22

Jun

Graduation Mocktails!

It’s that time of year again where we celebrate all our hardworking students for their accomplishments!

Ok so most of you graduates out there are not old enough to enjoy an alcoholic cocktail but too young for the juice box. Today is your lucky day! Who says you can’t have a fancy signature drink that’s alcohol free? We all know about virgin pina coladas and daiquiris. Try one of these chic mocktails on for size at your next graduation event. Your guests will be impressed!

MARTINELLI’S APPLE CIDAR

Toast your graduate with this sparkler laced with a hint of crystallized ginger for a festive touch.

Glass:

Champagne Flute

Ingredients

4 oz. Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider

Splash of fresh lemon juice

1 small piece of crystallized or candied ginger

How To Make It

Pour sparkling apple cider into a cold Champagne flute and add a splash of lemon juice. Drop a piece of crystallized or candied ginger into the glass and serve.

POMEGRANATE MARTINI MOCKTAIL

Glass: Martini

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lemonade

1 oz Torani Pomegranate syrup *

2tsp lime juice
How To Make It:

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, shake well and strain into chilled martini glasses.

* You may substitute Torani Raspberry or Strawberry syrup if preferred. ENJOY!

 

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Private Events

14

Jan

Fabulous Wine Tastings at Home

Wine tastings at home are a lot of fun. They are also educational, and a great reason to get some friends together to chat it up and explore your palate. In other words: A guaranteed good time.

My heritage and my passion for wine has led me to pursue an in depth education of different wines.  My passion for teaching and knack for event planning has led me to perform wine tastings for my clients, who enjoy a good time, and good wine.

To our followers in the greater Portland, OR area, all you have to do is choose a date (I typically suggest Friday or Saturday night, for obvious reasons), invite 6-12 people to your house for a wine tasting, prep some snacks*** and I will take care of the rest of the details!  I always bring with me 6+ bottles of wine for tasting from all over the world, in order to provide a wide variety of tastes and varietals.

I will personally walk you through the how-to’s of tasting, including: how to look like a pro, what you are looking for, and how to find out what type of wines you prefer and vice-versa.  I also find that the tastings provide an excellent opportunity for you and your guests to ask a lot of those questions about wine that have always baffled you! All you have to do send the invite, sit back and enjoy the flavors and the company. And who knows…  Maybe you’ll expand your knowledge on wine in the process too.

***If you are unsure what you think would be best for the palate ding the tasting, here are some great options to keep in mind (remember to keep your foods light and easy):

Cheeses: 2-3 varieties

  • Mild: Brie, Teleme, or Jack
  • Medium: Havarti, Gouda, or Edam
  • Strong Blue: Gorgonzola or Stilton

Crackers, French bread, Italian bread

Fresh Fruit: Grapes and Strawberries

Assorted Chocolates (dark, milk, white)

To wine lovers everywhere, cheers to 2011!

~ Christina S.

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For more information on Muse – A Wedding & Event Planning company based out of Portland, Oregon, visit www.eventmuse.biz.   Thanks for stopping by!

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859 days ago Short URL Comments

Parties

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16

Dec

Family Reunion Raffle

Although summertime is a popular time for reunions, we’ve been hearing lots of buzz about winter get-togethers.  We thought we’d share a neat idea that was passed to us…

Next time you have to attend that family reunion, propose the idea that you should have a raffle to help pay for the event.  Here’s how it works, each person brings a gift or a homemade treat to raffle off.  You can wrap them or not, but everything gets auctioned for say, $1 per ticket?!  Then, raffle tickets are drawn for each item.

It gives everyone a way to contribute, reduces the costs, and even breaks the ice that comes with some family get-togethers.  Everyone can have fun and it’s something Aunt Suzie can talk about for years!  :-)

FYI:  You can pick up rolls of raffle tickets are the Dollar Tree (or your local version of the Dollar store), or at any office supply store.

Thanks to Family Fun Magazine for the idea.

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For more information on Muse – A Wedding & Event Planning company based out of Portland, Oregon, visit www.eventmuse.biz.   Thanks for stopping by!

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889 days ago Short URL Comments

Parties

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21

Oct

Creative ways to say ‘thank you’ to party gifts

We know how hard it is to get your kids to do their thank you’s after a party or Christmas, so here are some fun, unique ways to say thanks!

1) Have kids do an “mad lib” thank you card – print up as many as you need and they (or you) can fill it in.  It’s creative and fun and will get the kids involved.

2) Take a picture of the little one(s) or you can include yourselves too – holding a sign that says ‘Thank You’ or get a bit creative and have one that says “very much” and they can sign the thank you!  Then get them printed and off you go with an easy thank you card.

3) Make a list.  It might be a bit off the wall, but make a list while presents are being opened, then make as many copies of it as presents that were received and circle one present on each copy.  Then, your kids can sign a big smiley face or heart with the word “thanks” and maybe why they love it and their name.  Fold them up and send them off as thank you’s.

4) When you have your party, have your thank you’s already purchased and make a game out of having everyone write their address on the envelopes – then you can pick one for a door prize and you’ll already have the hard part of the thank you’s done!

5) If your gift givers are local, make up a batch of cookies (or whatever your specialty is) and send them back a gift or just drop it off at their door.

6) Make phone calls instead of cards.  Picking up the phone or even Skype calls can be a truly special way to do your thank you’s. Of course, there are also e-cards if you’re crunched for extra time.

Most importantly, just use your creativity and have fun!

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For more information on Muse – A Wedding & Event Planning company based out of Portland, Oregon, visit www.eventmuse.biz.   Thanks for stopping by!

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945 days ago Short URL Comments

Gifts, Favors & Accessories/Parties

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We welcome you to come check us out at Muse
weddingsandeventsbymuse.com

www.weddingsandeventsbymuse.com