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July 26 You are Invited to A World-Wide PartyYou are invited to the World-Wide Party It starts 08.08.08 Host a Beijing BBQ in honor of the Olympics and it's host city!  This is one of the rare times that the world comes together in peace, celebrate in your corner of the world by hosting your own party. Partybluprints.com has hot cocktail recipes, a cool music mix and great ideas for food and decor, plus the link to the official Beijing Olympic Pin. It's the Hottest Party of the Summer and you can be the Hottest Host. Start now by viewing the gold medal guide on throwing this Beijing Bash... Go> Send us your party photos and we will post them! July 22 A Party for the World!
Music is essential for any party. It has the incredible power to relax, excite, inspire and transport people to another place mentally. Consider where you want to take your guests and plan accordingly. This time we've done the work for you!
This summer we are excited to announce DJ Massey has created a mix specifically for our
The hottest party of the summer!
The theme of this set is World Music introducing sounds from many different cultures interconnected by an Asian inspired vibe. It's perfect for the Beijing BBQ because it too is infused with an Olympic Spirit of its own. Here is the play list - unfamiliar with the tune or artist, fabulous - isn't that what discovery is all about! Your guests will be transported to another world where everyone is connecting by a beautiful and unifying sound. The mix is currently 18 on the Lounge Charts at MixUpload and is receiving great comments. To Listen Now Go>
Note: Sorry we are maxed out on friends - please continue to visit we have lots more in store... We apologize for sending you an invitation and not adding you to our friends list.
July 20 It's the Hottest Party Idea For Summer!You are invited to host
The Hottest Party of the Summer Starts 08.08.08
Put A Twist on the Traditional BBQ and infuse summer with the spirit of the Olympics Plan a Beijing BBQ Today!
There are few times that the world comes together to celebrate, cheer and honor its people - the Olympics is one of those occasions. This global event has the power to unify the world and inspire peace for a moment in time. To celebrate this extraordinary event and its athletes in your own corner of the world, host a Beijing BBQ.
Create your own Beijing Olympic Village, just like the one the world is sharing. Gather friends and family for a unique and festive BBQ. No hamburgers and hot dogs here - fire up the Chinese Spareribs and cool the Chinese inspired cocktails. Go for the gold with our tips and make winners out of you and your guests.
For Quick Tips Go To Windows Live Events Send us pictures of your party and we will post the best! It's All FREE just look and see... music mix, cocktails, decor, favors, menu
Full Details on how to host
Plan your party with Partybluprints.com and announce it in style with Windows Live Events.
July 18 Cruisin' with Partybluprints finaleTrying
always to be cognizant of what goes into successful entertaining - we
have become observers and students of everything around us. In June,
Elizabeth and I had the amazing experience of cruising through Alaska
on the Celebrity Infinity. As part of our journey, we made sure to
interview, tour and sniff out everything that could benefit you - our
special guest.  Above is a picture from one of our ship excursions, a hike and canoe trip in the Tongass National Forest. We traveled approximately 1 hour inland from Ketchickan to find this beautiful spot surrounding a lake that was 800 feet deep! The Tongass National Forest, is a temperate rain forest with some places receiving over 100 inches of rainfall per year. The Tongass covers much of Southeast Alaska and the area is actually a mediterranean climate. Meaning the temperature never changes much, it stays between 30 - 60 degrees all year.  Here we are Canoeing to our lunch. Spencer, our guide for the day, had lots to share about the plants and trees around us. We learned that Witches Hair grows in the trees off the nutrients in the air. It is bright green and it's elimination from the area would signal pollution. As we canoed bald eagles flew above us and I am sure more than a few Bear ( there are more Bear per square mile here than people!) spotted us from the cover of the woods.  When we arrived at our camp, lunch was served by Matt. Matt, as you can see in the picture, made us Alaskan Clam Chowder that was hands down the best we have ever tasted. He did this over a fire he made. Matt also put out some delicious smoked Alaskan Salmon. He took the time to set an inviting table by using the beautiful flowers and fauna surrounding the camp! Very impressive for being in the middle of a rain forest.  Matt served a unique condiment with the smoked salmon, a delicious local jam. The mixture of sweet and salty was extraordinary. Both Spencer and Matt were excellent hosts and proved once again that simple can be very special especially when served with a smile and a generous spirit! A Special Thanks to both for a great day! July 17 Cruisin' with Partybluprints continued...Trying always to be
cognizant of what goes into successful entertaining - we have become
observers and students of everything around us. In June, Elizabeth and
I had the amazing experience of cruising through Alaska on the
Celebrity Infinity. As part of our journey, we made sure to interview,
tour and sniff out everything that could benefit you - our special
guest.  The Celebity Infinity pulling into the Majestic Glacier Bay... Then the view of the Hubbard Glacier - WOW!  Guest Relations Manager Deniece Seow took some time out from her very busy schedule to sit with us and share a delicious Cafe Au Lait and some insider tips for cruising . Deniece has been working on cruise ships for 10 years and has spent the last 5 years with Celebrity Cruises. As the ship's Guest Relations Manger, she handles all guest related matters on board. This is basically a 24/7 job yet we never met up with Deniece when she did not have a smile on her face and the answer on the tip of her tongue. Cheers Deniece!  Deniece's Do's and Don'ts for Cruising: Do fly a day early to ensure you make the ship's departure. Weather and unforeseen circumstances could keep you from arriving in time. The ship waits for no one! If you miss the ship's departure it's your responsibility to get to the next port of call. There are also merchants laws such as the "Jones Act" that may keep you from meeting up with the ship at certain ports of call, delaying your vacation even longer. Do book a cruise while on board a cruise. You receive a "Ship Board Credit" and you can transfer the reservation over to your travel agent when you get home. If you can't, make sure to use a travel agent that specializing in cruises. Be clear about the type of vacation you want, quiet and relaxing, great night-life, etc... Don't leave the location of your room to chance. Look at a map of rooms, if there are blank spaces under or over your room this could mean unwanted noise. Make sure the size is ample for your needs. Do make sure to confirm you have the same room on a back to back cruise before you board. Once on board you can not arrange for this. If you are doing an Australian/New Zealand Cruise, you want to make sure you don't have to switch rooms half way through your vacation. Don't assume 18 years of age is of the legal drinking age on a Celebrity Ship. Here are some additional Do's and Don't from Partybluprints: Do your homework and study up on the ports of call. Be ready to take full advantage of all each city has to offer. Do make sure to let the chef know of any dietary restrictions you may have so you can enjoy each meal. Don't spend all your time on the buffet line - get out, explore the ship and all it has to offer. You will be amazed at what goes on all day and night. We were surprised to find our Celebrity Cruise offered Art Auctions, Culinary Demonstrations, Lectures by the ship's Naturalist. There is a wealth of knowledge on board and you can enhance your cruise experience by participating . Do respect and honor the crew that make your vacation a success. Your cabin steward and waiter are people that can make your stay a great one. Get to know them and ask for their help and assistance. Here is a big thanks to three friends we made from Hondurus and will remember forever! Gracias a nuestros amigos el tres Joses   Cruisin' with Partybluprints continued...Trying
always to be cognizant of what goes into successful entertaining - we
have become observers and students of everything around us. In June,
Elizabeth and I had the amazing experience of cruising through Alaska
on the Celebrity Infinity. As part of our journey, we made sure to
interview, tour and sniff out everything that could benefit you - our
special guest.  Alaskan Stellar Seals relaxing on a buoy.  Juneau, Alaska (There are no roads to Juneau. The only way in or out is by plane or boat/ship as it is surrounded by mountains, water and the Juneau Ice field) Entertaining requires a good host or hostess. While on board the Celebrity Infinity we literally met the King of hosts, Alan King. Alan King has been working on ships for 33 years and has been a Cruise Director since 1979. As the Cruise Director, Alan works on the front line and is the face that most guests recognize while on board. We found Alan to be one of the most charming people we have ever met and his sunny, positive spirit was as infectious as his Scottish accent. According to Alan he would do it all over again exactly the same way and is in love with his job and his wife Milly (who sails with him on board in a private cabin).  Dawn, Alan King and Elizabeth Alan was born and raised in Scotland and has been all over the world. His most memorable cruise was to China. When Alan is not sailing, he spends time with his 2 daughters and 9 grandchildren in England or at home where he loves to entertain. In fact, this man who is so comfortable on stage night after night, actually has a nightclub in his home. He has a Piano and Karaoke machine and loves to host fifties and sixties themed parties. We asked Alan what it takes to be a great host. It is something he puts into practice at work and at play. His answer did not surprise us yet sometimes it is the most overlooked aspect of being a great host. Many of us worry to much about impressing our guests not addressing them. The King's Rule for being a great host: Always be cordial and friendly and make a personal connection with your guests. We love this rule and make sure to design each of our party plans with it in mind. Being present at your party is what makes for successful entertaining. Another very special man we met on the Celebrity Infinity was Saravan. Saravan is the Head Sommelier. Saravan hails from India and was as nice as he was knowledgeable on wine. Each night, Saravan recommended great wines and encouraged us to spread our wings and try something new.  Elizabeth, Saravan and Dawn  Saravan's Tasting Cup This special cup is worn only by Sommeliers and is used to taste the wine before it is poured for guests. Lessons from Saravan the Sommelier: Saravan educated us on the importance of stemware when serving wine. He had us taste wine from two different glasses. Incredibly, wine from the same bottle tasted completely different out of the two glasses. He explained that some manufacturers of wine glasses, Reidel is the best example, engineer the glass so that the wine hits select spots in your mouth and tongue. Certain wines need to hit the sides of your tongue, others the back. This impacts how you taste the wine and ultimately your enjoyment. Saravan also warned us not to serve Chardonnay too cold. A good white wine does not need to be ice cold. In fact, this keeps the wine from opening and much of the flavor is lost. Thanks Saravan and Cheers! July 16 Cruisin' with Partybluprints coninued...Trying always to be cognizant of what goes into
successful entertaining - we have become observers and students of
everything around us. In June, Elizabeth and I had the amazing
experience of cruising through Alaska on the Celebrity Infinity. As
part of our journey, we made sure to interview, tour and sniff out
everything that could benefit you - our special guest.  We were in awe of the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier Take the time to think about everything that goes into feeding over 2,000 guests and some 850 crew. Now consider this must be done while floating on the ocean and you have only one opportunity per week perhaps every two weeks to stock supplies. Add in the fact that this must go on day after day, month after month without a hitch. You have to be awestruck at the magnitude of this task. Now we are sure you can understand that one of the highlights our our Alaskan Cruise was our interview with Executive Chef Pascal. It was an honor to meet the man behind this huge operation and we are still not sure how he found the time to sit with us! According to Chef Pascal he was born to be on a ship and is equally passionate about it as cooking. Chef Pascal has been sailing for 14 years and considers it his way of life. He was born and raised in France, has worked in France, England, Asia and Australia and currently lives in the Philippines with his wife when he is not on board a Celebrity Ship. We found Chef Pascal to be interesting and delightful and were extremely impressed by his hands on approach to running every aspect of his Galley.  Dawn, Chef Pascal and Elizabeth Chef Pascal's philosophy on cooking is based on a deep respect of various food cultures. He personally meets with many of the guests on board, especially those with Vegan and Indian diets and guests whose diets have religious and allergy restrictions. By doing this he ensures that each guest can enjoy their culinary cruise experience. This respect should be embraced by every host and hostess when considering a menu for entertaining. Below are some of Chef's rules for his Galley operations aboard the ship. We think they are important to share and apply to every kitchen big or small: 1. Every kitchen must start out and end up clean and neat. Partybluprints' rule: Ditto 2. Quality of ingredients is important - Chef makes relationships in the major ports and inspects the quality and freshness of the food that comes on board. Partybluprints' rule: Each one of us can do this in the supermarket - take time to shop wisely, buy what is in season, is fresh and is local. 3. Make everything from scratch - everything you eat on board is made on board! Yes, soup, salad dressing, every cake, cookie and morsel of food you put in your mouth is made from scratch in the ship's galley. This is an important and essential rule not only of Chefs but of Celebrity Cruises in general. Partybluprints' rule: Make what you can from scratch and if you can't, find a product that tastes like it was. 4. Consistency is essential when preparing food. The same quality must go out night after night and Chef Pascal insures this by tasting and overseeing everything in the kitchen. Partybluprints' rule: Never put anything out for your guest that you haven't personally tasted. Here are some great shots we got on our tour of the Galley. A remarkable place filled with a dedicated and hard working crew.  The line, quiet before first seating.  Soup for 2,000!  Salad preparation begins... On a final note, we asked Chef Pascal what every kitchen should keep on hand. His answer was the basics: dry food like pasta or rice, onions, garlic, olives and various spices. From this he said you can add what ever you find fresh in the way of meat, poultry, fish and vegetables. You can always make a great dish if you have the basics and keeping a variety of spices on hand ensures that you can compliment it and experiment with tastes. July 15 Cruisin' with PartybluprintsTrying always to be cognizant of what goes into successful entertaining
- we have become observers and students of everything around us. In
June, Elizabeth and I had the amazing experience of cruising through
Alaska on the Celebrity Infinity. As part of our journey, we made sure
to interview, tour and sniff out everything that could benefit you -
our special guest.  One of our best shots from the deck of the Infinity (somewhere between Juno and Victoria, BC) We will post much of this over the next few days - hope you enjoy the read, benefit from some great advice on cruising and use our tips for travel and your everyday and special occasion entertaining. Here is some of our interview with Cara York, Hotel Director. Cara York has been on ships for 15 years and in her role as Hotel Director she is 1 of only 3 Four Stripe Officers on board any of the Celebrity ships she sails on. As the host of 2,300 guests for a seven day party, Cara handles everything that comes under the titles of Food & Beverage, Entertainment and Housekeeping! Cara is truly passionate about her work and has held positions in the cruise industry as everything from Purser to Wedding Planner. She was a fantastic person to meet and is truly engaged in making the guests' experience on board a memorable one. We spotted Cara everywhere from the dock welcoming guest back to the ship after a day of excursions to the dining room enjoying a meal with guests in her impressive white officer's tuxedo. This was our biggest lesson from Cara - the most important thing when entertaining in your home ( or ship ) is be passionate about what you are doing "creating an experience for everyone to connect and enjoy". Read on for some very valuable advice Cara shared with us for select cruising over other vacations.  Dawn, Cara York and Elizabeth 1. Treat cruising like a tasting menu. You have an opportunity to visit and experience many ports of call. The ones you like you can go back to visit. 2. Cruising affords you a safe way to see many places in the world. You have the security of the ship and do not need to worry about choosing the wrong place to stay while visiting a foreign country. 3. Cruising makes the logistics of trying to see many places in one vacation stress free and simple. You do not need to pack and repack every time you move or find transportation from city to city - your room stays the same and travels with you. 4. Domestic Cruises are predominantly for 1st time and young family cruisers. The guests aboard International Cruises are mostly older, more experience cruisers without children. Cara will be setting sail on her next assignment aboard the soon to be christened Celebrity Solstice. This amazing ship is a masterpiece whose features include an entirely real grass upper deck and spa orientated look and feel. To see more> Celebrity Solstice July 10 "Living Together" is easier with MusicMusic is essential for any party. It has incredible power to relax,
excite, inspire and transport people to another place mentally. Always
take time to think this through before you host a party. This summer we are excited to announce DJ Massey has created a mix specifically for our Beijing BBQ.  The theme of the set is World Music with sounds from many different cultures but with an overall Asian inspired vibe. It is perfect for the Beijing BBQ because it too is infused with an Olympic Spirit of its own. Here is the play list - not sure of the tune or artist, Great! Neither will your guest, yet they will be blown away with the sound. The mix is currently 18 on the Lounge Charts at MixUpload and is receiving great comments. To Listen Now Go>  July 09 Peking Duck for the Olympics?Beijing is the centre of China for politics, culture and diplomacy and
therefore is a city whose popullation is diverse. Therefore Beijing
Cuisine is very unique within the country, like the city, it is a blend
of many food cultures including local cuisine, Islamic cuisine, royal
cuisine, feudal official cuisine etc. The most popular dish or well known dish is Peking Duck. It's named "China's Tastiest Dish"and is made by grilling stuffed duck. There are different methods of preparing this dish. The two standouts in Beijing are at Quanjude Restaurant, where they hang-grill their duck and at Bianyifang Restaurant where the duck is stew-grilled. As visitors pour into Beijing from all over the world, Peking Duck will be ordered by diners throughout the city - but will they be able to enjoy one of China's tastiest meals? Unfortunately, "A small tornado-like wind struck Beijing's suburban Shunyi County on Friday July 4. A poultry farm suffered heavy losses with about 80,000 of its ducks killed when their pen collapsed. The big image on the front page shows the devastated poultry farm.
The
farm is a main supplier to Beijing's well-known Peking duck chain
Quanjude. It is not yet clear if this incident will have any effect on
the price of Beijing famous roast duck.- source Danwei, Front Page Of The Day.
July 08 Beijing Games a must!The Olympic Torch will burn in Beijing on 08.08.08, one month from
today. The Olympics runs for 17 days , during which time athletes who
have worked most of their lives for this goal will compete on the world
stage. It's good clean fun and great entertainment for two weeks. Not
much these days provides such a great opportunity for families to
watch, cheer and celebrate together. Invite your friends and family
over for a night of fun, turn on the Olympics, fire up the grill and
cheer on your home county! We have great tips and ideas on how to host
a Beijing BBQ that is full of Olympic spirit. Start planning your Beijing BBQ today and host the hottest party of the summer! On your marks, get set, go>  Olympic Facts excerpt taken from the Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world. Milestone "Dancing Beijing" is a milestone of the Olympics. It serves as a classic chapter of the Olympic epic inscribed by the spirit of the Chinese nation, calligraphed by the deeper import of the ancient civilization, and molded by the character of Cathay's descendents. It is concise yet deep inside, bringing forth the city's gradual changes and development. It appears dignified yet bears a tune of romance, reflecting the nation's thoughts and emotions. In the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the emblem will attract more and more people from around the world to Beijing and China to join the great celebration with the Chinese people. Commitment "Dancing Beijing" is a Chinese Seal. It is engraved with commitment made to the Olympic Movement by a country that has 56 ethnic groups and a population of 1.3 billion. While witnessing the advocacy of the Olympic Spirit by a nation with both ancient civilization and modern culture, it also unfolds a future-oriented city's pursuit of the Olympic Ideal. Image "Dancing Beijing" serves as the city's foremost appearance. It is an image that shows the eastern ways of thinking and the nation's lasting appeal embodied in the Chinese characters. It is an expression that conveys the unique cultural quality and elegance of Chinese civilization. With inspiration from the traditional Chinese art form - calligraphic art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's name) is developed into the form of a dancing human being, reflecting the ideal of a "New Olympics". The words "Beijing 2008" also resembles the vivid shapes of Chinese characters in handwriting, voicing in concise strokes of the countless feelings Chinese people possess towards the Olympics. Beauty "Dancing Beijing" is a favorite color of the Chinese people. The color "red" is intensively used in the emblem, pushing the passion up to a new level. It carries Chinese people's longing for luck and happiness and their explanation of life. Red is the color of the Sun and the Holy Fire, representing life and a new beginning. Red is mind at ease, symbol of vitality, and China's blessing and invitation to the world. Hero "Dancing Beijing" calls upon heroes. Olympic Games functions as the stage where heroes are made known, miracles created and glories earned, and where every participant constitutes an indispensable part of the occasion. Spirit "Dancing Beijing" extends the totem of the Chinese nation. The form of a running human being stands for the beauty and magnificence of life. Its graceful curves are like the body of a wriggling dragon, relating the past and future of one same civilization; they are like rivers, carrying the century-old history and the nation's pride; they are like veins, pulsing with vitality of life. Invitation "Dancing Beijing" is a kind invitation. The open arms in the emblem say that China is opening its arms to welcome the rest of the world to join the Olympics, a celebration of "peace, friendship and progress of mankind." "Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The idiom portrays the feelings of friendly and hospitable Chinese people and expresses the sincerity of the city. July 03 Beijing BBQHere is a Hot Tip For Summer Put A Twist on the Traditional BBQ and infuse summer with the spirit of the Olympics Plan a Beijing BBQ Today!  There are few times that the world comes together to celebrate, cheer and honor its people - the Olympics is one of those occasions. This global event has the power to unify the world and inspire peace for a moment in time. To celebrate this extraordinary event and its athletes in your own corner of the world, host a Beijing BBQ.
For Quick Tips Go ToWindows Live Events then, click through the Beijing BBQ image to view details and recipes. Plan your party with Partybluprints.com and announce it in style with Windows Live Events. July 02 Keep It Cool and Clean this 4th of JulyIf you are proudly hosting family and friends this 4th of July, we have some great tips for you. This is an excerpt from our Americana Patriotic Picnic, a comprehensive electronic party plan that you can download FREE with the click of your finger.  Make this picnic easy as A, B, C! Keep Your Guests Comfortable & Clean:
July 01 Born in the USA Music has the power to set the mood for your party and relax and inspire your guests. Take the time to create a music mix this 4th of July. If you are not hosting your own party bring a mix you created as a gift to your host. Here is an excerpt from the Partybluprints Americana Patriotic Picnic Eparty Plan: Come see the full 17 page plan - it's FREE> Go Excerpt: Music
Once you’ve had your fun with the traditional patriotic music, let loose and put your twist on your own “American” mix – here are some suggestions:
Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen American Girl – Tom Petty All American Man – Kiss R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. - John Mellencamp All American Girl – Carrie Underwood American Baby – Dave Mathews God Bless the U.S.A. – Lee Greenwood Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys Back in the U.S.A. – Chuck Berry American Pie – Don McLean America – Simon & Garfunkel Living in the U.S.A. – Steve Miller Band We’re an American Band – Grand Funk Railroad American Land – Bruce Springsteen Bon Jovi – Miss Fourth of July American Made – George Thorogood Freedom – The Isley Brothers America the Beautiful – Ray Charles
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