Showing posts with label entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertaining. Show all posts

How to Create the Perfect Area for Entertainment



How to Create the Perfect Area for Entertainment
Ready to throw the party of a lifetime this summer? We all are pretty tired of being cooped up by now and are ready for the drama to be over with. It's time for some fun with friends and family, but how do you plan on entertaining them when the time comes? 
1. Choose an Entertainment Location
Want to grill outside on the patio with a beachside view? Or, do you want to feel cozy with a warm fire burning in the corner of the room? When it comes to entertaining your guests, the setting is just as important as the great conversations you'll have with family or friends. Think about how you'll arrange the area, which themes you'll use, and what measurements you'll need for furniture before you buy any new décor. Your guests will vividly remember all the great times you've had to spend time together in your party room. 
2. Create an Open Floor Plan
Want to set up a cozy area to relax with friends or family? Enclosed spaces and tightly-knit furniture may not be the right way to go. According to RealHomes.com, creating an open floor layout can increase living space in your entertainment room without you having to bump elbows, yet provide enough room for your guests to feel comfortable moving around or having a conversation. Consider adding lighting to dark corners, as well as decorative rugs, structural posts and floors that flow from one room to the next or outdoors to invite guests to move freely. 
3. Buy Sophisticated Furniture 
Once you've set up the trims, textures and other mood effects, you can begin adding furniture sets that match the rest of the room. Choose sofas, chairs, bookshelves or end tables that contrast the floor color to make the space appear more open. Don't opt for two-tone color schemes though. Instead, try to diversify the color schemes to add touches of aesthetic appeal to otherwise drowsy corners of the room.
4. Deck It Out with a Home Theater System
Rattle the floors with heart-pumping action or outrageous comedy flicks for your guests to enjoy with the home theater system of a lifetime. Set up a smart 5.1 beam audio surround set with voice assistant to capture sound at crystal-clear highs and lows for movies, or choose a bass-packed 5.1, 7-set speaker system to blast your music and rock the party. If you don't want to bother setting up the system yourself, buy your set from an authorized dealer. 
5. Don't Forget That Minibar
If you're ready to go full circle at your parties, you can't forget to put in that minibar that everyone will frequent as they laugh at the post-quarantine drama. Nothing is better than letting go of your problems around great company, and your bar can serve you personally when you need to relieve stress at home after work. Add plenty of glassware and refreshments before you throw your end of the world party, just in case everyone in the neighborhood wants to visit your rockstar dwelling. 
It's a Whole Lot of Fun and a Bag of Chips
Making your place the heaven of get-togethers doesn't only mean you'll enjoy your time in the room — it also means enjoy setting it all up with some good friends.

7 Luscious Lemonade Recipes

Summer is near, so the time to stock up on lemonade fixings is now! I have 7 Luscious Lemonade Recipes to inspire your summertime sipping!




There is nothing like a glass of lemonade on a hot day. I found 7 awesome recipes that I can't wait to try. I think you are going to love these too. From the traditional twist of a strawberry version that promises to be easy to an unforgettable Lavender punch that tickles the taste buds in style.  I can't wait to hear which of these recipes you want to try first!

Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade
Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Sparkling Pineapple Lemonade
Lavender Lemonade Punch
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Blueberry Lemonade Punch

Making homemade lemonade is super easy to do! I have a few tips to help you make the best ever lemonade at home!


  1. 5 or 6 lemons will yield 1 cup of juice.
  2. Select lemons that are bright yellow and firm.
  3. Washing lemons after purchase will keep them fresher longer.
  4. Room temperature lemons will yield more juice than a cold lemon.
  5. Simple syrup is much easier for making lemonade than dissolving sugar.



Have you ever made a special lemonade recipe? I would love to hear about it to inspire my summer sipping!

We have a cute lemonade craft for kids that goes perfectly with homemade lemonade!

You might want to check out these homemade soda ideas.

 Don't miss these infused water recipes!

7 Delicious Ways to Stay Hydrated

The days are getting warmer. Let's cool off with an infused water recipe that will hydrate you and offer a delicious fruity flavor to your summer days!

Infused Water Recipes


Infused water is the perfect way to beat the heat while adding a delicious touch of flavor to your summer drinks. These recipes are some of my favorites and I couldn't wait to share them with you. With recipes as easy and delicious as these, drinking more water is just a tasty sip away

Strawberry Basil Lime Water
Kiwi Blackberry Water
Chia Lime Water
Cucumber Watermelon Mint
Apple Cinnamon Detox Water
Cucumber Lemon Water
Strawberry Lemon Water

If you love infused water but haven't made it at home, you will want to take note of these tips.

  1. Always wash your fruits and veggies prior to adding them to water.
  2. Allow them to soak overnight for the best flavor.
  3. Don't be afraid to add herbs to your infused water!



Which of these is your favorite? Do you ever make infused water to keep your family hydrated? I would love to hear what fruits you like to include!


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12 Homemade Soda Recipes

8 Awesome Ways to Eat Hot Dogs

Hot dogs and summer time are a match made in heaven. This year, your options aren't limited to grilled, boiled or baked! I have rounded up 8 Awesome Ways to Eat Hot Dogs that I know you are going to love!

This post contains affiliate links.


yummy hot dog recipes

I love a good hot dog! From a sloppy chili dog to a simple grilled dog with peppers and onions! I started checking out some of my favorite blogs to get hot dog inspiration and what I discovered is a total game changer in the dog department!

From pineapple topped dogs to a mouth watering pizza recipe; this collection of recipes is sure to please hot dog fanatics all summer long!

Firecracker Hot Dogs
Buffalo Wing Hot Dogs
Cheesy Hot Dog Tartlets
Fried Hot Dog Sliders
Mexican Style Dogs
Chili Cheese Dog Pizza
Hawaiian Hot Dogs 
Philly Cheese Steak Dogs



Which of these recipes sounds the yummiest to you?

You can find all of my recipes here


Strawberry Shortcake Floats



All of the flavors of a Strawberry Shortcake, but in a decadently cool float form! There is nothing like an ice cream float on a hot summer day!

You will want to pin this recipe to your dessert board for future reference!



Summer is the perfect season to make ice cream floats. This one is perfect for a dessert or a decadent way to cool off on a summer day.

I love strawberry shortcake on a summer day! But, sometimes I want something cooler than cake. A float is a perfect solution to cure my cravings.

These floats look and taste gourmet, but they are so easy to make! The most basic of ingredients come together to create a treat that is going to become a most requested drink in your house!

This was so good. I had to have a second float! My guilt subsided when my husband asked for another one but in a bigger glass.  This is an easy way to impress a guest or a delicious addition to any day of the week!



If you love floats, you won't want to miss this delicious strawberry cheesecake float or this blackberry cheesecake float.

Click through for the recipe.

12 Homemade Soda Recipes

Spring is near and I am ready to get outside, work in my yard and of course, entertain friends with style! This year I am skipping the ordinary bottled drinks in favor of one of a kind indulgences with these soda recipes you can make at home!


These all promise to be incredible. From Cranberry Soda to Pink Italian Cream Sodas, there is something on this list for everyone. I love that the ingredients are all simple and you know what you are serving to your loved ones.

 Homemade Pomegranate Soda by 52 Kitchen Adventures
Cranberry Sodas by Ginger Casa
Ginger Lime Soda by Tastes of Lizzy T
Homemade Cream Soda by Shaken Together Life
Strawberry Soda Syrup by Ginger Casa
DIY Italian Cream Soda by Dukes and Duchesses
Raspberry Italian Cream Soda by Housewife Eclectic
Pink Italian Cream Soda by Creative Southern Home
Homemade Orange Soda by What Rose Knows
Meyer Lemon Blueberry Soda by Chicken Scratch NY
Homemade Strawberry Soda by Hot Eats and Cool Reads
Blood Orange Soda by 52 Kitchen Adventures



Which of these homemade soda recipes will you try first? I think the Italian Cream Sodas all sound awesome and I love oranges so I would want to make myself the Blood Orange Soda or Homemade Orange Soda first!

I love to serve floats to friends. You might want to check out a few of my favorite float recipes!
Strawberry Shortcake Floats
Chocolate Cherry Floats
Strawberry Cheesecake Floats
Chocolate Cherry 7 Up Floats
Blackberry Cheesecake Floats


Dumplings with Mushroom Sauce

Planning a dinner party anytime soon? If so I’d love to suggest using Popkoff’s pierogis to take your guests on a trip around the world. Now, you may be wondering what the heck a pierogi is. Pierogis are stuffed dumplings from Eastern Europe – just boil them in water for 5 minutes, and they are ready to eat.

With the many different varieties of Popkoff’s—everything from Potato & Onion Vareneki to Pelmeni filled with chicken, it’s easy to treat your guests to a Pierogi Party! The dumplings can be used in many ways – try it’s traditional preparation, or with mushroom sauce, or even cold in salads.

I had never tried a pierogi before, so I didn't know what to expect.But you guys... these things are totally yummy!

I want to share my favorite recipe from Popkoff's with you.



Dumplings with Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients

10 oz. Popkoff’s Beef Pelmeni
2 cups button mushrooms, sliced
½ cup onions, fine diced
2 tbsp. parsley, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp. butter
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup sour cream
16 oz. low sodium beef broth

Cooking Instructions

  1. Melt butter over medium heat then add onions and cook until softened. Add garlic and mushrooms then stir and cook for 3-5 minutes until mushrooms have softened.
  2. Add beef broth and cook over medium heat until liquid is slightly reduced, then add heavy cream and season with salt and pepper cook for 2-3 minutes until combined.
  3. Bring large pot of water to boil and add a pinch of salt then carefully add Popkoff’s Beef Pelmeni and cook for 5 minutes until cooked through. Drain and reserve.
  4. Mix in sour cream and chopped parsley into mushroom stroganoff, portion dumplings onto plates and top with sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
Recipe created by Chef James Bailey

How do you like your pierogi's? Give me the scoop in a comment!

Strawberry Fizz Mocktail Recipe

 Spring is near! With warmer weather comes a great opportunity to get together with friends and family and welcome the sunshine, spring flowers and best of all- the end of snow for a few months!

I have a mocktail recipe to share with you from my pals at Owl Brew. This tea based mocktail is perfect for everyone at the party!




The Strawberry Fizz
Brew: Pink & Black (Darjeeling with a hint of hibiscus)
Booze: Mocktail
1 Part Pink & Black
1 part Sparkling Water
Serve chilled or over ice
Garnish: Fresh Strawberries

What is your favorite mocktail? Tell me all about it in a comment!


Spring is near! We are planning our garden, dreaming about summer trips and craving the warmth of the sun!
My friends at the Owls Brew sent over a recipe to share with my readers and I couldn't resist!

This Garden Variety Cocktail is a great way to bring a bit of spring green to your celebrations and parties! 






Brew: The Classic (English breakfast with a tart twist)
Booze: Gin
1 Part The Classic
1 Part Gin
2 Parts Green Juice
Shake with ice and strain
Garnish: Fresh thyme

What is your favorite cocktail for spring parties and celebrations? Tell me about it in a comment!