Cathy Riva gives Summer dessert tips on the Tyra Banks Show. Air date May 22, 2008.
Birthday Week
Birthday's are my favorite day and my favorite celebration. This year was the first year I enjoyed the day with just family. In years past I would create lavish gatherings of people near and far, but it was really wonderful to take time out to celebrate with just the people in my life, who will be in my life forever. Now that I have my own family I realize the importance, meaning and responsiblity it takes to keep it "all in the family". I am blessed by all of the people in my life, but this year I took one day just to celebrate what makes me, me.
Cathy Riva at UCLA with Professor Marc Stern
I was the guest speaker for a class at UCLA yesterday and it was amazing. I loved the students and learned a lot from them. I wish them all the best.
If you are interested in having me speak at a college near you please email me at
info@Rivaevents.com
Re-create one of your happiest moments at the dinner table
In today’s fast paced culture our lives are so connected to technology we don’t take enough time to really connect -in person- with one another. Take this day as an opportunity to share laughter and conversation at the dinner table with someone you love; it can be your significant other, family member or best friend.
My first tip is to unplug. Turn off your televisions, blackberries, video games, and cell phones- anything that distracts you from one-on-one conversation.
Transport yourself out of your environment by recreating one of your happiest moments, or take tonight to create a new adventure, with these simple tips using household items, a quick trip to the grocery store and a stop at a kitchen accessory store like Kitchen Couture www.kitchencouture.net or Bed Bath and Beyond www.bedbathandbeyond.com.
Did you spend your honeymoon on a beach? Have fond memories of a fabulous ski vacation? Or do you dream of traveling to Italy? Here are three themed table ideas I hope you can use to create an impromptu thoughtful Valentine’s celebration.
Tropical Beach Theme
To recreate the beach feel play music that fits your own personal experience: For example, Reggae for a Caribbean feel. Something classic like Mozart’s “Forever by the Sea” also conjures up a beach feeling. Set the stage with a great smelling aromatherapy candle like ZiaSleep.com’s Aroma Natural Relaxing with hints of tangerine.
To transform your table choose a fun tablecloth in a yellow or a sand color. Paper clothes from the grocery store work great here, because it’s a “one time use” event and you can throw them away.
On top of the table create a beach scene. Build a mountain of sand by using household table salt. Two containers of Morton’s salt work perfectly.
Place one or two pineapples on top of the sand.
Use limes as tea light candleholders. Carve out the inside of a lime and insert a tea light. Then place four or five of these on the sand.
Roll up white paper towels or napkins and tie off with a piece of raffia or twine.
Concoct a specialty tropical drink like Pineapple Nutmeg Punch (1 part Cruzan Estate Dark Rum, 2 parts pineapple juice, 1/2 part lemon juice, 1 part simple syrup, 1/4 part ground nutmeg. Garnish with a festive drink umbrella, colorful straw and tropical fruit.)
Use your own flatware, plates and glassware.
For an added twist I suggest ladies wear something exciting that you wore on vacation and men wear a Hawaiian shirt.
Bring out photos from your trip and spend a little time on memory lane.
Winter Escape
For an Après Ski theme table start with a simple solid tablecloth like dark grey or white. Use candles and candlesticks for your centerpiece-finally a time to get out those wedding gifts!!! Keep the taper candles (the tall ones) a single color that compliments your tablecloth. In this case, white or silver work really well.
You can find plastic charges at your kitchen supply store- I recommend choosing the silver colored ones they really look great when you have a white plate to place on top.
For this meal, mix things up by serving bite size portions in mini spoons that you can eat yourself or feed to your partner.
Pull the outdoors inside, use bark from a tree to lend to your winter table.
Uncork a great bottle of wine, or open up a rich bottle of scotch, served in a Ridel stemless glass.
Put some relaxing music, on and -voila- you’ve checked in to your new favorite ski lodge.
Italian Getaway
Looking for an Italian Getaway? Start by creating the dream at home.
Your base tablecloth should be a nice medium color red. Stop by your local mom-and-pop Italian restaurant and offer a few dollars for a sheet of their restaurant paper to place on top of your red tablecloth for an authentic Italian feel.
Use a cutting board as your centerpiece topped with cheeses, grapes and bread.
Mix things up by serving dessert first. A yummy Tiramisu is a great way to start the night, if the dessert idea doesn’t work I have an amazing recipe for a Tiramisu cocktail that is divine: The Ultimate Tirimisu 1 part Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, 2 parts Absolut Vanilla Vodka, 1 part Almond-Flavored Liqueur. Serve in a rocks glass and top with whipped cream. For more great drink recipes go to www.4cocktails.com
I hope these ideas inspire you to create your own personalized holiday to share with the people you love.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cathy Riva
My first tip is to unplug. Turn off your televisions, blackberries, video games, and cell phones- anything that distracts you from one-on-one conversation.
Transport yourself out of your environment by recreating one of your happiest moments, or take tonight to create a new adventure, with these simple tips using household items, a quick trip to the grocery store and a stop at a kitchen accessory store like Kitchen Couture www.kitchencouture.net or Bed Bath and Beyond www.bedbathandbeyond.com.
Did you spend your honeymoon on a beach? Have fond memories of a fabulous ski vacation? Or do you dream of traveling to Italy? Here are three themed table ideas I hope you can use to create an impromptu thoughtful Valentine’s celebration.
Tropical Beach Theme
To recreate the beach feel play music that fits your own personal experience: For example, Reggae for a Caribbean feel. Something classic like Mozart’s “Forever by the Sea” also conjures up a beach feeling. Set the stage with a great smelling aromatherapy candle like ZiaSleep.com’s Aroma Natural Relaxing with hints of tangerine.
To transform your table choose a fun tablecloth in a yellow or a sand color. Paper clothes from the grocery store work great here, because it’s a “one time use” event and you can throw them away.
On top of the table create a beach scene. Build a mountain of sand by using household table salt. Two containers of Morton’s salt work perfectly.
Place one or two pineapples on top of the sand.
Use limes as tea light candleholders. Carve out the inside of a lime and insert a tea light. Then place four or five of these on the sand.
Roll up white paper towels or napkins and tie off with a piece of raffia or twine.
Concoct a specialty tropical drink like Pineapple Nutmeg Punch (1 part Cruzan Estate Dark Rum, 2 parts pineapple juice, 1/2 part lemon juice, 1 part simple syrup, 1/4 part ground nutmeg. Garnish with a festive drink umbrella, colorful straw and tropical fruit.)
Use your own flatware, plates and glassware.
For an added twist I suggest ladies wear something exciting that you wore on vacation and men wear a Hawaiian shirt.
Bring out photos from your trip and spend a little time on memory lane.
Winter Escape
For an Après Ski theme table start with a simple solid tablecloth like dark grey or white. Use candles and candlesticks for your centerpiece-finally a time to get out those wedding gifts!!! Keep the taper candles (the tall ones) a single color that compliments your tablecloth. In this case, white or silver work really well.
You can find plastic charges at your kitchen supply store- I recommend choosing the silver colored ones they really look great when you have a white plate to place on top.
For this meal, mix things up by serving bite size portions in mini spoons that you can eat yourself or feed to your partner.
Pull the outdoors inside, use bark from a tree to lend to your winter table.
Uncork a great bottle of wine, or open up a rich bottle of scotch, served in a Ridel stemless glass.
Put some relaxing music, on and -voila- you’ve checked in to your new favorite ski lodge.
Italian Getaway
Looking for an Italian Getaway? Start by creating the dream at home.
Your base tablecloth should be a nice medium color red. Stop by your local mom-and-pop Italian restaurant and offer a few dollars for a sheet of their restaurant paper to place on top of your red tablecloth for an authentic Italian feel.
Use a cutting board as your centerpiece topped with cheeses, grapes and bread.
Mix things up by serving dessert first. A yummy Tiramisu is a great way to start the night, if the dessert idea doesn’t work I have an amazing recipe for a Tiramisu cocktail that is divine: The Ultimate Tirimisu 1 part Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, 2 parts Absolut Vanilla Vodka, 1 part Almond-Flavored Liqueur. Serve in a rocks glass and top with whipped cream. For more great drink recipes go to www.4cocktails.com
I hope these ideas inspire you to create your own personalized holiday to share with the people you love.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cathy Riva
CSI Science Theme Birthday Party for Children
I receive a ton of requests for details from the CSI Party we did for Will in New Jersey on "Party Girl". On this episode we hosted a child's birthday where our "goody bags" were stolen and the kids had to solve the crime. Each child was sent to CSI training where they learned how to read clues which would later help solve the mystery.
Things you will need:
ID Card
Computer
Find any template on the computer to make an official ID card for the kids
IZone camera for small 1x1 photos for ID Badge
Lamanating machine to cover ID card
Lariats to use to hang ID cards around your neck
Finger Print Clue
Charcol Powder for finger prints
Packing Tape
Clear plastic cups
Foot Print Clue
Any kind of kid friendly paint in black
Old shoes
White paper
Secret Code
Construction paper
Alphabet Coded to corresponding numbers 1-26 (A-Z)
Invisible ink pen
black light to read ink
Goody bags "Evidence Bags"
ziploc bags
any dollar store decor for kids
Sticker or label paper from office supply store
on microsoft word print out a template that will fit on your label paper- ours was:
Glen Ridge Investigative Team (in Yellow)
then in a new box: Evidence -then about 5 lines of detail with time/date/info/location/size etc
Ransom Note (you can make your own)
Teach the kids how to find the clues you place through out your home. After each clue they must bring back the evidence to our Evidence Board. When they have found all the clues they come back to the evidence board to solve the crime.
Things you will need:
ID Card
Computer
Find any template on the computer to make an official ID card for the kids
IZone camera for small 1x1 photos for ID Badge
Lamanating machine to cover ID card
Lariats to use to hang ID cards around your neck
Finger Print Clue
Charcol Powder for finger prints
Packing Tape
Clear plastic cups
Foot Print Clue
Any kind of kid friendly paint in black
Old shoes
White paper
Secret Code
Construction paper
Alphabet Coded to corresponding numbers 1-26 (A-Z)
Invisible ink pen
black light to read ink
Goody bags "Evidence Bags"
ziploc bags
any dollar store decor for kids
Sticker or label paper from office supply store
on microsoft word print out a template that will fit on your label paper- ours was:
Glen Ridge Investigative Team (in Yellow)
then in a new box: Evidence -then about 5 lines of detail with time/date/info/location/size etc
Ransom Note (you can make your own)
Teach the kids how to find the clues you place through out your home. After each clue they must bring back the evidence to our Evidence Board. When they have found all the clues they come back to the evidence board to solve the crime.
Cathy Riva's tips on making successful cocktails
Cathy's Tips on how to make a successful cocktails for your next party.
Alleviate Your Party Stress!
This weekend I had the pleasure of meeting author Nina Smiley. She wrote a book called "The Three Minute Meditator". Wow, I'd like to give this out as my gift to anyone planning a party as it WORKS and is so helpful. The key tips are when you are stressed- Try to step away from the situation. Focus your attention on your breath. Then, identify the types of thoughts you are having ...like happy thoughts, fear thoughts, angry thoughts and then release them and relax. Yes this take practice, but boy oh boy does it improve your life and party planning skills!
ps it was also my in-law's 45th wedding anniversary -they are featured in this photo-kudos to them!
My Philosophy on Successful Events
Events are the most wonderful things to plan, as usually they are all about celebrating happiness. When I begin to plan an event- big or small- I like to do a few key things to make sure everyone has the ultimate joy.
1. Identify the event objectives and intentions.
2. Create a budget (even for home events this is helpful).
3. Make a timeline and share with everyone participating. Outline each person's role in the steps to ensure the best communication.
4. Communication, Communication, Communication. At every step make sure everyone is aware of your activities, goals and outcomes.
5. Add in your (the event planner or host) thoughtfulness and creativity.
For examples of above and more information:
I teach at the Learning Annex every month in NYC- http://www.learningannex.com/default.taf?sctn=CN&_function=detail&cnum=559BNY&cat=
I will be guest speaking at UCLA in Mark Stern's Professional Selling: A Practical Approach- in Los Angeles February 26th - www.uclaextension.edu/ Search MARK STERN
And, teaching a four hour "How to become an Event Planner" course at SUNY Ulster in Kingston, NY March 29th - http://www.sunyulster.edu/programs_courses/pdf/CE_Brochure.pdf
Look under the heading NEW CAREERS
And, teaching a four hour "How to become an Event Planner" course at SUNY Ulster in Kingston, NY March 29th - http://www.sunyulster.edu/programs_courses/pdf/CE_Brochure.pdf
Last Minute New Year's Eve Tips on the TODAY SHOW Monday Live
If you need last minute New Year's Eve tips tune in...I will be on the Today Show Monday, December 31st Live around 10:40am.
Happy New Year!
"How to Become an Event Planner"
Cathy Riva talks about her expierence in becoming an event planner at the Learning Annex in New York City.
Dates in 2008
1/16
2/5
3/25
4/14
for tickets go to www.learningannex.com
Cathy's holiday tips on WPMI- NBC in Mobile, Alabama
You can watch for Cathy's holiday and New Year's Eve tips with Candace White on WPMI the NBC station in Mobile, Alabama this Friday, December 21st.
Tips include:
Hostess Gifts
Table Centerpieces
and fun New Year's eve ideas
PARTY 101 on the Tyra Banks show December 18th
Cathy Riva will give party tips on the Tyra Banks show December 18th. What to wear to a party, what gifts to bring, what favorite items to serve... Party 101. Tune in. Check your local listings for air times.
Thank you for all your support.
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for all your support.
Happy Holidays!
Today Show Holiday Tips
Holiday Party for 20 people for $220
WinterWonderland Chocolate Party
Here are the details so you can use my Today Show Holiday Ideas
The Table: The round centerpieces are called Topiary's and they are styrofoam globes covered in crepe paper flowers and pipe cleaners along with silver balls from the dollar store.
I used candlesticks from the dollar store and containers from the container store for the fondue holders.
The cupcake holder in the center was a styrofoam tree covered in paper flowers and tree twigs spray painted white (or you could buy them buy the bunch at a craft store)
The bar: I made Chocolate Soufle-tini's from www.4cocktails.com and hot chocolate.
The Menu:
Devil's Food Cupcakes with edible glitter and a peppermint round
Chocolate Bundt cakes wrapped in ribbon
Fudge brownies wrapped in ribbon
Dark Chocolate fondue with rice crispy treats, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, dried orange slices, oreo's and graham crackers.
Happy Holidays! Enjoy.
ps the red coat is from LUCA LUCA and the pin is from Rita Tessolin Designs
Watch Cathy on the TODAY SHOW live- Thursday, November 29th
I'll be giving out Holiday Decorating ideas on the Today Show LIVE this Thursday, November 29th between 10am-11am. The segment also features David Tutera and Elana Scotto. Our challenge was to plan the best party for 20 guests for 200 dollars. Set your TIVO or tune in to see who wins!
Gingerbread Latte- tini cocktail for the holidays
Sorry this is so late to post, but here is the Gingerbread Latte-tini drink receipe I mentioned at the Ideas for Better Living Home Show presentation:
Ingredients
1 part Starbucks™ Cream Liqueur
1/2 part DeKuyper® Buttershots®
1/2 part DeKuyper® Cinnamon®
Instructions
Serve in a martini glass and top with a dash of nutmeg
Enjoy, drink responsibly and
Happy Holidays!
Ingredients
1 part Starbucks™ Cream Liqueur
1/2 part DeKuyper® Buttershots®
1/2 part DeKuyper® Cinnamon®
Instructions
Serve in a martini glass and top with a dash of nutmeg
Enjoy, drink responsibly and
Happy Holidays!
Check out my new GO-TO Holiday Planning Website www.4cocktails.com
If you are planning a holiday party this season or going to any events, check out the new resource for (4) holiday planning, www.4cocktails.com. I've included party tips, tricks, gift giving advice and more! Please let me know what you think!
Cathy Riva on the TYRA BANKS Show Wednesday, October 3
Thanks in advance for watching my party segment on the TYRA BANKS show this Wednesday, October 3rd.
The segment is a "Spend or Splurge" Party for a Post Wedding celebration- South American Style!
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