Archive of ‘Entertaining’ category

FOUR HALLOWEEN COCKTAILS THAT ARE LESS SCARY THAN YOUR KIDS FUN SIZE KIT KATS

It’s almost Halloween, people! I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for Fun Size chocolates and they’re not so fun after you’ve eaten eighteen mini Kit Kats..So, in the interest of keeping you distracted from dipping into your kid’s candy haul, I’ve got a few cocktail ideas for the adults!  Whether you go Full On Halloween or you’re a Bare Bones kinda Halloween reveler, every party needs a couple of scary good cocktails before you send those witches away on their brooms. And just for the record, two people is a party in my book.
Since I have become a Keto devotee in the past several months I became a tequila drinker, too. It’s all about the No Carb Buzz, basically. That said, these recipes are all tequila based but with some added sugar via the mixers and agave-you can add sugar free if you like. I only like a few luxury tequila brands, because now I’m also a Tequila Snob, thankyouverymuch. No Jose Cuervo, sorry folks. These easy mixed drink recipes are tailored around DeLeón Tequila, which is made from the finest 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco. Perfect for Halloween or any other time really, but I’m trying to keep it relevant.
If the measurements are a little above your measuring pay grade, just go by ratios. For examples, The first recipe would use a fifth of agave (.25) and almost half lime juice (.5) to the amount of tequila (1.25), etc.
Drink up Witches and Happy Halloween! 
XO,
Courtney
Bloody Bite
1.25oz DeLeón Platinum Tequila
1oz Blood Orange Juice
.5oz Lime Juice
.25oz Agave
Top with club soda
 
Perfect Storm
1.25oz DeLeón Platinum Tequila
.75oz Pimms
.75oz Lemon Juice
.75oz Simple Syrup/
Fill with 4 oz Hot Water
Smoking Mirror
1.25oz DeLeón Reposado Tequila
1oz Pineapple Juice
.75oz Lime juice
1oz Agave
.25oz Mezcal
Bloody & Bitter
1.25oz DeLeón Platinum Tequila
.75oz Dry Vermouth
.25oz Cynar ‘Italian Artichoke Bitter’
.75oz Lime Juice
.75oz Simple Syrup
Top with Club Soda

How To Throw A Football Party For The Girls

Football isn’t just for the guys. We ladies like to get into the action, too. This season, why not plan a girls-only football party? Beer and greasy food aren’t your thing? No problem, we can get in the spirit in a way that fits our own style.

So, what’s the difference between a football party for the boys and one for the girls? Well, a little ambiance, of course. Here are my easy and fun tips for foods, drinks and decorations that’ll give your game day a bit of a girly twist. Because, really. 

FOOD

Your girlfriends are going to expect something a little fancier than nachos made with microwave cheese or Papa John’s delivery. You can transform the usual manly eats-aka carb loader diet killers- into delicious (and daintier) finger foods. Stir up some turkey chili served in shot glasses, mini tacos, low-fat dips, turkey meatballs and crudite. Dare I say, even a salad?

Have fun with it, too. Try a seasonal pumpkin turkey chili, mini English muffin pizzas or just ask your friends to bring appetizer-sized versions of their favorite game day munchies. Can somebody say, Trader Joe’s?

I love a football-themed dessert. You can try these super cute nut football helmets. If you prefer to stick with what you know, you can just use football-themed toothpicks, straws and napkins. My friend, Tara is the Baking Queen. In my house, we know the food is ready when the smoke alarm goes off or flames start shooting out of the oven-whichever comes first. If your baking skills, like mine, aren’t quite ready for Pinterest, fret not. Supermarket bakeries will always have cute football cakes for you to choose from rather than having to bake your own. Know your strengths, I say.

ADULT BEVERAGES

For most people, it’s not a watch party without alcohol. I kind of agree, truth be told. But that doesn’t mean you have to serve the same swill as the boys. Opt for a selection of great fall beers, wines (or even bubbly!) and have a tasting during halftime. I also like rimming glasses with colored sugars and flavors that coordinate with the theme. Now, that’s my kind of Fantasy Football!

You can also skip the beer altogether and serve a single signature cocktail. You can “serve [the drink] two ways in the colors of the teams playing, it’s easier than having to create a number of different cocktails and buying the ingredients for each libation. I’m a big fan of the Signature Drink route. Plus, nobody wants to play bartender all day and too many choices can be too much work. Keep it simple.

Champagne Tasting??

THE DECOR

When it comes to parties, what separates the women from the boys is often just a bit of attention to the little things. And perhaps, their ability to eat forty-seven wings in the span of an hour without gaining any weight and/or projectile vomiting.

You can ine your table with AstroTurf, draw yard lines with fake snow from a can or chalk-you can pick it up at Home Depot super cheap- and add small to midsized floral arrangements in sports themes, like this one from 1-800-Flowers.com

Football Flowers

 

Use black and white striped napkins to match the refs’ uniforms.

Pin name cards to small Nerf footballs for each guest.

For fun photos after cocktail hour, hang a yellow banner behind your table and have a Football for Dummies on display (could come in handy for those rule debates!). Also get some megaphones and a set of pom-poms for props. Cute, right?

Women CAN rock a football party!

Who’s your team?? #godolphins!

XO

Courtney

For more ideas and daily inspo, make sure you check out my Instagram feed!

Valentine’s Day On Better TV

In case you missed it, here’s my Valentine’s Day Entertaning segment that aired on Better TV Friday, February 13. Make sure you stick around for my closing advice!
Hope your Valentine’s Day was filled with love, chocolate and maybe even a little jewelry. There’s nothing wrong with that!
XO,
Courtney

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8 Entertaining Tips That Are Fabulous In Every Season!

Fabulous Entertaining!

Fabulous Entertaining!

At least half of my on air segments relate to entertaining. Designing, decorating and entertaining are all loosely intertwined and through the years, this has become a forte of mine. From Mexican Food Trucks and French Soirees to Old School NYC Street Food, I’ve done it all! But, the basic tips are always the same. Just yesterday, I shot my Valentine’s Day segment for Better TV and as someone from the crew asked me, “How do you always do this so well?” I started thinking. So, I wrote them down and here they are! Whether it’s a snnow in or a beach bbq, it simply does not metter. And remember, your parties are only as good as your guests. Invite nice people. Nobody has fun with a room full of duds/bitches/drunken fools/obnoxious jerks. Get the point? Great! XOXO

1.Choose a theme
Don’t let the word “theme” scare you into thinking you need to come up with some elaborate and complicated idea that probably only exists on Pinterest! A theme could be anything from Fall Picnic to Appetizers and Appletinis. Establishing a theme, will keep your idea more focused and in the end, more fabulous!

2. Plan your menu
Whether you’re serving up ribs and slaw or an elegant spread of hors d’oeuvres, you need to plan a little! Have most of your food and beverages necessities bought and ready to go 48 hours before the party. Items like bread and pastries should be bought the morning of for freshness. Don’t be afraid to delegate!

3. Slow Down & Keep It Simple
Complicated parties make for complicated hostesses
and nobody likes to see a frazzled hostess. By keeping your food and drink offerings delicious but simple, you look and feel better and spend more time with your guests, which was the original idea! Start your cooking in the morning with one or more Crock Pots ensures you have more time to get ready and relax before your fete begins!

4. 5 Minute Decor
Regardless of your theme, there’s a 5 minute decor solution..Candles and flowers are pretty and appropriate in every season-plus they smell great! In the fall, you can never go wrong with pumpkin, cloves and mums. In the winter, evergreen an cranberry are instant mood lifters! These little details go a long way!

5. One Signature Drink
You can brew a warm apple cider or have one fabulous cocktail. Either way, have one basic drink that works with your theme. Have a platter of drinks by the door and greet everyone with a glass as they walk in your house.

6. That’s entertainment
Parties without music are awful. You son’t need a professional DJ, just a good playlist from iTunes, Spotify or Pandora will do. As you and your guests are gathered around the kitchen island drinking, eating and laughing, make sure they have something to move their hips to.

7. Send your guests home with a pre-printed recipe and a cute “to go” box
Maybe you made your mother’s legendary beef stew or your infamous pulled pork and everyone wants the recipe..Send your guests home with a little extra and a recipe card so they can make it, too! You can print them up or write them out, punch a hole and string them to the bag.

8. Share the memories
The best parties are those where you get together with family and friends and have a delicious meal and some laughs. Take a group photo and make it into a thank you card online. Inexpensive, cute and undeniably fabulous!