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Happy Harley Day
Vrrooom
vroom. The next time a birthday rolls around, get ready for
a road trip, even if it’s just out to the garage or patio.
A biker theme gives a party a sense of adventure, especially if a
sleek, sexy motorcycle is the guest of honor. If you know someone
who owns one, ask to borrow it to add fast ambience; if not, call
a local dealer and see if you can rent one for the day.
Start with a bold black and white tablescape that takes its cue from the colors of everybody’s favorite “bad boy” toy. Get the table gleaming with glass and silver, then finish out the place setting with stacked square and round plates, topped with black napkins tucked in polka dot bowls. Inject a stroke of red with playing card place cards, made by clipping playing cards on holders and penning each guest’s name in black. Finish with playful touches, like beaded napkin rings, bowls of licorice pops and games of chance (think tic-tac-toe and cards) that make the evening fly by. Think macho for the menu. Hot-off-the-grill steaks and cool martinis make a powerful pair, while white cupcakes bearing a black candle are a delicious way to wrap up a night of freewheeling fun.
Start Your Engines
King of the Road or King of the Grill – they’re one and
the same when you give it the gas. Whether you’re grilling
steak or chicken, these tips help you master the art of the flame:
- Cover the grill when smoking meats.
- Don’t cover the grill when cooking foods that need attention, such as steaks brushed with sauces that could burn.
- Reduce the supply of oxygen fueling the fire on gas grills.
- Pat off excess marinades and/or oils.
How to Make the Hottie Napkin Rings
Easy riders go for the glitz, so jazz up plain napkin rings with black
beads and flowers. Here’s how:
- Purchase large black napkins, in either cloth or paper.
- Fold napkins in a tri-fold.
- Buy one rope of black beads per guest and one black fabric flower per female guest.
- Tie the rope of beads around the napkin. That's it for male guests.
- Glue a black flower to the beaded front for female guests. Use a hot-glue gun or hobby glue to attach the flower. To give it individual style, use a different black bloom for each guest.
