Sip & See

A client mentioned a Sip & See and I giggled. The only one I had heard of was Phaedra’s of Housewives of Atlanta. The client was adament on having a Sip & See for her little bean. So I started researching, the term "Sip and See" describes exactly what happens at the event, guests sip on drinks and look at the baby. I discovered that Sip & See’s originated in the South. They aren’t meant to replace baby showers, yet are in theory an open house for friends and families to visit the newborn two to six weeks after his or her arrival. I would suggest six weeks being the earliest, as the new mommy will need time to recover physically and mentally too.

Have a digital camera on hand to take pictures of the guest of honor with guests. This will be perfect for the 1st year scrapbook.

:::Invitations:::
Since a Sip & See isn’t as traditional as a babyshower, there aren’t as many options as far as formal invitations. However, Tiny Prints has a few options. Depending on the wording of some babyshower invitations, they could be used. Haute Kature is all about custom design. Go to Michaels, AC Moore, or your local craft store and get plain cards and design your own. If the new mommy is hosting the Sip & See simply using a baby shower invitation from Evite will do.

If the new parents have already had a baby shower, more specifically, have invited the same guests to that baby shower. It needs to be noted on the invitation that gifts are optional: “Your presence is gift enough.” Some will bring gifts anyway, but allow the invitee to know its an option and not mandatory.

:::Venue:::
These can be hosted at the home of the new parents, Godparent’s home, a private restaurant, or a small venue. This event does not need to be formal.

As long as there is space for gathering, good eats, and enjoying the guest(s) of honor.

Set up a few Hand Sanitizer stations where guests can sanitize their hands upon entering the venue, if the bathroom isn’t readily available. And with the Sip & See having an open house feel not everyone may get to the bathroom to wash their hands. The guest(s) of honor’s immune system is still developing and doesn’t need any.

If possible set up a hand washing station with plenty of towels.

:::Décor:::

Keep the décor simple without sacrificing style.

Fill vases with colored stones and or clear rhinestones and water. Add a floating candle or flower. Place on tables with extra stones or flower petals.

Paper Latterns are a small but elegant touch.

Frosted votive candle holders on the tables.

Wrap some empty boxes with wrapping paper to match your décor and wrap with ribbon. Place small boxes around food setup.

:::Menu:::
Fruit trays or fruit bouquets (tutorial)
Veggie Tray
Deviled Eggs
Finger Sandwiches
Pasta Salad
Traditional Salad w/ a variety of dressings

The food should be light and refreshing. Enough to hold the guest over for an hour or two, yet not as fulfilling as a full dinner.


:::Beverages:::
Fruit Punch
Bottled Water
Mocktails
Cocktails
Champagne Bar –your favorite champagne and a vaiety of juices. Allow the guests to create their own concunction otherwise known as a “Mimosa” Mimosa’s are traditionally consumed at Brunch, but live a little.

Small cards can be placed near the champagne to suggest “recipes” and juice and champagne mixes to eliminate trial and error for some guests who aren’t ready to live on the edge yet. Have some fun and give the mixes fun names.

A traditional Sip & See was a tea party…hence “sip” as tea is warm. However, this has since been adapted to include all types of beverages. If the new mommy isn’t breastfeeding, it would be wonderful for her to have a “sip” or two of wine after a long nine months without ☺.

:::Desserts:::
Mini Cupcakes
Petite Cookies

Sip & See

A client mentioned a Sip & See and I giggled. The only one I had heard of was Phaedra’s of Housewives of Atlanta. She was adament on having a Sip & See for her little bean. So I started researching, the term "Sip and See" describes exactly what happens at the event, guests sip on drinks and look at the baby. and discovered that Sip & See’s originated in the South. They aren’t meant to replace baby showers, yet are in theory an open house for friends and families to visit the newborn two to six weeks after his or her arrival. I would suggest six weeks being the earliest, as the new mommy will need time to recover physically and mentally too.

Have a digital camera on hand to take pictures of the guest of honor with guest. This will be perfect for the 1st year scrapbook.


:::Invitations:::
Since a Sip & See isn’t as traditional as a babyshower, there aren’t as many options as far as formal invitations. However, Tiny Prints has a few options. Depending on the wording of some babyshower invitations, they could be used. Haute Kature is all about custom design. Go to Michaels, AC Moore, or your local craft store and get plain cards and design your own. If the new mommy is hosting the Sip & See simply using a baby shower invitation from Evite will do.

If the new parents have already had a baby shower, more specifically, have invited the same guests to that baby shower. It needs to be noted on the invitation that gifts are optional: “Your presence is gift enough.” Some will bring gifts anyway, but allow the invitee to know its an option and not mandatory.

:::Venue:::
These can be hosted at the home of the new parents, Godparent’s home, a private restaurant, or a small venue. This event does not need to be formal.

As long as there is space for gathering, good eats, and enjoying the guest(s) of honor.

Set up a few Hand Sanitizer stations where guests can sanitize their hands upon entering the venue, if the bathroom isn’t readily available. And with the Sip & See having an open house feel there not everyone may get to the bathroom to wash their hands. The guest(s) of honor’s immune system is still developing and doesn’t need any.

If possible set up a hand washing station with plenty of towels.


:::Décor:::

Keep the décor simple without sacrificing style.

Fill vases with colored stones and or clear rhinestones

and water. Add a floating candle or flower. Place on tables with extra stones or flower petals.

Paper Latterns are a small but elegant touch.

Frosted votive candle holders on the tables.

Wrap some empty boxes with wrapping paper to match your décor and wrap with ribbon. Place small boxes around food setup.

:::Menu:::
Fruit trays or fruit bouquets (tutorial)
Veggie Tray
Deviled Eggs
Finger Sandwiches
Pasta Salad
Traditional Salad w/ a variety of dressings

The food should be light and refreshing. Enough to hold the guest over for an hour or two, yet not as fulfilling as a full dinner.


:::Beverages:::
Fruit Punch (http://allrecipes.com/recipes/drinks/punch/top.aspx)
Bottled Water
Mocktails (http://allrecipes.com//Recipes/drinks/mocktails/Main.aspx)
Cocktails
Champagne Bar –your favorite champagne and a vaiety of juices. Allow the guests to create their own concunction otherwise known as a “Mimosa” (http://wine.about.com/od/servingwines/a/mimosarecipes.htm) Mimosa’s are traditionally consumed at Brunch, but live a little.

Small cards can be placed near the champagne to suggest “recipes” and juice and champagne mixes to eliminate trial and error for some guests who aren’t ready to live on the edge yet. Have some fun and give the mixes fun names.

A traditional Sip & See was a tea party…hence “sip” as tea is warm. However, this has since been adapted to include all types of beverages. If the new mommy isn’t breastfeeding, it would be wonderful for her to have a “sip” or two of wine after a long nine months without ☺.

:::Desserts:::
Mini Cupcakes
Petite Cookies

Super Bowl Party

Are you READY for some football??? 16 weeks later and its time for the XLV Super Bowl! What does that mean?? Partying with friends and family...watching men in tights! :-)

You don't have to be a football fanatic to host a super bowl party. Supply food, drinks, fun, and the game. Just don't interrupt the fanatics with too many questions during the most important game of the season.

My favorite part of the Super Bowl is always the commercials. This year a 30 second slot is expected to cost $3 million. What recession? ;-)

The first thing in planning a party...invites!

Due to the Super Bowl coming up in less than two weeks. Evite is the perfect option for FREE Superbowl inspired e-invitations.

Set the arrival time about 60 minutes prior to kick off. KIck off starts at 6:30pm. Christina Aguilera will perform the National Anthem and the Black Eyed Peas are the scheduled half-time performance.

Super Bowl parties do not need a lot of decor as the main attraction is the T.V. and the game. However, what fun would a party be without decorations. You can keep it simple or go all out, completely up to you. The guest list could be intimate or as large as you like. Kid-free or kid friendly. Haute Kature will offer a few suggestions to assist you in planning an impromptu/last minute Super Bowl Party!

You can go with solid colors of the teams playing, or utilize team inspired party tableware Target carries a nice selection of football serveware online and in stores.

1.) Hostess gives great ideas for table top decor.

Here's a tutorial on making a football field table cloth.

Wrap a cereal box with football inspired wrapping/scrapbook paper that matches the assigned colors. Then glue Astro Turf to the top of the wrapped box. Add ribbon around the areas where the Astro Turf meets the box so it appears seamless. This could be used to showcase food.

The Dollar Tree has megaphones and foam footballs that can be places around the table.


2.) Chocolate Rice Crispy Football Treats from Make and Take


3.) Referee Cupcakes - for all the Refs watching the game ;-)

4.) Football Cupcakes-really easy and cute to make.

5.) Cheerleader Cupcakes-really really cute...colors are perfect for Green Bay Cheerleaders.

6.) Penalty Flags- These are lolipops wrapped with yellow napkins and wrapped with ribbon. Awesome addition to any party.

7.) Redzone Refresher- this vodka mixer is a referesher for the potential disappointments that may arise during the game.

8.) Green cocktails- Sticking with the color theme.

9.) Yellow Cocktails - Sticking with the color theme.

Add colorful balloons to the room and kitchen. If you have any football equipment, bring it out to add to the decor.

:::Menu:::
Simply doing a pot luck and encouraging guests to bring food will cut costs. A typical super bowl party includes: water, soft drinks, beer, gatorade for the Refs ;-), pizza, nachos, buffalo wings, John Madden reccomends spare ribs. Epicurious has some great game-day recipes.

:::Minor Details:::

If kid-friendly...
-print football inspired coloring sheets
-have crafts to keep them busy
-decorate football shaped cookies
-set up a TV and DVD player for them to enjoy a few football inspired movies

1. Remember the Titans
2. The Water Boy
3. Jerry Maguire
4. The Blind Side

Winter Beach Party

Burrrr…its so cold out and many just don’t feel like going out. Having a Winter Luau/Indoor Beach Party is a fun alternative to the brisk outdoors. This party is fun for adults and children.

::::Invites::: Since most of us separate our winter and summer clothes, give your guests at least a two week notice when inviting them out, so they can pull out their bathing suits and flip flops.

:::::Dress Code:::: Beach Attire, Shell Bra, Coconut bra, Hawaiian shirts, Hula skirts, Sarong, Muumuu’s, flip flops or water shoes.

::::Décor:::: Fun fun fun…bright colors to mimic the sunshine and flowers that we are missing thins time of year. Hang up beach balls, pool floats, and beach umbrellas, around the house. Use beach towels as table covers. Bring out your plastic outdoor furniture if there’s room. Unroll beach mats for extra seating. Place fishbowls around the house with Beta fish. They usually range from $2 to $7 and you can always give these away as favors. Wine glasses serve as great chic fishbowls ;-) You could save the fish bowls to serve snacks.

If hardwood floors, you can put a plastic paint tarp down and fill a few plastic children’s pool with water or sand. Or just use a blue tarp to look like the ocean water.

Turn the heat up to about 75-80 degrees in the house, to make a warm weather atmosphere. Use heat lamps too, if you have them. Provide a private dressing area for your guests to change into their beach attire. 

Have a bowl with party favors of flip flops, sunglasses, leis, beach hats, beach buckets and shovels, swimming glasses, Frisbees, bubbles…so that your guests will be able to engage in beach fun upon arrival.

 ::Possible Menu:: Hawaiian pizza, fruit salad, ice cream cake. (luau theme) Or fire up the grill with hotdogs and hamburgers to side with baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, finger sandwiches, corn on the cob, and an ice cream cake. Seafood always works. (Make sure to check if any guests have seafood allergies.) Goldfish crackers out of a beach bucket. Nothing says summer like ice cream. You could even create a sundae bar with various ice creams and toppings (sliced fruit, nuts, flavored sauces, whipped cream, and candy.

Vanilla Ice cream sprinkled with graham crackers can be designed delicately into an edible sand castle.

Add frozen fruit to juice and serve with parasol umbrella sticks.

Serve guests out of picnic baskets or have a buffet style set up.

Activities for the minors:

·      Painting sea shells

·      Decorating sun visors (always in stock at $1 Tree)

·      Water balloons in a heated garage

·      Sand building contest using play-doh

·      Limbo contest

·      Hula hoop contest

·      Gone fishing

o    Have the kids fish for gummy worms with fishing poles (tooth brushes with floss tied around with a paper clip attached)

*Minors at heart…should try these activities too =)

The ideas are endless…this party could stem into a theme party of Spongebob, Little Mermaid, Nautical, and Pirates and lost treasure. 

Last Minute New Years Eve Party

Are you undecided on what to do for New Years? Do I stay in or do I deal with the hassle of a crowded club? I’m sure many of your friends are debating how they should bring the New Year in as well. You and your crowd can party at your place. Many people put off their NYE plans until last minute, so don’t worry about the guest list that much. Last minute parties eliminate the need for paper invites. Sending out evites, texts, calls, tweeting, and (or) facebooking will work wonders. Be sure to ask for RSVPs to plan…last minute parties still leave room for some planning.

Since the highlight of a NYE party is the New Year, the start time should be at 9pm at the earliest. Starting the party at this time eliminates the need for a lot of food. Your guests would have eaten dinner already and aren’t starving . Appetizers are the way to go. Try these easy appetizers. Or you could serve light snacks (mini pizzas, pretzels and chips), then around 10:30 p.m., set out a breakfast buffet.

The best thing about NYE parties is there is no required theme, so get creative!

    

• Christmas just passed. Have you taken down the decor? Keep it up and embellish on what you have. 

•  Embrace the winter, clip some bare branches from your yard and arrange them in sleek vases. If you have time, spray paint the branches white or silver. The branches can then be decorated with icicle ornaments and white lights and be set upon tables throughout the room or can be used as a centerpiece for a dinner table.  Continue the white and silver theme to napkins and dishes (paper or porcelin). Add some bling with glitter and (or) confetti.  

• 007 anyone? Black and silver or gold are excellent options for a New Year's Eve party.  Accessories in these colors can be found easily and make for an elegant New Year's Eve party. Use black dishes and napkins with silver or gold flatware, provide black "top hats" and silver or gold crowns (available at most party supply stores), and ask that your party guests dress up in black tie and evening attire to carry the theme even further.

• Leftover holiday paper is used for streamers. 
• Instead of streamers, or along with streamers, use curling ribbon to make a room look extra fancy. You can also make paper chains!
• Fill balloons with confetti (use a funnel). You can pop these at midnight for some extra celebrating. Another fun idea is to write out 'fortunes' on small slips of paper and pop one into each balloon.
• Dim your lights and flood the house with votive candles. Candles are the most romantic and cost effective way to create a festive, sexy atmosphere! :::Tip::: To make your candles burn longer, put them in a zip lock bag in the freezer the day before your party.
• Buy pink bulbs at any local home store (for example, Home Depot) and swap them into your lamps for the night; you will be amazed at the difference it makes and the atmosphere it creates!

   What’s a NYE party without drinks???

On New Year's Eve, serve a specialty drink at the start of the party  and champagne at midnight, and then invite your guests to BYOB their favorites. As the host, be sure to provide all the setups, such as soda, tonic, soft drinks, lemons, limes, etc.

Create a Specialty Cocktail

The secret to creating glamorous cocktails is all in the packaging. Give it a fun name (and announce it with a sign at the bar), a pretty glass, and chic garnish, and everyone will want to partake. Making one specialty drink is also a great way to save money on wine, which costs much more drink-for-drink when serving a crowd.

                                                  :::Champagne Drink Ideas:::

Lava Lamp

Ingredients:

- 6 oz chilled champagne (or sparkling wine)

- 1 tbsp Ocean Spray Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries

- 1/6 oz fresh lemon juice

Pour chilled champagne (or sparkling wine) into a champagne flute. Add sweetened dried cranberries. Let it sit for a moment. Cranberries will begin to slowly float up and down in glass. Serve while chilled.

Check out Cocktail Times for the recipe to create a Junior Lava Lamp, the non alcoholic alternative to Lava Lamp. 

 Champagne Dessert Bar???

1. Pomegranate Sangria by Bobby Flay-Try substituting Trader Joe’s Cranberry Hibiscus juice for the pomegranate juice  and using fresh cranberries
2.  White Peach Cassis Champagne Float-super-easy & refreshing dessert that's part Kir Royale, part peach parfait, and looks amazing! 
3. Jellied Champagne Dessert Recipe- features lemon sorbet, champagne, and citrus vodka.
4. Champagne Granita by Bobby Flay- features champagne, sugar, & lemons.
5. Champagne Infused Strawberry Soup by Marcus Samuelson- features strawberries, champagne, lemon, mint leaves, & lime sorbet. 

                               Haute ideas for the last night of the year

In Spain, revelers mark the new year by quickly eating a dozen grapes at midnight. The fruit is said to be a predictor of the year ahead: Each sweet grape represents a good month, each sour grape a less-than-lucky one. Adopt the tradition by threading grapes onto skewers, and serve each in a glass of Champagne just before the countdown. Courtesy of Martha. 

At midnight, kissing may begin to bring the new year in. So place mints in your bathroom to keep things fresh!

Have phone numbers on-hand for your local taxi cab companies in case some of your guests need a lift home.

Have a hangover readiness kit as party favors…include BC powder or Ibuprofen, vitamin C, and bottled water.

Princess Tea Party

Princess Tea Party