Party Planning :: Snapshots from a 30th birthday party

So I wanted to make my sister's birthday celebration a little extra special this year. She turned 30! How time flies. She loves pink, a little glitter and glam and wanted just us family to be around. So it was a simple affair with d-i-y tassels, cake and a signature cocktail, Sangria Flora.

Party inspiration

//image via

Party execution

//all above images by yours truly

Cake: Strawberry Shortcake by Dempsey House. It came with vanilla bean sauce.
Party design: Yours truly
Tassels: Yours truly
Cocktail Sangria Flora: Inspired by pinterest

Blood orange cocktail (and mocktail)

I stumbled upon this delicious sounding cocktail recipe at pretty plain janes. Super easy to make with very straightforward ingredients for your hip and happening Chinese New Year house guests.

Recipe:

1 part blood orange juice

1 part white grape juice

1 part vodka (adjust accordingly to your liking or omit for your preggo pals)

sparkling water / club soda / lemon lime soda

Decor Series :: Chinese New Year (Part 3)

Images via here, here, here, here, here and here

St Germain

Want a taste of that Parisian je-ne-sais-quoi? 

via

St Germain liqueur is made from elderflowers, hand-picked just once a year in the alps. The hint of lychee and sweetness in your drink is so refreshing on a warm day or a BBQ evening.

I am obsessed with the bottle and it tastes so good, so girly. It is not so readily available here in Singapore. I was looking for it in every possible shop, even DFS and it was found (finally!) it in a liquor shop in Holland Village (2nd level of Holland Road Shopping Centre, just next to Lim's Art). They have such great selection of imported liquor and I am mighty pleased with my purchase.

Here are my top 3 St Germain cocktails (perfect for the festive season!)

THE St. Germain Cocktail

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1 shot St. Germain 

1/2 shot fresh squeezed lemon juice

Champagne 

Garnish: lemon twist 

Pour first two ingredients into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

French Gimlet

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2 shots gin 

1 1/2 shot St-Germain 

1/2 shot fresh lime juice 

Garnish: with a lime wedge. 

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

(If you add a splash of soda water and cucumber, it becomes a cucumber St.Germain cocktail)

Sangria Flora - I am drawn to this cocktail because Flora is my sister's name. Am dying to try this one out soon.

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1 bottle White Wine

 1 cup St. Germain

 2 fresh Peaches

6 Strawberries

6 Raspberries

1 bunch fresh Grapes

Garnish: Micro marigolds - golden, orange and maroon blooms that add more color 

Stir ingredients in a pitcher or carafe. Let fruits soak in for at least 15 mins before serving.

(I think the edible flowers can be found in Marketplace in Paragon, Singapore in the salad section)

So there you go! Enjoy and let me know how do you like it.

Links for your reading pleasure

The festive period is just around the corner. I know right, how time flies. Before you know it, it'll be the new year. Hope these links come in handy in the coming month.

{via room fabulous | tumblr}

Organising

• Vanity Ideas :: Easy Mornings
• Bathroom :: Displaying Clutter with Class

Entertaining

• Tools Required for Entertaining Guests :: Table Talk
• Mobile Bars :: Fully Stocked Bar Carts
• Fruit Display :: A Dessert Table is Old News
• Girly Dinner Decor :: Another Perfect Dinner Party
• Kiddo Party Idea :: Bubbles and Butterfly Party (I LOVE this!)
• A Casual Get-together :: Coffee and Donut Party
• [Article] Small Space Cocktail Party
• Too much cheap red wine? Make sangria

Styling

• [Article] Styling Open Shelves

Party Planning :: Rooftop (almost!) tapas party

Last weekend, we had some friends over and we decided on tapas themed dinner. I went with the idea as it would supposedly be easy to prepare and enjoyed by all. The dishes I chose to prepare did not turn out the way I wanted it but edible and yummy!. I think no one could tell I was freakin' out in the kitchen. I'm glad they enjoyed the food and of course, I had to reflect and think of how I can do things better the next time 'round.

This photo above basically summed up the colors for the party.

The menu included Parma ham + melon + rocket salad, strawberry crostini, cheese platter, patatas bravas, chorizo + chickpeas with charred peppers, meatballs in mushroom sauce and of course sangria. Thanks to a pal, Keith, we got some champagne as well.

I collect nice champage/wine bottles and I love how the label color of Veuve Clicquot goes with the overall theme. At the background, I have proudly displayed a clay jar (in blue/white) bought in Spain.

A row of photographs taken during our honeymoon in Switzerland.

Recently I splurged on aged balsamic vinegar (16 years) and I love adding it to everything I eat.

Our entryway - the first thing that guests see when they enter our home.

The appetizer spread. *point to note* Cheese does not keep well in the humidity. I overlooked this point and laid full blocks of cheese out in the balcony. It became ugly, soft and goo-ey after a while, especially the Gorgonzola. If you have to have a cheese platter, don't put an entire block outdoors. Top it up as and when required.

For chorizos, I did not use the sliced ones I normally use (from Pamplona, as written in the label), for the party (big mistake!) I bought another type of chorizos (little whole sausages from Bilbao). If you are cooking whole chorizos, remember to remove the first layer of skin before cooking. *point to note* After its cooked, use a very sharp knife and slice the sausage very thinly. That might go down well with people who aren't used to the salty, spicy, Spanish sausage.

A toast to the New Year and friends.

There will always be space for good dessert.

Events and styling

People throw sad looking parties here with absolutely no creativity and it irks me to be part of it. I can't help but think Hey, I could have done this MUCH better! I'm not being cocky but I think its in my blood - my sister is a graphic designer and she is always very very thorough in her work and rocks at it. For me, even though I sort of took the wrong path in my career, I quietly (stuck in front of my laptop) try not to miss out on my interests. My brain is constantly stimulated because I come across so many ideas everyday. As they say, "The more you see, the more your eye and taste evolves." SO I am not picky, I've just got better taste.

{here}

Upcycle glass jars by placing tealights in them. Imagine the glow as a result of the reflection.

Martha has got an entire section dedicated to entertaining. I attempted to do paper pom-poms for my wedding deco but it is ALOT of work so start early. I used the same method to do a flower-ball for the flower-girl using crepe paper.

{coco+kelly}

You don't need a fancy venue, you just need to make an impact.

PS. I gave myself a little treat by purchasing Domino - every decorator's bible! via amazon. Something to look forward to!

Table talk

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There are so many great online magazines out there that I have STOPPED purchasing off the rack. Did you check out the recent Trade Home? (link not working, for some reason) Fantastic resource for home-owners. My favorite segment is the Table Talk segment that is about seamless entertaining, entertaining with poise and confidence. And, that is about having all the right tools.

Here are some of my favorite MUST haves (highlighted in the magazine) beyond fancy plates, glasses, utensils and napkins:

• Ice bucket that can double up as a vase;
• Extra seating;
• Art, lamps and rugs for creating an attractive background;
• Have more than one cake stands of varying sizes;
• Place settings (Wrapping papers can also be used as table runners for long tables);
• Centrepiece bowl for fruits or moss for decor;
• Small bowls for sauces, dips, dried fruit and nuts;
• Simple white and ivory candles in tealight, votive or pillar varieties (arrange them in mirrored serving trays and the effect will be divine);
• Organised linens and flatware;
• Glassware like clear wine glasses, water tumblers, brandy glasses.
• AND a supply of take-away containers.
  
  

Coffee and donut Party

We absolutely adore donuts and we love coffee! So, just stay tuned for a coffee and donut tasting brunch party at our home (once we move in of course!)

{for more images, go here}



Heart-shaped cake tutorial

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. For those of you romantic baking enthusiasts with artsy talent, you might want to try baking a heart shaped cake. The tutorial can be found here. It's such an adorable idea.

Uh-huh ... ordinary ... yes.

Ta-DAAAA!

So, whaddya think?

{for pictures and tutorial click here}

To more parties in 2011!

{source}

I totally dig party planning. I am constantly inspired by out-of-the-box ideas thanks to the many event planning/wedding blogs I frequent. On Christmas day, I attempted to prepare fruits Amy Atlas style. It turned out okay, not as perfect much to the astonishment of the hubz who claims I'm too much of a perfectionist and I should just let go at times. But I was totally immersed in the process and enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some clever ideas to wow your guests. To many more party filled days in 2011!


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This ice sculpture will keep your vodka or white wine perfectly chilled throughout your party. Works especially well with vodka cos it can go in the freezer without turning solid (really!?). Remember to start a couple of days in advance! Look out for directions here.

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Banana bites! They look good or what? Can't wait to try. Directions here.

Nightcaps

I never knew it was this possible to make our own home-made coffee liqueur. Sounds fun and its definitely on my to-do list during this festive season. Check it out!

{via here}

A dessert table is old news

... especially when you have a fruit and vegetable spread that looks this good! GREAT news for the health conscious. Party on!



{amy atlas via here}

Another perfect dinner party

... with polka dotted plates, multi-colored glitter, metallics and colors that pop! just my kinda party.

More eye-candy for your viewing pleasure.

A perfect little girl's party

I love themed parties such as these. Simple and what a joy to see the photos.

{all images by a little sussy}

Once-in-a-lifetime dinner party

The hubz and I came back from our U.S trip not too long ago. We went to SF and the Golden Gate Bridge views are spectacular. Jordan threw a dinner party beneath the bridge (lucky lucky guests!) and it must have been an incredible experience with the sunset and breath-taking city view.

Our pictures are coming up soon!