Showing posts with label engagement party cocktails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label engagement party cocktails. Show all posts
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Cool Cocktail Sodas from Stirrings
Am crazy about these cool cocktail sodas from Stirrings! They're great as drinks for a cocktail party or bridal shower. Serve them up in chic martini glasses. Include some appetizers such as chicken satay, crab cakes, and fried wontons stuffed with shrimp. Oh yummy!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Ideas for A St. Patrick's Day Wedding Party
Since St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, I thought that I’d jump start things for those planning a party with some truly unique invitations and more.
INVITATIONS
For a person planning a fun-filled affair with both genders, these cute beer-shaped invitations are great for a couple planning an engagement party on St Patrick’s Day. Try these from announcingit.com:
CAKE
For an engagement party cake for the couple, you can buy a mold in the shape of a shamrock and decorate it with green sugar crystals, while using a simple buttercream frosting. Try Confectionary House:
ATTIRE
In the area of fashion, you don’t have to dress like a leprechaun because there are dozens of beautiful dresses in a lovely shade of green. This gorgeous bridesmaid dress from Jenny Yoo in a pretty sage green color is so elegant yet it doesn’t look ostentatious at all. From Flutter Boutique:
FLOWERS
Go with classic calla lilies or vanilla cream roses for a stylish bouquet or centerpiece. Visit Martha Stewart for some really great examples!
GUEST FAVORS
Ah, what to take home? Use a dainty organza bag decorated with embroidery, and fill it with some goodies! You could give any of the following items or all of them if you want to be extra generous on this day:
Green M&M’s® - my personal favorite
Gold Jordan almonds
Gold or green foil wrapped chocolates in the shape of coins or shamrocks
Miniature chocolate leprechauns
Shamrock shaped cookies
Friday, February 02, 2007
Wine and Cheese Engagement Party
While everyone else is planning for their Super Bowl goodies, let's take a moment to consider a "whine and geez" party. Okay, got you. Actually, I'm talking about a nice wine and cheese engagement party on a sweet Sunday afternoon. You can have this kind of event at literally anytime of the year. It's also a neat alternative to a full-blown dinner. Just how do you concoct a menu for such an event?
Start out with getting the 3 main components:
1) The Crackers and Biscuits
I love all sorts of crackers especially those infused with delicious herbs and spices. They come in different shapes and sizes such as circles, pentagons, or even triangles. But, my all-time favorite ones are from a company called the "American Vintage Wine Biscuits." With these gourmet crackers, you honestly don't even need cheese because the crackers are tasty. The original flavor (i.e., Red Wine and Black Pepper) that I tried is infused with wine and has a nice yet subtle "peppery" taste. Last time, I checked their website, it appears that there are additional flavors (e.g., White Wine, Shallots & Cayenne Pepper, and Chianti, Oregano & Red Pepper) so I bet they are just as scrumptious.
2) Cheeses and Meats
Ah, I love cheese! Just had to say that because if cheese were not invented, we wouldn't have pizza. When looking around for cheeses at your grocery, the most common ones that come to mind are cheddar and swiss, but if you go to the gourmet food section of your grocery, you will usually find cheeses from all over the world. My truly favorites are: Brie from France that has a creamy texture with loads of flavor; Parrano Cheese from Holland that has a texture quite similar to Gouda, but with the nutty taste of parmesan; and lastly Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy that has a sexy savory taste to it (I call it the "ultimate cheese" because I love eating them alone especially "Parma Sticks from Bertozzi." Before getting all caught up in cheeses, let's not forget the meats. When pairing meats with cheeses, I like prosciutto, smoked salmon, or caviar as an accompaniment. They are teeming with flavor yet you only have to eat a few to be satisfied. In this way, if you provide a full variety of cheeses and meats, your guests can still feel like they've had a light meal instead of just a cheese and a cracker. Many of these cheeses and meats can be found in stores such as Trader Joe's, Dean and Deluca, Whole Foods, Better Cheddar, and even Bevmo! Also, small gourmet retailers sell unique products, so be sure to check them out in your locale.
3) Wine Selections
If you are a newbie to wine, don't fear because there is a lot of information out there about wines. I've learned that French wines, though, seem to have a distinct personality and flavor to them. (**No knock against those California wines, but lately, I've just preferred French ones). When looking for wines, be sure to check the alcohol content (is it 12.5% alcohol or does it have more?), the type of wine - whether it's a red or white, the cost if you buy it as a case, and any accompanying tasting notes that are available on the wine. Before you actually buy a bottle, it's a good idea to visit the store first and then jot down names of wines that seem interesting, so that you can go back home and research the wine based on reviews. The best place to get tasting notes is from Robert Parker's website - known as the definitive authority on wines because he doesn't get paid to review wines. You can also check out books such as "Wines for Dummies" and "French Wines for Dummies." Moreover, you can also check out blogs such as Vine Sugar or Vivi's Wine Journal.
Start out with getting the 3 main components:
1) The Crackers and Biscuits
I love all sorts of crackers especially those infused with delicious herbs and spices. They come in different shapes and sizes such as circles, pentagons, or even triangles. But, my all-time favorite ones are from a company called the "American Vintage Wine Biscuits." With these gourmet crackers, you honestly don't even need cheese because the crackers are tasty. The original flavor (i.e., Red Wine and Black Pepper) that I tried is infused with wine and has a nice yet subtle "peppery" taste. Last time, I checked their website, it appears that there are additional flavors (e.g., White Wine, Shallots & Cayenne Pepper, and Chianti, Oregano & Red Pepper) so I bet they are just as scrumptious.
2) Cheeses and Meats
Ah, I love cheese! Just had to say that because if cheese were not invented, we wouldn't have pizza. When looking around for cheeses at your grocery, the most common ones that come to mind are cheddar and swiss, but if you go to the gourmet food section of your grocery, you will usually find cheeses from all over the world. My truly favorites are: Brie from France that has a creamy texture with loads of flavor; Parrano Cheese from Holland that has a texture quite similar to Gouda, but with the nutty taste of parmesan; and lastly Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy that has a sexy savory taste to it (I call it the "ultimate cheese" because I love eating them alone especially "Parma Sticks from Bertozzi." Before getting all caught up in cheeses, let's not forget the meats. When pairing meats with cheeses, I like prosciutto, smoked salmon, or caviar as an accompaniment. They are teeming with flavor yet you only have to eat a few to be satisfied. In this way, if you provide a full variety of cheeses and meats, your guests can still feel like they've had a light meal instead of just a cheese and a cracker. Many of these cheeses and meats can be found in stores such as Trader Joe's, Dean and Deluca, Whole Foods, Better Cheddar, and even Bevmo! Also, small gourmet retailers sell unique products, so be sure to check them out in your locale.
3) Wine Selections
If you are a newbie to wine, don't fear because there is a lot of information out there about wines. I've learned that French wines, though, seem to have a distinct personality and flavor to them. (**No knock against those California wines, but lately, I've just preferred French ones). When looking for wines, be sure to check the alcohol content (is it 12.5% alcohol or does it have more?), the type of wine - whether it's a red or white, the cost if you buy it as a case, and any accompanying tasting notes that are available on the wine. Before you actually buy a bottle, it's a good idea to visit the store first and then jot down names of wines that seem interesting, so that you can go back home and research the wine based on reviews. The best place to get tasting notes is from Robert Parker's website - known as the definitive authority on wines because he doesn't get paid to review wines. You can also check out books such as "Wines for Dummies" and "French Wines for Dummies." Moreover, you can also check out blogs such as Vine Sugar or Vivi's Wine Journal.
Monday, October 09, 2006
A Cool Cocktail Wedding Engagement Party
If you're looking to have a swanky cocktail engagement party, where can you go to find cool barware that says "shaken, not stirred?"
For martini glasses, head off to:
Jillery Designs at $23/glass
These curved stem glasses are made with a decorative beaded stem using wire. All are custom made and you can even choose the colors of the beads that are intertwined with the wire. You may also want to check out their 9.5 oz. zigzag glasses sold in a set of 6 at $138.
28 oz. Bullet Martini Shaker by Metrokane through Amazon at $19.99
Made with polished 18/10 stainless steel, these martini shakers are inspired by a 1930s art-deco design. There's also a smaller guy availabe in 16 oz. With these shakers, you'll be the most stylish bartender or at least look like one. It also looks like a cool groomsmen gift compared with those flasks - so outdated.
Drink Sticks at $17.00 from Home Wet Bar
Shaped like mini golf clubs, these stirrers can be used for cocktail drinks like Tom Collins. How cool is that!
For martini glasses, head off to:
Jillery Designs at $23/glass
These curved stem glasses are made with a decorative beaded stem using wire. All are custom made and you can even choose the colors of the beads that are intertwined with the wire. You may also want to check out their 9.5 oz. zigzag glasses sold in a set of 6 at $138.
28 oz. Bullet Martini Shaker by Metrokane through Amazon at $19.99
Made with polished 18/10 stainless steel, these martini shakers are inspired by a 1930s art-deco design. There's also a smaller guy availabe in 16 oz. With these shakers, you'll be the most stylish bartender or at least look like one. It also looks like a cool groomsmen gift compared with those flasks - so outdated.
Drink Sticks at $17.00 from Home Wet Bar
Shaped like mini golf clubs, these stirrers can be used for cocktail drinks like Tom Collins. How cool is that!
