Prepping Your Kitchen For A Party - Inviting Atmosphere in Your Kitchen

Party
Source: Moyan Brenn, cc-by-3.0, flickr

The hub of any dinner party or social gathering in your home is the kitchen.  From prep work to clean up, the kitchen is where all the action happens.  You’ll want to be prepared and organized, so here are some simple ideas to help you get your kitchen in tip-top shape for your next celebration or get together:

Before your party, deep clean the kitchen. You’ll feel more comfortable allowing guests in the kitchen if the room is clean and inviting. Doing food prep in a clean kitchen will also help you stay on track and lower your anxiety level as you prepare. What does deep cleaning mean? Start with scrubbing the countertops and floors and cleaning out the refrigerator.  If you have more time you can clean cabinets, organize the pantry and do other tasks that will make your kitchen sparkle.   If you don’t have time to do the deep cleaning yourself, consider hiring someone to do it for you. 

Create an inviting atmosphere in your kitchen by displaying fresh flowers, playing light music and lighting candles.  While you probably won’t be entertaining in the kitchen for the entire event, you’ll want your kitchen to give off the vibe to your guests that they are welcome and you are glad they are there.  These little extras in the kitchen will add a lot to the overall ambience of your gathering.

If possible, prepare food ahead of time.  Dishes that can be easily frozen and warmed up on the day of your party are ideal as you can make them several weeks in advance.  Be sure to shop for food a few days before and double check that you have all of the necessary ingredients for your recipes.  Put components for each dish together so you won’t be pulling items from all over your kitchen when you start to cook and prep.

Make sure you have enough dishes, utensils, glasses etc.  Set out dishware, including serving dishes, a day in advance to ensure that you you aren’t missing something and that the dishes are clean and all set to be used for your party.  Putting everything out beforehand, means you won’t be scrambling at the last minute to get a dish ready to serve to your guests.

If you’re still in the kitchen when guests arrive, they will want to join you.  One way to set up your kitchen for guests is to add a few extra chairs or bar stools.   You could also consider setting up a bar where guests can make a drink or enjoy an appetizer while they chat with you.

Let guests help if they ask.  You may be tempted to tell them you are fine and don’t need help in the kitchen, but don’t. They wouldn’t ask if they didn’t want to lend a hand.  Give guests easy tasks like plating food, picking out music or filling drinking glasses.

Having your kitchen ready to go before your party will lower your hostess stress level and will allow you to make delicious dishes your friends and family will love.  Your guests will feel welcome and you’ll feel relaxed as you enjoy time together. 

Written by Darla, a mother of four, fitness enthusiast, cookbook collector and freelance writer for Cabinet Coatings.  Other writing topics include family finances, parenting and health.

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What Comes with F1 Packages?Monaco Grand Prix VIP packages

F1 packages are booked to make life easy, and they certainly do just that. When you book a package not only are you getting everything that you need for a great race weekend, you’re also saving a ton of cash at the same time! That’s a great combination. So just what do you get inside of the F1 packages that make them so exciting?

Of course race event tickets are included in your package. It is usually a pair of tickets included in the event, but there are enough packages available that you can get a group package if you will be headed to the festivities with all of your friends.

Hotel accommodation is included in the F1 packages. Again, there are several packages that you can take your pick from, each of which offers a stay in a different hotel. Each of these hotels has been hand selected, with 5-star ratings. These hotels make your Monaco race even more exiting, as these are some of the most beautiful places you will have the chance to experience.

Drinks are also included in the package. Most of the packages include unlimited champagne and most also offer a drink bar that has a great selection of assorted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Don’t think that you will get hungry while you’re there, because in addition to the great drinks you will be eating well, too. A five-course meal is served and included in your package.

Transportation is something else that you will get. You can even arrange a package to bring you into Monte Carlo in a jet, and if you prefer you can watch the big race from aboard a luxury yacht! What an amazing Monaco grand Prix packages 2014 this would be!

There’s lots of little extras thrown into the package deal, too, such as ear plugs and a programme for the race, and who knows what else you will get when you arrive? There is one thing that is for sure, and that is the Monaco Grand Prix 2014 packages have what you need and what you want!

As you can see there is plenty to enjoy inside of the F1 packages, and if you plan to attend the Monaco races you must take advantage of one of the packages for yourself. Hey, you may even think that the Monaco Grand Prix VIP packages are worthy of your money. They make things even more exiting! They save you plenty of time and money and give you assurance when you’re booking.

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A-list of Celebrities Who Started as Sexy Bikini Models

Wearing of bikini is like a statement. It empowers women; it allows them to express themselves without any pretentions. Decades ago, wearing of these swimming costumes is a big no-no or a taboo. However, years have passed and the thinking of many has likewise changed, becoming more open to more liberal ideas. In some respects, bikinis or sexy women swimsuits have become an instrument for women empowerment, proving that women can decide for themselves and that they can be bold and daring. Today, seeing women in skimpy bikinis is not uncommon, especially in beach resorts.

Over the years, several women have become the standard-bearer of sexiness as they gained famed for wearing sexy swimsuits. Some of these women were able to capitalize their fame and became instant Hollywood celebrities or top models.

Heidi Klum – Before becoming the host of popular American reality television program “Project Runway” and before becoming a Hollywood A-lister, this American-German model was known for her daring poses on famous magazines like Sports Illustrated. Klum arguably gained international fame after she posed for the swimwear edition of Sports Illustrated. Since then, she was able to gain popularity not only in the U.S. but in many countries including Australia.

Naomi Campbell – Another product of the supermodel era of the early 1990s, British model Campbell starred in different music videos like Michael Jackson’s “In the Closet” single. Being the face and body of Chanel’s ready-to-wear product line, Campbell gained worldwide popularity, breaking the fashion industry’s skin color barrier. Campbell likewise gained fame for wearing eye-catching and sexy swimming costumes, and this was even highlighted when she posed for Sports Illustrated magazine’s swimsuit issue.

Kathy Ireland – Known for appearing in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, Ireland was one of the supermodels to emerge from the 1980s and early 1990s. Before being known as a business mogul and fashion industry expert, she first starred in various films and television series. However, arguably her fame skyrocketed after posing for Sports Illustrated many times. Undeniably, her sexy pictorials in bikini has helped her achieved her current status.

Molly Sims – Known as former host of MTV’s House of Style, Sims also graced Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue in 2000. Sims used this stint as leverage into becoming a full-blown television personality. She starred in hit TV series Las Vegas in all of its five seasons. In 2010, she became a legitimate fashion designer as she launched her own jewelry line.

Christie Brinkley – CoverGirls signed Brinkley for a 20-year contract, the longest ever in modeling industry. This California surfer was one of the most popular bikini models during the 1980s, gracing Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue for three consecutive years. In addition to Sports Illustrated, Brinkley also appeared in hundreds of magazine covers. After her modeling, Brinkley also got involved in acting, writing, fashion designing, and illustrating. Brinkley is also known for her works for charitable institutions.

Tyra Banks – During her first week in Paris as professional model, she has already booked 25 fashion shows, a clear feat for then-17-year-old model. Banks was also the first African-American model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. From a popular fashion model, Banks became a media mogul, becoming a well-known television personality around the world. She hosts hit reality TV show “America’s Next Top Model” and hosted her own talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show”.

Bikini models are not any model that can strut and sport swimming costumes as they should also have fierceness, good personality, and overall package. Many bikini models who gained success over the years continue working for the industry in one way or another. The mentioned personalities share the same passion to help others as evident in their charity works. True enough, being a model is not only about posing for magazines or participating in fashion shows but about good personality as well.

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