Wedding Invitation News, Etiquette & Planning Blog » new year’s eve

Eye Candy: Party Clutches

Anum — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:28:44 +0000

Whatever your party plans are for New Year’s Eve this Thursday, you’ll need a clutch purse to carry your essentials. Take a look at a few of our top picks that will perfectly hold your cellphone and lipgloss, but will also instantly amp up your party ensemble!

L to R: J.Crew Stone garden clutch, White House Black Market Jet Stone Café Clutch, Banana Republic Jeweled bow clutch, Judith Leiber Ritz Fizz Clutch, Tory Burch Embossed Lux T Reva Clutch, MARC JACOBS Quilted leather Eugenie clutch

Link Love: Makeup Tips

Tara — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:16:18 +0000

Throw me in the makeup aisle of a drugstore or department store, and you won’t see me re-emerge for at least an hour. I have an innate fascination with the colors, textures and effects of all different kinds of makeup, whether it be lip gloss, eye shadow, blush….even eyeliner. So, today’s link love is going to focus on all things makeup. Whether you are planning your wedding day face or simply want something fresh for a New Year’s Eve on the town, this post is sure to help!

The Makeup and Beauty Blog is the perfect place to find anything from makeup reviews to application tutorials. Plus, a dose of humor makes it a pleasure to read.

Kiss and Makeup offers beauty products of the week and constantly posts great deals to be found online and in stores!

Makeuptip.com has a great format that allows you to select eyes, lips, skin or cheeks. From there, you can view different application processes and ideas.

If you love MAC Makeup, check out Temptalia. Among other things, there are some amazing step-by-step tutorials on a variety of gorgeous eye shadows and colors, including this black and gold smoky eye that I am obsessed with!

New Year’s Eve Eats

Tara — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:37:43 +0000

Although you’re probably still feeling stuffed to the brim from the Christmas holiday, it’s already time to think about New Year’s Eve. If you’re hosting a party to usher in the new year, check out these great recipes for new year’s eve appetizers. You’re sure to have a perfect evening with some cocktails, champagne, and delicious, simple food!

Asparagus, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Galettes (courtesy of foodnetwork.com)

Ingredients

For the galette rounds:

1/4 cup milk
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 large egg yolks
1 large whole egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 medium onions, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 pound thin or medium asparagus (about 15 spears, 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick), trimmed
1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, cut crosswise into thin slices
1/3 cup soft mild goat cheese (about 4 ounces) room temperature
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions

To prepare the galette rounds: In bowl whisk together milk, butter, yolks, and whole egg. In another bowl whisk together flour, salt, and chives and stir into milk mixture until just combined. On a lightly floured surface with floured hands knead dough about 8 times, or until just smooth. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Divide dough into 4 pieces. On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin roll out each piece into an 8-inch round. Transfer rounds to 2 baking sheets and crimp edges decoratively. Chill dough 10 minutes and bake in middle and lower-third of oven about 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer galettes to racks and cool completely. Galettes may be made 1 day ahead and kept in a sealable plastic bag at room temperature.

To prepare the onions: In a skillet cook onions in oil and butter with salt and pepper, to taste, over moderately low heat 15 minutes, or until golden. Transfer onions to a bowl to cool.

Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water. Cut asparagus crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in a large saucepan of boiling salted water 3 to 5 minutes, or until just tender. Drain asparagus in a colander and transfer to bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Lift asparagus out of water and pat dry.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Spread onions evenly onto galette rounds and top with prosciutto, asparagus, and goat cheese. Bake galettes on a baking sheet in middle of oven about 15 minutes, or until tops are lightly browned. Transfer galettes to a rack and cool.

Serve galettes, cut into wedges, at room temperature. Garnish with chopped chives.

Mushroom and Fontina Crostini (courtesy of foodandwine.com)

Ingredients

Four 1/2-inch-thick slices of peasant bread, halved diagonally
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds white mushrooms
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium shallots, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
3 tablespoons water
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 pound Fontina cheese, coarsely shredded (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Toast for 12 minutes, until slightly golden around the edges. Turn the broiler on.
Meanwhile, thinly slice the mushrooms. In a large skillet, cook the butter over high heat until lightly browned, 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the mushrooms and cook undisturbed until the mushrooms are browned on the bottom, 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, 10 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic and thyme, lower the heat to moderate and cook until the shallots are tender, 5 minutes. Add the water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then cook for 3 minutes longer. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
Spoon the mushroom mixture on the toasts and sprinkle the cheese on top. Broil for 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Transfer the crostini to a platter, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

Wedding Watch: When Harry Met Sally

Katie — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:46:08 +0000

When you think about iconic New Year’s Eve movie moments, hardly any are capable of surpassing the sweet ending to When Harry Met Sally. Watch this little clip to get ready to ring in another year with the person you love most in the world!

Just in case this clip sparks a debate between you and your fiancé, “Auld Lang Syne” is about raising a glass to days gone by—the perfect song for a couple that’s looking forward to getting married this year!

Link Love: New Year’s Celebrations

Tara — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:38:04 +0000

The holiday season tends to descend upon us in one full swoop. Once Thanksgiving hits you, there is barely time for an audible breath before you find yourself scampering through the mall in a panic, searching for THE gift for your near and dear. Not to mention the numerous holiday parties and events that are sure to stack up. In the midst of all the madness, there is barely time to plan the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration that you’re dreaming of. To help you out, I’ve listed my favorite links to help you design the perfect setting to pop the champagne, whether it be a quiet evening close to home or an all-out destination celebration.

For some creative and unique New Year’s celebration ideas that will appeal to your romantic side, check out T he Romantic’s New Year’s Day and Eve Celebration Ideas page.
Citysearch has a New Year’s Eve Planner for every city. I used the San Francisco Guide to find my perfect celebration overlooking the fireworks on the bay!
Planning to make some New Year’s Resolutions but don’t know how to stay on track? Check out myGoals.com, a site that will help you plan out your goals, break them in to baby steps, and face them head on!
If the holiday escaped you and you’ve waited too long to send out those holiday cards, realize it’s not too late! Check out the New Year’s cards on our sister site, Tiny Prints. There are some adorable designs that are sure to stand out to all your friends and family. My favorite is this Jewel Tones card, pictured below.

Finally, if you’re idea of the perfect New Year’s involves hosting your own soiree, visit Delish and find a multitude of both party ideas and recipes. My favorite article is “20 Ways to Pump Up A Party“, from feeding your guests LOTS of sugar to setting some dramatic mood lighting.