Tag: Candles

Dine in Style Every Day With a Few Simple Steps

In Italy, stylish dining has long been embraced as a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day. So before you order takeout and eat in front of the television, take a cue from the Italians and make each meal a treat.

Whether dining alone, with family or with your closest friends, turn an otherwise hurried meal into a chic expression of style with these tips from Ecco Domani Italian wines.

* Determine the dcor. Whether you are dining at the kitchen table or in a more formal setting, it’s easy to add some pizzazz to your surroundings. Candles cast a warm glow once the sun goes down. Strands of small lights also enhance the mood; string them around the room or even bunch them in a Mason jar for a funky tabletop display.

* Master the art of mood music. Mellow jazz will help take the edge off a long day, and classical music can help lift your mood. Consider tailoring the music around the type of cuisine you are serving. For an Italian meal, for instance, play an assortment of Italian opera.

If you’re dining with family or friends, get them involved by inviting them to bring their favorite CDs. Set your disc player to shuffle so that everyone’s music selection gets played during the meal.

* Create a stylish menu. To help you unwind, it’s best to keep your meal simple. Luckily, delicious meals are a snap to make with fresh, easy-to-prepare foods. And you can add flair to any basic dish with just a few additions.

For an Italian meal, a tomato, basil and mozzarella salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Drizzle chicken and fish with olive oil and lemon for a fresh, light flavor. And dust colorful veggies with Italian seasonings to bring out their natural flavors.

Whatever your menu, be sure to select a delicious wine to accompany the meal. Ecco Domani 2003 Pinot Grigio is a perfect wine for everyday dining because of its crisp, fresh flavor, which pairs perfectly with today’s light cuisine.

It is easy to infuse any setting with glamour by adding a few small touches. In the end, nothing says style like taking the time to make each meal special. – NU

Create A Stir: Unique And Personalized Party Favors

Youre a host and in the midst of all the chaos and good times, you tend to forget to say thank-you to all of those who celebrated with you on your important day. It could be a wedding, a baby shower, a birthday or just a thanksgiving party. A great way of showing your acknowledgement to each guest would be giving out personal party favors.

Imagine how great it is that you will be making your party unforgettable. Party favors are not just stuff you give-away in your party, it is way of saying thank you. At the same time, it is as if guests would be able to take a part of your party at home. Considering this, you could personalize your party gifts to make guests feel appreciated.

A simple way of personalizing each party gift is by writing their names on it so that the guests will feel special. Candles or glassware can have the names of the guests engraved on them. You will also get to interact with those who attended the celebration by handing the favor personally. You get to thank them for their attendance and any contribution that they gave. This is why you would need to include an RSVP in the invitation. You would like to make sure that you will not get shorthanded on the party.

Unique and personalized party favors could be expensive. Imagine giving out party favors in a wedding, some of the items could actually be simple household or kitchen items. But when purchased as party favor, it could really cost more than its kitchen price. What you could do is have some homemade party favors. Even if they are handmade, it does not mean you would have to slave yourself for a month just to finish the party favors. You could buy some items in wholesale store that will best represent you. You can just redecorate these items to make them personalized and unique.

Another unique idea will be using personalized glasses or even musical instruments like tambourines. Of course this would depend on the theme of your party, if there is, and also your budget. You do not want to spend too much of your budget on favors, neglecting other aspects of the party like the food and drinks.

There are do-it-yourself party favors that are great for both children and adult parties. You could make your own stationary and cards on your own computer and just have them printed from any local printer.

Whenever you are making or personalizing thank-you gifts, it pays to be creative. Not only do you get creative with your gift, you can also spruce up the wrapping of the gift with simple ribbons and designs. You could use bags or boxes. When giving away food, you could include recipes with them. Another idea would be using items that are actually used in the event, it could the place name holders or anything that makes the even stand-out with other celebrations that the guests attendance.

There are some celebrants who would prefer to spend their important day sharing with other people. On behalf of guests, some would make contributions to organizations and charity. Party favors are not just simple items, they are given to guests as a symbol of thanks and at the same time making guests special for being there to celebrate the moment with you.