Whether you’re planning a summer wedding or event, or just looking for a creative way to jazz up an evening dinner party, these new baby sparkling wines from VOGA Italia look like a perfect favor or addition to your cocktail menu:

VOGA Italia, the purveyor of delicious and eye-catching wines, announces the addition of Baby VOGA Sparkling to its already extensive collection. The just-released mini sized VOGA Sparkling offers wine lovers the taste of VOGA Sparkling they’ve grown to love, in a smaller, more portable size.  Great for events, individual consumption and taste sampling, Baby Sparkling’s golden color and fine effervescence give way to aromas of white blossoms and ripe fruit.

Racks Downtown Eatery in Mizner Park had the potential to be a great hidden gem in Boca Raton, and I was looking forward to writing a great review of the restaurant. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted by a happy, friendly hostess and a clean, modern-looking restaurant with raw bar, pizza oven and indoor/outdoor bar that was quickly filling up for what I later found was Happy Hour.

For those who aren’t aware, I’m less than a week away from “D-Day” and my son’s arrival, so I look like I’m carrying a soccer ball around my waist when I do motivate myself to get dressed and venture out into the South Florida heat and humidity to get a bite to eat (the poor hubby has been tasked with more deliver orders than I care to outline in the past month). I’m also dealing with the myriad of late-pregnancy pains that moms-to-be look forward to: back pain, swollen joints, and general aches. This is all important to my overall restaurant impression, which is why I spell it out up front.

I love cooking, and I love to entertain. However, planning a dinner party (or any group get together) can become stressful, especially at the last minute. That’s why I was pleased to receive this expert how-to list of tips from Chef Jimmy McIntyre, Executive Chef of New Zealand’s seven-suite destination retreat – Otahuna Lodge (www.otahuna.co.nz), who is an expert when it comes to dinner parties. Hosting guests nightly in the Lodge’s formal dining room, Chef Jimmy is renowned for his honest, uncluttered flavors, which are complemented by elegantly restrained presentation. Follow Chef Jimmy’s tips for a stress free dinner party and guests are guaranteed to be raving.