Dansk Tray for Thanksgiving TV Dinner

By Michelle Alderson | November 14, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Martha Stewart's Pumpkin Decorating

By Michelle Alderson | October 4, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: halloween, martha stewart, pumpkin carving

Hello!Lucky Invites for Your Emmy Party

By Michelle Alderson | September 11, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Easy & Elegant Bucket Grill by Sagaform

This bucket grill by Sagaform has been upgraded witha shiny chrome finish, while making it an easy way to take a grill along to the park or beach.

Chrome Bucket Grill  |  $40 at A+R Store

Related: 5 Grills for 5 Personality Types [Yahoo Food]

By Robert | July 19, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tapas Set from Ironwood Gourmet

These ingenious and stylish wood tapas plates from Ironwood Gourmet allows party goers to stack their food right on top of their wine glass, allowing for that always-needed free hand for nibbling.

Tapas Plates  |  $20, set of 4 from Sur la Table

[via coolhunting.com]

By Michelle Alderson | July 16, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ice Cream Set by Alessi

This brightly colored ice cream set is just too much fun. Available in blue, fuchsia, green, and orange, the set was designed by Miriam Mirri for playful ice cream lovers.

Alessi Ice Cream Set  |  $45 at hivemodern.com

By Michelle Alderson | July 13, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Placemats from French Bull

These colorful paper placemats are a great way to brighten up your outdoor BBQs this summer, which, if you haven’t checked your calendar, officially started yesterday.

French Bull Placemats  |  $12 for a set of 24 at partyplum.com

By Michelle Alderson | June 22, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lux Flatware by Philippe Starck

Philippe Starck's Lux Dinnerware has made picnicking more stylish. Just in time for your 4th of July outing, Starck has designed plastic cutlery for summer outdoor dining. Available in gold or silver.

Lux Flatware  |  $6 for 10 at unicahome.com

By Michelle Alderson | June 21, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Outdoor Dining Gazebo by Jane Hamley Wells

Part picnic table, part gazebo, and part merry-go-round.  This outdoor gazebo set is designed by Jane Hamley Wells and is made of stainless steel, teak and fabric.  The entire set rotates on a turntable so you can find some refuge from a glaring sun.

link: Capsule Turntable Room by Jane Hamley Wells

[via Freshome] 

By Robert | June 19, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Colorful Summertime Coasters

These colorful coasters are perfect for summertime entertaining.  Plus, the different designs will help keep track of your cocktail glass.

Decorative Coasters  |  $12 each at See Jane Work

By Robert | June 12, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Backyard Wood-Burning Oven: Beautiful and Expensive

At $2000, this rustic handcrafted wood-buring oven is definitely not for everyone, but it's a great conversation piece, regardless if you're buying, green with envy, or just looking.

Handcrafted Terra Cotta Wood-burning Oven  |  $2000 at Sur la Table 

[via BornRich]

By Robert | May 22, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Make Ice Sticks Instead of Ice Cubes

Ice your summer party drinks this season with ice sticks made from these silicon Ice Stick Trays from Crate & Barrel ($2.95 each)

By Robert | May 21, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wine Cork Placecard Holders

Let these wine cork placecard holders be part of your table setting for your next dinner party, $22.95 at Bright and Bold.

By Robert | May 16, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blik's Glass-Stiks Decals

Wall decor design studio, Blik, just recently introduced new Glass-Stiks to put on your glasses so your guests can keep track of their drinks.  Patterns range from florals, to animals, to geometric shapes.

Glass-Stiks  |  $$4.50 for 12 at Blik 

By Robert | May 7, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

Haute Note Party Invitations

No matter how easy email is, guests still love invitations in the mail.  Check out custom party invitations from Haute Note that will get the excitement about your party off on a bang.

By Robert | April 28, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Circle Water Carafe

By Michelle Alderson | April 24, 2007 in Kitchen Gadgets, Parties & Entertaining, Tabletop Design | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recyclable Placemats

It's nice to know that you can be "green" and stylish. These placemats are made from "tree-free" paper and are 100% recyclable. Eco-friendly is so modern.

Placemats by Paper Table  l  $24 (set of 4) at 3rliving

By Michelle Alderson | April 18, 2007 in Kitchen Design, Parties & Entertaining, Tabletop Design, Tabletop Design | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sofa Trays Hold Your Food and Drink at Arm's Reach

Turn the arm of your sofa into a mini table, steady enough for the dirtiest martini.

Metal Sofa Arm Trays  |   $100 - 125 at Viesso

By Bryce Longton | April 17, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Giovannoni Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder

Easter just isn't the same without a bunny. Luckily, you can accessorize your brunch table with the Giovannoni Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder. Available in green, pink, yellow, and blue (shown).

Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder l $24 at highbrowfurniture.com

By Michelle Alderson | March 23, 2007 in Holidays, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ritzenhoff Clubstar Glass

This St. Patrick’s Day you can add some sophistication to your green beer with the ClubStar Glass line from the designers at Ritzenhoff.

Ritzenhoff Wittefeld ClubStar Glass '05   |  $37 at Table Tools

By Michelle Alderson | March 10, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Riedel's Grape Martini Glass

One thing about martinis that can be challenging is drinking from those V-shaped glasses. A bit top heavy, they seem to have a hole right at the edge so that every sip somehow ends up anywhere but your mouth. Riedel has saved the day! Its new Grape martini glass is both stylish and functional. The design “creates an indent on the bottom of the bowl, reflecting the light,” allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your martini, mess free. Your floors will thank you at your next cocktail party.

Riedel Grape Martini Glass  l  $70 for set of 2 @ Williams-Sonoma

By Michelle Alderson | February 27, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Dishy Tribute to Oscars' Best Pictures

In honor of the five movies up for this year’s Oscars Best Movie category, we think these cool, skull plates designed by Sarah Cihat are in order for appetizers at your Oscar party. Think about it: every picture involves a death (at least): The Queen (Princess Diana), Babel (several people in different countries), Letters from Iwo Jima (too many to mention), The Departed (lots of guys in Boston), and even Little Miss Sunshine (good ol’ grandpa who taught Olive those moves). We chose the orange design in her honor.

link: Sarah Cihat

By Michelle Alderson | February 24, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining, Tabletop Design | Permalink | Comments (0)

Final Touches for your Super Bowl Party

Super Bowl party plans are being finalized and for the guys and girls, here are some finishing touches.

• Serving up the Girls for Super Bowl
• Serving up the Boys for Super Bowl
  
• Wines with Cool Labels
  

By Robert | February 2, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vinotagz ID's Your Wine Glasses

Unlike dangly little wine glass charms that can be confusing to claim after a glass or two--did I have the grape or the bottle charm?-- Vinotagz makes it easy and modern with their boxy wine glass rings.  The abstractly patterned rings slip on through a slight opening in the squared circle, and store neatly stacked on the neck of a wine bottle. To make it even easier, the rings are made to be written on with ballpoint pens, wiped and reused. They even do double duty as napkin rings.

Final Word: Square is the new circle

By Bryce Longton | January 27, 2007 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

"I'm So Lazy" Picnic Blanket

This aptly named carpet slash picnic table is the genius of Yuki Abe, a design student in Finland. His motto is “form follows fun,” and we agree. When form intersects with the lazy time-honored tradition of carpet picnics—we can’t help but cheer, quietly of course—we don’t want to exert ourselves too much.  [via style-files via mocoloco]

You can contact him directly at yuki.abe@welho.com, as this design is still in the prototype stage.

Final Word: Pass the fried chicken.

By Bryce Longton | January 25, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coaster Crazy with design*sponge

Grace recently found as many design coasters as she could find on her design*sponge blog at h&g.  You're sure to find something you like from all her selections she titled "Coasterpalooza".  

By Robert | January 8, 2007 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

11 Songs for Your New Year's Party Playlist

It's been a week to relax and slow down, so only two new links at Yahoo! Food.  Enjoy your New Year and the party playlist we had Christopher Sprinkle put together for your New Year's Party.

• 11 Songs for Your New Year's Party
• Teaposy: Tea Masquerading as a Flower

By Robert | December 29, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vessel's New Luau Portable Lamp

Vessel's new Luau Lamp is a rechargeable and portable light that can add a unique ambiance to your parties, whether indoor or out.  The convenient handle lets you carry Luau with you and can stay charged to 6 hours.

Vessel: Luau Portable Rechargeable Lamp  |  $249 at Amazon

By Robert | October 28, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sea Life Coasters

Bring a touch of natural sea life to your cocktail parties with these sea plant coasters.  $95 for a set of four at NIBA Home.

By Robert | October 14, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nesting Lotus Flower Bowls

The simple beauty of this set of 8 nesting lotus flower bowls is sure to find a place in your home and entertaining table.

Lotus Nesting Bowls  |  $89 at Koo de Kir 

By Robert | September 26, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Join the Hollywood Set with Swank Martini Glasses

The Martini boom continues unabated, and a collection of martini glasses from the Swank Martini Company will surely give your home bar the added touch of class to go along with the Grey Goose, Ciroc or Herradura in the cabinet.

The sample pack of 12 entirely different glasses has been carefully selected, after the owners of the company scoured bars around the world to come up with really unique designs, shapes and sizes.

They look at new designs all the time from people who actually create these mini works of art. There are other packages available, and the glasses are also for sale individually.

Some of the individual names of the glasses include Swinger, Metro, Omega, Satin Breeze, Swerve, Parisian, Vibe, Chillin, A Twist, The Diva, Cosmo and Flirtini.

Hardly surprising, the Hollywood set has caught on to these glasses. The obvious high profile celebrities or usual suspects are all allegedly owners of these slick looking glasses, an obvious fit for these modern day icons of the silver screen

By Michael Hepworth | September 18, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining, Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

The beauty of port2press custom stationery

Receiving a handwritten invitation or thank you on beautiful stationery adds to a hostess' sense of style.  port2press makes limited edition letterpress cards that instantly elevates the importance of your event or level of gratitude.

By Robert | September 15, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quick Folding Stool for Your Parties

Made from lightweight 3F board, the Falter Folding Stool also folds up to less than an inch thick, making it a perfect portable, stowable, durable and unique folding stool for your cocktail and casual dinner parties.

Falter Folding Stool  |  $198 at DWR.com 

By Robert | September 6, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daniel Bouley Throws His Own Five-Day Wedding Party

After working on over 400 weddings, chef and restauranteur, Daniel Bouley put all his experience to good use when he hosted his own five-day wedding celebration last week for 80 guests in France's Loire Valley. 

Taking over two chateaus for a week - Château de l'Aubrière and Château de la Bourdaisière - Bouley, 53, and his bride, Nicole Bartelme, 38, played host at Bourdaisière to a moveable feast of unique organic haute-cuisine meals washed down with fine wines that included some from their birth years.

Some highlights included:

• Flying in over 20 of his staff from NYC, including Roger Martinez from Barcelona
• Importing fresh ingredients like heart of palm from Hawaii, Bellota ham from Spain, fresh tuna from Barcelona, and fresh wasabi and green gingko from Japan
• Improvising a dish from the chateau's garden using 55 pounds of heirloom tomatoes
• Hosting one night's meal in a dried-out moat of one of the chateau's (pictured above)

See more wedding images here.

[via The Food Section]

By Robert | September 1, 2006 in Chef News, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tree of Life Serving Plate by Michael Aram

Set Michael Aram's Tree of Life platter on your tabletop at your next party, and your guests will know they're in for a special night.

Tree of Life Serving Plate  |  $115 at Michael Aram online

By Robert | August 8, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have Tea with a Noguchi Twist

Sculptor and artist, Isamu Noguchi, designed a tea cup in 1952 that was never put into production until 2002, when the line was "re-issued".  Available in two saucer designs, one as a stand and a larger version (shown above) to hold as a handle.

Noguchi Tea Cup Set  |  $55 - 65 per set at Velocity Art and Design  

By Robert | August 4, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Conversation Starting Drink Coasters

At a loss for words at a cocktail party?  Bob's Your Uncle helps with their disposable coasters printed with irrevelant wine-tasting quotes.  With quotes like " Plummy With Strong Thrusting Overtones", you're sure to find something to talk about with your fellow partiers.

Bob's Your Uncle Wine-Tasting Disposable Coasters  |  $8 at Greener Grass Design

By Robert | August 1, 2006 in All Things Wine, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Suspend Your Dinner Guests 150 Feet in the Air

So you've been invited to dinner, and when you get there, you're led to a dining table elegantly set for 22.  The host asks you to step into your seat and begins strapping you in like a race car driver.  You look around and realize that this dining table with a beautiful clear canopy over it has wires attached to it that's attached to a giant crane parked nearby.  Your heart races and you wonder what the heck is going on?!!  

It's Dinner in the Sky!  A new concept in Belgium started as an unique (and hairraising) dining event for those event planners who want their guests to have a truly memorable experience.

Belgian Dinner in the Sky offers event organizers a new way to make their event highly memorable: a table, with 22 seated guests, is suspended from a crane. The specially built table is surrounded by chairs of the type usually found on roller coasters, with four-point seat belts. Hoisted 50 meters (164 feet) above ground, safety is a reasonable concern.

Safely buckled up and floating mid-air, guests can enjoy a meal or meeting, with three chefs, waiters, presenters and/or entertainers standing in an open area in the centre of the table. One of the company's first events (pictured above) was a dinner for 22 chefs, hosted by San Pellegrino.

Table, crane, logistic and security staff are available for EUR 7900 for an eight hour session, which can be organized anywhere a large crane can be placed.

Could be that a sidewalk cafe is just enough open air for you?  At least the bathroom is closer.

via [Springwise]

By Robert | July 14, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (2)

French Oak Wine Barrel Tray

Serve your fruit and cheese on a piece of French oak wine barrel recycled from the production of California wines.

$130 at Dean & Deluca 

By Robert | July 11, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wedding Cupcakes by Leda

Cupcakes are so popular these days, they've even crashed the scene at weddings.  This wedding cupcake design is by Leda's Bake Shop in Sherman Oaks, California.  They also do traditional cake designs too.  According to ohjoy!, Christine of Maganda, tried all of the cupcake shops in Los Angeles before choosing Leda's for her wedding.

By Robert | June 23, 2006 in Desserts & Other Sweets, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (3)

Enjoying Father's Day...

Planning on relaxing with dad on Father's Day?  Epicurious.com has some great ideas for gear, brews, wine, and food for Father's Day.  Even some party tips from Bobby Flay, too.

Father's Day Ideas  |  Epicurious.com

By Robert | June 12, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Black & White Missoni Dinnerware

Black and white is all the rage this season, and here's Missoni's retro take for their dinnerware line.  Stay in style this summer - go black and white.  Available at Neiman Marcus, ranging from $22-44 per piece.  [via design*sponge]

By Robert | June 1, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Accent your tabletop with Karim Rashid

Bring a modern twist to your summer entertaining with table top designs from Karim Rashid.  His Happy People lead-free crystals are a beautiful way to serve summer wines and margaritas.  The unique designs serve dual functions - for instance, invert the margarita glass and you have a shot glass.  New for 2006 are his Kari Ari Arim Rim candlesticks that also function as bud glasses.  So dress up your summer parties with Karim Rashid.

Happy People Glasses  |  starting at $85 at Unica

Kari Ari Arim Rim Candlesticks  |  $215/pair at RetroModern

By Robert | June 1, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hip Wine Glasses: Stack 'em Up

Stackable wine glasses? It's new to us, but we think they're pretty cool looking. These stackable acrylic wine glasses from Crate and Barrel can spruce up any party. They come in green, blue (pictured), and clear and are much hipper than any plastic ones you can buy. And just a bit more sophisticated, don't you think?

By Michelle Alderson | March 3, 2006 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Wolfgang Puck Oscar Menu: Choose the Right Wine for Braised Food

If you like his Oscar recipes, you can buy Wolgang Puck cookbooks at ecookbooks.com.

By Michelle Alderson | March 1, 2006 in All Things Wine, Cooking, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wine and Cheese: A Fondue Oscar Party

Every year people gather to observe an American celebration: The Oscars. This year, instead of the usual appetizers, may we suggest something a lot more fun and delicious: melted cheese, followed by melted chocolate? The tradition of dunking cubed bread into melted cheese (a.k.a fondue) is a perfect way to gather around the couch to watch all those fabulous people thank each other for being fabulous. And they look fabulous. Probably didn’t eat melted cheese before the show. Unfortunate souls.

Find out what wine to serve with fondue in Daily Olive’s wine section.

Related Links:

• Find out how to fondue
• The Food Network lists several great fondue recipes for both cheese and chocolate
• Browse fondue books at ecookbooks.com
• Fondue pots can be found everywhere nowadays. For an inexpensive choice, shop at target.com. For those looking for the fancier versions, you can check out surlatable.com
• To buy cheese for the big event, go to igourmet.com
• For more information about the Oscars go to www.oscar.com

By Michelle Alderson | February 28, 2006 in All Things Wine, Cheese, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Super Bowl Food Ideas from L.A. to New York

With less than a week left before Super Bowl Sunday, everyone is talking about what kind of food to serve. Even the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times jumped on board today. Both had two very different versions of what Super Bowl food should be. Thankfully they both tossed any ideas of tapas or little finger foods.

The Los Angeles Times felt that buffalo wings, BBQ ribs, and beer-battered shrimp were in order.

The New York Times preferred sub sandwiches, meatballs, and beans inspired by Rick Bayless' Mexican cooking.

And of course chips and dips is necessary. I prefer the instant onion dip you buy in a packet and mix with sour cream. Voilá- appetizers!

For more information on buffalo wings, go to www.buffalowings.com.
To find out about The Fifth Annual Buffalo Wings Festival go to www.buffalowing.com.

To buy Rick Bayless' book Mexican Everyday, go to ecookbooks.com.
To read about his recent restaurant opening go to treehugger.com.

Related Links:
Super Bowl Party, Pizza, and Jessica Simpson?
More Super Bowl Party Planning Tips and Recipes

By Michelle Alderson | February 1, 2006 in Cookbooks, Cooking, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

More Super Bowl Party Planning Tips and Recipes

Super Bowl week is about to get into full swing--parties organized, guests invited, and menus planned.  If you're planning a Super Bowl party, here some links to help your pull off your Sunday bash.

• At Epicurious.com, Tyler Florence shows you how he prepares his Super Bowl bash
• From FineLiving.com, get decorating ideas and recipes for New Zealand burgers, chilled asparagus and more
• Martha Stewart pitches in with recipes for buffalo chicken strips, beer drinkers pizza, chili, hot spinach dip, and easy guacamole
• AllRecipes.com has a Super Bowl page that helps out with their best dips, chili, and slow cooker recipes
• Worried about calories and eating healthy - read "Forty Ways to Enjoy Super Bowl XL" that lists 40 guilt-free foods to serve and eat

Related Links:
Super Bowl Parties, Pizza & Jessica Simpson
Super Bowl Party Ideas from The Food Network

By Robert | January 30, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Super Bowl Parties, Pizza, and Jessica Simpson?

Well, wouldn’t you like to have pizza with Jessica Simpson at your Super Bowl Party? You can, if you catch the Pizza Hut “sizzling” commercial that will highlight Ms. Simpson’s fine talents (singing, that is) and Pizza Hut’s Cheesy Bites. The announcement, I’m sure for all foodies out there, made you think; now how can I make pizza at home?

Don’t fret; Epicurious.com has a great site right now with many, many recipes for pizzas, finger foods, chili, buffalo wings, and a lot more to make your Super Bowl party “sizzle.”

Check out the Jessica Simpson and Pizza Hut Breaking News.
For Super Bowl party recipes, go to Epicurious.com.
Catch all the Super Bowl information you’ll need for the big day at superbowl.com.

By Michelle Alderson | January 27, 2006 in Cooking, Food, Parties & Entertaining, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Super Bowl Parties, Pizza, and Jessica Simpson?

Well, wouldn’t you like to have pizza with Jessica Simpson at your Super Bowl Party? You can, if you catch the Pizza Hut “sizzling” commercial that will highlight Ms. Simpson’s fine talents (singing, that is) and Pizza Hut’s Cheesy Bites. The announcement, I’m sure for all foodies out there, made you think; now how can I make pizza at home?

Don’t fret; Epicurious.com has a great site right now with many, many recipes for pizzas, finger foods, chili, buffalo wings, and a lot more to make your Super Bowl party “sizzle.”

Check out the Jessica Simpson and Pizza Hut Breaking News.
For Super Bowl party recipes, go to Epicurious.com.
Catch all the Super Bowl information you’ll need for the big day at superbowl.com.

By Michelle Alderson | January 27, 2006 in Cooking, Food, Parties & Entertaining, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Superbowl Party Ideas on Food Network

Looking for something new to whip up for your Superbowl party next month? Food Network is airing shows dedicated to throwing a great party with delicious food. Included is a three-day pre-game preparation menu that allows you to enjoy the game, rather than spending halftime in the kitchen. Sara's Secrets airs January 29 and Paula's Home Cooking airs January 28 and January 30.

And check out the Food Network website for other great Superbowl food ideas.

By Michelle Alderson | January 20, 2006 in Cooking, Food, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

Find the Right Cheese for Your New Year's Eve Party

Throwing a party for New Year's? Trying to find the best cheese to go with champagne? After reading about Cheese: A Conoisseur's Guide to the World's Best in a December issue of Newsweek, I was intrigued. Well, they called it the "best food porn," so who wouldn't be? The book does not disappoint. And I agree with the magazine: It's beautifully photographed and an amazing guide for anyone who purchases cheese or who would like to know more about it. Written by Max McCalman, the "master cheese man", the book boasts 200 beautiful photographs and has a vast amount of information on the best cheeses available today. You can find it at ecoobooks.com or in my kitchen.

By Michelle Alderson | December 29, 2005 in Cheese, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Entertaining Essentials are Easy to Find on the Web

I am very lucky: I have all my entertaining-essential stores near home. I can walk to a Sur La Table store. I am minutes from fine cheese stores, wine stores, organic-food stores, and my most recent discovery: an Italian grocery store that has the best bread in town. If I lived anywhere else that didn’t have specialty stores, how would I find items needed for entertaining? How do you throw a great party for holidays or any special occasion if your resources are limited? Luckily, the easy answer is the web. And there is a lot of information out there, so where does one start? I’ve taken the liberty to list some of my favorites to help:

Epicurious.com. The first thing a host/hostess must start with is his/her menu. Food is the most important part and should be the focal point. Recipes from the top food magazines can be found here and the reader ratings are very helpful.

igourmet.com has everything you need to get your party started. It offers cheese, party ideas, oils, sauces, meats - too much to mention. And it should be your next stop.

Target.com has become such a wonderful, inexpensive source for dinnerware. My current favorite is their BIA Cordon Bleu Fromage Plates (pictured above).

Sur La Table is so much fun. It has all the essential kitchen tools plus cookbooks, classes, and all the little things you need at the last minute.

Wine.com offers wonderful wines and great recommendations. Check out the wines that rated 90 pts plus and are still under $20. (If you don't know what points are, please refer to winespectator.com.)

And my absolute favorite for its obscure and fun party treats: Oriental Trading Company. The site offers a number of inexpensive party goods. If nothing else, it’s fun to surf: Where else can you find a felt chicken hat for $5.95?

Oh, one more: Martha. Despite her recent setbacks, Ms. Stewart still knows how to entertain.

By Michelle Alderson | December 21, 2005 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chocolate & Dessert Fondue Recipes

Get your chocolate fondue ready for your Christmas holiday parties.  Here's some links to chocolate and dessert fondue recipes and ideas.

• Whiskey Chocolate Fondue Recipe - via GourmetSleuth
• Chocolate Fondue Recipe - via Epicurious.com
• White Chocolate Fondue Recipe - via Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade
• Caramel Cognac Fondue - via Epicurious.com
• Bittersweet Chocolate-Orange Fondue - our favorite recipe with a dash of Grand Marnier and grated orange peel - via Epicurious.com

By Robert | December 17, 2005 in Chocolate, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Modern Holiday Cards & Invitations

Special Promo - Free Pashimina with $125 order

Our friends at Fabulous Stationery let us know that they have a great holiday special running right now.  Order $125 of their custom imprinted cards and get a free Pashimina scarf (value $100) with your order.

We featured Fabulous Stationery before because we love their contemporary greeting card designs and custom imprinting service.  Check out their holiday invites and cards.

By Robert | November 16, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Decorate your holiday parties with Candela ambients

Just in time for your holiday parties.  Decorate your Thanksgiving and Christmas parties with a Candela 10-pack of rechargable lights.

Candela Pro 10 Lamp Set |  $399 via Amazon.com

By Robert | November 3, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Contemporary Bar Cabinet makes stylish statement

With understated elegance, this bar cabinet has it all--stemware storage, space for cocktail glasses and tall bottles, storage drawer for accessories, and a stainless steel protected pull-down door.  Designer Ricard Vila has even provided discreet lighting inside the oak veneered cabinet.

Otto Bar Cabinet  |  $2498 at Design Within Reach

By Robert | October 27, 2005 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Halloween Party Ideas

Epicurious.com features Halloween party ideas for both kids and adults on their website this month.  For kids, there's cookie and cupcake recipes, and for adults, you'll find ideas for martinis, hors d'oevres, and party decorations.

Halloween Parties & Entertaining  |  via Epicurious.com

By Robert | October 24, 2005 in Halloween, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)

Preserve Memories with a Dinner Party Journal

Use Pamela Barsky's Dinner Party Journal to keep track of what you served, who were your guests, and any interesting or controversial conversations that happened.  Over the years, you'll have a great record of all your dinner parties.  A Wine Journal and Restaurant Journal are also available.

Dinner Party Journal  |  $28 at PamelaBarsky.com

By Robert | October 12, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)

Modern Dinnerware and Tabletop Accessories Online

eTabletop.com is our favorite online source for beautiful dinnerware and tabletop collection.  They offer modern and contemporary dinnerware collections from Rosenthal,