Posts Tagged ‘party’

If you’re new to the chocolate dinner (I Heart Chocolate) posts, you can catch up by reading the first one here.

Today I’m going to unveil the invitation and menu for our chocolate inspired dinner party!  I kept the invitations pretty simple because I’m only inviting a few guests and the party is pretty self-explanatory.  I designed the invitations in Photoshop, but feel free to get really creative.  I think it would be so cool to send out handmade invitations.  Think old-school cut-out hearts, doilies, and construction paper.  Your guests would love to get a homemade Valentine in the mail.  Also, craft stores are filled with neat scrap-booking supplies for DIY cards.  Go get those creative juices flowing!  If you’d like to use the invitations I designed, just send me an email (natalie{at}thecitysisters{dot}com) and I’ll send you the jpeg files.  

Now on to the really important part:  the MENU!  I found some really tasty recipes, and all but one dish will contain chocolate.  For some reason I couldn’t find a vegetable/chocolate side dish.  What is the world coming to?  If you know of a good one, please post it in the comments section of this post.  I’d love to hear your ideas.  So, without further ado…the menu…
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Do you remember that movie, Chocolat?  Remember that scene where Juliette Binoche creates an entire dinner based on chocolate?  All of the guests are sitting around the beautiful outdoor table, pouring delectable chocolate sauces over their entrees.  Everyone is quietly savoring their meal, practically licking their sweetened fingers, until they all take a look at each other and burst into giggles.  I love that movie and have always wanted to host a magical party like the one they had.  Unfortunately I don’t live in a quaint French village and the weather is way too cold to host a dinner outdoors, but I have not given up my dream.  I am going to host that chocolate dinner, and what better day to celebrate the love of chocolate than on Valentine’s Day! 

Okay, I know what some of you are thinking.  “Ugh, I hate Valentine’s Day…”  Well, I can’t say that I love it either and I’m a newly-wed.  There is a lot of pressure around that day and some major expectations have been put in place.  But, despite my irritation for the commercially overdone, I do love that we have a holiday based on LOVE.  Even if you’re not in relationship, there is something out there you love.  Be it your family, your pets or your dry cleaner for getting that red wine stain out of your white pants, we all experience love.  It should have it’s own holiday! 

So, now that I’ve sort of convinced you not to hate Valentine’s Day, let’s get back to my chocolate party.  I will be hosting a dinner on Saturday, February 13th.  This way everyone has a chance to celebrate the actual holiday however they want.  I’ve started on the menu because the food is definitely the most important part, but many of the other details are still undecided.  I will host the party for 6 people (including me and my husband).  If you would like to be inspired by chocolate and host your own party then follow along because I’m going to post every detail up until the party.  I’ll feature all of the recipes, decorating ideas, and hosting tips.  Feel free to comment with your own ideas and when the party is over I’ll ask you to submit any photos from your very own “I Heart Chocolate” dinner.  I can’t wait to see what we all come up with!

My sweet sister, Emily.

I was very lucky this year to host a NYE party with my beautiful sister, Emily.  Hosting a party with a friend or family member can be such a great experience.  Not only will you double your ideas and budget, but since you both have a guest list you get a chance to meet new people.   Although, be sure to choose this co-host wisely!  Ugh, we’ve all hosted those parties where you’re forced to pair up with five other bridesmaids or someone’s random family member.  And then no one can agree on anything, feelings get hurt, and budgets end up lopsided.  But, when you pair up with the right co-host, the party is bound to be a success!

My favorite part of party planning besides choosing the menu and theme is actually making the food.  It gives me a chance to create new dishes and be as messy as I want!  For hours and hours (and sometimes days) the kitchen is filled with love, laughter, and the occasional burned batch of toasted walnuts.  Oops. 

And then as party time arrives, the mad dash begins to plate dishes, get dressed, put on the perfect music, and greet guests with a cocktail.  The light is dimmed and the glasses are sparkling.  No one has a clue that thirty minutes before you were running around like a crazy person.  Let’s keep that our little secret!