Looking for a WOW Wedding or Bridal Shower Gift?

I am very excited about a new line of personalized gifts we are now carrying at Paper Celebration. The line offers personalized tempered glass cutting boards, melamine personalized serving trays and much more! I ordered a large black damask cutting board with lime green monogram and I can't wait to entertain! I am going to use for cheese/crackers or as place for bottles of red wine to sit. It is gorgeous! Choose from stylish patterns such as zebra or damask and personalized with a monogram or name. Very unique and Made in the USA! Be sure to allow 3 weeks for delivery. The large cutting board is $48 and the small cutting board is $36.

Perfect gifts for bridal shower, wedding, new home, Mother's Day, birthday, etc., etc. A definite WOW gift!

Visit Paper Celebration to order and email customer service with any questions.

Kentucky Derby is May 1 - Perfect time for a party!

One of the most fun events you could ever attend is the Kentucky Derby. The combination of the warm weather, people watching, crowds, beautiful horses and the 136 years of tradition make the day exciting and memorable. I have gone to Derby 5 or so times, in the infield (very, very casual) and to the bleachers (casual). I have yet to make it to the grandstand and wear a hat, but will someday.

I asked some of my college friends who live in Kentucky for some Derby Party ideas and received great tips. My AOPi roommate,  Amy, gave me these ideas for a fun in-home Derby Party:

Décor – The Derby is the “Run for the Roses” so incorporate roses into décor. For a formal party combine roses and silver, for a casual barbecue party,  pair roses and red checked linens.

Attire – Hats are a must. If children are attending set up an area where they can decorate their hats.

Food – All of the these menu suggestions can be made ahead (perfect):

Kentucky Hot Brown

Country Ham w/ bourbon glaze sandwiches

Beer Cheese w/veggies

Kentucky Bread Pudding

Derby Pie

Mint Juleps – must have and easy to make (recipe below)

Derby Racing – This is a great idea because it is easy to execute and requires no knowledge of the Derby horses. Throw all of the Derby horses names into a Derby hat and each family/guest draws a name. Have everyone contribute $5-$20 for the prize. Have 3 prizes Win-Place-Show.

The Derby and all of the prior races are televised throughout the day beginning at 11am on ESPN and the Derby will be televised from 5-6pm on NBC.

Recipes:

Mint Juleps 
recipe courtesy of Kentucky Derby

2 Cups sugar
2 Cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
Silver Julep Cups

No Derby Party is complete without the Mint Julep which has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. Each year, almost 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. This is a feat that requires over 10,000 bottles of Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice.
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
The official mint julep glass is the most popular souvenir for Derby guests and will become a collector's items.  They make great gifts for your guests and look even better with the drink inside!
For more information on the Kentucky Derby including recipes and party supplies visit www.kentuckyderby.com

Celebrate Friendship at the American Cancer Society Ladies Spring Luncheon

The Wisconsin chapter of the American Cancer Society will hold its 35th Annual Spring Benefit Ladies’ Luncheon on Tuesday, May 4^th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee Country Club.  This benefit, one of the Milwaukee area’s premier charitable events, has been a successful fundraiser for the American Cancer Society for many years, and all proceeds from the event go toward research, education, advocacy and services for all forms of cancer.

2010 Committee Chair Jennifer Anderson explains  "This year’s theme is “Friends for Life” and I can think of no better way to support this terrific cause than to surround ourselves with wonderful, loving, supportive friends for a lovely spring luncheon!"

This annual spring event includes a silent auction, raffle, cash bar and luncheon, as well as a speaker.  This year, the featured speaker will be Joyce Garbaciak from WISN 12 News. 

I love this event and was happy to serve on the committee working on centerpieces, publicity and the program. The committee is always dedicated to hosting a wonderful event and each year brings together over 350 guests and supporters of ACS. 

The cost per ticket is $75 per person.  Preferred seating tables of 10 may also be purchased for $1,000.  A percentage of the ticket price is tax deductible Tickets can be purchased through the American Cancer Society office by contacting Jessica Zeisse at (262) 523-5573 013 or Jessie.zeisse@cancer.org.  The Milwaukee Country Club is located at 8000 N. Range Line Road in River Hills.

Celebrate Friends for Life on May 4th.