A Cup of Glee - Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!

We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!

The Flying Saucer

(What’s new at Fancy That!)

Just added to our store: We loooove these "Wedding Tea Cookies" so much that we prefer to call them the World's Best! These pecan-based delights make a cute shower gift for a special bride-to-be, but don't let their official name mislead you, they're not just for wedding celebrations... these can be enjoyed ANY time... simply remove from package and place on your favorite tid bit tray at your next dinner party.

Table Talk

(Manners and TableTop Tips)

While searching for a unique wedding gift for an off-beat bride, I found these stunning black crystal goblets from Williams Sonoma:

I just love them. Black can be so elegant. While I ultimately decided to go with vintage goblets rather than new, it really was tough to pass these up! Check out the aperitif glass (pictured on far left). So fab. Which brings me to the topic of this post: The art of the aperitif. What IS an aperitif? It is a beverage served before a meal intended to stimulate the appetite. To understand the importance of the aperitif, an American writer looks to Europe.

The Butler
(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)

This article from Boston Magazine is a fun read, and chocked full of ideas for your dinner planning, including the cocktail hour and aperitif.

Wedding Bells
(Tips for planning your Wedding)

Oh, to “open bar” or not “to open bar ”... the question that has plagued brides and wedding planners no doubt since the very first nuptial. For those of you rolling your eyes, consider this alternative to an open bar: Have a cocktail hour at which you pass two or three different aperitifs along with cheese and crackers. Your guests will be able to enjoy the light cocktail before the meal, and you will control the run on the bar. The aperitif has saved the day!

Bon Appetite!

Until my next post, please remember:

Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.

Sarah E for acupofglee.blogspot.com

A Cup of Glee - Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!

We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.” Thank you for stopping by for this week’s posting. Enjoy!

The Flying Saucer

(What’s new at Fancy That!)

I’ve been on the search for the perfect charger plate to add to our rental line. The search has not been as easy as it may sound. The dilemma is the color. Should I go with Silver, Gold, some other option? Gold will coordinate with the gold trim that is on the majority of the teacups and plates that we offer for rent, but how is a gold charger going to look on a tabletop, sitting beside silver flatware? I have yet to decide. Silver chargers present the opposite problem: they’ll clearly go with silverware, but how will they look under our china plates that are trimmed in gold? Or aside a gold trimmed vintage teacup? These are the questions that I ponder :) In my experience, early on in your wedding plans, whether you realize it or not, you’ll come to a conclusion as to whether you’re a silver accent person or a gold accent person. The same issue will be contemplated when you are eventually designing a kitchen or bathroom: think sink and shower fixtures, and cabinet knobs, but I digress. Okay, back to chargers. While I reserve the right to change my mind at any time, as of today, I am leaning toward a neutral colored under-plate, such as off-white. Here is a picture of the one I am presently considering. What do you think?

Table Talk

(Manners and TableTop Tips)

A charger adds SO much to a place setting. Check out Sneak Peek for Tea Party Originally uploaded by jcann as a beautiful example.

The Butler
(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)

Speaking of charger plates, have you ever wondered about their proper use? (yep, there IS such a thing as charger plate etiquette :)) See here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-decorative-charger-plate.htm


Wedding Bells
(Tips for planning your Wedding)

Okay, I’m going to break away from the charger theme to talk about something I wish I had done at my own wedding: the use a wedding planner, just for the day. Hubby and I put a lot of thought into planning our wedding, and I never considered using a wedding planner. Between the two of us, I have to say we thought of just about everything! But on our actual wedding day, we both realized what we really needed was someone there to make sure that our best laid plans went off without a hitch (because we really didn’t have time to do it, nor did we want to). Now, I know you’re saying to yourself: that’s what the catering manager is for, and you’re right… but when issues come up, even small ones, it’s nice to have someone available to alert the catering manager, and that’s where a wedding planner for the day comes in handy. She or he will be the “go to” person, leaving you free to enjoy yourself. Besides, even catering managers may need a little looking after. I remember my catering manager coming to my hotel room (at an upscale hotel in Boston) the morning of my wedding to ask me for a seating chart (apparently he couldn’t find the one I had already provided). Thankfully, I had brought extra everything just in case, but I was in the middle of having my hair done, and it would have been nice if I didn’t have to worry about such details at that point (plus, it left me wondering what else he may have lost or forgotten). There were a few other glitches throughout the day – nothing tragic – but given all of the planning we had done, it was a pity to see certain details not executed properly. It just would have been great to have someone there to over-see everything. Simply put: use a wedding planner, even if it’s just for the day, and I bet you’ll be glad you did.

Until my next post, please remember:

Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.

Sarah E for acupofglee.blogspot.com

Cups N Cups

I simply love this picture and thought I would share it with you.

The picture is called "Cups N Cups" which describes exactly what it is.

Using a fine china tea cup is a much more appealing experience when having a cup of tea... I imagine, the tea actually tastes better :)

A Cup of Glee - Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That! We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.” Thank you for stopping by for this week’s posting. Enjoy!

The Flying Saucer
(What’s new at Fancy That!)

We’re constantly adding to our inventory and have recently procured these fantastic square luncheon plates! Snatched em up for a song! They’ve inspired me to offer a vintage line of just square plates, so I’ve been busying acquiring :) (now I need to find just the right square charger plate! Oh well, I guess my work is never done :))

Table Talk
(Manners and TableTop Tips)

Let’s talk about the Place Card Holders, shall we? They're another great way to add interest and dimenstion to your event. They don't have to be traditional! Here's your chance to showcase your individuality. Granted, at a large event, such as a wedding, you may only have assigned tables and not assigned seating at each table, but if your event is smaller (or you just want to go over-the-top) you may deside to assign seating and if you do, why not do something unexpected? Here are few ideas to inspire you: Check out these chocolate place cards from ElegantCheeseCakes.com. Amazing! How about custom cookie place cards (or cookie gift tags or cookie napkin rings! She does it all! Tell her what you have in mind, and she'll make it in an edible form). You don't have to go to a lot of expense. Here's something (see pic below) that's simple but still classic (from You Are Here Originally uploaded by Domino Cid).

Have an original idea that you want to share? Send us a picutre from your event, and we just may feature it on A Cup of Glee. Email us.

The Butler

(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)

One of the reasons I really like throwing dinner parties is that I don't need a reason to! Recently spluge on service for six of some gorgeous tableware? Sounds like time for a dinner party, to me :). Consider who you'll invite and what your menu will be, and from there, your theme will start to emerge. Don't forget that a very important element to your dinner party is music! But there's more to think about: I love this article by Jim Roberts on How to Throw an Exceptional Dinner Party and I think the only thing I would add to his sage advice is this: If you and your guests have a habit of talking and hanging out late into the evening, you might want to consider preparing a light snack that is served some time after dessert. When ever my husband and I get together with two particular friends of ours, invariably, we all lose track of time and find ourselves hungry again after dinner and several hours of good conversation. So, in addition to an appetizer, we prepare in advance a cheese and cracker tray (or chips and dip) that we call a "midnight snack" :)

Thanks for stopping by. Until my next post, please remember:

Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.

Sarah E for acupofglee.blogspot.com