Alarm Clocks are a great way to decorate for New Year’s Eve. Spread them throughout the main gathering areas and set them all to go off at midnight.

Tons of metallic and white helium balloons through the space, with silver string make for an festive, easy and cost-effective over the top party ambiance. 

New York Cocktail


Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 oz. Rye whiskey 
  
• 1⁄2 oz. Fresh lime juice
  
• 1⁄2 tsp. Confectioners' sugar
  
• 1⁄4 tsp. Grenadine
  
• Orange peel, for garnish
  

Instructions:
Fill a shaker with 1 cup ice and add rye, lime juice, sugar, and grenadine. Cover and shake until well chilled, 10–15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange peel. 

MAKES 1 COCKTAIL - CHEERS!!




Recipe courtesy of Saveur

Make elegant and simple Christmas centerpiece decorations and place setting with your own tableware and leftover Christmas decorations. 

You can copy what you see here, BUT I highly recommend that you explore with whatever glassware and tableware you have and accentuate with LED tea lights and high sparkle or high gloss Christmas ornaments ..... I prefer a monotone theme in either silver or gold, but you can mix the colors to your decor style, as long you keep them all in complement to each other. 

Happy Celebrating!

I'm a firm believer in always preparing my home for guests. With an occasion as great as Thanksgiving, I think a little extra effort is in order.

Here is a beautiful table setting for inspiration.

It's classic and simple to put together.


For more Thanksgiving decorating inspirations click here.

October 28th is Global Champagne Day, when champagne enthusiasts all over the world gather together in ‘virtual appreciation’ of everything champagne. In honor of this most joyous occasion I encourage you to have a gathering to celebrate. Here is a fabulous classic champagne based cocktail recipe to help you along!!! You can incorporate a speak easy feeling and make a complete themed event out of it!! CHEERS!

Ingredients:
Pinch sugarDash sweet and sour mix
3⁄4 oz. dry gin
3⁄4 oz. French brandy (not cognac)
Club soda
2 oz. champagne
Slice of lemon

Instructions:

1. Put sugar into a tall glass and fill halfway with ice cubes. Add sweet and sour mix, gin, and brandy.
   
2. Fill the glass to within 2" of the top with club soda, then float in champagne. Garnish with a lemon slice.
   

MAKES 1 COCKTAIL

THE POWER OF CHEESE!!!
I don’t know about you, but I find cheese irresistible …..yes everyone, my name is Alexandra and I am a cheeseaholic. What can I say, “the power of cheese” indeed!!
I aim to constantly have a variety of cheese in my fridge, I have two usual suspects which just so happen to be my favorite and I am particularly convinced that they taste good with 99.9% of what I consume. And they are Mr. Manchego & Mr. Brie, I love these guys!

MANCHEGO CHEESE

BRIE CHEESE

I have a few reasons besides the obvious for keeping a cheesy stash on hand at all times. One is that without it I feel like superman sitting next to kryptonite, another reason is that it spruces up simple dishes by the simple act of adding a slice or sprinkle on top of mostly anything and last but certainly NOT least it makes for an impromptu arrangement for unannounced guests or planned gatherings alike!

Just add Wine, Toast, Crusty Breads and or Biscuits and you have a party or a decadent snack!

Here are a few platter serving ideas, feel free to mix and match elements and flavors – you can add cold cuts, pickled preserves, cured meats, smoked fishes, the possibilities are infinite….

CHEESE PLATTER WITH NUTS, FRUIT & OLIVES

CHEESE PLATTER WITH CURED MEATS, TOAST AND GRAPES

CHEESE PLATTER WITH CHERRIES AND CRACKERS

CHEESE PLATTER WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Consider this when creating a cheese platter:

• Choose a variety of cheese 

Milder and Stronger Cheeses
Mixture of Goats, Cows, Sheep’s, etc
Vary the colors and texture
Use hard, semi–hard and soft cheeses
(For example - brie, manchego and goat - my first choices!)

Use Fruit such as Pear, Tart Apple, Strawberry, Fig, Kiwi, Grapes OR Olives, Capers, Pickles, Roasted Garlic and Sun Dried Tomatoes, depending on what you are serving.

I'm a huge fan of bubbles, so champagne or prosecco are my first suggestions....but, we all know that red wine and cheese are great dancing partners…..also, stick to what you know you like……for a white wine choice, Pinot Grigio will accompany most of any cheeses.

Bring out small plates, make a toast and enjoy!!!!