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How to Host a Stylishly Vintage Bachelorette Party

partysugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:50:28 -0700

Throwing a memorable bachelorette party is tricky. The event should be festive and fun, but not gimmicky and gross. There's a fine line between elegantly tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top tacky. Does anyone really want to wear a headband with a giant dildo in public? I don't think so. Recently I went to a wonderful bachelorette party that succeeded in celebrating the bride-to-be in a traditional yet sophisticated way. It was delightful, so I took pictures to share the experience and ideas with you! The soirée was inspired by 1950s housewives and retro glamour. Here, you'll find all of the little details that made this party fabulous.

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Party Fabulous: Simple Strawberry-Mint Glass Garnish

partysugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:15:09 -0700

For the past two and a half years, I've complained about everything from a lack of utensils to an unfriendly hostess in my regular column called, Party Foul. Well, guess what? I don't just want to focus on the bad. Parties are supposed to be fun, so it's high time I introduce a new feature, Party Fabulous, that highlights haute hostesses and chic party ideas. Take this simple, but pretty garnish, for example. While I've seen plenty of champagne flutes topped with strawberries, I've never seen a heart-shaped strawberry with mint-leaf garnish. I found this lovely detail at a recent bachelorette party. Here's how to re-create it at home:

Stem and hull the strawberry.
Turn the berry over and run the knife though the bottom so it can be placed on top of a glass (be careful not to cut the berry all the way in half).
Take two small mint leaves and place inside the hole. Slide onto a glass. Voila!

Can you imagine how gorgeous a tray of strawberry-topped glasses will look at the entrance of a party? Do you have a fabulous tip for a party? Share your experiences below.

Party Foul: Not Greeting Your Guests

partysugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:30:42 -0700

At female-centric events like baby showers or bachelorette parties, it's easy for cliques to form and cattiness to flourish. Recently, my sister attended a bridal shower where the majority of guests went to the same high school. However some girls, despite knowing my sister, were cold and unfriendly. To make matters worse, the hostess did not say one word to her! While I understand that everyone present may not get along, it's totally unacceptable for the hostess to ignore her guests. It's up to the hostess to ensure that gossip and grudges don't ruin the party. This means that she must put aside any hard feelings and greet everyone equally.

Have you ever been to a party where the hostess made you feel unwelcome? Please share your stories below!

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Come Party With Me: Bachelorette - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:15:05 -0700

For Ronda's belly dancing themed bachelorette party, the decorations will be opulent and rich with lots of gold accents. Here's how you can achieve a similar look.

Cover the appetizer table with a raw silk brocade fabric. Peacock feather placemats add texture to the tablescape. Serve the pita rounds, Turkish cigars, lamb flatbread, and skewered shrimp on luxe teal platters. Set the fudge brownie tartlets on a golden elephant cake stand. Fill an elegant drink dispenser with lavender peach bellini and let the girls fill up the champagne coupes.

Hang festive colored lanterns from trees or the ceiling and arrange an exotic bouquet of flowers. Belly dancing jewelry is a fabulous and unexpected party favor.

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Come Party With Me: Bachelorette - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:50:58 -0700

If you're hosting a party - like Ronda's belly dancing-themed bachelorette - that begins in the early evening and carries on until the wee hours of morning at a second location, skip the shots and hard alcohol. You don't want guests getting too wasted too quickly, and you'll save money by not having to purchase a bunch of liquor.

At a bachelorette, serve a girly, bubbly cocktail like this lavender and peach bellini. Its vibrant color matches the sunny Mediterranean appetizer menu, and the easy recipe makes a large batch. White wine and sparkling water are other good beverage options to have on hand. For the recipe to this fruity and floral concoction, read more.

Lavender and Peach Bellini
From Epicurious

Ingredients

1 part peach puree
2 parts Prosecco or another sparkling wine
1 pinch of edible, nontoxic, dried or fresh lavender

Directions

Place the puree in the bottom of a champagne glass.
Carefully pour in the sparkling wine.
Don't stir, but use a spoon to pull the puree up along the sides of the glass, so that you won't lose the bubbles.
Decorate with the lavender.

Serving size varies.

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Celebrities' Hen Parties!

PopSugarUK — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:30:00 -0700

As part of wedding season we're focussing on pre-wedding parties here on the Sugar Network, so I'm taking a look at celebrities' hen parties. From the traditional fancy dress night out to week-long holidays, celebs certainly know how to kiss goodbye to their single life in style. Click through to see the hen party photos of Britney, Christina, Coleen and more!

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Come Party With Me: Bachelorette - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:30:40 -0700

When planning a party, remember the guest of honor's culinary needs. Although Ronda's bachelorette party has a belly-dancing theme and a spread of Mediterranean-inspired appetizers, she's requested that the dessert be something bite sized and chocolaty. These delightful fudge brownie tartlets are sure to satisfy her sweet tooth. The shell is a butter pastry, the filling a gooey chocolate batter, and the frosting a chocolate buttercream. They can be prepared up to three days in advance, making them the ideal party dessert.

If you aren't hosting a bachlorette party any time soon, you'll want to add this divine recipe to your collection: do so when you read more.

Fudge Brownie Tartlets
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
Macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, or walnut pieces (optional)
Chocolate Butter Frosting (recipe below)

Directions

For pastry, in a medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup butter and the cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour. Cover and chill dough about 1 hour or until easy to handle.
Shape dough into 24 balls. Press each ball evenly onto the bottom and up the side of an ungreased 1-3/4-inch muffin cup.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
For filling, in a small saucepan, combine chocolate pieces and the 2 tablespoons butter; heat and stir over low heat until melted.
Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, egg, and vanilla. If desired, place a macadamia nut, hazelnut (filbert), almond, or walnut piece and about 1-1/2 teaspoons of the chocolate mixture into each dough-lined muffin cup.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is puffed. Cool tartlets in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of each muffin cup to remove tartlets from pans. Transfer tartlets to wire racks and cool.
Pipe or spoon Chocolate Butter Frosting onto tartlets. If desired, top with additional nuts.

Makes 24 tartlets.

Make ahead: Place cooled, unfrosted tartlets in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (Or place cooled, unfrosted tartlets in a freezer container; cover. Freeze for up to 3 months.) To serve, thaw tartlets, if frozen. Continue with final step of recipe to frost.

Chocolate Butter Frosting: In a large bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter, softened, with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Gradually add 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 2 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in 2-1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar. Beat in enough additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach piping consistency.

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9 Ways to Go Classy For Your Next Bachelorette Party

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:11 -0700

I’ve attended my fair share of bachelorette parties, from the tame cocktail hour/swanky dinner varieties to the no-holds-barred blowouts complete with Chippendales and all things phallic. When it comes to celebrating the bride on her big night out, there is definitely a difference between classy and trashy. Don't get me wrong. Both types of party styles have their places, but I've gathered together some examples of how to make your next bachelorette party "tastefully tacky." Source

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Come Party With Me: Bachelorette - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:01 -0700

While the bridal shower was sunny and sophisticated, my friend Ronda's bachelorette will be fantastical and fabulous. Since she's a huge fan of belly dancing, the maid of honor has chosen this sensual dance to serve as the party's theme. Ronda's girlfriends are invited to a belly dancing class complete with Mediterranean nibbles. After the class, everyone will head to a local hookah bar to practice their newfound talent. I'm planning the menu; it will be a spread of delicious appetizers. In between songs, the girls can snack on mini Mediterranean pitas topped with hummus, tapenade, or pesto.

Crisp Turkish cigars are filled with tangy feta cheese. Flatbread squares with mint and ground lamb are hearty and scrumptious. When skewered on rosemary springs and served with a garlicky mint sauce, shrimp is irresistible. To check out these recipes that are perfect for any backyard bash, read more.

Mediterranean Pitas
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

16 mini pita pockets, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound each hummus, tapenade, pesto, sun-dried tomato spread, black bean dip and spreadable goat cheese
Olives, for garnish
Paprika (optional)

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Split each pita pocket in half, forming 32 disks total.
Place the disks, cut side up, on a baking sheet and brush with the olive oil. Place under the broiler and cook until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes. Let cool.
Top the pitas with the various spreads. Place an olive in the center of some of the pitas. Sprinkle lightly with paprika, if desired.

Serves 8.

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Turkish Cigars
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

14 ounces feta cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup finely chopped mixed herbs, such as mint, flat-leaf parsley and dill
Salt and freshly ground pepper
16 sheets phyllo dough
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, blend the feta with the eggs and the mixed herbs and season with salt and pepper.
Have 2 large baking sheets ready. Work with 2 sheets of phyllo at a time, keeping the remaining sheets under a damp towel. Set 1 sheet of phyllo on a work surface and brush with some of the melted butter. Press a second sheet of phyllo on top. Cut the phyllo lengthwise into 4 even rectangles.
Spread 1 tablespoon of the feta cheese and herb filling along the short end of one of the phyllo rectangles, leaving about 1/2 inch on each side. Roll up the phyllo, neatly tucking in the ends one-third of the way up to enclose the filling, then continue to roll up the phyllo with the sides open.
Transfer the rolled-up cigar, seam side down, to a large baking sheet and brush with more of the melted butter. Repeat with the remaining phyllo dough and feta cheese and herb filling.
Bake the cigars for about 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp; switch the baking sheets halfway through for even browning. Serve the cigars hot or at room temperature.

Makes 32 cigars.

Make Ahead: The cigars can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bake the cigars just before serving.

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Flatbread Topped with Mint, Feta, and Lamb
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

For the flatbreads
1 3/4 teaspoons dry active yeast (from one 1/4-ounce envelope)
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
4 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for surface
For the topping
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing and drizzling
6 leeks, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and rinsed well
16 scallions, thinly sliced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish
1/2 pound ground lamb
1 cup (8 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Make the flatbreads: Combine yeast and water in a mixer bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add oil, sugar, and salt. Mix with the dough hook on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed to low. With the machine running, add flour, a little at a time, and mix until dough comes together. (You will need more flour in warm weather than in cold.) Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface, and knead until smooth and supple, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to an oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
Remove dough from refrigerator, and bring to room temperature. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet on the floor of the oven. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
Make the topping: Melt butter with oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and scallions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in parsley and mint.
Add lamb to the same skillet, and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring and breaking meat into small pieces, until browned, 6 to 7 minutes.
Divide dough into 4 portions. On a lightly floured surface, gently stretch 2 pieces into 14-by-7-inch rounded rectangles; keep other portions covered.
Place dough rectangles on a parchment-lined peel or inverted rimmed baking sheet. Brush with oil, and spread each with 1/4 of the leek mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top each with 1/4 of the lamb, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup feta. Season with salt and pepper.
Carefully slide parchment with flatbreads off the peel or sheet onto the pizza stone. Bake until flatbreads are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.
Garnish flatbreads with fresh mint, and drizzle with oil. Cut into thick slices, and serve immediately.

Serves 8-10.

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Skewered Rosemary Shrimp with Mint Pesto
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

Mint pesto
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons (packed) feta cheese
2 tablespoons (packed) Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped jalapeño chile
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (packed) fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Shrimp
24 large uncooked shrimp (about 2 pounds), peeled, deveined, tails left intact
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
24 4-inch-long woody rosemary sprigs

Directions

For mint pesto: combine first 7 ingredients in processor. Using on/off turns, process until mixture is smooth.
Add mint leaves and lemon juice; process until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Gradually add oil and process until mint pesto is smooth and creamy. (Can be made 1 day ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
For shrimp: preheat broiler. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper. Whisk oil, garlic, and parsley in medium bowl to blend. Add shrimp; toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
Arrange shrimp in single layer on broiler pan. Broil until opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to large bowl; sprinkle with lemon juice and toss with 1/2 cup mint pesto. Starting at base end of rosemary, skewer 1 shrimp on each sprig. Arrange on platter and serve.

Makes 24.

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Top 10 Tackiest Bachelorette Party Favors

TresSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I've never understood how having a raunchy bachelorette party helps usher you into a loving, stable marriage, but it's here to stay as a tradition. I've gathered up some of the tackiest party favors and products I could find. Oh, the romance of weddings!

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