Etsy Sunday Cherry on Top: TheFrenchNestCo!

The beauty of Etsy is that their sellers' creativity is endless. This week's find is no exception. TheFrenchNestCo creates stylish, sophisticated vintage items at great prices. This ribbon, hand stamped with bees, crowns, bonjours and bling, is the perfect touch you never knew you needed. Tie it around a bouquet of flowers, guest towels or napkins - the possibilities are endless! Heck, you could even use it as a belt (with a big, floppy bow)! Hand stamped muslin is eco-friendly, durable and reuseable!

Two Penny Parties' suggestion: Wrap your gifts in a solid colored wrapping paper (chocolate brown, sage green, pink or blue would look stunning) and use this to create a beautiful handmade bow.

Be sure to bring some tissues because your guests are going to shed some serious tears of joy. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Do you have a favorite etsy seller? Send them to us!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Wait! Don't go! Come back! I know, the title of this post scares the heck out of a lot of people. Never fear, Two Penny Parties is here! Rest assured, dinner parties can be painless! Here's our plan to get you through it:

Guests
Keep the guest list small. Real small. I know you're itching to invite your Aunt Gertie's dog's cousin but try to refrain. Pick anywhere between 4-6 guests and stick to them like glue. (Or paste, whichever you prefer.) One rule of thumb: If Sally can't make it, do not invite another friend as a second choice. It's tacky and you're better than that!

Food

Since most of the country is currently wallowing in the cold winter months, a hearty chili dinner will hit the spot. Chili? Really? Yes, really. People think dinner parties are about showing off their fanciest feasts, but they're wrong. Whip up a batch of chili with cornbread and... you're done! It's a low-budget, one pot meal that will satisfy the tummies and leave you looking like a rock star. Plus, there are less dishes to do! Your dishwasher will surely thank you.

Here's our go-to recipe for one pot chili. Vegetarians, just leave out the meat!

Cornbread is even easier: Buy a box of Jiffy Corn Bread Mix and prepare it according to the instructions. Add a cup of fresh, frozen or canned corn (surprise us), a cup of shredded cheddar cheese and bake according to the box directions. You and your guests will love, love, love it!

Music
This is one of those things that either make or break a party. You've worked so hard on the chili and cornbread, do you really want your guests going home and making fun of your Ace of Base, Wilson Phillips and Milli Vanilli playlist? We didn't think so.

Obviously you should go with your own taste, but just in case you're open to a little inspiration here are ten indie/alternative songs that are sure to catch everyone's ear:

1) Horchata by Vampire Weekend

2) Merry Happy by Kate Nash

3) Blue Mind by Alexi Murdoch

4) Magic by MoZella

5) Lions by The Features

6) 11th Dimension by Julian Casablancas

7) Daylight by Matt & Kim

8) Born to be Your Man by Birdmonster

9) Dawn of the Dead by Does it Offend You, Yeah?

10) Lisztomania by Phoenix


Keep these tucked into your standard rotation and they're guaranteed to stir up some interesting dinner conversation. Interesting in a good way, of course!

Two Penny Upgrade: Offer chili toppings such as shredded cheese (monterey jack works best), sour cream, freshly chopped jalapeños and diced onions.

Cherry on Top: Burn your guests a copy of your awesome, Milli Vanilli-free dinner music. 

Now that you have the secret to throwing a great dinner party, get out your address book and invite up a storm! Send us pictures of your delicious chili and we'll post them here!

(Almost) Instant Party!

Invitations
Online invitatations are the only way to go. They're quicker, greener and come in a myriad of options. Check out Two Penny Parties' in depth review of online invitation sites. You'll be glad you did!

Decorations
Once again, people tend to get far too carried away with decorations and favors. When planning a party be sure to keep the word, "edit" at the front of your noggin. Here are some stylishly simple tips for elegant party decor:

Nothing is more eye-catching than a white tablecloth with some vases of fresh flowers scattered across the table. They're readily available in major supermarkets across the country and will add a lovely pop of color to any tablescape*. Surround them with tea lights (5-7 is plenty. You don't want to burn the table down!) and add some brightly colored platters. Ta-da!

The fanciness of the flowers is totally up to you (ahem, and your budget!). Here are some orchids:

And here are some equally adorable carnations:

See? Style doesn't have to be expensive!

Music
Music is very subjective but for the most part, keep it light-hearted. No one wants to hear a long-winded, heavy opera on a sunny afternoon at your house. Keep your iPod charged and hook it up to speakers. Don't have an iPod? Dont' worry! Just turn on your favorite radio station and keep it on in the background. So easy, right? I told you!

Food
The truth is, you can absolutely spend all day in the kitchen, whipping up snacks and finger foods for your guests to enjoy. While it's certainly an option if the winds of inspiration hit you, it's definitely not a necessity. Parties shouldn't be about showing off your fancy canape tricks, they should be about spending time with friends and family. Remember, the name of this game is (Almost) Instant Birthday Party, which is designed to be quick, easy and elegant.

Serve tortilla chips. Baked, fried, salted, salt free...whatever strikes your fancy. Be sure to serve them with two different types of dip. One creamy, one tomato-y. That'll satisfy everyone and you will barely have lifted a finger!

 

If you'll be serving lunch or dinner, nothing is faster and wallet-friendlier than baked ziti. Here's a great recipe that's quick and can easily handle a crowd.

We'll spend some more time delving into the world of instant cake, so for the purposes of your instant party, we suggest you serve a platter of fruit. After stuffing your guests with carbs, a fresher fruit finish will hit the spot. Once again, keep it simple! Platters of apples, bananas, oranges and pears with nutella dipping sauce will lull your guests into a happy food nap.

Got any (almost) instant party tips? Share them with us!








*We'll tackle tablescapes in an upcoming post! Stay tuned!

Thirsty Thursday - Toast of the Week!

This week's Thirsty Thursday pick comes to us from beautiful wine country...in Virginia. What? You thought I was going to say Napa, didn't you? Didn't you? Well, let's travel off the beaten path for an excellent bottle of wine that delivers fabulous bang for your buck. About an hour outside of Washington, DC lives Barboursville Vineyards and we'd like you to meet their friendly 2008 Chardonnay. Seriously, it won't bite, I promise. Apples and lemons and pears (oh my!) offer crisp refreshment on your palette and complements both meats and seafood perfectly. Give this one a try, you won't be disappointed!

And, if you're in the area, be sure to check out their gorgeous tasting room! Check out these lovely grounds!





Consider your thirst, quenched. 
 
Have a suggestion for next week's post? Send it to us!

Online Invitations - The Winner's Circle!

Welcome back to day two of our grueling search for the best, free online invitation maker. Two Penny Parties is pleased to bring you the winners!

We are the champions / We are the champions / No time for losers / 'Cause we are the champions... of the world!

Part 2: The Winners!

Mypunchbowl is by far our favorite online invitation maker. Lots of customizable options means you can dress your invites up or down as much as you please. Plus, it's easy to manage guest responses to keep yourself organized. Here is a fabulous invitation I created on the site:

If you're a get-the-message-out-and-run kind of planner, crusher is perfect for you. No muss, no fuss - just enter your event details, click send and viola! Your message is underway in less than a minute. Great for a last minute get-together! An added bonus: no sign ups required. How awesome is that?

Sophisticated, stylish and simple. Pingg has all three and then some. Fabulous designs, easy to navigate guest tracking make this a great choice for your creative spirit. Pingg plus+ contains even more invitations though a subscription is required. Check out the sample invite I made:

Did we miss any? Send us your favorites!

Armed with an arsenal of online invitation knowledge there's only one thing left to do: put your skills to work and plan that party of the year!

Battle of the Online Invites

Welcome to 2010. Year of the Tiger. Ahhh, a fresh año nuevo just waiting to be peppered with birthdays, barbecues, graduations and housewarmings. Since it is a fresh new year, why not use a brand new approach to sending online invitations? Yes, yes, evite already has your contacts, I know. Think of it it this way: 2010 is the year you finally wriggle free from that silly Breaker, Breaker reply style! 

As your trusted two penny planner, I painstakingly scoured the web and found a ton of ultra-cool, super-easy, free sites I think are leaps and bounds above evite.  Here they are, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Part 1: The Losers*

*These will do the job, they're just not the creme de la creme. And my readers deserve more doggone it!

Anyinvite has bland invitations in my opinion. Meh. They're just ok.  Moving on...

You can create nice invitations on smilebox, but the required downloading of software is a strike against it.

Evite. Breaker, Breaker Reply Styles. Need I say more? Over and out.

PurpleTrail seemed promising, but unfortunately the site kept timing out on me (and my computer's no turtle, people!) so I couldn't review it very well.

What do you get when you combine facebook and evite? Socializr. It's an ok site- just too busy and cluttered for my personal taste. Ahem, and yours.

Stay tuned for Two Penny Parties' winners tomorrow!

Keep it Fresh - A Two Penny Party Saver!

Here are things that every party guru should always have on hand. Always. Seriously, always. To keep yourself organized and clutter-free, pick up a large storage bin from your local department store (Target, Wal-Mart usually have the best bang for your buck) and keep it stocked with the following:

• white tea lights (unscented)
• matches
• assorted vases - don't be afraid if they're mismatched, it adds to the look!
  
• Blank note cards (for Thank You notes, invitations, etc.)
• a white tablecloth
• platters (silver and white usually go with everything)
• multi colored tissue paper
• clear cellophane bags - to stuff favors and candies in
• multi colored ribbon, all sizes
• scotch tape
• a sharp pair of scissors

You can add to your storage bin as you go. Having the supplies on hand keeps you organized and saves you money by keeping your party supplies in one place. Gone are the days where you'd wonder, "Do I have any ribbon in the house?" The only rule of thumb - keep it simple by containing everything into ONE bin. No need to become a party pack rat!

Cherry on Top: Buy a clear bin to take a visual stock of what you own.

Etsy Sunday Cherry on Top: kittredgecandles!

Each week I will be showcasing a fabulous find from my favorite website, etsy.com.  This week's favor comes to us from kittredgecandles in Massachusetts. This "homage to the Tiffany's box" candle is simply adorable and makes a perfectly classy favor for a bridal shower or birthday. Don't forget to check out this awesome shop for more beautiful items!

Are you ready for some football?!

Like millions of Americans, I'm eagerly anticipating the Grand Poobah of sports events: Super Bowl XLIV, scheduled to touch down on February 7th. Let's pause and appreciate that pun, shall we? If you're thinking of having a Super Bowl party but don't want to spend an entire paycheck on your fiesta, here's an easy way to remake your party into a Vince Lombardi worthy event! Grab your foam fingers and get ready for a Beer Swap!

Ask each guest to bring a 6 pack of their favorite beer to share. While I have nothing against Coor's Light, MGD and PBR (seriously, love 'em all), this is a great chance to encourage friends to elevate their game and bring some heartier fare. Suggestions include: Sam Adams, Red Stripe, Fat Tire, Pacifico, Shiner Bock, Blue Moon... you get the picture. As the hosts, fill a large cooler with some ice and water and let people drop their beer off on their way in. (Be sure to have a few bottles of soda or a bowl of punch on hand for the wonderful designated drivers.) At the end of the evening, you can either keep the leftovers (you sneaky little devils you) or send everyone home with a celebratory or there-there-it'll-be-ok samplers.


Food couldn't be easier - skip the wings (which will inevitably get messy) and pizzas and go for a taco bar - ole!. Your shopping list can include as many or as few ingredients as you'd like including: taco shells (soft & hard), ground meat, refried beans, taco sauce, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and jalepenos. Come on, you've had a taco before - use your imagination. The bonus to a taco bar: it satisfies veg-heads and carnivores alike, and there's minimal preparation on your part. Easy peasy, just as promised! Throw in a bag of chips (to go with the salsa) and I promise your guests will roll out of your homes happy (depending on the score!) and well fed.


Invitation Suggestion:
Us: We'll provide the food (and of course it will be delicious).
You: Bring a case of your favorite beer to the party - something cool and unusual to swap (no MGD or Coors Light!), because sharing means caring.
Know someone who has a penchant for beer and football? Bring them along!
See you Super Bowl Sunday!!

Cherry on Top: A gigantic bowl of guacamole. Flawless recipe here.

Drink responsibly. Have fun and take a picture of the mountain of empties and send them to us- we'll post the biggest one!

Jazz Hands. Yup, I nailed it.

For my first trick, I will pull this rabbit out of a hat! Wait, wait, wait. That's a totally different blog. Hold on. *regroups* Ok, I'm back.

You've heard of clothing swaps, jewelry and shoe parties, right? Those can get pricey and let's face it, not everyone likes giving up their precious cashmere sweaters, no matter how worn they are. Well instead, gather your gal pals together and throw a potluck nail polish party! Yup, a potluck nail polish party.  Here's just how easy it is:

Look, every girl has a bottle or two (or ten) of nail polish lying around. Invite them to gather up their Maybellines , OPIs , Essies and Sally Hansens and bring them over to your place one afternoon. The more colors, the merrier. You and your guests will love spending the afternoon catching up on who's dating who while gleefully swapping polishes to do each other's nails. It's like sampling all the colors at Sephora without getting those hurry-up-and-buy-something-already stares from the salespeople. If you're feeling extra ambitious you can do full-on manis, but polish potlucks are fun even without cuticle trimmers. Plus, by the end of the afternoon your nails will be perfect and you're ready to head out for an evening of fun! Ta-da!

As the gracious host, you're in charge of cotton balls, clear nail polish and nail polish remover (the drugstore brand will do).  Throw in a pot of tea or coffee and a plate of cookies and you've got yourself a perfect recipe for a great gabfest. Just make sure you lay out towels or newspapers if you're going to host the party in your fancy living room or dining room!

Need color suggestions? Look no further!

Cherry on top: Buy every friend a small emory board as a party favor as you herd them out the front door.

Two Penny Upgrade: Instead of tea or coffee, serve wine or mango-mosas (1 part mango juice and 2 parts  chilled champagne. Drink Responsibly). Swap out cookies for cupcakes with brightly colored frosting and voila - instant Park Ave!

Have fun and be sure to send us your polish potluck pictures!

Welcome. Now, let's paaartay!

Yup. It's a recession. Jobs are scarce, money is tight, morale is low. Well America, I'm here to help fix it! Er, well, um maybe not all of it... but I'm gonna do my best to help share some low-budget, high-impact party tips with you that I've picked up along the way. Whether it's a birthday bash or a night in with your friends, this blog is sure to inspire and transform your parties into events you'll remember long after these tough times are over! And just to prove how much fun you're gonna have, I encourage you to send in pictures of your events (you know, to brag how awesome you are).

I hope someone brought the Chex Mix because (Cue the Pink song) we're about to get this party started!