Celebrate The New Year In Style

(Image courtesy of rachel_titiriga)

After the chaos of hosting endless gatherings this holiday season, the idea of inviting people over to ring in the New Year may seem like an insurmountable task. Just because you decide to have people over to celebrate the changing of the calendar doesn't mean that you need to fret over throwing the party of the century. One of the best aspects of hosting a New Year's get together is how hands-off the process is.

By following just a few simple steps (that require very little actual prep work,) you can host the party that your guests will be talking about all year. This article from renters.apartments.com has a quick list of everything you’ll need to have a great New Year’s bash in the comfort of your own home. Keep reading to learn more:

1. Booze. Ask people to BYO, but have your own on hand too. Maybe cover the champagne toast and ask your guests to bring their libation of choice for the rest of the night.

2. E-vites. Send these out early so as to claim dibs on your favorite people, give them time to find something fun to wear, and generally relieve your guests of a month of thinking, ‘What the heck am I going to do for New Year’s?’

3. Food. After the unending feast that is late November thru December, the stakes couldn't be lower here. Anything fancier than pretzels in a bag (pretzels in a bowl, even) is above-and-beyond territory.

Finally, ambiance. Music, lighting—all good. But if wedding albums on Facebook have taught me anything this year, it’s that a cool backdrop for picture taking is where it’s at.

Here is a quick guide for making your own fancy photo backdrop on the cheap:

Step 1: Choose your location. If you’re in a rental, you probably have lots of plain white walls. Pick one in an area that won’t disrupt traffic. If you want to be really ambitious about it, empty out a closet and use it as a bona fide photo booth.

Step 2: Remove any artwork, furniture, etc. from the wall area and stash it out of the way. Measure the area you want to cover. Even if you have no plans to do the math, it’ll be nice when you’re at the store later to have a rough idea of how many 3-inch doilies it would take to cover the wall.

Step 3: Hit the dollar store. Cheap materials are great for backdrops because they’re temporary, don’t need to be durable, and anything shiny, sparkly, or textured looks nifty on film, regardless of quality.

Suggestions include:

• Streamers (twirled or hung flat along a curtain rod or dowel, like this)
• Glitzy fringe (like this backdrop, which is made with sheets of fringe taped in overlapping rows to a cardboard background)
• Strands of twinkle lights (draped over a dowel or clothing rack and then layered with a sheet of sheer fabric, like this)
• Doilies or metallic paper disks (hung as a vertical garland)
• Balloons (if you spring for the helium kind, tape their strings at varying heights like these, or blow them up yourself and staple them close together on a cardboard background)
• Or anything else that strikes your fancy at the dollar general, after perusing this idea board.

If you really want to do it up, add some props. Tiny hats, huge glasses and any variety of mustache on a stick are trendy, but I’m partial to cardboard cutouts of celebrities, those streamer things that pop, and traditional party hats for the New Year’s theme.

Once the decorations are up, just add people, a camera, booze and stir!

Any fun party games for a New Year’s Eve apartment party? Share them in the comments below!

Host The Party Of The Season

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Every year, the holiday party invites roll in from friends and families all over the country. With the cramped time over the holidays, there’s no way that you’ll be able to make it to them all AND host your own. There are many different ways to give your party the holiday touch that will have your friends carrying over the yule logs and eggnog.

Before all the planning is done and the invitations are all sent out, there are a few things you need to consider to make your party a success. This article from renters.apartments.com has all the information you need to keep your guests waiting for santa in style.

Personal Invites

It all starts well before the day of the event with a personal invite. We’re talking about real-life paper invites, not run-of-the-mill evites that could sit in a person’s in-box for days before peaking interest. A mailed invitation is going to get noticed right away. Adding a personal note to each is a nice touch that will make a guest feel like their presence at the party is really welcomed.

Décor in Addition to Refreshments

If you want everyone to really get in the holiday spirit a little decorative flare never hurt. Being a good host is all about the details so don’t skimp on the décor. It’s all about creating a conducive party atmosphere that starts at the entryway.

Have fun with it by picking a theme that will play into the decorations, food and beverages.

Don’t Let Guest Drive After Too Many

No host should let a guest drink and drive. Take the responsible route and line up rides ahead of time. Whether that be designated drivers, cabs or a chauffeur service if you want to go really ritzy. If someone is refusing to get a ride and wants to drive do what you can to keep them at the party and have bottled water on hand for them to drink. The only thing that will sober someone up is time. Enlist the help of others to convince the person that the best idea is for them to let some else get behind the wheel.

Plan Out Entertainment

Conversation can be great, but it’s always good to have a little entertainment planned out ahead of time. Whether that be musical, board games or activities give your guest something to do while they are at your place. Think about several ideas beforehand to make sure you have all the entertainment needs covered on the day of the party.

Do a Lot of Preparation

If you’re running around the entire party there’s a good chance you won’t be having the best time and that can rub off on your guests. Thorough preparation before the party will ensure that you can relax with your guests during the shindig.

A few things to do beforehand include:

• Creating a playlist so the music is on autopilot.
• Prep as much of the food as possible the day before and store it in your fridge.
• Use lists when shopping.
• Come up with a schedule of things to do during the party so you can make sure you have everything you might need.
• Keep food and drinks delicious yet simple. Mix in pre-made items that just need to be popped in the oven and kept warm.
• Set up a self-serve bar that has everything your guests may need. You may also want to consider getting an ice chest to keep nearby.

These five things are what every seasoned host has mastered, and you can too. Pretty soon you’ll gain the reputation of knowing how to throw a holiday party, and next year you can expect the RSVPs to roll in right away.

Cooking Up Some Kitchen Decor

(Image courtesy of urbaneapts)

Every kitchen has mostly the same features like a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a table and chairs, but what makes your kitchen unique? We’re all individuals and our traits should be reflected in the room we spend the most time in!

From the furniture and silverware that we choose down to the color of the walls, your kitchen provides ample opportunity to express yourself. This article from renters.apartments.com has a few great ideas to insert a little more personality into your kitchen. Keep reading to learn more!


Change up your walls: Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral like beige or gray. These colors won’t date the room and will prevent you from possibly getting quickly tired of a more drastic color palette.


Brighten up the kitchen: Use mirrors to capture the sunlight and bounce it around. Try putting a mirror across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.

Make seasonal changes: Moving the kitchen furniture into a 'summer arrangement' can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. Make it light and breezy - think about removing some of the furniture and decorations for a lighter feel. Open those curtains and let the sun shine in!

Use slipcovers: Slipcovers over your chairs can soften the room and add to your decor. For the holidays, try using special covers in holiday patters or colors. For a nice summer change, use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the chairs.

Get ideas from the pros: Look in magazines, books, television or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories and designs you would like to see in your kitchen. If you see a kitchen decorated in a way that you like, think about how you can duplicate the same decor in your home.

Decorate with cookbooks: You can make a nice display with your cookbooks. Try grouping them in interesting configurations with some lying down and some standing. Don't put small books next to tall books but align them in graduating sizes.

Warm it up with rugs: Area rugs can add a splash of color or cover up an old or unmatched floor. When buying rugs, measure your space so you can be sure to get the right rug size. Rugs used under a table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.

Bring the outdoors inside: Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Plants provide interest and soften up the room. For above the cabinets or hard to reach places, silk plants work just as well as real ones, however, if you do buy silk, go with a good quality arrangement that looks realistic.

Change your look with accessories: A few strategically placed accessories can change your kitchen from dull to dramatic! Choose a theme and you could give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories like toaster covers, dish towels, canister sets, salt and pepper shakers and pot holders.

Change your cabinet pulls: There are so many different styles of cabinet pulls these days - figural, wooden, ceramic, glass - you should be able to find a design that matches your new decor easily. They are easy to install yourself and your friends will think you got new cabinets!

Add a border: Wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest. You can use them at the top of the wall or go with a less traditional use underneath the cabinets. Use them at chair rail height to break up long walls. An even less expensive (but more labor intensive) alternative is to use stencils and paint.

Where To Eat Dinner in Seattle

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No matter what we like to eat, or how adventurous we are when it comes to new cuisine, it’s always nice to switch up regular dining habits from time to time. Seattle offers an expansive variety of unique variety of bistros, bars and restaurants to choose from to add a little something different to your favorite meal of the day.

Branching out to new restaurants can present a problem-how do you decide where to go? This article from seattlemag.com lists some great restaurants in the city we all love. Keep reading to discover a new place to go for dinner tonight!

Hitchcock

Chef and owner Brendan McGill goes out of his way to shop well from local farmers, and then he lets those stellar ingredients do the heavy lifting. The applewood-fired oven is put to good use, scenting the perfectly cooked pork chop and the legendary chicken. Best bet: the always inspired name-your-price prix fixe menu. Dinner nightly. 133 Winslow Way E, Suite 200; 206.201.3789;hitchcockrestaurant.com

Restaurant Marché Bainbridge

We’re smitten with former Canlis chef and cookbook author Greg Atkinson’s Northwest-inspired bistro on Bainbridge Island. Atkinson is a pro, and it shows: The perfectly cooked steaks and salmon are paired with carefully considered sides. More pluses: friendly service and a stylish dining room. Lunch and dinner Tue.–Sat. Winslow, 150 Madrone Lane; 206.842.1633;restaurantmarchebainbridge.com

Ballard/Shilshole

Bastille

Ballard Avenue’s Parisian-style brasserie comes alive after dark, when the vintage light fixtures cast the fashionable crowd in a flattering golden hue. The best choices are plats du jour (such as a tender-crisp boneless quail). At brunch, the fluffy omelets and the farmers’ market people-watching (from tables in the cozy, enclosed patio) is top-notch. Brunch Sun., dinner daily. 5307 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.453.5014; bastilleseattle.com

Bitterroot

This hip corner spot in Ballard turns out the best barbecue we’ve tasted in Seattle in a long time, especially the ribs and the brisket. Plus brown liquor (the vanilla-scented creamed old fashioned is great) and a choice lineup of local beer. Lunch and dinner daily. 5239 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.588.1577; bitterrootbbq.com

Cafe Besalu

The heady scentof butter wafts out of James Miller’s tiny neighborhood bakery each time the door opens, inviting neighbors to come inside. Miller’s croissants, pastries and quiches are nothing short of superb, and the warmth of the windowed storefront space lingers. Breakfast and lunch Wed.–Sun. 5909 24th Ave. NW; 206.789.1463; cafebesalu.com

Delancey

The humble pizzeria that Brandon Pettit runs with his wife, Molly Wizenberg (creator of food blog Orangette), is such a hit there’s still often an hour’s wait. Pettit’s outstanding pizza has a chewy, salty, smoky crust and bright house-made tomato sauce. Craft cocktail bar Essex is a sparkling addition with its list of house-made bitters. Dinner Wed.–Sun. 1415 NW 70th St.; 206.838.1960;delanceyseattle.com

Honoré Artisan Bakery

Next door to Delancey is this quaint bakery where the buttery croissants rival Ballard’s other fab bakery, Cafe Besalu. But those caramelized canelés? Those shattering macarons? That kouign amann (a layered sweet-salty pastry from Brittany)? Perfection! Breakfast and lunch Wed.–Sun. 1413 NW 70th St.; 206.706.4035; honorebakery.com

La Carta de Oaxaca

Easily Seattle’s most authentic Mexican restaurant, La Carta has a menu that’s eminently craveable. You’ll love the hand-mashed guacamole with house-fried tortilla chips and tender chicken in Oaxaca’s signature sweet, sultry black mole. The tequila/mezcal display is particularly well researched. Lunch Tue.–Sat., dinner Mon.–Sat. 5431 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.782.8722;lacartadeoaxaca.com

Paseo

The pink food stand, with outdoor seating only, is hard to miss; see listing under FREMONT for full description. Lunch and dinner Tue.–Sat. 6226 Seaview Ave. NW; 206.789.3100;paseoseattle.com. Cash only.

Ray’s Boathouse & Café

Head to Ray’s upstairs café, where breathtaking sunsets and standard-issue seafood dishes are a Seattle tradition. Downstairs, Ray’s seaside dining room reopened in January after a renovation, and chef Wayne Johnson (formerly of Andaluca) has taken over the kitchen. And then there is that view. On a clear day, the Olympic Mountains fairly jump into your lap. Café lunch and dinner daily; restaurant dinner daily. 6049 Seaview Ave. NW; 206.789.3770; rays.com

Skillet Diner

All your big-boned Skillet faves, including the burger, the waffles with fried chicken, that kale Caesar—plus a few new Scandinavian dishes, such as Swedish meatballs—are here at the new diner in Ballard. See listing under CAPITOL HILL for full information. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 2034 NW 56th St.; 206.922.7981; skilletdinerballard.com

Staple & Fancy Mercantile

Ethan Stowell’s Ballard dinner house is a pleasantly funky space with a constantly changing menu, served family style. We love the peekaboo view into neighboring The Walrus and the Carpenter. Dinner daily. 4739 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.789.1200; ethanstowellrestaurants.com

Stoneburner

Our review will appear in December. Jason Stoneburner’s eponymously named Italian eatery lives in a richly decorated, sprawling space at the foot of the swank new Hotel Ballard. On the menu: house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, small plates and local veggies galore. Brunch Sat.–Sun., lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner daily. 5214 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.695.2051; stoneburnerseattle.com

Veraci Pizza

The traveling wood-fired pizza ovens that helped pioneer Seattle’s mobile food trend churn out some of the most flavorful, inventive, cracker-thin-crusted pizza combinations—by the slice or the whole pie—in this casual, cozy family-friendly neighborhood spot. Lunch and dinner Wed.–Mon. 500 NW Market St.; 206.525.1813; veracipizza.com

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Renée Erickson (Boat Street Cafe & Kitchen) has made quite the splash with this breezy small-plates eatery and oyster bar, where raw, on-the-half-shell beauties are the stars. Dessert and cocktails are particularly good. Dinner daily. 4743 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.395.9227;thewalrusbar.com

Looking for even more restaurants in Seattle and on the Eastside beyond the ones on this list? Visit our Restaurant Guide.