August is here and so is the Fair

Who doesn't love the fair? Common, you know you do. I bet you can conjure up the feelings of excitement just by recalling that moment in time when the ferris-wheel comes into sight on the drive into the fair grounds. Everybody loves the fair, which is why it's a great party theme when your guest list includes people from all generations - family reunions, neighborhood get togethers and birthday parties.

Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate magazine featured favorite fair foods this month and she even had the recipe for one of the newest fair food sensation, Deep-Fried Butter. I wanted to share the recipe with you because serving Deep-Fried Butter is the kind of thing that will keep guest talking about your party long after they have recovered from the fun, excitement and calorie consumption.

Picture from Eating Orlando Blog

Deep-Fried Butter (makes 2 dozen)

1 lbs butter softened
1/2 C confectioner's sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Vegetable oil for frying
1 1/2 (16.3 oz) cans of refrigerated biscuits (12 biscuits)
Garnish: Confectioner's sugar

In a medium bowl, combine butter, confectioner's sugar and cinnamon. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until well combined. Cover and freeze for 1 hour. Using a 1 tsp cookie scoop, scoop butter mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet; freeze for 1 hour. In a deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees. Split each biscuit in half horizontally. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of biscuit dough into a 4-inch square. Place 2 butter balls in the center of each square. Fold dough over to enclose butter balls, and pinch to seal. Fry biscuits in hot oil for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and garnish with confectioner's sugar.

Cocktails or Cake?

Don't you just love this idea?! Wish I could take credit for it but I can't. There's a witty birthday card that poses the question of Cosmos or Cake. Have you seen it? I'm thinking that card inspired this brilliant idea. While I can't take credit for it, I am taken with the idea of serving up martinis birthday style. I actually tried it out last week during my friend Christine's birthday dinner. I'm all about the "wow factor" and it didn't disappoint.

However, standard birthday candles will not work - they are too short. So, if you want to serve up "glowing" drinks at your next birthday celebration, you'll need these 6 inch taper candles. They are unique, trendy and reasonably prices at $2.25 for a pack of 12.

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia the movie...have you seen it yet? I went last night with my mother-in-law and my niece. My mother-in-law was wiping away tears as we left the theater and my teenage niece, Kelsey, critiqued it as “just OK". My review would fall somewhere in the middle. The words that initially come to mind are cute and relatable (is that a word).

If you aren't familiar with the storyline it is about a 29 year old woman (Julie) that doesn't feel like she has "made it" professionally, while her friends are basking in their career success. She has attempted, in the past, to capitalize on her creative interests, in hope of leaving her cubical career behind. However, those attempts failed to materialize any meaningful results. Her passions are cooking and writing but her day job involves neither.

This is me, only I'm 41 and not 29 and I don't have a passion for cooking or even writing really. But I do have creative and entrepreneurial interests and several less-than-fulfilling attempts at capitalizing on them.

In the movie Julie decided to dedicate her free time to cooking and blogging her way through Julia Child's cookbook. Ultimately the story is about how both women (Julie and Julia) turn their passion into successful careers.

You should know that I'm the kind of person that finds inspiration in fortune cookies so it might not surprise you when I say that this movie spoke to me. This isn't the first time that I have heard the message “find the thing you are passionate about and turn it into a career.” I still have the article I read two years ago that offered the same advise which gave me courage to launch Casual Panache.

Turning a passion into a business is damn hard work. Like Julie, I still have a day job, so it's very slow going, requires a wide range of technical skills I haven't yet mastered, and it costs money. With obstacles like these confronting me, I am often looking for “signs” and encouragement wherever I can find it that counter my “what the hell was I thinking” fears.

For me this movie was serendipitous. Here are my take-aways:
1.It can happen; dedication and passion can pay off.
2.Theme parties are timeless (both Julia and Julie hosted theme parties in the movie).
3.I need to start blogging again.

It's tailgating season...pump up the party!

Each fall the brisk, cool weather is accompanied by football season which is a reason to celebrate for many.

I'm not a big football fan, but I do like tailgating and I love unique party essentials which is why I'm so enthralled with the Party Pump. The Party Pump is the tailgating must-have of the year! This is a party waiting to happen.

It's functional and chic. It is reusable, portable, durable and holds up to 9 liters of your favorite party drink. It's easy to assemble, easy to clean and easy to re-fill.

Don't tailgate? That's OK, the Party Pump is perfect for picnics, camping, boating, backyard BBQs, potlucks and office parties. If you own it, you will use it!

This and many other party essentials (that add personality to social gatherings) are available at CasualPanache.com.

I love these Celebration Candles

My daughter's "Hang 10" beach/luau themed party was a ton of fun for many reasons including our friends and the great location (Jellystone Campground). There are so many things I could highlight but I'm going to focus on my favorite feature of this party...the birthday cake topped with these magnificent 15 inch tall candles. I have been dying to use these Celebration Candles since I first found them and they did not disappoint!

The cake was a masterpiece in it own right, created by Dyan Larson and Sandi Meinsen from Desserts First Bakery in Eau Claire, WI. The flamboyant sherbet orange icing and giant bright hibiscus flowers on a simplistic round cake served on a pedestal was the perfect platform for these fabulous candles.

I love that these candles flirt between fun and frivolous and classy and elegant and no one can deny the "wow power" of Celebration Candles. The "larger than life" feel evokes the same emotion in the guest of honor. It amazes me how one simple touch can add so much character and flair to a party. These candles are the essence of Casual Panache.

Positive Alernatives' Menomonie Idol

What a blast. I had a great time tonight supporting an agency that is near and dear to my heart. Tonight was the 4th Annual Menomonie Idol which is a fundraiser for Positive Alternatives. No, I didn't sing, but I was one of the judges. It's a tough job but I love it! Blain was the well deserving winner tonight.

Those of you that know me, know that I was the director of this non-profit, social service agency for many, many years. Positive Alernatives does great work supporting our youth and helping to strengthen families.

A big round of appaulse to the PA Director, Kim Edwards, and the rest of the staff. They did an excellent job of coordinating this large event tonight. I am so very proud to have been a part of it. I'm looking forward to next year.

Go on Staycation and Party

Given the state of the economy, staycations (staying home while on vacation) have been a popular topic of conversation. I like this idea a lot. That’s not to say that I don’t love the idea of vacationing in Hawaii or Mexico too, but if that isn’t in your financial future then I say, go on staycation and party.

If you think about it, throwing a party is very similar to going on vacation. All of the excitement is there. When planning a vacation, first you have to decide where to go. The same is true with a party. Where do you want your party to take you - to a Hawaiian luau; a Mexican fiesta; a grand casino; a barnyard bash; on a scavenger or smack in the middle of a murder mystery?

Once you decide on your vacation destination then the focus shifts to what you’re going to do when you get there. Same with a party – what will you and your guests do? What will you serve to eat and drink? Will there be activities, contest, games, prizes, or party favors?

You get the idea. The party-vacation parallel goes on and on. Packing for your travels compares to shopping and preparing for the festivities. Of course the best comparison is last one… the amazing fun you will have with your friends and family and the lasting memories created. (Don’t forget your camera!)

Having a staycation party is a win – win. You save money, have a blast and may even be motivated to tackle those household projects you’ve been putting off. I can’t help with the household projects, but my e-boutique is growing everyday. There you can find new and unique or tried-and-true party products that will add panache to your gathering and not break the bank.