Party Tips: Elizabeth ~ Pretty Pink Tulips

Small world! Elizabeth (the style maven behind PRETTY PINK TULIPS) saw the launch of my blog through a mutual friend. She emailed me a "welcome to Blogger World" note. (Gotta love the always gracious Texans!)

Since Elizabeth loves to entertain, I asked her to share some tips:

Favorite Cocktail (for drinking and serving)
Hands down champagne is her favorite. When serving for guests she adds some flourish with muddled strawberries, mint, a tablespoon of simple syrup and top with champagne in either a rimmed glass with pink sugar or a strawberry and mint leaf.

Favorite Recipes

Tortilla Soup from Neiman Marcus Cookbook (Her heart is still in Texas!)

For recipe CLICK:

Maple Oatmeal Scones Barefoot Contessa

For recipe CLICK:

Elizabeth makes these for overnight guests (the dough freezes beautifully) and in miniature over the holidays.

Favorite Restaurant
While having dined in many fab spots, her all time favorite is a tex-mex spot in Dallas. MI COCINA. When she is back in Texas, she has to go at least once!

Favorite Party Sources

iomoi.com, foryourparty.com, plumparty.com, A.I. Freidman

Here are some of my favorites from Elizabeth's sources:

Party Plum

iomoi

iomoi

Party Plum

Favorite Tips

• Instead of hiring a caterer, hire a person to help with prep and cleaning up at the end of the night. No messy kitchen!

• Time things so that you'll be ready 30 minutes before your guests arrive. Then, turn on your music, light your candles and pour yourself your favorite drink.

• Use place cards. It keeps it interesting and makes your guests feel welcome.

• Flowers should be coordinated to the table settings. Elizabeth often takes a napkin with her to the florist so they can see the color. 3 low arrangements on a table interspersed with lots of candles always looks great!
  
  
  

• Party favors - Elizabeth loves giving gifts and enjoys sending her guests off with a little something that relates to the evening. She tries to make it a high quality, but not too expensive like a book or a candle.

Favorite Tunes for Party
A playlist created for a casual pool party.

Elizabeth clearly has great taste and a wonderful eye for detail. How fortunate her friends and family are to be a regular guest in her home! Now I need her to put me on the guest list for a future gathering...

Images: Colleen Mullaney, Food Network, 101 Cookbooks, Yelp