The North Pole Party

Sooooo, its been a while since we have blogged about ANYTHING (our apologies).  But we're back and with pics to prove we've been busy....

Our favorite event (though we LOVE them all) of the holiday season was "The North Pole" party.  The host envited 10 minature guests to her home, and hired TES as the event's design team.  This party was such a blast to plan.  There are no limits with children.  They are so vibrant and full of energy and that is what was reflected in the decor we chose. (enjoy pics after the break)

Time to Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We are prepping our tables so we are dedicating this blog on ideas and tips on how to decorate your table!

I know many of you have been busy planning your Thanksgiving menus and that you may have totally forgotten about your Thanksgiving table and decor…until now. Never fear, We’ve put together a round-up of great decor and tablescaping ideas, many of which are easy enough to pull together at the last minute. For the others, you can get a head start on next year’s Thanksgiving!

Now who doesn't love the fall colors of reds, oranges and golds? A beautiful color combination. And when you add candles, pumpkins and gourds in the center, you have a wonderful traditional table setting.

                

                  Take it one step further and add names to leaves and use them for place cards.

Even make a buffet a focal point

also focus on a lovely centerpiece. It can add spice to a holiday dinner.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from The Exquisite Soiree!!

WE LIKE TO PARTAYYYYYY

Ok, ok, ok....this video is not super new, however I HEART IT to pieces!!!! and furthermore, at TES,Ltd "we like to partayyyyy"  LOL.  Video post is after the break *muah*

My New Found Love: Inspiration Boards

With the major planning of our fabulously exquisite launch party here (at TES, Ltd) this blog post has become very relevant in our lives.  Inspiration boards  are extremely fun, therapeutic, yet shows off your creative side.  I have used inspiration boards in they past to organize my closet, set goals for myself, and (sounds silly but...) figure out what I'm looking for in terms of wearing for a major event or vacation.  Anywho, I'm sure you all get the gist.  So here's the "dealie yo"....these visual displays of your thoughts are merely random pictures cut out of magazines, printed off of a website, old newspaper article, etc etc. These pictures, thoughts you jot down, or quotes,etc. are adhered onto a canvas or poster board in a collage design.  Simple as 1, 2, 3!!!! I posted a few more inspiration boards after the break...

Amy's Cake Pops

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting the creator of the cutest little bite sized desserts that I've seen in a while.  "Amy’s Cake Pops" was started by Amy Booker. Amy has been baking since since age 4. She started in the kitchen as my "mom's little cake assistant". Since then she has always had a passion for baking and everyone who knows her will say that she has a HUGE SWEET TOOTH. The idea of cake pops were born from Amy's love of candy and cake and all things with sprinkles and frosting. She started this company in 2011 out of her creative need to create cute sweet things to present to the world. And I will have to say, I enjoy them tremendously. How you will too!!! They are SWEEEEEEET :)

<<<<<---------- AMY (she can be contacted via email at amy.booker3@gmail.com)

     Dressy Pops

These cutesy "Pink" pops are perfect as a gift for someone

 you love currently battling or recovering from breast cancer

in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Let's Celebrate our Breastfriends

Ladies as Breast Cancer Awareness month continues, lets help in supporting our "breastfriends" with breast cancer, the best way you know how—with a pink dinner party  by celebrating and supporting our sisters, girlfriends, mothers and daughters touched by breast cancer. A small, intimate gathering at your house is the best location for this event. She will most likely appreciate the thoughtfulness of a “girls night in.” among family and friends. It’s important to have fun and add humor to the party, because dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and trying for even the hardest of hearts. So tell your "breastfriend" to let her guard down and let lose because this dinner party is all about HER.                                    

                                          

                                                  Here are a few party ideas you will love:

Decorate with different shades of pink. Adding fresh pink flowers to the dinner table will add a refreshing touch and can add cheer to the room also don’t forget to have cameras and a video camera on hand. Ask each guest to take a few snapshots. This will give you photos from different points of view as well as involve each girlfriend for an individual touch. Don’t forget to take a group photo as well. The pictures will be visible evidence of all the love and support in your "breastfriend’s" life.

Signature Drink: Pink Shampagne  (Non-Alcoholic)

This sparkling celebratory drink will add a little spark to any occasion. Serve in flute with strawberries. This recipe makes enough for 4

• 2 1/2 cups Sparkling apple cider, chilled
• 2 1/2 cups club soda mixed with cherry flavoring syrup
• 2 cup Cranberry juice

Recipe:Stir all ingredients until thoroughly mixed.






A pink dinner party will not be complete with out pink food. (Please keep in mind that raw fish, seafood, meat or eggs should not be served to those girlfriends with weakened immune systems due to the possibility of food borne illness.) Serving healthful food is the best way to support your "Breastfriend.

Signature Appetizer: Pink Grapefruit Staked Salad

• 6 medium pink grapefruit
• 3 medium white grapefruit
• 1/2 cup apricot nectar

• 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil or walnut oil
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh mint or 1/2 teaspoon dried mint, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves or shredded spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

directions

1. Peel the grapefruit, removing all of the white pith. Cut sides from the flesh of each grapefruit to form a square piece (reserve extra grapefruit trimmings for another use). Slice each square crosswise to form four slices. Set slices aside.
2. For dressing, in a small bowl whisk together apricot nectar, hazelnut or walnut oil, mint, salt, and pepper until combined.
3. Line a serving plate with spinach. Stack three slices of grapefruit, alternating colors, on top of spinach leaves. Drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with walnuts. Makes 8 servings

As the days pass, don’t forget to stay involved in the life of your friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Loneliness can lead to despair and hopelessness. Acknowledge your friendship and support her often with visits, phone calls, emails and letters. The memories you make will be cherished forever.

We sincerely wish you and your Breastfriends a beautiful celebration of life and friendship. Share your comments and ideas below.

The Nail Bar & Spa Grand Opening

This past Wednesday, The Exquisite Soiree, Ltd assisted The Nail Bar & Spa with their Grand Opening Soiree (which was a HUGE success might I add).  Due to the elements outside the night's event began inside, opposed to the "Mix and Mingle" on the lawn and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (which was later adjoined to the Champagne Toast to conclude the night). Aside that minor set-back, the night was very Exquisite.  From the intimate decor, the lovely crowd, the very enjoyable DJ (DJ Freeze), and the delectable food, beverages, and candy bar that everyone enjoyed so very much.  The atmosphere was very fun and energetic, just as the entire ambiance and theme of The Nail Bar & Spa itself.  (view more details after the jump)

Female Football Frolic!!!!

Ok ladies.... Yes LADIES!!!! Gather around as we kick the fellas aside and throw our Sunday Soiree.  More and more of women are bored on Sundays when our guys are indulging in football from 1pm until (only God knows when) the last game plays.  Now personally I am beginning to enjoy football more and more. I've even attempted to (key word: attempted) to form a fantasy football team. Better luck next time for me.  So as our other halves drink their beer, eat hot wings, throw chips on the floor, and fuss and cuss at the television.... we can have our fun too.  We're going to call it Female Football Frolic (translation: Girlie Football Party). So pull out the football baby t-shirt, your favorite pair of skinny jeans, pullout the martini glasses, and call over your favorite girls (make sure its not a Sunday the MAN is going to be home).

So here's our menu chicas: 

Football pick at party swizzle

• Cucumber Sandwiches: spread a thin layer of plain (lite) cream cheese on each slice of wheat bread, put a thin cucumber slice on each corner of the slice of bread (should equal to four cucumber slices), sprinkle a dash of lemon pepper and salt (A DASH), cut into fours, top with a football pick, and on to the next dish (http://www.partyswizzle.com/product.asp?itemid=1121&gclid=COaorNmRtKsCFQRy5QodkTK1dQ)

• Buffalo Chicken Dip: OMGeee my favorite dip of all time! So here's the deal: you'll need 2 (10 oz) cans of chunk chicken --drained, 2 packages of cream cheese (softened), 1 cup of ranch dressing, 3/4 cup of Frank's Red Hot® sauce, 1 1/2 shredded cheddar cheese,  mix all ingredients into a bowl (I use a blender to give it the "whipped" effect), and either serve room temp on either pita chips or spread inside of celery.....YUMMY

• Pair these to yummy appetizers with two or three of your favorite flavored wings and Peche Lambic (the yummiest, most fruity beer that doesn't taste like beer EVER), maybe some sweet potato fries, and Voilà

I suggest making the dip and sandwiches the night before and cut up sweet potatoes (and tell "Guy" his fingers will fall off if he touches them) and set them out an hour before guests arrive (1 pm) Sunday.  Call in your wing order around 11 a.m., throw sweet potatoes in oven around noon, set out all your football Decor (plates, cups, etc), send Joe to pick up wings on his way to Alan's man cave, freshen up, and your fries should and wings should be ready as your guest arrive. LETS PLAY BALL (wait, that's baseball) but you get the gist...

Here are a couple more images to give you ideas with your decor (all found at www.partycity.com)

Football kit

Football plates

Bowl

Cups

Turf tablecloth

Napkins

TOUCHDOWNNNNNNNN

HAPPY HARVEST SOIREE

With Autumn in Cleveland swiftly approaching with a vengence, TES, Ltd staff thought that we'd better hurry and post for an outdoor Harvest Soiree! This time of the year where people hang around at clambakes, and at the last of the year's cookout.  But why not have a festive fall shindig.  With pumpkins, decorative horn-of-plenty, sunflowers, spicy (spiked) punch, okaaayyyy unspiked will do too, and the beautiful natural backdrop of the trees with its loss/gain of colors.  I'm ready to go out and get some sun with a brisk breeze as I'm typing.  Oh and by the way, you may want to keep a couple outdoor heating lamps on stand-by(just in case) :) .... Pics and punch recipe after the break, ENJOY!!!

3 cups apple cider (or apple juice)

1 can frozen orange juice (6 oz.)
2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups club soda
1/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick broken into pieces)
1-2 tsp. whole cloves
Orange slices (for garnish)
Cranberries (for garnish)

*this recipe would be lovely in a chic glass beverage dispenser, with your orange and cranbery garnishments floating on top of your punch, and a bottle of Framboise Lambic(it's delish) for an adult Soiree*