Baby Shower: A Colorful Safari

Josh and Karyn Forge are a few of my favorite people.  This might have been because I caught them holding hands during a Chiefs game and said to El Husbando, "I wonder if they are dating?"  Many years after accidentally outing them, I could not have been more thrilled to throw a colorful safari themed shower to celebrate the arrival of the little lady to be.

With the sun beaming down on one of the warmest days of the year, a co-ed party of fifty gathered to celebrate what we know will be one of the most amazingly beautiful and kind baby girls to grace of with her presence.

In lieu of a traditional guest book, attendees shared a special wish for Baby Girl Forge in a photo book of maternity photos taken by Cara Garcia Photography.

The colorful safari theme was the perfect fit for this festive day.  Invitations found on TinyPrints.com guided the color scheme to turquoise, pink and orange.  Similar signage was made for stations throughout the party.

I adore party favors, especially when they can be a personal reflection on the honorees.  Even better when it reminds you fondly of your childhood!  In white takeout boxes and clear bags, decorated with custom stickers and ribbon, I opted for a Midwestern favorite, homemade Puppy Chow, a nod to the daddy-to-be's roots in Kansas City.  If you haven't experienced puppy chow, let me just say, holy moly.  You are totes missing out!  This amazing mix of Chex, peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar is the perfect treat and very reminiscent of our childhoods.  (I said it was delish.  I didn't say it was good for you.)

Cupcakes from Buttercake Bakert in West Hollywood are not only a personal favorite but the perfect centerpiece to this gorgeous buffet.  I create a pretty, simply display with signage, a variety of platters and sixty home polka dot flags.

It was a perfect, warm day, full of warmer wishes for two very special friends and their new little lady, Camden.

"Make it Rain-Bows

Low and behold, my new favorite purchase. A set of 12 cotton, multi-colored napkins from Crate and Barrel. No two are alike, which lets the inner type A come out when I want to match my napkin and outfit. (Seriously, I do this.) AND it's way more green to be paperless.

So, how do you tie it all together and make sense of a color palette that resembles the flags of West Hollywood?

Brightly colored food and paint chip place cards. Head to your local hardware store and be as sly as possible. But grab two sets, you won't want to do this often. Match the napkin to any of the colors on the paint chip. I would suggest using the long skinny ones or the wider fat ones, shown here, so you can fold them. A silver sharpie and an ounce of patience for handwriting created a fun ambiance for a dinner as colorful and delicious as my budget for this decor!

Baby Shower: Monkey'n Around

I believe that Mindy told me she was pregnant and asked if I would throw her shower in the same breath.  After all, we had discussed our grand plans of babies and showers more times than I can count. I was seriously SO excited for this day to come!

Ass the first baby in our little group of LA translpants, a co-ed shower was a must.  Those that know the daddy-to-be know that he is obsessed with monkeys.  While I couldn't fulfill his wish of dressing a monkey in a tux and asking him to serve cake, the monkey theme was the most obvious and adorable choice.

I adored the aqua, brown and green theme, inspired by the invitations from TinyPrints.com.  Susie Cakes, of Brentwood, created this amazing two-tier chocolate and red velvet cake. This delicious treat was a must per the Mommy-to-be and tasted better than it looked, if you can believe it.  Some gorgeous belly pictures provided the backdrop for a guest book full of wishes for Baby Connor.

A guest list of around 60 guided us to host the event in the family's large backyard. Tables were adorned with more stuffed monkeys purchased at local toy stores, custom lollypops and white gerber daisies and tulips in bud vases.

If your friends are anything like mine, the drink selection is of the utmost importance and the table, like a kitchen, becomes the social center of the party. For this shower we offered homemade lemonade,  cucumber water, beer and sparkling wine. And of course, all glasses were adorned with hanging cocktail monkeys. 

Such a sweet and perfect day in honor of what we all know to be a sweet and perfect little baby boy!

The Kiwi's Kiwi Sangria

Two words . . . DAMN REFRESHING.

This tangy tonic was the perfect beginning to my summer of boozy concoctions. I am sad, yet thrilled to report that this was a tamer Sunday evening. Just a calm, perfect dinner with friends. Tonight, we paired this with BBQ chicken, black bean and goat cheese quesadillas and grilled veggie skewers.

THE RECIPE - (As edited by me, because I know best.)

2 - 750ml bottles of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (OR 1 giant bottle, 1.5L, if you are on a budget and it is on sale. OR 2 bottles of $2 Chuck if you are currently drinking away your student loans, parent's money or unemployment checks.)
1/2 cup Midori melon liquor
9 kiwis, peeled and sliced into rounds
2 cups pineapple chunks (1 can chunks, drained, if you want to be lazy)
1 cup 7-Up or Sprite

Mix wine, melon liquor, kiwis and pineapple. The longer this sits, the better it gets!!
The next day (that's right, patience is key!), mix in 1 cup 7-Up, a handful of ice cubes and enjoy.

Watermelon Margaritas - A Pulpy, Scary, Little Devil of a Drink

There are few things that I find as refreshing as watermelon during the summer.  There are also few things that I am more terrified to cut into. My two greatest fears with watermelon involve me some how slipping and stabbing myself or that an alien is going to pop out.  (They can be ominously large.) 

I am proud to say that without any coaxing (or cocktails) I grabbed that melon by the balls and made it my intern.  (I refuse to use the word bitch.)

The result was a delicious, refreshing treat that required one to drink it insanely fast to avoid the rising pulp. 

THE RECIPE:

• Watermelon cut into 1" cubes
• Homemade sweet and sour mix (recipe below)
• Tequila - do not cheap out here, get something decent.  I'm a fan of Cazadores
• Club soda
• Ice
• Kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Rim the glass with kosher salt (I promise, it's awesome with watermelon and I am told, very PA of me.)
• Blend the tequila, sweet and sour mix and a touch of club soda in the blender for a few seconds to properly mix.
• Add in the ice, blend until 1/2 crushed
• Add in the watermelon cubes and blend only until the ice is perfectly crushed
• Bottoms up!  

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix.  It's so easy you will hate any bar that uses the pre-made mix from now on.
THE RECIPE:

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup lime juice
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups sugar or sugar substitute.  I personally really love Stevia.
• Blend all on medium heat until the sugar is well dissolved.

 

 

Peach Basil Boozy Sweet Tea

Summer is back and it's BBQ time again! Thank goodness, because while I enjoy living in my little tiny bubble during the LA "winter" I burst with excitement for backyard entertaining and a house full of friends. 

To continue my less inspiring, albeit more entertaining jaunt toward Julie/Julia-ism, I am picking right back up and plan on tackling this book if it is the end of my sanity or sobriety.

Last Sunday's theme was Southern Style complete with barbecue chicken, delicious potato salad, watermelon salad shooters and blueberry pie. The food was amazing and my wardrobe has never hated me more.

THE RECIPE -
In a large pitcher mix the instant tea with about half the water it notes and substitute the other half with vodka, peach schnapps and the simple syrup to taste. Add in some more fresh basil and sliced peaches.

Make you own homemade simple syrup by adding equal parts water and sugar over medium low heat until it dissolves. For this particular libation I used 1.5 cups of each, specifically a half sugar half Splenda bagged mix. I infused it for another 10 minutes on low with fresh basil leaves for more flavor.

Serve over ice until someone passes out.  ENJOY!

Arnie "Two Sheets to the Wind" Palmer

We had a yard sale. 

I don't even want to talk about how "suburban housewife" this sounds.

Some might say I am cunningly self-aware. Because I know so well that I have both a lack of patience for cheap people and early weekend mornings I decided to arm myself appropriately.

Arnold "Two Sheets to the Wind" Palmer came to visit!!!! This tasty drink definitely made my morning, yes MORNING. (Don't judge me.) 3 hours of hard negotiations over quarters requires intense hydration. This was the perfect start to the rest of my day.

THE RECIPE -
Instant iced tea mix
Instant lemonade
Water - 6-8 cups or as needed
1 whole bottle Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka
Sprigs of fresh mint and fresh raspberries to taste

Mix in high quantities and serve immediately! Yep, that's right, this does NOT have to sit overnight. Garnish and enjoy!

This will go down a little too easily so please, have another.