Tag: fayeruz

Themed Parties

Celebrate Autumn with a Backyard Campfire!

by fayeruzLeave a Comment on Celebrate Autumn with a Backyard Campfire!

kissesIndoor parties are a mixed blessing. Unfortunately you have to tidy your home. Fortunately, your home is tidy.

Outdoor parties are a different ballgame. Hang a sign on the front door and unlock a side gate. The only part of your home that needs cleaning is the path from the back door to the nearest bathroom.

0166b1f3c49ce32c6cee53c9800e9435127965a147In my last post, I laid down some serious Carpe Diem on old, fleeting Autumn. So I took my own advice and threw an impromptu backyard campfire!

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What you’ll need:

– A box of Hershey bars

– Graham crackers

– A bag of marshmallows

– tree sticks (thin, straight and scrubbed down under a yard hose)

– hot dogs, buns & condiments

– hot cocoa (with Kaluha or whiskey to spike it with!)

– firewood and a fire pit

– lawn chairs and blankets

01cc46f775b66cce995e4e6c1c56fbd434956132c6Set the scene! Circle your fire pit with lawn chairs and drape cozy blankets across each one. Have all the sticks ready to go in a metal pail. Load up a nearby table with an ample “Fixin’s Bar” for the roasted weiners, and plenty of liquor to spike the cocoa. How to make hot cocoa outdoors? Fill up a thermos or two with hot water and keep some cream on ice. The marshmallows for the s’mores make a perfect topping.

ttThen, light the fire and RELAX. This type of event is low-key and perfect for Friday nights, when people want to unwind, and not in stilettos screaming over the music during “happy hour.”

014aea944ffc05bec1a63942043d65afaf9a20c021Curl up under your blanket. Tell stories by the fire. Eat marshmallows until your chin is sticky. Autumn will be gone before you know it.

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Holidays, La Vie, Uncategorized

October Waits for No One

by fayeruz1 Comment on October Waits for No One

Walking my greyhounds last night, a gust of wind hit and it had the delicious smell of wood smoke. Prior to that, I was staring at the ground going over my to-do list. But the wind made me stop and look up. That’s when I noticed pumpkins stacked on front porch steps and barrels filled with mums. I noticed that the leaves on our Japanese maple had turned crimson. “Oh my god,” I thought, “It’s October.” And October is halfway over.

I usually revel in Octoberfests and haunted hayrides. I even give in to that sentimentality-based marketing scheme/religion pushed upon us by Starbucks; the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I see what you did there, Starbucks.

But then I had a baby. In the mad dash of my new routine, I had forgotten to take in this last gorgeous month before the nip in the air begins to bite, when Halloween parties promise a good time and when the Shenandoah Valley is afire with  color.

I’m not letting October go without a fight. Neither should you. Get out there!

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October dinner party at our L.A. cabin – sometimes setting the mood is more exciting than the party itself
Food, Themed Parties

Arrested Development Viewing Party

by fayeruz2 Comments on Arrested Development Viewing Party

GROUP PICAnother gift from Hollywood means another viewing party! The gift I mention is the re-vamp of Arrested Development. The critically-acclaimed cult hit was canceled on-air after just three seasons, because of all the knuckle draggers who’d rather watch Honey Boo Boo and nouveaux riche housewives grappling with middle age, via a liquid diet.  The liquid being primarily vodka.

But Netflix graced us with their ingenuity, creating and airing a long-awaited Season Four. Will there be a Season Five? Yes. It’s only a matter of getting all the actors together at one time. A criticism of Season Four was that all the actors were in separate scenes, with no real footage of the Bluth family all together. It’s a dynamic worth waiting for.

So prepare yourselves, darlings! Scroll down for tips on throwing the ultimate Arrested Development viewing party!

Pop-up Banana Stand at the Grove in L.A.!
Pop-up Banana Stand at the Grove in L.A.!

It wouldn’t be complete without frozen dipped bananas and corn balls; two major references to the series. Corn balls can be made with a hush puppy recipe – but I just winged it with some corn flour, eggs, a dash of milk, and spices. No matter what, add onion powder and a dash of cayenne to keep the cornballs from being too bland.

I even created Blue Man Balls for the eternal mess Tobias Funke. Just make some good old-fashioned Rice Krispies Treats with blue food dye added to the marshmallow mix, and roll into balls instead of laying in a pan.

As with any viewing party:

– Dress up as your favorite character and ask guests to do the same. Laughter is guaranteed when every single guest walks through the door.

– Lower the lights. It discourages loud conversation so enthusiasts can enjoy the film.

– Have plenty of pillows and blankets on hand – you want guests to settle in and get cozy!

– Have a thematic gift, and use it as a prize for the fan who knew the most trivia about the film or series.

– Refresh drinks and pass around trays of food mid-program so guests needn’t take their eyes off the TV.

Have fun!

Postcards

Postcard from Capri!

by fayeruzLeave a Comment on Postcard from Capri!

mediterranean 154Ah, Capri!

Jet set central in the 1960s, I’ve had a thing for the place ever since reading that Jackie O and her even more beautiful sister Lee Bouvier frequented it. I love that surrounding yachts dot the Tyrrhenian Sea, stark against the azure blue.

mediterranean 155Nowadays, socialites tend to flock to more obscure locales, since the island has been positively run over by tourists. Guilty as charged, though I can’t help when I was born.

mediterranean 153If you can, try to avoid the funicular and bus, stuffy and packed with tourists. Instead, opt for the stairs that run up the island. If you’re not in great shape, then at least take the stairs on the way down. The stone paths are winding and secretive. You can catch a glimpse of the real residents, a total contrast to the high-end shopping offered on Capri’s summit. There are trees dripping with lemons, and families gathered around big oak tables toasting with homemade limoncello. Beaugainvillea climbs over the stone walls. You catch the scent of baking bread and ragu simmering on the stove.

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Looks exactly like Beverly Hills, right down to the foliage.

Once you reach the summit, it’s a different world. Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada outposts await the moneyed tourists, and sun-bronzed millionaires taking day trips off their yachts. Even those who aren’t wealthy can enjoy what Capri has to offer; fresh-caught seafood and a bottle of wine. And of course, gelato!

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Food, La Vie, Postcards

A Slice of Hollywood in Wilmington, NC

by fayeruzLeave a Comment on A Slice of Hollywood in Wilmington, NC

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The town of Wilmington, North Carolina is often referred to as “Filmington.” TV shows such as Eastbound and Down and Dawson’s Creek were locally-based.  Wilmington is also home to a range of films;  from the David Lynch classic Blue Velvet to summer blockbusters like Iron Man. Unfortunately, North Carolina tax laws may push this lucrative business down to Atlanta and New Orleans, which are more film-friendly.

Inspired by Gone with the Wind's Tara, the previous owners raised the columns to be two stories high
Inspired by Gone with the Wind’s Tara, the previous owners raised the columns to be two stories high

But whether or not the film industry flees North Carolina, John West is in Wilmington to stay, thankyouverymuch. West has been in the business for over 20 years, and while work led him to Los Angeles for over a decade, he was thrilled to return to North Carolina. He and his four dogs feel quite comfortable in this historic home, with two-story columns out front flanked by twin palms.  He has his beloved boat for weekend excursions.  Not to mention his mother, who lives nearby. Not only are they close friends, but Martha West is such an impeccable cook, that I wouldn’t want to be too far from her myself.

Kate Gibbs speaking up for film in Wilmington
Kate Gibbs speaking up for film in Wilmington

The weekend we visited, the film industry held a demonstration to keep production local. West’s girlfriend Kate Gibbs even made the news, speaking up for the cause. It was a relaxing weekend, kicked off by a thunderstorm that knocked out power in West’s neighborhood. It was a welcome event.  We lit candles, poured some bourbon and sat on the front porch rockers, catching up.

Fried green tomatoes - classic
Fried green tomatoes – classic

We ate at one of the best restaurants I’d ever visited, called Rx. This former pharmacy has a modest look that belies some serious artistry in the kitchen. Our accommodations were beyond compare – we stayed in a guest house fully-equipped with a bathroom and kitchen, and well-decorated interiors.

John West and Kate Gibbs
John West and Kate Gibbs

The best part of the trip however, was the boat ride. We cruised waterways that slid by restaurants and bars. We passed tiny islands that appear and disappear depending on the tide. I almost forgot I was in an industry town until we sped past the modern home which was the setting of Sleeping with the Enemy. We even skirted close to Cape Fear, made famous by the Scorcese thriller starring Robert DeNiro, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis.

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It was a nice slice of Hollywood, but just a sliver of a slice. Only in the South can one expect a pickled okra in their Bloody Mary!

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We luxuriated in the detached guest home – with full kitchen and bath!

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My favorite room in the home was the foyer, warm and welcoming with an antique lighting fixture.

Homemade brunch - Martha's breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, angel wings and "Georgia Ice Cream" - AKA grits.
Homemade brunch – Martha’s breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, angel wings, coffee and “Georgia Ice Cream” – AKA grits.

A custom painting of three of his dogs hangs over an antique roll desk.
A custom painting of three of his dogs hangs over an antique roll desk.

A plaque marks the home's historic status.
A plaque marks the home’s historic status.

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The devil is in the detail in this fine home.

La Vie, Themed Parties

A Wedding in Virginia Wine Country

by fayeruz2 Comments on A Wedding in Virginia Wine Country

the couple is treated to cheers even before the ceremony begins

It’s as if Mother Nature personally condoned the union. At the Curry-Kelly wedding at Bluemont Vineyard, Washingtonians were spared the sultry August heat. It was dry and crisp. Not a mosquito in sight. And best of all, the sunset gave way to a sky so dark, guests admired the milky way, stretched across the heavens.

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The wedding took place on the foothills overlooking land that Jackie Kennedy used to ride through on horseback, both as a child and during her White House years. Leesburg is Virginia’s “horse country” – but as wineries expand in the area, some refer to it as “wine country.” After all, Virginia is the fifth highest state for wine-producing.

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The marriage of Gerald Curry, (an Intel professional) and Jennifer Kelly (a real estate agent), was more than a joining of husband and wife. It was a ceremony to celebrate the modern, blended family. A Brady Bunch with better hair. In addition to exchanging rings, the couple gave matching necklaces to the three daughters they have between them. Guests smiled on as three young girls shrieked with the excitement of officially becoming sisters.

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The bride wore a stunning open-backed dress that broke records for the most photos taken of a bride without her face in it. Indigo and blues were woven throughout the theme, between the sashes on the flower girl dresses to the figs on the wedding cake. Even the engagement ring was blue – a nod to Princess Di’s ring handed down to Kate Middleton.

IMG_7302The open bar at the rustic venue was in full swing even before the outdoor ceremony began. By the time the bride sashayed down the aisle, (and sashay she did – she even did a little dance) guests hollered and cheered. It was an elegant wedding that still found a way to thumb its nose at convention.

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Congratulations to the happy couple!

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Food, Themed Parties

Carytown Couple Holds Sweet Celebration for the Watermelon Festival

by fayeruzLeave a Comment on Carytown Couple Holds Sweet Celebration for the Watermelon Festival

x Urban living in a coveted neighborhood has its perks. Carytown’s tag line is A Mile of Style. The Deiblers’ gorgeous rowhouse affords them a quick walk to boutiques, galleries and Virginia’s largest one-day festival – The Watermelon Festival. With over 115,000 attendees every year, Maegan and Cammeron Deibler find it the perfect time to host an annual open house for friends in the neighborhood.

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watermelon cupcakes

Guests wander in throughout the day to escape the heat and enjoy a decadent spread, cool drinks and of course, good company.

watermelon jello shooters

photo-7Impeccably designed, the row house is a mix of Colonial and ultra-modern design; exposed brick and crown molding mixed with slate-colored walls and state-of-the-art appliances.

photo-10The Deiblers serve rare orange and yellow watermelon, a treasure commonly found at local farmer’s markets.

photo-11Pimento cheese sandwiches and deviled eggs are a nod to traditional Southern cuisine.

xxxEven the lemonade must match the watermelon color scheme, as evidenced in the above vintage beverage cart, and below, on the Deibler’s welcoming front porch.

Cameron Deibler
Cammeron Deibler

xxxxNext year the Deiblers will have an additional feature at their annual open house – a little bundle of joy. Congratulations to the expectant couple!

Themed Parties

How to Throw a Twin Peaks Viewing Party – or Any Viewing Party!

by fayeruz2 Comments on How to Throw a Twin Peaks Viewing Party – or Any Viewing Party!

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Marathoning a TV series on Netflix is a lot like being in a relationship. You eye it from afar because it looks good, but are afraid to take the plunge because of time and effort. But then you’re in it and you love it. Then it’s over and you feel empty.

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Twin Peaks fans chatting on the front porch between episodes

That’s why I love viewing parties – it’s a group experience! You may not get through the whole season, but you can try. And while you do,  you’re surrounded by good food and fellow enthusiasts. It’s like a book club, but one where everyone actually reads the book and isn’t frequented by women that call wine “Mommy Juice.”

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Use famous quotes from the show, such as the above. Agent Cooper loved nothing more than a good cup of coffee.

Waves of happy rapture rippled throughout the country when news got out that Twin Peaks was on Netflix. A viewing party was necessary!

Rules for a viewing party:

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1) Serve food that’s relevant to the theme of the show. Twin Peaks was awash with doughnuts, cherry pie and fresh hot coffee, so that’s what we served. Of course, les bon vivants go all out, so I treated guests to a square meal. We had “Double R Diner Fried Chicken” and a kale dish called, “Who Kaled Laura Palmer?”

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Dressed as The Log Lady

2) Surprise guests by answering the door dressed as a character from the show. I didn’t have the time or energy to look as hot as Audrey Horne, so I opted for The Log Lady – simple and creepy! You can encourage guests to dress as their favorite characters too.

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Bob is the name of a culprit on Twin Peaks

3) Always have popcorn – keep it traditional!

4) Have trivia questions about the series prepared for guests. Whoever gets the most correct answers shall receive a gift. For instance if you had an Orange is the New Black viewing party, furry handcuffs would be an excellent tie-in for the die hard fan.

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5) Any little thing you can do to re-create the atmosphere of the show will go a long way. Twin Peaks was set in the Pacific Northwest, and many scenes took place at The Great Northern, so I fashioned our home after that. I created a welcome sign with Douglas firs, and the spread showcased logs and branches with birds on them, since there was a lumber mill and creepy owls on the show.

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6) Keep it dark in your place – talking will always happen but at least with the lights low, viewers can get lost in the series they love and remember why they came.

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7) A little party favor wraps a perfect bow around the evening. Viewing parties tend to be smaller, so it wouldn’t be too time-consuming to put something together. For instance, at a Twin Peaks viewing party you can distribute individually-wrapped doughnuts or coffee mugs filled with a high-end coffee packet.

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8) Always have extra pillows and blankets on hand, for attendees that are in it for the long haul. You want them to feel welcome in your home, so keep them warm and comfortable.

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Food

10 Quick Ways to Make It Taste Like Summer

by fayeruz2 Comments on 10 Quick Ways to Make It Taste Like Summer

With fresh herbs and fruit, you can add an unexpected, summery twist to your meals.

Here are 10 quick tricks:

1) Not only does watermelon taste better in season, but the abundance makes the prices equally delicious! Buy one the size of a duffel bag and eat it with reckless abandon. Even better? Tear up fresh mint and sprinkle it atop. Or add feta and lettuce to make a salad out of it.

Fresh-picked figs from our backyard
fresh-picked figs from our yard

2) Add some life to your water and throw in basil leaves and peach slices. At first the taste will be clean and herbal. Then it will give way to a peachy sweetness.

3) Figs are heaven on their own. But stuffed with goat cheese, drizzled with honey, then broiled for a short bit? I can’t even talk about it.

4) Did you know that strawberries and balsamic vinegar go together like chocolate and peanut butter? True story. Enjoy them on their own, or drizzle strawberries with a sweet balsamic truffle glaze.

5) Take a few generous springs of rosemary and nestle them into the cavity of a chicken. While roasting,  it will subtly permeate the bird with flavor.

6) Salads aren’t just for vegetables. A vinaigrette is the perfect accompaniment to salads featuring anything from blueberries to peaches to strawberries.

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Grilling out back adds even more summer flavor, and gets you outdoors.

7) Back to water again. Lemon rounds and mint are the freshest-tasting compliments to this sometimes drab drink.

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There are myriad ways to enjoy the taste of watermelon this summer.

8) Enough with these fake tacos, filled with ground beef and neon orange cheese. Authentic Mexican packs 10x more flavor and has half the calories. Instead of ground beef, go with marinated grilled steak (carne asada) and top it with onions and the season’s fresh cilantro. Make salsa with ripe summer tomatoes.

9) When grilling kabobs on the barbecue, stack the kabobs with pineapple or peach slices. They grill well, and the smoky sweetness is addictive.

10) Fresh-squeezed grapefruit makes an excellent salad dressing. Drizzle it over greens with some freshly-chopped tarragon, thyme and basil, and enjoy the tart, herbal goodness!