Top 3 From Me:

Hello Dinner Party Talk readers! It has been a while since I last posted; so much has been going on! A busy office workload, fun-filled weekend getaways, way too much BRAVO and planning for upcoming holiday retreats just to name a few!

I can't wait until it's appropriate for me to start listening to my Winter Mix holiday playlist on Spotify... This colder weather is putting me in the best cozy sweater mood :)

 

And Now, for Today's TOP 3 BY ME:

 

1. Speaking of Planning Holiday Getaways... THIS article will surely lead to a fun winter retreat, on a normal gal's budget!

 

2. My boyfriend and I are going sailing this weekend, and I think THIS drink will be a perfect fall inspired sipping treat!...

Spiced Apple Cider Champagne Cocktails

2 ounces Tennessee Cider (you can sub apple brandy if you cannot find Tennessee Cider)
2 ounce fresh apple cider
3-4 ounces chilled champagne

Serves 2

Pour the Tennessee Cider into the bottom of each glass. Add the champagne and top with a splash of the fresh apple cider.

 

 

 

 


 3. A Glitzy Reindeer DIY to bring our fall themed treats to an end... I mean, who doesn't want a fab glitter piece adorning their mantle this holiday season!?

 



HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!! (closed)

In celebration of the most wonderful time of the year, DPT is having a

 December Giveaway!

 

This Friday, Dinner Party Talk will be spreading holiday cheer with

 FREE STUFF!!

 

All you have to do is subscribe to Dinner Party Talk by becoming a follower 
 All followers will be entered to WIN!!!

 

*Simply click JOIN THIS SITE on the right hand side to enter!

 

 

Friday's giveaway is keeping with this years BIGGEST trends...
the ARM PARTY
 the perfectly coined term by the hilarious Man Repeller
 
So, in the spirit of Fashion and FaLALALA, see below for
stacks on stacks on stacks
of beautiful baubles

1 Winner will be chosen randomly on December 21, 2012  and announced in this blog post!

 

The winner of the giveaway will get to choose a one-of-a-kind friendship bracelet of their choice (seen below).

 

 

(this is one of my favorites)

 

AND THE WINNER IS.... BRITTANY WATKINS! CONGRATS BRITTANY AND THANK YOU TO ALL MY NEW FOLLOWERS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS READERS!

Impromptu Dinner Party

 

Ever have a surprise guest stop by unannounced?!

Still want to be the HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST and entertain?!

 

Below is a super quick appetizer I whipped up yesterday when I had a friend come over:

 

First, I diced onion, yellow bell pepper and red bell pepper together and threw them into a pan with a little bit of oil. salt and pepper.

 

 

 

 

I let the veggies simmer on low heat until the onion turned a golden brown. One fully cooked, I added the veggies and some cheese on top of a tortilla...

 

 

trying to get my Veggie Quesadilla's good side ;)

 

 

Cut, Plate, add sour cream, hot sauce, a little more hot sauce, and WHALAH!

 

 

A YUMMY IMPROMPTU APP FOR 2 :)

Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards are something every Hostess with the Mostest should be on top of. They need to be mailed in enough time, be personal, and send warm wishes and holiday cheer!

 

This year I am hand-making Christmas Cards to add a touch of personal flair.

 I took the time to draw one picture really well in pen, made as many photo copies as I needed and then colored in each one differently so each card I sent was unique.

 

 

 

below was my inspiration...

Some ideas on what to write INSIDE:

• Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a fun filled new year...
• Cheers to health, happiness, family and fun this holiday season...
• Sending warm wishes and holiday cheer your way...

 

Good Luck Readers! and start spreading those Holiday Wishes!!

Holiday Decorations

 

Having a fabulous Soiree this holiday season?

Try this DIY holiday decoration idea to spruce up any dinner table!

***Simply take old, burnt out Christmas lights, coat them in glue, and sprinkle some holiday sparkle!

Placing them in a clear bowl for a table center piece will surely get your guests talking ;)

 



Holiday Cheer

The holidays are officially here!

 Time to start decorating, sipping eggnog, and singing your favorite Christmas carols!

To start off my decorating frenzy, I decided on a

DIY Holiday Wreath

 

This was my inspiration...

 

And THIS is my creation!

 

I used a wire coat hanger and an old magazine!

Just round the hanger into a circle, and pierce through the folded magazine pages! and WHAALAAH!

 

Happy Holidays Readers!

Decorating Decisions...

In a pinch?

Need some fun & easy decorating ideas for your Labor Day Dinner Party!?

 

 

Hang paper chains from a shower curtain to liven up any doorway!

 

 

Make colored ice cubs with Kool-Aid to add a 'pop!' of color and really tie-in any color palette

 

 

Happy Sipping!

 

 

Another great "drink trick" is the garnishing!

Add ANY kind of fruit slice to the rim on the glass

 to really make your party festive!

 

 

 

 

Have extra cupcake liners?!

String some together to make a DIY garland!

 

 

 

 

Finally, decorating existing chairs with ribbons or bows only takes a little extra effort, but can really make your space feel festive!

 

 

 

Did You Know!?

Freshly cut flowers are an amazing way to spruce up decorations for any Dinner Party...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

images

 



 

 

What to Cook...

Flavored Popcorn

Serving flavored popcorn is a great way to spruce up any Dinner Party...

Its cheap, easy to prep, and tastes great!

Get creative in what you serve it in too!...

Chili Lime Popcorn: Toss 10 cups popcorn with melted butter to taste, then mix in 1 teaspoon chili powder and 2 teaspoons fresh lime zest.

Sugar & Spice Popcorn: Grease a large roasting pan, then fill with 20 cups popcorn. In a saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons Cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Let cool to lukewarm, then pour over popcorn and toss to coat. Bake at 250°F for 20 minutes, stirring once at 10 minutes.



Any Personalized Popcorn: Mix together any of your favorite herbs, spices and other seasonings to create one-of-a-kind blends! Just toss popcorn with melted butter or olive oil and seasoning mix to taste.




line champagne flutes with coloful paper....



cool cocktail classes work too...



or maybe serve in something as simple as a paper bag!...




via
images

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

Cheers! to sunshine, patriotic smiles, and having fun with friends and family!

And just in case you find yourself in

Festive Fourth of July Festivities,

below are some great ideas

to get the party started!!

colorful fruit kabobs!

Banners from paint chip sample strips!

stars and stripes shorts!

everyone loves a good patriotic mani!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!



Double Dip A.Okay

This fun, colorful, (and germ free) appetizer is a great way to start off your next summertime

DINNER PARTY!

Simply pre-cut your favorite veggies

 and right before the guests arrive, plop a dollop of ranch in the bottom of individual dixie cups.

That way, everyone can double dip as much as they want sans the messy cleanup!

Dinner Party Decorations

Need to spice up your Dinner Party atmosphere?

Try using clothes pins for dazzling, dangling, decorating!!

You can hang PHOTOS, MENUS, RIBBONS, ORIGAMI,

words to spell out 'Happy Birthday', 

you name it you can hang it!!

What are some of your DINNER PARTY dangling decoration ideas?



Mimosa Bar

This summer when you're having a Dinner Party (or breakfast party.. hehe..)

 try whipping together a fun cocktail display!

A little bottle of fizzy never hurt anyone ;)

Plus, summertime is the perfect excuse to play around with fresh fruit and bright colors!

via

Lucite Trays

Has anyone seen the adorable Lucite trays on Etsy!? You can personalize them with monograms and pick your own pattern!

 The only hitch is they cost a whopping $80 bucks!! WHOA!

So-- I decided to make my own, and successfully did it for $16.00!! (Yes folks, that's right! I love a good bargain)

Here's How:

First, I went to the Container Store and bought an acrylic (aka Lucite) tray for $9.99

Then, I used an online photo editor to design my favorite patterns with colors that would tie-in the room...

Finally, I printed my final patterns and took them to FedEx to be laminated so I could cut and set the images into the tray nice and snug! $5.99

and whaalah!

The finished product below.... 

AND...

What do you guys think!?