Entertaining Done Right

As an event and wedding planner, I just can't help but talk about event stuff. (I promise to try to keep it to a minimum! :-P)

I've been trying to come up with something fun to do for Valentine's day. As I mentioned initially one of the things I am committed to doing in 2011 is stepping up my entertaining skills. This means I intend to entertain friends and family more. Now I'll be honest that I may not be able to execute by Valentine's day, because my man's schedule is quite crazy, but let me share a few ideas with you incase you have the opportunity to pull something together.

Now let's put together a few elements for the party:

Invitations
Again I'm a wedding planner, so maybe my ideas are a bit more elaborate than what normal people would plan to do, but this idea is so cute I couldn't pass it up. A while back Passport Invitations for weddings were all the rage. Well in looking at them, I wanted something I could really use them for. I don't have the need to plan my own wedding (already hitched) but I could use these for a party. I'll try to make the instructions as simple as possible:

I'm kind of lazy when I'm designing stuff like this, so I cheated and make a text box the size I wanted (4 1/4 X 5 1/2). In the text box I entered my text PASSPORT and Saturday February 11, 2012 (this was just for sample purposes, and entered my clipart, just found in Microsoft) United States of Love was created in Word Art so I could get that cool arch to it, but really just put whatever you like on yours. Email me for the tempate (I can't figure out how to attach it here)

For the inside of the invitation I used the same basic template idea making a text box 1/2 inch smaller than the folded size and printed the specific party information (I don't have a picture of that one). For additional pizzazz use coordinating cardstock colors. These do look absolutely great in metalic cardstock .

I rounded the corners for a cute touch (with a little paper punch). One of the sample invites is shown with ribbon run through the center, the other does not have tihs extra feature.

Appetizers (I can't spell that other word!)
If you're looking to keep the party light with food then here are a few ideas (I picked foods that are known to be natural aphrodisiacs, but feel free to tone down the sexy if you'd like) I also have to let you know that I'm not in to fru-fru, I like to eat, so....

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES 

Now this a staple must have for Valentine's Day. Here's an idea of how to make your own.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

Directions

1. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
2. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
3. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool

Natural Aphrodisiac Foods:

1. Chocolate
2. Oysters
3. Honey
4. Bananas
5. Basil
6. Figs
7. Champaign

Signature Cocktail

Love Bug Drink Type: Cocktail - L Ingredients 3 part(s) Ginger Ale - (more) Dekuyper Pomegranate Liqueur - (more) 1 1/2 part(s) Instructions Mix over ice in a cocktail glass and Check out more great options HERE  Absolut Vodka - (more) 1 part(s)

Cupids Arrow Drink Type: Cocktail - C Ingredients 2 oz. Cranberry Juice - (more) Boru Vodka - (more) 1 1/2 oz. Instructions Shake ingredients with ice Check out more great options HERE  Pallini Peachcello - (more) 1/2 oz.

The Year for Fitness

I'm Bringing Sexy Back

I've said it before, 2011 is the year I reclaim my physical fitness. Well, there is no better time to start than the present. I woke up this morning and decided to make that big step to get to it. I lucked out, because there is an amazing app on my iPhone by Nike ® called Nike Trainer ®. This thing is a beast but amazing.

I won’t give their secrets away, but I’ll give you an idea of what I did this morning:

·         Jogging in place

·         Push ups

·         Straight leg kicks

·         Squats

·         Burpees

 

And much, much more….It provides step-by-step instructions for the exercises, as well as video to demonstrate any exercise you are unfamiliar with. Probably the best thing about the workout this morning, is I didn’t need any equipment to complete it!

Now I’ll be honest I couldn’t keep up with the workout for all 30 minutes, I’m not in great shape. However, my kids worked out right along side of me, so it kept me going for most of the time. I truly felt energized when I finished the workout.

Stay tuned as I take you through this physical fitness journey!

What's in store for 2011

2011 is the year I have vowed to get my sexy back!!! What's does that mean exactly? Well for me it means many things.

Weight loss - it's my time to lose some weight. After having 3 kids in 5 years, I've got some work to do! So I will be sharing health and wellness tips. Fitness activities, healthy recipes, and other things as they come to mind.

Entertaining - It's time to step up my entertainment game! I'm a quite social character. I love to interact with friends, and family, so will use 2011 as my opportunity to polish my entertainment skills. As a wedding planner for the last 8 years I have spent a great deal of time cultivating fabulous events for other people, and zero time on events for myself. I will bring you information from my expertise for throwing your own dinner parties, cocktail gatherings and more!



Make-Up - Well I don't profess to be an expert in the make-up area, but I will bring you updates from a make-up artist regarding trends, along with some tips and tricks, so definitely tune in for those!

Lot's more, so check back often to make sure you don't miss a beat!

What is a Diva?

I'm sure you're curious as to what a Diva is.

First let's start by explaining what a Diva isn't. I think bad behaving female celebrities can give the wrong impression about what a Diva might be. They may make outrageous demands, be over the top in style, have bad tempers when things don't go their way. This is not a Diva, I'm sure we can all think of a few other ways to describe that behavior.

How does that Beyonce song go? "A Diva is a female version of a hustler..." Well shoot, what does that mean? For me at least, this means that this female is someone who is able to handle many things at once. She's about her money game, making sure the bills are being paid, she's taking care of her family, dealing with her job, probably got a side business or hustle going on as well. She takes good care of herself, making sure that she is physically, mentally and emotionally sound. Her fashion is always right, she keeps her hair and nails looking fly.

All in all, a Diva one well put-together chick.

Welcome to The Diva Connection

Welcome to the Diva Connection!

I'm excited to bring you this blog. 2011 is the year I have vowed to bring my sexy back, and do all things Diva. Tune in often for topics such as Entertaining, Heath and Wellness, Fitness, and much, much more.

I look forward to our upcoming interactions, and making 2011 a fantastic year!