Cheddar

   Now, by no means is this a written rule for your party, but merely a suggestion and guideline of options to give your guests. In my personal opinion, wine, no matter what type, goes with everything! :)
   I really hope that you walk away with some great tips and ideas to have your own cheese party, and if all else fails, why not open a bottle of wine, and have a cheese party for 1!
   Until next time!

~A
           

PRODUCT INFO:

-wood cheese table www.potterybarn.com

-gold leaf cheese knives, green and white appetizer plates, black bowl www.chaptersindigo.ca 

-metal oval dish www.crateandbarrel.com

-metal cake stand www.michaels.com

-wood bread board www.urbanbarn.com

Throw An Oscar Party!

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  The Oscars are upon us soon and I know I'm pretty excited to see it! The red carpet events, the gowns, the celebrity couples, and of course, the Oscar winners! We used to host an Oscar party every year, but once we all started having kids, it got a little harder and harder to get together. But that doesn't mean I won't host again someday soon.

   From the comfort of your own home, you and your friends can have a great Oscar party, and you don't even have to change out of your sweats! 

So today, I'm going to share some tips, recipes and decor ideas to make your Oscar party a whole lot of fun!

   The Oscars are all about style and glamour, so why not ask your guests to dress up to the nines! Entice them with awards for Best Dressed, Best Up-do, Best Tie, etc. If your guests happen to come dressed in their civvies, then maybe have a box with some fun props that they can use while watching the show.

   Now, this idea is optional, of course, but it might be a fun excuse to dress up, especially if there aren't many occasions where you get the chance to do so.

   Once your party is all set to go, why not kick off the night by impressing your guests and setting the mood with a red carpet. Either set it up outside your door, or inside your entry way. It doesn't matter if it is a real carpet, plastic or paper; it is all for effect! You can easily find some options at party supply stores, and at different price points.

   Your guests have now made their entrance, so why not greet them with a cocktail. Champagne is the preferred drink of choice for the Oscars, so have a bottle or two (depending on how many guests you have), at the ready. Prosecco is an affordable option as well. Maybe think about having some champagne add ins, such as sugar cubes, orange liqueur, pomegranate or cranberry juice, and sorbet on hand to amp up your champagne.

   If champagne is not your thing, sangria is always a crowd pleaser and so easy to make (also a favourite of mine)! Here is a simple recipe:  

                          WHITE WINE SANGRIA

         1 bottle of white wine (750 ml)

                      2/3 cup white sugar

                      3 oranges, sliced 

                      1 lemon, sliced

                      1 lime, sliced

                      2 ounces of brandy (optional)

                      1/2 litre ginger ale or club soda

       *  add all ingredients except ginger ale/soda, and stir to combine. Chill overnight                                or for several hours.

       * add soda just before serving.

    Drinks are being served and everyone is having a great time; it's time to get a little something to eat. Hors d'oeuvres or appetizers are easy to serve and to make, and as you may already know, I LOVE appetizers! Also, think about the fact that your guests are going to be on your sofa eating and drinking, so, if possible, you want the meal to be bite sized, easy to hold and easily accessible. 
   One other idea to save you some stress is to maybe do a pot luck party instead. Not all the work falls on you and your guests will be more than willing to help out. You could also give out awards to the person with the Best Side Dish or the Best Dessert!
   Whether you are supplying all the food or asking your friends to pitch in, how about getting creative and having some fun with naming your menu items. CHICAGO style pizza, THE LORD OF THE onion RINGS, THE BIG SHORT ribs, are just a few examples. 
   Here are some ideas of what you can serve bite sized:
                                - pizzas or flatbread pizzas
                                - mac and cheese in ramekins or small cups
                                - hamburger sliders 
                                - pigs in a blanket or mini corn dogs
                                - bruschetta/crostini
                                - empanadas or mini meat pies
                                - fries or onion rings
                                - pretzels with dipping sauces such as mustard and cheese sauce 
                     ** there is a great beer cheese sauce recipe on www.rudisbakery.com
   Some easy bite sized dessert ideas are:
                                 - brownie bites
                                 - mini doughnuts
                                 - cheesecake squares
                                 - mini cupcakes
                                 - cake pops
                                 - mini pudding cups
    All these recipes can be either homemade or store-bought. Cutting corners is fine and saves time, not to mention, saves you the stress.                           
    Have some snacks set up on side tables and coffee tables too. Nuts and popcorn are great snacks to munch on during TV time. The savoury popcorn recipe I'm sharing below, is easy to prepare and tastes really great! I hope you give it a try :)

                          ROSEMARY PARMESAN POPCORN  

                   16 cups plain popped popcorn
                    1 Tablespoon butter
                    1 Tablespoon olive oil
                    2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
                    1/4 cup grated Parmesan
                    1 teaspoon garlic powder/salt

            * add the butter, olive oil and rosemary in a small bowl and melt in the microwave for                20 seconds
            * pour mixture over the popcorn and toss; sprinkle parmesan and garlic salt over the                  popcorn and toss again.

   Now that you have the menu under control, it's time to think about the decor. Black, gold and silver are classic, stylish colours to use as backdrops or decor items. Think of maybe placing gold or silver stars around the room, on tables and on walls. Balloons in these colours grouped together looks festive, as does streamers and film reels draped on your food table or hanging from windows. I found these cute paper cut outs {below pic} at a party supply store, and what's great is that I can use them over and over again. 

   An easy DIY that can be done in seconds is to find some images on the internet or in magazines of past Oscar winners, and print or cut them out. Cut them to the desired size you want and put them in black, gold or silver photo frames. Then you can place them all around the room as decorations!

   How about some box-office blooms to create a more stylish Oscar party feel? Find some plastic popcorn containers, add a small vase or glass filled with water, and add some brightly coloured flowers of your choice. Red is always good, as it mimics the red carpet and silk flowers would work in a pinch too. Easy and cute!

   Setting up some Oscar games will make the commercial breaks (or those long winded speeches), seem to go faster. You could play Oscar Bingo or Oscar Movie Trivia. You can easily find trivia questions and bingo printables on line.  I suggest no more than 10 questions for the trivia game. The guest with the most correct wins a prize!
    You can find plastic trophies at party supply stores or dollar stores,  add a fun pair of glasses, like the ones below, and you have a fun prize to award your trivia winner!

 
   Of course you will want to keep track of all the winners of the night. Print out a ballot with all the nominations and have your guests predict the winners or their favourites ahead of time, maybe during the red carpet events or as soon as the nominations are announced on screen. The person who has the most correct takes home the "OSCAR".

   In our house, we have this gold statue on a film reel. It was donated by a friend from one of her business conferences and it has worked out perfectly. Inside the reel, we have kept the winning ballots from each year, invitations and a few pictures. It's fun to look back on who won and their scores, and it is a great reminder of some fun parties. Our first Oscar party was in 2001!!!

   To end the night of festivities, send your guests home with a few treats to enjoy on the ride home. These paper popcorn boxes make an easy to hold container. Fill them with some movie theatre candy and a chalkboard tag. Easy, affordable and yummy!

    I hope some of these tips help inspire you to host your own Oscar party with some close friends! Until next time, Happy Oscars!!

~A



PRODUCT INFO:

- chalkboard tags, plastic popcorn boxes (with flowers), gold star glasses, candy from Dollar Tree
- paper popcorn boxes, plastic trophy, from Dollarama
- paper movie cut outs (stars, clapboard and projector), and invitations from Party Supply Depot

     

Children's Valentine's Day Party

   Valentine's Day, as we all know, is a day set aside to celebrate the ones we love. It is believed to have started as far back as the 14th century, but it didn't evolve into an occasion until 18th century, with people writing out declarations of love (called "valentines"), offering sweets and giving flowers to those they admired.

   For me, personally, I think Valentine's Day is another excuse to throw a party! And kids love a good party just as much as adults. I remember looking forward to going to school and handing out my valentine cards to all my friends and seeing how happy they were to receive them. Not to mention the fact that we would be having a small celebration with lots of goodies!

   So what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day, than with a dessert party for little ones and their friends. Sweets for a sweet day! 

   Today I will be sharing some fun decor ideas, table settings, a couple of recipes, and a craft or two that will ensure your little ones will have a great time sharing a little love with their friends.

   Keep the party small, maybe 4 to 6 children at most (that's including your own). It will be easier on you as the parent/host to keep track of what's going on while the kids are having their fun. Also, aim for the party to be in the later afternoon, such as 2 or 3pm, this way you know they would have eaten lunch.

   You will want to keep the little ones as busy as possible, so have a few crafts at the ready that they can do together, and then your little guests have a cute keepsake to take home with them at the end of the party. I'll be sharing a cute craft how-to a little later on.

   A Valentine card box is a really cute detail to have at your party. Your party guests may want to exchange valentine cards with their friends, and this card box is the perfect place to hold them. Then at the end of the party, they can hand their valentines out to each other! Use stickers in cute heart shapes and in different sizes and colours to decorate the card box. These felt cupcake stickers are really adorable as well! This card box can make a cute take home party favour for the guests too; just let them decorate their own at the party and they can carry all their Valentines home in it.

   ** This adorable print in the picture below was free online; just print it out at your local office supply store; and put it in a simple wood frame. **

   Next, think about the decor and the table set up. Obviously red and pink is a no-brainer. The table cover used here is actually a tea towel. It is the perfect size for a small kids table, and the white background helps make the red pop. A good place to set up the party would be in a playroom or an area where there is room to play and move around, so if they got bored, there are things to keep them distracted!

 

   These red melamine heart shaped plates make an adorable addition to your valentine's table! They have a little bit of sparkle to them which makes them even cuter. A paper cup filled with jelly beans and cherry candy hearts give the kiddos something to snack on while they colour in their activity books, and they were a steal at $1.25 for a pack of 8! Add a small pail of crayons in the centre of the table for easy access.

   It's always fun for the kids to do a craft at a party so how about this adorable HANDPRINT HEART VALENTINE TREE! It's really easy to do and doesn't take too much supervision, unless the children are very young. Here is what you will need to make this craft:

              - white or light coloured paper for background or a white canvas/foam board

              - brown construction paper for the tree

              - pink, red and purple construction paper for the heart shaped leaves (can be cut ahead of                       time)                   

              - multipurpose white glue/glue stick; pencils for tracing 

              * you could also use foam stickers in heart shapes

   HOW TO:         

    

              -have children place their hand and wrist on the brown paper and have an adult trace it out;                    if children are old enough, let them trace it themselves and cut out the tree pattern too,                            otherwise an adult should do this step.

              -place the handprint tree on the background you have chosen and glue it in place

              -have children glue the hearts in and around the handprint tree

              -all that's left to do is write their name and maybe add a sweet valentine message! So cute and their valentines will love it! 

   For a cute centrepiece idea, a small white metal pail filled with red basket straw and some lollipop flowers is a sweet treat!

   The flowers are so easy to do, and all you need are cupcake liners and lollipops. Use one mini cupcake liner (for the inside of the flower) and one large cupcake liner (for the back of the flower). The lollipops need to be these round ones (as in pic below), with the plastic wrapping tightly secured, so they sit flush in the cupcake liners.

   Next, all you need to do is invert the liners so the pattern shows once it's completed, then poke a hole with the lollipop into the mini cupcake liner, and do the same with the larger one. Stack them together and you have your lollipop flower! Cute and an easy DIY!

   Alright! This is a dessert party, so lets bring on the treats! You don't want to have too many desserts, just enough to satisfy their sweet tooth and cravings. So I would suggest maybe 2 to 3 types, such as, cupcakes in vanilla and chocolate, and some sort of cookie; why not even serve some strawberry yogurt! You could always have little guests decorate their own heart shaped sugar cookies too as an activity. If you have the time to make homemade, great, but if not, there are always treats available at the grocery store that would be just as delicious.    

    A fun and easy treat to serve, without turning on the oven are these strawberry wafer cookies with icing and sprinkles. (see pic below). You could buy the frosting or make your own favourite recipe. Another option is to use melting chocolate in whatever colour you like (melt according to package directions) and dip the wafers in the chocolate and add the sprinkles! Easy peasy and yummy!

   You will need something to quench the kiddos thirst after eating all these treats, so for an alternative to sugary juice, how about some berry smoothies? They are healthier and kids love them; my daughter definitely does! This could be something fun to make together too. Have each child pour in a different ingredient and take turns blending it up! They will probably like it even better if they had a hand in making it! Here is a simple and delicious smoothie recipe for you all to try:
                              BERRY SMOOTHIE

                    

                          1 cup frozen strawberries or mixed berries

                          1 cup milk

                          1 banana

                          1/4 cup sugar

                          8-10 ice cubes

         ~blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. 

         *if you don't want to use granulated sugar, you can always add 1 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar                (or to your taste)

         *unsweetened almond milk would also be a good substitute for cow's milk.

   So now that all the kids are fed and full, and have had some fun playing and crafting, it's time to send the little ones off with a cute take home party favour. There are so many possibilities to choose from; candy in red or pink boxes, a stuffed animal or toy, crayons and a colouring book, a valentine story book or chocolate. But seeing as how there are plenty of treats at a dessert party, I came up with a cute alternative. These adorable little pails filled with pencils, heart shaped note pads, stamps and a tiny little teddy bear would make any kid happy! Add a heart shaped chalkboard tag to write their names on and done! They can always use the bucket at home too, to hold whatever little knick knacks they may have.

                                          

   The sign in the above picture is from the dollar store and makes a really sweet backdrop or party prop! It's so cute, that I might just hang it in my daughter's playroom! :)

   So the party is over and all the little guests had a blast! You can pat yourself on the back for a job well done; and why not treat yourself to a cupcake...or two! 

   Until next time! 💗

~A

PRODUCT DETAILS

*"follow your heart" sign, valentine pails, heart shaped note pads, stamps, pencils from Dollar Tree

*heart shaped chalkboard tags, mini teddy bears, heart shaped melamine plates, activity books, tea towel (used as a table cover), from Dollarama

*napkins and straws from Winners

*pink valentine card box, felt stickers, red felt envelope, white crochet doily, white wooden heart and pink wooden heart from Michaels 

How to Throw a Cocktail Party

   Hello again and welcome back! My last post was all about tips on throwing a great, stress free dinner party. So now that you are all pros in that department, how about having a fun cocktail party?
   They are a great way for guests to mingle, for you as the host/hostess to enjoy your own party, and the planning is easy, if you don't get carried away.
   I will be sharing a couple of recipes, ideas on what to serve and how much, as well as, some fun cocktail ideas -because what is a cocktail party without the cocktails!!
   Once you have decided on your party and date, and invited all your guests, it's time to plan the details. Be clear on your invite to your guests, whether it's an e-mail or a written invite, as to the time and specific details. For example, if it is to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday, include that information on the invite. Also, be specific on the time. A typical cocktail party usually lasts for 2-3 hours, but that doesn't mean that you cannot extend it. It is totally up to you. Here is an example of a cocktail party invitation. (image courtesy of www.paperculture.com)

   Now lets get down to the cocktail party math! For an average size party of 9 - 20 guests, plan on serving at least 4 or 5 different hors d'oeuvres, and 8 - 10 bites per person for every 1 1/2 hours.
   Serve a variety of appetizers, such as shrimp cocktail, flatbread pizzas (2 or 3 of these can easily serve a lot of people), dates stuffed with blue or goat cheese, olives, cocktail meatballs, bruschetta, puff pastry tarts, or skewers of tomato and mozzarella. You don't have to make all of these, as they are just examples, but pick about 3 or 4 and that should be plenty! Also a good idea is to have small bowls of nuts scattered through the room. Have them on side tables, coffee tables,a kitchen island and at the entry too!
   I'm sharing a favourite recipe for cocktail nuts from Ina Garten at www.barefootcontessa.com. These are easy to make, delicious and addictive. Your guests will love them!
                           
                              1 1/4 pound of cashews or almonds
                              2 Tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
                              1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
                              2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

                              2 teaspoons kosher salt
                              1 Tablespoon melted butter
        ~ Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
        ~ Place nuts on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until they are warmed                         through.
        ~ Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Toss the warm nuts in the mixture             until well coated. Serve immediately.
 *in the original recipe, cashews are used, but I have tried it with almonds and it works great too!
 
   A good rule with hors d'oeuvres is less is more! I love, love, love appetizers! Remember the movie Mermaids? All they ate were snacks and appetizers, and to me that was the heavenly meal! So it's easy to get carried away and make too many items. Keep it simple, but good enough that your guests feel like they have had plenty of food to eat. Fewer dishes served on bigger platters help fill out your table as well. Add candles and small vases of flowers and bowls of nuts to fill in any empty spaces.

   Using a variety of serving dishes and platters makes your cocktail party food all the more interesting. Large platters, trays, bowls in assorted sizes, cups or glasses and ceramic spoons are all great choices. For keeping certain dishes warm, such as cocktail meatballs, chafing dishes work well. You can even use your slow cooker, as long as it can be plugged in close by to keep your meal warm.
   Also have small appetizer sized plates and cocktail forks near your food areas for easy access for your guests.

   As for the drinks you should serve, variety is the key!
   For a 2 1/2 hour party, I have broken it down for you here:

                           
                              cocktails ~ 2 1/2 per person
                              bubbly ~ 1 bottle for every 2 to 3 guests
                              wine ~ 1 bottle for every 2 to 3 guests
                              liquor ~ 1 quart/ litre for every 10 to 12 guests
                              water ~ 1 quart/litre for every 2 guests
 
   If preferred, you can make a punch recipe so guests can serve themselves as they please. Punches serve a lot of people and you can make a non-alcoholic one to give your guests an option. Here is an easy non-alcoholic punch recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

            - 1 pint raspberry (or any favourite flavour) sorbet
            - 1 (2L) bottle of lemon-lime soda
          *combine both ingredients in a large punch bowl (serves 16)

   My favourite cocktail is a Negroni. It is considered an aperitif (which is a drink served before a meal to stimulate appetite), but I think it's good anytime!  It's a little bitter and a little sweet, and I love the combination of flavours. Here is how you can make it!

                                1 ounce dry gin (such as a London dry)
                                1 ounce Campari
                                1 ounce sweet Italian red vermouth (such as Martini)
         * shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; strain into a short rocks glass, and garnish               with an orange peel twist.

 
   Now it's all about the bar! A bar can be set up anywhere. If you have a bar cart, great, but if you don't, you can set it up on a kitchen island, a dining room sideboard or a folding table pushed to the side of the wall. If you have a small space, use a coffee table or clear off a section of a bookshelf and use that for your bar set up.
    I have a list of supplies that make up a great bar, but not all items are a must.
       
          ~ cocktail stirrers and cocktail picks (for drinks that may contain fruit or olives)
         *look for my diy cocktail pick at the bottom of this post *
          ~ cocktail napkins, straws and coasters
          ~ cocktail shaker or a cocktail mixing glass with a strainer and mixing spoon
          ~ bottle opener
          ~ ice bucket and tongs
          ~ assorted glasses, such as highball, champagne, martini, rock glass, snifter (for beer or brandy)

            *if you have a large amount of party guests, I don't see why you can't use plastic glasses. Nowadays they have a them in a variety of styles to suit your party.

    ** DIY COCKTAIL PICKS
   
         Here is an easy diy for your cocktail party that can be done in no time!

 

   All you need is washi tape and toothpicks! Take your washi tape and cut it into a strip however long you want. Place your toothpick in the middle of the strip and then fold the strip over evenly.

 

     Cut out a point shape or cut your washi tape on an angle. You could also just leave it as is in the above picture to the right.  Diy cocktail picks done!! Easy peasy! You can find these washi tapes in a variety of colours and prints to fit into any themed party.

      So there you have it! My tips on how to throw a cocktail party. I hope I have helped you get in the mood to host your own! Remember to have fun, mingle, and save a drink for me! ;)
Until next time!

~A
                           

 
PRODUCT INFO

-washi tape can be found at dollar stores, craft stores and art supply stores.