Hosting tips (good for any shindig) + champagne stations …

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Hosting a party or get together can easily turn into a daunting task for those who never really do it. Questions about colors and themes, what to get and where to get them from easily make something that should be fun…into a stressful situation.Add on the task of keeping the atmosphere going and one can surely stress themselves out.
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With all the upcoming festivities, here are some tips on keeping that bar/beverage area on point. These will make your party tonight or in the upcoming future run smooth.

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Soaking a sugar cube in bitters in the glass, then top with bubbly. Or just add a splash of fruit-based liquor to your champagne for a DIY Royale.

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Setting up the bar you will need a bar knife for garnishes, tongs, bottle opener, strainers, shakers, bar towels, spoons (for cherries etc), ice bucket, ice, trays, napkins and coasters, bowls (garnishes) rugs (floor protection).

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A cluster of vases, candleholders and jars make for great centerpieces & mantle styling…

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You know why I really like this look? Because one can easily go to a rummage sale, thrift store or the Goodwill and purchase random ones in any style or color. All you have to do is buy spraypaint & viola!

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{Via Style Files, BHG, & Somewhere Splendid}

Happy Memorial Day! Here are some fun food presentations for your cookouts…

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I am so glad it’s a holiday because..what else. We’re off work & will feast on good food. One of my favorite seasonal treats is fruit pizza. My cousin would make them for family gatherings and I tried and failed. So the second time I figured I would do cookies vs a whole pizza and that worked out better for me. Now I’m a pro! So displaying them like the above pic is great…

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But we can stand to get a wee bit more creative right? Let’s do a fruit pizza bar. How fun! Pier 1 has the most affordable and stylish displays stands and containers for food. Use them Invest in them because you’ll use them over and over and over again…

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Another way to style a do-it-yourself fruit pizza display. This can also work for veggie pizzas which is basically the same ingredients with cream cheese, sugar cookies just veggies instead of fruit…

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While we’re on bars….ever went somewhere with a champagne bar? Now that’s how you get the party started.
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Tuesday’s Tips: Don’t play bartender while hosting. Have signature drinks instead

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{Grey Likes Weddings}

No sense in spending all of your party mixing and shaking like you’re working for tips. Instead create signature drinks ahead of time. Already have a bit poured in like glasses so guests can grab & mingle. Or have a dispenser where partygoers can help themselves. Bed Bath & Beyond has pretty inexpensive dispensers and you can sign up for their coupons which they’ll send at 20% off or $5 off. Plus, you don’t have to worry about swatting flies because it’s not open like a punch bowl.

Saturday Sunday Shindigs: Decorating w/Balloons…

I’ve come across some pretty photography and ideas on decorating with balloons…

Though the above was intended for a person leaving love notes for their significant other, you can take this idea by attaching childhood pics or pics of the couple for an engagement party…

Instead of ribbon, use lace when decorating for a bridal shower or bachelorette bash…

Worried people won’t know where to go? Line the entire walkway or leave a trail to the location instead of signage with arrows…

Hang balloons from the ceiling with ribbon as long as there’s no helium….

Happy Fourth Of July…

It’s so hot outside & I’m loving every bit of it. Yesterday I went down to watch the fireworks downtown Milwaukee off the lake and it was a great show. They had a new company do thiem this year and you could tell. Just left the lake for a bit now will meet up with my cousins to view fireworks at a park. Hope whatever you do is with good friends.

Just adding straws can make the presentation that much more festive…

Going to have to try this one day…