Surviving the Company Holiday Party (while making sure you don't get fired!)

Tonight we kicked off the show with a cocktail that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit -

Mistletoe Martini

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1/2 oz. melon liqueur
• 1 shot pineapple juice
• Splash of grenadine

Directions
Add vodka and melon liquor into a martini shaker. Strain into a martini glass. Add grenadine, and watch as it floats to the bottom to make a red and green martini.

We've all witnessed it at one time or another.  You know that one co-worker who’s had a tad too much to drink that decides he wants to try his hand as a stand up comedian at his bosses expense. Or what about the other co-worker who is dressed a little too provocative for an “office” celebration? You now who I’m talking about. So with the holiday’s right around the corner, we thought we would take this time to offer our take on how to survive the company holiday party and have fun without losing your job.

Just as each company is unique, so is its holiday party. If this is the first time at your company’s holiday party we suggest that you properly prepare for it by finding out a few things such as:

What is the normal atmosphere at the party?
Are dates allowed?
What is the normal dress code? Is it dressy or business casual? (There is nothing like walking into the party under dressed or worse yet dresses inappropriately).

Once you’re at the party keep in mind the following:

1. Keep everything in moderation – that goes for both food and especially drink! Remember you are there to socialize and network not pig out and get sloppy drunk.

2. Try to avoid socializing all night with the same group of people you hang out with during regular business hours. Take advantage of the holiday celebration and branch out and network with others that you may not be familiar with. You never know, that new person you meet may hold the key to your next promotion!

3. Pay attention to the time. As a general rule of thumb don’t stay at the holiday party less than 30 minutes (you don’t want to give the impression that you’ve got better things to do…even if it’s true) but on the same token make sure you aren’t the last one to close the door! No one wants to hold the title of office “party animal”.

4. But our biggest piece of advice is this – no matter how festive the occasion is, remember it’s still all about business. Keep in mind that your boss, your boss’s boss, and your boss’s boss’s boss will be there and they may (in fact we know they are) be watching you, to see how you (along with their other employees) are interacting with each other.

That’s it…4 simple rules that are sure to guarantee that you’ll have a job waiting for you on that Monday following the office party!

Thanksgiving Entertaining 2009 Diva/Divo Style

In celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday out featured cocktail tonight is the Pumpkin Pie Martini.  To make this drink you will need:

• 2 parts Absolut Vanila Vodka
• 1 part pumpkin schnapps
• Splash of cream
• Sprinkle of nutmeg

Directions: shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with nutmeg and a dollop of whipped cream.
 
In an effort to having a stress-free Thanksgiving holiday this year, we thought we would share some strategies/tips to planning a wonderful holiday that can be enjoyed by all. The key to having a stress-free Thanksgiving is pre-planning. Below we have provided you with some guidelines to ensure your holiday goes smoothly.


One Week Before Thanksgiving

• Stock up on your holiday decor. Now is the time to purchase extra pumpkins, gourds, potted mums and holiday decorations left over from Halloween. Great places to check out for some super good deals would be Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's and lets not forget the ever so popular Dollar Stores. Check the Sunday paper for coupons so you can take advantage of extra savings when shopping.
• Confirm your guest list. Call friends and family members that you have invited to ensure that they are coming over. If you would like them to bring something special for the day now would be a good time to confirm that as well.
• Take an inventory of table and kitchen supplies. Make arrangements to borrow or rent any items that you will need including:

               o tables
               o chairs
               o dinnerware
               o linen
               o glassware
               o flatware
               o serving platters and bowls
               o serving spoons and ladles

• Clean the house thoroughly so you can focus on other projects for the next few days. Survey your surfaces. If there are any visible stains on your chairs or carpets, either schedule to have a cleaning service come out or schedule some time to do the cleaning yourself.
• Start planning your menu.

          o Are you planning on serving turkey or a ham or maybe both? Will you be preparing the food or are  
             you going to have it prepared by a specialty store? (i.e. Honey Baked Ham) If getting your main 
            dish from a specialty store, make sure you order it early and make plans to pick it up one to two
            days prior to your event.


          oStart gathering all of your recipes of the dishes that you are planning to make now. Next go through
            your cabinets to make sure you have all of the necessary ingredients prior to making the dish. Any
            miss ingredients go on your grocery list.

          o Check your spices. Toss out any spices that are past their prime and add tem to your shopping list.

          o Go shopping early for all of your non-perishable items.

• Order your centerpiece from your local florist or if making your own centerpiece this year starts shopping for supplies.
• Iron you table linens and polish all your silver.
• Purchase wine, beer, spirits (for your cocktails) and soft drinks.
• Select your music(check out http://www.pandora.com/)
• If using a frozen turkey, plan the day that you will begin to defrost it in the refrigerator. The rule of thumb is to allow one day of thawing for every five pounds of turkey.

Three Days Before:

• Purchase all your perishable items.
• Bake and freeze any pies and other desserts that can be frozen.

Two Days Before:

• Begin cleaning and chopping any vegetables for the stuffing/dressing and side dishes and refrigerate.
• Take out your roasting pan, meat thermometer and any specialty kitchen equipment that you keep tucked away during the rest of the year.
• Prepare recipes that can be refrigerated for two days such as dips, soups and cranberry sauce.
• Make a written plan for cooking your meat and other dishes for Thanksgiving.

One Day Before:

• Clean the guest powder room.
• Give your house a once over making sure to dust and vacuum all rooms guests.
• Clean and season your turkey, then refrigerate it.
• Finish preparing and bake your pies.
• Prepare and refrigerate your stuffing/dressing.
• Pick up your centerpiece if it's not being delivered. If you’re making your centerpiece do it today.
• Set up your drink station/dessert station (buy ice if needed)

Thanksgiving Day:

• Roast turkey and stuffing/dressing.
• Ask someone to pick up any bread or rolls you'll need for your dinner.
• Finish preparing appetizers, first courses, and/or side dishes.
• Make the gravy.
• Turn on your music. (don't forget to check out Pandora)
• Light the candles.
• Take a few minutes before your guests arrive to freshen yourself and relax.
• Welcome your guests, set out the food, and count your blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet the Divas behind Cocktails and Conversations

Tonight’s cocktail is the Envy

To make this yummy drink gathers the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. tequila
• ½ oz. blue curaçao
• Pineapple juice
• Maraschino cherry for garnish (Robin likes to use pineapple in stead)

Directions: Pour the tequila into a glass of your choice. Fill the glass with ice cubes, add the pineapple juice and mix well. Top with the blue curaçao and stir lightly again. Garnish with the cherry or with a slice of pineapple.

Enjoy!

Wow it’s hard to believe that it’s been about 2 months since our last broadcast. So much has gone on during that time. Football games cheer practice, tournaments, school, work, life and the list goes on and on. But Robin and I are back from our short hiatus and boy does it feel good to be back.

This show, we decided to take this opportunity to formally introduce ourselves to all of our wonderful listeners.

Erika Beckwith (The Event Diva) – is the Owner/Creative Director of Beckwith & Associates, LLC a boutique event planning and Design Company located in Metro Atlanta. Erika has been in the special events industry for over 10 years and has planned events ranging from intimate gatherings to large expos and everything in between. Erika takes pride in designing and producing events that are innovative, sophisticated and timeless. In addition to running an event firm, Erika also produces “Congratulations You’re Engaged…Now What?”™ a wedding planning workshop for couples. Erika is also the Wedding Advice Examiner on Examiner.com and also writes a blog on the Art and Science of Elegant Entertaining which can be found at www.beckwithevents.blogspot.com. For more information check out Beckwith & Associates website here.

Robin Hunt (The Detroit Style Diva) - Robin Hunt is the owner and Creative Director of FAVOR Event Management in Farmington Hills, MI. She has planned events with small and large budgets and believes the client’s vision is the top priority. Please visit http://www.favoreventmgt.com/ to view some of the celebrations she has planned and for information on events in the Detroit area.

Studio Guest - Joyce Schlanger, Your Dream Image Photography

Tonight's our signature cocktail for the evening is...

Sour Apple Martini

1 1/2 oz. Sour Apple Pucker

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1/2 oz. Vodka

1 1/2 oz. Sour Mix

Directions: Add all ingredients in a shaker with a small amount of ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry at the bottom of the glass.

And Enjoy!

Tonight Joyce Schlanger, owner of Your Dream Image Photography stopped by the studio to chat with us. (we think Joyce is awesome) Your Dream Image Photography provides all of their clients with a fresh, distinctive approach to wedding photography. Joyce and her team of photographers take great pride in offering affordable quality images that their clients will enjoy for many years after their wedding. Providing clients with a mix of traditional, artistic and photojournalistic styles, Joyce works personally with her clients to ensure that the final product is exactly what they want.

Here is just a sampling of Joyce's work

Check out the Detroit Style Diva on August 19th

Our very own Detroit Style Diva (Robin L. Hunt) who is also the Chief Event Manager of FAVOR Event Management is hosting "Martinis & Manuscripts Workshop" on August 19, 2009 @ the Renaissance Club in Detroit, Michigan. Check out her website for more information www.favoreventmgt.com

In the studio with Joy Pittman Sales and Event Manager @ LOFT at Castleberry Hill

Tonight was another great show. We started the show with our signature drink for the evening – the Watermelon Martini

WATERMELON MARTINI

3 parts vodka

1 ½ parts sour watermelon Schnapps

½ part sour mix

Watermelon ball or wedge (for garnish)

Directions: Add the vodka, watermelon Schnapps and sour mix into your chilled martini shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon ball or wedge of watermelon.

~CHEERS!~

A very good friend of mine, Joy Pittman, Sales and Event Manager of LOFT at Castleberry Hill stopped by the studio to tell us about her fabulous facility. LOFT at Castleberry Hill is one of Atlanta’s premiere event venues nestled in the historic Castleberry Hill Arts District. This 4400 sq. foot contemporary space offers its clients sleek custom bars, a chic lounge area, built in stage and dance floor, and in-house catering. It is definitely a MUST see if you’re planning an event soon.

Contact Joy Pittman, Sales and Event Manager @ (404) 522-5678 to set up an appointment.

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~Finding the Perfect Wedding Photographer~

As you all know I am a RHOA (Real Housewife of Atlanta) fan and tonight is the season premiere of season 2 of RHOA. I am so excited! I am looking forward to seeing what Nene, Lisa, Kim, Sheree and newcomer Kandi are up to and what drama they will bring us this season. You adn check them out at 10 pm EST on BRAVO.

Sooooooooo......

In honor of my favorite reality show, tonight's signature cocktail is champagne!

{{CHEERS!!!}}

Tonight we had a very special guest with us in the studio, our good friend and one of Detroit's premiere photographers, Robyn Robinson owner of Robyn Robinson Photography (check out her website here). Robyn has enjoyed the art of photography for most of her life and began taking photographs professionally over the past 3 years. With a keen eye and photojournalistic flair, Robyn seeks to bring out that which is seldom seen and often overlooked.


Robyn offered our listeners some great tips to remember when looking for a photographer for your next event:

• Make sure that they have a professional apprearance. If they come to the initial meeting in jeans and gym shoes it may give the impression that they don't take their business seriously.
• Look out for anyone who wants all the money up front (this is a major red flag). Most professional photographers will require a deposit to secure the date of your event, with staggered payments until the final products is delivered.
• A good photographer will be able to show you samples of his/her work. If they have no samples to show you then walk away.
• Also a look for certifications and memberships in professional organizations - this is a sign that they take their profession seriously. To professional organizations that they may belong to are Professional Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and Wedding & Portriat Photographers International (WPPI).

If you are in the Detroit area feel free to contact Robyn @ (248) 794-7010 or you can email her here.

Robyn thank you again for chatting with us tonight and we invite you to come back anytime to chat with us.