Halloween is Sunday this year, so make the most of the weekend with a Halloween Toast on Saturday night. Need some ideas: Here is roundup of the Ghoulist Halloween Cocktail Ideas from around the Web. Cheers and Happy Halloween!

"Blood Drip" Vampire Martini Recipe - HostessWithTheMostess.com…

Polenta is known as the pasta of the Northern Italy. It's amazingly versatile, inexpensive and perfect parties! You can make it in 5 minutes with water, or add broth or milk for more flavor or creaminess. You can bake it, fry it, grill it or serve it from the pot like a thick soup. At just pennies a serving you can use polenta as a side dish, an appetizer, dessert or even a base for pizza when you are hosting a crowd on a tight budget. I love it…

October is the time of year I dusk off my crock pot and get it going again - and what better way to kick off cock pot season than with Pumpkin Soup. This recipe comes from a Crock Cook and it looks fantastic. It may be just the ticket for Halloween. Slice and dice your ingredients and turn your crock pot on in the…

Based on the remarkable true story, “Secretariat” chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Against all odds, housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane)—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—navigates the male-dominated horse-racing business,…

It's that time of year again. September is truly a transitional month, when we're thinking fall but feeling summer. When it comes to your table, summer decor is really out and it's definitely too early to pull out the pine cones and pumpkins! However it is time to switch your color palate from light and bright to neutral. A great tip is to look out your window and use the colors you see outside, browns, greens and maybe a splash of…

The image above is the Cooking Light version (recipe link below) .

Light and Luxe Versions!

It's zucchini and tomato season, so make the most of this fresh fare while you can. I'm a pasta lover and this summer recipe is a delicious way to feature both. My best advice is to make sure not to overcook the vegetables. You want the zucchini soft but still firm and the tomatoes…

Look what I found! A No-Cook Dinner Party Menu from Taste.com Australia. This is a sensational summer menu that doesn’t involve your stove! You can make these easy no-cook recipes and host a sit down dinner for 6 friends that’s simple yet special. I love the light fare for a hot summer night and since you won’t be in a hot kitchen all day cooking, make sure to set your table under the stars outdoors. Note: You will need to replace some of the…

Snack mix is not only perfect for parties, it’s perfect for summer fun and is a travel ready treat when you hit the road this summer! Mix up a large batch and take it to the beach or park, or bring it along in the car when you travel to your vacation destination. It’s much more economical than the pre-made snack mixes you buy in the store, my 3 boys can eat of box of that in 5 minutes! To keep the snack mix crisp,…

Join Jacob’s Creek and Share Our Strength and share a glass of wine to end hunger! I can not think of a more pleasurable way to support this amazing campaign than to enjoy the quality wines from Jacob’s Creek. It’s easy to participate, just buy a bottle of Jacob’s Creek at your favorite wine shop, order a glass when dining out or share a…

Feeling the pinch on your party because of a tight budget, but still want the look and feel created by party planners like Colin Cowie and Amy Atlas? Well here is one of the best ways I know to create high party impact on a low party budget. I call it Mass Appeal. Anything, and I do mean almost anything, in a monochromatic mass can take the mundane and make it WOW with glamour, drama or fun. See…

Here at the Partybluprints Blog, we have done some polling of friends and family online and off and have discovered that a large majority of you participate in activities ( parades, fairs, races…) on Memorial Day and then head home or to a family member or friend’s house to celebrate. With that in mind, we have come up with a Marvelous “Make-Ahead” Menu that will be perfect for your party! This one can pretty much be done…

An American Mom Classic and in my book one of the greatest comfort food pairings of all time, tomato soup and grilled cheese is now being featured on the menus of high-end restaurants across the country. It's stealing the spotlight as the trendy comfort food of choice; toppling the very played-out gourmet versions of mac and cheese we have seen over the past few years. So, take your cue from the culinary world and serve some up at your next…

BBQ season is upon us, our cover came off the grill last weekend and we attended our first BBQ party last night! It’s got me thinking and I wanted to share some bright ideas for your next BBQ bash, so here is one I love…

Use mason or jelly jars to serve cool drinks to your guests. The idea has been hot for weddings for a while now, but I think it’s also perfect for home entertaining. There is something very nostalgic and down home…