Looking for a unique yet simple way to embrace the festiveness of St.Patrick’s Day. An annual Irish celebration, all over the country. A day when it’s cool to dress in green, believe in leprechauns and lucky clovers. When a Jig’s dinner is the meal of choice. But of course what is St.Patty’s Day without partaking in a “Green” indulgence. Green eggs and ham, green beer, the list is long. How about some green Jell-o shot recipes? They travel easy (if attending a party), fun and easy to make. Not to mention delicious and entertaining to eat. If you want to be even more create with presentation beyond the classic plastic shot cups.  Use a cookie sheet to set Jell-O-O. After Jell-O sets you can use a shamrock cookie cutter to release the shots. Another cool presentation is to use lemon, limes or oranges as the vessel. Simply half the citrus fruit take a spoon and remove all of the inners of the fruits. Making a clean cup. Cut a very small piece of skin off the bottom of fruit to aid in steadying the cup. Place them upright in either their own plastic cups or cookie sheet. Fill the cups with Jell-O shot and let set like normal. Once set cut the citrus cups in halves. Arrange on serving platter with citrus zest garnishing the edges on platter. Another unique way to your treats for the apple-tini is to  purchase 3-4oz plastic mini martini glasses. And fill those halfway. Serve with petite spoon. Soured gummy candy as garnish.

Some Green-yet Tasty Treats

For all following recipes- Make the Jell-O according to package directions. Let mixture cool some before adding any alcohol. Pour Jell-O-O into 2 oz soufflé cups, shot glasses, citrus cups, etc. Chill until firm, serve and enjoy!

Mojito-ish Jell-O shots

• 1- 3oz box lemon Jell-O?,
• 1-3 oz box lime Jell-O,
• 1-cup boiling water?,
• ½ cup light rum,
• 1tbl spoon mint schnapps
• (to convert to non alcoholic version: remove rum and schnapps. Replace with 1tbls of rum extract, 1 teas-mint extract, and ½ cup lemon/lime soda)

Amaretto Sour Jell-O Shots

• 2-3oz box lime Jell-O
• 2cups boiling water
• ½ cup Amaretto
• 1-tablespoon lemon juice
• (To make nonalcoholic replace the Amaretto with 1 tablespoon almond extract and ½ cup lemon/lime soda

Apple Martini Shots- Being that sour apple Jell-O can be challenging to find. I have given an alternative

• Use Lime Jell-O (Mainly for color)
• 2 oz Apple Flavored Vodka (can also use Apple Pucker for a tart flavor) per box of Jell-O
• Splash of Apple juice.

Margarita – caution “strong”

• 2 cups of Boiling water
• ¾ cups of Tequila
• 1 box Lime Jell-O
• 2/3 cups of triple sec

Drink Responsibly. And never drink and drive.

I am an advocate of feeling feminine and sexy under your cloths. Try it, goes a long way. We can have a bad hair day, have on lounge cloths or the dreaded fat pants. But with that sexy properly fitting set under our cloths we feel a whole lot better.  Now that you know your correct sizes you can pick up great deals when you see them through out the year. A well-stocked lingerie drawer with good fitting options is the perfect beginning to any fabulous day or night for that matter!

Ingredients;

2 cloves of garlic

1-red bell pepper

4 cups of pre washed baby spinach

2- 6oz fresh salmon fillets

1-teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Juice of ½ lemon

1 tablespoon your favorite dried herbs (mix them for a unique flavor) I used thyme and oregano

½ tablespoon of basil

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes- can omit if prefer less spice in foods

1-teaspoon of butter

Fresh cracked pepper and salt to taste

Finely dice 2 cloves of garlic.  And rough chop the bell pepper. Turn your oven on broil. Heat olive oil in non-stick skillet on medium. While oil is heating, season the skin side of salmon liberally with salt and pepper or Mrs. Dash substitute. Place salmon fillets skin side down (you may want to spray you dish with cooking spray first) in your oven safe dish. Take your butter and evenly smear a thin layer atop each fillet. Season with dried herb medley of your choice, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Place garlic and bell peppers in heated skillet for 2-4 minutes or until the peppers are starting to soften and garlic becomes aromatic. While garlic and peppers are cooking place salmon in oven for 6 mins on each side. May take a little longer depending on oven and thickness of fillet. You want the salmon to have a light pink color and easily flake with fork.  Add spinach to garlic and pepper and continue to sauté with basil, salt and pepper and red pepper flake for 4 additional minutes.

Evenly divide veggies onto plates with a fillet for a light, fulfilling and quick meal. A nice wine accompaniment to this meal would be a crisp Pinot Grigio. Enjoy and feel free to leave comments after you try the meal.

The idea of super bowl Sunday usually evokes the anticipation of great company, great food and great drinks. We party on that day as if Monday is not mere hours away. What about the parents who have the responsibility of getting their children to bed a decent hour? We have a solution. Make the evening kid –friendly during the prep process and serving of the food. Include them, therefore when its time for them to retire typically much before the festivities retires. They fill fulfilled and apart. Catalyst has some cool kid friendly menu suggestions and fun ways to serve them:

Depending on the age of the children they can assist wit peeling, chopping measuring etc.

Main Course- has them help make their own individual potpies or Mac &cheese. In ramekins, small oven safe glass dishes. The kids will enjoy can filling them with all sort of great, different items i.e., sundried tomatoes, bacon bits, petite shrimp, cauliflower, etc. Kids love to feel special.

Tasters- taking your favorite burger recipe and make patties to fit perfectly into slider size buns. With small variety of unique fixings on the side. Add food coloring to ketchup, make it interesting. Swiss cheese from the deli (yes with the holes), etc.

Drinks- Kids version of the famous black and tan beer. Make separately a chocolate shake and vanilla shake. Making sure to add less milk and little more malt to the chocolate. Needing a thicker consistency for the layering to work. Layer the chocolate shake on the bottom half of an Irish coffee mug or classic coca-cola glass and top with the vanilla milkshake. May want to place glass with first layer in freezer for 15 additional minutes, allows time to set firmer prior to layering. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or chocolate covered malt ball. (This can also be used as a dessert) Healthy version of drink is to use fresh fruit and yogurt. Mimic the official colors of the team your family is rooting for, if possible. Use same layering techniques.

Side dish- It always great when you can get kids to eat their veggies. Splurge a little on calories it is game day… Take your fresh green beans or zucchini (cut into shoestring fry style) make your own tempura batter (simple recipes on foodtv.com) or can purchase premixed–add water at grocer. Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy pot with 1/3 full oil. Lightly season your veggies with herbs i.e. basil, oregano, thyme. Dip in batter lightly and place in oil. Fry until golden brown and float to the top. Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.

Dessert: Keep it simple by buying prepared sugar cookie dough, and two or three prepared icings. Get out your favorite football inspired cookie cutters. Make cool shaped football themed cookies. Have fun using the store bought to make stitch makes on the football. Or teams logo on the helmet or pendant shaped cookies. May also want to purchase mini M&M’s, nuts, sprinkles etc. Let children be unique with there edible creation. Not only will they enjoy the process of making the treats but love showing them off at school on Monday.

So remember when preparing a kid’s choice menu keep it simple, fun and of course delicious.

As we all know Valentines Day is typically devoted to sharing a romantic day/evening with that special significant other in your life. What about those that are single. Lets not waste any moment to have a reason for a girls get together. Take advantage of the deals on sweets (chocolates especially), champagne, wine, services, personal chef’s, etc. Due to the demand. Here is your outline to planning a cute alternate celebration.

§ Host the get together in your home. Challenge yourself to move furniture around to create a different space within your existing space

§ Make a guest list of all of your single girlfriends, family members and maybe co-workers who like to have a good time. Should at most 20 depending on your space.

§ Think outside the box for colors, menus, theme, and entertainment. Tip Red is overkill, as its synonymous with LOVE Try a subtle hue i.e., beige and light gold, silver and white, tiffany blue, brown and pink, etc.

§ Set Budget. Having a realistic budget helps to make the planning process stress free. Don’t go into Debt!! Not that serious.

§ Set time frame that works for most on your guest list in theory. And send out Evites. Very economical and convenient.

§ Will this be a pamper party with Massages and pedi’s or a male revue, a wine tasting for several regions, pole or belly dancing lessons there are a million services available to enhance the entertainment aspect of your party. Know your crowd’s interest when choosing you don’t want to be offensive.

§ Choose a menu that’s indulgent and rich. Hey why not!! –If in your budget have all or part catered. A cost saving method: have each guest bring a specific item.

§ Be creative with your parting gift. It should make sense with the theme of your party. I.e., wine tasting –a unique wine stopper (don’t have to be all the same) or mini wine bottle (split) with pairing card.

§ Keep mood upbeat with music, get to know you games, trivia and libations!!!

Catalyst Events and Designs can take on all the details to make your Valentines Day gathering an ease for you. Call for more details!! 734-763-0612.

Here it is.. Another end of football season. For must of us non-football enthusiast, that means the regain to Sunday and Monday as a potential date night with our mate. That doesn’t include remotes, yelling at the screen and zombie like behavior. Now enter the Big Game, The Super Bowl. In attempt not to be left out of the festivities we go to a Super Bowl Party. Well, how can we maintain our femininity while being festive?

The possibilities are endless:

A v-neck line can be sexy with the proper fitting garment and under garments. All or at least most Football Jersey’s have that neck line. You must get a jersey that fits in the bust area, showing those curves. For some of you, you may need to purchase a child’s size, in order to achieve this look. Wear your favorite, great fitting, sexy jeans with Jersey tucked taunt into them. A belt with buckle power (oversized and just don’t make since). You can either glam it up with your favorite pair of stiletto or platform boot. Or flat slouched boot pant tucked in. Be as sudle or bold with your accessories. Hey it’s a Fun Time!!!

Another look- you want a unique way to show you spirit. And super sexy at the same time. Get your jersey a little larger than the first look making sure that it’s long enough to reach top of thigh area. As you are going to take it and wear with either leggings or for the adventures sex kitten as a dress (needs to come to mid thigh. With the legging look, Make sure they are coordinating in color with the jersey), place a wide belt, can be wild w/color here under your bust line. This will give the jersey look some structure and shape. Depending on the look you are trying to achieve you can go with a killer ankle boots, knee or thigh high boots. The key to this look is to make sure jersey fits properly. If you opt to wear the dress-look have your tailor place darts in the back for added shape. So what ever team your rooting for look feminine and chic while doing so. If you need personal attention with bring this look to life. Give us a call, we will have you fabulously spirited!

Another Tip from your Creative Mastermind and Fashion expert.

It’s a new year and who doesn’t aspire to be and do better this upcoming year than the last. Number one on all resolution lists is to get more organized. I can totally concur with that notion. Hopefully we can give you a few tips that actually work for you.

#1 get a 5-subject notebook that you only write on the cover Home Organization 2010

#2 Pick the 5 area in your home you know are out of control with clutter, disorder and mayhem. Write each different room on each of the subject dividers.

#3 For each room write its full intentions/use on the cover page. i.e., Office: Home office, storage for off-season clothing, guest room

#4 After identifying all the functions of each space that needs re-organizing. Write down the missing pieces and quantities for that space in order for it to function properly. i.e. Desk, chair, 3 drawer file cabinet, 4-6 cubbies, futon, Light fixture, Paint, lamp, area rug, 3-plastic storage containers, etc.

#5 in the inside cover of you notebook keep a running tally of needed supplies

#6 repeat for all 5 spaces

#7 Acess a budget you are willing to spend to organize those spaces.

#8 Prioritize the spaces in your book based on ready need, budget, etc.

#9 give yourself no more than 2months on each space

#10 Go back to the cover of each divider in your notebook and place the proposed start date and end date (be realistic) if a room needs cosmetic, electrical, plumbing work then those rooms take longer to complete. Than those that just need purging.

#11 Go shopping one room at a time for needs (otherwise you will get overwhelmed and supplies may get misplaced in between projects).

If you hold yourself accountable for your scheduled organization (some projects can be scheduled as after or before work projects, weekend or vacation) depending on the need of the space. You will have conquered organizing all spaces before the year ends, finally. The only way things stay that way is if you place things back where they belong all the time and occasional do a once over to tweak tings that don’t quite work. I.e. Desk in bedroom may continuously become cluttered with laundry, perfumes, etc. Making it impossible to use for intended purposes. Therefore that desk needs to be place in a less personal space.

At Catalyst we can help functionalize your space as well as make it pleasing to the eye. Feel free to contact us to further discuss how we can make that happen for you. It no time like the present!!

From a family backyard bar b que or company picnic to a very elegant garden wedding.  Remember that  the off- peak season pricing for most venues ends at the beginning of April through October. But do not freight, as there are still great deals out there even in the “busy event season”. Most venues, entertainment and at times caters offer deals for non- Friday evening/Saturday events. Consider having your fundraiser as a  Sunday brunch or luncheon. How about a Wednesday after work corporate social gathering? Some brides have even successfully moved their wedding day to Thursday evening to save money and do things a little different. Here at Catalyst Events and Designs we can assist in negotiating pricing for you with vendors during the busier season. We can also come up with creative ways to gain the most from your existing budget. Make your spring/summer event a unique, budget conscious one,  contact C.E.D. for ways to encourage the success!

How does one establish their signature style? How important is it? What does your style say to the world? What doors can be opened or closed by your signature style.  All very valid and important questions. C.E.D. has some very realistic answers to those questions.

Establishing your signature style takes you being honest with what looks good on your body type, what physical attributes do you want highlighted and what if any concealed, favorite colors, what type of lifestyle do you lead (professional, laid-back, athletic, etc.), and what you hope to convey by the way you dress. By starting with these questions and answers you will form the foundation of style typing. Which can be categorized further to help focus your looks. For example one may say : I look good in all clothing types, I prefer more vintage looking cloths, I do have very active lifestyle consisting of 18 hour work days, I spend my time in a less corporate setting and am outwardly expressive with my cloths.  Love bright colors!-  That information can be taken and given more direction as it pertains to that person.  going in the direction of a fun, confident, active wardrobe.

Its very important to have your own Signature style. As this will help to define you among your peers and give you a stronger sence of self. Once you have this, one can expecta uniform presence in the world. Of course updating and maturing with time but fondation never changing.

What does your current style say about you? Are you walking disaster. Too sexy, too homely, not professional enough, cloths too small or big. Never appropriately dressed for the occasion? You don’t want to be looked upon as having a style lends you to not being taking serious. Lets face it,  your appearance has a voice of its own. Make it speak only positive messages not negative.

If fashion is an area that you may feel, a professional can help you conquer. Catalyst Events and Designs will be a start for you. We offer all kinds of services to assist in creating your unique signature style. As hands on or suttle as you may need. Defining who YOU, will aid in the success of life!!!