Every party needs a signature cocktail, and an Oscar’s viewing party should be no exception. I mixed up a drink I’m calling the “Red Carpet Cocktail” just for the occasion. Pour a flute 3/4 of the way full of champagne and then add a few splashes of Rose’s grenadine for a colorful punch. Garnish with a cherry Twizzler wrapped around a bright red maraschino cherry and of course, a striped paper straw. (Looking for more Oscar’s Party ideas? Check out my post over on the Wayfair blog today!)
I’ve been gearing up for a little event I like to call the “Super Bowl of Red Carpets” — ladies and gents (but probably mostly ladies), the Oscars are upon us. I’ve been digging around to find a perfect recipe for my mini celebration (read: me sitting on the couch by myself with a cocktail and snacks, ready to tweet my heart out), and let me tell you: I’ve been consumed by how many delicious things you can do to spice up regular popcorn. I’ve landed on a perfect blend of savory and sweet: popcorn drizzled in sea salt and honey butter (inspired by this recipe!), served it up in festive theater-style boxes so I feel like I’m at the movies! Do you have any Oscars-viewing traditions? 
It normally takes about 3 days to fully recover from New Year’s Eve, right? I’m working on it — it’s so hard to get back into ‘reality’ mode after a long holiday! Which is why I’m a little late sharing some pictures of our annual New Year’s Eve bash. Having a few extra days off after Christmas gave me the time to craft some fun decorations and think up some tasty dishes and cocktails. It was a great way to kick off 2013, and I hope it sets the tone for many more fabulous parties to come this year (like, ahem, a pretty exciting wedding coming up in May). How did you celebrate the New Year?
This year I’m serving up a punch for my signature cocktail: Champagne Clementine Fizz. It’s a little pink, and a little bubbly, and with the cute bows I found at the craft store to tie on my champagne glasses — it’s even a little glittery! Want to whip up a batch for yourself? In a large drink dispenser, combine two bottles of champagne — feel free to use the cheap stuff, I promise no one will know, one bottle of sparkling clementine soda (you can find this at Trader Joe’s) and a few ounces of St Germain or another elderflower liquor to taste. Mix it together and throw in some frozen cranberries for color and to keep the drink cool. Cheers to 2013!
A poor selection of flowers at my local Trader Joes this week inspired me to whip up a sparkly centerpiece for our annual New Year’s Eve party. I hit the Christmas sale section at the craft store and gathered up some tinsel garland and metallic tissue papers. With a hot glue gun in hand I wrapped some tinsel garlands around foam cones to create two tree-like pieces. With the silver and gold mylar tissue paper I layered strips of hand-cut fringe around the third cone. I topped all three with sparkly drink stirrers that I also found in the Christmas clearance bin at Target to finish them off!
And of course I couldn’t pass up all of that discounted tinsel, so I used the extra pieces to outline some cardboard cut-outs of 2013 and strung them up on the wall — it’ll be a perfect backdrop for some festive photo-ops!
I wasn’t just getting in the Christmas spirit this weekend, but also tackling some planning for our annual New Year’s Eve party. I love sending out paper invites, because let’s be honest — who doesn’t love receiving them in the mail? I made a simple invitation on bright pink paper, and tucked them inside glassine envelopes filled with matching homemade confetti — perfect to set a festive tone for the fete! 
Want to use these invites for your own New Year’s Eve celebration? Download them here:
In the next few weeks there are office gatherings, cookie swaps, white elephant parties, cocktail hours, and of course, Christmas day celebrations. So I’m sharing a handful of entertaining tips over on the Wayfair blog to get you through the holiday entertaining season that will make you look like a pro; check them out here!
Photo Credit: House and Home, Lonny, Martha Stewart Living.
I know that this is a major faux-paus, but while everyone is excited about decorating their tree, my mind zooms straight past Christmas and to my favorite holiday: New Years Eve. While my annual New Year’s shindig may be a month away, I already have my wheels turning gathering inspiration for some fun little touches. Tinsel and drink toppers are on the DIY to-do-list, and I’m seriously eyeing those numbered rocks glasses — aren’t they cute?
Sources: countdown glassware, curly-q DIY, caspari party crackers, tinsel drink stirrer, party hats
I’ve been having a bit of a squeal-fest after seeing my little ‘ol blog show up in the December issue of Ladies Home Journal! I’m thrilled to be included in a fun article with blogger tips all about effortless holiday entertaining. Seeing my name in print is a bit of a *pinch-me* is this for real? moment… you can read all of the great tips here!
I’m over on Wayfair’s My Way Home blog this week sharing some favorite turkey-day memories and a few ideas I picked up from the fabulous ladies in my life who’ve hosted my family Thanksgiving since I was a kid. I can’t believe there’s just a few more days until we feast on stuffing and pie — head over and check it out!
