Put These Ideas Together

From the latest edition of Sandra Lee Semi-homemade magazine, here is a beautiful lavender tabletop with Spring green accents. Go here to read instuctions on how this table and place marker was put together.

Then head over to Martha Stewart, and find out how to make these jar toppers for your guest's favors. She has printable templates that you can use in black or in color.

So many party ideas.....so little time.....

Easter Tabletop Two Ways

So this is what I do in my spare time! I put together a couple of sample tabletops that you could do for Easter. The first is a child-friendly pastel look, while the second is a rustic nature inspired look. For a closer look at any of the pics, check out our facebook page. Almost all the decorative elements are from Michaels(using 40% off coupons!): bird, butterflies, ribbons, white vase, grass.

I put a piece of pretty wrapping paper inside a white frame, and added an adhesive gem to a single flower. Added jelly beans to my glass vase with tree limbs, and hung an assortment of decorative eggs.

For the "placemat," I laid one piece of scrapbook paper on top of the other in order to make it bigger and give a pretty side border. I put a sticker on the glass with an adhesive rhinestone in the flower's center.

In the tabletop below, I just pulled together a bunch of items I already had, and embelished some things.

I propped the bunny up on a bowl inside the urn, and covered it with moss. Then added some tiny daisies to the moss. I spray painted the little bird houses and glued moss onto the rooftops. Sat them atop a couple of candle holders and filled in with more moss around the base. For the third bird house I just attached a butterfly.

Okay, so I did end up buying the tree plank to use as a charger. But with my 50% off coupon at Michael's, it was a steal! I wrapped the silverware with a large leaf and used a twig "thingy" for the ring around it. Stuck in an unfinished birdhouse flower pot stake to be used as party favors. Your guests could take it home as is, or you could turn it into a painting project at the party!

Not Just For Shots!

Do you have a collection of shot glasses from college that are now collecting dust? Pull those babies out and put them to good use serving appetizers, soups, even dessert, for your next gathering! If you don't have any, you can invest in a suitable quantity for about $1 each....or use glass votive holders from the craft store. Just look at all the fabulous possibilities! Crudite with dip or guacamole dip for chips, prevents any double-dipping faux pas.

Serve a shot of warm soup or cold gazpacho. No need for a spoon.

Single serving shrimp cocktail can be a money saver(you know how everyone goes for the shrimp when it's in a large bowl). Also, serve warm mashed potatoes elegantly.

Could there BE a better way to serve dessert? I mean you've got portion control and calorie control built right in! Choose between a trifle or parfait, or a mini ice cream sundae.

For the Traditionalist....a shot of milk with a cookie!

Send guests home with these adorable favors of shot glasses and chocolates.

Buy It Or DIY It!

Here is a great idea for party favors from Shop Toast. They make these customized bottle favors filled with either sweet or savory treats. How cute is that?!! They come in either 9" soda bottles or 5" mini bottles and run $7 or $4 per bottle. But here's the best part for all you do-it-yourselfers out there. You could totally make these yourself by recycling glass or plastic bottles with reusable lids. Clean them up and fill them up with yummy treats(m&m's, sugared almonds, gumdrops, chocolate covered peanuts, etc.). Create your own monogram sticker label and you are all set!



And check out the pretty display from Shop Toast, below. Your guests would love!

Entertain In Style

What do you get when you combine your fashionista style with your love for entertaining? Why, Heavenly Hostess of course! I found this website that sells BEAUTIFUL aprons, oven mitts, kitchen towels, and even headbands! Check these out: These aprons are so stylish you will not want to take it off when it's time to sit down and eat. And they will certainly be a conversation piece. You would definately want to wear something simple to highlight these aprons, such as a black sheath dress, of simple black pants and shirt.

Just look at some of the coordinating pieces from the site. These would make great gift items(bridal shower anyone?) for your favorite Fashionista Hostess!

Luck O' The Irish!

Are you planning to "get your Irish on" this weekend? Here are 2 green cocktails to get you started and in the spirit of the Emerald Isle. Here is a fabulous sounding "tini" that is not apple flavored. It is published by the name of Jade, but I think I would call it "The Emerald" for St. Patty's reference.

2 oz pineapple juice
1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz midori
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
place in ice filled shaker and shake for ten seconds. pour into martini glass

Check out this Champagne cocktail. Could it get any more perfect for St. Patty's day? I mean it even has the GOLD flecks from the Goldschlager! I think I would call this one "Pot O' Gold"!

1 shot Midori
1 shot Goldschlager
Champange
Pour into a flute glass and enjoy

Now Serving Skewers!

Is it just me, or does food taste better when served on a stick? I'm not talking about the grilled kabobs you're so familiar with. I'm talking individual sized appetizer bites prettily displayed on a long wooden skewer or short fancy pick. Flavorful Bites! A great example for skewered appetizers are caprese skewers with marinated mozzarella, basil, and grape tomatoes.

Or try a chunk of ham(smoked or honey roasted), slice of apple, and a chunk of blue cheese. YUMMMMM! How else can you get all these flavors to combine in your mouth together?

Presentation is Everything! Make your pigs-in-a-blanket or meatballs more elegant by serving them in little rows on a skewer.

Wrap a piece of ham around a chunk of pineapple, place a cherry on top if you like; skewer it into a pineapple and your guests will be impressed!

Fun for kids! This fruit presentation is Georgeous! How could anyone resist eating their fruit when it looks like this? Cut flower shapes into fruit using cookie cutters. Perfect for a kid's party or Spring shower.

Another perfect idea for special kids breakfast or any brunch menu: french toast kabobs(from the freezer section!) paired with fruit.

Here's a Tip: If you want to display your "sticks" upright in rows, use a container and fill with craft foam so the sticks will hold. Then cover the foam with something that follows the theme such as cranberries at the holidays, jelly beans or other small candies, colored basket filler, craft moss, etc. Just make sure the food will not touch the non-edible filler.

More delicious combinations on a stick!:

• cheddar cheese cube stacked with pineapple chunk
• antipasto skewers: cooked cheese filled tortellini, chunk of pepperoni, cube of cheese, olive, grape tomato, all drizzled and marinated in Italian dressing
• Cube of dense bread(focaccia, ciabatta), cube of salami, cube of smoked provolone

Easter Inspirations

Okay you guys, I dare you to look at these beautiful tabletops from Southern Living and not be inspired!! I literally want to do them ALL!! How perfect is this table for a fun family get-together which includes lots of kids?! It certainly sets the stage for an Easter egg hunt to follow.

How about this charming and whimsical butterfly table? Perfectly placed butterfly details really make a statement here.

This is absolutely a favorite of mine! A few bags of moss glued to an inexpensive runner makes an Amazing focal point.

For more pics and some "how-to's" check out the Southern Living site.

A "Good Advice" Shower

I found this great idea for a Bridal Shower over on the BHG site. The theme is "good advice" for the wife-to-be. What better way to start a marriage than with some sage advice? When you send out your invitations, make sure to tell the guests the theme and that the gift should reflect a piece of wisdom that the guest comes up with. Examples from BHG are:

Advice: Celebrate every day. Gift: Champagne flutes or a beautiful cake plate.
Advice: Take turns cooking for each other.Gift: Favorite cookbook and kitchen tools.
Advice: Experience new things.Gift: Travel accessories.

You can include a pre-printed card in the invitation that the guest can fill in such as, "The secret to a successful marriage is....." The card is presented with the gift, and all of the cards can be inserted into a small keepsake book for the bride to refer back to.

Create cupcake flags with different bits of advice on each one. Some may say "say I love you every day," "don't underestimate the power of a hug," "allow each other to have a girl's night or guy's night sometimes," "make each other laugh."

Send your guests home with what else, but a fortune cookie filled with more good advice!

Check out the story here for more details and invitation idea.

Easy, Easy Mini Cheesecake Bites

The calories in bite-size food don't count, right? So make a batch of these mini cheesecakes from Kraftfoods, and share some with friends....or find a secluded closet to hide in and eat them all....Oh, was that thought out loud?!

NOTE: The recipe calls for oreo cookies but when I made them I used vanilla wafers. The beauty of this recipe is that you can use any cookie you like for the base.
Also good on top is cherry pie filling(from a can) or blueberry pie filling.

Garnish That Glass!

It is fun to add something extra to the drinks you serve your guests. It is these little extras that make you stand out as an entertainer! These candy cocktail twists from Party Stockholm come is several different flavors and are designed to sit on the rim of your glass just touching your drink to add a bit of extra flavor.

Here is a lovely idea from The Wedding Bistro at Bellenza. Hang a fortune cookie on the side of a glass of milk(or other drink). It has the perfect shape to sit nicely on the side.

Garnish doesn't only have to be edible. These Lightcubes from Little Bright Lights are so much fun at a party. They come in several colors and you can have them blink or stay constant.

How about these adorable sail boats! This is actually jello so the peach boats sit nicely on top. Kids would love this idea!

More Ideas:

Cut a small slice into a gumdrop and set it on the side of a fruity cocktail

Freeze a row of cherries, blueberries, or raspberries on a cocktail pick. It looks pretty and keeps your drink chilled.

Slice a star fruit crosswise and sit on the rim.

Hang a candycane on the rim.

Hang a cocktail shrimp on the side of a bloody mary.

Cut a slit into a rollo candy and hang on the side of a chocolate martini.

Hang a sliced apple on the side of an apple martini.

More Ideas? Post them here!

Add A Photo Mural To Your Celebration!

How would you like to make a real dramatic statement at your next big celebration? Look no further than Fotomural Custom Photo Tiles to do just that. They can take your simple little innocent picture and turn it into a "stop-in-your-tracks" piece of art! How perfect would this be for birthday parties, engagement parties, wedding receptions, bridal showers, anneversary parties, the list goes on. I am soooo loving this!