Relax – Cozy up and unwind  |  Converse – Chat up today’s events  |  Party – Hang out with your friends


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RELAX

Spending a relaxing evening at home with someone special?  Here are a few suggestions to make the evening memorable.

Drink – Open a bottle of wine or make a sexy cocktail.  The scent of vanilla is said to elicit thoughts of romance.  Try a white seduction martini (milk, Kahlua, and Stoli vanilla vodka), or if it’s cold out, white hot chocolate with Stoli vanilla vodka.

Music – Something timeless and familiar is perfect.  For me, Frank Sinatra does the trick.  I also love Bossa Nova for these nights.  Who doesn’t think jazz and saxophones are sexy!

Lighting – If it’s cold out and you have a fireplace, this is the night to use it.  Otherwise just dim the lights, and light a few candles.  Nothing sets the mood like lighting.

Dessert – Keep it comfortable with a personal favorite.  But if you are in the mood for something new, soak fresh peach slices in sweet, citrusy Muscat wine and refrigerate during dinner.  Pour the peaches and Muscat over some vanilla ice cream.  It’s truly a treat.

Diversion – Throw in a movie and grab a blanket (to share of course).  It’s time to relax!

Recipes for a relaxing evening...

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CONVERSE

Spending an evening around the dinner table with family or friends chatting it up?  Here are some ideas to keep the conversation rolling!

Drink – Serve it with a story!  Whether you’re serving a wine that was just recommended to you by your wine shop, or your longtime favorite bottle, tell your guests about it.  Each vineyard and winemaker has a unique history that makes the wine what it is today.  Share your experiences with the wine or a little bit about its history – it will make each sip special for your guests.

Music – You need something that keeps the energy flowing but isn’t distracting.  A tried and true favorite is any of the Buddah Bar mixes.  Love it!!

Lighting – Dim the lights just a bit from where you usually have them.  Light candles around the table.  Throw some candles in your guest bathroom as well as some simple fresh flowers or greens (I run outside and just pluck whatever is growing).  Also dim the lights in the kitchen slightly and light some candles around the cooking area.  It creates a cozy, comfortable environment that puts people at ease and opens the door for great conversation.

Dessert – Dress it up a bit!  Decorate your serving plate with fruit or a simple design with some chocolate or raspberry sauce that complements the dessert.  Give your guests the choice of a dessert wine, sweet liqueur, or coffee with their dessert. Serve dessert in a separate location.  If it’s warm, go outside and enjoy the evening.  If it’s cold, warm up around the fireplace in the living room.

Diversion – You!  At the stove!  Set your kitchen up with everything pre-chopped like you see on the cooking channel.  Don’t forget to get rid of the evidence (any cheating or shortcuts) and make sure guests are with drink in hand.

Recipes for an evening with family, friends and conversation...

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PARTY

Having a Friday night soiree with your 15 closest friends? Here are tips to make sure they leave thinking you’re a superstar host.

Drink – Serve a theme drink of the evening (keep beer and wine on hand for those that prefer).  Seasonal cocktails are always fun such as a fresh kumquat sparkler or white sangria in the summer, a pumpkin martini in the fall, hot toddies or white russians in the winter, and mint juleps in the spring.  A creative drink gets people out of their routine and sparks up the fun!  If you feel like splurging, hire a bartender.  He’ll keep your guest’s drinks full and help clean up at the end of the night.

Music – As always, music is crucial to creating the party’s energy.  A week or two before I host an event, I literally carry a pen and notepad in my car.  I write down (only when at a full and complete stop of course) the names of my favorite new songs that come on the radio and upload them off itunes when I get home.  Mixed with some of my other favorites, it’s like hiring a DJ!  When you’re choosing the order, rotate genres and slower songs so you don’t get two of the same in a row.  

Lighting – Lighting can really transport things to another level.  If you want to get people dancing and you own a disco ball, tonight’s the night to rock it!  Same with a strobe light and any other light up toys you have.  If you want to keep things a little more mellow, good old dim lights and candles everywhere will more than cover it!

Dessert – Set out an assortment of truffles, cookies, or baked goods.  Prepare dessert ahead of time or run by your favorite local bakery or specialty market.  Serve something that you can set out at room temperature and leaves you free to mingle with your guests. 

Diversion – Aaahhh, so many options here... Start up a little after dinner dance party.  Make it a themed costume party.  Play a party game.  Have a blind-folded taste test and hand out prizes.  Anything that keeps your guests mingling is brilliant here!  The key is to do something out of the ordinary that will make it a memorable evening.

Recipes for any kind of party...