Coffee for a Cause

Drink.

What if you could do a good deed before you even stepped foot out of your home in the morning? It's as easy as buying the right kind of coffee for your morning cup (or three).

Green Mountain Coffee has recently released its Spring Revival Blend, featuring Fair Trade Certified coffee from Rowanda. The farmers of Rowanda are still recovering from their country's brutal civil war, and the hope is to bring awareness to the extraordinary coffee that these farmers produce. This particular blend received a Coffee Review of 90 out of 100 and is described as having "sweet-toned, fresh aroma, with hints of orangy fruit, dry berry, dark chocolate." Yum!!

This Limited Edition Spring Revival Blend can be purchased directly at Green Mountain's site and participating sellers in various cities. This type of product is something that makes Hip Hostess very happy. It's something new and exciting all while contributing to a great cause. What a great way to start the day!

Link Love

Tuesday Inspiration.

Sunset
21 idea-filled outdoor dining rooms.


Ritzy Bee
Inspiring ideas for a spring garden party

Pretty Chicky
This wedding was a succulent success!

Inchmark
These cupcakes should make an appearance at every party this Spring!

Make Over the Milk.

Recipe.

Last Saturday marked the first day of Spring, which to me means, “bring on the al fresco brunch plans.” Get-togethers with friends this time of year tend to move to earlier times, that way everyone can get out and enjoy the beautiful day.

Brunch is an easy way to entertain. It usually consists of an egg dish, some fun bread type items and a salad of some variety. This is usually accompanied by coffee and an iced tea or alcoholic beverage.

One thing I love to do is throw in an unexpected item right from the beginning. What could be better than walking up to the coffee bar to discover choices of three liquid additives…milk, cream and rich chocolate milk. This Food Network recipe for rich chocolate milk only takes a couple of steps and makes a fantastic café mocha very easy.

Everyone will be very happy about the indulgent, delicious option that will set the tone for a fantastic day ahead.



Directions
Bring 2 cups whole milk to a simmer, then whisk in 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder and 1/3 cup superfine sugar until smooth. Puree in a blender to fully dissolve; use right away or chill.

Bridal Cocktail Party

Event.

We love when our readers write us to tell us about ways that they've incorporated ideas we've shared, or share some new ideas with us. We have a passion for entertaining, and we get very excited to see that in others as well.

Last week one of our readers, Barbie Tilman, wrote in to tell us about not-so-typical bachelorette party that she threw for her best pal Margie. With a great story behind the party and wonderful photos by her friend Jessica Lorren, I just knew that we had to share this with you. Here's the story behind the event in Barbie's own words:

"My best friend Margie was ANTI a bachelorette party, but she did agree to let me throw her a low key cocktail party for our 6 best friends. It was such fun to plan. The bride and our best friends all grew up in Palm Beach, but have moved all over the country, so it was a blast for everyone to be together for a fun filled weekend. I went with a classic Palm Beach theme of pink & green & told the girls on the invitation to dress in "Palm Beach Glam" attire...bold, bright & Lilly-esque. The bride loves margarita's and wine, so they were the poison of choice for the night. I found wine glasses at the neatest little gift shop (KT Jane's/ Tampa) that I could monogram with her initial, that she LOVED."

"I also found the cutest cocktail flags for the margarita's there. Everything else was diy....the pom pom's hanging from the cocktail pavilion, the flowers, decor and food. My parent’s house in Palm Beach was the perfect gathering spot for the party, as we all use to congregate there & sneak drinks in high school. Naughty, Naughty!! We had the best memories there growing up…pool parties, slumber parties, sweet 16 parties, etc…. so it was just so fitting that we’d do her little pre-wedding cocktail celebration poolside at that house. Margie LOVED this fun night of "Margie's Margaritaville" in Palm Beach."

PS. Barbie recently started her own wedding planning business in Palm Beach/Tampa/Kennebunkport, Bumblebee Weddings. Brandi and I know a thing or two about branching out on your own. Congrats to you and best of luck in the world of entertaining!!

Spotted: Polka Dot Balloons

I am definitely smitten with these fun polka dot balloons, available here in 10 different colors.

Wine Cocktails

Cocktail Recipes.

I'm a big fan of Imbibe magazine as well as their online site. They always have a fresh perspective on the art of all things libation.

Recently they posted an article about the history of cocktails containing wine as a main component. Which made me wonder, why don't we drink more cocktails where hard alcohol isn't the driving force? Below is my favorite suggestion from this article. I think it sounds refreshing and lovely!

Sauternes Cup No. 4

Method: Mix together in a large jug. Serve as cool as possible.

2 Bottles of Sauternes
1 Bottle of Iced Sparkling Muscat Mosel
Slice of Cucumber
Juice of 4 Oranges
Juice of 2 Lemons (strained clear)
3 Bottles of Iced Soda Water

Easter Baskets

Healthy choices.

About this time every year, I start adding extra errands to my weekly list to pick up treats for Easter baskets. This year I have decided to include some healthier candy options into the baskets. Note that I mention the word “some healthier” because in my book, no Easter basket would be complete without a Cadbury Egg and a Reese’s peanut butter cup. I also like to include some little non-candy items that I know the person would enjoy.

I was very excited when I opened my April issue of Food Network Magazine and saw the feature, “Goody-Goody Basket. Each candy has a nutritional boost in some form. I will share the list below.


Gimme Omega 3-This candy bar consists of chocolate coated puffed rice that is loaded with flax and has 350 mg of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. The candy bar and many other healthy choices can be found at naturalcandystore.com

Jelly Belly’s New Superfruit mix-Filled with juices from acai berries, cherries, cranberries, blueberries and pomegranates. They can be found at most stores or if you want to order online jellybelly.com.

Dark Chocolate Rabbit-The dark chocolate rabbit has 18 percent less sugar than a milk-chocolate bunny and it’s loaded with heart-healthy polyphenols. sees.com

Fruity Bears-This is a great alternative to gummy bears and half of the bag provides 100 percent of the daily-recommended dose of vitamin C. They are also made without artificial dyes or corn syrup. Surfsweets.com

Link Love.

Tuesday Inspiration.

Made By Girl
Can you believe that this was a DIY table setting? Bravo!

Poppytalk
Cake as art? Love it.

Inspiration Bubble
Best firewood storage…EVER.

Paper Crave
So intricate. So cool.

Yulia Kunze

Accessories.

Although I had a bit of an issue with watching the Oscar’s this year, thanks to Cablevision. I didn’t have any issues jumping on the computer the next morning to check out the fabulous style of the actors and actress’ as they walked the red carpet. I have to say I had more than a few favorites but one in particular really blew me away. That was Cameron Diaz with her show-stopping Hollywood glam from head to toe.

This got me thinking, how can I, incorporate some Hollywood glam into my life? That’s when I ran across Yulia Kunze and her amazing vintage style hair accessories. Yulia uses salvaged antique embellishments as well as pieces of vintage accessories from around the world to create her own gorgeous, one-of-a kind pieces. Yulia has many unique pieces to choose from and all with a rich history and a fabulous design.

Special Night

Date Night.

As I shuffled my husband out the door this morning with 25 lbs. of leftover fruit salad from a Hip Hostess event, I am reminded of how great he is. He didn’t even complain once about my obsession to not let any food go to waste or the fact that he had to lug the extra weight on the subway and across town to his office.

I am the planner in the relationship, so naturally our activities tend to lean towards my tastes. That’s not to say that if he mentions something he would like to do I don’t jump at it. But frankly that doesn’t happen to often.

When I saw an advertisement for the 25th year anniversary for Pale Rider, I suddenly had an idea. I would plan a night dedicated to all my husband’s favorites. I ran to Blockbuster to pick up Pale Rider, my husband loves old Western’s which is not my favorite thing, so of course they don’t make it on the queue very often. Picked up a couple of filet’s mignon, the man loves his red meat and a nice bottle of his favorite red.

I can’t wait till my husband comes home, he will be so excited. I would love to hear about the special G-rated ways in which you show appreciation for your partner.