Be the Party Girl

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Summer is all about backyard parties, barbecues and hot nights on the patio - whether the event is impromptu or planned for weeks. Throwing a summer soiree doesn't have to leave you too exhausted to make it to your own party, or take days of cooking and cleaning. Backyard parties are simply fearless and fun to plan and to host. Here are a few tips and tricks that will make your next party one they'll talk about around the water cooler for weeks. Get the party started with an invitation that sets the tone for the event. Invitations can be e-mailed or snail mailed. Write and design them as you would an advertisement for a great shoe sale or movie opening - include who, what, where and when.

The title will set the tone for the party, so use something catchy and don't be afraid to go over the top to shape the image you want to portray. Send out your invitations for a beach bash on a flip flop beach shoe, sand shovel or in a Ziploc bag of sand (be sure to include some ants). Invitations for a casual afternoon luncheon can be mailed on a square of red plastic gingham tablecloth. A patio cocktail party invitation can be sent with a little paper cocktail umbrella (include a note or coupon that reads Redeemable for a Cold One). E-mail announcements don't allow you to be quite as creative, but they do work well for spontaneous invites. It's time to set the scene. Every party girl knows that we look better in the glow of candlelight. Place tea lights on every table (you can never burn too many candles) and fill coffee cans, sand pails or flower pots with candles before placing them throughout the party zone. Move the stereo outdoors or run speakers outside. Have your CDs ready to go - Beach Boys for the pool party, fiesta music for the margarita party.

Decorate in keeping with your theme. Add a sand pail filled with sand and a few beach toys in the centre of every table for a beach party, a piñata for the margarita party, or a picnic basket filled with bread or flowers for the afternoon luncheon.

Don't forget about the bathroom - ready the restroom by adding a single stem of your favorite garden flower on the countertop, a bowl full of pretty soaps, a stack of clean hand towels, a basket of toiletries and a reserve of toilet paper in case you miss a cue. The restroom should be party ready so guests can primp and pee in style. The savvy party girl will put people before food and dishes. From the moment the doorbell rings you must turn your focus away from the kitchen and onto your guests; this means timely food preparation and solid planning. Build your food and drink menu around the party's theme. Instead of an open bar, plan to serve a signature drink. Summer favorites include watermelon margaritas, chocolate raspberry martinis and peach bellinis. Set up a patio bar; leaving all the ingredients on a bar table will encourage guests to make their own drinks. I also leave pitchers of "fancy water" in the bar. Fill your pitchers with water and ice cubes that have been frozen with edible flowers. You can also add cucumber slices, radish or fruit to a pitcher of water for a subtle, gourmet flavour. Munchables are a must-have; leave a bowl filled with extra large olives on the bar and a basket filled with baked pita chips or tint toasts and team up with fresh chutney, bruscetta, salsa, caviar, smoked salmon or pate. Add a sprig of chives or a handful of flower heads to your hors d'ouevres to make them sizzle with sexy summer appeal. Elegant entrees needn't take hours of preparation. Plan to grill a duck on the barbeque (it can be put on a rotisserie hours ahead of the party) or serve "make your own" barbecued gourmet pizzas. Toss in a gourmet salad, a decadent dessert (decadent can be simple - try fresh strawberries served over ice cream and garnish with white chocolate curls) and iced cappuccino for the perfect summer menu. Send your guests home with more than the memory of a great evening. Big kids love party favours as much as the young ones do, and you don't need to spend a lot of money. Try a bag of homemade bath salts (a half-and-half mixture of sea salt and Epsom salts, a few drops of essential oil and a fresh sprig of lavender), a bag of sand toys, a bottle of bubbles, or a plastic beach ball (all available from your local dollar store). Summer soirees are cool fun for hot summer nights. Plan to host your own swanky backyard party soon.

Cheers!

Chocolate Raspberry Martini

1 oz Saint Brendan's Irish Cream

1 oz Amaretto

1/2 oz Raspberry Cordial

Shake all ingredients in martini shaker over ice, pour into martini glasses and garnish with fresh raspberries.

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