With the Grammys this past weekend, and the Oscars just around the corner, awards season is coming to a close. What better way to say goodbye then to throw a fabulous bash? Whether you’re planning a high rolling soirée or just kicking it with the ladies, no send off affair is complete without the following:

1. Mood Lighting

No party is complete without some mood lighting. Let’s be honest, lighting can be a girls’ best friend – or her worst enemy. What better way to create a pleasing ambiance than to fill the room with strategically placed candles and let the lighting set the tone of your night? If you’ve been into an Urban Barn recently, you’re sure to have noticed the arrival of the ever-popular Trina lamp’s sister, Liza. Complete with Table, Floor, and most recently the Pendant lamp,  there’s no better way to add a bit of glam to your home.

Liza Table Lamp in White

2. A Delicious Recipe

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – food can make or break any event. You want your guests feeling as if they’ve just entered a gourmet restaurant (without you having to slave over the stove all day). My go to favorite: Garlic Butter White Wine Shrimp Linguine. Sounds luxurious, but it’s a mouth-watering dish that doesn’t break the bank.

To make, simply dice 2 medium-sized shallots and cloves of garlic. Let sweat in 2 teaspoons of olive oil. In the meantime,slice about 8 large mushrooms and throw in the pot as soon as the onions start to brown. Sauté until mushrooms soften, then add in 1/3 cup of white wine, and 1 tbsp of butter (delish!). Once butter has melted, throw in shrimp (uncooked) and let turn pink. Add salt and pepper to taste, serve with linguine (or your fave pasta) et VOILA!

Garlic Butter White Wine Shrimp Linguine

 3. Gorgeous Serving Ware

Now that you’ve rustled up the main attraction, you need something with pizzaz to show it off! Why not throw tradition to the wind? Instead of using your tried and true dish set, try something unconventional. Something functional.

Assorted Serving Ware

4. Fabulous friends

Last but not least, to make any party a success, you need your most fabulous friends in attendance! Check out Evite for some great awards night themed invites. There are less than 2 weeks to go, so you’ll want to start sending them now!

With tips like these, you’ll be sure to let everyone know you’re a rock star hostess.

What is it about the allure of a sexy bartender? Whether you’re rocking it out classic Tom Cruise ‘Cocktails’ style or planning a ‘Coyote Ugly’ themed romp, here are a couple of recipes that anyone with basic barslinging skills (read: owns a martini shaker and can make ice) should be able to mix up to impress that special someone. I pulled together a few friends to get their feedback and opinions, and snapped some pics of the results!

Red Velvet Cupcake

Red Velvet Cupcake
A rich chocolately drink with a kick, one of my friends described it as “mmmm…pow!” I rest my case.

•  2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz creme de cacao
• 1 oz buttermilk (if you don’t have it, you can make it by adding a tiny splash of vinegar to your shotglass of milk)
• 1 tbsp chocolate sauce
• 3 drops red food colouring
• 8 drops vanilla
• cream cheese frosting for the rim of the cup (simply whip together a little icing sugar and cream cheese – if you don’t have any on hand, even normal sugar can serve)

Throw all the ingredients (save the cream cheese, of course) into your shaker with ice, agitate well, and serve in a martini glass.

Recipe from The Daily Beast

Sorbet and Champagne

Sorbet and Champagne Cocktail

The most universally popular drink of the evening (I literally turned around to wash a cup, and when I turned back, glasses were empty), it was also the simplest to prepare. And I quote, “It’s ice cream and bubbly. How can you not like it?”

• spoonful of fruit sorbet (this picture is of mango, however raspberry is also good!)
• chilled champagne / prosecco

Depending on how sweet and juice-like you want it, put anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of sorbet in your champagne flute, then fill it up to the top with your bubbly – I found that the drink needed a little mixing with a fork / spoon to get the sorbet fully incorporated.

Recipe from Martha Stewart

Between The Sheets

Between the Sheets

A sultry name for a drink that means business - it seems to have come by its name because, as one of my friends put it, “it’ll get you there!” It has a nice mix and balance though, and if you wanted to soften it up, my recommendation would be a dash of orange juice.

• 1 oz white rum
• 1 oz Cointreau / Grand Marnier (fyi – G.M. is apparently sweeter than Cointreau, take your pick. However, if this is not something you keep in your cabinet, they have the bitty baby bottles of Grand Marnier at the liquor store that will make just about 2 servings)
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz cognac

Everything in shaker with ice, shake and pour.

Recipe from Esquire

Sour Raspberry Martini

Sour Raspberry Martini

In a break from all the syrupy sweetness of Valentine’s, a sour drink out there for the defiantly single! Voted prettiest drink of the night, it smells amazing too…

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz sour raspberry schnapps
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• raspberries for garnish

All the liquids in the shaker, add ice, shake, pour. Throw berries on top, and you’re done! If you’re feeling creative, this is a super basic recipe that can be modified very easily (ie. swap in apple schnapps and apple juice, et voila, you’ve got a sour apple martini).

What are your favourite Valentine’s Day recipes?

All glassware shown is from Urban Barn