Meredith Ivy with Studio Blue Events stopped by Studio10 to get you ready for the Mardi Gras season.

Below is a summary written by Ivy on how to host a Mardi Gras party, her contact information with Studio Blue Events and her instructions for Mardi Gras food and fun party items!

"Mardi Gras is one of the most fun holidays to host a party! Because it is such a huge part of Mobile, a Mardi Gras themed party doesn’t have to be reserved just for the season.   This theme can be incorporated into a variety of different events. Whether it is a parade party, a dinner party or even a Mardi Gras themed birthday party the fun ideas are endless! All you have to do is Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The invitation is the first step. An invitation sets the mood for your event. Paper invitations arethe traditional route but Internet invitations are also a new and easy way to invite guests. There are several websites available, such as Evite that you can use that even include RSVP capability, so you know right away who is coming and who can't make it. If you opt for a paper invitation add a small Mardi Gras detail like a fleur de lis stamp to the front of the envelope. You can even create your own invite.  Papersource.com has a large selection of paper and envelopes so get your creative energy going and make your own one-of-a-kind invitation.

Planning a party shouldn’t be stressful, it should be fun. There are so many easy and stress free ways to decorate for a Mardi Gras Party. Gold, purple and green are the colors that represent the holiday so base your decorations off of these brilliant shades. Try to incorporate things you have at home. Use some of your decorations from the holidays like green and gold Christmas ornaments. If you have Mardi Gras beads lying around and some different size vases you can create a beautiful tablescape. Grab some different sized clear vases and fill them with Mardi Gras Beads, ornaments and any other gold, purple and green objects you find. Toomey’s is a great place for beads and any Mardi Gras decorations you could imagine. The great thing about Mardi Gras is that it isn’t too serious so have some fun with your decorating.

Try to carry the theme throughout your event even with your menu. Make your food presentation part of your decoration too. Use a vase with beads to display appetizer skewers. Serve some spicy southern favorites like jambalaya and red beans and rice. Martha Rutledge Shop and Catering offers a variety of ready to serve delicious southern items that would go well with any event. No Mardi Gras party is complete without a king cake but think about doing a unique version. Serve mini king cakes that are made from refrigerated French bread dough, homemade icing and colored sugar. If baking isn’t your thing no worries you can purchase adorable fleur de lis cookies from Cookies by Design that will be a hit at any party.

Don’t forget the cocktails! I love the idea of a signature drink. Serve a purple Mardi Gras punch in fancy martini glasses garnished with lemons and limes. Making a party special is all about the small details so why not rim each martini glass in colored sugar and don’t forget to give your signature drink a fun name. Go a step further with a do it yourself project and make some gold painted glasses to serve your cocktails in. Also think about serving an alternative drink for those who wish to pass on the martini. A great beer choice is Abita’s Mardi Gras beer, or make a non-alcoholic Mardi Gras Punch with grape juice, pineapple juice and lemon lime soda. Both would be a perfect compliment to your theme.

Now that you have food and drinks covered, the last essential ingredient to creating a memorable Mardi Gras party would be music. Make sure you have a good play list on hand that exudes the spirit of Mardi Gras. Choose some local Mobile favorites like the Bay City Brass Band or the Excelsior Band.

Nothing says Mardi Gras like, beads, king cake, southern spicy favorites, fancy cocktails and some authentic jazz music. All you have to do now is let the good times roll!"

Meredith Ivy
Studio Blue
Events + Design
Meredith@studioblueevents.com
www.facebook.com/studioblueevents+design

Easy Mini King Cakes

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of refrigerated French bread dough
• 3 Tbsp butter, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 tsp milk (may need more to get the right consistency) 
• ½ tsp vanilla
• Colored sugar (purple, green, yellow)

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Unroll French bread dough into large rectangle. Brush the dough lightly with softened butter. Mix together sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over butter. Cut the dough in half lengthwise and then crosswise into strips, about 1 ¼ inches wide. Twist two strips together. Tie each strip loosely into a knot, stretching gently if necessary and place on a baking sheet 2 inches apart.

Bake for 25-28 minutes. Cool. Mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Dip each knot into icing and sprinkle with