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Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

Starting today, I am going to post a weekly shout-out about someone who has done something that is remarkable, interesting or deserves to have others know just what a spiffy person they are!

This week my shout-out goes to Loren Jennings. He is one of those rare individuals who “gets” the entire concept of networking and relationship building.

Loren has started two meeting groups to bring people together to share ideas, support each other and learn about networking efficiently and effectively. Beyond that, Loren is just a nice guy who truly cares about people.

You can learn more about Loren from his Linked In profile, found here.

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If you’ve done your spring cleaning and yet your home’s interior still seems lost in the doldrums, think about changing things up a bit for some decor excitement.

Here are a few ideas to get you started and give the inside of your home a very simple and  extremely affordable facelift.

Just Move It! – One of the fastest and easiest ways to completely change the look of your home is to move around the furniture. Sketch out your room’s dimensions on paper cut out pieces of paper in approximate dimension to your furniture and move it around until you get a combination that you like. Then you can do the heavy lifting and move your furniture around to its new resting place (or stand back and direct the process while someone else does the lifting!).

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Place a mirror across from a window and suddenly you’ve got another window. Place it across from a door to give your room a wide-open feel. Any time you can place a mirror where light comes in, it creates a whole new level of warmth and openness.

•Pops Goes the Color – Add bright, fun pops of excitement with colorful throws and accent pillows. This works great on a couch or a bed. If most of your decor is neutral, you can have a lot of fun with seasonal color. Think hot pinks, turquoise or bright greens for spring, reds and nautical blues for summer. Think about what one red pillow or one turquoise throw could do for a room.

Room to Breathe – Most people have more knick knacks, decor and sentimental treasures than their house can hold, let alone one room. Instead of trying to have everything on display all the time, select a handful of  pieces that fit well with the season and put those out. Make sure whatever you are displaying has room to breath. Space creates a sense of order and openness.

• Let there be Light – If your lampshades are beyond repair, get some new light shades. If lamps are dark and clunky, give them a coat of paint. A light neutral shade can create a whole new look for your room. Or maybe you want to make the lamp your one focal point of color.  Before you slap on a coat of eye-popping orange, get a paint chip and try it in the room to see what the overall effect is going to be.

However you decide to change things up this spring, remember to have fun with it!

Happy Entertaining!

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I confess, I did not make the strawberries shown here, but I did take the photo and I enjoyed eating them. Does that count? I certainly hope so.

I love strawberries and chocolate and the combination of the two is nearly fatal. It is so hard to not eat more than my share of these wonderful treats. They are fairly simple to make, look very elegant and are so yummy. Make sure you use strawberries that are fresh and ripe.

Tuxedo Strawberries

  • 18 medium fresh strawberries with stems
  • 1 cup vanilla or white chips
  • 3-1/2 teaspoons shortening, divided
  • 1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

To make:

  • Line a tray or baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. Wash strawberries and pat until completely dry.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt vanilla chips and 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening in 30-second intervals; stir until smooth. Dip each strawberry until two-thirds is coated, forming the tuxedo shirt, allowing excess to drip off. Place on prepared tray; chill for 30 minutes or until set.
  • Melt chocolate chips and remaining shortening. To form the tuxedo jacket, dip each side of berry into chocolate from the tip of the strawberry to the top of vanilla coating. Repeat on the other side, leaving a white V-shape in the center. Set remaining chocolate aside. Chill berries for 30 minutes or until set.
  • Remelt reserved chocolate if necessary. Using melted chocolate and a round pastry tip #2, pipe a bow tie at the top of the white V and three buttons down front of shirt. Chill for 30 minutes or until set. Store in the refrigerator in a covered plastic container for up to 1 day. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen. Serving Size: As many as you want!

Happy Entertaining!

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Despite the fact that we can see snow in the foothills from our house and the weather is less than springlike, it is a great time to think about hosting a spring-themed parties. Invite some friends over for a casual dinner, brunch or lunch and create your own spring nirvana.

Here are some ideas for easy spring entertaining. Enjoy!

• Tulips – bring in a few bouquets, spread them around the house and, ahhh, feel that warm glow of spring already throughout your home.

• Lilacs – also another harbinger of spring. A few bouquets will make your house smell like mother nature herself waved her magic wand and welcomed spring inside. I absolutely love lilacs and their gorgeous scent.

• Wild pops of color – bright, cheerful colors like hot pink, salmon, bright purple, sunshine yellow, grass green and robin’s egg blue all shout  “Spring is here. Celebrate!” Drape one of two colors on your buffet and choose flowers and serving pieces in coordinating or contrasting colors. Start with a basic black table covering to get the most “Wow” factor from your buffet. Black squeezes every drop of excitement out those bright colors.

• Pussy willows or blossoming branches – fill a tall vase with a few branches and you not only have a striking centerpiece, but you’ve also created a little corner of outdoorsy bliss in your home.

• Pull back the drapes – or take them down entirely – and let the light in. Even on these cloudy days, create the sense of light with strategically placed lighting or candles. Remember, candle light is flattering to everyone!

Happy Entertaining!

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