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By Shindig_Spot, April 30, 2009 11:01 PM

Want to personalize your next shindig?  Let these chalkboard decor items make it easy and fun to do.

Drinkware

Are your guests getting their drink cups mixed up?  I have to admit that those red plastic party cups, while they hold lots of drink, are hard to keep track of.  Have your guests stake their claim by using these Etch It cups.  It’s okay that it’s not a true chalkboard; no concerns of chalk dust to float into your drink.

Servingware

Simple and practical.  These two options for cheese trays from Kegworks are not only simple is design, but are practical in function.  Not only will they look great on your table, but will let guest be able to tell the difference between the Brie and the Gouda.  The Slate Cheese Serving Tray gives more than enough room for cheese presentation and identification.  The Cheese Tray with Charcoal Slate Insert  combines a traditional wood tray with a slate insert..  Line your crackers and fruit in the wooden tray and serve the cheese from the slate tray.

Accessories

Now that your drinks are labeled and cheese tray chalked up, what about the table?  The Lingo Tablecover from Realm Dekor allows guests to mark their spot at the table.  For an easy DIY project, create your own chalkboard tablecloth by using Mexican Oil Cloth that comes in various color and patterns.  For those special occasions when you want to break out the napkin rings, try this set from MoMA.  These Chalkboard Napkin Rings serve a double duty as holder for the napkin origami challenged and as place cards.  If the table has any room left on it, this slate vase from Kimberly’s Events’ Chalkboard China Collection will make for a great centerpiece.

Scatter the use of these chalkboard decor items from party to party, or use them all at once for a themed End of Summer/Back to School event.  Don’t be afraid to try something new, you can always erase and try again.

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By Shindig_Spot, April 29, 2009 1:25 AM

Today I attended a tea party bridal shower at the cutest place, Amelia’s Teas and Holly.  While I have not yet hosted a tea party, I have had the idea brewing for some time.  In my mind, this would be a smaller shindig, harking back to a time of refinement and etiquette.

Invitations

I think that a tea party deserves something a bit more formal than my usual evite invitation.  Due to the time involved searching for just the right accessories, I’ll have the forethought covered, and because of the smaller gathering, I’ll have the cost covered as well.  Mailed invitations it is!  While the following invitation doesn’t scream refinement, I had to include some of my kitchness into the event.  These teapot invitations from Plum Party are fun and are the perfect price at $16.00 for a box of 10.

Menu and Serving

This is where the fun part comes in, the prepping and presentation of the food and drink.  At Amelia’s Teas and Holly we were served our own teapots of their loose tea in dainty tea cups, some atop saucers, and some atop of a snack set plate.  These vintage snack sets are practical and quaint and are perfect for dainty treats.  If you aren’t familiar with how to properly prepare loose tea, you can always go the route of the traditional teabag.  The tea from  Tea Forte not only has a great taste, but a different look.  If the snack sets are too traditional for you, Tea Forts also provides various contemporary tea service sets.  Their Dolce Vita collection provides an updated service for your tea party that still demands a sense of decorum.

Our meals were served on vintage 3-tiered desert stands; each tier filled with mini crusttless sandwiches, scones, quiche, pettifours and truffles.  You can switch out the mini crust-less sandwiches for other savory bites such as Pasta Frittatas or Mini Crab and Lime Quiches.  Swap out the pettifours for Goat Cheese and Apple Tarts or Peach and Almond Strudels.  No need to switch out the truffles, there is no substitution for chocolate.  All of the recipes can be found in one of my favorite appetizer cookbooks, The Essential Appetizers Cookbook.

Accessories

Lace tablecloths, linen napkins, and fresh flowers is all that is necessary.  However, for something fun and slightly less formal, try these low key cocktail napkins from Plum Party and this tea cosy from Eden & Eden to add some lightness to the formalness of it all.

Just like  fondue, a successful tea party depends on a good mix of conversation that will sustain several pots of tea.

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By Shindig_Spot, April 24, 2009 1:35 AM

I first saw this patio table on HGTV’s “I Want That!”.  At the time I was living in an apartment, but I knew once I bought a house this would be my outdoor entertaining centerpiece.  Fast forward 4 years and I’m still coveting this piece.

PatioStore.com offers a mosaic stone tabletop fire pit with grill center that is fun and functional.  This table (starting at $749.00) offers 3 interchangeable inserts, a grill insert, an ice bowl insert (sold  separately), and a mosaic tabletop when the other inserts aren’t in use.

Grill seafood for an intimate party, chill some drinks for a long afternoon chatting the day away, or use the tabletop for an outdoor meal.  With any luck I’ll be breaking ground on my patio next year and hopefully I can christen the area with this patio set.

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By Shindig_Spot,

February 14th, Valentine’s Day.  Whether you are paired up with  someone or going solo, it doesn’t mean that the day still can’t be sweet.  Gather the girls, or your one and only and skip dinner; go straight for dessert.

Invitations

If you’ve been reading, you know what I used as my regular invitation standby, evite.  As I have said so many times, “One of these days I’ll get my act together.”    Had I had the time, money, and forethought, I would have gotten something along the lines of Lollipop Love by tiny*prints.  They are informal enough for a fete with friends, convey the theme of the night perfectly and don’t have to be reserved for Valentine’s Day.  For something a little less pink and red and a bit more DIY, check out this Print-and-Mail Dessert invitation template from Real Simple.

Menu and Serving

This was another potluck shinding, everyone brought their favorite dessert and we gorged ourselves on sweet treats all night long.  While I like to cook from scratch rather than bake from scratch, I can do some damage to box mixes.   I provided 2 options for the night; brownies and gingerbread.  The Ghirardelli Brownie Mix, Ultimate Fudge was a hit and looked delicious in the heart shaped tin.  The gingerbread was courtesy of Trader Joe’s.  Their Trader Joe’s Deep, Dark Gingerbread Cake & Baking Mix went well with their lemon curd.  The spicy and the sweet went surprisingly well together and looked amazing in the matching heart shaped tin.  If I didn’t wait till the last minute to prepare for my parties I might prepare a couple (or all) of the desserts from Paula Deen’s “The Lady & Sons: Savannah Country Cookbook“.  If I had to pick just two they might be my favorite cookies, Snickerdoodles (pg. 144), and the Gooey Butter Cakes (pg. 125), who can resist gooey butter??

Decorations and Accessories

The decorations were limited, focused on the dining room table, and were pink and red.  The center piece consisted of some festive pink mums and the food and drink filled the table from end to end.  Chocolate candies, red wine, pink wine, sparkling cider, and those great wine tumblers I talk about here.  Seasonal heart paper plates (yes, paper plates.  I’ll get to the cool plates soon enough.) and matching napkins rounded out the decorations.  Simple homemade red and pink construction paper chains can be fun decorations as well, and can get the kids to decorate all on their own.  Additional decorations and accessories can also provide mood lighting.  A candle-scape can be romantic, but for something that can provide the same effect with less flame, try these Green Organza Gems from PartyLights.com.

Be it for Valentines Day or for friends to get together to share sweet secrets, just skip the main course and go straight for the sweet course.

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By Shindig_Spot, April 20, 2009 11:19 PM

There are lots of cool party accessories out there that I spot online and I think of all the fun ways I can incorporate them into some of my parties.  So far, they have just been ideas in my mind that have never been realized.  Here are a few sweet finds I have stumbled upon that I hope to incorporate into some of my shindigs, and maybe you can too.

Dark Belgian Chocolate Cordial & Toasting Cups

I have seen these glasses around for some time.  They can be used for mini dessert cups for mousses or fresh fruit.  Of course, nothing goes better with chocolate than a liqueur.  Liqueurs are different from flavored liquor based on how they are made and their alcohol content.   I think that something creamy such as a Baileys Irish Cream or something fruity like Grand Marnier or PAMA (pomegranate) would go well with these chocolate treats.  For those cold winter nights try filling it with a shot of vanilla vodka as it melts in a large mug of hot chocolate!  They could also be used for a different type of wine tasting;  serve wines that pair well with chocolate.

*Suggested Recipe – B-52

• 1 oz. (2Tbsp.) Kahlúa
• 1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) Baileys Irish Cream
• 1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) Grand Marnier

Layer ingredients in a shot glass in the order given being careful not to mix them.

Edible Candy Cane Shot Glasses

These minty delights definitely bring a seasonal feel to mind.  Nothing would warm up guests more than a schnapps or coffee liqueur served in these candy cups while singing carols.  The cups filled up with vanilla ice cream sprinkled with chocolate shavings are an alcohol free alternative so the little ones can join in on the holiday cheer as well.

Suggested Recipe – Peppermint Patty

• 1 shot peppermint schnapps
• 1 squirt chocolate syrup

Keep a shot of peppermint schnapps in your mouth, and squirt chocolate syrup in. Shake head vigorously and swallow.

Edible Rainbow Candy Shot Glasses

From minty to lemony, these glasses are reminiscence of those long rainbow lollipops.  Lemony in flavor, they will go great with a fruity vodka or a tequila.  Fill them with a frozen Cosmo or Margarita mix or a fruity sorbet.  Let the fruit  linger like the last of the remaining summer sun at your next BBQ.

**Suggested Recipe – Hay Fever Remedy

• 1/2 msr vodka
• 1/4 Southern Comfort
• 1/4 amaretto
• 1/2 msr pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon greandine

Shake and strain.  Shooter.

Chocolate Lined Wafer Shot Glasses

I had never seen these wafer treats before and thought they were very cute.  These mini cake cones lined with chocolate are perfect for that bite-sized ice cream treat.  Enjoy these shot glasses with mousse or fresh fruit topped with whipped cream.  Or, for a hard shell treat both inside and out, fill with your favorite ice cream and top with chocolate Magic Shell topping and enjoy chocolate through and through.

Suggested Recipe – Drunken Affogato (Ice Cream Shots)

• For the chocolate shots:
  • 3 cups chocolate ice cream
  • 3/4 cup coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Kahlúa
  • 24 whole hazelnuts
• For the vanilla shots:
  • 3 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 3/4 cup lemon-flavored liqueur, such as Caravella Limoncello
  • 24 whole macadamia nuts

Place a small scoop of ice cream in each glass. Top with 1 tablespoon liqueur and 2 nuts. Serve immediately.

Cool Shooters Ice Shot Glass Maker

These frozen delights are great not only for their resueability, but for their cool double duty – they are cool to look at and keep your drink ice cold on thoes hot summer days.  Host a vodka tasting party, not need to chill teh glass to make sure you vodka is served ice cold.  For a big show, try a flaming shot, white hot flame and cool as ice fingertips.  For a party of 5 or more, try this shot glass mold by Lush Life  that makes 12 at a time.

*Suggested Recipe – Oyster Shot

• 1 freshly shucked raw oyster
• 1 0z. (2 Tbsp.) tequila
• dash hot pepper sauce
• squeeze of lemon juice

Place oyster in the bottom of a chilled martini glass or shot glass.  Pour tequila, add pepper sauce and lemon juice.  Drink as a shot, allowing oyster to slide down your throat.

*recipe courtesy of  Cocktails – 2000 Desk Calendar

** recipe courtesy of  The Classic 1000 Cocktails

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By Shindig_Spot, April 19, 2009 12:36 AM

A few months back I had a fondue party.  While I am working towards getting to a point where I have enough time and moolah to send out really great and memorable custom invitations, I am not there quite yet.  In the meantime, I stick with my old standby, evite.   I planned for a party for 6, 5 guests including myself.  The couple with 2 cats  between them, the couple with a daughter between them, and my date for the night, a most interesting woman who is much younger looking than her years.  The conversation went from Beaujolais to kilts and just about everything in between.  With fondue, the hardest part isn’t coming up with a menu mix, it’s coming up with a good conversation mix.

Menu and Serving

The menu is quite simple.  I created a platter of Old Bay shrimp, Jamaican spiced chicken, and soy marinated beef on a large platter separated by celery stalks. The veggies included baby potatoes, baby carrots, mushroom caps, and broccoli florets. The fondue was a broth fondue made with equal parts soy sauce and chicken broth.  I have heard this recipe is killer with Saki instead of the broth that I have to try sometime.

The fondue set I used is by Trudeau.  It is similar to the one pictured below;  it has pots for both broth/oil and cheese/chocolate fondue.  Regular dinner plates were used, but these fondue plates I will have to keep on mind for next time.  I am continuing to increase my inventory of serving ware, but when you are with friends, anything is suitable.

Drinks included selections from Moore Brothers Wine Company.  The one big hit of the night was a Beaujolais-Villages from Georges Trichard.  It’s a part of my Moore Brothers wine portfolio and I have to make a point of returning and picking up a few more bottles for the next shindig.  The wine glasses I used were from Michael Chiarello’s line, Napa Style.  I had been coveting the Venetian Style Wine Tumblers for some time and finally had a chance to use them for this informal gathering.

Accessories

The great thing about fondue is, the accessories needed are limited.  Everything needed is included in the fondue set, all that is really necessary are the people.  A selection of dippers that I used included cocktail sauce, barbecue sauce, Sirrachi sauce, spinach dip, vegetable dip, and hummus.  A mini bamboo strainer made for quick retrieval of meat and veggies that fell off the skewers and a tablecloth for quick tabletop cleanup.

A fondue shindig is definitely something on the smaller scale, the amount of food included.  I seemed to have cut up enough food for an army, and had leftovers for General Tso’s Chicken,  Shrimp Scampi, and Beef Stroganoff.  Sometimes the food is secondary when you are having such a good time with friends.

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By Shindig_Spot, April 18, 2009 2:51 AM

Whether it’s your first move or your fourth move.  Be it a house, apartment, or condo.  It is a space of your own that you will call home.  What better way to christen your new home than to throw a party, a housewarming.

A housewarming might be one of the most stressful parties you’ll throw.  Between this being the first major event in your home and you still being in some stage of unpacking, it can be overwhelming.  Also, chances are, if you are anything like me, you might not have a ton of entertaining items to properly host an event, not to mention enough time to prepare enough food for family and friends.  It’s understandable, you did just move!  So let’s make it easy on ourselves, shall we?

Invitations

While mailed invitations are a nice surprise for guests, they are an expense and do take some forethought.  You can save these great return address labels  from horchow.com which are much more stylish than the labels you find in the coupon ads.    Time and money might not be something you have an abundance of at the moment, so my favorite invitations site is evite.com.  Not only does the site let you choose from a number of its themed templates, you can also design your own.  Not only can you can easily manage your guest list and inform them of changes, but you can also take polls and and even request that guests help out with the spread.  Which brings me to the next topic.

Menu and Serving

There is nothing wrong with having a potluck for your first shindig.  Order some chicken and a pasta salad or a fruit and veggie tray for your contribution to the event and have your guests help out with the rest.  Another way to personalize the day is to have each guest include the recipe for the dish they made so you can incorporate it into a custom cookbook.  Your friends and family supply the recipes and tastebook.com will produce the cookbook.

You can lighten your load even more by using paper and plastic products.  There is some plastic ware out there that at fist glance you’d swear was silver.  Find your luxury, inexpensive dinnerware at dontdodishes.com.

Decorations and Accessories

Your entertaining decoration and accessories may be lost in a jumble of boxes, or if this is your first move, you haven’t yet started acquiring items.  No need to worry.  At a housewarming people are more interested in the new space rather than the stuff inside.  Besides, it’s a chance to add some great basics to your registry.  Glasses are versatile and can go from mixed drinks to juice cocktails.  A clean profile an good grip make these inexpensive items ones that will last for many events to come.  Chip and dip trays can be used for chips, fruit, vegetable, and nuts.  The one, two, and four sectioned choices below should provide enough options for any size and style of party.  Below are a few selections from two very accessible retailers.  Once you have some dollars saved you can start to add appetizer plates and serving trays to your inventory.

curved and comforable

classic and crisp

fun and colorful

1 section in glass

4 sections in wood

2 sections in porcelain

After it is all said and done, the main thing is to enjoy yourself.  If you are starting over or starting out for the first time; your finally home and that is really something to celebrate.

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By Shindig_Spot, April 13, 2009 1:18 AM

shin⋅dig:   /ˈʃɪnˌdɪg/;  Show Spelled Pronunciation [shin-dig];  noun Informal.

an elaborate or large dance, party, or other celebration.

Welcome to the party and my own  little place on the web.  I like to entertain for friends and family; barbecues, game nights, fondue, desert nights and the list goes on and on.  I hope to share the endless possibilities with you as well.  I not only want to invite you in, but I want to get you started and on your way with party ideas of your own…call it a party favor.  Everything you need to be a great host;  theme ideas, invites, food and drink recipes, decorations, plates and glasses, and even the furniture to serve it all on.

I hope you become a regular guest and I look forward to your comments and suggestions.  Welcome to the Shindig Spot, let’s get the party started!