The Quintessential High Tea
I joined a dear friend and her grandmother at their Kane'ohe home recently for High Tea. A gathering of grandma’s close friends and a few relatives bedecked in feminine tea dresses and fun hats made for good company on an overcast Hawaiian afternoon at four o’clock sharp.

Grandma’s carefully manicured tropical garden was the perfect backdrop for a wonderfully decadent afternoon of tea, crumpets and lively conversation where the prevailing age was 70.

Our hosts had ever so carefully planned the menu and presentation. Set out at the buffet were a potpourri of tea cups - a different cup and saucer pattern for each guest to choose their favorite. Plated in true style were a smorgasborg of tea sandwiches each with a miniature demitasse cup full of posies and a menu card to identify each creation. First on the selection was a Ginger Blueberry Sandwich -- a clever combination of toasted pound cake, chocolate, and a blueberry/ginger creamcheese spread. Next was a memorable Plowman’s Pate a blend of cheeses rolled in chives and served with sliced grape tomatos and toasted wheat crackers. Rounding out the sandwich selection were Watercress & Bacon, Egg & Olive, and a Cucumber Dill that easily pulled forward as the crowd favorite. Finally, a heaping bowl of fresh Devonshire cream was served along side a cranberry, carrot scone and another zesty choice a pesto scone.

I filled the dainty pink and gold tea cup I chose with a lovely Darjeeling, two lumps of sugar and a thin slice of lemon. Other beverage choices included a classic Earl Grey and later that tea hour I also tried the iced Jasmine/Pineapple tea elixir they had concocted. “Don’t fill up on tea,” warned our hostess.

The generous buffet didn’t end there. Halfway through tea our hostess brought out a trio of sweets -Chocolate dipped strawberries, a buttery Shortbread, and a tempting Lemon-Lime Curd Tartlett with strawberry blueberry and mint sprig garnish. Each dessert offering was plated in unique ways in martini glasses, cake plates and china.

Fresh linen napkins, the “special occasion” silverware, china plates and little “tea” books featuring some of the recipes used for creating the spread made the experience all the more memorable.

So what do you need to remember when planning your tea-riffic soiree? Key elements:
1.The Guest List & Dress Code: Good company dressed in theme - tea dresses and tea hats.
2. The Party Setting: Comfortable seating in a comfortable setting.
3. The Menu: A variety of crustless culinary delights and sweets to boot - tiny and fingerfood sized.
4. Variety: Tea cups, saucers and teapots steeped with a variety of teas.
5. Accessories: tea cup and teapots overflowing with fresh garden posies and miniature coffee (or should I say TEA) table books
6. A Touch of Class: pull out all stops and think class and tradition when putting together your menu and place settings.

okay so I've several ideas I'm throwing around for a theme party for a college graduate-to-be...the major is criminal justice and here are the ideas:
1. Spinoff of a tvdrama/series - law&order, or CSI- crime scene investigation - invites can mirror the branding of the tv shows and table favors or centerpieces can be spyware ala CSI or law stuffs...
2. Murder Mystery Dinner - have an improv group provide the entertainment and the guest of honor and guests try to solve the crime.
3. Superhero - every guy's got his favorite superhero - so dig a little and find out who - then theme the party around that Superguy, Xman, or webslinger....

So how is it possible that through the peak party season - I post not even one celebration? craziness! what is a party girl like me to do?

here's some surefire ways to destress during the holidays to keep up with the pace:
1. Make lists of what to do. - they help to fuel a sense of accomplishment as you complete tasks and help to keep things in check and organized to minimize forgetting stuff which equals STRESS.
2. Gift yourself - whilst shopping for items for your holiday entertaining or holiday gifts - be sure to reward yourself as well. sometimes your best holiday present will be the one you got for yourself. now isn't that swell?
3. get Help! if you need it get it - ask a girlfriend or mom or aunt to help you with some preparations for that holiday gathering - the companionship on the shopping trip or in the kitchen preparing will be a great time of bonding and support.
4. Stay connected. - sometimes during the stress of all the things that need to be done - we have a tendency of going into auto-pilot. Don't! Keep connected to reality and the things that really matter - spending quality time with friends and family during the holiday. Take that 5-10 minutes and talk to a close friend or your long-distance relatives - they will be uplifted and so will you.
5. Take a Break - when push comes to shove - sometimes something has just got to give - maybe it's removing one thing from your regular routine or taking a little break from a hobby. For me it was this blog. sad to say - but a reality - next season - we'll see what we can do to stay on top of it.

So you ask - what was so crazy with your holidays? Well - I worked right up to Christmas Eve - had a celebration to attend that night - then Christmas Day to relax sort of - then take off to Vegas till just before new year's eve when we returned and it was back to being the hostess for our annual New Year's Eve bash. A few days later an annual gathering of some of my closest high school friends and then well back to the grind.

But things are at a fever-pace. Why?

Well on December 25th, 2003 - I became a "bride to be". And yes - the plans are in the works for the party of a lifetime...watch for more on this as the planning starts to take shape.

Just attended an elegant gathering at the 3660 on the Rise - the wedding dinner was about 2 months after the actual nuptials - but nevertheless a good way for far away family and friends to finally share in the event.

Tables were decorated with simple understated elegance of exotic orchids centerpieces and quaint personal pochettes with Honolulu Cookie Company sweets. The newlyweds were clad in casual-dressy attire and fragrant strands of pikake and maile.

Each table had a little summary recounting the days leading up to and immediately following the nuptials - this graphic description of the event took the reader right there...

I just found this site and it's a new resource collection for event planners in the Hawaii market. I found Hawaii Occasion Directory to be pretty easy to navigate. Since it just launched however, resources on the site are a little shy...

The DJ
Finding an MC or DJ for your party has become a popular thing for everything from weddings to baby parties to to graduations. Here's my "keys" list.
1. Know what their musical repertoire is...check if you need to provide certain songs - don't assume they have what you want..get it verified.
2. Get referrals or go see them - watch their rapport with the crowd - look at their setup - equipment.
3. get something in writing - how long they'll play - if you need them to play certain songs, if you need them to mc certain aspects of your event or make periodic announcements, if you need them to share the mic with your people for your program, what time they are expected to be setup by...
4. Make any specific requests on the amount of censoring you want - many DJs carry songs in their repertoire that are of a MATURE nature with profanity or strong sexual content. If that's not appropriate music for your event - make this clear with the DJ
5. don't waste your money on a DJ if you don't have a group that will dance.

Oktoberfest
Tis the season of the brew - have your own oktoberfest extravaganza. One of the best down home oktoberfest celebrations of the year in Honolulu is a little known treat exclusively for those in the publishing & design trade hosted by Erwin Hudelist of Hagadone. His oktoberfest inspired Printfest is always something to look forward to - each year more and more creative with an additional new menu item. This year the additional treats were just scrumptious.

The very authentic menu included: Bratwurst (BBQ sausage), La'a (spiced bologna) - it has a meatloaf consistency, Brathendl (Roasted Chicken), Sauerkraut, Kartofffelsalat (German Potato Salad), Brotchen (German Rolls) and on tap Pilsner Urquell Bier. Other libations included Paulaner beers and Osterreichischer Schnapps (Austrian Schnaps).

Musik was provided by the Wienerwald band. With oompah grooves and happy music you just can't help but feel good.

Additional entertainment included a photo opportunity that would make even Heidi jealous as the hills come alive as you dress up in traditional hats & "heidi" aprons. Other activities included the chicken dance, frisbee werfen (frisbee toss) and at the Zigeuner Lager (Gypsy Camp) readings and numerology. My fabulous cousin Peter Jones was the fortune teller for the evening.

As a favor for attending a traditional cookie - a Brauner Lebkuchen hung around our necks it had been customized with a sugar facsimile of the host's logo and also a piped lettering of the event name. Direct from deutchland. You too can order your's for your event from Zuckersucht Embh Munchen or their other site.

All the staff are dressed just like their out of the set of Sound of Music and you can't help but to get into the Bier and snitzel. the biergarden is decorated with traditional red & white check tablecloths & the backdrop to the band are faux wooden oak beer barrels.

a quote was shared on the evening's program - "Give me a woman who loves beer and i will conquer the world." -Kaiser Wilhelm I love beer.

Patriot's Day
Light some candles - sing God Bless America - and have a moment of silence - be proud to be an American - wear the stars and stripes - do something for others - forget about the small stuff cause this life is worth so much more than that...

Tailgate Party
Tis the season to Tailgate!

University of Hawaii football season has started again and whether your tailgate party is in the comfort of your own home or at Aloha Stadium there are several key elements to making a great party.

1) Ono grindz
2) Adequate Seating
3) Shade/ protection from the elements
4) Music!
5) Coolers/COLD BEVERAGES
6) GREEN!
7) comfortable attire
8) Regulation "personal" bag
9) Money
10) Games

Take it to another level - project the game larger than life - have a blender for blended favorites - improve your menu to grilled seafood instead of the ordinary teribeef/terichicken.

Partied Out

Okay so i haven't posted any tips in a while - let's just say that I am partied out... from hosting out of town guests, to family reunion for me and 150+ of my closest relatives, to a scavenger hunt party, to a baby shower - I am just so pleased to have a weekend without any party commitments to myself...I don't even have a party to plan in the horizon. But there are a few parties for me to attend to continue in my quest for collecting the most unique party ideas.

so here's a wrap-up to the last few events I've had a hand in planning:

Hosting out of towners
1. Make the experience memorable - have a unique welcome gift for them, or plan to take them somewhere they've never been.
2. Help Guide them - create a passport of activities that might interest them - leave the "social" calendar for them - like a copy of the Honolulu Advertiser TGIF, the Midweek Calendar or the Honolulu weekly.
3. Plan a few meals "out" to give your kitchen a break.
4. Stress that you aren't a hotel - and ask for your guests to help out around the house - cleaning, cooking, caring= NOT crazy!
5. Transportation - secure or be sure they secure adequate transportation - being host doesn't mean having to commit to being chauffeur too.

Family Reunions Do's & Dont's
1. DO Have a planning committee and delegate out tasks
2. DO be sure to check rules on outside beverages or cocktail service for dinners and meals.
3. DO have a contingency plan for activities and schedules
4. DO ensure that people know their responsibilities
5. DO have a homebase for reunion attendees to gather and get information about the week/weekend activities
6. DON'T have programs planned that last for more than 2 hours - think about it people go to a 1.5hr movie and they are entertained. a 2 hr movie - maybe a stretch, a 3 hour movie and it better have been rivetting or else - so Five hours of "talent show" entertainment and "walks down memory lane" are a bit MUCH. Make that a 1/2 hour if kids are involved. create 1/2 hour blocks of experiences to help keep their attention moving from one activity to another - We really could have benefited from a jumper rental in the evening - during the "Luau" program for the kids to be occupied while the adults enjoyed the festivities inside.
7. DON'T have formal photo taking in the sun. Especially if small children are involved. Babies get overheated in 10-15 minutes. There should have been coolers of water if being in the sun was our only choice.
8. DON'T lose track of your children. This creates undue stress on all parties involved.
9. DON'T do raffles at a formal program - save this kind of thing for more casual atmosphere.
10. DON'T save the best for last - reunions out to be a top down type of activity with the best activities at the start of the reunion - when people are excited and open to it with their attention - by the end - people are tired - family rivalries and personalities may have come out - and everyone is usually just plain scattered...Have things like the elders sharing moolelo at the beginning - this will start other conversations and make for a more memorable time together.

Watch for tips on creating a scavenger hunt activity and more baby shower tips - COMING SOON!

Okay this morning I discovered a wonderful site called Anytimegrinds it has great information about eateries, sorted and searchable by cuisine and location locally here in Hawaii...thre are even menus and many of the listed restaurants offer catering services...a good starting ground for planning your party menu.

simple yet elegant farewell luncheon
just said my alohas yesterday to another co-worker - she is an amazing young woman - just when we were really clicking on work style it is time to say goodbye as she and her husband move for his new job - to NYC! (I am secretly jealous - cause yes - I LOVE NY!)

I am quite sad to see her go...anyways - we threw together a quick and simple luncheon for her...

The Menu

Sesame Seed Wheat Crackers and Garlic Herb Cream Cheese spread

Zuchinni & Summer Squash Mint croquettes on a bed of fresh baby greens and crisp apple served with a delightful balsamic vinaigrette.

A Citrus & Clove Shrimp Curry

and Chow Mein

Dessert Trio: Blueberry Bundt, German Chocolate Cake or Carrot Cake.

The Atmosphere
We created an elegant dining experience right there in the middle of our dept. Along our work counter - was the buffet line: a vibrant blue runner was the foundation - atop that - I laid three sunny yellow chargers upon which we plated our main dishes. Behind that to take it a step further - I added my yellow and white string of Chinese Lanterns - a few green mock orange leaves sprinkled atop the blue runner and our buffet was complete.

For our dining table - I layout one of my fabric remnants - ends folded over to make a clean edge and stapled to size to fit our work island. The centerpiece - understated elegance - 4 sprigs of mixed greens bound in floral tape surrounding a small votive glass with two large and brightly hued Lime-Yellow Orchids. Butressing this greenery were two cobalt blue candle holders with mulberry votives burning inside. We used all "real" dishes for our cafe lunch experience - a creme colored octagon dinner plate - topped by my clear glass salad plates. I plated individual servings of the Zuchinni Croquette Salad prior to our sitting down to eat. silverware and napkins completed the look. A restaurant style peppermill and salt shaker also looked right at home...The appetizer was plated at our table on a cobalt blue sashimi platter.

In retrospect
I loved this luncheon - all of our potluck goodies were just delectable and they really did compliment each other... we had a surprise guest join us for company and conversation...it was simple and easy to throw together and to cleanup - but here are a few things - that I would have done differently to kickit up a notch had we had a little more time to prep:
1. Printed simple menus: Appetizer, Salad, Entrees, Desserts
2. Brought some glassware for serving of our bottled waters
3. Made napking rings with raffia or greenery and used real linens instead of deluxe paper napkins.
4. Added Place cards for our "guests"
5. Placed some kind of NYC image or postcard - under the salad plate - so that as people finished their salads - they'd reveal some NYC landmark...
6. Instead of the small bowl with the vinaigrette a Cruet for the vinegraitte.
7. Served the desserts on a three tier stand. with a small stack of dessert plates next to it and fresh forks.
8. Coffee or Tea Self Service station. - I think Tea would have been wonderful with our menu. Like a green tea!
9. Maybe behind the Chinese lanterns - a few more NYC images on the wall.
10. Place a few Mints at each place setting.

Aloha Suzanne!!! We will surely miss you!!!

PARTY FANTASY!!!
Hellmann's/ Best Foods has a "don't lift a finger" party sweeps-stakes - it's worth entering and you can also click every day till August 31st for their instant win $500 bonus party basket- after you've filled out for the $25,000 party sweeps at the end they ask you what your dream party is...here's mine:

Chinese Lanterns strung across the moonlit sky...live music soothing sounds of soulful jazz...chilled sangria and microbrews for the guys on draft....a wonderful spread of salads and "heavy pupus" at food stations to encourage mingling...For other entertainment: a massage station for guests to ease their troubles away...the ButtSketch artist and temporary airbrush tattoos artists....seating is on votive candlelit bistro-style tables - so you can sit high or stand and put your cocktails down at a reasonable height so you don't have to bend over...families and friends with smiles on their faces...mom and dad and little brother from across the Pacific are able to attend...for kids and kids at heart - a dessert fantasy table of various decadent treats are spread out as well as a softserve ice-cream station for people to create their own custom sundaes...

Class of 2003
It is graduation season and graduation parties abound! school colors satin and eyelash yarn leis, fresh flower leis, money leis fashioned of crisp green bills or of coins wrapped in school color cellophane are the hot commodity. So what do you get for an aspiring teen or college graduate about to enter the "real world"?
1. Leis
2. Money
3. Inspirational Books - like Dr. Suess' Oh the places you'll go
4. Traveling Gear - for going away to school or the peace corps.
5. New Clothes for work or school.
6. Sponsor a Trip/Vacation to a getaway or perhaps their first trip back home for college semester's break
7. Stuff for their new apartment or dorm room
8. A Day Planner or Address Book
9. A consultation or gift certificate for a professional resume writing service
10. Stationery & an Executive Writing Pen with Postage Stamps

The Spa Party
Aromatherapy here we come...create an atmosphere of serenity, relaxation, and pampering...even guys can get into this! Relaxing new age music or a classical guitar choice can set the mood, comfortable billowy pillowstuffed seating, soothing tea or cooling martinis, and a variety of spa treatments to give one another...who could ask for more? Here's the quicklist of key elements:

1. seating - floor seating is okay - so long as it is comfortable - or footstools could work too.
2. sound - music like Cusco, or Enigma are perfect - or for a hawaiian flair an instrumental slack key guitar record can set the right mood. Even the gals like Norah Jones or Michelle Branch can make good background noise.. or for the complete serenity - the sound of running water from a fountain or the breeze through a wind chine can set the quintessential spa.
3. treats - for your feets, your face, your nails and such - have a good variety of activities for treating each other to mani/pedi treatments, massages and relaxation...
4. smells - from the food like armenian sandwiches, fresh veggi platter, lavoche with hummus or cream cheese spreads and also the products and elixirs...

Party Interactive
The key to a great party are activities or experiences that will make GREAT MEMORIES! I've learned that the ordinary - gets blurred and lost into "who's party was that anyway???" But when you've created something really special - people will remember it and talk about it year's later... So here's my quicklist of how to make a memorable event:

1. Surprise - the element of surprise for the host, the guests, the honoree...if all three audiences can be surprised during the party - it will be memorable!
2. Masquerade - when people need to put on a costume, or a different persona to attend your party - it can make for great pictures and great memories. Don't save the costumes for just halloween parties either - this card can be played any time of year for a variety of events: Easter - easter bonnets or spring time characters; Adults - pimp-n-ho parties; Western BBQ - get out the cowboy boots and hats...
3. Let's Play! - games are always a good thing for parties...mix it up- start with an icebreaker that allows your guests to get to know each other better - try things like twister, cranium, pictionary - or take it to another level and use an av projector with your PS2 or XBox games shown on a wall and let the kids or even the kids at heart go to town!
4. Make the ordinary extraordinary! instead of just having beverages - have a Slush machine for frozen daquiris, slush floats, or margaritas... instead of just having pizza delivered- talk to your local "cart vendor" and have them serve up the pizza's on-site... instead of one table for serving the food - setup food stations which get your guests to mingle more...instead of just having ice cream - make it the old fashioned way crank-style, or as a "kick-the-can" - if that sounds too hard - then talk to your local ice-cream man and ask that they come by your party at an appointed time and let everyone order their special treat on the house!
5. Atmosphere - create a wonderland of activities to heighten the senses of touch, sights, smells, and sounds. create a sensory overload for your guests with music, special lighting and decorations, things for them to do like dancing in a "glow" bubble tent or glazing raku pottery, do some of the cooking during the party to keep the fresh aromas emanating throughout the event.

Popcorn & a Movie gift bag favors
I received a clever idea for a party favor today - In a retro popcorn bag - a package of microwave popcorn, and movie tix + dessert gift certificates at Cold Stone...this sparked so many ideas for those Oscar or Emmy parties next year...or even the MTV movie awards coming soon to a tv near you. (watch for Justin and Seann hosting on June 5th.

Here's the hotlist of movie party ideas:
1. a la Mike Feeney - the Dive In Movie Night - invite friends over to watch prequels prior to the opening of sequel on a 40ft. wall projection style from your pool. add pupus, drinks and you've got a party!
2. rollout the oscar red carpet - tell guests to dress to the hilt. send formal invites, and make mini oscars for "winners". have a camera on hand and be paparazzi to your guests as they arrive...on the red carpet - strike a pose!
3. The Movie Marathon - this is always a favorite - perhaps it's a Godfather marathon, or a genre marathon, or a review of the anthology of work from greats like Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey or Nick Cage.. who knows...just pick a theme and stick to it for a good 12 hours of entertainment - just a six pack of DVDs will do.
4. The HOME Movie: yep, those Family videos - this could be torturous for some - but it could be a lot of fun strolling down memory lane - bust out that beta machine...or Hi-8....or if you're really lucky - you'll actually have some old reels of film!
5. The Adult Movies - In the style of the made for tv movie"Porn-n-Chicken" - invite your mature audience over to have some KFC and delight in b-rated adult cinema.

the office party: BRUNCH
we recently had a successful brunch in the office - complete with made to order omelet station. Here are the key elements:
- variety of condiments - green onion, char siu meat, fresh mushrooms, tri-color bell peppers, shredded cheeses,

aloha farewell baby shower
today's potluck was the combined theme party. Baby Shower + Farewell Lunch + Potluck Malihini Luau. Key items: Hawaiian Wedding Cake, Kalua Pig & Cabbage, pseudo NO Salmon lomi tomato and onions with mandarin oranges and diced pimentos - strange but good, fresh fruit platter including pineapple. Adorning the table baby shower vinyl table cloth and maitai paper umbrellas + crepe paper hula girls. mom to be got an appropriate open-ended lei as Hawaiian superstition has it as bad luck to give a closed lei. mom to be won't be dropping her baby bundle till she's in florida - at least she'll be able to tell the little fella he was Made In Hawaii. - might make a good tatoo in his rebellious years...

potluck/
tomorrow there's a potluck shower at work - so my contribution is White Rice. that's like one of the easiest things next to paper plates, napkins or soda...that's a hot commodity that I'm actually happy I was able to get on the sign up sheet. that's usually the first thing to get signed up for - so I feel real lucky.