Thursday, December 31, 2009

News Years Champagne Inspiration

I love champagne and am always looking for a new champagne cocktail recipe. I love the ideas and recipes that I have found on Martha Stewart's Wedding Site. I am loving this Champagne Tower. Click here on how to create your own. This is a great idea for any celebration!

Happy New Years!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Our Amazing Engagement Party

the love of my life and best friend - Adam

Sara and Brian

Callie, Rebecca and Walker

Laura, Jen and I

Morgan, Adam & Hank

Val, Sheryl, Sarah & Jen

Sheryl, Heather the Fabulous Hostess & Sarah




yummy desserts by Heather


cupcakes made by Heather

Adam and I are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family. This month Heather and Danny hosted an amazing engagement party for Adam and I. It was truly amazing - she is so talented and made sure every detail was perfect from the menu to the wine tags (all guests were asked to bring Adam and I a bottle of wine for our collection). Thanks Heather & Danny!


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Pioneer Woman Whiskey-Glazed Carrots

My mom has been a follower of Pioneer Woman's blog and has had some great success with her recipes. She just came out with a cookbook too - Pioneer Woman Cooks. We made her Whiskey Glazed Carrots on Thanksgiving and everyone loved them - so I wanted to share her recipe. This is a must try! I am posting some photos that I took during our cooking process.




Ingredients
  • 2 pounds (to 3 Pounds) Carrots, Peeled And Cut Into Thick Circles
  • 1 stick Butter
  • ½ cups Jack Daniels Or Other Whiskey
  • ¾ cups (to 1 Cup) Brown Sugar
  • ½ teaspoons (to 1 Teaspoon) Salt
  • Freshly Ground Pepper (to Taste)
Preparation Instructions

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add carrots in two batches., cooking for 60-90 seconds each batch. Remove from skillet.

Pour in whiskey and allow to evaporate 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium, and add remaining butter. When butter melts, sprinkle brown sugar over the top. Stir together, then add carrots to skillet. Cover, and continue cooking for 5 minutes.

Remove lid and add salt and pepper. Continue cooking until carrots are done and glaze is thick, about 5 more minutes.

Pour onto a platter and serve immediately. Sprinkle with chopped chives if desired.*recipe from Pioneer Woman's blog recipe post

Friday, December 4, 2009

Sweets for a Cause

Sweets, Treats & Designs created these Chocolate Police Badges that we are selling at the restaurant. Jerri Turner, owner of Sweets, Treats, & Designs wanted to help the families of the fallen Lakewood Police Officers so she created (she is in the custom candy business) these amazing chocolate police shields. Her goal is to raise $10,000.00 by the holiday and write each family a check for $2,500.00. If you would like to purchase - please email me at jordan@vasritygrill.com .

photo by Heather Stajgr

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Wedding Dress I Want

I have been looking at wedding dresses since the engagement (1 month now) in magazines and online and have loved anything I have seen. Although I have not yet been dress shopping; I am looking for a dress just like the one pictured above. I love the simplicity of the dress for a beach wedding. I am contemplating have a custom dress made but am looking forward to dress shopping at boutiques with my mom.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Celebrity Waiters Luncheon

The Marilyn's - Heather Stajgr, Jordan Snyder, Jennifer Robbins


Each guest received a glitter candle (we made) tied with a pink diamond ring and a custom fortune cookie (provided by Sweets, Treats & Designs) that said "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend".

I framed images from the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and placed them around the table


Celebrity Waiters Luncheon & Auction benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society took place on November 7th at Hotel Murano. From my last post about Celebrity Waiters I said pictures would follow and here they are. This is the one event that I pour all my energy & time into and I always feel so overwhelmed with amazement when I see all the waiters hard work the day of the event.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Great Words

A friend from high school posted an excerpt from this and I did a search for the entire poem and wanted to share.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, 1952

Martini Club

I am really excited about this month's Martini Club! It is going to feature holiday drinks and appetizer pairings! Below is the menu I have come up with for next Thursday's party.

Holiday Cocktails

Tuaca Hot Apple Pie

Cuervo 1800 Agave Nectar Scratch Margaritas

Bacardi Hot Buttered Rum

Three Olives Cherry vodka and Limeade


Holiday Appetizers

Cherry Coated Ribs

Tiramisu

Mini Apple Crisp

Pumpkin Ravioli


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Gentleman Prefer Blondes & Glitter Candles for Celebrity Waiters



Tonight Jennifer (fellow waiter) and I are making glitter tea-light candles as guest favors for the guests at our table for Celebrity Waiters Luncheon & Auction this Friday. They will not look like the ones above (I will post actual product later) but this is a great inspiration. It is the Silver Anniversary for the Celebrity Waiters Luncheon and Auction, so the overall theme for the event is Silver Screen. All waiters selected a movie and they range from Animal House to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. My co-waiters (Heather, Jennifer and I) chose Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. We thought this would be especially fun since we are all brunettes! This is my 5th year as a waiter and 2nd year as Co-Chair of the event. I love this event and hope that all the volunteer efforts help to someday find a cure for blood cancers. I will post many detail pics of our table decor (which I am loving) after the event.

Wedding Accommodations!



My parents are spending the month in Mexico and just confirmed that we now have rooms at the Grand Luxe - I am so excited this is an absolutely beautiful new property in Nuevo Vallarta. I wanted to share a couple pictures.

Friday, October 30, 2009

LuluKate ~ beautiful dresses

I have not started my hunt for dresses for the wedding party yet but LOVE that some of my girls are already looking for the perfect dresses. Today Jen sent me the link to LuluKate and I really liked the above dresses. I am excited because there is a boutique opening on November 11th in Seattle, Bella Bridesmaid, that will carry LuluKate!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Dame Lola Trunk Show




Dame Lola's sign from her first storefront

Inside the show


Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dame Lola hosted her Fall / Holiday Trunk Show in the event space at Varsity Grill. Rebecca, owner of Dame Lola had an amazing event that was filled with gorgeous must have's! We had a fun time transforming the 8,000 sq ft event space into a boutique for 3 days. We constructed 6 dressing rooms out of pipe and drape and set the room with cozy seating, fashion magazines & sexy decor. Movies played on the 157 inch screen that sat center stage as a perfect mix of tunes put together by Rebecca played throughout the room. Dame Lola shoppers were treated to 1 on 1 appointments with Dame Lola girls, champagne cocktails & appetizers. My favorite lines were Gant & Doucette Duvall.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Cupcakes & Cocktails - Cupcake Martini

Last night Dulce Cupcakes hosted their Cupcakes & Cocktails event with us at Varsity Grill. Tonya and Sarah the owners & bakers of Dulce wanted a chance for their clients to sample Dulce's cupcake signature flavors and the new seasonal flavors they have to offer! My new favorite is the Pumpkin Spice cupcake. My job was to come up with 2 cupcake inspired martinis to go along with the event. Below are the yummy recipes for you to try.

Cupcake Martini
1.25 oz Stoli Vanilla Vodka
1 0z Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
2 oz. Chocolate Milk or Chocolate Soy Milk
Strawberry Frosting
Chocolate Sprinkles
*pictured above

Combine all ingredients in a martini shaker filled halfway with ice and shake until outside of shaker is frosty. Stain into a martini glass that has been rimmed with strawberry frosting & dipped in chocolate sprinkles.

Dulce Martini
2 oz Stoli Vanilla Vodka
2 oz Pineapple Juice
splash of grenadine

Combine Stoli Vanilla Vodka and pineapple juice in a martini shaker filled halfway with ice and shake until outside of shaker is frosty. Stain into a chilled martini glass and add a splash of grenadine. This martini tastes like a pineapple upside-down cake!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wedding Dress I love

I am loving this wedding dress by Melissa Sweet, it is the Cosmissa. I have been searching for this dress and have been unsuccessful in locating this dress in Washington so far. Wish me luck!

Drink to this: Starburst vodka at Varsity Grill

Drink to this: Starburst vodka at Varsity Grill

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Must Have for Fall

Last week I purchased this Fringe Scarf by Kersh - I bought it in charcoal grey. I bought it to keep warm on the plane (which it was perfect for) and know this is going to be a great go to piece this Fall. It is a great cotton & modal blend and has so many options!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Engaged!

I am on my annual vacation in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico right now and am so excited to share I got engaged last Sunday! Above is a picture of my ring. We are thinking a destination wedding next November in Mexico.

Friday, October 2, 2009

South Sound Wedding Show

One of my favorites stores - Sweet Treats & Designs! Her booth was amazing at the wedding show - I loved all the candy

Sweet, Treats & Designs - store is located at ~ North 21st and Pearl St. in Tacoma

Ice sculpture for our booth by Studio Ice


Table setting in our booth

Last weekend was the South Sound Wedding & Event Show at the Tacoma Convention Center. Above are some images from our booth (the catering division of our company) and Sweet, Treats & Designs an AMAZING store. They specialize in custom desserts - my favorite are the custom fortune cookies,home decor & gifts. If you have not been here, you must visit soon!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

What Fun!

Dan Aykroyd

amazing packaging

The product launch for Crystal Head Vodka at Waterfront Seafood Grill at Pier 70 in Seattle was so much fun. We had cocktails made with Crystal Head Vodka (which is amazing), incredible appetizers, learned the story behind the name (Crystal Head) and got to meet & talk to Dan Aykroyd (who is a hilarious & kind person). It was an industry event, so it was a small group of restaurant operators, owners & bartenders. He spent time talking to each of us. I laughed as some people pulled out Blues Brother's paraphernalia, and I was worried about brining my camera. I highly recommend this vodka - it is my new favorite and cannot wait to bring this into the restaurant! The packaging is perfect for this time of year as Halloween approaches!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Lunch with Dan Aykroyd

Tomorrow I will be a guest at the new Crystal Head Vodka event in Seattle. I am very excited because I am a guest at a lunch with Dan Aykroyd. I remember him from Ghostbusters when I was younger and also Saturday Night Live. His vodka comes in a skull-shaped bottle - I am interested to know what the meaning behind this is. I will give you details from the lunch..

Monday, September 28, 2009

Great Finds for Mexico





As I prepare for my trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico this week; I have been busy shopping for the trip. I bought 2 amazing swimsuits from J.Crew last week (pictured above), found a new amazing organic cucumber sunscreen for the face at Julep, some cute flip flops (J.Crew), and a good book for pool side reading - these are some of my favorite purchases. I love packing & making checklists in preparation for vacations - I am looking forward to some down time.