Check out WWW.CELEBRATEEVERYDAYTV.COM

This blog has moved to our new home at www.CelebrateEverydaytv.com

We look forward to giving you daily tips and treats to help you find more focus, less stress and more happiness in your life.

Last minute tips for an impromptu Fourth of July Party!

Quick tips for making the most of what you have at home to create a fun 4th celebration or any summer party! Click below for my "Voices from the Ville" blog!

Impromptu Fourth of July Party!

Fourth of July Ant Invasion!

Sometimes ants can make the party! I use this clever ant watermelon holder from Oriental Trading Company as a centerpiece!  It is perfect for any occasion, but my 6-year-old added blueberries as a festive Fourth of July decoration. We also found a few red metal ants online to add to the theme.

Old Fashioned Fun on 4th of July

An old fashioned way to keep cool for this July 4th...a ice cold beverage station!

Serve your favorite drinks in these large dispensers from Sur La Table. We added a little spark to the festive decor with felt, star stickers to plastic cups and the red beverage jar. Red, white and blue striped straws, along with star paper straws, steal the show.

I love homemade lemonade which is refreshing at back yard BBQs...garnish with blueberries for the 4th!  Another option is my friend and mixologist, Elayne Duff's, Strawberry and Basil Martini:

Note this is a single serve option only. It does not scale for the beverage jar.
1 1/2oz Vodka
3/4oz simple syrup
3/4oz fresh lemon juice
1/4oz Dubonnet (wine based aperitif)
1 Strawberry, sliced
1 Basil leaf

Muddle strawberry and basil leaf with simple syrup in a shaker. Add remaining ingredients,  shake and double strain into a festive glass. Garnish with a strawberry for the 4th!

Or, a party size Planter's Punch (perfect for the beverage dispenser)
Note: use chilled ingredients
6 cups pineapple juice
6 cups orange juice
11/2 cups light rum
11/2 cups dark rum
1 cup orange Curacao or triple sec
1 cup fresh lemon or lime juice
1 cup simple syrup
1/2 cup grenadine
Mix ingredients in the large beverage jar. Pour into red Solo cups filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry for July 4th!

Have a safe and fun holiday!

DIY Fourth of July gift - Homemade Potato Chips

My 6-year-old, Riley, and I decided to try to make homemade potato chips this afternoon. It was a pretty good first attempt! These won't last for 4th of July, but we may try again, as it is a nice gift idea for the summer-- shown here with a red and blue napkin and a plastic cup. 

Here are our recipes:

Riley peeled and I sliced up two russet potatoes in 1/4 inch slices (by eye).

First we filled a small mixing bowl with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.

We then made dipping stations of rosemary and onion powder and cinnamon, vanilla and sugar. (at my daughter's suggestion)

First dip one sliced potato in the olive oil

then dip in your individual dipping station.

Once coated with the savory or sweet then place on a pre-greased baking sheet.

I baked them at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes (or until golden brown) and I turned them twice in that time.

Personally, I think the cinnamon, vanilla and sugar ones were pretty tasty! Both could be big hits at your next BBQ!

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July everyone!

Celebrate the Fourth of July- Party ideas for a festive 4th weekend!

Happy Summer Everyone!

I hope everyone has a summer full of love and happiness! We found these inventive butter cookies that picture both English and Spanish words. Fun. Celebrate Everyday... Celebrar todos los dias!

Happy Father's Day!

Dad's make the world go around. We celebrate them today in the US, especially my baby daddy, Marc Bloomgarden!

Happy Father's Day!

Summer Loves...My Entertaining Favorites!

I hope to make this a summer of connection through celebration! Here are a few of my suggestions for an entertaining summer! 

Let's make this the summer of SILLY. Everyone arm yourselves with a great joke and maybe your opening line...
I live with a six-year-old, so here is my latest guffaw...

My corny joke to inspire your SILLY summer-"Why did the banana go to the doctor? He wasn't peeling well".

Service Counts- I love a festive plate. These are French by Astier De Villatte, but the red, white and blue really tug at my American heart strings! The cups are nice too! You can find them state side at John Derian in NYC.

Assiette a Dessert avec motif

Gobelet Petit Cube

Assiette Plate

Eatin' La Vida Loca-  Quick, easy and tasty summer recipes are essential to have on hand so you are ready for any impromptu parties. This says hello summer fiesta to me!

Elizabeth Gordon's Beef Tostadas from her new book "Simply Allergy Free".

Beef Tostadas Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoons ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound ground sirloin

8 gluten- and soy-free corn tostadas (you can use a Boston lettuce leaf here too, my suggestion)

Diced tomato, avocado, red onion, Daiya cheese, shredded lettuce, and cilantro for serving (optional)

1. In a small bowl, stir together the chipotle chile powder, garlic salt, onion salt, dried oregano, cumin, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the beef over medium-high heat until it is cooked through, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to break up any large chunks of meat. .
3. Remove the beef from the heat and drain off the fat. Sprinkle with the spice mix and stir so that the spices are evenly incorporated. Spoon the meat into the tostado shells and serve immediately, garnished as desired.
4. The unused meat may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.

Note: To make your own tostada shells, take corn tortillas and fry them in 3–4 inches of canola oil heated to 350°F for about 2 minutes or until they are crisp and golden. Remove the fried tortillas to a paper towel–lined tray to drain.

Time to be a TOOL- Well in this case, a handy tool, at least. This Zyliss Salad Knife make shredding lettuce a breeze. Given that summer salads are one of my cool foods. I highly recommend this. It makes for a great hostess gift too!


http://usa.zyliss.com/salad-knife
(photo from naturally domestic)

Drink Your Veggies- I love a good juice that Riley, my 6-year-old and I, can enjoy together. We are working on our Kale ideas... so next up we are giving this a try!

Kale Shake
1 banana, 10 chunks of frozen mango, chunk of ginger, Tbl spoon of coconut oil, 1/2 of cucumber, 3 kale leaves, parsley. All organic if possible. 
This is from the site http://duncantrussell.com/forum/profile/6045/Dyson

"Beet the Heat"cocktail fun- No Summer Soiree of mine would be complete with out a fun grown up drink too! 

This signature cocktail is from my local haunt and fav family restaurant Elizabeth's Neighborhood Tavern. It is called "Elizabeth’s Sweet Beet"
Vermont Gold Vodka (fresh beet infused), fresh Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Maple syrup. Served Straight up...compliments of the bartender at Elizabeth's Neighborhood Table

Never leave home empty handed- Here are a few of this summers born to succeed hostess gift ideas-

C Wonder has a variety of fun and festive home items! I LOVE straws, partner these stripes with some fun cups and your favorite lemonade and Voila, you have a colorful present.

http://www.cwonder.com/new-arrivals/home-decor/striped-paper-straws-set-of-25.html

I LOVE summer flowers. These look like Dahila's and Marigolds. Pair them with a hand crafted fluted vase from Frances Palmer Pottery and you will be the flower belle of the ball!


fluted vase
http://francespalmerpottery.com/china-dinnerware-wedding-gifts.php?itemid=F198805

Send me your summer tips! Cheers to celebrating every day!

Celebrate Getting Your Groove On!

Living in the present can be such a challenging thing! Sometimes I find music helps. I am such a big fan of the lyrics and a few songs are really resonating with me now. Next time I will find more women artists to add to this dance mix. Send me some of your favorites too!

Girl let me love youAnd I will love you,Until you learn to love yourselfGirl let me let love youAnd all your troubleDon’t be afraid, girl let me helpGirl let me love youAnd I will love you,Until you learn to love yourself... Ne-Yo "Let Me Love You"

And then we go back

This is them moment 

Tonight is the night

We'll fight till it's over 

So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us

Like the ceiling can't hold us...Macklemore and Ryan Lewis "Can't Hold Us"

Tonight I will love, love you tonight
Give me everything tonight
For all we know we might not get tomorrow. 
Let's do it tonight...Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo  "Give Me Tonight"

Let me know if you add them to YOUR celebrate you playlist!

ps Thank you to my amazing friend Dina who gave me this awesome photo you see! It was a birthday card that will now live forever!

Celebrate Moms Everyday!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is my toast for all of the amazing moms out there who make the world go around!

Easy Summer Fun Yogurt Pops!

Thanks Jill for such a fun idea. I love your website One Good Thing! This is certainly that.

Summer easy fun and family friendly!

Celebrate Everyday!

A Modern Twist on the Great Gatsby

Who says school benefits have to be a snooze fest? Thanks to the Committee at Metropolitan Montessori School we roared in the 1920's this past Friday night. Here are a few pics and shout outs. Thank you Darius and the team at Landmark on the Park,  Samy and Ryan at http://www.creativecoursescatering.com/ your service staff and food made my night. Dennis at NiceUplights really knows his screens, and the entire committee was a dream of fabulous, fierce Daisy's! We also had amazing flapper dancers and cigarette girls...Thank you. Now go get your Charleston on!

Solo Cup Moustache for Your Fiesta!

Happy Cinco De Mayo! Use your stache wisely.

Check out more party tips on my amazing friend's blog... OnFireatFifty!

Work Happy!!!!

The above is my secret to an awesome office (both home and work)!

Seriously, Poppin is the best idea to hit office supplies since post-its! Create your own color coordinated work space with these bright and fun designs... their slogan and one of mine... WORK HAPPY!

It is Family Fiesta Time - Cinco de Mayo style - @Voices from the Ville

It is FAMILY Cinco De Mayo time! Check out some fun party tips from Kidville's online newsletter...a must read for parents!

Cinco de Mayo: Expert Party Tips - Voices from the Ville

Tune In to Dr. Oz Wednesday, May 1, 2013!

Tune in to Dr. Oz all this week for some good advice on how to Celebrate Everyday! 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 1st, the afternoon show, is all about meditation and better living with Deepak Chopra! So set your DVR to prepare for relaxation and happiness!

P.S. Huge shout out to the amazing ladies, Laura Berger and Jenn McAdoo, I met during the taping. Please check out Laura's amazing work at www.lifeleapsprogram.com and upcoming book "Radical Sabbatical"

Enjoy!

Shower the People You Love with Love...

Every mom-to-be needs a pocket party planner helper! That's where I come in. Tune in for more party tips for parents, toddlers and young children's parties, and here are a few of my baby shower tips as featured on Shannon Miller Lifestyle.

Grin and Berry It People!

Good morning! Today is the day before our HUGE 6th birthday Riley Rockstar Music Video Party! I need a little creative juice to keep my energy up! My favorite juices are:

The Ruby Red

 2 Beets

2 cups Pineapple

1 Apple

and sometimes ginger

add a little water (a shot glass full)

shake over ice and pour- serves 3

The Green Machine

 1/2 a bunch Spinach (has to be fresh not in a box, it yields more)

1/2 a bunch Parsley (to taste. I like a lot)

10- leaves Mint

1- Apple

1- Lemon

muddled tarragon (optional)

Muddle fresh tarragon into a shaker. Squeeze the lemon over it. Add ice. Pour the green juice in. Shake. Pour- serves 3

Age 4- The Year of the Princess

Have you all read the book "Cinderella Ate My Daughter"? It is an amazing read on the history of marketing for children...from colors for both girls and boys (pink used to be a baby boy color) to those beloved princesses. Some Disney genius who had a little girl noticed trend of dress up, and poof a new industry was born. The book really helped me to come to terms with the whole princess fad. I was one of those people, before having kids, who swore I'd never let my daughter be taken over by the princess phenomenon...uh well, then I had a daughter. She is tough, likes to climb trees and rocks, and at age 4 fell in love with princesses. So, for this special birthday we combined princesses with our favorite magician, the Amazing Max. It was a royal treat! For the cake we used a Wilton castle pan and a fresh strawberry cake! Yum. We personalized everyone's water bottles with homemade labels. Miss Christine came as Snow White and did make up for all. Everyone felt like magical royalty for a few hours!