Celebrations – The New Year is Here (Almost!)

New Year’s Eve is here and wow, what a fast year! I know we have all heard that time flies the older you get but at this speed, I just don’t see how it can get much faster!  To get you ready for the big eve and big day, I’ve gathered some fun links to help make tonight and tomorrow a fun-filled, albeit, easy celebration whether you are the hostess or guest.  I checked in with several of our Southern C Summit alumni and contributors for clever ideas, recipes and inspiration.  As you will see from the below links, we keep company with a creative bunch of business owners and blogger!

New Year’s Eve

Staying in and looking for a cozy night? The Glitter Guide has you covered.

Blowing it out and hosting a party? Then you need a great soundtrack that serves up some of 2014’s best tunes. See this fab compilation from Jess Graves.

What to wear? The age old question for women everywhere.   It’s too late to order these fab dresses but see what our chic friends at Shop Buru are wearing for inspiration as you search your closet.

The perfect outfit calls for the perfect hair do. Womanista shares several options for holiday hairdo inspiration from girlish to glam.

On to the food… how about an easy late night dessert bar featuring some fun cocktails and sweet treats?

Goo Goo Cluster Ooey Gooey Bars sound amazing! Easy to make and easy to serve… my kind of recipe.

And these Solid Gold Beet Cupcakes from the always creative Libbie Summers are almost too pretty to eat and healthy to boot.  And yes, I did mean to type beets in the recipe title… this is not a typo 🙂

Grace Mannon’s Funfetti Cupcake recipe (Southern C contributor and baker extraordinaire) will be a winner with the kiddos.

Speaking of the kids, Kate Spears (Southern C contributor) of  Southern Belle Simple shares her Baptist Champagne Punch – a bit of a bubbly taste with no alcohol – is a great reason to get out the punch bowl and let the kids feel grown up while serving themselves.

Don’t limit the punch fun to the kids!  Domino magazine has a great collection of yummy adult punch recipes.  Just make sure they punch bowls are clearly marked or manned at all times!

Other adult drinks to serve include a Cotton Candy Cocktail which sound like the perfect New Year’s Eve libation… pretty and bubbly fun! Speaking of bubbles, Sparkling Raspberry Mist recipe combines champs and Firefly Vodka… yum!

New Year’s Day

Tacos sound good (and easy) for an out of the box New Year’s Day lunch for family and friends! Get things heated up and start the year off with a little kick. Try using pork cooked with this spice blend recipe from the gals at Open Door Shop. Then top them off with a spoonful of collard greens, serve with this delish Black Eyed Pea Salsa recipe from Taste of Home and you have the bases covered for luck in the New Year!

Pair the tacos and salsa with these spicy and oh, so good stuffed roasted jalapenos using Big T’s Coastal Provisions crab dip and you will have a New Year’s Day fiesta in your home!

Or go with a different theme and try this easy does it crockpot recipe for Asian Pork Butt from Callie’s Biscuits.  This way you have time to enjoy your guests or sip on some hot Russian tea with this recipe from Jem of the South (Tamara Eckles, also a Southern C contributor).  Maybe it will help with that late night (hangover, anyone?) or winter cold.

Beyond New Year’s Day

We all have our resolutions and things we want to accomplish in 2015.   Two things on my list are to travel more and this list from our friends at Garden and Gun serves as a great guide to some good ideas

I am also planning to do some home projects and my kitchen and family room are on the short list. I look forward to following along as talented designer Lauren Leonard gives her kitchen a make-over. I am sure to be inspired!

On the topic of inspiration, I am feeling very grateful and hopeful as I head into the 2015! How about you? If not, see these quotes from our friends at Kandrac & Kole and you are sure to be inspired, too!  Happy New Year to all!