Inside the Studio

Fancy That!

Tonight we got fancy!  For no reason at all, "Dinner at the Becks" was a fancy, frivolous occasion! 

Inspired by the latest children's book by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser -- FANCY NANCY... Let's Get Fancy Together -- the youngest in our family, Grace, decided to throw a fancy feast for dinner.  And surprisingly, even on the first night back to school after vacation for 2 weeks, everyone participated with pomp and circumstance!
Grace was able to talk Shane into cooking for the occasion and he prepared the Short Ribs on the cover of the October 2007 issue of Bon Appetite. Mmm Mmm good!  She used the invitations from the book, set place cards and gave away party favors -- that's mamma's girl!

In Nancy's honor, dinner was served on our fancy, french china, we sat in the dining room and ate by candle light, dressed as fancy as we could take our selves seriously! From feathery boas to glittery sunglasses, we dined and laughed and toasted a fun and fancy family occasion!

Merci Beaucoup, Gracie ... for the frivilous night!
xoxo, momma

    

Perfectly Polished.

Last night a couple of girlfriends and I went to a new nail salon in our area, Polished.  It was REALLY cool.  They are completely committed to hygeine (nice to know my feet won't fall off from a fungus), but they're also really committed to the environment.  They have their own custom brand of nail polish made that doesn't include any harmful chemicals-no Toluene, Formaldehyde or DBT! (I'll pretend that I know what all of that actually is.)

What I REALLY like is that when you pick out your nail polish color, you select from a little kiosk of display colors, then open the drawer below to grab a smaller version of the polish bottle (I chose "Yoga Mama" for my nails and "How Big?" for my toes!).  You give your miniature bottle of polish to your technician, and that's what they use to do your nails (so you're the only person to ever use it)... PLUS, when they're done, you get to take the bottle home for touch-ups or future use- how great is that?!  It's a Pedicure Party Favor!

The experience was so great that it totally inspired me to have a Spa Day Party in the future!  I would pick an invitation like this (E572) or this (7104) and reserve one of their "private rooms" for me and five other girlfriends.  What a great idea for a birthday or pre-wedding pampering for a bride and her bridesmaids!

This place really was different than a lot of nail salons I've been to- everything was super clean, it was quiet, the massage chairs were GREAT, and the employees were SO nice and talented.  I'll definitely be following up with another appointment soon!  {And if you live in the Dallas area, you should check it out!}

Boy, Oh Boy!

My brother and his wife have a baby boy on the way! In their honor, Shane and I and my sister, Connie, threw them a Couples Baby Shower!  We really wanted a sophisticated look for the party, so we set the tone with this blue and brown square invitation with ribbon (R6-26).

Two Sisters Catering provided an excellent pearl pasta bar where guests could add their own toppings- sauteed mushrooms, beef tenderloin or chicken, garlic, grilled veggies, and add their choice of sauce too- yum! To carry on the blue and brown theme,  we served cupcakes for dessert with petite blue flowers on them- so simple and so cute!

The table decorations included floral arrangements with white, blue, and purple flowers with scattered beautiful stones and votive candles on the table to reflect light and add a little color.

It was a wonderful party, and Teresa and Angelo got lots of great goodies for their little guy on the way!

-Rosanne

T.G.I.F. Bowl-O-Rama

Themed party, Great ideas, and Inspiration Fridays!  T.G.I.F.!

Three strikes and... it's a turkey!  This week's TGIF pays homage to the good old-fashioned pastime of bowling!  You could use a few of the following ideas and whip up a little get-together this weekend, or you could plan a party for next weekend and mail your invitations on Monday!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this Friday we're taking it to the lanes!  You don't have to be a pro bowler to enjoy a dark, air-conditioned bowling alley during these hot summer months- that's what bumpers are for!

Today's theme:  Bowl-O-Rama

Invitation ideas: 

 

(shown here:  68W88 and 6039)

                 

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

" It's time to head down to the bowling lanes, enjoy a few beers and bowl a few frames!"

"Can you SPARE the time to join us for a Bowl-a-riffic Party?"

"Let's have a ball for (Name's) Birthday!"

The details: 

There's plenty of activity at a bowling alley for atmosphere, but a few balloons might liven up your lane if you MUST decorate.  You should also check to see if your local alley does "blacklight bowling" (it's called something different everywhere you go).  Usually, an alley will have this time as something separate than regular bowling- with blacklights and glow-in-the-dark bowling balls and fast-paced music.  It's definitely NOT the bowling alley experience that your parents and granparents enjoyed.

If you're planning to take a group for a specific event (like a birthday), you could also spice things up by giving away bowling shirts as party favors, and letting everyone wear them during the party!  I found these fun "ready-made" shirts that you can purchase for your guests.  You might even inspire your guests to join you in creating a team to join a bowling league!  You could be the "Bowling Stones" (shown on the right), the "Dangerous Dames", the "Gutter Girls", or the "PinBusters".  Or you can come up with your own team name and have the shirts completely customized!

The menu:

Every bowling alley should have a snack bar where you can get the usual suspects- nachos, pizza, popcorn, burgers and fries, and pitchers of beer.   Even though these might not sound like what you will WANT to eat at your gathering, you might be surprised how you'll start craving an alley snack once you get to knocking down those pins! (Note, before you plan on bringing in outside food- like a cake or other snack, check with your local alley's policy.)

Here's to enjoying the summer (and the air-conditioning inside a bowling alley)!

Happy Friday!

Three strikes and... it's a turkey!  This week's TGIF pays homage to the good old-fashioned pastime of bowling!  You could use a few of the following ideas and whip up a little get-together this weekend, or you could plan a party for next weekend and mail your invitations on Monday!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this Friday we're taking it to the lanes!  You don't have to be a pro bowler to enjoy a dark, air-conditioned bowling alley during these hot summer months- that's what bumpers are for!

Today's theme:  Bowl-O-Rama

Invitation ideas: 

 

(shown here:  68W88 and 6039)

                 

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

" It's time to head down to the bowling lanes, enjoy a few beers and bowl a few frames!"

"Can you SPARE the time to join us for a Bowl-a-riffic Party?"

"Let's have a ball for (Name's) Birthday!"

The details: 

There's plenty of activity at a bowling alley for atmosphere, but a few balloons might liven up your lane if you MUST decorate.  You should also check to see if your local alley does "blacklight bowling" (it's called something different everywhere you go).  Usually, an alley will have this time as something separate than regular bowling- with blacklights and glow-in-the-dark bowling balls and fast-paced music.  It's definitely NOT the bowling alley experience that your parents and granparents enjoyed.

If you're planning to take a group for a specific event (like a birthday), you could also spice things up by giving away bowling shirts as party favors, and letting everyone wear them during the party!  I found these fun "ready-made" shirts that you can purchase for your guests.  You might even inspire your guests to join you in creating a team to join a bowling league!  You could be the "Bowling Stones" (shown on the right), the "Dangerous Dames", the "Gutter Girls", or the "PinBusters".  Or you can come up with your own team name and have the shirts completely customized!

The menu:

Every bowling alley should have a snack bar where you can get the usual suspects- nachos, pizza, popcorn, burgers and fries, and pitchers of beer.   Even though these might not sound like what you will WANT to eat at your gathering, you might be surprised how you'll start craving an alley snack once you get to knocking down those pins! (Note, before you plan on bringing in outside food- like a cake or other snack, check with your local alley's policy.)

Here's to enjoying the summer (and the air-conditioning inside a bowling alley)!

Happy Friday!

Every Flower has a Meaning...

When choosing the blooms for your event, you'll certainly consider the color, size, and shape of different flowers, but it's also nice to think of their significance.

According to Martha, the Calla Lily is a flower of "magnificent beauty"... not only in its looks, but also in what it stands for.

Our new Calla Lily invitation is perfect for a summer wedding celebration.  It's inviting for any occasion... bridal brunch, bridesmaids luncheon, tea, or wedding!

Consider these ideas for cupcakes or the wedding cake, a flower arrangement or centerpieces, and these adorable party tins for favors too!

Have fun planning!

Links:    Cupcakes

Wedding Cake

Floral Arrangement

Favor Pails

TGIF- Margarita Madness

Themed party, Great ideas, and Inspiration Fridays!  T.G.I.F.!

How about trying to beat the summer heat with a frosty beverage?  This week's TGIF is all about the margarita!  You could use a few of the following ideas and whip up a little get-together this weekend, or you could plan a party for next week and mail your invitations on Monday!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this Friday we're starting things off with a little salt and lime (hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?)! 

Today's theme:  Margarita Madness

Invitation ideas: 

(shown here: 68W62 and 5022)

                 

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

" Frozen or on the rocks, strawberry or lime... No matter how you like it, margaritas are always a good time!"

"Calling all senors and senoritas!  Join us on the patio for muchies and margaritas!"

"We've got the recipe for a great time:  A blender, a bottle of tequila, and a little salt and lime!"

"It's a Girls' Night IN and we're shaking things up with margaritas on the the rocks!"

The decorations: 

Keep it simple.  A crisp, white tablecloth on the patio would be stunning with the addition of a floral centerpiece like this one on the left.  Or if you want to make it even easier on yourself, fill a couple of different glass containers (of various shapes/sizes) with key limes and surround them with votive candles on the table.

The menu:

Chips and salsa or guacamole make the perfect snack for a margarita night!  So pick up a bag of tortilla chips (and ingredients for the recipes below) at the store and get ready for a South-of-the-Border fiesta!

Easy Guacamole (This is a realy crowd-pleaser!  I always get requests for this recipe!)
6 ripe avacados

1 small lemon

2 small tomatoes

1/2 red onion

garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

Dice each avocado and place in a large bowl.  Using a potato masher or large fork, gently mash the avocado to break down the large chunks (being careful not to "overwork" it... if you mash the avacado completely, your guacamole will be a soupy texture by the time you're finished!). 

Next, dice the red onion into small pieces and add to the avocado (do not stir yet).  You will dice the tomatoes as well, but you want to scoop out all of the seeds with a spoon, so all that gets put into the guacamole is the outer layer of the tomato.  Gently combine the ingredients in the bowl, slowly adding garlic salt, salt, and pepper to taste.  Again, stir carefully, or you will loose that thick, hearty consistency!  Squeeze half of the lemon over the guacamole (to help keep it from turning brown) and give it one last stir... Then you're done!

Tomatillo Salsa

"Pepe" Margaritas (an easy recipe borrowed from my friend Kate)

1 can frozen limeade mix

Tequila

Gin

Grand Mariner

Ice

Margarita Salt

Limes for garnish

To make Kate's yummy "Pepe" margaritas, throw 1 can of frozen limeade mix into the blender.  Then fill the blender with 2 parts Tequila, 1 part Gin, and a shot of Grand Mariner (just for fun).  Add ice until you get the conistency desired.  Using a slice of lime to rim the edge of the glass and place face-down in margarita salt.  Pour the margaritas in the glass and serve cold!  Garnish with a lime, if desired.

Happy Friday everyone!

How about trying to beat the summer heat with a frosty beverage?  This week's TGIF is all about the margarita!  You could use a few of the following ideas and whip up a little get-together this weekend, or you could plan a party for next week and mail your invitations on Monday!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this Friday we're starting things off with a little salt and lime (hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?)! 

Today's theme:  Margarita Madness

Invitation ideas: 

(shown here: 68W62 and 5022)

                 

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

" Frozen or on the rocks, strawberry or lime... No matter how you like it, margaritas are always a good time!"

"Calling all senors and senoritas!  Join us on the patio for muchies and margaritas!"

"We've got the recipe for a great time:  A blender, a bottle of tequila, and a little salt and lime!"

"It's a Girls' Night IN and we're shaking things up with margaritas on the the rocks!"

The decorations: 

Keep it simple.  A crisp, white tablecloth on the patio would be stunning with the addition of a floral centerpiece like this one on the left.  Or if you want to make it even easier on yourself, fill a couple of different glass containers (of various shapes/sizes) with key limes and surround them with votive candles on the table.

The menu:

Chips and salsa or guacamole make the perfect snack for a margarita night!  So pick up a bag of tortilla chips (and ingredients for the recipes below) at the store and get ready for a South-of-the-Border fiesta!

Easy Guacamole (This is a realy crowd-pleaser!  I always get requests for this recipe!)
6 ripe avacados

1 small lemon

2 small tomatoes

1/2 red onion

garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

Dice each avocado and place in a large bowl.  Using a potato masher or large fork, gently mash the avocado to break down the large chunks (being careful not to "overwork" it... if you mash the avacado completely, your guacamole will be a soupy texture by the time you're finished!). 

Next, dice the red onion into small pieces and add to the avocado (do not stir yet).  You will dice the tomatoes as well, but you want to scoop out all of the seeds with a spoon, so all that gets put into the guacamole is the outer layer of the tomato.  Gently combine the ingredients in the bowl, slowly adding garlic salt, salt, and pepper to taste.  Again, stir carefully, or you will loose that thick, hearty consistency!  Squeeze half of the lemon over the guacamole (to help keep it from turning brown) and give it one last stir... Then you're done!

Tomatillo Salsa

"Pepe" Margaritas (an easy recipe borrowed from my friend Kate)

1 can frozen limeade mix

Tequila

Gin

Grand Mariner

Ice

Margarita Salt

Limes for garnish

To make Kate's yummy "Pepe" margaritas, throw 1 can of frozen limeade mix into the blender.  Then fill the blender with 2 parts Tequila, 1 part Gin, and a shot of Grand Mariner (just for fun).  Add ice until you get the conistency desired.  Using a slice of lime to rim the edge of the glass and place face-down in margarita salt.  Pour the margaritas in the glass and serve cold!  Garnish with a lime, if desired.

Happy Friday everyone!

TGIF is back!

The past few weeks have been a flurry of designing and samples and preparing for the Show, but now that we're getting back into the normal groove of things, TGIF is BACK!

Themed party, Great ideas, and Inspiration Fridays!  T.G.I.F.!

The temperature in Texas has been rising (we hit 100 degrees twice already this week-whew, so long, Spring!)... and that's got me all ready to fire up the grill!

What better way to kick off your summer than with a few fun ideas for throwing a backyard party?  You could use a few of these ideas and whip up a little get-together for tomorrow night, or you could plan it out and mail your invitations next week!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this Friday we're getting into the SUMMER spirit!

Today's theme:  Backyard BBQ

Invitation ideas: 

(shown here, 68W26, 7526, and 7099)

           

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

 

" Let's get together for no special reason...Just to celebrate good food, good friends, and the summer season!"

"Come on over for a BBQ, We'll have burgers and hot dogs and plenty of cold brew!"

"It's time to enjoy a little bit of sun!  With good friends and food, it's sure to be fun!"

"Join us for hamburgers and hot dogs as we ketchup with old friends!"

The decorations:

With such beautiful summer weather around the corner, you won't need a lot of decorations to make your surroundings festive.  You could string white lights around your patio, throw a red and white checkered tablecloth on your table, and set out a few Citronella candles or torches (to keep the buggies away), and you're all set!

The menu:

In addition to the usual suspects (burgers and hot dogs), try a few of these personal favorites!

Lone Star Rub Drumsticks (LOVE this one)

2 t. kosher salt

1 1/2 t. pure chile powder

1 1/2 t. dried chopped onion

3/4 t. garlic salt

1/2 t. paprika

1/2 t. dried marjoram

1/4 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

1/8 t. ground cinnamon

8 chicken drumsticks

Mix ingredients in a small bowl.  Rub mixture under and on top of the chicken skin.  Grill on medium-low heat, turning frequently (every 5 minutes or so)

Roasted Corn on the Cob

6 ears of corn on the cob (with the husks)

butter

salt

aluminum foil

To get started, gently pull back the husks of the corn, remove the corn silks (using a small brush if necessary), rinse, and pat the corn dry with a paper towel.  In a shallow baking dish or cookie sheet, pour melted butter.  Holding the husk out of the way, roll the ear of corn in the butter.  Sprinkle with salt, reposition the husk to cover the ear of corn, and wrap tightly in foil.  Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning frequently.

Potato Salad

Quick BBQ Sauce

And if your thirst is craving something a little more than lemonade, try this recipe for Lemon Shandies.  It's one of my favorite summertime beverages!

Happy Friday, and happy party planning!

Themed party, Great ideas, and Inspiration Fridays!  T.G.I.F.!

The temperature in Texas has been rising (we hit 100 degrees twice already this week-whew, so long, Spring!)... and that's got me all ready to fire up the grill!

What better way to kick off your summer than with a few fun ideas for throwing a backyard party?  You could use a few of these ideas and whip up a little get-together for tomorrow night, or you could plan it out and mail your invitations next week!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this Friday we're getting into the SUMMER spirit!

Today's theme:  Backyard BBQ

Invitation ideas: 

(shown here, 68W26, 7526, and 7099)

           

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

 

" Let's get together for no special reason...Just to celebrate good food, good friends, and the summer season!"

"Come on over for a BBQ, We'll have burgers and hot dogs and plenty of cold brew!"

"It's time to enjoy a little bit of sun!  With good friends and food, it's sure to be fun!"

"Join us for hamburgers and hot dogs as we ketchup with old friends!"

The decorations:

With such beautiful summer weather around the corner, you won't need a lot of decorations to make your surroundings festive.  You could string white lights around your patio, throw a red and white checkered tablecloth on your table, and set out a few Citronella candles or torches (to keep the buggies away), and you're all set!

The menu:

In addition to the usual suspects (burgers and hot dogs), try a few of these personal favorites!

Lone Star Rub Drumsticks (LOVE this one)

2 t. kosher salt

1 1/2 t. pure chile powder

1 1/2 t. dried chopped onion

3/4 t. garlic salt

1/2 t. paprika

1/2 t. dried marjoram

1/4 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

1/8 t. ground cinnamon

8 chicken drumsticks

Mix ingredients in a small bowl.  Rub mixture under and on top of the chicken skin.  Grill on medium-low heat, turning frequently (every 5 minutes or so)

Roasted Corn on the Cob

6 ears of corn on the cob (with the husks)

butter

salt

aluminum foil

To get started, gently pull back the husks of the corn, remove the corn silks (using a small brush if necessary), rinse, and pat the corn dry with a paper towel.  In a shallow baking dish or cookie sheet, pour melted butter.  Holding the husk out of the way, roll the ear of corn in the butter.  Sprinkle with salt, reposition the husk to cover the ear of corn, and wrap tightly in foil.  Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning frequently.

Potato Salad

Quick BBQ Sauce

And if your thirst is craving something a little more than lemonade, try this recipe for Lemon Shandies.  It's one of my favorite summertime beverages!

Happy Friday, and happy party planning!

T.G.I.F.- Take Out style

Themed party, Great ideas, and Inspiration Fridays!  T.G.I.F.!

What better way to kick off your weekend than with a few fun ideas for throwing a themed party?  You could use a few of these ideas and whip up a little get-together for tomorrow night, or you could plan it out and mail your invitations next week!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit, and this week's theme will have you craving P.F. Chang's or Pei Wei!  If you're feeling brave, try cooking the menu yourself, but if you want to make it easy, takeout from your favorite local restaurant will work just as well!

Today's theme:  Take Out & Chopsticks

Invitation ideas: 

           

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

"Wok on over for good food, friends, and fortunes!"

"A fun party is in your future."

" You don't have to be a master with the chopsticks to enjoy the food!"

" Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. - Chinese proverb" (perfect for a Birthday dinner!)

The decorations:

If you're having an intimate gathering of just a few friends, forget using the dining room table!  Instead, cover your coffee table with a nice tablecloth and throw a few colorful pillows on the floor for your guests to sit on.  Adorn the table with a simple floral arrangement (or a bonsai tree), a pair of chopsticks for each guest, and a few votive candles or tea lights, and you're all set!

You could also create your own bamboo candles for the centerpiece with a few helpful tips from Martha.

If you want to go all out, you can even purchase and hang lanterns around the room (I found these at World Market and they're great because they're battery powered- so you could even hang them outside!)

The menu:

Lighter Sesame Chicken

Wonton Soup

Asian Steamed Shrimp

Served up with a little sake, you and your friends can enjoy a nice, relaxing evening (and probably a few laughs while everyone attempts to master the chopsticks- seriously, not everyone can be as talented as Mr. Miyagi).

Grab a few fortune cookies from your local Asian market for a sweet ending to dinner, and enjoy!

Happy Friday, and happy party planning!

T.G.I.F. has a new meaning!

Themed party, Great ideas, and Inspiration Fridays!  T.G.I.F.!

For most people, Friday is the happiest day of the week, and I think we should celebrate!

What better way to kick off your weekend than with a few fun ideas for throwing a themed party?  You could use a few of these ideas and whip up a little get-together for tomorrow night, or you could plan it out and mail your invitations next week!  Either way, Fridays are perfect for getting into the party spirit.

Today's theme:  Mexican Fiesta

Invitation ideas: 

       

Wording ideas:

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation... Here are a few suggestions:

"No time for a siesta!  We're having a fiesta!"

"Attention all senors and senoritas...we're serving up fajitas and margaritas!"

"Holy Guacamole... It's time for a party!"

The decorations:

Set the mood by setting a tablescape with a variety of fiesta flair!  Serape style table runners, maracas, a few small succulants in terra cotta pots(avoiding the ones with needles for safety), a pinata or two, and sombreros will definitely make your guests feel as though you've headed south of the border!  (Need help finding a few of these items?)

If you need something in a flash, you could also fill a large, colorful bowl (or a glass one) with a variety of peppers- red, orange, yellow, and green bell peppers, jalepaneos, serrano peppers, etc.

The menu:

Fajitas

Margaritas

Guacamole

Served up with a few chips and some pico de gallo, you're all set for a fabulous fiesta!

Happy Friday, and happy party planning!

Good Fortune Birthday Card

Last year I threw a Chinese-themed dinner for a few girlfriends at my house, and I had a couple of leftover invitations... so in the spirit of being resourceful, I thought I would use them to make birthday cards!  This is a super-easy project with only a few materials needed:

- one 7054 Chinese Takeout invitation

- one 5 x 7 basecard (I picked a gray solid cardstock)

- one sheet of normal typing paper

- scissors and an exacto knife

- a few foam squares

- a vellum A7 envelope (optional, you could use a white one)

- a computer (optional)  :)

Directions:  Using text boxes (in Word or some other text program), position where you want the copy on the takeout box.  Print your greeting (I did a "Happy Birthday" theme but this would also be perfect for "Good Luck").  Cut out the pieces using the scissors (and the exacto to cut out around the takeout box handle).  Position and adhere the pieces on the basecard using foam squares.  **HINT:  Make sure you don't put a foam square in the corner where the fortune cookie is going to go... you'll block where your fortune slides in and out!** 

On a single sheet of paper, type your "fortune"... Mine says  "You will have a very happy birthday."  in red text, with "Lucky Numbers:  02-02-08"  right below (it's the recipients' birthday).  Cut out the fortune, then cut a slit in the fortune cookie wide enough to slide your fortune in.  Position the fortune cookie in the corner, slide the fortune in, and THEN adhere a foam square to the back (once you see what angle the fortune goes) and affix it on the base card.  I usually pull the fortune out just a little bit (and crinkle the edge) so that the recipient knows that they can pull the fortune out.

 

Add a vellum envelope (so the postman can see how clever you are) and voila!  A Happy Birthday Card that's sure to bring Good Fortune (and a smile to the recipients face)!