Friday, July 20, 2012

Christmas in July

Everyone at Paper so Pretty loves Christmas!
 
To continue with your Christmas in July theme, here are a few tips on planning the perfect holiday dinner party.
 

Planning a menu and an entertaining evening with guests can be quite intimidating. But with some planning, you will have a wonderful time at your own party!


First de
cide on the date of your party, guest list, and theme.
Make a realistic assessment of your cooking and baking skill levels, and the time you'll be able to commit to the party. A sit down dinner party is more formal than a buffet, so think carefully about what type of party makes you the most comfortable.

Get ready to make lists! Once you have the basics well planned and written down, your mind will be free to be creative with the food, fun, and decor.

Make your guest list and invite them. Be sure to send your invites well in advance. Because December calendars fill up so quickly, try to get your invites into your guests' hands before Thanksgiving.

Plan your menu and take inventory of your supplies. Make sure the things you own are sparkling clean.

Think about how you want to decorate. Decorations for a party can be as simple as candlesticks on the table, or more elaborate streamers, flower arrangements, tablecloths, and even chair slipcovers.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Happy Independence Day!

This week we are celebrating Independence Day!

Did you know the Declaration of Independence was published on July 4th,1776? Betsy Ross was commissioned by the Congressional Congress to sew the first American Flag which she finished in May or June of 1776. That was just in time to celebrate our nation's very first Independence day in Philadelphia on July 8th, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time. 

Whether you celebrate with bar-be-ques, fireworks or parties, be sure to keep cool off with this refreshing and patriotic beverage recipe.
 
What you need:
Cranberry Juice
Blue Gatorade Frost
Diet 7-Up
Ice cubes

What you do:
You can do this in individual servings by the glass or in a dispenser.

Fill the glass or drink dispenser with Ice.
Start by pouring in the cranberry juice.
Next pour in the Blue Gatorade Frost, BUT make sure that when you're pouring the Blue Gatorade Frost that you pour straight onto some of the ice to gently add the layer. If you pour it directly into the juice it will mix!

Next, pour in the Diet 7up, also pour onto an ice cube to prevent them from mixing.

You will need to use drinks with varying amounts of sugar, since those that contain more sugar (such as soda) are denser than those with less (such as diet drinks), this makes it possible to actually stack one on top of another.
Happy Fourth of July!!