Celebrate This: And the Winner Is…

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Today Jennifer Lawrence will do the honor of announcing the nominees for the 84th anual  Academy Awards. Cue drum roll. If you are movie buff or just like the glitz and glam of the Oscars, today is not a day to miss, after all how are you going make your very own Oscar Bingo Cards without knowing who and what are in the running. To get you psyched for the unveiling, and the big show on February 26th, we've got some of last year's (and some of this year's) best Oscar viewing party ideas that are sure to win the vote.

Be sure to add a touch of sophistication to your Oscar Party menu, after all, your TV dinner is bound to look pitiful when held up to the bright lights, and even brighter stars at the Hollywood & Highland Center. These mouthwatering Asparagus and Prosciutto Bundles from Nina Spezzaferro are a guaranteed crowd pleaser, whether you intend a full-on gala or a night in with just you and your bestie. Complex in flavor, but not in prep, this go-to app deserves two thumbs up!

If you had something a little more classic, and crowd ready in mind, then this Shrimp Cocktail recipe is for you. Easy enough to do with only minutes to spare, yet equally tasty when made ahead and left to chill overnight. A cocktail party just wouldn't the same without this classic finger food, and an Oscar viewing party is the perfect occasion for mixing classic with trendy, and shrimp cocktail appeals to both approaches.

Playing games during comercial breaks or in the middle of long video tributes, is a great way to keep your Oscar viewing party upbeat and social, even though the television is the primary focus of the night. Whether or not alcohol is involved in these games is entirely up to you, but be sure to brush up on your knowledge of the nominees to keep things current and long lasting. Here we have some fun ideas for Oscar Drinking Games that are sure to keep the party going long after the ceremony has come to an end.

Bingo is another fun game to at any awards show viewing party, and allows even non movie buffs get in on the fun. As we get closer the show time dozens of printable Bingo cards will pop up all over the blogosphere, but feel free to make your very own using your personal predictions for the ceremony. Here's one from the crafty gal behind How About Orange, from a few years ago. We're crossing our fingers she delivers the goods again this year!

 

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January 24, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Chinese New Year

By Emily |
Posted in Uncategorized

If you know anything about Chinese New Year, you know that it's one of the biggest celebrations of the year, filled with tons of food, traditional music, parades, and of course, fireworks. A fifteen day-long celebration, Chinese New Year honors the first day on the lunar calendar, and begins on the new moon. This year celebrate this ancient cultural tradition with some fresh new ideas from Celebrations' part experts.

Before you start planning a Chinese New Year party of your own, get to know your history and traditions with Jessica Jinn, whose helpful guide to throwing a Traditional Chinese New Year Party, has all you need to know about celebrating the Lunar New Year. Learn how to play the Red Envelope Game, or how to put together a traditional Chinese menu, as well as other customs that make this holiday so unique.

The best part about holidays, is finding new ways to celebrate them. Mixing traditions with modern ideas can be a lot of fun, and is a great way to get friends involved, and liven things up for those who've celebrated for years. Julie Mulligan's ideas for a Stylish New Years Party offer a hip new way to celebrate the new moon whether you're new to the holiday or not. These Lettuce Wraps are fresh and festive, not mention delicious, and would make a perfect addition to any Chinese New Year menu. Crunchy, sweet and spicy, these wraps are as bold and flavorful as the holiday itself.

Red and gold are the traditional colors for Chinese New Year, symbolizing good luck and fortune, and have been known to occur in everything from the traditional New Year's dragons to the tiny envelopes given out to young children. When throwing a Chinese New Year party of your own be sure to include lots of these colors in your table and party decor, as well as your food selection. Feel free to have a little fun with the decorations, favors and foods you come up with—these Rice Crispy Dragons from Party Pinching may not ooze tradition, but they are a great way to get kids excited to learn about new and different cultural practices.

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January 23, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: National Popcorn Day

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Today we celebrate the lesser of the many evils that snack world has to offer. In the land of greasy potato chips, artificial cheese flavorings, and sugary cookies, popcorn reigns supreme, and is only as simple or decadent as you want it to be. A movie just isn't a movie without a big bowl (or bucket) of puffy, white popcorn, drizzled with butter, topped with cheddar, or lightly sprinkled with salt. Outside of the cinema popcorn lives a wilder life, dabbling with more extravagant toppings like chocolate or caramel that transform this quaint corn into confectionary bliss. Here we have a little bit of everything, from the dangerously decadent to the simple and satisfying for all breeds of popcorn lovers.

Throw sea salt into any conversation and my ear automatically perk up, mix in caramel and you've just made yourself a new best friend. I am currently drooling over these  Caramel Sea Salt Popcorn Balls spotted over at Mrs. Fields' Secrets, and surveying my pantry for any of the ingredients needed to make these heavenly orbs. There's nothing on the list that any avid baker wouldn't find on their shelf at any given time, which to me makes this recipe a keeper in my book. Don't get me wrong, I love my fancy liqueurs and extracts, but staple ingredients are staple ingredients for a reason.

In addition to my addiction to sea salt, I am a big fan of subtly when it comes to my snacks. This recipe from Veganela for White Truffle Popcorn hints at sophistication without clocking you over the head with a silver platter. Simple yet flavorful, what more could one want?

This next recipe from The Single Momoirs is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen that isn't on four legs. This Birthday Cake Popcorn is a super sweet way to celebrate that special day without resorting to cliches or splurging on a fancy-pants cake. You don't have to wait for someone to have a birthday to snack on this sweet treat, it's pretty pastel confetti makes it great for baby showers, bridal showers or any occasion where an extra bit of sweetness is needed.

This next and last recipe comes from the baking mecca Best Friends for Frosting and shakes things up a bit by using popcorn itself as a topping. Popcorn Fudge may just be the next big thing in the world of sweets and treats, after all, it combines the two qualities that make for one heck of snack: salty and sweet. A little bit quirky, and very much delicious, don't be surprised if you start seeing these squares pop up (get it?) at sweet shops near you!

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January 19, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Winnie the Pooh Day

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Today we celebrate the birth of A.A Milne, creator of the Hundred Acre Woods and the lovable, inspiring animals who inhabit it. Whether you grew up reading the Winnie the Pooh series, watching Welcome to Pooh Corner, or humming along to the Disney films, it's difficult to imagine a childhood without that silly old bear, and your kids shouldn't have to! Here are some adorable ideas for introducing Pooh Bear to the next generation of heffalumps and woozles or fostering your child's love for the whimsical story of a bear and his best friends.

We kick off the day with a sweet idea from Yelena Johnson for a Storybook Themed First Birthday Party. While first birthdays often cater to the adult guests, it never hurts to  keep things light and youthful with a character-themed party, plus the kiddos will appreciative all the bright and cheery stimuli even if they can't partake in any games or gorging. Yelena and company have all the tips and tricks to decking out your home for a first birthday even old Eeyore would get excited about!

The Pooh Pops from the original Cake Pop Queen, Bakerella, are just about as sweet as they come, and would make a perfect treat for a Pooh-themed party or any children's party where a tubby little cubby would be welcomed.

If bouncing is more of your thing, and your top is made out rubber, and your bottom is made out of spring, than this next idea from Pretty In Pink is sure to make you bounce with glee! These Tigger Tails are salty, sweet and fun to eat, and the best thing is they don't make poor Piglet quake with nervousness.

 

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January 18, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Happy Birthday, Betty White!

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Next time you find yourself grumbling and mumbling about your age and how you're "getting along in the years" think of Betty White, everyone's favorite Golden Girl, who turns a landmark 90 today. Miss White has most recently become a symbol of vitality and in her every move seems to proclaim that 90 is the new 70. Still as vivacious and hilarious as she was forty years ago when she made Gene Rayburn blush on the set of Match Game. With Hot in Cleveland renewed for a third season, and a new reality show underway, this nonagenarian is showing no signs of stopping!

Last night NBC threw a star-studded bash in honor of beloved Betty and gathered the likes of funny gals Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Ellen DeGeneres, and Mary Tyler Moore for a televised special that gave the previous night's award ceremony a run for its money. Who needs a Golden Globe when you can have a Golden Girl, anyway?  Everyone who attended last night's tribute to White had nothing but praise for the actor of over seventy years, and here's just a snippet of the familiar faces that came to pay homage to the royal highness of comedy.

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Big ages mean big cake, and Betty's cake commanded attention with it's dozens of fondant flowers and glamorous golden candles. The cake was gifted to White from Betty Crocker, who also happens to turn 90 this year, and is one of the birthday girl's favorites—chocolate cake layered with chocolate mouse and chocolate fondant. See, I knew chocolate was the secret to a long life and eternal youth!

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January 17, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Golden Globes Recap

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Last night's Golden Globe Award ceremony was an upbeat, good humored event, with a descent turn out aside from the well missed Ryan Gossling, to whom many  mournful tweets were dedicated. A lighthearted, warm-up for the Academy Awards in February, the Golden Globes combines tongue-in-cheek humor (Ricky Gervais, I'm looking at you)  with elegance for an event you simply cannot take your eyes off of.

The biggest surprise of the night, beyond winners and their taste in formal attire,  was that repeat host Ricky Gervais was able to behave himself. Gervais was actually the brunt of may jokes including one from the delightful, and illustrious Dame Helen Mirren, and yet another witty Brit, and a personal favorite, Colin Firth. It was fun to see the tables turned, but I know that I was hoping for just a little more Ricky than we were given this year. There is always next year!

Speaking of surprises, it came as no shock that the dazzling Kate Winslet walked away with her 3rd Golden Globe out of 8 total nominations, while newbies like the Help's Octavia Spencer came out of nowhere an stole the show. I have to admit that both gals delivered heartfelt and beautiful speeches, and there were moments where I teared up and nervously quaked a long with them, and really, isn't that the point of a good speech?

Even if you have no interest in television, film or the stars of themselves, it is worth watching award ceremonies for the fashion alone. As I watched stars glide down the red carpet in the opening ceremony, I couldn't help but think, these dresses are going to be everywhere come Monday. Every magazine and website is now buzzing with post Golden Globes afterglow.  Who won what for what becomes irrelevant when so-and-so's dress becomes the topic of discussion. In my humble opinion everyone looked fabulous this year, from the dashing directors and producers in their seemingly uniform thick-rimmed glasses and tuxedoes, to the captivating likes of funny gals Sofia Vergara and Tina Fey.

Two of my favorite Golden Globes looks were those donned by Julianne Moore and Zooey Deschanel. What do these two chic chicks have in common? Green! Green! Green! While the offbeat, indie actress opted for an in-your-face lime and black number, Moore played up her eyes with a pair of sweeping emerald tassel earrings for a look that was timeless yet fashion forward. Laura Dern also channeled the Emerald City in her enchanting, green sequined gown that made the Enlightened star, and globe winner, look larger than life under the lights at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

A green-themed dessert table by Amy Atlas Events

Hopefully we will be seeing this gem of hue popping up everywhere in the months to come, from street wear to home and party décor green lends an earthy yet majestic touch to anything and everything it touches. What were some of your favorite looks from the Golden Globes? Let us know!

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January 16, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Stick to Your Resolution Day

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Now's around that time when we either make or break our resolutions for the new year. Those of us still going strong, keep both eyes on the prize and never look back, while the rest of us shrug it off and hope that maybe next year will deliver us willpower on a silver platter. For the form group: stick to it! And the latter: stick to it! If you're on the right track there's no sense in giving up now, and if you've already thrown in the towel pick it right back up as if it were January 1st all over again.  In need of motivational boost? Here are three celebrities who have shared there resolutions with the world, and how us regular folk can accomplish them in the new year.

Who: Christina Hendrix (Mad Men)

What: Hendrix resolves to maintain a balance by finding time to give to others

How: Throwing a Charity Event is a great way to be active and social all at once. By giving back to your community or an organization of your choosing you will feel good about yourself, and help others in the process. Celebrations has all you need to know about throwing your own fundraising party. Whether you decide to hold a Silent Auction or a Charity Bar Crawl, you'll find all the tips and tricks to hosting a benefit bash under one charitable roof. This idea for a Wine Tree Fundraise from expert Jeanne Benedict, is a posh way to make a good chunk of change for your cause, and give guests something to get excited about.

 

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

Who: Anderson Cooper (Anderson Cooper 360°)

What: Cooper wants to be healthier, which to him means eating healthier.

How: What Coop probably doesn't realize is that his daily trips to Boston Market are probably the worst way to go about achieving his resolution. If you're like this anchorman, and can't get enough comfort food, try making a lighter version at home to cut calories, and not to mention cost, for a happier healthier you.  A great trick for getting kids to eat their veggies, that I find works well on adults too, is to sneak them into their food a la Jessica Seinfeld. This creamy Mac and Cheese recipe may look and taste like the cheesy goodness you've banished to your do-not-eat list, but fresh spinach puree makes this mac a healthier alternative to its blue boxed kin. Vegetable puree can be used in a variety of different dishes such as mashed potatoes, pancakes, and even chicken fingers, to add a boost of vitamins and minerals  when the thought of making another trip to the salad bar makes your cry green tears. I think Anderson would approve.

Who: Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)

What: Every year Sofia pledges to work out more, to eat healthier, and to spend more time with friends.

How: There's nothing better than killing two birds with one stone, and this Ultimate Fitness Party from expert Lara Shriftman lets you do just that. By throwing a fitness party, whether its theme is yoga, aerobics, or otherwise, it is a great way to workout without having to sacrifice your social life. Instead of being party pooper who'd rather go to the gym than kick it with friends, why not bring the gym to you and your posse, with Lara's great ideas to keep you fit and filled in all at once.

 

 

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January 12, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Milk Day

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

If you're like me and you often find yourself longing for past that you were never a part of—days when a trip to the movies could be payed in change, juice was actually made with fruit, and milk came fresh at your doorstep every morning without fail. That last one is something I've dwelled on for years, having grown up in a house with an abandoned milk drop box, I never understood where all the milkmen went, and why no one appreciated fresh milk anymore.

Today we honor those long lost lactose liaisons, and the ice cold milk they brought the kind folks  of way back when, with the milk's best friend: homemade cookies. Whether you are a dunker or glugger, there's no doubt that cookies just aren't the same without a glass of milk to wash them down.

Fresh out of the Celebrations oven we have these Cookie Bars  from baking queen Patti Allan. Jam packed with chocolate chips, these gooey, square-shaped cookies are perfect for bake sales, potlucks, office parties, and lonely nights in front of a television!

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies are sure to bring back fond memories of after school snacks and midday recess, or perhaps help you make some new memories with your own little ones. Peanut butter loves milk just as much as cookies love milk, so when the two are combined in these sweet and salty treats, you better have a gallon or two on hand.

Coryanne Ettiene offers a subtle, yet flavorful twist on classic chocolate chip cookies. These Chocolate Nutella Cookies are a double whammy, offering the bittersweet taste of chocolate, and the creamy, slightly nutty, European style Nutella. Pair with an ice cold glass of milk—if they even make it off the cookie sheet!

Patti Allan strikes again with this recipe for S'mores Cookies that both kids and adults will enjoy. No bonfire necessary for these camp-inspired cookies, though I wouldn't be surprised if you suddenly got the urge to sleep out under the stars after snacking on a few of these marshmallow topped treats.

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January 11, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

Life is all about balance—the good and the bad; the yin and the yang, it's hard to appreciate or understand one without the other. As in life taste, especially when it comes to a well-rounded dish, is about balancing flavors, textures and even color to create something of curiosity for all five sense. Enter in bittersweet chocolate, a confection and tool for the construction of some of the finest plated dishes tongues have ever tasted. Today we honor this perfectly balanced blend of chocolate liqueur and cocoa butter for rounding out our baked goods and adding an extra bit of panache to our ganache.

Every day life can be hard, between paying bills and trying to keep one's sanity, so why not balance it out with something easy for a change. Cindy Blankenship's Easy Chocolate Tart, only looks like it came from behind the glass of a fancy bakeshop display, but in reality it's as easy as pie...er...a tart! Just follow Cindy's simple step-by-step recipe for making this double chocolate and you'll be in bittersweet heaven in no time!

Photo credit: sweetfineday.com

There is not doubt that cheesecake is one of the most decadent dessert you can serve. Rich, thick, and creamy, cheesecake is can easily be overdone when too much sweetness is introduced. The bittersweet chocolate in these Chocolate Cheesecake Lollipops adds just the right amount of bitterness to truly bring out  the sweetness of the cream cheese. A perfect treat for those who just can't say no to a slice of heavenly cheesecake, and those who are afraid to say yes, these bite-sized morsels just beg to be gobbled up.

Fresh fruit kabobs are a healthy and fun finger food to put out at parties or dress up a boring lunch. These S'more Kabobs are equal parts healthy and indulgent, just they way we like 'em, pairing sweet, ripe bananas and strawberries with chocolate-covered marshmallows, for a light and scrumptious snack few can resist.

Not everyday can be a big blow-out, but some times it's the small, silent celebrations that are the best. These Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Biscotti are an excellent way to dress up your morning coffee, for a desktop party of one. Jeanne Benedict shows us how to add a little bit of chocolatey flare to this classic Italian biscuit, for light snack that can be enjoyed alone or in the the company of good friends.

 

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January 10, 2012 – 9:00 AM
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Celebrate This: Elvis’ Birthday

By Emily |
Posted in Celebrate This

If the King were alive and kickin' he would've turned 77 years old yesterday. Yep, January 9th is the birthday and the date on which we celebrate the continuing legacy of Elvis Presley. The obvious choice for a celebration might be to fly on down to Graceland and party 'til you drop, but who has the time or the money for that? Instead we've  got something a little bit tastier in mind: peanut butter and bananas. While it may sound more like the contents of a first grader's lunch, this potent pairing was the King's go-to snack, and we wouldn't be surprised if an unreleased song turned up about the two foods from some super secret vault.

There's no impersonating this first idea from the Celebrations vault. These Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter-Stuffed Banana Bites are the real deal, and they are sure to rock your world. Great for kids or as superb hors d'oeuvres at any fancy fete you've got planned.

Elvis' signature snack was a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich, but this one from Kaysie Norman's secret stash would probably get the King's stamp of approval too. This Grilled PB & J Sandwich puts a sophisticated spin on the brown bag classic, while still delivering the same great taste. Sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy, just how it should be!

From rhinestone suites to lush sideburns, Elvis really knew how to do over the top. This next idea comes from Heavy Table  and is just over the top enough to celebrate the King's birthday. In sandwich form bacon, peanut butter and banana may seem like a tummy ache waiting to happen, but when the same three ingredients are packed into these bite-size Elvis Cupcakes something magical happens, and a party is instantly started!

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January 9, 2012 – 8:00 AM
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