Party Wednesday: Cosmos Viewing Party

            If you were a kid growing up in the 80’s or 90’s you have probably have seen the documentary series Cosmos re-running on PBS.  I loved watching this series with my dad when I was younger and brought out discussions on different theories of the universe and science in my family.  When I heard that FOX (what?) was presenting an hour long 13 episode series as a follow up to the original Cosmos; my heart was a little worried because FOX was presenting it but then I was over filled with joy that the host was going to be Neil deGrasse Tyson.  Even if this is going to be a dumb down version to appeal to a wider audience at least it will be a starting point of discussion for science.

            Now what does this have to do with a party theme?  Well for starters if you and your friends like to sit around discussing science then why not gather around the old boob tube and watch this series and have a discussion afterwards.  Regardless if it is good or bad any time you can gather with your crew to have a few drinks and talk is a good night.

Décor

            For you lighting find a star projector and have it set up to have the stars projected up on the ceiling. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Planetarium-Homestar-Theatre-Sega-Toys/dp/B005R0FMHY

Also set up a regular DVD projector and create a looping video of images of space.

Like this for example.

For additional lighting to see your food and to place along the room, you can make these glow stick jars that you make to look like a DNA strand or these cool brick glowing light bulbs to spark imagination.

http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/06/make-recycled-fourth-of-july-table-lanterns.html

http://www.suck.uk.com/products/glowbrick/

For your table, keep it simple with a black table cloth, you will have plenty of food and light decorations to cover it with.  Plate and flat wear, you can buy some online that feature different nebulas and galaxies.

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/outer+space+plates

Now I suspect that not every one will be able to sit on the couch.  An alternative is to create a padded and blanketed area in front of the couch for them.  You can throw down multiple rugs, blankets and pillows for their comfort.  Jazz it up with some throw blankets and pillows that have galaxies and nebulas on them. 

http://www.cafepress.com/+smc_throw_blanket,837933700

http://society6.com/mattborchert/Galaxy-e8U_Pillow#25=193&18=126

Food

Rocket Dogs

http://spoonful.com/recipes/rocket-dogs

Shooting Star Skewers

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/964439/patriotic-4th-of-july-recipes

Astronaut Beef Stew 2 Options:

Option 1 real astronaut stew:

http://www.astronautfoods.com/products/space-dinner/astronaut-beef-stew-space-dinner.html

Option 2

http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/12/italian-style-beef-stew-with-butternut.html

Space Pops

Cake recipe: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/rainbow-layer-cake/4969fed8-141e-45f5-9a04-e03addd20fbb

How to build instructions:  http://cookiesandcups.com/funfetti-push-up-pop-cupcakes/

Drink

Space In A Glass

http://www.allgeektome.net/2012/08/16/alcoholic-beverage-puts-outer-space-in-a-glass/

Space Odyssey

http://www.scooking.net/cocktail/space-odyssey#.Uw5UZ847E1I

Black Hole

http://www.cocktailmaking.co.uk/displaycocktail.php/1588-a-blackhole

           

            Your Friends will be enlightened by the party that you have thrown… or drunk and passed out across your living room.  Either way it will be a good party all around.  The show Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey premiers March 9 at 9pm on FOX.

            Like always I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions on what I should do for the next Party Wednesday; or have pics you would like to share just send them my way.  See you Friday for some ranting or whatever. 

See you on the other side

Party Wednesday: 8 Bit Valentines

            Valentines Day is only 2 day’s way, what are you doing for your loved one?  Me, I’m doing jack shit.  No fancy dinner or going out, just being lazy and playing video games.  If you want to do something for your loved one, or plan on doing a romantic dinner in the near future why not make it a throw back style of classic video games. 

Décor

            Lighting is the one key to setting the tone for romance.  It is harder to put the moves on in a well light room than it is in a dim room.  For our romantic dinner we are going with soft red lighting scheme.  You want to go for more of a bedroom sunset feel rather than a red light district selling off prostitutes.

http://www.arup.com/Projects/Gardner_Museum/Gardner_Museum_Gallery2.aspx

            Suspend from the ceiling and place along the walls 8 bit hearts and flowers.  You can easily print off a bunch of hearts and flowers, glue them on to cardboard.  The cardboard makes the images pop out more form the wall and with hang a little sturdier. 

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e731/

Or

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f2a4/

            Moving onto the table, use a tall square table and drape this lovely fabric over it.  This particular fabric I found on Spoonflower and I find that it ties into the 8 bitness well.

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2477260

            For your centerpiece have 4 bouquets of 8 bit flowers.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86803433/fireflower-themed-felt-bouquet?ref=shop_home_active_2

http://www.it8bit.com/post/3186778729/8bitbouquet

            For dinner I planed out a sushi dinner, that way you can share and be interactive with each other.  I found a couple of plates that fit that retro 8 bit style:

           

http://www.amusement.net/2013/09/03/the-only-bone-chine-tableware-you-will-ever-need-plates-with-game-boy-patterns/

Or

     

      http://www.zazzle.com/8_bit_hearts_plates-115442597113111390

            Champagne brings out the giddiness in a woman (sometimes a man).  I found this cool champagne glasses that your have to keep together in a vase.   Instead of filling the vase with sand (like it is pictured below) why not fill it with tiny legos and bricks.

http://www.wayfair.com/Cathys-Concepts-Champagne-Flutes-in-a-Vase-7296-YCT1211.html

            And to eat your sushi, you can go with a traditional pair of chopsticks or find some Lego ones!

http://korin.com/Ironwood-Cherry-Bark-Chopsticks?sc=29&category=281366

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/block-chopsticks-green/252558296.html?listingId=295505834

                Don’t forget to change into a nice shirt and pants.  Style it with an 8 bit tie of bow tie!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/9352/

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60248300/8-bit-bow-tie-by-clever-trevor

Food

Fancy up your sushi with some designer nori!

http://www.feeldesain.com/designer-nori-laser-cut-seaweed-patterns.html

Osaka Style Sushi

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/osaka-style-sushi-recipe.html

Square Kiwifruit Sushi

http://www.zespri.com/zespri-recipes/starters-and-snacks/square-kiwifruit-sushi.html

Bubur Cha Cha

http://www.singaporelocalfavourites.com/2010/08/easy-bo-bo-cha-cha-recipe.html

 

Drink

Rose Champagne

Veuve Clicquot, Vintage Rosé Brut 2004

Peach’s Cake

http://www.thedrunkenmoogle.com/post/75933653972/peachs-cake-super-mario-bros-cocktail

Sexy Night Cap aka Baton Rouge

http://liquor.com/recipes/baton-rouge/?utm_source=huffpo&utm_medium=articl&utm_campaign=nightcap

Gifts

           

            Yes even though you put together this wonderful meal and evening, you still need to get them a gift so they will always remember this night.

8 Bit Heart Necklace

http://ournerdhome.com/8-bit-heart-necklace/

8 Bit Watch

http://www.dvice.com/archives/2010/12/x_awesome_gifts.php

Fully Functional Wooden NES Controller Coffee Table (a great way to end the evening with both of you playing old games together)

http://www.gizmag.com/nintendo-controller-coffee-table/22224/

            With pixilated moves like you will be putting on your lady or gentleman you are sure to score some point with them.  Like always I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions on what I should do for the next Party Wednesday; or have pics you would like to share just send them my way.  See you Friday for some ranting or whatever. 

See you on the other side

Party Wednesday: Hobbit Feast

            This time of year, many of us indulge in feasts and bounty of the year.  For some we look forward to eating our selves out of our pants.  Hobbits are the same way, but year round.  With the latest Hobbit movie out what better time to celebrate Tolkien’s epic novels that feature one of your favorite mythical creatures.

Décor

            I originally wanted to set the party in the Shire but with it being winter it would be very uncomfortable for the guests to stand out in the cold.  So we will take it indoors, while we can’t completely redesign the interior of your home into a hobbit hole.  Instead you think you are stepping into a hobbit home but instead stepping into a little journey to get to your table at the Prancing Pony.  I would highly encourage your guests to dress up as there favorite characters.

           

            Front Door

  

http://mandyandshomik.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-party-to-rule-them-all.html

            Once threw, create an entryway using dead wood and “spider webs” to symbolize Mirkwood.  

  

http://sonyanimri.blogspot.com/2010/11/halloween-haunted-house.html

            Once threw the woods your guests will enter the Prancing Pony.  In most inns and taverns there are barrels of wine ling about.  If you can’t get barrels, then stacking wooden boxes on top of each other will work.  On top of your barrels or boxes place candles and some wild flowers.

  

http://rivernorthlove.blogspot.com/2013/06/vintage-rustic-rehearsal-dinner.html

            Low lighting is key if you can only use candles to light up the entire room.  If you cant use a dimmer to turn the lights low.   Have a large chandelier made out of antler to enhance that rustic feel.

 

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/gastons-tavern/gallery/12oct2012-gaston's-tavern-soft-opening/17222.htm

            For a few more decorations, add Tavern signs from other taverns or liquor brands from Middle Earth.  You can also add some animal heads to give it that cozy feel.

  

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/gastons-tavern/gallery/12oct2012-gaston's-tavern-soft-opening/17221.htm

            Your food will be served family style, no need to do a center piece your food is the star.  What you will need is a large wooden table big enough to hold both your food and guests.

  

http://www.farmhouseurban.com/food/page/3/

As for the flatware and utensils here are some examples on what you could use.

  

http://cathiefilian.blogspot.com/2012/01/weddings-rustic-bridal-brunch-wood.html

  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skeffto/5856196025/

  

http://srinteriors.wordpress.com/tag/west-elm/

  

http://www.townandcountryshuffle.com/2013/03/in-the-market-for-rustic-silverware/.html

  

http://tikkido.com/node/848

  

http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Give-guests-a-personalized-place-at-the-table-2634020.php

           

           

Food

Pork Pie

  

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/pork-pies.html

Roasted Chicken

  

http://www.steamykitchen.com/126-szechuan-peppercorn-roasted-chicken.html

Cheese Plate

  

http://blog.pennlive.com/life/2011/11/tips_on_building_a_better_chee.html

Mushroom Soup

  

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4756/cream-of-wild-mushroom-soup

Eleven Lembas Bread Recipe

  

http://everything-is-poetry.blogspot.com/2012/06/lembas-bread.html

Seed Cake

  

http://simplythisandthat.blogspot.com/2012/06/glazed-lemon-poppy-seed-cake.html

Drink

Sparkling Cider

  

http://bakingdom.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-sparkling-spiced-apple-cider-cocktail.html

Smaug’s Breath

  

http://www.thedrunkenmoogle.com/

Mulled Wine

  

http://www.thegoodwineguru.com/mulled-wine/

            And here is your Hobbit Feast.  Hope you and your guest will fill up on this part to hold you over until the next movie comes out.  Like always I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions on what I should do for the next Party Wednesday; or have pics you would like to share just send them my way.  See you Friday for some ranting or whatever. 

See you on the other side