Bon Appetite: Salmon Kebabs

If you are looking for an amazingly flavorful and healthy recipe great for entertaining you can not miss this one. I did not attempt this recipe myself, but a family member (and amazing cook) found this in the June 2013 issue of Bon Appetite magazine and gave it a whirl. It was possibly the best salmon recipe I have ever had. Find the showstopper @ Salmon Kebabs

xOxO -  M

Removing Glass Rings on Furniture

Entertaining is fun, but there are times when your home is in need of a little extra post party care. Sometimes, hot and cold drinks leave rings on unprotected furniture. These pesky marks can be difficult but here is a great way to remove water marks and have your furniture looking as good as new. Forget rubbing mayo or toothpaste on the discoloration.

Instead, reach for your hairdryer!

Put it on a high heat setting and blast the mark. Almost immediately you will see the circle disappear. Depending on how intense the mark, it may take 10-15 minutes of direct heat for full effect. Once the mark is completely removed cover the area with a light coat of olive oil to condition and you are ready for your next soiree. Introduce your friends and kids to coasters and avoid the hassle all together.

xOxO - M

Event Venues: Black Ankle Vineyards Mt, Airy, MD

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you all are thoroughly enjoying your MDW and spending some quality time with the people you love. This afternoon I had the pleasure of visiting one my favorite places: Broken Ankle Vineyards of Mt. Airy, MD. After a lovely tasting ($8.00/person) we strolled around the rustic property snapping fun pictures. This is a great place to drop by on a lazy afternoon for a picnic, glass of wine and game of Scrabble. It is also a fantastic event venue option. Capacity limits max out at 100 individuals and rentals include the use of 24 indoor/outdoor tables, 100 chairs, stemware, several event spaces including patios and garden areas. Pricing is available on their website: www.blackankle.com. Just as lovely as the view, are the wines this mighty little vineyard produce. Modeled after the vineyards of Bordeaux  France, the character of Black Ankle's wines are sophisticated and yet refreshingly simple. I can not wait to visit again soon! Please enjoy some of our snap shots and consider Black Ankle for your upcoming event!

xOxO - M

Mason Jar Cocktail Tub

Is it just me or has the Mason jar turned into a household staple? They are an inexpensive and environmentally conscious alternative with a vast variety of uses, one of which I  have highlighted below. Get an inexpensive drinking tub (Homegoods!) and uses mason jars to premix some cocktail favorites. This will give you more time to spend with your friends and family during the party. When ready simply shake and serve. Make sure if using carbonated mixers that you have a tight seal on the lid to avoid beverages going flat. Another thing to keep in mind is the color of beverages. Make sure each is a separately identifiable color to avoid confusion.

They are also great when using large glass beverage dispensers! Place Mason jars on a table with a sign that says "Your glass for the night for whatever tastes right!"

xOxO - M

Response Cards

Fun Wedding response cards are trending right now! Here are three ideas to get your wheels turning:

My personal favorite is the Newly WedLibs-style card. These are fun keepsakes for the couple and allow friends and family the ability to share in your celebration preparations! You can even put these cards on display at your reception for guests to laugh over.

xOxO - M

Calculating Cakes!

Purchasing or baking a cake for an event and  want to know how much you will need? Here is a quick reference to consider when getting ready for your celebration!

Square Cakes:
6" Square = 18 Servings
8" Square = 32 Servings
10" Square = 50 Servings
12" Square = 72 Servings
14" Square = 98 Servings

Round Cakes:
6" Round = 12 Servings
8" Round = 24 Servings
10" Round = 35 Servings
12" Round = 56 Servings
14" Round = 78 Servings

xOxO - M

Farmers Market - Strawberry Fields

Your local farmers market is about to start up again if it hasn't already. Find your local market by visiting a wonderful nationwide site: www.farmersmarket.com. Spinach, Strawberries, Sweet Cherries and Cabbage are late May favorites in the state of Maryland. You can find what is in season in your area by consulting www.fieldtoplate.com. Any time you can buy local (and organic) you are not only only supporting your states agricultural industry but your are purchasing foods that are healthier. While filming Food Inc., Robert Kenner said he specifically wanted to film strawberry farmers applying pesticides to their fields. "The workers wear these suits to protect themselves from the dozens and dozens of known dangerous pesticides applied to strawberries," he said. "When I saw this, I thought to myself, if this is how berries are grown, I don't really want to eat them anymore. I haven't been able to eat a non-organic strawberry ever since." Unfortunately,  Food Inc. was unable to capture the shot for the documentary. For more information on Kenner's findings visit his website: www.fixfood.org.

xOxO - M

Crumb Coating Trick- It's the Icing on the Cake!

As you stand in the kitchen casually cursing life, put down your spreader and back away from counter. Here is a trick to have you icing like a pro in no time. It is called crumb coating and its here to save the day, and your dignity.

Once you have let them cool, quickly go over your cakes with a quick coat of icing that fills in holes (another tip: flip your top layer in order to have a great shape to your cake.) It can look awful, and that's the purpose, because you aren't done yet! Your crumb coat looks like this:

 

Pop your cake in the refrigerator at this point for an hour. This allows your cake to set up! After you bring it back out you can pipe frosting around the cake so that it is easier to evenly spread. Use a sandwich bag, snip the corner and squeeze (for jobs like this there is no reason to purchase something expensive from Wilton or Michael's.) If possible when spreading turn the cake and not your spreader. Easiest way to do this is to put it on a Lazy Susan and spin. Smooth bumps and it should look like this: 

Hope it helps!

xOxO - M

Make-Your-Own Mimosa Bar

Nothing says brunch like a mimosa! Check out ways to make this colorful cocktail all your own! Put out carafes of orange, cranberry, apple and pineapple juice in addition to raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple chunks. This not only allows your guests fun choices for their bubbly, it looks gorgeous! Cheers!

xOxO - M

D.I.Y. Water Bottle Labels- Preakness Addition

This is super easy to do and it adds to any party. These labels are usually reserved for outdoor weddings, however they are also great for graduations, baby showers, and other celebrations

If the party is at your place this year feel free to copy and paste my Preakness Water Bottle Labels designs into a document. Stretch the size to reach 8.2' x 1.4" and print away. This size will work for any standard 500 ml water bottle. Adhere to water bottle with a glue dot and enjoy. Approximately 7 labels will fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet.

Note: Do not place water bottles in a cooler with ice. This will prevent the ink from running. Keeping them in the fridge will ensure they are perfectly chilled.

1. Funny Option:

2. Conservative Option:

xOxO - M

Black-Eyed Susan

Spring is in the air and people are beginning to crave cocktails of fresh fruit and herbs. Those from the state of Maryland tent to associate spring with the running of the Preakness horse race. Those who have attended know the Black Eyed Susan is the drink of the day! These seemingly innocent yet potent cocktails are overly huge floppy hat approved. FYI- If you see more than 14 horses on the track you have had one too many. 

Check out the recipe for your Preakness party: 

Race information can be found by visiting www.preakness.com

GIDDY UP!

xOxO- M

The Monogram - Housewarming

MONOGRAMS scream all things preppy and personalized. Attempting to bring a thoughtful gift to a housewarming can be tough, yet if you put an individual or couples monogram on damn near anything you have officially brought the most memorable gift of the night. They are a timeless keepsake that never go out of style and while getting gift cards or bottle of wine are great there is something seemingly last minute in their delivery. The key is to work with a neutral or metallic pallet to ensure whatever treasure you bring fits well into the residencies newly established decor. Here are 10 great ideas that will no doubt keep your invites coming:

1. Guest Bathroom Soap

Purchase These Soaps

2. Beer Mugs

Purchase These Beer Glasses

3. Candles

Purchase These Candles

4. Serving Tray

Purchase This Silver Plated Serving Tray

Purchase This Serving Tray

5. Throw Pillow

Purchase A Pillow

6. Cocktail Napkins

Purchase These Paper Cocktail Napkins

Purchase These Cloth Cocktail Napkins

7. House Key Ring

Purchase This Key Ring

8. Flower / Herb Pots

Purchase These Pots

9. Return Address Labels

Purchase These Labels

10. Coasters

Purchase These Coasters

As you can see above there are tons of different fonts to pick. Below I have included the names of these different monogram styles:

Keeping Your Spring Bouquets Hydrated

Everyone loves a perky bouquet on their wedding day. There is something, though, that people should keep in mind and make sure that their florist is taking into consideration... 

Many spring bouquets have a thirsty variety of flowers by nature. For instance the ever popular, relatively inexpensive yet gorgeous, hydrangea. According to Garden Crossing, the genus Hydrangea is derived from the Greek word hydro which means water and angeion which translates to vase  or vessel referring to their original classifications marsh or aquatic plants. Keep bouquets in water when not using them for pictures or the ceremony in order to keep them fresh... Little trick to keep you and your 'maids looking good! 

xOxO - M

Pictures and High Heels

Women love their heels. Especially for their wedding! There is nothing like feeling long and lean on the big day. There is something, though, that all women should keep in mind when purchasing those heels...

ALTERATIONS tend to be a surprisingly expensive cost in the planning process. The intention is to have your gown look as if it were made for YOU! "Bring your shoes to the fitting appointments" they tell you. With that being said, make sure that your wedding shoes are comfortable enough to wear from showtime until you say good-bye to your final guest.

Why? 

Take off those super high heels to break it down on the dance floor and your photographers (both the one your hire and amateurs in the crowd) are now taking pictures of you in a gown that now has completely different lines. Some people could care less. To them I say ROCK ON! If you don't care, I don't care.

But there is a Solution!

Pick heels that are just a bit more conservative  in the heel and  your dress does not have as far to fall. Photos tend to look better this way and your able to flaunt your ridiculously amazing dance moves without it looking like your tootsies have been at war.

xOxO - M

Save-The-Date

It's Spring, and for many female 20-30-somethings this means trying to figure out what dress to wear to the wedding this weekend. Indoor or Out? Heel conscious decision making at it's peak. Many of our amazing friends or family committing to be supportive partners to one another in life... I Love It!
It all started with the Save The Date we got in the mail four to six months ago. Need Ideas? Take a look:

Use the opportunity to showcase your personality as a couple...

xOxO - M