question of the week: autumn gatherings

It seems like only yesterday that we were asking you about your favorite types of summer get-togethers. But since today is the first day of autumn, it's time to start thinking about heading indoors for your next party (and my fashion barometer is telling me that I can start pulling out the cashmere sweaters and opaque tights. Yippee!).

I, personally, can't wait to go to one of those dinner parties where the smell of mulled cider wafts through the house, and the menu includes dishes that are distinctly fall (like Grace's butternut squash risotto). What are you excited about for fall? If we didn't include your fave get-together, tell us about it in the comments.

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how do you like them apples? caramel, please

Regardless of the temperature, as soon as we inch toward autumn, I crave apples. I want to pick them, bob for them, bake them into pies, slice them on to salads and drink them in murky, unfiltered cider that has just started to ferment and get fizzy. And, of course, I want to dunk them in caramel and eat them, on a stick and perfectly sticky.

Making caramel apples makes for a fun party activity at kids' parties and is an unexpected but welcome dessert for sweet-toothed party guests of all ages.

Fortunately, websites like Kitchen Krafts have all the tools I need to satisfy my caramel-coated cravings:

• This cute caramel apple dipper melts enough caramel for 6-8 apples.
• And speaking of caramel, you can buy it in 1-pound or 5-pound quantities.
• Pointed paper sticks make quick work of spearing your fruit.
• Feeling fancy? Roll the still-warm caramel in these autumn-colored jimmies (she says, reigniting the jimmies vs. sprinkles debate).
• These apple-decorated boxes (shown above) feature a window to show off your creation and a perforation at the top to pop your stick through. Great for party favors and gifts!

pirate talk ahoy!

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Tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. It sneaks up on you every year, doesn't it? Me too. Make this one memorable with an impromptu pirate party this weekend. It's nothing to stress about, yellow-belly! Here's all you need:

• First, get yourself a pirate nickname. And ye can call me Evil Sal, mateys.
• Hmm, if you're hosting a party, you'll need to send out an invitation. Now, where would you go to find a pirate invitation you could send out quickly and easily.... I know! (Hint: Click the image above.)
• Decorate with black pirate flags, gaudy costume jewelry and gold-wrapped chocolate-filled coins.
• Hide a treasure (doubloons, grog or just some bags of Pirate's Booty), and create maps and clues to help guests hunt for it.
• Seafood would be appropriate grub for rowdy pirates, or meat on the bone you can eat with your hands, like wings and chicken drumsticks, while making growly noises. And keep your guests scurvy-free with lots of citrus.
• Talk the talk. "Aye" = yes. "Bilge" = nonsense. "Gangway" = get out of my way. And "arrr," like aloha, can mean a number of things, so use it as much as possible. Arrr!

Check out our pirate party guide for more ideas.

girls on film

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I love a night out with the girls. The cocktails, the cute dresses, the laughing, the dancing (woo-hoo)! The uncomfortable heels, the crowded bar, the parking, the cover charges (boo-hoo). Sometimes the very thought of the whole process just makes me want to crawl into my sweats and spend some time with my remote control.

This is why I'm in favor of a girls' movie night every once in awhile — you get all the fun and enjoyment of each other's company without having to stand thisclose to potentially creepy guys while screaming over loud music. Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your movie night:

• Chick flicks reign supreme. Cliché as it may be, it couldn't be more fun to watch a chick flick while in the company of a bunch of girls. We know you were excited about Sex and the City: The Movie. Well, the DVD comes out on Tuesday, which may just be an occasion all its own for your next movie night.
• Get some non-movie entertainment. I like to have a good stack of magazines on hand when the girls come 'round. Some of my friends will lose interest in the movie before it's even out of the first act. Fashion and celebrity mags keep everyone focused on the fun and away from their BlackBerrys.
• Stick with movie theater snacks. Canapés and crudités are for cocktail parties. Think of what you'd see in the concession stand and use that for your shopping list — popcorn, nachos, Raisinets, gummy bears. Or, suggest that each guest brings her favorite movie theater indulgence to share with the group. You may just come away with a new favorite.
• Any day that ends in Y... The great thing about a movie night is that you aren't limited to weekends. In fact, most of my movie nights end up being on weekdays. You can plan on your party lasting around three hours, so your guests can be on their way and in bed to watch the evening news. And until my city starts opening early-bird dance clubs, this is about the only kind of partying I can muster during the week.
  

fruit dip a dee doo dah

Much like the sausage ball, fruit dip is an important part of the Southern cook’s repertoire. I once attended a party where a friend’s mother put out a tray of fruit without the fruit dip, and my friend declared the fruit pointless by itself and went about making a dip for it in a bit of a huff.

She’s not alone in her strong feelings about fruit dip. I too have a hard time presenting fruit without an accompaniment. Luckily, all fruit dips I’ve encountered in my life (and there have been many) are incredibly easy to make. Another bonus: It’s easy to tote to a potluck dinner, and the custard-like dip makes it look like you tried.

Also, feel free to turn it into a super-easy trifle by layering it with cubes of angel food cake and fruit, then topping with whipped cream. People will be amazed — don't tell them that they shouldn't be.

Another option: Whiz the dip in a blender with fruit to make a berry fool. Fold in whipped cream to lighten it if you like.

Fruit Dip

• 1 small package (3.4 ounce) vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 8-ounce container of sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• Assorted fresh fruit   

Whisk together pudding mix and milk. Stir in sour cream, vanilla extract and almond extract. Chill for 2 hours. Serve with fruit.

question of the week: yes, no, maybe?

When you've just sent an Evite invitation, there's nothing more annoying than opening it obsessively and seeing all the guests' names just sitting there in the "not yet replied" section. Oh wait, there is one thing more annoying: seeing all the names in the "not yet replied" section next to the date that person viewed the invitation ... but didn't reply.

I feel your pain, party hosts, but there are often good reasons why someone didn't reply right away. They might not be sure of their availability; they might be short on time; they might want to see if certain other invitees are (or are not) attending. To give fellow hosts some peace of mind, let us know when you reply.

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prost! it's oktoberfest time again

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Don't be fooled by the name; Oktoberfest actually starts in mid-September. This year's dates are September 20 to October 5, so even if you're not planning a trip to Munich (bummer), you have plenty of time to throw your own Oktoberfest celebration.

Here's how:

• Beer. Pale lagers are traditional at the offish event. Need beer advice? We have lots of it, yes. we. do.
• Our girl Grace's delicious Oktoberfest pizza, topped with bratwurst, apples and caramelized onions.
• In addition to brats, serve other German favorites like chicken, pretzels, sauerkraut, braised red cabbage and German-style potato salad (mmm, warm and bacony).
• A little history: The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich on October 12, 1810, to commemorate the marriage of King Ludwig I and Queen Therese. And no, it wasn't a sloppy beerfest; they celebrated with a horse race.
• A little explanation of the name discrepancy: The earliest Oktoberfests were held in October. In later years, the festival start date was pushed up into September. Why? Warmer weather. Hotter days make for thirstier beer drinkers. Smart!
• The festival officially opens at noon with a 12-gun salute and the tapping of the first keg. You can simulate this by asking your guests to join you in 12 rousing shouts of "Pew! Pew! Pew!" as you pop the top on the first beer bottle of the day.
• Watch this scene from National Lampoon's European Vacation. Bonus points for learning the dance.

party by numbers: baby shower

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Got a friend who's having a baby? Don't let planning a shower rain on the parade. We've broken down some simple steps to throwing a party that's a bundle of joy.

1. Invitations: Pick one of our baby shower invitations. We have ones for a boy, a girl, twins, as well as gender neutral invites (the one above is currently our most popular). In addition to including the normal party info, you might also want to add details in your message to guests like whether or not guests should bring their own children, if the shower will be co-ed and where the parents-to-be are registered.

2. Food: Appetizers and finger foods are standard fare for showers. If you want to make more of a splash, follow a theme — pastries and frittatas for a brunch or tea sandwiches and scones for a high tea. Since the mother-to-be is the guest of honor, be sure to include her in your menu planning to ensure that she doesn't have any food aversions (e.g., my sister couldn't be in the same room as chicken when she was pregnant).

3. Drinks: To spike or not to spike? Whether or not to serve alcohol is another thing you should discuss with the mom-to-be. No matter what you decide, be sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic options around like a good sparkling punch or fruity drink. I love Izze because they have sparkling fruit juices that come in a rainbow of lovely colors that can even complement your party décor.

4. Activities: Opening gifts will be the main event, along with passing them around and plenty of oohing and aahing. You can get your guests involved in the action by planning a few shower games.

For a different spin on baby showers, throw a sip and see party where everyone can meet the baby. And don't forget our baby shower party guide for even more ideas.

i give it a ten

I've long been a fan of Knock Knock; their stationary products are the perfect combination of sassy and practical, and really, don't we need more sasstical things in our life? To wit: The Rate That Wine pad above is the perfect accompaniment to a wine tasting, dinner party, cocktail soiree or random boozy Tuesday.

In addition to a designated coaster spot, it provides space to note the skinny on a wine (name, region, grapes, price, etc.). And the wine ranking guide, in categories from the label to the finish, brings the snark as well as some helpful descriptors. Rate your wine's flavor from "oenophilic ick" to "harmoniously tongue loving." Note the color; is it "brilliantly hued"? Or, if you don't care, just circle "looks like wine" and be done with it.

So, part party activity, part conversation starter, in a sleek, well-designed package? Cheers! As much as I love this, what I really want to do is share a bottle with the Knock Knock folks, because you know they would be a riot.

Spiked watermelon granita recipe

Somehow, even though we’re nearing the end of summer, I’m still caught off guard by just how darned hot it is in Southern California. One of my main tasks has been finding relief, and nothing quite does the trick like a big, juicy watermelon.

I recently started making icy granita, and watermelon is the perfect ingredient thanks to its high water content. A traditional Italian granita usually calls for frequent stirring while freezing, but mine’s the low-maintenance version. Just puree, freeze and eat. The less effort exerted on steamy days, the better. Lime adds a nice touch of tartness, and a little bit of rum always helps to take the edge off.

Nearly any kind of melon or berry works well in granita. So use this recipe to turn the last of summer’s fruit into cooling, slushy treats.

Spiked Watermelon Granita
My one-and-a-half-year-old son loves the non-alcoholic version (just omit the rum).

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ cup white rum
• mint sprig for garnish

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender. Pour onto rimmed baking sheet and spread evenly. Cover with foil and freeze at least 2 hours. Remove from freezer and break up with a fork. Garnish with mint.

Serves 4