After surfing the web , I have put together links you’ll love for some of the hottest Summer Party Ideas around!

Easy Summer Party Menus – Dinner Party Recipes – Delish.com

Planning a summer party? We’ve got perfect menus for a grilling feast, an easy lunch, and a delicious dinner.

Summer Party Ideas – Backyard BBQ Ideas – Country Living

It’s summertime and, as the saying goes, the living is easy. Or at least it will be when you steal Country Living’s 10 fast, fresh tips for your next …

Backyard Party and outdoor entertaining ideas from iVillage Home

Find backyard party ideas and outdoor entertaining tips at iVillage.com. … Get the summer party season started with these fresh, fabulous entertaining …

Summer Outdoor Party Ideas – Backyard Patio Party Ideas …

Planning an outdoor get-together with friends and family? From decorating your patio to getting your lawn in shape to finding the perfect recipe, our summer …

Summer Party Ideas – Indoor & Outdoor Fun

Summer party ideas…bring the beach into your home – or grill outdoors! … Make Life More Meaningful · Hot Fashions – White Denims …

Party snacks are stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight when it comes to menus for entertaining.  Like fashion filters down from the designers on the runway to main street shops; entertaining trends filter down from chefs in top restaurants to the tables in our homes.  One such trend, I am taking note of was spotted in a recent research study by Mintel Menu Insights.  It found that “snacking is the new way to order at restaurants. Menu items that contain the descriptors “snack,” “snackable,” or “snacker” have increased by a staggering 170% since 2007 and growth is expected to carry on as restaurants continue to explore this new trend.” Snacks are the New ‘Meal’ restaurants are serving up.  I believe this trend illustrates a change in our lifestyle and our budgets and translates perfectly for home entertaining.

Why it Works?

Time and Money – Unfortunately there doesn’t seem too be much free time on the weekends anymore.  This really puts the squeeze on home entertaining from both the host and guests’ perspectives.  Modern lives that include family bring busy schedules for all – sports, activities, work and chores around the house eat up all our time.  The hours we can get-together are shrinking, so hosting a party from  3pm – 5pm instead of an all day BBQ makes sense.  We get to catch up, take a time out and enjoy each other instead of constantly passing on seeing family and friends, until a season or maybe more has passed.  The time crunch is also coupled with tighter budgets and this makes “party snack” style entertaining an attractive alternative to hosting an all out affair.

It’s Fun – Like most people, the cocktail hour is always my favorite part of a wedding.  We all love variety and there is something fun about being able to move and mingle while we eat – I called it “party grazing”. Serving snacks allows for “party grazing” and can be a much less stressful way to entertain.

How and What to Serve for Party Snacks:

Next time you entertain, why feel like you need to put out a big sit down meal?  Of course the hour you are hosting and duration of your party will dictate what’s appropriate.  If you serve snacks only for Christmas Dinner you may hear some loud complaints.  However, if your party is not over the dinner hour and isn’t  all day – go for party snacks.  Call it a get-together instead of a party and cut the duration down from 4hrs  to 2hrs.  Ask guests to join you for a snack and some conversation as a break in the day.  If you haven’t had friends or family over in years, try it – it may be the style of entertaining that works best for you!

Suggestions for Party Snacks: You want to put out platters that are family friendly and let your guests make up their own plates.  Pick 3 platters to serve with at least one that has bread/chips/pita.  Stick with a theme for the food – Italian, Mexican, Asian, or your favorite.

• Cheese Plate with Bread or Crackers
• Fruit Plate with Dip
• Vegetable Plate with Dip
• Pita  or Tortilla Chips and Salsa
• Nachos
• Chili
• Quesadillas
• Pizza
• Salads
• Chicken Wings
• Carved Meat (like beef or chicken that can be served at room temperature) with sliced bread and condiments
• Soup

Check out our appetizer, salad and soup categories for recipes>

image of crudite from http://www.gizzierskine.com

Looking for a simple, special and inexpensive way to host a DIVA style soiree for the girls?  Well, here is it – compliments of Lifetime Television’s Drop Dead Diva!

The economy is bad, the world is going broke – we hear it everyday in the news and feel the pain  in our own lives.   So this summer, if you need to skip the vacation or cut back on some of the extras,  make sure you still indulge the Diva in you.  Let “Drop Dead Diva” make Sunday night special this summer. Set aside one Sunday night to host a viewing party for the girls or take turns hosting and make it a weekly event.    Invite the ladies over for a “Diva Night“  or make it “Mother and Daughter Diva Night“,  as the series has a great message for young girls!  You can stay in touch with all things “Drop Dead Diva” on the facebook fan page and on twitter and be sure to check out our interview with Brooke Elliot go>

Tips for Hosting

1. Invitation: Invite the ladies over from 8pm- 10pm for A Diva Night of Sweets and Treats.   Start an hour before the 9pm show time to give the girls a chance to mingle, plus Divas are notoriously late. In your invitation, include a request for the girls to glam it up by dressing like a Diva.  It should be fun not stressful, so pick one Diva item to focus on, like ‘”bling” or shoes or provide pink boas like the ones pictured below.   An invitation by phone call or email will suffice. If it isn’t an impromptu party, try one of these really retro Girls’ Night electronic invites from: http://sendomatic.com/girls-night-invitations.html.

2. Cocktail: Serve Sealed With A Kiss Cosmos by The Cocktail Deeva as your signature cocktail.(recipe> ) or red wine it pairs perfectly with chocolate. You should also provide a cool pitcher of water with sliced orange.

3. Menu: Serve up sweet treats for the Divas to nosh on as they watch.  Assorted chocolates, macarons, fresh berries with whipped cream and pound cake or white sponge cake are perfect. Arrange them on pretty platters or cake stands of varying heights.

4. Tablescape: Buy a bunch of daisies, hydrangeas or any flower that’s on sale at your market. Any color will do as long as you like it, but stick with one type. From the bunch, create several small arrangements (you only need one or two flowers in each). Put them in vases or glasses of various heights and group them in a few different spots throughout the room. Add a candle to each grouping and keep the artificial lights low. This will give the room the a “Diva” glow.

5. Music: Play your favorite tunes and set the mood.  You can order  “Music from the Original Television Series Drop Dead Diva” at amazon.com

6. Favor: Treat the Ladies to Swag Bags early in the evening so they can enjoy them all night long.  Any true Diva demands her swag! Fill them with goodies guests can enjoy at the party, through the next few days and once they’ve exhausted the contents, the bag serves as a shopping tote.

Ideas for Swag Bag Fillers:

• Silver or Gold Shopping Tote on a key ring (at Pier 1 and pictured above) – $3.50
• Flip Flops (Target) – $.70 or Cozy Socks (local drugstore) – $.99
• Alba Lip Balm (local drugstore) – $3.49
• Junior Mints 12 oz. movie style box (Target) – $2.69
• Assorted Nuts (Target) – box of 5 for $4.49
• Smartfood popcorn clusters – Gourmet Popcorn Mix (Target) – box of 5 for $3.00

Checklist

• Make sure your television is in good working order.
• Create a comfortable viewing area, all with a good view of the televised event.  Bring in extra chairs, stools, ottomans, beanbag chairs, and over-sized pillows to intermingle with existing seating.
• Place cozy blankets on the backs of sofas and chairs  – Divas like to be comfortable.
• One of the greatest treats growing up, was eating in front of the television so indulge your Divas.  Make sure there are surfaces and coasters for them to set glasses and plates while viewing.
• Prepare and display beverages and food ahead of guests’ arrival, so you can enjoy the ladies and the party.

About Drop Dead Diva: The highly anticipated second season of Lifetime Television’s hit series “Drop Dead Diva” will premiere Sunday, June 6, 2010, at 9 pm et/pt. Praised by critics as one of 2009’s top new series, the one-hour, comedic drama tells the story of a shallow wannabe model who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, “Drop Dead Diva” features breakout star Brooke Elliott (“Wicked,” “Taboo”), Margaret Cho (“Ghost Whisperer,” “Notorious C.H.O.”).  The second season of “Drop Dead Diva” will feature 13 new episodes and the premier episode will feature Paula Abdul reprising her role as Judge Paula Abdul, a figment of Jane’s subconscious.

Oh dear, sometimes it’s so hard to write these posts without wanting to eat …but tonight I will indulge!   This is a delicious and nutritious meal that my boys (all 4) will love.  The Bonus:  If I marinate the meat this morning, (although you only need 16 minutes, my feeling is that  you can’t overdo this) I can serve this up before we run to sports in just 30 minutes!

Not only do I love this recipe because it’s simple to make, it’s also perfect for summer entertaining, as it feels more special than your typical taco.  I discovered the recipe at Lawrys.com.  It’s a great resource so be sure to check out the site’s other recipes.  It offers inspirations for the Family Table, Food for the Soul, Cocina Latina and year round BBQ tips!

Grilled Steak Tostadas

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinate Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Makes: 6 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or skirt steak, trimmed
• 1/2 cup Lawry’s® Mexican Chile & Lime Marinade With Lime Juice, divided
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 corn tostadas (5-inch)
• 1 bag (6 ounces) baby spinach or leafy lettuce (about 6 cups loosely packed)
• 1 cup quartered grape or cherry tomatoes
• 3 large radishes, julienned
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

1. Place steak in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add 1/4 cup of the marinade; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor.

2. Meanwhile, coarsely mash black beans with 2 tablespoons of the remaining marinade in medium microwavable bowl; set aside. Remove steak from marinade. Discard any remaining marinade.

3. Grill over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes per side or until desired doneness, brushing with remaining 2 tablespoons marinade.

4. Slice steak into thin slices. Microwave bean mixture on HIGH 30 seconds or until warm. Spread bean mixture evenly on each tostada. Layer with steak and remaining ingredients. Drizzle with additional marinade, if desired.

Test Kitchen Tips:

• To make your own tostadas, fry corn tortillas in hot oil in small skillet, one at a time, until crisp, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
• For Chicken Tostadas, substitute 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts halves for the steak.

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories 301, Fat 13g, Protein 22g, Carbohydrates 24g, Cholesterol 46mg, Sodium 596mg, Fiber 5g

Feeling the pinch on your party because of a tight budget, but still want the look and feel created by party planners like Colin Cowie and Amy Atlas?  Well here is one of the best ways I know to create high party impact on a low party budget. I call it Mass Appeal.  Anything, and I do mean almost anything, in a monochromatic mass can take the mundane and make it WOW with glamour, drama or fun.  See the 4 examples below that illustrate my point and try to be creative with what you have on hand so the next time you’re short on cash, you won’t be short on style at your party!

Here is a perfect example of taking something that most people don’t want to use and using it to make an impression.  Baby’s Breath is commonly used as the cheap filler flower in bouquets and arrangements, but look at how beautiful it becomes when used in mass.  Baby’s Breath is very inexpensive to buy, so buy a bunch – the bonus: it works in any season.  (image from RealSimple.com)

This is a wonderful way to add drama without creating it in your financial affairs.  For evening soirees, set out votive candles and/or floating candles in mass.  They are easy to use and inexpensive to buy.  Use low lying bowls that you have around the house for the floating candles.  Buy enough to cover your table with light! I guarantee you’ll get “ohs” and “ahs” from your guests.

Sweet Bars are a dynamite idea for dessert and can double as the take-home favor too.   Serve up candies, cookies and cake in one color to delight and amuse your guests.  The use of a monochromatic color scape  makes it possible to buy less expensive dessert without looking like you’re pinching pennies (it can even glam up M&Ms).  Make sure to serve the sweets on a tablecloth of the same color.

Cut down on some serious cost with your party beverages by buying 1 to 3 items and serving them in bulk.  Serve them on a table covered in the color of the bottle or can to add impact.  You can also add drama by hanging paper lanterns or tissue poms of the same color over the bar area.  Set out ice and cute straws for sipping and you’ll have the look you want without looking like you skimped.