You'll love the book Practically Posh by Robyn Moreno

“Whether you live in a basement with the income of a ten-year-old girl or on a saffron farm in Southern Spain, the spirit of hospitality is the same: it’s the giving of yourself, a present of you to them. – Amy Sedaris

I love this quote; it’s from a book called Practically Posh – The Smart Girls’ Guide to a Glam Life by Robyn Moreno and published by HarperCollins.  I received this book from my friend Linda for my birthday and reference it often. It’s full of all kinds of tips. There are chapters on creating a comfortable, stylish home.  The cooking chapter has great recipes and a recommendation of utensils and ingredients to keep on hand for a last minute soiree. There are even chapters on traveling and budget beauty. My favorite chapter is called Hip Hosting. It’s full of great hostess tips and tricks. This is a great resource for food and drink ideas and menus and even party hosting etiquette. 

I definitely recommend you check it out! You can order it here at Amazon.com.

Cocoa Cocktails

We just had some friends over for drinks and instead of wine or beer I served different types of cocoa cocktails. It was a cold, damp evening and they loved it!

I thought I'd share some of our favorite recipes with you!

This alcoholic Almond Coconut Cocoa is amazing!

• 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 c. milk
• 1 oz. Parrot Bay or Malibu coconut rum
• 1 oz. Amaretto De Saronno or amaretto liqueur
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Shredded coconut as garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix sugar, milk and cocoa powder in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until steaming, not boiling.
2. Add in liqueur and rum. Pour into two mugs.
3. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Drizzle amaretto over whipped cream, if desired.
4. Top with shredded coconut.

Read more at Suite101: Alcoholic Hot Chocolate Beverage Recipes: How to Make Your Cocoa With Alcohol for a Warm Winter Drink http://www.suite101.com/content/adults-only-hot-chocolate-a149118#ixzz19Xei5rTJ

This Baileys Hot Mint Chocolate recipe is from allrecipes.com

• 2 ounces Baileys® Mint Chocolate Irish Liqueur
• 1 cup hot chocolate
• Cinnamon sugar
• 1/4 ounce green Chartreuse® (optional)
• A dollop of whipped cream
• Cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Build in a mug and float heavy cream on top.
2. Garnish with cinnamon sugar and a cinnamon stick. 

These are both scrumptious! I also keep Godiva liquor, Bailey's Caramel liquor and Peppermint Schapps around in case someone wants to make their own concoction. 

New Year Party Cocktails

If you're planning a New Years party, you're thinking of food, champagne, great music and more. How about serving some new drinks at your party? 

The website SLOSHED! is great fun. It chock full of amazing drink recipes. You're sure to find something everyone will love. You can also read reviews and even search for drinks using your favorite type of liquor.

Click here to search their cocktail archive!

Appetizers

Do you love having gatherings but always worry about how much food to serve?
If you're like me, you normally have enough food left over to serve an army!

I was just looking online for some guides and found this. It's really helpful. I'm going to print it out and tape it inside one of my kitchen cabinets for quick reference.

Appetizers for a cocktail party:

Cocktail Party:	12 pieces per person
Dinner Party:	Four to five pieces per person for an early meal Six pieces per person for a later meal
Variety:	Eight different appetizers if 50+ people Four or five different appetizers for 20+ people Three different appetizers for small gatherings

Cheese Trays:

Cheese Tray Appetizers (based on an 8-oz. bar of cheese)

• Allow 1/4 of a bar (2 oz.) per person
• You will need to purchase three bars for 12 people

This is one a lot of people struggle with. With so many BBQ's this summer, I've been buying too much!

Meat	Per Person	4 People	12 People	40 People
Lean or Extra Lean Ground Meat	1/4 lb.	1 lb.	3 lb.	10 lb.
Spareribs	1 lb.	4 lb.	12 lb.	40 lb.
Steak - boneless tenderloin, rib-eye, sirloin	1/4 lb.	1 to 1-1/2 lb.	3 lb.	10 lb.
Steak - T-bone	6 oz.	1-1/2 lb.	4-1/2 lb.	15 lb.
Chicken - boneless	4 oz.	1 lb.	3 lb.	10 lb.
Chicken - bone-in	1 to 2 pieces 1/2 lb.	2 lb.	6 lb.	20 lb.

Who needs a cocktail????

I am normally a wine drinker but this summer I've been trying to mix it up a bit. I've been using the website www.drinksmixer.com and I've become obsessed with drinks involving Champagne. It makes you feel glamorous and it's just more fun. Here are a couple of my favorite recipes. They're fun to make when you have girlfriends over, add a cute garnish and voila!

Apricot Smoothie
4 oz. Apricot Brandy
1 oz. Vodka
Fill half glass with champagne
Fill half glass with OJ

Mix all ingredients over ice and serve in a champagne glass.

Poinsettia
3 oz. chilled champagne
1 oz. triple sec
3 oz. cranberry juice

Mix ingredients together in a champagne glass and serve.

Peach Mimosa

1/2 oz. peach schnapps
1 oz. orange juice
4 oz. champagne

Add all ingredients into a champagne flute and stir.