Guest Blog

We're so happy to have a guest post today from Colleen Mullaney, the author of "The Stylish Girl's Guide to Fabulous Cocktails."

Pre-Plan for A “Pop-Up” Party! by Colleen Mullaney

I love when friends stop by. Weekends are the best times for those special impromptu gatherings with friends I call “Pop-up Parties.”

It’s a glorious Saturday afternoon right after your kids’ sporting games finish. Neighbors walk by and stop to chat and stay. Or you run into friends during errands and you’re all in need of a little fun. No sitter? No problem. Bring the kids and make it a multi-generational playdate. That’s what makes Pop-Up Parties so great. They’re spur of the moment and the more the merrier.

Mixing up a pitcher of Festive Sangria is perfection in a jug. So easy and the best thing about pitchers, is they’re self serve so you can enjoy the party! It’s always easy to add more wine to keep the party flowing. Snacks should be easy and quick too. I always keep staples in my pantry so there’s no excuse not to host. (See tips on www.colleenmullaney.com) Pull together an easy platter of cheeses, flat breads, dried fruits and nuts. Dinner can be as simple as a potluck; even sharing each other’s leftovers is fun. Put on a mix of fun tunes – anything from Colbie Caillat, Coldplay, Sting and U2 – and you’re always ready for friends to stop by.

Sunday brunch is also a fabulous time for Pop-Up Parties. Our family often invites friends over on a lazy weekend morning. Whip up a pitcher of Morning Glories and watch the morning melt into the afternoon. Add a potato and onion frittata, roasted asparagus and fruit salad and off you go! Put some classics on the hi-fi like Ella, Frank, Julie London or Michael Buble. Set the scene by keeping it simple. Bunches of the same flower tied in bunches set in clear glass vases or fresh cuttings from your garden set a buffet table in style. Enjoy!



Colleen Mullaney is the former editor-in-chief of Jo-Ann,Family Circle Home Crafts and FTD In Bloom magazines. She has written numerous books,including It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Punch: 36 Punch Recipes, One of a Kind Weddings, Faux Fabulous Florals and Fairy Parties: Recipes, Crafts and Games for Enchanting Celebrations.

Colleen lives in Westchester, New York, where she hosts playdates, whips up dinner parties, toils in the garden and adds a bit of flair to everything she touches. Visit her website at: colleenmullaney.com