ChicagoV

I am throwing a surprise 30th Anniversary Party for my parents and was wondering if there are any free event websites out there. I know that The Know offers free wedding websites and I was just wondering if there was anything like this for other events. We have people coming from out of state and I would like to put directions, hotel blocks, instructions... this sort of information in one area.

Thanks

I am hosting a small baby shower (no more than 10-15 ladies) next week. I would like to go with a more sophisticated, elegant, almost garden party theme. She is having a boy so I am doing blue table clothes, white china, glassware, and blue hydrangeas and lilacs for flowers. I am a little lost about what to serve for the menu. I was originally thinking of doing everything miniature but that doesn't really fit with the elegant theme.

I do not want to do chips and dip or those type of items. I know I am doing a mayo based salad in little shot glasses, deviled eggs, and mini crab cakes. For dessert I was thinking of doing the cupcake rattles, fresh fruit, and either mini creme brulees or pot au chocolats.

I know that I need more items and am simply looking for suggestions. The shower is at 2pm so we won't need a full meal but any more refined appetizers that you could suggest would be wonderful. Or if you have anything adorable (like the cupcakes) that would be great as well!

Thanks!

A friend of mine is going to a Bridal Expo and was just wondering if there were any good deals at them for jewelry? She is looking to see how much other people spent on their wedding day ensemble including a tiara (if you bought one). She is looking to purchase a necklace, earrings, tiara, bracelet and possibly necklaces for her bridesmaids. Also, if you could give her a general guideline for where you are located just to see price ranges. Any info would be greatly appreciated either on how much you spent or if you found good deals at a Bridal Expo.

Thanks!

I am having a group of friends up to our cabin for a ski weekend. We are going for fish fry on Friday night, but I am a little stuck for dinner on Saturday. In the past I have done flank steak and chicken. I don't want it to be too labor intensive, because I will be skiing as well. Any opinions would be helpful.

Thanks.

My grandmother is turning 85 this November and we are attempting to come up with fun and original birthday ideas. We were originally going to go to a local casino (live in Chicagoland area) but she is afraid that the weather may be bad. She does have a walker and is afraid of falling in bad weather. Her birthday is in the end of November and the weather here is unpredictable. We have talked about a party but there is some dissention from others in the family. If anyone has some creative ideas of what to do or where to go that would be wonderful.

Thanks

With all the drama that has been surrounding the women's gymnastics competition with the possible use by China of underage gymnasts I was wondering what they did about 2000. Yang Yun, who won the bronze medal on uneven bars in 2000, recently admitted that she was only 14 at the time of the Olympics. While this is an obvious violation of IOC and FIG rules and regulations I was wondering what the IOC did. Did they award a bronze medal to Viktoriya Karpenko of the Ukraine? It would seem to me since there was a clear violation of the governing rules that the next gymnast should receive the bronze medal. While I am not advocating stripping any gymnast of their medal (since it was most likely not their decision to compete) I am in favor of awarding the next gymnast down the medal that they deserve. I am wondering if the IOC has done this or if they intend to?

My friend is going to Italy for the summer and I am having a small dinner party as a celebration for her. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for Italian food to serve. I am looking for something a little more refined than lasagna or a basic pasta dish.

If you have any ideas/recipes for seafood, chicken, or beef dishes that would be wonderful. I am looking more for main dishes as opposed to sides/appetizers (although welcome). Also, I already have dessert covered.

Thanks in advance!