Skinny Summer Sipper

It's summertime and the living is easy or at least so says the song! Because I actually listened to my mother and did not become a school teacher, this summer finds me toiling away in a cubicle, staring at a computer screen and making copies like the rest of the masses. It's not that I don't like my job, I just LOVE not working! :) Who's with me? If you are a MF'er (Monday through Friday-er people, what did you think I meant?) weekends are what we live for! The two days where time clocks, name badges and  motor oil coffee are just a part of a bad dream is when it's time to relish summer! On the weekend immerse yourself in the sun, the sand, the surf and the endless array of frozen cocktails that grace your parched palate. What says summer  better than a frothy Pina Colada served in hollowed out pineapple, maraschino cherry skewer and adorned with a colorful paper umbrella that after a few drinks makes the most elegant hair accessory! Yeah, those 2,000 calorie cocktails are great and all if you have a personal trainer or happen to be on a Carnival Cruise boat south of the equator but let's talk about something a bit more practical to sip on your summer weekends. I stumbled upon Bethenny Frankel's brain child Skinnygirl Vodka in Cucumber at a fabulous friend's 4th of July fete and gave it a whirl. The vodka was refreshing, herbaceous and clean on the palate- an ideal combo to beat the heat and wash away the blues. With a little imagination and summer swimsuit motivation, see the sipper that was born below:

Cucumber Skinny Gimme (As in Gimlet, get it?)

Ingredients

Skinnygirl Cucumber Vodka
Sprite Zero or Diet Sierra Mist
Club Soda
Fresh Lime Juice (MUST BE FRESH!)
Cucumber Slices

Directions

Muddle the cucumber with a few squeezes of lime in the bottom of a glass. Add ice, vodka, diet lemon-lime soda and a bit of club soda. The club soda "cuts" the dietness of the soda but mix to your liking.

No, I didn't put measurements because you know dang well you never measure out cocktail components. After a few of these, I am sure you will forgo the mixers all together too! Whether you are enjoying a few months of summer or 2 days a week of summer, grab yourself a glass and load it up with this libation. Until next time, keep cucumber cool y'all!

Fresh off the Farm

Let me predicate this blog with announcing it will be a little different than what you are used hearing from the Diva. I just celebrated my 30th birthday and apparently at this tender young age you are supposed to have it all together and the secrets of the universe are revealed. You are expected to know who you are and have a clear vision of where you are going. Well y'all, here I sit disheartened in the afterglow of this milestone celebration and unfortunately, I still don't have the answers. I don't really know who I am, where I am going or what I want to be when I grow up BUT I do know what makes me happy: PARTIES! These celebrations of life, moments and achievements are what ignite my passion, this I am confident of! Not a day goes by that I don't wake up and think to myself "now, what kind of party can I plan next?!" The concept, design and eventually the "birthing process" of the event is the ultimate joy for me; others are probably pulling their hair out and grinding their teeth to the mandible just thinking about all this mess! So, in honor of my 30th birthday and not having it all together, I have decided to share a little party inspiration with y'all once a month. These will  be condensed concepts and ideas for you to mold and meld to your liking. We will keep the concepts simple, brief, VERY inexpensive (as you all know my love affair with the Dollar Tree) and hopefully inspiring! I would like to commit to one of these entries once a month, but you know me! Please feel free to email or comment suggestions on party themes you would like to see here! Let our creations lead to your inspiration!

Concept: Fresh off the Farm

Suggested Theme Adaptations: 4th of July Celebrations, Summer Picnic Parties & Baby Showers

Key Components: Eggs, Chickens, Mason Jars,Vegetables, Raffia & Distressed Wood

For centerpieces, consider fresh brown and white eggs lovingly displayed in a chicken wire basket stuffed with raffia to resemble hay. Ceramic chicken, basket and raffia all purchased from Dollar Tree.

For variations, why not color your chickens? Red, white and blue bitties would be ideal for the 4th but how about a pale pink or sky blue for a baby shower adaptation? Any mother hen would crow with delight to see such a sight!

They say you "eat with your eyes" first! These food stands were made by simply super gluing a small glass plate to a taper candle holder, both of which can be found at Dollar Tree. Varying heights and textures add visual interest to your buffet and decor. Don't skimp on the rib sticking food as country=comfort!

Gingham or checkered print is a requirment to execute this farm fresh fete! Red checks evoke a "down-home" rustic feel however consider pink or blue for your baby shower. A black gingham would be chic for a country couture twist. Tie your flatware rolls with a piece of raffia or twine- it may be a bit more timelier but your dedication to details will be appreciated.

Mason or Ball jars are cost effective and true to theme serving vessels. Fill them with Sweet Tea or Country Time Lemonade to continue that on the farm feeling. Don't forget to garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh mint! After your guests are done meeting and eating, send them home with a farm favor; what about a pack of vegetable seeds or a tomato pincushion? The best favors are useful or edible!

As always, thank you for your love, support and sharing throughout the days! Looking forward to another set of 30 years with everyone!

Be Our Guests

Church bells ring, are ya listening? On the bride, diamonds are glistening. It's a beautiful sight; we’ll party all night, walking in a Wedding Wonderland!

Is your Facebook news feed filled with relationship status updates and last name changes? Does your mailbox burst at the brim with hand-calligraphed, LOVE stamped invitations? Is your waistline 3 inches bigger because of mass consumption of petit fours and monogrammed bridal shower cookies? Tis’ the season for wedded bliss!

J’adore me some weddings, y'all! The décor, the dress, the dinner and all that love in one room! Being a wedding guest is something I cherish. A wedding ceremony is one of the most sacred and intimate things you can witness in your lifetime. To be invited to celebrate such a meaningful occasion for your friends or family is a privilege that I hold so dear. Many brides and grooms brush up on their etiquette while planning the wedding but us guests should hit the books as well! As a former member of the wedding planning industry, I can safely say attending a wedding “ain’t my first rodeo.” I have seen it all: the good, the bad and the downright UGLY! Sometimes we forget the true meaning of a wedding and party like it’s 1999- taking no prisoners. We may lose sight that the wedding is about the love the couple shares and the uniting of two families. You may be mumbling “Sandy don’t preach…I’m in trouble deep,” but I just wanted to take the time to share some wedding day decorum that will make everyone’s world a better place.

Disclaimer: I am not Emily Post, I am not Martha Stewart and I am not Kate Middleton. Anyone who knows me has probably seen me walk around barefoot, dance on a table or chew gum with my mouth open. I do however deeply admire the sanctity of marriage and truly believe weddings should be a joyous and revered celebration. Have fun, toss back a few wine spritzers, Twist-N-Shout but be respectful.

* Perfectly Punctual- I will start off with the hardest pill to swallow. Mark my words that I will be late to my own funeral but I will not be late to a wedding. Give yourself or your date "SGT" or as we call it, Sorority Girl Time. If the wedding ceremony starts at 6:00pm tell yourself or your date 5:00pm. The day before go ahead and map out your route, check for road closures or inclement weather as these will all effect travel time. Depending on where the ceremony is going to be held (hotel, park, church, etc.) you may also want to determine the parking situation. Is it self-parking, valet only or everyman-for-himself street parking? Remember, there is no harm being early to a wedding. Seize the opportunity to snoop around in a fancy hotel bathroom, get a pre-party martini at the bar or practice singing your hymnals. As my cheer coach always told me “…To be on time is to be late and to be late is unacceptable.” (ESPECIALLY for a wedding!)

* Thank you, thank you very much- Somewhere between the Cha-Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, take time out of the party to profusely thank the parents of the bride and groom. Even if the couple paid entirely for the wedding, let the parents know what an honor it was to be included in such a personal celebration for the family. Tell them why the bride/groom is special to you and what an awesome person they raised. A wedding is a celebration for the families as much as the bride and groom. A short yet sincere email of gratitude to the couple and/or their parents post wedding is always a welcomed gesture of gentility.

* Couple Care- If the opportunity arises offer to get the bride and groom a drink or maybe a plate of food. Often newlyweds get so caught up in the mixing and the mingling they forget to sample the cuisine they have been dreaming about for over a year. Don’t get disgruntled if their wedding planner or maître D takes over this task; your offer to fetch them a drink or a jerk chicken skewer will not go unnoticed. It also gives you an excuse to tell the love birds how happy they both look and thank them for inviting you to this momentous celebration.

* Think Before You Drink- When the words “open bar” are uttered, do the gold-lined clouds part and are you serenaded by the sugary voices of a thousand angels? Since the dawn on time libations and celebrations have gone hand in hand- Jesus even sipped on some vino rojo at the Last Supper. Weddings are parties with a purpose, honoring a sacred commitment two people in love have just made. At the bar have a few, keep your water table up and if you must “tie one on” that night, make plans with your buds for the after party at a local pub or in the hotel lounge. The public profession of love two of your favorite people just made should be exalted not halted by your drunken frat boy foppery. 

* May I Have Your Attention Please- Try to be front and center during formalities. These include wedding party introductions, first dances and cake cutting. Don't go to the bar, don't text, don't chit chat at the table- just give the couple and their parents your full undivided attention. Their marriage is after all why you have the luxury of a 4 hour open bar and unlimited crab cakes. Want to dine and dash to get away from the smelly cat lady at your table? Just have another sip (or huge gulp) of your Vodka Soda and try to stay through a few more dances. The old adage is you can leave after the cake is cut but use personal judgment as these days sometimes the cake is used for dessert. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event for the twosome- help them get their money's worth!

* Adequate Attire- If you are lucky, the invitation may tell you what to wear: semi-formal, formal, black tie, etc. If you are not given dress code instructions and are in doubt, it’s always best to over dress. I don’t mean wear a Mr. Peanut top hat and tails to a beach side wedding in Maui but wear something a little nicer than Uncle Eddie’s Aloha shirt and khaki shorts. Ladies, colorful and classy tea-length cocktail dresses are always appropriate (beware of the bosom factor.) Gentlemen, a non-patterned button-up shirt, blazer and starched slacks are a safe bet anywhere. Call me old school, but I still think the bride should be the only one in white or any shade of it and despite the amount of rump shaking, shoes should be left on.  Don’t fret over fashion, just use your intuition along with what your mother taught you and you will be dressed to impress!

* Present A Present- Being invited to a wedding is an honor and privilege in itself. It is customary to send the couple a gift if you receive a wedding invitation even if you cannot attend the blessed event. Contrary to popular belief the cost or amount of the gift is not directly correlated to how much the couple is spending per person at the wedding. As with any other occasion a wedding gift should be meaningful to the recipient, personal and hopefully useful. Money or gift cards are the most popular wedding gift as nest building can be pretty costly. In addition to the couple’s wedding gift it is always nice to contribute a few extra bucks if they host a “Dollar Dance” during the festivities. Did I get you in a giving mood? You may want a few more greenbacks for that heavy-handed bartender or that speedy valet attendant. They work hard for the money too!

Relish in the fact that someone you love or at least know of is celebrating one of the happiest day lives and you have the honor of being apart of it. Be smart, be courteous and be safe. May you all "eat, drink and be married!"

Filter Fabulous!

Ahhhh....2012...how did you get here so fast? While others are anticipating the promise and possibilities of a brand spanking New Year I must admit...I am a bit bummed! Year after year, I live for the holidays! I crazily contemplate my Christmas crafts, manically manifest my menus, and devilishly deck the halls with boughs of holly! Now that the Yuletide has passed, I cower at the idea of taking all of my pretty, pretty decorations down and boxing them up until next year. Sigh....But wait, isn't the season of winter worth celebrating too? There are so many magical things that the winter brings- snow, frost, icicles and crackling fireplaces! For those of us living in climates close to the tropics, a winter wonderland may be only a dream or a ski vacation away. Here in Orlando; we are stewing in a steamy 75 degrees on this January day... No snowman or sledding for us any time soon! Upon my web travels, I found this adorable D.I.Y. wreath that may cause even Jack Frost himself to come nipping at your nose. How clever is this craft made out of what else but clean COFFEE FILTERS! What caught my eye about this craft is the wreath reminded me of wintery white carnations- one of my all time favorite, but much neglected flowers. If you are like me and need a little dose of creative crafting to help get you through those post Christmas blues, pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, sneak into those flannel penguin pj's and fire up that glue gun!

Materials:

* Styrofoam or hay wreath form (Note: If using pressed hay wreath, leave the plastic covering on!)
* Extra large coffee filters
* Hot glue gun and glue sticks
* White craft glue
* Stiff paintbrush
* Glitter
* Bow or ribbon (optional)

Directions:

Stack one coffee filter on top of another. Fold in half and pinch the bottom of both filters in center. Draw hand from bottom to top to bunch into a blossom; squeeze at pinched point to hold shape. Begin hot gluing pinched ends of filters side by side around the wreath form with blossoms pointing outward. Start from the outside of the ring in. Continue this pattern until wreath form is covered with coffee filter blooms. (Note: If you do find small gaps developing, feel free to fill these in with cupcake liners for texture and depth.) If you think your wreath needs a little pizzazz, brush watered-down craft glue onto wreath with a stiff brush and sprinkle with glitter. Use hot glue to attach a bow to wreath, if desired.

For those of you who may be sick of snowflakes and irritated by icicles by this point in the year, this couture coffee creation is changeable! Dust them with a little pink or blue spray paint for a friend's baby shower, incorporate pastel colored cupcake liners for a spring blossoms wreath or even use the natural unbleached coffee filters for a charming rustic look to be displayed all year long.  Happy Hot Gluing  and Happy New Year, All!

It's A Family Tradition!

Besides the spirit of giving that fills hearts around the world (and all the clearance sales,) the reason why I love the holiday season so is because of the repetition of tradition! Traditions are constants we can count on, despite what the year has given or taken away from us- we can find a sense of comfort and routine in our family traditions that we hold so dear. For those of you who know me, you are aware that I live in a Hallmark card. Every day is a holiday and every day deserves to be celebrated! Between me and my tremendously talented teacher of a mother, the Dostal/Thornton household has acquired a bountiful bevy of holiday traditions and cultural customs throughout the decades. Some stem back from my mother's childhood, growing up in a modest country home in rural Georgia while some were passed down from ancestor to ancestor in my father's Czech lineage. One tradition that my sister and I developed as youngsters is that we would spend the night under the Christmas tree every December 23. We loved falling asleep in our flannel PJ's, tucked away in our Coleman sleeping bags in the electric glow of thousands of multi-colored lights. That to us was Christmas Magic at its finest...Granted with changes in our lives such a marriages and babies, this routine has been tucked away for the years but not forgotten. We hope that one day; we can pass along this tradition for our children and their children to uphold. Food is generally a huge part of family traditions and holiday get-togethers. The recipe below I am sure has been re-written and re-vamped throughout the years to personal preferences but the ritual ultimately stays the same. As soon as everyone is awake (we are not morning folk), we all gather at the breakfast table still in our pajamas for Mimosas and Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole. Take a peek at the recipe below- hopefully it may appear in a new family tradition for you!

Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

1 can of crescent rolls

1 cup grated cheese, (Swiss is my mother's preference, but I like a Sharp Cheddar/Mozzarella blend)

1/2 cup grated cheese, additionally for topping after casserole is cooked

1 sleeve of hot breakfast sausage, cooked and drained of fat

1 sleeve of mild breakfast sausage, cooked and drained of fat

2 cups of milk or half-n-half

6 eggs

Butter for greasing casserole dish

Cracked salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350*. Grease casserole dish with butter. Press crescent roll dough in the bottom of the casserole dish, forming a crust. Dump both drained sausages into casserole dish and top with 1 cup of grated cheese. Beat eggs, milk and salt and pepper together, pour over sausage and cheese mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes and top with remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese before serving. Casserole is best warm!

Cherish your own special traditions you share with your family- hold them close to your heart. Even though every day is not a calendar holiday, there's no excuse not to celebrate it! Life is so precious and goes by so fast...Enjoy the magic and wonder of this Christmas season and here's to creating some new traditions of your own! Happy Holidays, Y'all!

Successful Soirees of the Season

Like the song says, here we are in the most wonderful time of the year! Parties, people and presents- can it get any better? The holidays hopefully are a time of joy, appreciation and reflection for you, but for many it can mean STRESS! There are gifts to be wrapped, stockings to be hung and of course, family to be entertained and celebrations to be thrown! With so many things to tend to in the month of December, it's no wonder sugar plums are dancing in our heads! We have included a few pointers below that will hopefully make your holiday party planning just a little bit merrier and much less hairier!

You Are Cordially Invited: Holiday party invitations can be offered up in paper post, email blasts, or a warm phone call to your favorite friends. No matter the media, ideally a party invitation should be sent out no less than 2 weeks prior to the event date. A good tip is to invite 20% more than the number of guests you wish at your gathering. Since the holiday season is already busting at the seams with parties, get-togethers and family vacations, you can safely count on 70% to 80% of your invitees attending. Invitations are the perfect way to set the theme and style of your fabulous fete! If you find yourself in a Christmas conundrum and just can't settle on a theme, first find an invitation that tickles your fancy. You now have a color palette, design and motif for your event- let the invitation be your inspiration!

Don't Shop Till You Drop: Plan your party shopping in a couple of trips so you can start with food preparation days in advance. This will also allow you to keep track of how many RSVP's you are actually shopping for to prevent over spending. Lists are so necessary! Plan your menu, and then devise your shopping list based off of your pre-selected recipes. Group the products together in order of the aisles they appear in the supermarket. If possible, avoid weekend shopping excursions or the after-work dinner rush. Orchestrating your grocery run during "off-times" will save you time and a holiday headache!

Food for All: Prepare a menu around a variety of dietary needs. So many people have food allergies and a gracious hostess is sensitive to these needs. Acknowledge guests who may have nut allergies, gluten free diets, vegan/vegetarian life styles and even dairy intolerance. If you have a guests attending whom you know has one of these special dietary needs, you may want to give a courtesy call to review menu with them and let he/she know you have made arrangements for them. Not only will they feel warm and fuzzy, but you can rest assured that everyone will be able to eat, drink and be merry at your holiday bash!

Safety First: Be mindful of food safety by keeping platters small and replenish often. Consider covering platters with plastic wrap right until the very first guest arrives. One rule of thumb in catering is that food held outside of temperature, either hot or cold, must be used within 3 ½ hours or discarded. That means your clams casino cannot hang out on the buffet all evening. Offer hand sanitizer in the restroom and encourage your guests to pick up a clean plate before hitting up the food table again.

Liquor Laws: Everyone likes to imbibe in a cup or two of "Christmas Cheer" during the holidays! When serving alcoholic beverages, be sure to include a variety of food that will prevent punch-drunk party guests. High-protein foods and complex carbs are your best bet. Consider offering an antipasti tray with a variety of meats and cheeses, a carving station with lean proteins such as turkey or pork tenderloin, or a crowd favorite, jumbo shrimp cocktail. Fruits and vegetables containing Vitamins B and C are also great defenses against ho-ho-horrible hangovers. Towards the end of the your swinging soiree, offer rib-sticking treats such a mini-grilled cheeses, breaded mozzarella sticks, hamburger sliders, etc. as send off snacks. These naughty nibbles will be much appreciated by your guests that night and their morning after. Consider ordering custom water bottle labels and setting up a tub of chilled bottled waters by the door. Encourage your guests to take two or three as "party favors" as you send them off. If a guest is not capable of driving home, set up the Aero bed for them in the spare room or arrange for a taxi to take them home. As always, safety first!

Be YOUR Guest: This will be a hard pill for all of my divas to swallow! We sure do love our D.I.Y. projects and concocting all of our favorite recipes, but sometimes you just have to surrender! Consider paying a maid service to come in both before and after your party to take care cleaning out all those hidden nooks and crannies. You may also want to look into having your party catered or perhaps you provide the dessert or your family favorites and entrust a caterer to provide food and service. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, find some time for you to relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends. This will be money well spent.

We hope these soiree suggestions help make your yearly yuletide gathering a memorable and stress-free occasion for you. Keep in mind however, if the pigs in a blanket burn or if the cupcakes collapse, let it go. Do not stress! Try to focus on the positive and remember, at the end of the day it's all about creating the friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Happy Holidays, Y'all!

Turkey Day Table Talk

The feasting and festivities of Thanksgiving are a week away and even though I know you have talked turkey, have you talked table? As you thumb through the pages of your heirloom cookbooks and seek out the newest recipes from Alton and Emeril, dedicate some of your time to the design of your dining room table. Creating the perfect place setting is key to a well-remembered dinner party as we all know we feast first with our eyes! Our suggestions below will not only entertain but engage your guests at this year's Thanksgiving Day table.

Table Linen- Do you really need one? If your table is a modern glass top or a sumptuous hardwood, you may not require linen. If you are however working with a hand me down dining room set, covered with few water rings and pizza grease stains, let your linen lead the way. Table coverings can be inviting and inexpensive! Better Homes & Gardens has a lovely cost-effective line of linens offered at Wal-mart Stores for under $10.00 a cloth! The Hera of Holidays, Ms. Martha Stewart has her own bevy of brocades and damasks available at K-mart and Macy's for reasonable prices as well. Before you begin looking for linen, be sure you have your table measurements in hand. The same goes if you would like to make your table covering. Stop by the local fabric shop and pick up a few yards of rustic burlap or ecru canvas for a fast cover-up. You may even want to bolster your table in brown butcher's paper. Give your dinner guests colored pens and they can write what they are thankful for this year on the covering. You will be grateful for all the sincere sentiments and the ease of clean-up.

Napkins- Want to really make an impact? Napkin folds! Simple and solid to over-the-top origami, napkin folds can be found all over the web. The secret to making a beautifully folded napkin is your napkin needs to be steamed and starched. This will give it a "back-bone" and aid in keeping its shape. If fanciful folds are out of your league, fret not! This is when the napkin ring is king! Thick gold, orange or brown floral wire twisted and turned in your own circular creation works wonders. No, it's not 1993, but scrunchies with a delicate gold button or small crystal embellishment glued to them will keep your napkin and your crimped pony-tail in place!

Chargers- These over-sized glammy plates are a wise investment for the frequent hostess. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the charger concept, they are large decorative plates placed under your actual dinner plate. Charger plate etiquette and use varies among caterers and restaurants. Chargers can be removed as soon as the guests are seated or after the salad course or entree course are taken away. Since the plates are not actually used to serve food on, we leave the charger removal at your own personal discretion. Creative chargers come in hand-blown glass, rattan, wood, steel, etc. Melamine and plastic are practical and durable options for a charger. They are not dishwasher safe but can be easily wiped down after the big feast with a damp rag and a dose of elbow grease. Melamine or plastic will also be the most cost efficient option- a huge impact for the slightest charge.

Centerpieces- I like the old adage low and long for holiday and formal gatherings. Since Thanksgiving dinners are usually a time for catching up and conversing with your closet family and friends, you don't want your centerpieces to block your line of vision with your dear ones. Varying sizes of pillar candles with apples and leaves intertwined down the middle of the table will give you a clean and classic look. Gold-painted twigs, branches and acorns add some shimmer and shine to your Turkey time. Trust your family florist to design something elegant and traditional using autumnal colored Chrysanthemums, berries and wheat stalks. You may want to forgo the centerpiece all together and let your food be the focus of your fete.

Place Card Holders- Put them in their place! The best way to personalize a table and make your guests feel a part of the gathering is place cards. These cleverly crafted cards are fashionable and functional. Please consider these "gourd-eous" place card holders we have pictured here. All we did was take a mini pumpkin (this one is actually plastic so I can use them for years to come but the real thing is preferred) and very carefully, slit the stem deep enough to hold a place card. The same concept could be applied to a small piece of Indian corn, a Bosc pear or even a pinecone. A freshly fallen leaf with your guest's name written in gold or silver paint pen is a pleasing place card as well.

Hopefully, these tableside tips will guide you in creating a marvelous and memorable holiday for all. We wish you and your families a delightfully decadent Thanksgiving and are grateful to have your love and support throughout the years!