Soiree :: halloween + chili cook off

 This weekend we hosted a chili cook-off and Halloween party for the kiddos.  The kiddos didn't disappoint, we had a watermelon, an ice cream cookie sandwich, a ninja turtle, & the little Man went as a mad scientist.  Playing off his costume, I created a mini dessert bar around the concept of a mad scientist's laboratory.  The dessert bar featured candy, 'bones' (pretzels with mini marshmallows dipped in white chocolate), and delicious smores dip.  Guests could take home their treats in mini treat bags that read 'Organs for Transplant'. The laboratory came alive with custom signs, a page from a vintage neuroanatomy textbook, skulls, vials, a doll's face in a mason jar, and a fake heart under a bell jar that sat on top of a copy of Grey's Anatomy (the text book not the TV show). 

 The chili bar included fries (for chili cheese fries), baked potatoes, cornbread, Fritos (for chili cheese nachos in a bag), mini corn dog muffins, cheese, chives, and cream cheese.  Everyone voted on their favorite chili based on the following categories: flavor, aroma, texture, and color, and the winner walked away with the coveted golden spatula.  I added burlap, red plaid, and golden pumpkins to the table to add fall colors and textures, and used wired baskets and a pail as serving baskets to add a rustic feel. It was such a fun way to celebrate fall with our friends, I can't wait to do it again next year!

{Chili Bar sign via}



Chili Cook Off Party Inspiration

We hosted a chili cook-off this weekend, and it was a total success!  I wanted a rustic feel to our cook-off so I incorporated rustic textures and rich fall colors.  With a red plaid, burlap, and golden pumpkins we had a great backdrop for our delicious chili cook-off.  I'll be sharing our chili cook-off and the winning recipe tomorrow.  Happy Monday!




{Photos via: Sign, Chili Cook-Off Invite, Cornbread, Plaid, Condiments, Root Beer, Chili Bar}

 



6 Month Backyard Baby-Q Bash: Featuring a Brownie Sunday Bar

We celebrated the little man's 6 month birthday with a backyard Baby-Q Bash.  While the Mister was busy manning the grill, I set up a super fun and super delicious brownie Sunday bar.  Step one was to pick a container, sugar cone or cup; step 2 was to scoop as much ice cream onto the brownie as desired; step 3 was to add your toppings (which included strawberries, hot fudge, sugar cone crumbs, chocolate chips, sprinkles and of course brownie crumbles), and step 4 was to devour your creation.  I love interactive food stations, they're a great way to involve your guests and have fun with your food. 

Soiree :: Ciao Chitown

Our friends just moved to California last week.  And although we will miss them, we had a blast sending them on their way.  We served some of their favorite Chicago foods & fun desserts, which included truffle cake pops, Sprinkle cupcakes, and a fruit pizza, in the shape of California.  To tie everything together, we created cute signage with the ORD to LAX theme, that included longitude and latitudes of Chicago & Huntington Beach.  And because they'll always be Midwesterner's at heart, we gifted them HOME T-shirts, and this Chicago skyline print for their new home.  Here's the inspiration behind their Ciao Chitown themed party.  And if you're looking for the signs used here you can find them over at our Etsy store.

Farewell Party Inspiration

Our friends are moving to California.  And although we’re so sad to see them go, we’re excited for them to finally be living their ‘California dreaming’.  We wanted to throw them a little farewell party before the left.  Here’s the inspiration behind their Ciao Chi Town party.



{skyline}



I love the airport codes as a back drop or as a banner.  Other options could include the a map of the USA with a heart in Chicago and a heart in California, connected by a dotted line. 

Every party needs a little glitter, try a fun Bon Voyage banner or go the DIY route by stringing paper airplanes together.

Chalk accents are so popular right now.  I love the I heart Texas chalkboard photo booth props.  And how appropriate is a chalkboard globe guest book. 

Re-purposing boxes as a backdrop is so genius, this would also work great for a housewarming party, and a great use for those empty boxes.   I love those moving box wine dispensers, and such a cute play off of ‘house wines'. 

You can’t have a going away party without an invite.  Love this one’s play off of childhood sayings.

And if you're looking for a more traditional or international travel decor, these Bon Voyage cupcake toppers would be perfect, with their blue and red boarder.  And finally cookies or hard candy in a ‘goodbyes suck’ bag make great favors.

Gilded Holiday Champange Bar

I am seriously obsessed with this beautiful bubbly bar via 100 Layer Cake.  With the stunning gold bordered background, food that's to pretty to eat, stunning decanters, and it's gorgeous floral centerpiece, I'm seriously dying.  Let's talk about all the golden details that I'm loving, the golden food trays, accented serving bowls, cutlery, and pretty drink stirrer poms.  This bubbly bar is the perfect addition for any smash holiday party. 

{photos via 100LayerCake}

Epicurious Entertains Chicago Recap

This past Saturday, we had the pleasure of attending Epicurious Entertains Chicago.  It was a blast, we sipped on wine, cocktails, tasted chocolates and learned a thing or two about flower arranging and herbs.  The presenters included Katrina Markoff of Vosges Hout-Chocolat; Alpana Singh, Master Sommelier; Mike Ryan of Sable Kitchen & Bar; Mike Hines of Epoch Floral, and Chris Cerveny, Gardening Expert.

Some Epi-insights:
Alpana Singh
1. If you smell baking scents (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves), it means the wine has been aged in oak.
2. Riesling is the perfect summer white, amen!
3. The thinner the grape skin the lighter the wine.  A thinner wine is more appropriate for summer.
4. Citrus whites (with green things: apples, limes, pears) are great to pair with Asian foods.
5. Reds should be chilled in the summer, to prevent it from heating up to room temp, and becoming too acidic.

Katrina Markoff
How  to taste chocolate:
1. Warm it up between your fingers
2. Smell it
3. Bite into the chocolate
4. Press it down on your palate
5. Eat it
6. With your mouth closed, inhale through your nose and 'chew  the air' and register the impression that makes on your palate.
 
Mike Ryan
Best Beer-Cocktail: Left Hand of Darkness
Ingredients: 1/2 oz clear creek pear brandy, 1/8 oz st. Elizabeth allspice dram, 3/4 fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup
Instructions: Shake, strain into goblet 

Best Herb-Cocktail: Last Dance in the Ica Valley
Ingredients: 2 oz Encanto Pisco, 3/4 oz fresh lime juice, 3/4 oz simple syrup, 2 sprigs fresh tarragon, 2 dashes grapefruit bitters
Instructions: Shake, fine strain, serve up.  Garnish with 1 tarragon leaf

Mike Hines
1. When you take flowers home put them in warm water, to break up the sap, after sharply cutting the stems (either angled or straight).
2. You don't need to add anything to the water, no plant food packets, but to keep the water from turning murky: avoid direct sunlight, and add a drop of bleach
3. Tulips are the exception to the warm water rule, they go in ice cold water.
4. The tighter the bouquet, the more friction it creates, preventing growth and keeping your flowers alive longer.
5. Tuesday and Fridays are the best days to shop for flowers.
6. Roses: remove the thorns and leaves (they will absorb the water and prevents water from absorbing into the actual rose).
7. Re-hydrate hydrangeas by sticking them upside down, blooms first, into a bucket of warm water for 30-40 mins.


Display created by Mike H. 





Vosges Chocolate Tasting - My favorite: Olio d' Oliva





Us at Epicurious Entertains Chicago

 Photos via Instagram {@PraveenMPatel}

Superbowl Soiree

In anticipation for this weekends Superbowl festivities, we're breaking out the sliders and 7 layer dip, and calling shot gun on our favorite seat in the house.  Hope you're taking advantage of the big game, to throw a big party.  After all, the Superbowl is an excuse to be with friends and eat some seriously heavy treats.  And for you Bears fans here's a little inspiration to get you through to next season.  Some Superbowl inspiration for your Sunday.

{Photo Credits- Top Row: Cake Pops, Fifty Yard Line, Wings; Second Row: Beer Mugs & Peanuts, Invite, Sliders; Third Row: Cups, Guacamole, Deviled Eggs; Fourth Row: Pretzels, Food Table}

Winterwonderland Dinner Party

This soft wintry white dinner party is glamorously festive.  Everything from the reindeer details, billowy centerpieces, glitter and silver touches, and soft candles exudes holiday elegance.  The white on white color palate makes for a festive and intimate dinner party to pamper your guests with this holiday season.

{photos via Hostess Blog}

From the host:
‘Dreaming of a White Christmas’ was my inspiration. Here in southern France, snow is rare at Christmas, so the idea of styling a complete white party seemed very appropriate to bring the snow inside at any cost!  By mixing different textures, from fabrics, to paper, glass and ceramic, wool and fleece; you can create a monochrome white look without making it look too clinical.  The addition of candles and mirrored tiles on the table, helped to bounce light around and add warmth to the whole set up.

Golden Reindeer Holiday Party

This past weekend was our secret santa/cookie exchange/beer exchange/ugly sweater holiday party extravaganza!  We had guests bring either a dozen cookies or a six pack of their favorite brew, it's a great way to get the non-bakers involved.  The color pallet was red, gold, glitter, and reindeer.  We added holiday cheer with ornaments in apothecary jars, hand made ornaments hung in the window, a "Merry & Bright" sign over the fireplace, and a photo frame wall.  We had a spread of appetizers which included a meats & truffled cheese spread, tortellini skewers with pesto dip, eggplant dip, salsa, and much more.  For the beverages we had a hot coco station, pomegranate-champagne fizz punch, and a DIY drink station.



We laid out cut out reindeers so that guests could label their baked goods

We even had a munchkin tree

Our different drink stations, complete with stir sticks.

The photo wall, for guests to stage a photo opp.