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!

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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

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Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Galentine’s Gift Ideas for your Gal Pal!

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All my Single Ladies, Gal Pals, BFFs, Sisterhoods, and Dreamers of L-O-V-E raise your hands! (Mine are raised!!) Shout out to girlfriends who cheer each other on, lean over and fix each other’s crowns when they slip, cry with, pray for and lift each other up.  No mater if you are a Carrie Bradshaw endlessly looking for your “Mr. Big” or a Southern debutante who was blessed to find your significant other at age 19, this post is for YOU! If you have the characteristics listed above then cheers, high-five and a BIG HUG to you.  We are here to love our fellow females & encourage each other, not to gossip and tear one another down.  I have been so blessed to surround myself with STRONG and LOVING women who thrive on each others success.  With that said, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner I want to honor you ladies!  Why, because YOU ARE LOVED! If you are spending V-Day with your gal pal(s), here are a few gift ideas to make your friend(s) feel special!

 

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1: Pop & Suki Bag (You and your BFF can have “matching” bags!) | 2: Mackenzie-Childs Heart Bowl (Add a little glam to your gal pal’s kitchen!) | 3: Buxom Lip Gloss (I love these glosses – they give you a plumper pout!) | 4: Heart Bottle Stopper (This stopper would be perfectly paired with a bottle of bubbles!) | 5: Le Creuset Heart Casserole (Ideal for the foodie in your life!) | 6: Le Creuset Heart Ramekin (Another cute option for the cook’s kitchen!)  | 7: Jumbo Heart Pool Float (Turn up the heat in the pool and take winter, February swim!)  | 8: Faux-Fur Pom Sneaker (I have these in Pink!)

As ALWAYS, I’d LOVE to hear from you!  Let me know how AMAZING your gal pals are.  What are y’all doing for Galentine’s day?  Do you have a fabulous gift idea … update me!!!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

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Cortney Bailey

Dallas Real Estate Agent for Real Housewives: Cortney Bailey

Cortney Bailey, Dallas Real Estate
As many of you know I am a licensed Real Estate agent.  My clients Tiffany, cast member of Bravo TV‘s  Real Housewives of Dallas, and Husband, Aaron Hendra wanted to document their Dallas home search for the show.  I was thrilled when they asked me to be apart of the filming.  We had so much fun during the process.  Tiffany & Aaron are such kind and generous people – I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with them.  If you missed the two episodes I was featured in watch the video below to catch me in action, doing what I do best: Making Dallas (DFW metroplex – including Plano!) a more beautiful place to live, one home at a time! 

Cortney Bailey, Dallas Real Estate
I’d love to hear from you! If you have a Real Estate question feel free to contact me at CortneyBailey.com or leave me a comment below. It would be my pleasure to help you Buy, Sell or Lease your next property! 

Cortney Bailey, Dallas Real Estate, Real Housewives

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

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Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Cortney Bailey

How To Style a Bar Cart 3 Ways: Bed, Bath & Bar + New Video!

I love to use home furniture in a nontraditional way aka “Thinking Outside the Box!”  The Bar Cart is a piece of furniture that can be used a dozen ways besides in the bar.  I am going to show you three ways to style a bar cart … two ways that are outside the box and the third is the traditional style.  Watch my webisode, above, to get more details!

BED

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The first nontraditional way to style a bar cart is in the bedroom as a bedside table.  Your bedside table essentials may be different than mine so you will have to style your cart with what makes you most happy at night.  Here are my must haves:

  • Beautiful lamp that is to scale with the cart
  • Bottle of water
  • Stack of books, journal & magazines
  • Framed photo
  • Candle for relaxing and ambience
  • Flowers (faux or real) to add that feel of nature + a pop of color
  • Cozy Blankets/Throws

BATH

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The second nontraditional way to style a bar cart is in the bathroom. This is a creative way to add a spa-like feeling to your bathroom.  Again, you will have to style your bathroom cart with what makes you feel luxurious.  Here are the items that make me feel pampered!

  • Large Container of Bath Salts (I love to use Epsom Salt!)
  • Luxury Soaps or Bath Gel
  • Body Butter or Lotion
  • Your Favorite Perfume or Scent
  • Whimsical Item (I love my giant faux gold perfume bottle!)
  • Crisp & Fluffy White Towels
  • Book or magazines
  • Relaxing Candle
  • Body Loofah
  • Flowers (faux or real) to add that feel of nature + a pop of color

BAR

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The third way to style the bar cart is what the cart was designed for … The Bar! When styling your bar car you will need to keep in mind who you are entertaining.  The bar cart in the photo above and in my wedisode was styled for a “Girls Night Out.”  However, if you are having a guys night, mixed company  or a themed party you will want to add the appropriate alcohol, glassware and non-alcoholic drinks. Here are the items I used to make my “Girls Night Out” evening a hit! (Again my webisode will give you additional ideas!)

  • Alcohol: Vodka, Wine, Champagne/Sparkling Wine & Tequila (other ideas: Beer, Whiskey & Scotch) 
  • Various Mixers 
  • Glamorous Decanter
  • Paper Straws (these adorable accessories come in all colors & patterns)
  • Glassware: Martini glasses, Champagne flutes, Wine glasses (Tumblers will need to be used for additional alcoholic drinks + cocktails.)
  • Flowers (faux or real) to add that feel of nature + a pop of color
  • Non-alcohol: Sparkling water, Still water, Soda, Fizzy juice etc…
  • Beautiful Ice Bucket
  • Shaker & Jigger
  • Bottle Opener
  • Bowl of Limes (or Lemons)
  • Cocktail Book
  • Wooden wine box to give height
  • Cocktail napkins 

Shop a few ideas here:

Bar Cart: Click HERE

Spa-like White Towels: Click HERE

Cozy Throw/Blanket: Click HERE

Champagne Stemless Flutes: Click HERE

I’d LOVE to hear from YOU!  How do you like to style your bar cart?  I’m always looking for new ideas! Leave me a note below or send me a photo (see social media below)!!!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Rewind: 8 Tips & Ideas for Creating Your Winter Wonderland!

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We are waist deep in to the holiday season!  Parties are being thrown, lights are being strung and gifts are being given but preparing your home for the winter does not stop after the New Year!  There are so many great winter options to keep your home cozy & festive until the flowers start blooming again! Today, I am tossing it back and linking to EIGHT past Dream Design Dwell blog posts that will give you eight tips and ideas to turn your home into a welcoming winter wonderland!

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Rewind Tips & Ideas ONE: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas TWO: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas THREE: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas FOUR: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas FIVE: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas SIX: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas SEVEN: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas EIGHT: Click Here

Shop easy ideas to make your home it’s best this winter:

Snowflake Doormat: Click HERE

Animal Motifs: Click HERE

Bright Colored Glassware: Click HERE

Humidifier: Click HERE

Cozy Throws: Click HERE  & HERE

Natural Winter Decor: Click HERE & HERE & HERE

Candles Flame & Flameless: Click HERE & HERE & HERE

Yummy Snacks: Click HERE & HERE & HERE

I’d LOVE to hear from YOU!  What are your tips & ideas to create a Winter Wonderland?  I’m always looking for new ideas!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

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Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Fringe-tastic!

Kelly-Hoppens-metal-fringe-chair-510x637Fringe & Tassels – everywhere you go over the last year that’s all you see on the streets and inside boutiques! It is the fashion statement that is on trend now! From skirts & shoes to jackets & purses to necklaces & earrings, fringe and tassels have officially taken over.

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Becky Suede Fringe Sandal, Rachel Zoe Long Tassel Necklace, Prada Fringe Twin Pocket Tote Bag

It’s time to take this latest craze off the runway and effortlessly incorporate it into any room of your home! If your vibe is boho or ultra glamour you can easily mix fringe or tassels into your environment. If you just want a glimpse of tassels peeking from the corners of your pillows or a giant sparkle chandelier in your entry, there are literally endless ways to walk this statement off the pages of Vogue and into your home!

Like I said – the options are endless! Take a look at all the examples I have found for your wonderland – swooning now!!!

Glamour Chandeliers

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Fringe Chandelier Image: Bonn nuit darling, Anderson’s Silver Fringe Chandelier, 1stdibs Art Deco Glass Fringe

Tassel & Fringe Pillows

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Brown Suede Fringe Pillow,  Hot Pink Tassel Pillow Etsy, Cream & Black Fringe Pillow PB Teen, Beaded Fringe Pillow by Donna Karan

Swinging Fringe Seating

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Laura Kirar for McGuire Furniture, Velvet chair by Kelly Hoppen, Stool PB Teen, Armless Chairs Gamma International

Tassel Furniture

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Carlton Varney Tassel Side Table, Justedits Tassel Lamp, Will Merrill for Currey & Co. – Console Table, 1stdibs Italian Rope & Tassel Bar Cart

More Fringe & Tassel Ideas

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Bed from The Parker Palm Springs, Fringe Bed by Missoni Home, Leather Fringe Rug Amazon.com, Wall & Window hanging Urban Outfitters

I would love to hear from you!  Update me on your ideas to add a little or a lot of fantastic fringe or tassels to your wonderland!

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

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Let’s Go to the Movies, Inside OUT!!!

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One of the best things about summer is its nights! They are longer, carefree and in many cities the nights are warmer. Even though summer is half way over, there is still so much fun to be had! It’s time to have some intimate & creative family time or go crazy and invite the neighborhood over for “old fashion” becomes modern outdoor movie night!

Like any “event” there is a high & low way to produce it. I’ll show you how to create your perfect home outdoor movie night – no matter what your budget may be.

How to watch:

Obviously, you will need the tools to watch your movie.

  • If you have a larger budget you may consider contacting an audio/visual company that will provide the set up and break down of an oversized screen, projector and sound system. Some companies even provide outdoor seating for your backyard event at an additional cost. Since outdoor movie watching is becoming more of a trend, if you live in a large city like Dallas or Los Angeles, finding a rental company is pretty simple … just Google “outdoor movie night rental” and you will find a list of options.

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  • If you plan on having multiple movie nights on a regular basis you might consider purchasing your own oversized outdoor media screen and equipment. Large box companies like Target will have a selection.

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  • If your budget is small, you love a good DYI project or really want to capture an “old fashion” outdoor movie night, then you can easily build your own screen. You can either affix a large crisp white sheet (yes, if its wrinkled grab your iron … it will only take a few minutes to improve your movie experience) to the side of your home or staple the sheet to two plywood studs, fill two large buckets with rocks and wedge the ends of the studs into the buckets or wedge them into the ground. If you are on a tight budget you may consider renting a projector from your local library or you may choose to shop out the best-priced projector for future use.

How to stay comfortable:

  • If you own outdoor lawn or beach chairs that sit low to the ground or beanbag chairs, scatter them around your lawn for the ultimate comfy experience. If you do not own these and do not wish purchase them then go for the “old fashion” route and pull out bundles of blankets, beach towels and pillows for a great lounge feel.

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  • Depending on what part of the country you live, make sure your backyard is clear of ants and provide bug spray or set out bug away candles so that you, your family or friends do not suffer with bites. Also, if you live in the South you probably get to enjoy warm summer nights, however those of you on the coasts usually have a dip in the temperature as night falls, so make sure you set out extra sweatshirts or tell you friends to not forget theirs!

How to eat & stay merry:

  • The sky is really the limit on what you want to eat at your backyard movie night! A backyard BBQ before the sun sets always adds a festive atmosphere to your event!  Some ideas are good old fashion burgers, grilled chicken and hotdogs – the majority of people love being able to “build their own bun” and pick their sides. If you are going BIG consider hiring a food truck like In & Out or Mr. Hamburger to cater your night, however if there is an expert griller in the family or between friends why not DYI and cook at home!?! If you are waiting for your flick to start think about playing movie trivia beforehand.

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  • Next, don’t forget the beverages. Soda is always an option but if you do not intend to be up until the wee hours of the night you might opt for other ideas such as muddled drinks – think mint infused lemonade – vodka optional!  If you have kiddos in attendance and you also want to serve “adult beverages” consider having drink stations, one for the kids and one for the adults that way there is no confusion!

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  • Now for the fun part! Who can have movie night in their backyard without some delicious candy and popcorn? If you are having a large group to your movie night, a candy & popcorn bar is always fun to set up. This allows each guest to pick out their favorite sweets & corn, plus it’s an adorable touch for the night. If you are having a small group and know what sweets everyone likes, having it on hand will just make them feel special and you can pop your own corn and provide each person with their own bowl or bag!

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I hope this helps you create an amazing outdoor movie night at your home!  I would love to hear from you!  Tell me some of your ideas for movie night and what do you plan on watching?

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

Instagram: @CortneyBailey

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Cortney Bailey