Barbie turns 50 today and she is looking pretty good. Check out the website to see the history of Barbie and how she has changed over the years. Mattel is rolling out the pink carpet tonight to celebrate at a Barbie human sized "Malibu Dream House" in Malibu designed by Jonathan Adler.

Some of the guests expected to come include:

Dylan Lauren
Shoshana Bush
DJ AM and his massive entourage
Romi Dames
Aimee TeegardenCariDee English
Heidi Klum
Melissa Joan Hart
Ally & AJ Michalka
The Kardashian sisters (minus Kim)
Tommy Davidson
Caridee English
Romi DamesKaterina Graham
Lil Mama
Nyasha Zimucha
Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete

Try this cocktail recipe in honor of Barbie's 50th
Barbie Doll
Ingredients

2 oz. Pineapple Juice
2 oz. Sprite
1 oz. Malibu Rum
1 oz. Raspberry Sourpuss

It's Fat Tuesday and many will be celebrating. Here are some fun Mardi Gras Cocktail recipes to try with your friends and get a taste of the Big Easy.

Hurricane, Red Rooster, Red Snapper

Lava Lamps
INGREDIENTS

* 1 (3 ounce) package red or blue colored instant gelatin mix
* 1 cup boiling water
* 1 cup vodka
* 1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne


DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water until completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in vodka. Pour the liquid into small paper cups or portion cups. Chill until set, at least 2 hours.
2. Pour champagne into glasses. Break up the gelatin with a fork, and pour into a glass of champagne. A little stir gives it some 'lava' action. Drink with caution, these will sneak up on you.

What type of hostess are you?

I just took an interesting quiz on Martha Stewart's website. I really didn't have to take the quiz to learn about my hostess skills.  When I entertain guests in my home and throw parties, I like to showcase my creativity, entertain with style and make sure my guests have a great time.  I am a busy mom and business woman and it is important that I find fresh ideas and unique products that save me time and money yet create a memorable experience.  

The test had very interesting questions that assume a lifestyle that is not typical of most Americans.  It seems to be a "Hostess Inspired by Martha" you would need to have a lot of time to be able to make everything by hand, have a large home, and purchase special boxes with labels for heating instructions to send guests home with leftovers. At the end of the test I found out that my hostess style is a "Thoughtful Hostess".  It is a fair label and one shared by many of her readers. I am too busy to be like Martha.  I would rather be a Clever Party Hostess that can find time saving solutions and great products to create an amazing party and be able to enjoy the party and guests as well.

So What type of hostess are you?

7.3%    A Hostess Inspired by Martha!

88.43%     A Thoughtful Hostess

4.27%     A Casual Hostess

At my son's school and amongst some of my own friends, I have seen how disappointing it can be when it comes to enjoying birthday cake. For those of you who have kids with allergies to gluten, I found a fantastic gluten free cake.

I recently discovered this incredible and delicious chocolate cake by Sofella Foods.  It was easy to prepare.  Just add water, eggs and butter. I served it this past weekend at a Super Bowl party and everyone raved about the taste and moist texture. I added fresh raspberries on top of the cake. It looked great.  My friends could not believe it was gluten free.  From now on, I will bake this cake so everyone can enjoy.

You can buy this at Costco 2 boxes for $19.99 yields 4  8" round cakes.

Just when you think party season is over, football playoffs start & Super Bowl is just around the corner. This typically means Saturdays or Sundays with a house full of hungry people needing to be fed. Guests at these gatherings usually expect nothing more than finger foods to snack on. What’s the simplest finger food of them all?? CHEESE!!

Cheese requires no cooking, it can sit at room temperature for a long time and it goes with almost everything. All cheese requires is cubing, slicing, or placing wedges on a platter, where the guests can cut off however much they want. Cheese is also one of the most versatile and most used of all foods.

When entertaining with cheeses for Super Bowl, keep it simple. Have cheeses that will pair with everything from Hot Wings to Meatballs; from soda to beer. When making a cheese plate, choose 3-5 different cheeses, make sure each cheese has its own serving piece so flavors don’t mingle, & serve all cheeses at room temperature to guarantee the best flavor. Also, keep in mind that everyone’s palate is different, so you should have a variety. Brie is a great option for people who like a mild, buttery cheese. Spreadables, are great for people who like their cheeses to also act a dip. Cheddar and Gouda are both great for people who are a little more daring because both can range from mild & creamy to sharp & crumbly. Whatever you choose, all you need to remember is to HAVE FUN!!

Here is a great recipe from Epicurious .com that can give your Super Bowl party a fancy flare.
Blue Cheese and Caramelized Shallot Dip


Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups thinly sliced shallots (about 4 ounces)

3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
4 ounces blue cheese, room temperature

Preparation

Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add shallots. Cover and cook until shallots are deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool.

Whisk together mayonnaise and sour cream in medium bowl to blend. Add blue cheese. Using rubber spatula, mash mixture until smooth. Stir in caramelized shallots. Season dip to taste with salt and pepper. Cover dip and refrigerate until flavors blend, about 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.) Serve dip chilled or at room temperature.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! is the favorite of all greetings during Chinese New Years. It means “wishing you prosperity.” This year is the Year of the Ox and according to the Chinese calendar the Ox, or Cow, is an animal that brings prosperity through hard work. It’s a time to honor ancestors, to be thankful for the past years accomplishments and to celebrate a prosperous new year.

For the Chinese, celebrating the Chinese New Year’s is more important than Christmas. You
begin this day by giving good cheer to the first person you see hoping the positive mood continues through the new year. Children are given red envelopes “Lai See” of lucky money which are to be spent frivolously, not saved. Bright red will be the fashion of the day, as it represents a sunny and bright future. The lighting of firecrackers is to frighten away the evil spirits. At the conclusion of Chinese New Years is the lantern festival. After that, the celebration ends and normal routine resumes.

Here is a list of traditional food and what the represent. When planning a party this year consider a menu with some of these foods to celebrate or promote prosperity.

Whole Fish ………………..togetherness, abundance (Head must be attached)
Whole Chicken …………...prosperity, completeness (chicken includes feet & head)
Noodles …………………...long life (noodles should not be cut)
Black Moss Seaweed …….exceeding in wealth
Bamboo Shoots …………...a term that sounds like “wishing everything will be well”
Lotus Seed ………………..being prolific to having male offspring
Red Melon Seed (dyed) …..joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
Lychee nuts ……………….strong family ties
Longon ……………………many good sons (longon are similar to Lychee nuts)
Cumquats …………………prosperity
Peanuts ……………………long life
Ginko nuts ………………...abundance and wealth
Coconuts ………………….togetherness
Oranges and Tangerines ...abundant happiness (these fruits should have the stems intact)

I found these adorable spa gifts available at beau-coup.com.  They are great perfect gifts for a birthday or your bridesmaids.  Make them more special by having them personalized with a name or initials.

small spa toiletry bag

Looking for that perfect bridesmaid gift or birthday gift idea? These personalized makeup bags are just the thing. Available in 7 fun colors, 2 sizes, and can be personalized with a name, monogram, ... more info.

white trim spa slippers medium/large

Soft and comfortable terry cloth spa slippers embroidered with a monogram, popular bridesmaid's gift for favor for spa bridal showers.