Entertaining | Design Happens

ALL POSTS IN [Entertaining]

Homemade BBQ Meatballs: A Rainy Day Recipe

by Sarah Herron May 18, 2013 1 Comment

When your cookout gets rained out, making BBQ meatballs is a great backup plan. If you were planning to grill hamburgers, this is one way to repurpose some of your ingredients.

There are several BBQ meatball recipes. This one is from my Aunt Sue, who has spent her life on a beef cattle ranch in Missouri. Believe me when I say, this is the best version. These BBQ meatballs are an easy, party-friendly dish you bake in the oven. It’s a sweet, savory comfort food your guests will love on a rainy day.

Get the Recipe

Happy Hour Happens: Refreshing Memorial Day Cocktails

by Kayla Kitts May 17, 2013 1 Comment

Memorial Day’s late May date has marked the unofficial start of summer for years. Most schools unlock the doors and release students for the year that Friday before. [FREEDOM!] The weather is finally at a solid seasonal temperature. It’s also an unofficial rule that you must spend the day/weekend outdoors. Rain is not tolerated. No matter how you choose to spend your holiday weekend, unwind with these refreshing summer cocktails that will leave you ready for lazy pool days all season long.

Cantaloupe Tea Daiquiri

Memorial Day Cocktail Recipes at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Numi Emperor’s Pu-erh Tea
1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh Blue Vodka
3 ounces frozen cantaloupe, cubed
1 ounce coconut milk
splash of lemon juice
lemon wedge, for garnish

Directions

Steep tea at four times the normal strength for two minutes, then remove tea bag and chill liquid for later use. Combine and blend ingredients in blender, adding a splash of lemon for each serving. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon wedge.

More Warm-Weather Concoctions

Mood Board Monday: Picnicking

by Kayla Kitts May 13, 2013 No Comments

One of my favorite ways to spend summer afternoons is sprawled on a blanket in the park nomming on seasonal fruit or homemade fares like potato salad and apple pie. It’s even better if you have a good book or company by your side. Summer is near, so pack up a basket this weekend and head outdoors. Surprise your S.O. with an alfresco meal for two, or try a picnic potluck with a group of friends.

Come back every Monday for an inspirational mood board. Miss a day? See all the posts here.

Featured

Daily Delight: Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

by Grant Dudley May 13, 2013 8 Comments

Smarty Parties has the perfect birthday (or un-birthday!) for your little Alice or Mad Hatter. This theme can also be easily adapted for a bridal or baby shower, too.

EXTRA: ENGLISH TEA PARTY SET >>

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

Photos by StellaDolcePhotography.com

Related Items You’ll Enjoy:
Alice in Wonderland Living Room
Stacked Teacups Bookcase
Whimsical Hotel Room

Free Printable 1920s Accessories For Your Great Gatsby Party

by Liz Gray May 10, 2013 3 Comments

We can’t all throw lavish parties on the scale of Jay Gatsby, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate today’s release of Baz Luhrmann’s take on Fitzgerald’s classic novel. Grab a gin-based cocktail (no bathtub required) and celebrate The Great Gatsby with vintage accessories and our free 1920s printables.

To recreate the lavish style on a dime, print out our free printable Great Gatsby and Classic Glam accessories, then cut out and attach to wooden skewers with double-sided tape or hot glue.

DOWNLOAD THE GREAT GATSBY PARTY PRINTABLES >>

DOWNLOAD THE CLASSIC GLAM PARTY PRINTABLES >>

SEE MORE GREAT GATSBY PARTY OUTFIT STYLE

Featured

Daily Delight: Strawberry-Almond Spinach Salad for Your Lunch With Mom

by Grant Dudley May 7, 2013 4 Comments

Spring-perfect strawberries are the star of this easy salad recipe. It’s the perfect starter for your Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner.

Mother's Day Recipe

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas:
Block-Print Napkins With Simple DIY Stamps
Make a Simple, Floral Mother’s Day Centerpiece
Hand-Painted Wooden Bracelets for Mother’s Day
Make a Fingerprint Table Runner for Mother’s Day
Make an Easy-to-Sew Lined Tote Bag
Easy-to-Craft Handmade Jewelry Box

Happy Hour Happens: Guilt-Free Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

by Kayla Kitts May 3, 2013 1 Comment

Do you prefer less spicy and more fruity concoctions for your upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration? Well, these will surely please your senses. From grapefruit and tamarind to guava and watermelon juices, mix up drinks that are light but still strong.

Sparkling Frescas

Cinco de Mayo Cocktails at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

Combine your favorite fruit juice with fruit seltzer, and garnish with fresh fruits or veggies for a flavorful and refreshing drink.

Mixer Ideas

Blueberry Seltzer
Fresh pomegranate seeds
Mango juice
Cucumber Melon Seltzer
Watermelon juice
Cucumber slices
Georgia Peach Seltzer
Guava juice
Kumquat slices

Get More Cocktail Recipes

Don’t Forget the Piñata!

by Farima Alavi May 2, 2013 No Comments

Cinco de Mayo is only three days away! You may think there isn’t any time left to throw a fiesta, but the beauty of this holiday is you only need three key things — drinks, drinks and a piñata. You can make your own traditional piñata, or turn it up a notch and make a floral orb version. Either way, it’ll be the focal point of your party (maybe break the piñata before you serve the drinks).

Floral Orb Piñata

Get the Simple Instructions Here>>

Serve These Flavorful Cocktails

Featured

Daily Delight: Hold Your Horses for Kentucky Derby Cookies

by Grant Dudley May 1, 2013 3 Comments

And they’re off! Well, not just yet — but Saturday, the Kentucky Derby will be run and that means there’s another excuse to throw a shindig. And, of course, you’re going to need a dessert for your party. Bridget from Bake at 350 has the perfect sweet for you to serve — Kentucky Derby Cookies!

Kentucky Derby Cookies

Photos From Bake at 350

Head to the Races:
Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe
Equestrian-Style Decor
Jockey Table Lamp

Mood Board Monday: Derby Week

by Kayla Kitts April 29, 2013 No Comments

It’s Derby Week, and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is only five days away. Horse racing has been around for hundreds of years, but these days the sport proves to be just as much about food and fashion as it is about spectating and placing bets. I mean, you just can’t show up to the tracks without an oversize hat, spring dress and a classic mint julep in hand. Today, we have plenty of inspiration to make sure you show up to the Derby, The Belmont Stakes or the Preakness looking like you walked out of a Southern novel.