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

unknown

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 …

unnamedCortney Bailey

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!

img68029711photo courtesy of rakuten

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.

images

unknown

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.

unknown-1

unknown-3

unknown-2

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!

vanityfair-oscars-2017-ballot

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!

images-2

images-1

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

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

Instagram: @CortneyBailey

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

SnapChat: cortney_bailey

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!)

unknown-8

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

81y655ztbil-_sl1500_

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

Instagram: @CortneyBailey

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

SnapChat: cortney_bailey

White back Orange

Galentine’s Gift Ideas for your Gal Pal!

unknown-8Pop & Suki

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!

 

galentines-gifts-copy

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

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

Instagram: @CortneyBailey

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

SnapChat: cortney_bailey

Cortney Bailey

Go Green or Go Home: Greenery, Color of the Year!

Pantone’s COLOR OF THE YEAR, 2017: GREENERY

hotel-viceroysantamonica1

Viceroy Hotel / Santa Monica

Pantone states, “A refreshing and revitalizing shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings … A life-affirming shade … the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.”

I LOVE the color green! It’s a calming color yet it’s powerful.  As many of you know I like to bring a little of the outdoors inside and the color Green easily allows me to do so!  The Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica‘s lobby has always made me ultra happy. Kelly Wearstler, the designer of the interior of the hotel, was able to capture the “Modern Colonialism” by using strong pops of color, especially – GREEN!  Here are some additional examples of using Greenery in your home, office or boutique’s space, inspired by the Viceroy.

bathroom

Viceroy Hotel Lobby

patio

If you want to add pops of green to your home but do not want to commit to recovering chairs or retiling an entire bath consider adding throw pillows in a green print to your space.  Here are two examples and I actually own the malachite pillows!  Shop options HERE.

images-3
etsyimages-4

Greenery is an adorable option to add color or a theme to your kitchen!  Le Creuset Cookware & Bakeware offer abundant color options including green or “palm”!  Because the color is so vibrant, leaving a piece or two  sitting out in your kitchen looks stylish and adds instant personality to your cooking space.  Shop options HERE.

Le Creuset, Cortney Bailey

Le CreusetLe Creuset, Cortney Bailey
Le Creuset, Cortney Bailey

Green is not just for the home, hit the streets  or relax by the pool feeling powerful in a shade of green that best fits your skin tone and personality.  Trina Turk never disappoints.  Here are some beautiful green options she has designed.  You can wear a bold green  and stand out or wear a small sliver of green mixed with other colors but either way you can walk in confidence knowing your are classically on trend! Shop the  looks here: Green Plaid Coat, Green Dress & One Piece Swim Suite with pops of Green. 
coat

Trina Turk / Amazon

dress

 

swim

I’d LOVE to hear from you!  Let me know what ideas or styles you have found in green – I’m ALWAYS looking for new inspiration!!!

Cortney Bailey

Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…

Cheers!

Cortney

Let’s be social:

Twitter: @CortneyBailey

Instagram: @CortneyBailey

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

SnapChat: cortney_bailey