Happy Hour: Swamp Sangria

Ingredients

Serves 12

5 lady apples
1 bunch (about 8 ounces) green seedless grapes
1 bunch (about 8 ounces) red seedless grapes
2 bottles dry white wine, chilled
2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
6 tablespoons poire William (pear-flavored eau-de-vie)

Directions

1. Put apples and grapes into an ice-filled punch bowl. Pour in wine, cider, and poire William. Gently stir. (Source: Martha Stewart)

Happy Hour: Pumpkin French 75

Pumpkin French 75

Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Plymouth Gin
- 1 oz. Pumpkin Puree
- 1 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon juice
- 1 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
- Champagne

Shake all ingredients (except Champagne) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne and serve. {Source: Cocktail Times}

Real Weddings: Anna & Wes

Photography: Hollye Photography

Location: Scottsdale Conference Resort
Coordinator: Amy Mancuso
Make-up: Desiree Newhouse from Moments Salon
Hair: Cyndee Venche

Muse Board: Día de los Muertos Fiesta

Día de los Muertos

Source: The Finer Things

Row 1- spooky skeleton invitation- a gorgeous presentation of pannacotta with figs and berries- prickly pear margaritas or ghoul's punch are two bright and cheerful drinks guests are sure to love

Row 2- while candied pumpkin is a favorite treat for this holiday, consider some papel picado inspired pumpkin pie- make your own faux papel picado by stenciling or copying designs on to brightly coloured papers like this banner available from Bad Baby Quilts- dress (and protect) your table in festive floral oilcloth- delicious Chicken-Fajita Tostadas from Martha are sure to please

Row 3- serve these chic chocolate calaveras and Aztec Elixir couture cocoa from Vosges- I love these painted pumpkins with just a touch of glitter and, of course, these glittered bones- a tropical fruit salsa makes a quick and colourful accompaniment

Row 4- be sure to include brilliant bunches of marigolds in your party decor- a colourful thank you note after the celebration will serve as a reminder of your festive fiesta- send them off with sweet sugar skulls when your ghoulish guests depart

Happy Hour: Jack-O-Lantern Cocktail

This Jack-O-Lantern cocktail looks like a pumpkin when garnished correctly, but it has none of the pumpkin flavoring. It's a great drink that mixes Cognac with the flavor of orange (always a great combination) and it has the visual aesthetics which are perfect for Halloween. If you don't want to make it yourself, stop by Southern Hospitality in NYC where you can get the original.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Hennessy VSOP Cognac
• 1 1/2 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz ginger ale
• 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
• orange wheel and lime twist for garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
2. Strain into a lowball glass over ice.
3. Float an orange wheel topped with a lime twist on top.

SOURCE

Decor: Martha Stewart Halloween Decor

Here are some awesome decorations for a Halloween party/wedding/rehearsal dinner/ or whatever your hearts desire! For more, go to the Martha Stewart online shop!

Happy Hour: Halloween Drinks

I'm not sure why I'm on a Halloween kick, but I am.. Here are some treats for the adults!

Ghost in the Graveyard
Serves 1
2 ounces black vodka
2 ounces creme de cacao or coffee-flavored liqueur
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Pinch of finely grated nutmeg, for garnish

In a glass, combine vodka and creme de cacao, and set aside. Place a scoop of ice cream in a highball glass, and slowly pour vodka mixture over ice cream. Garnish with nutmeg; serve immediately.

Screwed-Up Screwdriver
Serves 1
1/4 cup ice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed tangerine juice
1 1/2 ounces black vodka
1 black licorice twist, for serving

Place ice in a tall glass. Pour juice into glass. Pour vodka over the back of a cocktail spoon into glass so it sits on top of juice and creates a layer of black. Slice 1/4 inch off each end of licorice, and use as a straw. Serve immediately.

Berry Scary Martini
Serves 1
1 cup ice
1 ounce black vodka
2 ounces cherry juice
Fresh raspberries and blueberries, for garnish

Combine ice, vodka, and cherry juice in a cocktail shaker; shake vigorously. Pour into a martini glass. Thread raspberries and blueberries onto a cocktail skewer, and place in drink. Serve immediately.

Muse Board: Trick or Treat

Source: Snippet & Ink

Top row from left: Marie Antoinette masquerade, butterfly dress via A Dress A Day, Coco via Linternaute, Ralph Lauren dress from Elle, photo via Studiolo

Row 2: Samu-Jussi Koski dress via Shiny Squirrel, photo from View Images, black calla lilies from Bloomery Weddings, centerpiece from Hostess with the Mostess, spiderwebs

Row 3: dress via Your Heart Out, bat pumpkin via Lucky Me!, coffin chocolate via Hostess Blog, black decanter via Toast and Tables, silhouette from Jupiter Images

Row 4: bouquet via Hostess Blog, black candy via Lucky Me!, Kylemore Abbey from Irish Travel Online, Sleepy Hollow map from The Knot

Row 5: guest book via Toast and Tables, image via Art of Adornment, Nicole Sayre Halloween moon from Fiddlesticks Dallas, calligraphy via Orange Beautiful, monogrammed pumpkins from MS

Theme: Halloween Cakes

Halloween is approaching! Here are some cool Halloween cakes! Love the Tim Burton ones! These cakes were done by Pink Cake Box! They specialize in custom cakes!

Vendor: Amy Atlas

We love Amy Atlas! Amy is an event planner in the New York area who specializes in desert Tables!