Freezin' For A Reason!

Every February since 2002, Matty's entire team has braved the sub zero temperature and freezing waters in Muskego Park for one very important reason: Special Olympics.  In total, the company has raised over $135,000 for the organization and they show no signs of slowing down!

Dedicated Plungers back in 2008

The Matty's Crew in 2011!

The Matty's Team, along with over 350 plus brave souls fund-raise money leading up to the jump, with it all going to Special Olympics Wisconsin.  Everyone has different campaigns in which they garner donations whether it's email, social media, or just good old fashioned door-to-door!  The minimum amount that needs to be raised is $75....which most jumpers easily meet and demolish.

Jumpers often dress in some pretty crazy costumes!

Live Music at the Jump Site to keep the party going

Check out this video to see a first hand look of what it's like to jump into the freezing water!

This years jump is happening on February 8th, 2015 and we need your support!  Consider joining our team and cross something crazy off of your bucket list! This is an all day, fun filled event with Live Music, plenty of people watching and some great food and drink to be enjoyed. There are also some killer incentives we do for our jumpers to help them raise that money!

You can find our page here.  If jumping isn't your thing, please also consider donating to this amazing cause and help us reach our goal of $20,000!

Matty's Catering Handles the Thanksgiving Day Hassle

Don't make Thanksgiving this year another time of stress and hassle....let the professionals cater to you! We are pleased to announce that we will again be hosting a beautiful Thanksgiving Day buffet at our restaurant location, Matty's Bar & Grille from 11am-5pm that day.  There will be a full spread of all the favorites like turkey, pit ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes....and a lot more!

Get the full menu listing on the bars website and make your reservations by calling 414.427.3838 Extension 1! Adults are $16.95, Children 10 and under are $9.95 and Children 3 and under are Free.

We will be serving the buffet from 11am until 5pm so give us a call today and help make this year a stress free one!

Matty's Bar & Grille is located at:
14460 W College Ave
New Berlin WI 53151
*Between Moorland and Sunnyslope Rd. on College Ave.

The Martini For All Your Festive Celebrations!

Holiday cocktails don't have to be overly detailed or difficult! Check out our latest video and the get the full how-to from our own resident mixologist Al! The Cranberry Gimlet Martini is his update on a Wisconsin classic using Tito's Vodka and fresh ingredients.  Enjoy!

Be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube and always be the first to check out our latest videos!

Picture Perfect Napkins Easy as 1,2,3

Step up your Host/Hostess game this year and take a few minutes to get creative with your napkins! I remember when I was a kid and my Mom wanted to get fancy, she would break out the linen napkins and tuck them into the water goblets....very 80's. There are SO many different options out there these days, complete with step by step tutorials-they're a lot easier to do than you might think! You'll leave your guests thinking that you slaved away for hours....but that's OK, we can keep a secret!

Great ideas from www.chatelaine.com

Check out this easy but elegant design-complete with You Tube instructions! This would be perfect for the Holidays but also great for a special Brunch or Dinner. They also have a TON of other simple but stylish options to try out.

I died when I came across this gorgeous idea!  So clean, but it just pops in the yellow color and plays off the china pattern so perfectly.  You can get the full step-by-step here.

Courtesy of www.tipjunkie.com, this site has some other great tips for decor and events

If this one doesn't scream Christmas cheer...I don't know what does.  Such a cute addition to a table setting, but extremely easy to execute! I found it on Buzzfeed, along with 27 other fabulous ideas to try out.

Courtesy of www.goodhousekeeping.com

This beauty from Martha Stewart is a little bit more on the labor intensive side but I just had to include it with Thanksgiving right around the corner!  The only thing I would change is the color-opt for something a little brighter like and orange or mustard yellow.

Courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

Along the same lines of the Turkey, there obviously needs to be a Christmas Tree!  This video is really thorough and helpful to achieve this cute look. There have a lot of other great ideas to check out for napkin folds.

What are some of your favorite fancy folds for table settings?  We want to hear all about them so we can try some out! Comment here or email christina@mattyscatering.com and let's start sharing!

Easy Decor to Brighten Your Festivities

The Holidays are a time for family, friends and typically a little stressing out.  Don't let that happen again this year!  I've put together a list of super easy AND fun ways to step up your decor game without having a total melt down.

How cute is this tabletop ensemble?!  Most of us have various glass vases and holders already sitting around our house so-put them to good use! I love the look of different heights and sizes, also serving a purpose of holding candies and treats.  Bonus-it's a great way to use or display that decorative platter you probably have just gathering dust.

This has got to be the easiest way to get your house into the Holiday spirit-pine cones! They work for either Thanksgiving or Christmas and are super cheap.  Once Thanksgiving has passed, I like to also mix in a few ornaments to add in some color.  The platter or bowl is where you can also get creative and interject in a little pop of shine or color.

So happy I came across this simple but gorgeous layout!  White pumpkins are a favorite of mine and can really step up your table design-without having to do a lot of work.  To really simplify things, you could opt for an arrangement of different sizes and then add in votives for some mood lighting.

Playing off of different heights and shapes can help to create such a beautiful and unique arrangement. Again, you're keeping it simple by utilizing some vases you probably already have on hand and then simply filling them with festive and colorful things like these Chinese Laterns (which last for YEARS) acorns, or some ornaments.

Who doesn't have a few extra or mismatched wine glasses laying around?!  Flip those babies over and you have an instant pedestal for some tea light candles.  Fill the bottom with mistletoe, tinsel or some colorful ribbon.

If you've read the DIY Glam blog yet...then you recognize these beauties!  I can't stress enough how versatile these vases have been or how great the rose gold hue works for Holiday decor.  You can go striking with white flowers or go deep with an auburn/brown arrangement.  Depending on the height and size of the vase, these can also pull double duty as a holder of utensils or napkins on the buffet line.

I get so excited for the time of year when you can start breaking out the ornaments! I actually prefer to put them almost everywhere EXCEPT on the tree!  They work beautifully in vases on display on tables or mantles, not to mention on different heights of platters for a centerpiece.  Stick to neutrals like silver and gold and they become so much more versatile.


What are some of your go to choices for quick and easy table decor?  We want to hear all about them so let us know!

DIY Goes Glam for the Holidays

I am in LOVE with anything rose gold these days!  It's sophisticated, sexy and lends itself perfectly to any type of event or Holiday decor.  I am also in love with not having to spend a ton of money to achieve this look!  So I rolled up my sleeves and searched for some good tutorials for recreating a Mercury Glass effect with rose gold.  I made a few adjustments along the way and pictured below is just some of my finished product!

What You'll Need:

• Clean Glass Vases (various sizes and type work best)
• 1-2 Cans of Rose Gold Metallic Spray Paint (Krylon or Rustoleum work best)
• Spray Bottle with a 50/50 Mixture of Water and White Vinegar
• Newspaper (A lot of it!)
• Paper Towels (Just as much as the newspaper!)
• Gloves
• A Helper! I found that this process works best with 2 people

Let's Get Started!

1. Find a clean dry place to lay down your newspaper.  You will be using spray paint so choose a place that you won't mind getting a little dirty!
2. Take your clean glass vase and place right-side up on the newspaper
3. Tear off 2-3 sheets of paper towel and set off to the side
4. This is where teamwork comes into play! While one person takes the spray bottle, the other person has the spray paint and paper towel ready.
5. Person A makes sure to spray the water and vinegar mixture all around the OUTSIDE of the vase.  Some tutorials will tell you to do the inside....trust me, save the hassle and headache and just do the outside!
6. Let the water/vinegar mixture sit for about 10-15 seconds, then have Person B begin spray painting all around the vase
7. Let the spray paint sit for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then begin lightly dabbing all around the vase to remove the water beads, but help seal the spray paint. This is where putting the vase right-side up helps so you can easily pick up the vase to blot.
8. Once that's complete and you've blotted to your liking, set the vase aside to dry.  For a very antique look-don't be afraid to do the technique a few times!

I had about 25 vases total that I needed to do, and it surprisingly only took me and my Mom about 45 minutes to complete everything!  There you go- a brand new collection for you to use as table decor at Thanksgiving, Christmas or really any type of get together!  Have you ever tried this technique before or have you been dying to try it out?  Email your photos to christina@mattyscatering.com and let's start sharing!

Foodie Lovers Wishlist

Everyone has that one or two hard to by for person in your life, and the Holidays can really test your patience....and sanity when shopping for them!  One thing that seems to be universal though is everyone's love of food.  I've put together a list of fun and affordable gifting options for even the pickiest person on your list.

DIY Butter Kit

Nibble Coaster

Can substitute any glass you'd like!

So simple and sleek in the design-this is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Free up one hand and combine your drink and food all into one. Incredibly affordable at just under $13, you can afford to buy a few and make it a set.  The Nibble Coaster is available through loads of websites, but we found this particular style on Amazon.



Banana Slicer

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/chefn-banana-slicer/

In my searching, the William Sonoma brand of Banana Slicer seemed to be the most user friendly and not messy at all.  Great gift for parents with little ones or anyone that regularly makes smoothies. Amazing find too at only $9.95!

Herb Keeper

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/glass-herb-keeper/s519219

A must in the kitchens of bakers or avid grilling afficionados, and it's gorgeous to look at!  A great deal at only $19.95 from Crate & Barrel, it helps prolong freshness for 2 weeks.  It also advertises that it's a great option for asparagus as well.



Strawberry Huller

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/chefn-strawberry-huller/s607943

Alright-I'm hitting you with another Crate & Barrel find BUT I can say from personal experience, this little magic device makes enjoying fresh strawberries a lot quicker!  At the low price of only $7.95, it also leaves your wallet a little fuller to buy more gifts.



Himalayan Salt Board

http://www.kitchenandcompany.com

So versatile in the ways you can use it and adds so much flavor to your food!  This salt board can be used cold to flavor veggies or fish.  It also just as easily can be thrown onto the grill with your favorite steak or chicken.  Very affordable for only $24.99 and makes for a beautiful presentation.



Lemon Squeezer

http://www.modernfurnituredecor.com

Genius! This is what I literally yelled out loud when I found this gem-and for only $14!  Beautiful in design, but so smart in the function that it helps take out most of the mess associated with fresh squeezed juices.



Corkcicle

http://www.wineenthusiast.com

This invention should be in every wine lovers arsenal-and at only $15.99 a piece, you can afford to get a few!  Wonderful to have on hand when unexpected guests stop by and no wine is already chilled, there is a version for beer too call the Chillsner Beer Chiller!


I hope you discovered a few new favorites and wish you luck as the Holiday shopping season kicks off!  What are some of your favorite food related gifts that you've given or received?  I'd love to hear all about it, so email me at christina@mattyscatering.com