The Oscars ceremony is one of the greatest motion picture awards presentations. The Academy Awards ceremony will be seen in many countries worldwide and the next presentation, the 80th, will be, as expected, transmitted live on television and will make the greatest event on February 2008. If you are one of the many of us who love the Oscars and want to watch and comment the best moments with your dear friends, here is a great party idea that will match perfectly with the refined ceremony.
You’ll need:
* stylish pajamas
* imagination
* TV
* confidence
* friends who go crazy about the Oscars
The Outfit
It’s easier to create one than it would be for a real Academy Awards ceremony, that’s for sure. Tell your friend guests to dress in fancy silk and satin pajamas or in long, elegant nightgowns, Hollywood style. Don’t forget to spice it up by wearing great matching accessories for the big night, like shawls, feathers, earrings, bracelets and mini purses in fancy colors.
The Decor
You know that the red carpet is the central piece and the delight of the ceremony, right? You may improvise a red carpet, like a long red blanket or a sheet to welcome your invitees in style. Arrange some nice blankets, in red, golden, white and black on the chairs and couch, where you’ll be watching the show. Use big golden candles to create even a greater atmosphere. Light them in tall, transparent vases; you’ll create a special lights and shades scene.
Food and Drinks
Organize a Swedish buffet. Arrange cocktail finger food with dipping, mini cupcakes, sushi and sashimi on ample plateaus. Be sure you have napkins in matching colors (red, golden). Don’t use plastic plates; it’s a special night, entrees plates would match perfectly. Complement the food with interesting cocktails. Use pomegranate or tomato juice to obtain a red color drink. Champagne is also appropriate. For dessert arrange spherical chocolate bonbons covered in golden aluminum foil in transparent glass bowls. It will give a great sense of occasion.
Entertainments
It’s the night of entertainment by definition, but you need to personalize it as much as you can. Comment with your friends the red carpet activity from the live ceremony (who’s coming, what everyone is wearing); it’s a delightful and gossipy moment. Prepare yourself for this event; find out in advance the nominees and place bets with your friends. Establish a prize for every guessed category (movie tickets, popcorn bowl and fashion magazines).
Special tips:
* take pictures to capture the moment. Later, you can frame the photographs, add movie like themes and quotations from the party.
* if you really want to declare a night of festivities, you can also decorate the house with bouquets of red roses. With this type of decorations you’ll let your invitees speechless.
* it is recommendable to have one of those High Definition TV-s, you’ll have the amazing reality sensation and you’ll feel like you are part of the Oscars Ceremony.
And the winner is…
The French toast is a simple and fast recipe to prepare. Maybe you have your house full for the holidays and you need to come up with an easy to prepare plan for breakfast. This recipe is the perfect idea for the holiday next day breakfast - and guess what, might keep the kids busy too.
Serves 10:
* 2 tablespoons butter at room temperature
* 8 large eggs
* 1 cup milk
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 3 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 2 loaves French bread
Cut the bread into ten 1″ thick slices. Pour the milk in a medium pot and warm it up a little, but do not boil it. If the milk is warm, the bread will absorb it better. In a bowl, beat eggs and add salt, sugar, cinnamon and the gently warmed milk. Stir until all the ingredients are well mixed. One by one, dip the bread slices in the milk and egg mixture. Turn to coat well on both sides.
Butter two frying pans and place as many slices as you can. Fry on both sides until are golden brown. Repeat with the remaining bread. Serve with maple syrup, bee honey or with orange marmalade. Many people enjoy their French toast with fried eggs and bacon. Add some orange juice and coffee and your breakfast is ready.
Special tips:
* The French toast may be also baked instead of fried, if you prefer it that way. Preheat the oven to 375 F, generously butter two sheet pans and bake for 10 minutes, then turn slices and bake for 10 more minutes or until both sides are golden brown.
* Don’t be afraid to involve the kids in obtaining this delicious recipe. They will love it!
* This is a very easy to prepare recipe for a crowd, so make your late morning holiday breakfast a funny and joyful activity.
Holiday parties may be a really challenge when it comes to cooking. The cheese and fruit plateau is a delight for every invitee and very easy to prepare. Here is what you need and the easy steps to follow for achieving the delightful dessert.
What you need:
* Gorgonzola Cheese
* Cedar cheese
* Stilton cheese
* Camembert cheese
* Swiss cheese
* Brie cheese
* fresh apples
* fresh grapes
* fresh pears
Cut the cheese into little slices. Proceed the same way with the apples and pears. Don’t forget to remove the stalk.
Arrange the grapes, the sliced apples and pears in the middle of a big plateau.
Use the different types of cheese to decorate the margins of the plateau. Et voila , your delicious dessert is ready.
If you have a cocktail party instead of dinner party, it would be recommended to use appetizers picks to unite the slices of cheese with the fruits. This way it will be much easier for your guests to serve themselves.
Useful tips:
* Use a sharp knife to cut the cheese in perfect slices.
* Cut the fruits after you’ve done cutting the cheese and serve immediately. Otherwise the fruit will change its fresh looking color.
* Complement this cheese and fruit plateau with a glass of dessert wine or champagne.
You don’t need much to make a greeting card and your thoughtful and original idea will be very appreciated.
Here is what you’ll need:
* cards and envelopes (as many as you want to make, in different shapes and colors)
* transparent glue
* scissors
* brushes
* stickers with Halloween images (black cats, pumpkins, ghosts, witches)
* natural autumn leaves
* markers in matching colors with your cards
* funny pictures
Apply the stickers on the surface of the card in any way your inspiration guides you and write with the marker “Happy Halloween”. If you don’t want to use a marker, print the greeting on adhesive paper, cut it and stick it on your card.
For another type of greeting cards, apply glue on the back side of the autumn leaves and stick them on the surface of the card. You may press the leaves in a book and leave them over night, this way you will have ready for use autumn leaves.
Another great idea is to stick images on the cards, like the picture of your pet in a funny costume or a seasonal image. It will make a superb Halloween card.
If you prefer a spooky image, use black paper for the base of your card. Then apply stickers with ghosts, black cats, evil faces, haunted houses or bats. For greeting add something like “Have a spooky Halloween” or “Have a scary Halloween night”.