Our client wanted a big 50th birthday celebration for her sister, Kelly, and that is exactly what she got! The event took place at the Raleigh Little Theatre, which comfortably fit all 60 guests. We chose a wine-theme, which was recognized in a variety of ways. Merlot-colored linens and black sequin linens from CE Rental were selected to tie into the theme. The dessert bar was draped with the sequin linen to add a touch of glamor. The dessert assortment featured mini cupcakes from The Cupcake Shoppe, as well as a large cupcake with a wine glass made of fondant for the birthday girl. Each table featured a wonderful floral arrangement by Fallon’s Flowers that were appropriately displayed in a mix of wine bottles. Our client also chose “photo-fetti” (confetti created with your personal photos) to jazz up the tabletops and bar. Rocky Top Hospitality catered the party with a fabulous spread as usual! The evening ended with festive wine-shaped cookie favors by Shuga Shak from Wilmington.
 

When I think about a traditional Thanksgiving (especially in the South), I envision a turkey feast at Grandma’s complete with stuffing, green bean casserole, homemade pie, and all the fixings. If you are looking to put a new twist on your family gathering or throw a Thanksgiving celebration for you and your friends, here are a few ways to entertain your guests:

1. Don’t forget about the decorations! The time in-between Halloween and Christmas can often be looked over when it comes to making your home festive but there is no excuse not stay in the spirit of fall and thankfulness! There are easy ways to convert your decorations from October into fabulous tabletop and home décor. If you want to go for more of a “glam” look this holiday, try spray-painting your pumpkins gold to decorate your entrance or buy a few mini pumpkins to paint as well and use them as a place card on the dinner table. Your guests will love the modern-take on a typical fall staple and the personalization of the place card!

You could also jazz up your foyer with these DIY hanging glitter leaves (right) or a display of your children’s turkey handprints and “I’m thankful for…” crafts!

2. Many families jump right into the big feast and it’s over and done with before you know it. A great idea to extend family time is to start with a few homemade appetizers for people to nibble on while everyone is catching up with one another. Pinterest is full of recipes for festive dips and hands-on ideas for cooking with your kids. Making something simple together would be a great way to start your time with your family and friends!

3. Who says you have to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner? The one meal can require days of work,cooking and preparation. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for friends, why not make it a Thanksgiving-themed party with drinks and heavy hor’douvres? You can incorporate the turkey and the trimmings into more untraditional ways like bacon-wrapped green beans, turkey tetrazzini, and pumpkin dip! This “grown up” grilled cheese below also sounds like a crowd pleaser:

http://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2012/11/sourdough-apple-bread-and-best-grilled.html

4. How about that pre or post dinner cocktail? There are endless options for fall signature drinks! This autumn sangria with pears and cinnamon sticks looks and sounds delicious!

Ingredients:
* 3 ripe pears
* 8-10 short cinnamon sticks
* 3 tablespoon of honey
* 3 tablespoon of raisins
* 1 pinch of cardamom
* 750 ml of white wine
* 500 ml of apple cider

5. Last but certainly not least – dessert! Put a spin on the traditional pie and make a variety of mini pies so there is a flavor to please everyone. You can add a few more favorites like apple popovers and pumpkin bars to create a dessert bar for all of your guests to enjoy. These mini pies and banana pudding shots from Southern Weddings Magazine look delicious!

Jennifer V. was featured on My Carolina Today on July 4th. Jennifer discusses planning for a BBQ. She talks about invitations, drinks, appetizers and food and gives other tips to help make a BBQ a hit with your guests without spending a lot of time and money.

Thank you to the following vendors for helping make this TV segment look wonderful!

Calligraphy by Carrie: http://www.calligraphybycarrie.com
The Cupcake Shoppe: http://thecupcakeshopperaleigh.com
Carolina Ale House: http://www.carolinaalehouse.com

Get Your Grill On!

It’s grilling season again and Father’s Day is just around the corner! In my house, no celebration is complete without delicious food, and Father’s Day isn’t Father’s Day without a juicy, flavorful burger. I’m always looking for new recipes for the grill and when I saw this recipe for a Jalapeno-Bacon-Cheddar Burger from Williams and Sonoma, I just couldn’t resist!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground chuck
1 lb ground sirloin
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 jalapeno chilies, stemmed, halved lengthwise and seeded
6 cheddar cheese slices
12 thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon slices, fried until crisp
6 hamburger buns, split
Lettuce, tomato slices and onion straws for serving

Directions:
Prepare a hot fire in a grill. Brush and oil the grill grate.

In a bowl, using a spoon, not your hands, gently mix together the ground chuck and sirloin. Run your hands under cold water and then divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty about 1 inch thick, being careful not to compact the meat too much. (Check to make sure the patties fit the buns, too.) Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Make a depression in the center of each patty with your thumb. Refrigerate the patties until the grill is ready.

Place the patties, indent side up, and the chilies, skin side down, on the grill directly over the fire. Grill both the patties and the jalapeños, turning once, until they are nicely charred on both sides and the burgers are cooked to your liking, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, top each patty with a cheese slice, 2 jalapeño halves and 2 bacon slices. Put the buns, cut side down, along the edge of the grill and cover the grill. Cook until the cheese is melted and the buns are lightly toasted.

Place a burger on the bottom half of each bun and place the tops alongside. Set out the barbecue sauce and other condiments for diners to add to their burgers. Serve immediately. Serves 6.
Recipe from: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/jalapeno-bacon-cheddar-burgers.html?cm_src=RECIPESEARCH

Along with this wonderful burger recipe, Williams and Sonoma offers so many cool grilling tools and accessories perfect for all the Dad’s out there. Check it all out online or in store!

Author: Katy Parrish