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FUN/DIY/ Holidays/Parties/ Seasonal/ Sponsored

Tips For An Effortless Outdoor Late Summer Party

Jam-cellars-wine

School is back in session, but that doesn’t mean that summer fun can’t continue! How about an effortless outdoor late summer party? Late summer is the perfect time to have an outdoor party, and I have a bunch of tips to make it easy and enjoyable!

I’ve often been told that I have a certain touch when it comes to entertaining, which always makes me smile.  My goal is for people to feel loved and have a great time when they come over, and I accomplish this by being the queen of shortcuts! I’ve been known to sweep piles of dirt under the rug, order takeout and put it in a pretty dish (always being honest about it, of course), and just close the doors of rooms I don’t want seen, telling people if they enter, to enter at their own risk!

I’ve learned that in order for my guests to have fun, I have got to be present and willing to just– be. To let go of perfect and show up, creating lasting memories full of laughter and fun.

Thankfully I have learned some great shortcuts, tricks and tips to plan an effortless party, which really help me enjoy the party just as much as my guests do!

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13 Tips For An Effortless Outdoor

Late Summer Party

USE DISPOSABLES

It is ok to take a break from doing dreaded dishes and instead use utensils, plates and napkins that you can toss. If being green is a goal of yours, there are awesome disposable products out there that are kind to the environment. The key to keeping things fun and pretty is to display them in containers that have some personality, like the above polka dot mug.

Choose disposables that match the vibe of your party. There are so many cute disposable plates and napkins out there! I especially love bringing in some color with napkins, as there are so many great prints out there.

EFFORTLESS GREEN

Cut plants and flowers are a great way to add beauty in an effortless way when entertaining. Don’t want to buy cut flowers? Grab a few cuttings from a fern or houseplant! That is what I did! Look closely at the photos and you will see that I trimmed my fern and stuck the trimmings in little jar vases. I also cut palms off of a palm plant and used them laying flat on the serving table. So simple & FREE!

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CASUAL DELICIOUS BEVERAGES

If you read this blog, you know I’m all about my lemon water, but when it comes to a fun, effortless, causal party, I want my drinks to match the vibe. Enter JaM Cabernet. It is an easy-to-love, berry-licious, velvety-rich & bold wine. This wine is a luscious Cab that doesn’t need a gourmet meal…it’s right at home in a casual backyard setting and is totally my kinda JaM! I’m a wine lover, specifically red wine. JaM Cellars makes three everyday California wines with names that make me smile; Butter Chardonnay, JaM Cabernet and Toast Sparkling. JaM Cab is my favorite to chill out with. Bursting with the flavor of juicy berries, it is the best cab $20 & under, and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Want this JaM to be your JaM too? Check the JaM Cellars Wine Finder page to find where to buy it near you.

USE FRUIT TO ADD COLOR

A favorite trick of mine to brighten up any room or table is to grab whatever fruit I have and display it in a great dish, or, like the lemons in the photo above; a great pot! It adds instant color, and often I will use fruit that can be eaten straight from the dish, like whole strawberries, grapes, peaches, plums, cherries, clementines, apples or pears. No need to do a bunch of chopping to make a fruit salad! Just set pretty dishes or jars of whole fruit out. I recently had a party and set out small, wide-mouthed mason jars filled to the brim with blueberries, and they received so many comments about how cute they looked from my guests.

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BUY A VEGGIE TRAY

The veggie tray you see in the photo is under $10 from our local big box store, and comes with the yogurt ranch dip. This allows me to skip making a green leafy salad or pasta salad and the work of all that chopping, but I can still offer guests some healthy self-serve vegetables which compliment and round out any casual meal.

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MAKE SELF-SERVE FOOD

By late summer, I’m ready to put the grill away but not ready to turn the oven on. This is when I pull out the slow-cooker. My 30 Minute Sloppy Joes are self-serve and can be made and kept in the slow-cooker. I even start early in the day and let the ground beef cook right in the slow cooker, then drain it and add the sloppy joe sauce ingredients. I’ve also bought a frozen foil pan of BBQ Pork from my big box store, threw it in the slow-cooker and it was ready when guests came to help themselves. Can’t get much easier than that!

Fire-pit

BUILD A FIRE

Late summer into fall is our favorite time of year to build a small pit fire. Some evenings are starting to cool down around here, so a fire is a great way to stay warm and gather people around in one place with JaM Cab in hand, of course!

MUSIC IS A MUST

There is an article called “Summer’s not done, chill with JaM!” on the Scoop! if you are looking for a fun party playlist. Music can add instant fun to a party, and can really control the mood of a party. The above linked playlist has everything from Coldplay to Billy Joel, and one of my favorites to chill the night out with: “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.

BLANKETS ON HAND

If the evening is expected to be cooler, take a wicker basket of rolled-up blankets outside with a chalkboard sign that says “help yourself.” Another way to use blankets while entertaining outside is to spread them out on the lawn for a casual, picnic feel.

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MAKE S’MORES

Might as well take advantage of that fire and make some s’mores! We get creative around here with our s’mores and use nice thick cored apple slices in place of graham crackers and offer peanut butter cups along with the typical chocolate bar. One thing that we don’t change is the marshmallow! There is something about putting a big white marshmallow on a stick, watching it puff up and nursing it to the perfect gooey golden brown, that brings out the inner child in all of us. S’mores are another fun way to have your guests make their own and serve themselves, and are so sweet that you don’t really need much more for dessert.

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CUPCAKES FOR DESSERT

If you DO want more for dessert, make cupcakes! Everybody loves a cupcake, and they are a great dessert to make ahead of time. I love how they look on a white platter, and often I will take the platter around to guests and let them grab the one they want. No need for dessert plates, just pass out a napkin with each cupcake.  Use a cake mix, find some fun sprinkles & use gold or silver cupcake liners for a bit of sparkle.

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Use Glass Jars

Fill them with nuts for guests to munch on before and after dinner. Put a candle or starry lights in them. Use them as casual water glasses, as containers to send leftovers home with your guests, and as vases to hold flowers or greenery.  Put slices of lemon in one for guests to help themselves to for their water. Put butter or condiments in them–they will be so much prettier on a table than the bottles that most condiments come in. Yes, even ketchup and mustard can add color and beauty to a table if in a glass jar!

Lighting

Lighting is a must. Keep it simple. A few candles, some string lights or a jar of battery operated starry lights are all it takes to set a mood. When we are going to have a get-together in our backyard, I love plugging in our string lights over a sitting area, and I make sure the lightbulbs work in our spot light to light up the basket ball area. Use citronella candles to keep the bugs away and add ambient lighting at the same time. Light is important!

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So there you have it. My 13 Tips To an Effortless Late Summer Party. Keep it simple! Use what you have! Good drinks, lighting and music make all the difference. Add some cut greens in jars & easy, self-serve food, and you will have a party that all will enjoy…including the hostess!

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Want to know more about JaM Cellars?

Second-Generation Napa Valley vintners John and Michele are the “J” and the “M” in JaM Cellars, and I want to meet them just to tell them how much I love the clever names for their wines. They make their wines in the tradition of great California winemaking, rich bold and luscious, and in a style to enjoy with friends any day of the week.

We take our wines seriously; we just don’t take ourselves seriously!” – JaM Cellars

Yep, I’d love to meet them…we could hang for sure!

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for daily wine-aspiration #JaMCellars @JamCellars.

Want to know where to find JaM Cellars near you? You can purchase JaM Cellars wine at leading grocery stores. Enter your zip code to identify local stores at JaMCellars.com/WineFinder {<–click}

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Holidays/Parties/ Homemade Gifts/ Mothers Day/ Sponsored

Why I’m Getting My Mom Butter For Mother’s Day

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My Mom is the type who loves me no matter what I do–even if I were to get her butter for Mother’s Day–which is what I plan on doing.  Butter as in BUTTER CHARDONNAY!

A Mother’s Day Butter Chardonnay Gift Basket

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I made my Mom this fun wine gift basket for Mother’s Day, and I just might add a real tub of butter in it right before I give it to her, because, who doesn’t love butter? My Mom has a great sense of humor and would smile at my butter tub.

I know for certain that the star of the gift basket,  JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay, will bring a smile to my Mama’s face.

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Isn’t she beautiful? My Mom’s name is Sharon Rose, but even though there is a beautiful flower in her name, I think she would enjoy a bottle of delicious wine over a bouquet of flowers as a Mother’s Day. She deserves a gift that will delight her and that is as fun as she is. I didn’t want a typical Mother’s Day gift for her. I wanted to personalize a gift for her that would put a smile on her face, show her that I know her and was thoughtful with what I bought her, and one that would pamper her.

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I had a ton of fun choosing gifts to fill my basket, and I cannot wait for her to see them, which she will when she read this post. She is my biggest fan and has to live with me posting her gifts online before she even receives them! She won’t mind, especially after she tastes the wine! This wine melts in your mouth! It is smooth, ‘buttery,’ and drinkable with just about anything.

JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay is  100% Chardonnay, grown in sunny California spots with just the right touch of cool from the coast. JaM Cellars uses great winemaking traditions to make easy-to-love, everyday California and Napa Valley wines. “JaM is actually short for John and Michele, second-generation vintners who own and run JaM Cellars. They have a passion and gift for making exceptional quality wines. You can find Butter Chardonnay in a store near you with the JaM Cellars WineFinder. It is at select stores across the nation including Wholefoods, Kroger & more.

How To Make A Customized Wine Gift Basket

Choose a Wine

I chose JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay & you should too! Rich, bold, easy-to-love creamy Cali Chardonnay. It is Butter-licious, aged in a blend of oak for a lovely, long, vanilla finish that’s uniquely Butter! Especially choose this wine if the gift basket is for your Mom, because Mom’s deserve Butter!

Choose a Basket

~Choose one that fits the taste and personality of your recipient. I think my Mom is going to love this modern, gold geometric basket. If she doesn’t like the basket, no worries–I will steal it!

~Choose one that will coordinate with your wine. My item was of course, JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay, so I chose modern & fun, gold with cool angles.

~Choose one big enough to hold all of the gifts you want to include.

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Add something sparkly or something with texture

I got my love of sparkly things from my Mom so when I saw this sparkly ball I knew it would be the great added touch. It is like adding a bow to the package but it is one that is usable and will remind her of me for years to come. It was between this sparkly ball or another ball I found that was soft and fuzzy. I could not have gone wrong with either! Sparkly or soft texture would both add a great effect.

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Add a candle

Wine and candles are always a good thing! I’m loving the wickless- type candles that are battery operated.  My Mom adores scented candles, but she also has some sensitivities to certain scents, so I played it safe and got her a wickless candle. I found one that had the perfect saying on it. It says “You Are My Sunshine.” She IS my sunshine, and it also looked so great with the rest of the basket. I thought the gold basket has a sunburst type quality to it, plus the black, gold and yellow color scheme of the candle fits perfectly, so the word “sunshine” just works for me!

Decided On a Color & Accent Color

~ I used the color of the label of JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay bottle for my main color

~Choose an accent color or two.  Keep it minimal. I choose black, shades of gold and yellow, and grey.

Add a personal touch

I added a picture of my Mom with my niece and nephew– her grandkids. It is one of my most favorite pictures of her.  A photo is always a great way to add a personal touch, and the photo frame is a great way to add color to your basket. I purposefully chose a holder for the picture that is clip board style, because my Mom makes beautiful art and I thought she could exchange the picture for her drawings if she so desired.

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Add some sweets

My Mom loves butterscotch candies so I thought they would be very fitting for my Butter Chardonnay basket! She also loves chocolate so I added some and paid attention to the wrapper, making sure it would coordinate with the rest of the basket. There were other chocolates that she would like but they were in a variety of bright-colored wrappers. Coordination is key when putting together a beautiful gift basket! Choose sweets with wrappers that coordinate, and again, keep colors to a minimum to avoid clashing & get a more streamlined, professional, custom look.

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Add a filler

This could be anything from shredded paper, to a set of fun cloth napkins or place mats. I chose to use soft grey tissue paper.

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I Love You, Mom!

I sure hope my Mom feels spoiled when she receives her gift. I hope she feels loved and knows what a gift she is to me. She is so fun and has always shown me how to embrace the part of myself that is free spirit. She would sing silly to me as a child, which I passed down to  my children by doing the same when they were young. She giggles when something delights her and her eyes twinkle when she does. She delights in small details, that too many walk through this life and miss.  I love my Mom!

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Want to know more about JaM Cellars Wines?

~Their 2014 Butter Chardonnay and 2014 JaM Cabernet won SILVER at the 2016 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Awards.

~Follow JaM on Facebook and Instagram for daily wine-spiration.

~Sign up for their monthly newsletter called The Scoop!  to get news on Butter, JaM and Toast!

~Follow/Like JaM Cellars on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter | @JaMCellars  Be sure to search #JaMCellars

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What about you?

Wouldn’t you love this Butter Chardonnay Basket for Mother’s Day? Yep…me too.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Christmas/ DIY/Crafts/ FUN/DIY/ Holidays/Parties/ Homemade Gifts

DIY Wine & Snack Gift Basket

WINE-SNACK-GIFT-BASKET

I love showing up to a holiday party with a little hostess gift. Usually I keep it small and simple, like a homemade snack in a mason jar. During the holidays, it is fun to get a bit more generous and creative, so I did! I made this this festive DIY Wine & Snack Gift Basket. Wine is the perfect simple, sparkly & sophisticated hostess gift.

2 bottles of Gloria Ferrer Wine & a sparkly gold ornament

Gloria Ferrer wines is the star of this DIY Wine & Snack Gift Basket. Gloria Ferrer caves and vineyards opened in 1986, is Carneros’ original sparkling wine house, owned and founded by the Ferrer family of Spain. Exuberant and fruit-forward, Gloria Ferrer wines go perfectly with today’s diverse and flavorful cuisine, and have earned over 400 gold medals and 50 90+ scores in the last 5 years. Needless to say, they are the perfect wine choice for my gift basket.

I chose the Sonoma Brut & the Royal Cuvée:

Sonoma Brut –91% Pinot Noir, 9% Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Delicate pear and floral notes backed by toasty almond.  On the palate, one finds lively citrus, toast and apple flavors overlaid with persistent effervescence, a creamy mid-palate and toasty finish.

Royal Cuvée Brut –67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The wine opens with green apple, citrus and honey on the nose.  This continues into the mouth adding black cherry and brioche with Asian pear.  The mousse is fine textured and creamy.  Light mineral character and Meyer lemon continue into a long crisp finish.

After typing that, I am tempted to keep the basket for myself! They sounds so delicious!

Glittery feather, reindeer candle and wine for a gift basket

I wanted a few fun things in the basket along with the wine. I wanted the basket to have a simple, classy and elegant feeling, to compliment the Gloria Ferrer Wine. I wanted a touch of glitz without being overdone.

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