Personalize Your Thanksgiving Party

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is important to not only think of how you are going to decorate your fabulous get together but how you are going to make your event extra special for all of your guests.  It is not only good etiquette, but also a warm gesture when you make your guests feel like you are happy to have them there and that you put effort into your planning.  One very simple way to do this is to have names at each place setting or have a personalized message at each plate.  However, nametags don’t always have to be a simple paper folded in half, use the wonderful materials of fall to spice up your place cards!

Gold Leaf Place Cards

Just go out to your yard and find some gorgeous fall leaves that have made their way onto your yard.  Spray paint them gold, for a warm touch and then simply write the guest’s name on the leaf or attach a small piece of paper with your guest's name (shown above).  Ta-da you will be the hostess with the most-est to your guests.

Pumpkin Place Cards

Miniature pumpkins can also double as a place card.  Simple write the guest’s name on the pumpkin.  Orange pumpkins will add color to your spread and act as individual décor.  White pumpkins with gold or another color writing may be more appropriate for a more elegant Thanksgiving feast.  You can even spray paint your pumpkin and use the stem as a cardholder.

Give Thanks to Your Guests

Many people often overlook the true tradition of Thanksgiving, which is to give thanks with your family and friends.  Rather than have just a name card think about personalized notes to your guests that let them know that you are thankful for them being there.  One way to tie the note in with your table is to do a personalized napkin ring.  Simply cut strips of paper and write or print your message to your guest.  This simple gesture will not go unnoticed by your guests.

Borrowed and Bleu Guest Blog

JOWY Productions recently had the priveledge of doing a guest blog for Borrowed and Bleu.  Check out what we had to say...

Who says black and white has to be boring? On the contrary, this classic palette is adding glamour to countless weddings by creating a romantic and timeless backdrop for any bride and groom. This color theme actually lends itself to a variety of directions and can be seasonal, too, with accents and colorations to set the tone.

Black and white weddings can range anywhere from old Hollywood glamour to Parisian chic, modern or anywhere in between. Take your inspiration from the Eiffel Tower at twilight, or rather a scene from Sunset Boulevard or Casablanca. The black and white color palette is a traditional yet bold statement for any wedding. If you are still not convinced, there are plenty of ways to jazz up the could-be ho-hum colors:

1. Color Accents
Just because you chose black and white for your primary colors doesn’t mean that you can’t add some fun pops of other colors. Bright purple orchids add a punch of color to a mod black and white affair. If you want to soften the harsh contrast of the black and white, try a coral color. Deep rusts and bright oranges can be perfect for fall, as well.

2. Texture
Adding texture and mixed materials can help break up the clean lines of a black and white wedding. A good way to break up uniform centerpieces is by adding different size vases – varying heights of vases, along with adding mirrors and candles to create a wow factor. By adding variety you can eliminate feeling bored with the same centerpiece at every table. Another way of adding texture is by using black and white print or fabrics such as lace or chiffon to soften the contrast between the two colors.

3. Get Artsy With It!
The black and white color scheme lends itself to countless crafts and creative touches for a wedding. Stringing or framing black and white photos is both inexpensive and a great way to add a personal touch to the décor. A black chalkboard with white writing is fun way to mark tables or for any other signing needs you may have on the special day.

http://www.borrowedandbleu.com/advice-ideas/wedding-trends-the-allure-of-black-and-white/ 

Spice Up Thanksgiving With Seasonal Sides

As the leaves begin to change and even the LA weather starting to take an occasional dip, the JP team has been inspired to start thinking about their own holiday celebrations.  As all of us started discussing our fondest Thanksgiving memories, conversation suddenly started turning into a recipe exchange. Turkey is great and honey-baked hams are all fine, but here at JOWY Productions the sides are what really steal the show.  Side dishes not only add flare to your table, but they also incorporate some of the yummiest flavors of the season.  Here are a few of our favorite recipes:

Randi’s Persimmon Steamed Pudding

*A dear family friend

3 Medium Persimmons- pureed

    Add: 2 tsp. baking soda to puree.  Mix well with spoon.

    Set aside in bowl and cover with plastic.

 Cream Mixture

     1/2 C. Butter

     1 1/2 C. Sugar

 Add pureed persimmons to above mixture

    2 eggs

    1 tsp. lemon juice

    1 tsp. vanilla

    2 T. milk (I use 1%)

 Add in:

    1 C. Flour

    1 tsp. Cinnamon

 Mix well.

 OPTIONAL:

    ADD:

    1 C. raisins

     ½ C. nuts

 **YOU MUST HAVE A STEAM PUDDING MOLD WITH A SECURE TOP! 

Spray the pan with a non-stick spray, such as Pam. 

 In large, tall soup pot, boil water about 4-6 inches high, just so it reaches the steamer or whatever you place your pudding mold on.   

Once it boils, lower to simmer and put your mold into pot, making sure your lid is secure.  

(I use an old fashioned steamer (which opens up like a flower) for vegetables, to elevate the Pudding Mold from the water.)

Steam the pudding for 2 1/2 hours, Check water level and add more as needed - do not let water evaporate! 

Take out of pot, remove mold top and let cool for 10 - 15 minutes.  Place the steam pudding mold face down on a plate and shake gently to unmold.  

It's best-served warm - (not hot) or serve @ room temperature. (Sarah’s family prefers to serve it warm). This dish is a great re-heat and it can be made before the celebration.  Randi even suggested making two batches, one for Thanksgiving and one to stick in the freezer until Christmas since persimmons will no longer be in season.  Reheat by wrapping in foil and sticking it in the oven at 300-350 degrees for 10 minutes. 

Jen’s Sweet Potato Casserole

Makes 12 servings

Crust

1 cup brown sugar 
1/3 cup flour 
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred) 
1/3 stick butter, melted 
Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter in mixing bowl. Set aside.

Sweet Potato Mixture

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes 
1 cup sugar 
½ teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
2 eggs, well beaten 
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat a medium-size casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a large mixing bowl in the order listed.

Beat thoroughly with a hand mixer to increase the fluffiness of the sweet potato mixture.

Pour mixture into the baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes. (At this point, dish can be covered and refrigerated.)

Sprinkle the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with the crust mixture and return to oven for 10 minutes.

Allow to set at least 30 minutes before serving. (The brown sugar and pecan crust should be slightly browned and crunchy.)

Stay tuned as we countdown to Thanksgiving by giving you many more recipe and design ideas for your holiday celebrations!

The Malibu French Laundry

With a four day notice, we helped create an incredible dinner adventure for our client's surprise birthday dinner in Malibu! The client's chef had trained at The French Laundry for a week to learn the ins and outs of Thomas Keller's masterpiece operation and put his own spin on the dinner.

The printed menu was modeled after The French Laundry's printed menu.

Below is a link to Chef Spencer's blog with photographs of the food from the evening.

http://www.spencerhgray.com/2011/08/my-laundromat.html

Our tablescape was gorgeous (if we must admit); the candlelight illuminated the all white coloration.

*Each guest's name was printed on a wooden clothes pin, just like at The French Laundry.

Fourteen guests and 6 hours later, everyone left very full and blown away! What an incredible evening!

JP featured on Sheknows.com for the second time...

Tips on how to throw a DIY festive pool party! Check us out!

http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/835855/pool-party-dcor