Social distancing due to COVID-19 has had an adverse impact on just about all areas of our lives. In the past, we would be able to get together with the people who matter the most to us to celebrate special events and travel. Now, most of our social interactions must take place virtually. What are a few examples of parties that used to take place in-person that are now taking place virtually? How can you turn these parties into a success? There are several virtual party tips that you should keep in mind to ensure the event is a success and everyone has a blast.
The Virtual Birthday Party
First, a lot of people have had to move their birthday parties to the virtual world. The days of having someone take the birthday boy or girl out to his or her favorite restaurant have been put on hold for a little while. For example, a lot of people are using Zoom to bring loved ones together to celebrate this special occasion.
When planning a virtual birthday party, it is important to think about what type of theme is going to be used. For example, there are lots of banners that people can deploy in the background of a video chat to make sure the birthday feels as special as possible. Then, it might even be possible to get a cake delivered to the birthday boy or girl! This is a way to bring the entire birthday party together. While it does take some pre-planning, it’s a surprise that is certainly worth it.
Pulling Off a Virtual Bachelor Party
Finally, there are lots of people who have had to change their wedding plans because of the pandemic. This includes bachelor parties. If you are looking for a way to pull off a bachelor party virtually, there are a few tips that you need to remember. First, make sure that you find a date and time that works for everyone. There are plenty of websites that can help you secure a date and time that works for all attendees.
Then, you can start planning the entertainment and details that you are going to include. For example, make sure you have a menu put together that everyone can follow. This might include booze, steaks, and party favors. Consider getting the attendees set up with food delivery, or even alcohol delivery the day-of. You might even want to bring in a virtual stripper to bring the entire party together! There are plenty of ways to pull off the perfect bachelor party even if it has to be virtual. Don’t let the lack of in-person interaction stop you from experiencing some of the best bachelor party entertainment available.
Think About Pulling Off a Virtual Party
When you think creatively, you’ll find there are many ways to host a fun and exciting virtual party that is far more than just sitting on a video chat. Even though this is not something that is going to last forever, the pandemic is still going to be with us for the near future. Therefore, everyone has to think about how they can still make a virtual party feel special. With the right platform, the right guests, and the right party staples, it is possible to make every virtual party a success. With this in mind, get a little creative and let the imagination run wild!
There are many ways that you can improve your home whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or some beautiful new artwork. With the help of arts and crafts tutorials, there are many decorative items that you can make to beautify your home. To give you plenty of DIY ideas and other options, check out these four neat apps.
1 . Craftgawker
If you’re looking for some excellent crafts ideas then you’ll just love the craftgawker app. Here there are thousands of DIY projects, including the work of top craft bloggers across the globe. It’s simple to use, once you’ve found a project you like simply click the photo and you can learn how to make it. A few of the key features include:
- Browse the crafts projects by categories, popularity, or your favs.
- Save the projects you love and add notes about each one.
- Share your pics on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
- Get quality projects, curated by a team of craft experts.
Looking to customize your bookshelf? Want to make a cute table runner? Craftgawker offers plenty of project ideas to help you decorate your home.
2. Make It Yourself- DIY Crafts App
Make It Yourself is another great app for DIY craft ideas. Whether you want to make decorations, simple homeware, or upcycled furniture items, this app has plenty to inspire you. There are lots of simple crafts decorations you can make for your home whether it’s decorative vases, bunting, cushion covers, or wall hangings. If you’ve got a knack for crafting and you want some extra ideas to motivate you, you won’t be disappointed. For plenty of easy DIY ideas, this is the app you need!
3. Hutch
Hutch is an app that uses 3D tech to help you make virtual adjustments to your rooms. All you have to do is browse through the Hutch catalog, and pick out the homeware that you like. With the help of VR, you can test out different objects, styles, and designs, (before you choose to buy anything). Play around with colors, and create the virtual home of your dreams. All products are to scale, and the app has a simple interface that is easy to use.
4. Saatchi Art
Want to improve the interior design of your home? What you need is some beautiful artwork. Saatchi has plenty of gorgeous pieces, whether you’re looking for photography, paintings, sculptures, or screen prints. Plenty of new artists sell on here, so you can find some very unique and affordable things. Saatchi Art also has a VR setting, so you can test out different pieces of artwork in your home. Don’t forget to set the filters according to your style and budget.
Improving your home:
Once you’ve spruced up the inside of your home, it’s time to get outside and look at boosting your curb appeal! There are plenty of ways you can enhance the exterior of your home all you need to do is get creative. Whether it’s improving your yard, a new driveway, or even graffiti removal, there are plenty of options. Improving your house both inside and out is a fantastic way to enhance your lifestyle and make the most of your home.
I have seen so many people on Instagram making this simple Feta & Tomato Baked Pasta recipe, featured on TikTok, all over the world. It has become so popular that Finland ran out of feta cheese. The ENTIRE COUNTRY ran out!!!! The prep time is only a few minutes and within less than an hour you have a pretty good family meal. I have not made it yet but my friend blogger, Lemon Stripes made it yesterday and totally inspired me. Plus I read that it is totally worth the hype. Here you go, let me know in the comments below if you make it.
Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta:
(adapted from www.lemonstripes.com & The Washington Post)
Ingredients:
–2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 block Greek feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini
Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Place tomatoes and garlic in a baking pan and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sea salt.
3. Place the block of feta in the middle of the tomatoes and top the whole thing with crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until the feta is slightly browned and the tomatoes are totally blistered.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it!
6. Mix up the tomatoes, feta, and garlic with a fork (I also broke up the garlic with a garlic press) to form a sauce.
7. Stir the pasta into the sauce and add pasta water, a little at a time, as needed.
8. Top with torn basil and serve.
9. Enjoy!
I have been obsessed with Bill Cunningham for years. I worked at 57th and 5th and loved seeing Bill in action on the “Bergdorf Corner” where he would photograph fashionistas, for the New York Time’s Style Section. His book, Bill Cunningham: On the Street, Five Decades of Iconic Photography by The New York Times is this week’s Book Club choice.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first published collection of photographs by the icon of street style, bringing together favorites published in The New York Times alongside never-before-seen work across five decades.
“A dazzling kaleidoscope from the gaze of an artist who saw beauty at every turn.”—André Leon Talley
Bill Cunningham’s photography captured the evolution of style, of trends, and of the everyday, both in New York City and in Paris. But his work also shows that street style is not only about fashion; it’s about the people and the changing culture.
These photographs—many never before seen, others having originally appeared in The New York Times and elsewhere—move from decade to decade, beginning in the 1970s and continuing until Cunningham’s death in 2016. Here you’ll find Cunningham’s distinctive chronicling of the 1980s transit strike, the rise of 1990s casual Fridays, the sadness that fell over the city following 9/11, Inauguration Day 2009, the onset of selfies, and many other significant moments.
This enduring portfolio is enriched by essays that provide a revealing portrait of Cunningham and a few of his many fascinations and influences, contributed by Cathy Horyn, Tiina Loite, Vanessa Friedman, Ruth La Ferla, Guy Trebay, Penelope Green, Jacob Bernstein, and a much favored subject, Anna Wintour. More than anything, On the Street is a timeless representation of Cunningham’s commitment to capturing the here and now.
For more information or to purchase this book click HERE on the Pittsburgh Mercantile site…
Recently someone asked me if I knew a jeweler that could make a band ring for their anniversary. It got me thinking.. I really didn’t. I have no idea where to buy a stone or design a piece of jewelry. UNTIL…my friend Meghan partnered with Gioia’s Jewel Box. She works with Nicole, a seasoned jewelry curator, and can help you find basically find anything. They are Jewelry concierges who will create or help you choose the perfect piece, either in person (safely distanced) or over Zoom or even on a call. They specialize in custom and very unique designs for all jewelry styles. From small pendant necklaces to important statement rings, Meghan & Nicole can help you find it all. Follow their INSTAGRAM to check out some of their gorgeous pieces. I have chosen a few things below from their current inventory that I really really love!!!! PS EMAIL or DM them on Instagram with any questions about anything featured below.
Tonight my husband was given a gift to do an online cooking class with Guy Fieri. During the class, there were other celebrity chef speakers and sport’s commentators talking about their all time favorite Super Bowl dishes. This Buffalo Chicken Dip came up as the winner, unanimously. I started writing down the recipe ferociously. Since I just was given this tonight, I have not had a chance to make it but my son and I are going to try over the weekend. If you do too, will you write in and let me know!!! Bon Appetit!
4 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 bricks cream cheese
1 cup ranch dressing
2 packages shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
3/4 cup hot sauce (less if you do not like too hot and more if you do!!!)
Combine the chicken, cream cheese, dressing, shredded cheese (set aside about 1/4 of the bag), and hot sauce in the crockpot
Let cook on high for 1-2 hours or until all of the cream cheese melts. Right before serving sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and put the lid back on just long enough so the cheese topping melts.
They recommend serving this dip with a bunch of vegetables of your choice and tortilla chips!