Throwing a Celebration for Someone Else

So you've been asked (or you've planned) to throw a party, a shower, or event for someone else. This post is going to cover what you should do before you even begin to make plans for the event. For the sake of this post, I'm throwing a bridal shower for Molly

1). If you don't remember anything else, remember this...... the party should revolve around the person you're throwing the party for! When thinking about anything regarding this party, I should ask myself (or even better, ask Molly) would Molly like this?

2). Assuming it's not a surprise party, plan a lunch or evening together with you guest of honor and ask them what they envision for their celebration? If they seem awkward, or don't know how to answer this question, here are some good ice breakers.
What are your favorite colors ?
If it's a bridal shower, ask if they would like the same colors/theme as their wedding (they may want something different).
If it's a baby shower, ask the parents if they have a color scheme/theme for the nursery, and by all means ask them what they need for the new home/baby/nursery ect...
My own bridal shower was a surprise and although I like surprises, I would have enjoyed having more of a say in my shower. My mom picked a lingerie shower theme, and quite honestly, I prefer picking my own lingerie, and I would have enjoyed a different theme. It ended up feeling a little more like a bachelorette party than a bridal shower.

3). Take the persons style and personality into consideration.

Molly is a romantic that likes antiques and vintage. She's the type who would enjoy a High Tea, or maybe even a garden brunch, with pastel flowers and embroidered linens. She's also a bit introverted so having a big bash with bright colors and a ton of guests with loud music would not be comfortable, or enjoyable for her.  She would also probably prefer craft activities as opposed to games at her shower.  Make sure you think about these things, they're what makes the difference between a bad hostess, and a great hostess.  The more fun your guest of honor has, and the more memorable it is (for the right reasons), the closer you get to the "Hostess Hall of Fame :)

4). Ask them what their favorite foods, or at least their favorite type of food is. First take into consideration any dietary restrictions or allergies. If your guest of honor is a vegetarian, don't have a BBQ. Again, remember that there is a reason they're called the guest of honor.  It's all about them :) And for the love of all that is good and Holy, ask them what kind of cake or dessert they want. They may not even like cake, they may prefer pie, or an Ice Cream Sundae bar.

5). Make sure you understand how little, or how much your guest of honor would like to be involved. Some people would prefer to just let you plan the whole thing. They may not be comfortable, or may be too busy to do much beyond that first meeting or lunch. On the other hand, they may want to have their hand in all the details. If that's the case, just breathe and remind yourself, it's all about them ;)

I hope this has helped any of you who might be throwing a celebration for a loved one.  It's a true honor to be able to host a celebration for them. They will carry your generosity and the memories of their celebration for the rest of their lives. Being a good hostess boils down to this, people are happy, well fed, and well entertained while under your care, so smile, and let the celebrations begin.  

From Colorado with Love Easter Giveaway

I did some local shopping this weekend and decided I would share some Colorado goodies with my readers for Easter. Two of my favorite stores were Rocky Mountain Olive Oil (they have an incredible selection of fantastic Balsamic Vinegar's) and Fort Collins Candy Shop. So......... one lucky reader will recieve

 One bottle of Dark Chocolate, yes you read that right :) Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar, I taste tested this in the shop and it is to die for.  Made here in Colorado, This is a thick, rich, dark balsamic vinegar, and I have no doubt that you will find decadent ways to use this.  Think the best vinaigrette that's ever passed your lips, or use it  with olive oil for the best bread dipping sauce EVER! 

Speaking of Chocolate, how about the cutest SOLID Milk Chocolate bunny, handmade here in Colorado, that you've ever seen.  If you remember, my Christmas give-away had the famous Hammond's Candy cane's. This is sure to make some-bunny very Happy on Easter morning.

Jelly Belly has gotten together with Beatrix Potter's estate to bring you the sweetest little boxes that look like little children's books.  Beatrix Potter is my all time favorite children's book author and I just had to get these.
I've picked up 3 of these for you.  My son's favorite book (when he was little) Peter Rabbit.

When you open up the "book" you get a few lines from the original story, along with two watercolor images and a Spring collection of Jelly Belly's.  Cute and Delicious, now you know why I couldn't pass these up.

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, Peter's precocious little cousin.

  You have to love a cute little bunny with the fashion sense to wear a tam ;)

And The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck, a not so bright duck who is lucky to have a very bright Collie for a friend.

To Enter this give-away
1) Make sure you "Like" Shannon's Shanonigins on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannons-Shanonigins/135210736536443
2). Make sure you are following my blog (right column)
3). Leave a comment telling me your favorite Item in the Give-Away
4). Have a Happy, Blessed, and Joyful Easter <3 font="">

Get your comments in quickly because I want to have this to you by Easter

The winner of this give-away is Donna Tillman-Bardocz, Congratulations Donna

Celebrating 500 Followers on Pinterest

Spring by mielbakes/madhu on Flickr

I'm excited to announce that this week I reached 500 followers on my Pinterest page http://pinterest.com/shannonimlay/  First I would like to say a big THANK YOU to those of you following my Pinterest page :)  I thought I  would celebrate by sharing a few of my favorite pins for St. Patrick's Day recipes.  If you're anything like me, you'd like to know that there is something to cook besides, or  with Corned Beef and Cabbage ;)

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/irish-potato-soup-10000000257493/

I've always been a fan of Irish Potato Soup and I must confess, my mom makes a really good one.  How about serving this for lunch, or as  a first course for dinner on St. Patrick's Day. What a great way to warm the body and the soul on a cold Spring day. 

http://damndelicious.tumblr.com/post/19282136836/irish-soda-bread-muffins

Here is the perfect thing to serve with soup (or stew).  Irish Soda Bread Muffins. Click on the links just below any of the photos and they will take you to the recipes.  I love the idea of making Irish Soda Bread muffins, they make the cutest single servings :)

http://www.marthastewart.com/316991/irish-beef-and-stout-stew

There is nothing that makes the Irish more happy than a dish with meat and potatoes. There is something about it that just satisfies, and comforts you.  You may want to try this Irish Beef and Stout Stew from Martha Stewart.

 

http://www.blog.birdsparty.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-party.html#.UTAqGaK1cuc

I thought this was the cutest idea for garnishing green punch or cocktails (just make sure you rub the apples with lemon or lime juice to keep them from turning brown) but this link takes you to an entire, (beautiful) St. Patrick's Day party with lots of ideas and some free printable's :)  Another idea that would make cocktails or sweet drinks fun would be to rim glasses with gold sugar (the gold at the end of the rainbow :)

http://www.malacukierenka.pl/kawa-po-irlandzku.html

It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without Irish Coffee, lol  after all the reason God invented whiskey was to keep the Irish from ruling the world (sorry, I couldn't help myself). This is a beautiful Polish blog but don't panic there is a translation button in the upper right corner :)
Serve this with any dessert or cookies and your guests will feel like they found the gold at the end of the rainbow.

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/952069/shamrock-shake-recipe

 Okay, so it's not Irish, but I have a soft spot for Shamrock Shakes, and they're so easy to make.  If you live in the sun-belt or have kids, this is the perfect St. Patrick's Day treat.

http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/03/guinness-chocolate-pudding-or-chocolate.html

If you thought you were going to read a post on recipes without chocolate, well then you don't know me that well, lol.   Make the man in your life happy with this Chocolate Guinness Pudding.

http://bellyfeathersparty.blogspot.com/2010/03/baileys-irish-cream-chocolate-best-st.html

Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Cupcakes=Yum :) What an adorable and delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  Take a batch of these to work, or send them to your child's classroom (substitute non-alcoholic  Irish cream flavor coffee creamer found in the dairy section in any of these recipes if you don't want alcohol )  and you will be one popular Bonnie Lass (or Lassie :)

http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/150373981/irish-cream-chocolate-pots-de-creme/

  If you will indulge me one more Chocolate Irish recipe ;)  How does Irish Cream, Pots de Creme sound?  Well it sounds fantastic to me and I think this will be the way our family finishes  off St. Patrick's day.  I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite Irish Food pins and I invite you to follow my Pinterest page.  It has a wide variety of boards and a little something for everyone (okay, mostly romantic someones).   Let me know what your favorite Irish recipe is, I would love to hear about it.