Fancy House Party

Menu: Spring Dinner Party

2012-04-17T14:18:38-05:00

We had a couple friends over for dinner on Friday after a brief entertaining hiatus due to work, travel and other life obligations. Thankfully, a simple, somewhat Italian inspired menu kept things easy, as I was feeling a bit rusty!

Spring Dinner Party Menu

Bruschetta w/ Balsamic Tomato-Basil Topping

Aged Gouda, Almonds

Mushroom Risotto with Peas

Fresh Herb Green Salad with Lemon-Dijon Vineagrette

Tahitian Vanilla Bean Gelato with Balsamic Strawberries and Candied Almonds

This was my lazy way out of baking dessert:

1 pint vanilla gelato

1 box organic strawberries

2 T. balsamic vinager

4 T. slivered almonds

1 T. sugar

Clean, hull, and slice strawberries. Toss in a small bowl with balsamic. Set aside.

Toast the almonds and sugar in a skillet over medium heat until almonds are brown and sticky. Set aside.

Scoop gelato into four small bowls. Top with strawberries, then almonds.

Serve with pizelles (Italian waffle cookies!)

Tabletop: Spring Table Linens

2012-03-15T15:32:24-05:00

It's unseasonably warm here in Chicago, which means we're all getting excited, thinking spring must be here early. I'm not counting on it though! Call me a pessimist, but I'm guessing we'll get snow on Easter day!

I will, however, enjoy it while it lasts... and simultaneously start looking for other signs of spring, like in these table linens:

Marimekko Puutarha Tablecloth

Pardi "Bee" Table Linens

Kym Seybert "Sequin Dragonfly" Napkin Rings

John Robshaw "Hops" Placemat

Anthropologie "Fish & Feast" Napkin

Menus: Milestone Birthday Party

2012-03-02T13:20:13-06:00

Last May, my husband and my mother both celebrated "milestone" birthdays within a week of one another. Naturally, I threw a party.

A well-stocked bar (including plenty of gin - G&Ts being the cocktail of choice for both honorees!)

Baby / Kid photos of the birthday boy & girl

Shrimp cocktail - sticking with the classics

Stargazer lilies

Cheese, of course! (Mom's from Wisconsin - anything else just wouldn't do)

Lots of cupcakes! Chocolate and Yellow Cakes topped with Chocolate Buttercream and Heath Bar pieces

Also on the menu for 30 guests:

Spanakopita triangles

Crab cakes

Herbed Chicken Skewers

Soy-Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Chocolate Truffles

Inspiration: Oscar Night Dinner Party

2012-02-23T12:27:25-06:00

One of my favorite TV nights of the year. I never watch the other awards shows, but for some reason, I just can't miss the Oscars!

Start with a little bubbly. One of my favorites (Schramsberg blanc de noirs):

Source: google.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Oscar gold on the table, natch:

Source: bloomingdales.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Potato blini with caviar:

Source: google.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Glam, film-themed decor (Clonney photo recommended, but optional):

Watercress, beet and feta salad:

Source: realsimple.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Stuffed Beef Tenderloin:

Source: cooksillustrated.com via Amanda on Pinterest

And, last but not least, champagne again, in cupcake form:

Source: yumsugar.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Tools: Best Books

2012-02-15T15:33:10-06:00

A few of my favorite tomes for party planning. I always take some time to flip through these four books whenever an event is on the horizon:

Silver Palette Good Times Cookbook

Don't be put off by the outdated cover! This oldie is a goodie. My mom had this on hand, and I made my first pavlova (an Aussie meringue dessert) from a recipe within.

Barefoot Contessa Parties!

Ina Garten has never led me astray. Her recipes are reliable and simple. Plus, she kinda cracks me up.

InStyle Parties

This is by far my favorite. It's not just recipes. They break down throwing a party to step-by-step, day-by-day preparations. Plus, I love the themes (holidays, seasons, etc.).

Lulu Powers Food to Flowers

My new obsession. I love Lulu, I love the photographs... lots of fantastic ideas within.

Food: V-Day Cookie Party

2012-02-07T13:23:00-06:00

My mother-in-law is the cookie queen! Pretty much an special event, and she's whipping up a triple batch of her famous frosted sugar cookies. Depending on the occassion, they get decorated, and often by three to five of our adorable nieces.

Living 300 miles away, I was unable to be a part of the Valentine's Day cookie decorating over the weekend. However, if I were to host such an event, these are some cute ideas I might (invite others over to) try:

Windowpane heart cookies:

Source: marthastewart.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Vegan chocolate truffles:

Source: ohsheglows.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Conversation Heart cookies:

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Love + Cookies = 4Eva

Tabletop: Cake Stands, Not for Cake

2012-02-03T13:28:23-06:00

I'm not much of a baker. You may think it strange, then, that I own multiple cake stands.

Williams Sonoma, $79

However, to me, the cake stand is limited to such in name only! I love my cake stands because they are just another interesting serving piece for me to use for any type of food.

Annieglass (via Bloomies), $181

Since they're elevated, they add a nice layered depth to the table, especially for a spread of appetizers. I'll load my up with different cheeses & grapes or crostini or little savory pastries like spanokopita.

Pottery Barn, $45

And then maybe once a year, a cake. You don't need to trouble yourself over whether or not that cake comes from a box mix! Just eat it.

Michael Aram (via Bloomies), $249

Inspiration: Football Party

2012-01-29T18:04:05-06:00

A cozy scene:

Source: chicagotribune.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Fun drink - a whiskey margarita:

Source: fiveoclockcocktails.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Munchies in the form of "crazy nachos":

Source: marthastewart.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Hominy, Tomato & Chili Soup:

Source: epicurious.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Perfect Chocolate Sheet Cake:

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Amanda on Pinterest

How To: Stock Your Bar

2012-01-25T15:57:41-06:00

Speaking of alcohol, let's get a little more specific and talk cocktails. Fifty years ago, it would have been unusual to go over to your friends house and ask for a glass of chardonnay or a beer. If you were my granny, for example, you would have requested a brandy Manhattan to take the edge off. That was the norm.

Wine is much more prevalent now as a cocktail hour beverage. However, mixed drinks are definitely experiencing a resurgence in popularity. We recently put together a nice, little bar cart area near our kitchen and have been slowly stocking it with miscellaneous liquors, liqueurs, bitters, garnishes, mixers, juices, etc. It's like our boozy little science station!

Anyway, it's certainly not necessary to have a professional, fully-stocked bar situation. Yet, there are some basics (beyond the wine, beer and soda you have in the fridge) worth buying to get your home bar off to a strong start:

1) Liquor: Gin, Vodka, Tequila and Bourbon are good basics to begin with. Add in Scotch and Rum if you / your friends are particularly fond.

2) Liqueur: I like having Chambord (a raspberry liqueur) for making Kir Imperials (champagne + chambord), but that's just me. Kahlua (coffee flavored stuff) isn't my favorite, but I know a few who love it in White Russians. St. Germaine is in many a cocktail recipe, and also good with sparkling wine. Really, there are so many liqueurs it's all up to what your tastes are. You certainly don't need them, but a couple are nice to have.

3) Fortified Wines: Vermouth is essential for making martinis and Manhattans, among other classic cocktails. Port, Sherry or Brandy are other good options for after-dinner sipping... but pick one, if you're just getting started. Or none. Vermouth is most important.

4) Bitters: Again, there are so many varieties. Get a bottle of Angostura bitters (used in Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, among others) and go from there.

5) Mixers: The basics are tonic, club soda, and ginger ale. I'd also add in some Rose's Lime, for making gimlets!

6) Garnishes: Maraschino cherries and olives. Also, obviously, lemons and limes.

Bottoms up!

Tools: Booze Calc

2012-01-22T18:27:55-06:00

Check this out - an alcohol calculator, to be used for planning and purchasing the correct amount of booze for your party!

Source: google.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I ALWAYS struggle with this when I host anything larger than a standard dinner party. One of the hardest parts is predicting not only how much to buy but how much of WHAT. I've had situations where we run through everything but red wine with hours to go... apparently, our party guests drink copious amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, beer, and GIN!

I'm sure this tool isn't fool proof, but it will probably get you closer to what you need and make it less likely that your husband will have to run out for a case and a handle midway through the soiree.