HALLOWEEN INSPIRED CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Halloween is less than a week away. And I thought it would be fun to make a Charcuterie board that you can easily re-create for all of your Halloween gatherings. No party is complete without a Charcuterie spread and this one can also double as a table centerpiece.

For this Halloween inspired Charcuterie board, I used a mix of sweet & salty. Including a few different cheeses, meats, crackers, a blueberry jam, pumpkin spiced pretzels & pralines. All of which I bought from Trader Joe’s.

How to build board:

1. Start with a board of your choice. Choose a size based on how many items you’re planning to use.

2. Then take your largest item(s) and place them on the board first. For this board, I used skeleton hands to be the main focal point and then placed the different cheeses in place around the board.

3. Next, add your meats in place.

4. Then start to fill in your crackers, mixed nuts, candies etc. Keep in mind the layering of each item and choose contrasting colors next to each other.

5. Move around any items as needed until you reach your desired aesthetic.

6. Lastly, add any additional touches ie; spiders for an added SPOOKY(ish) effect.

Remember there is no wrong way when it comes to Charcuterie. You can use any combination of meats, cheeses, dried fruits, crackers, jams, mixed nuts etc. Get creative and just have fun with it!

I hope this was helpful for your own Halloween inspired Charcuterie boards! Make sure to TAG me on INSTAGRAM @reinventingrae if you make one of your own.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 💀

XO, DANA RAE

VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERT BOARD

I LOVE a good theme especially when it comes to Holidays. And this year, I thought it would be fun to create a Valentine’s Day inspired dessert board. Whether you’re celebrating with your love, or with girlfriends for Galentine’s Day, or maybe just need a fun kids activity…..this is an easy and inexpensive way to celebrate the occasion.

And what I love most about creating dessert boards, is that anything goes! You can easily make it your own and use a combination of any desserts you love.

I bought everything from Walmart, Target, Homegoods and Trader Joe’s. Total cost was under $25 (minus the board which I already had at home).

Everything I used:

• Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies from Walmart

• Pink Starburst from Target

• Mini Heart Cookies from Trader Joe’s

• Cupid’s Mix M&Ms from Target

• Hershey’s Heart Shaped Milk Chocolates from Target

• Sugar Coated Heart Shaped Cherry Gummies from Homegoods

• Heart & Lips Shaped Cookie Cutters from Walmart

How to build board:

1. Start with a board of your choice. Choose a size based on how many items you’re planning to use.

2. Then take your largest item(s) and place them on the board first.

3. Next, position your cookie cutters on the board.

4. Then start to fill in your cookies, chocolates and candies, starting from the middle then working your way out. Keep in mind the layering of each item and choose contrasting colors next to each other.

5. Move around any items as needed until you reach your desired aesthetic.

6. Finish by filling in any gaps on the board.

You can easily re-create this Valentine’s inspired board for a Date Night, Galentine’s Brunch or an after school treat for kids.

Can’t wait to see y’all put together your own Valentine’s Day Dessert Boards! Make sure to TAG me on INSTAGRAM @reinventingrae

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

XO, DANA RAE

ESSENTIALS FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING THIS SUMMER

Happy Monday, y'all! Summer is underway and July 4th is ONLY days away. Which means, it's time to start planning that BBQ with friends, pool party or lake house getaway with the family. So, in celebration of Summer gatherings, I'm sharing some essentials for entertaining outdoors. 

1. Wine Bottle Chiller

This will keep your favorite bottle of wine, champs or sparkling water at the perfect temperature for hours. No more having to chill bottles in the freezer before the party starts. 

2. Unbreakable Silicone Wine Glasses 

No broken glass by the pool with these silicone wine glasses. Also, these make the perfect cups to take to the beach, park and bbq's. And they come in an array of bright colors, so you'll never have to guess which drink is yours at the party. 

3. Tropical Prosecco Bong

No party is complete without a game. Think of this as an upgraded version of beer bong, because you're an adult now and kinda classy. 

4. Rosé All Day Cocktail Napkins

The perfect addition to all your Rosé filled soirée's this Summer. 

5. Cheers Metal Drink Tub 

This will keep all of your beverages sitting pretty while on ice. And your guests will appreciate not having to dig through an old school cooler in order to find a drink. 

6. Chip & Dip Serving Bowl 

This serving set is not only pretty but functional. It comes complete with a lid to cover your snacks, so that they can stay fresh longer.

7. Inflatable Drink Holders (12 Pk.) 

The ultimate pool party essential. Your guest can float and drink in style, with this fun pack of inflatable drink holders that includes palm trees, pineapples and flamingos. OH MY!

8. Beverage Drink Dispenser 

Don't want to play bartender at your own party?! No problem. Fill this 2 gallon dispenser with your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage and let guest pour their own drinks. It even has a seperate compartment for ice to keep the liquids from diluting. 

9. Outdoor Lantern

This is an easy and cost effective way to add some lighting to your outdoor space. These lanterns are made for outdoors and also come with a battery operated LED flameless candle so you can turn them on and they will last throughout your party. 

Shop this post by clicking on the photos below. 

Happy 4th, y’all! 

XO, Rae

Wine Bottle Chiller

Unbreakable Silicon Wine Glasses

Tropical Prosecco Pong

Cocktail Napkins

Cheers Metal Drink Tub

Chip & Dip Serving Set

Inflatable Drink Holders 12pk.

Beverage Dispenser

Outdoor Lantern

GIFT GUIDE: HOSTESS GIFTS

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone. Holiday Season is in full swing. And you know what that means...lots of invites to Holiday Parties. And you don't want to show up empty handed, so I'm sharing some hostess gift ideas (most under $25). Gift giving is the best and these gifts are sure to impress. 

**Note: I've linked the lowest prices for each item with today's CYBER MONDAY Sales.**  Happy Shopping! 

'CHEERS' TABLE/BAR TRAY

This tray is multifunctional and makes the perfect home accessory for any hostess. Especially for the hostess who loves to entertain. Can't you just picture this tray full of festive cocktails being passed around the party?! 

Oster Cordless Eclectic Wine Bottle Opener

Wine accessories are always appreciated. I have yet to have purchases an electric wine opener for myself. So I would be more than happy to receive this as a gift. Less time opening bottles means more time drinking.  

White Marble Wine Chiller

For the person who seems to own everything. This marble wine chiller is the perfect gift. It's not only pretty but functional. And also doubles as a utensil holder, making it two gifts in one.

Kate Spade Tidbit Plates (Set of 4)

These plates are SO CUTE and colorful. And with fun sayings detailed, they are bound to be a conversation piece.

3- Pc. Gold-Tone Cheese Tool Set

This gold cheese tool set is the perfect addition to any charcuterie board. And you can never have enough serving pieces. 

Gold Stemless Glasses (Set of 6) 

Drinking WINE is more fun when you have pretty glasses to drink out of. For the hostess who is a wine lover, these are sure to impress. And with a set of 6, all the ladies will be drinking pretty at the party. 

Capri Blue Iridescent Jar Candle

Candles are always a great gift idea. And these Capri Candles have been filling my Instagram feed lately. Not only do these candles smell AMAZING but they come in a gorgeous iridescent jar. Yes, Please!

XO, Rae 

SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPE: WATERMELON MINT AGUA FRESCA MARGARITA

Now that Summer is well under way, it's seems only fitting to be sipping on a refreshing cocktail. I have the perks of living with two friends who are in the restaurant industry and we are always mixing up new cocktail creations. And since the heat is definitely in full effect here in New York, we decided to come up with a delicious margarita using watermelon as the main ingredient.

And let's be honest, who doesn't LOVE a good margarita? And watermelon being a Summer favorite, we came up with the perfect recipe. A 'Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca Margarita'. I promise it tastes just as good as it sounds! 

RECIPE: {per serving}

• 2 oz silver tequila *choose tequila of your preference

• 4 oz watermelon agua fresca

• 1 oz agave syrup

• 2 oz of fresh lime juice

• 4-5 mint leaves

• 3-4 ice cubes

• 1 sliced watermelon wedge to garnish

*Salt or Sugar rim (optional) 

To prepare the agua fresca mixture you will need to begin by slicing a small watermelon into small cubes. Make sure to cut a few wedge slices and set aside to use as garnish later. Remove seeds and place cubes of watermelon into a large bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl begin mixing equal parts of water and agave syrup to essentially make a sugar water. 

Then place watermelon cubes into a food processor slowly adding the sugar water mixture until you have a smooth consistency. In our recipe, we choose to strain the watermelon mixture and use only the juice with the pulp removed. Once you have completed this, place juice in separate container and chill until ready to use. 

Next, take a few limes, cut in half and squeeze the juice from the lime into a separate container. This will be your fresh lime juice. Set aside. Then wash the fresh mint and remove the leaves from the stems. 

Now for the final steps...

In a glass, take 4-5 mint leaves and muddle. 

Add 3-4 ice cubes 

Add 2 oz of your preferred tequila. (We used Peligroso Silver)

Add 4 oz of watermelon agua fresca

Add 2 oz  of fresh lime juice

Add 1oz of agave syrup  (for added sweetness)

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, give a few shakes and pour into your favorite glassware. 

Garnish with a watermelon wedge & you are now ready to sip away the Summer heat! 

Special Thanks to Will & Danny for their help in creating this fabulous cocktail & for being the best friends a girl could ask for!

 XO, Rae