Lights, Camera – Oscars…at Home: Tips on How to Throw a Viewing Party!

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Who’s attending one of the most glamorous nights in Hollywood, The Oscars … from your living room?!? Me!!! I am going to give you tips on “how to” throw a SIMPLE & EASY viewing party right from your home, but first let me rewind …

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For almost a decade I reported LIVE from the Red Carpet at one of the hottest Academy Award pre show parties and after show parties held at the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. It was exciting and I learned how to throw a stylish celebrity filled event! Guests, PR agents, Celebs and TV hosts, like myself, were dressed in gorgeous formal attire, sipped champagne and whispered “who” had their vote – off camera of course!

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I don’t know about you but unless I am actually at the Dolby Theatre, the venue of the Academy Awards, or attending one of the parties I mentioned above I do NOT want to dress up in formal attire, especially in my own living room! I want to be comfy and I would imagine your friends and family do too … trust me the guys will thank you! To keep the evening festive but relaxed I would recommend everyone come dressed casual in black, white, silver or gold. Let’s be real, these colors will make your photos of the evening super cute as well. Personally, this means my trendy joggers will be making an appearance with a stylish off-the-shoulder gold or silver top.

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Now what to sip and snack on? Since the celebrities have more-than-likely been cleansing weeks before the BIG NIGHT, why not start your guests off with shots of green juice? I have a juicer and love to juice fresh veggies and fruit but you can always buy green juice from your local grocery store and pre fill shot glasses or juice glasses with the concoction. Next, what is an Oscar party without bubbles? Champagne or prosecco will be perfect. To add a little glam, rim your champagne glasses with edible gold glitter before you fill the glasses with the bubbly liquid. Even though it’s not “movie night” – popcorn is a must! Set out a “popcorn bar” – it’s easy to make and your guests can help themselves. I would suggest buying red and white striped popcorn boxes that can easily be filled with the corn. Place the pre-popped corn in a large bowl and add a scoop so your guests can easily fill their boxes. Last, set out various spices, candies and sauces to be mixed into the corn. Some examples are: truffle zest (Oprah’s favorite), salt, pepper, onion powder, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chips, caramel, white chocolate and chocolate.

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Oscar ballots are a fun way for you and your guests to keep track of the winners OR if you want to play a game by filling out a ballot before the show starts, Vanity Fair has made it easy by providing a printable version HERE. Many local bakeries will have Golden Oscar Statue cookies or cupcakes, which would make a great prize for the winner!

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If you would like to spice up the festive décor in your home for Oscars night think white flower arrangements, balloons in the black, white, silver and gold color palette and for a pop of color add a “red carpet” table runner or red butcher paper under your popcorn bar and bubbles!

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Who has YOUR Vote on Sunday? Do you have a creative idea for your Oscar’s party?  Please DO SHARE as I’d LOVE to hear from you!  I am always looking for new ideas!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

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Cortney Bailey

Super Bowl Menu that will have your Taste Buds saying: TOUCHDOWN!

613adlslr-l-_sy355_Football Frenzy Plates, Click Here for Details

Countdown to the BIG GAME aka SUPER BOWL is just a few days away and let’s face it, what you are eating and drinking is almost as important as the game itself … well maybe not the game but at least the halftime show!  Move over Lady Gaga because I’m sharing a show stopping spread that will leave your taste buds begging for more, please!

If you are entertaining at home or if you need inspiration on what to take to someone else’s party, I hope this inspires you! Also, when it comes to drinks no one wants to play bartender on game day, so I would recommend making one large batch of a specialty cocktail and putting it in a self-serve drink dispenser and set out a few other drinks options on ice (details below!)

All recipes have been pulled from Emeril, Rachel Ray and the Food Network which provide easy to follow instructions.  I LOVE to cook and my philosophy is if you can follow directions, you can cook! (Tweetable!)

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Menu:

Appetizers

  • Pastrami Football Finger Sandwiches
  • Baked Jalapeño Poppers (I make these every year and they are AH-MAZING & NOT fried!)
  • Southwest Turkey Sliders
  • Salad on a Stick (Gotta get your veggies in + guys will still look like a sport’s fan while enjoying!)
  • Almost-Famous Green Bean Fries
  • Spanish-style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Drinks

  • Fresh & Fierce Margarita (Specialty Cocktail)
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Water
  • Soda

Pastrami Football Finger SandwichesunknownClick Here for the Recipe

Baked Jalapeño Poppers (AH-MAZING!!!)edited-poppersClick Here for the Recipe

Southwestern Turkey Sliderssouthwestern-turkey-slidersClick Here for the Recipe

Salad on a Stickunknown-4Click Here for the Recipe

Almost-Famous Green Bean Friesunknown-9Click Here for the Recipe

Spanish-Style Meatballs in Tomato Saucemtm2oti0odgzmtk5mja3mda5-2500x1667Click Here for the Recipe

Fresh & Fierce Margarita img_6838_ajfavClick Here for the Recipe

Estilo Double Beverage Drink Dispenser: Guests can self-serve their Margaritas! beverage-dispenser-stand-iron-double-hexagon-clear-glass-refreshments-stand-9275faec3f0c7ecde6c22ad3bbf82c55Drink Dispenser Details Here

Place Wine, Beer, Water and Soda in Ice for Guests

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What are your favorite game day recipes?  Please DO SHARE as I’d LOVE to hear from you!  I am always looking for new ideas!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Gobble, Gobble: Top Five MUST HAVES for Thanksgiving Day!

Cortney Bailey's Top Five Must Haves for Thanksgiving

ONE: Crate & Barrel’s Pie Box is my number one must have for Thanksgiving Day. Oh my goodness this box is adorable! Not only does it make a great presentation, it also adds an “old fashion” vibe to your table. This pie box is also the ideal hostess gift if you are having your Thanksgiving dinner at family or a friend’s home! Photo via Crate & Barrelunnamed

TWO: My second must have is the STAR of the day! Yes, the Turkey. Besides having a clever URL that I love: gobble gobble dot com, this Texas based company, Greenburg Smoked Turkey, Inc. will ship anywhere in the United States, is affordable and has been recognized by media outlets such as Oprah Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Texas Monthly to name a few. Photo via Greenburg Smoked Turkeyunnamed-1THREE: Add a little fancy to your kitchen with these Raised Bloom Whisks. Anthropologie’s whisks are available in three sweet colors and will help you make your side dishes and desserts a little more fun! Photo via Anthropologie

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FOUR: When you wake up to a house full of family you may not have as much time in the bath as you would like and if it’s early morning you probably have growling tummies to feed. With Target’s endless PJ selection you can climb out of bed with ease, brush your teeth and shuffle to the kitchen for breakfast in your cozy and playful pajamas, without looking schleppy until you have time to dress for the day! Photo via Target

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FIVE: Thanksgiving Day is notorious for not only being thankful but also for filling your belly! If your Thanksgiving meal is served promptly at noon then a light breakfast should be suffice. However, if you are not serving your meal until late afternoon or evening then a selection of snacks should be set out for your family & friends to enjoy. In 2013 I wrote a blog about winter snacks: CLICK HERE for a few ideas! Photo via my blog: Dream Design Dwell

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I’d LOVE to hear from YOU!  What are your top MUST HAVES for Thanksgiving Day – I’m always looking for new ideas!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

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Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Fancy Floats for Every Pool!

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Summer is well under way but there is still plenty of time to make a SPLASH! If you want to add a little more Ta-Da to your backyard think about enhancing your pool-time with one of these adorable floats. Having a pool party? These amazing floating characters will definitely be a conversation starter, not-to-mention a fun accessory for photo ops! I guarantee family and friends of all ages will love these fabulous finds while they cool off, plus they are a great and practical way to update your backyard during the hot season!

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Play it cool and don’t sweat it! These floats can easily be ordered on line at either Nordstroms or Urban Outfitters!

I’d love to hear from you!  What’s your favorite way to stay cool this summer?

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

Instagram: @CortneyBailey

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Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

Cortney Bailey