The Boys Called: Add Some Style to Our Poker Night Party!

It's still too cold to play outside (a few months before golf season) so the guys asked for some new ideas for their monthly poker party. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. All you really need for a good poker night is a hall pass from the wife, right? Guys are so simple. (don't take that the wrong way) They don't need a lot of fluff and extra stuff for a get-together. They simply want good food, good friends, good drinks and a good hand at the card table. We can't help out with the cards but here are a few ideas to help you add some style to your next boys night in party--- complete with a stunning rack! (hey-- I'm talking about ribs, of course!) 

The Decor and Set-Up

We know you don't want to go to much trouble. But you can easily "decorate" for your party by using some of the supplies you have on hand to add a little pizzaz to your party. Dice, decks of cards, poker chips and poker accessories you can find at a party store are all easy party decorations. Use coordinating paper plates so the host home doesn't end up with a sink full of dirty dishes after the gang calls it a night. And while I usually don't like them, disposable cups are a good choice for this party. Set up your bar just like bartender does by displaying one of each type of booze and beer available. Keep the beer cold in a cooler or fridge near the action. Put out large bowls of m&m's, trail mix, peanuts, cashews, popcorn and other salty bar nibbles and provide small bowls or snack bags so the guys can mix up a bag of their favorites.  

The Food

Some of my guy friends tell me they like to cook a steak at their monthly poker shindig. They are all so Bobby Flay these days! Some of my more "serious" poker playing friends say they prefer to get something sent in so there's more time for the cards. We opted for a bit of both. We ordered ribs and BBQ pork sandwiches from a favorite rib joint. (make sure to ask for plenty of extra sauce) While waiting for those to arrive, we popped some huge potatoes in the oven to bake after rolling them in a little olive oil and kosher salt. Make a baked potato bar with all of your favorite condiments. Jalapeno peppers, shredded cheese, sliced olives, sour cream, bacon bits, etc can be put in small bowls so everyone can build their own super spud. Next, mix a tossed salad or cut a head of iceberg into wedges---men always love the iceberg wedge! Top it with bacon crumbles and bleu cheese dressing. For dessert, we ordered the world's best homemade lemon meringue pie from our rib joint. If you aren't that lucky, keep it simple. A scoop of ice cream on a warm brownie with a little hot fudge sauce is perfect. Pizza, pasta, good dogs or brats, or meatball sandwiches are all safe bets to keep the guys happy on poker night. 

The Entertainment

Have video games or your Wii system ready to go when there's a break in the action. Other than that, it's all poker--- all night!

Make sure to have a cab company's number readily available in case over-served guests need a ride home after the party is over.

Throw an Oscar Night Party This Sunday!

It's the "Biggest Movie Event of the Year" proclaims the official Oscar website--- so if you're all about the movies, it's not too late to throw together a last minute Academy Awards party. The show airs on ABC this Sunday, February 22nd at 8pm EST. Send out an email to your friends and get busy planning--- it's another one of those easy, affordable parties to host at the last minute. Here's the quick 411:

THEME: Movie Night Casual or Red Carpet Glamour  Guests can come dressed as a character from their favorite nominated movie, as their favorite actor, as a typical moviegoer, or they can up the glam factor by dressing in red carpet attire. This can be tough on guests at the last minute, but most girls have a cute cocktail dress and the guys can Brad Pitt it by wearing his signature dark suit and solid color tie.

 DECORATIONS: Party and craft stores all have movie night decorations so they are easy to find. For a casual movie night theme, popcorn boxes, boxed candy and director's clapboards are perfect. For red carpet style, take a tip from the big event itself and go all gold. Raid your holiday decorations to see what you may be able to use. Anything with stars or gold will work. You can find those large or small golden statues to use--- they are also fun to give as party favors. Use lots of them on your table or buffet. Popcorn box red is also an easy decorating theme. Serve red signature cocktails. Accent with stars in silver, gold, black or white. 

MENU: Who knows Oscar better than Wolfgang Puck? That's where I started when I thought about an Oscar party menu. If you like to cook, he's got last year's Oscar menu and other recipes right online. Since it is last minute, you may not have a lot of time to prep and cook. Just head to Whole Foods and grab some of Wolfgang's frozen pizzas. Doctor those up with freshly grated Parmsean, a splash of olive oil and toss on some fresh basil to make it look like you did the work. For casual grazing, serve easy to manage food. Always serve hot appetizers in stages and select plenty of items that can sit out without worry so you can enjoy the party. Fondue is always easy and fun. Wolfgang has a recipes for Gouda Cheese Fondue and more Oscar-worthy recipes you can download. If you want a super casual menu, go with the celebs favorite---hot dogs! Pink's Hot Dogs are the "hot dogs to the stars" but if you can't get them where you live, here's their menu.

THE FUN: Check out the catty comments and Monday morning's watercooler gossip during the legendary Oscar"pre-game" shows--- guests can bet on who will make the best and worst dressed lists and vote on winners with an official Oscar ballot. Set up a snack bar with big bowls of popcorn, candies, cookies and other treats for guests to snack on as they watch the show. Give out prizes like movie tickets and DVD's for best costume and best dressed. Make a red carpet photo booth so every guest gets a photo with their own trophy to take home.

PRINT OUT AN OFFICIAL OSCAR BALLOT    

Check out the Official Academy Awards site or MSN's Guide to the Academy Awards for all of the nominees, Oscar buzz and more.

It's Mardi Gras! Or as I prefer to call it---- Martie Gras

 The final days and parades of Mardi Gras are happening in Mobile and New Orleans right now so what are you doing this weekend? Road trip!!! Just kidding. If you're like me and didn't see even one of the nominated movies this year, why not skip the annual Oscar party and invite a few friends over for a Mardi Gras party instead? It's one of the fastest parties to pull together. All you need is gumbo, lots of gold, green and purple decorations and tons of beads. Almost every dollar store or party supply store has Mardi Gras decorations or drag the green and gold tinsel or garland down from the attic, add a little purple, a few beads, some Louis Armstrong on the iPod and you're half way there.

To host your own Mardi Gras party, check out the pics and how-to from our MSN article. 

Want up to the moment coverage and pictures? NOLA.com has photos, videos, schedules, articles plus all the FAQ's you'll need to become an expert on the subject.   

Make a Bloody Mary Bar for Your Next Game Day Party

Bloody Mary Bar

Part salad bar, part drink bar, the Bloody Mary bar is becoming a popular interactive addition to parties and restaurant bars everywhere. Since everyone has their own idea of the perfect Bloody Mary, each drink can be individually crafted to get the seasoning just right. It's not only fun but efficient to let guests mix up their own custom blend. Each region of the country has local add-ins and flavorings but one thing is consistent; everyone thinks their version is the best. As a Southerner, I would lose my membership card if I didn’t know how to make a good Bloody Mary. Southerners like a Bloody Mary to be spicy, heavy on the horseradish and loaded with fresh vegetables —a garden in a glass. To set up your own Bloody Mary bar, a cleared kitchen counter works well. You’ll need to keep your veggies chilled so put them in glasses, place in a low container or bowl and fill around the glasses with ice.

Use large glasses for serving since it will be packed with veggies and mix-ins until the flavor is just right. Long teaspoons are best to mix up the goodies—a plastic stirrer just won’t cut it. Have lots of wipes or towels on hand for spills and don’t use a white tablecloth for this one.

BLOODY MARY BAR SHOPPING LIST

VODKA:  Use your favorite vodka. Sometimes I use Absolut Peppar and rim glasses with a pepper and sea salt mixture before adding liquids and mix-ins.

MIX: Get one or two types of bottled mix or good organic tomato juice for the base

Major Peter’s (recommended)

Tabasco

Tomato Juice

FLAVOR AND SPICE

Lea & Perrin Worcestershire

Celery salt

Old Bay Seasoning (look at the fish counter if you can’t find it with the seasonings)

Cocktail Sauce

HEAT

Tabasco Original

Louisiana Hot Sauce

Tabasco Green

Fresh ground pepper

Red pepper flakes

Fresh ground horseradish

CONDIMENTS

Celery stalks

Lemon wedges

Lime slices

Olives

Pickled okra

String beans

Cocktail onions

Cherry tomatoes

Pickled asparagus

SWIMMERS

Shrimp

Raw oysters

Clam juice

Share your favorite Bloody Mary recipe by commenting below.

Update on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 12:48PM by Martie Duncan

This is a perfect for a Super Bowl party--- so we're rerunning it!

Engagement Parties and Bridal Shower Ideas: Throw a Breakfast at Tiffany's Party

Today was the Breakfast at Bromberg's wedding planning event in Birmingham. What a fun party! Bromberg's is to the South what Tiffany & Company is to New York; generations of area brides have trusted Bromberg's for their wedding rings and bridal registries. Since I am Bromberg's wedding expert, I was on hand to participate in all of the festivities. 

The party was a spin on the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Brides-to-be enjoyed a yummy breakfast buffet among the diamonds and dishes as they met with area wedding professionals to get wedding planning ideas and information. Attendees dressed like the legendary Audrey Hepburn character Holly Golightly had a chance to win a strand of cultured pearls and all of the brides got gifts and won prizes, too. It was tons of girlie dress-up fun for everyone and a unique party theme for an engagement party, bridal shower or your next girl's night party. Have guests dress up in their favorite little black dress and strands of pearls as you watch the movie, drink champagne or martinis and blow off all of your wedding planning stress. Check out the fun in the photo gallery and get ideas for your own Breakfast at Tiffany's party! 

FOLLOW MARTIE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE GREAT PARTY IDEAS, RECIPES, COCKTAILS, AND CONTESTS!

Update on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 8:18PM by Martie Duncan

So many people have asked for more ideas for a Breakfast at Tiffany shower! Here are a few other suggestions: Serve mini cakes for each guest in Tiffany blue with the signature white bow. (Cake by The Cake Girls Chicago) Send Tiffany blue box invitations from Fine Stationery to let your guests know what the party is all about. Be sure to give instructions if guests are to dress like a character from the movie, like we did for our party. Here are more party pics: