As cooler weather begins to set in with the arrival of autumn, there’s nothing better than a sip from a hot cup of tea.

Have you ever thought of hosting your own tea party? It’s a great reason to gather with friends and family and enjoy the great taste of tea.

Dawn Bryan who is the founder of The Qualipedia (www.qualipedia.com), has put together top tips for a terrific tea party. Make your tea party a wonderful and memorable event!

TEA PARTY THEMES:
There are a variety of ways to throw a tea party. You could go the classic English tea party route, or you could throw all the rules out the window and host a memorable tea party, which does not have to adhere to any of the traditional rules and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Non-traditional tea soirées can be anything you choose: formal, informal, for a few guests or a hundred. Consider a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with hat decorating elements, or a fall hat exchange, or chill out with guests and have a yoga instruction followed by a traditional Zen tea ceremony.

TEA TIPS:
· Choose from many different teas including white, green, herbal, Darjeeling, and oolong among them
· Check instructions for selected tea, as teas vary in their brewing time
· Start all teas with cold fresh water
· Place 2 or 3 tea bags into pot of hot water to steep
· Cover the pot or cup while tea is steeping
· Remove loose leaf tea leaves immediately after steeping or if using tea bags squeezing the tea bag after putting it directly into a cup is a no-no, allow it to drip briefly into cup while removing.

TEA BITES:
Most tea foods are bite-size fingers foods. However, you can update the three course tradition with your favorite mini foods. Consider a gorgeous spread of nuts and dried fruits, kabobs, cheese plates, filo puffs or yummy Spanish tapas instead of the traditional small sandwiches and scones.

CONDIMENTS:
Many tea drinkers prefer their tea served plain; however, you should have sugar and other sweeteners, various milks and lemons available for your guests. Tip: Milk goes best with black teas and traditional English teas, and lemon with Chinese.

So amaze your friends and family by hosting a fun tea party. Make it one of the more enjoyable parties of the season with delicious recipes and great tasting tea!

Mandalay Bay Beach

Spring Break is nearing for many students around the country and Las Vegas continues to be one of the hottest spots to celebrate and party – Enjoy a Spring Break Escape Sin City style!

Las Vegas offers warm weather and excitement and the exclusive line-up of luxury MGM Resorts International hotels offer the ideal Spring Break recipe. So matter whether what your plans are, Las Vegas has something for everybody’s taste.

Las Vegas has it all – ranging from continuous live entertainment and crazy beer pong to wild pool parties and endless happy hour specials.

The family of MGM Resorts International hotels, which includes: MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino and Excalibur Hotel & Casino are joining together to offer up the ultimate block party from March 12 – April 30.

The Spring Break Escape options are endless. You want to lay in the sun and relax by a poolside oasis? How about partying until the early morning at one of Las Vegas’ hottest nightclubs?

Enjoy a great time in Las Vegas for “Spring Break Escape 2011″ as the Sin City is offering incomparable deals for any size budget and getaway desire.

Rates can be found up to 20% off, so book a room now through April 30 to enjoy access to all six participating MGM Resorts hotels and to a wide variety of activities and special events. Spring Break packages include:

MGM Grand – Spring Break Escape Package
· Save up to 20% on rooms and suites
· 2-for-1 inner tube rentals at the Grand Pool
· Complimentary admission to Studio 54/Tabu Ultra Lounge
· $99 Spring Break Deal at WET REPUBLIC (Monday – Thursday)
· $38 Spring Break Menu at Diego Mexican Restaurant

Monte Carlo – Spring Break Escape Package
· Starting room rates from $70
· 2-for-1 entrees at Monte Carlo Café
· 2-for-1 entry to Monte Carlo Buffet
· Bar Hopper: $20 for 5 drinks at any Monte Carlo bar or lounge

Mandalay Bay – Spring Break Escape Package
· Starting room rates from $89
· $50 cabana credit for Mandalay Bay Beach
· 30% off tickets to Disney’s The Lion King
· Complimentary admission to the House of Blues Foundation Room
· 2-for-1 breakfast at House of Blues

Luxor – Spring Break Escape Package
· Starting room rates from $34
· Complimentary admission to CatHouse Ultra Lounge
· 2-for-1 Dos Equis at T&T
· $15 off a custom Airbrush Tan at Nurture Spa & Salon
· $10 off tickets to Carrot Top or Fantasy

New York-New York – Spring Break Escape Package
· Starting room rates from $75
· 2-for-1 admission to The Roller Coaster
· 2-for-1 breakfast at Il Fornaio
· 2-for-1 hot dogs at Nathan’s Famous

Excalibur – Spring Break Escape Package
· Starting room rates from $28
· Complimentary Jell-O Shot at Dick’s Last Resort
· 2-for-1 Dos Equis at Luxor’s T&T
· $15 off a custom Airbrush Tan at Luxor’s Nurture Spa & Salon
· $10 off tickets to Thunder From Down Under

Stay Anywhere, Play Everywhere
Upon booking one of the Spring Break Escape Packages above, guests will receive an exclusive card key that gives them access to select sister property pools as well as participating nightclubs and lounges throughout all six properties, free of charge.

Poolside Parties
The opening of the pool season will offer the perfect setting for partying and relaxing including DJs, dance contests, volleyball tournaments and drink specials. Take part in a beach volleyball tournament at the pool at Monte Carlo or sink your feet into the sand and lounge in the lazy river at the 11-acre Mandalay Bay Beach. Stop by Luxor’s Oasis pool on Saturday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the “Clash-Up Pool Party” and then catch The Ting Tings battle Cee Lo Green at Red Bull’s “Soundclash” concert event – right across from Luxor on Las Vegas Boulevard, beginning at 8 p.m.

Experience the energy and ambiance of daylife at WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand, an adults-only mecca for discerning partygoers featuring elite VIP service, high-end amenities and renowned entertainers. Opening for the season on Friday, March 11, the alluring 53,000-square-foot ultra pool combines an exclusive nightlife vibe with poolside pampering and relaxation.

St. Patrick’s Day
What better place to go green than Las Vegas? Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17 at Mandalay Bay with an Irish Music Festival at the outdoor Beach Beer Garden or take part in the grand opening of Las Vegas’ newest and most authentic Irish pub, RíRá located inside Mandalay Place. Experience the annual Celtic Feis festival at Nine Fine Irishmen Pub inside New York- New York, featuring a full weekend of Irish entertainment, special St. Patrick’s Day menus and of course, beer. At Diablo’s Cantina inside Monte Carlo, guests will have a devilishly good time as “Party Central” features the tribute band, USA U2. Stop by Dick’s Last Resort at Excalibur and get wild with live entertainment and food and drink specials. Continue the festivities on Friday, March 18 with a concert by popular Irish band Flogging Molly inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

March Madness
Beginning mid-March, enjoy the NCAA basketball tournament at Excalibur (The Lounge and Octane) or Luxor (Liquidity, Aurora and Flight Lounges) with daily beer specials. The Sporting House Bar & Grill at New York-New York is also a great place to watch all of the Big Dance excitement with 130 HD televisions; or catch the action at any one of the high-energy sports books located within each of the six hotels. If you’re up for a real challenge, test your skills at a game of beer pong at ROK Vegas inside New-York New York or even take it to the next level by entering a beer pong tournament at Excalibur.

For a complete calendar of events or to book your Spring Break Escape, visit http://www.mgmresorts.com/offers/2011/01_spring_break_landing/index.html. Please note, most activities are available only to those 21 and older.

CIRCUS CIRCUS
Looking for more exciting spring break options at a great value? With room rates starting at $24 a night, Circus Circus Las Vegas offers 2-for-1 dinners, cocktails and beer at Rock and Rita’s – The Great American Party featuring world class flair bartending and live entertainment. Additionally, the adjacent Slots-A-Fun will offer 24-hour beer pong and $10 pitchers of beer.

THE MIRAGE
The Spring Break madness continues at The Mirage as the hotel introduces its $525,000 Bracket Challenge Giveaway from March 16-19 where guests can “play to play” – an exciting addition to the NCAA excitement. Guests who are M life members can earn drawing tickets by placing bets on certain games including blackjack, craps, roulette and in the sports book.

The drawing will take place on March 19 where 16 winners will be chosen to participate in a blackjack tournament, playing for a total of $525,000 in prize money. Participants must be 21 years or older.

M life Players Club, the new loyalty program for MGM Resorts International, provides members with the convenience of carrying one card to earn points and redeem rewards at all participating MGM Resorts’ properties throughout the country.

For more details on the Bracket Challenge Giveaway, please visit http://www.mirage.com/offers/2011/02_525k_bracket_challenge/index_v3.html

HAZE Nightclub at ARIA

As The Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas will definitely be the place to be on New Year’s Eve.

Up and down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, people will bring in the new Year with a wide choice of parties and celebration hot spots.

All the major, luxury Las Vegas hotels and resorts along The Strip will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with spectacular nightlife, exciting shows, and affordable luxury Vegas hotel packages.

Don’t forget to step outside and take in one of the biggest and best fireworks shows anywhere. Nobody does New Year’s Eve right, like Sin City Las Vegas!

It won’t be difficult to catch a glimpse of a celebrity during one of the many Las Vegas New Year’s parties. Just a few that will be in Vegas are fashion designer and film star Diddy, hip-hop artist Nelly, plus playmates –  Lauren Anderson and Stacey Fusion.

Below is a sample of some of the hottest New Year’s Eve events planned in Las Vegas.

• HAZE Nightclub at ARIA

GRAMMY award-winning hip-hop artist Nelly will host a blowout New Year’s Eve bash at HAZE Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino. With its cutting edge light and sound technology, HAZE treats partygoers to an unparalleled sensory experience. Individual tickets are $150 per person, permitting VIP access all night. Table reservation packages are available.

• The BANK Nightclub at Bellagio

The BANK Nightclub at Bellagio, Las Vegas’ most exclusive nightclub, will toast to 2011 with a performance by British hip-hop sensation Jay Sean.  Ring in the New Year as one of the music industry’s hottest acts shares a string of hits, after leading a special countdown to Midnight with a champagne toast. Individual tickets are $150 per person, permitting VIP access all night and a champagne toast at Midnight.  Table reservation packages are available.

• LAX Nightclub at Luxor

LAX combines the best of its Los Angeles’ namesake. LAX Nightclub brings the energy and excitement that only Las Vegas can create.  Music mogul, fashion designer and film star Diddy will host the evening’s festivities.  For more information, please call (702) 262-4529.

• Mandalay Block Party at Mandalay Bay

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Mandalay Bay’s “Block Party” and enjoy food and specialty drinks from a variety of sponsors including Border Grill and rm Seafood. The “Block Party Pass” guarantees entrance into Mandalay Bay Beach where FOX will be filming “New Year’s Eve Live” hosted by Emmy Award-winning TV personality Nancy O’Dell. Passes are $50 in advance, $75 the day of the event and will include a total of five drinks per pass holder.

As Halloween is quickly approaching, we wanted to let everybody know about the 1st Las Vegas Halloween Parade.

It’s your chance to celebrate Halloween, Las Vegas style. Put on your best Halloween costume and you can actually be part of the 1st Las Vegas Halloween Parade.

As the inaugural Halloween parade in Sin City, this is a good bet to be wild and crazy, with a variety of outrageous Halloween costumes on display.

Halloween Night, Sunday, October 31st 2010
6:00: Costumers & art cars line up on Hoover Ave and 4th Street Just North of Charleston Blvd. 1 Block West of Las Vegas Blvd.
7:00 Parade walks, drives, slithers, clicks & clanks North on 4th Street to Fremont Street East.

Come show off your creation. Be the star you know you are!

Costumed people & art cars may be in the parade for FREE.

The costumes are whatever you create; they can be hand made, imaginative, sassy and fun. The Parade will march up 4th Street to Fremont Street East starting at Charleston Blvd.

Come be in the parade or watch it along 4th street.

When: Sunday, October 31, 2010
Line up begins at 6:00pm
Parade ROLLS at 7:00pm – All Ages
Where: The Arts District
Charleston and 4th
Las Vegas, NV, USA 89104

The Las Vegas Halloween Parade
*Address:Hoover Street/The Arts District on Charleston & 4th , Las Vegas, NV 89101
*Date 10/31/2010
*Time: 6:00PM line up, 7:00PM Parade Rolls
*Price: FREE to anyone in costume
*Art Cars are asked to check in on website so you may be placed in parade.

To learn more, please visit – http://www.thelasvegashalloweenparade.com