All Things For All Parties

Delicious Fondant Cupcake Toppers

 

 
 
If you are looking for a little extra something to make a big impression and add a little something something to your cupcakes...check these great fondant toppers.  They are very decadent especially when mounted on a scrumptious swirl of frosting. If you opt to make your own treats for your next kidde bash, baby shower or bridal shower whatever the occasion these are great way to keep party costs down and add a personal touch to the affair, wow your guests by icing your little cakes with edible cupcake and cookie cover embellishments. These designs by Etsy seller Cookie Covers, range in cost from $11 to $12 for a dozen, so you can fake fantastic fondant skills for less than a dollar a pop.

 

T.G.I.F. Oscar Inspired Cocktails

 
 
photo by iVillage.com

The Oscars are this Sunday so whether you are hosting a party or just staying in to watch the award show I hope you enjoy a few of these 2011 Oscar Inspired Cocktail Recipes.

Black Swan: White Lady/The BlackoutIn the film Black Swan, ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) leads a double life when she delves into the characters of the White and Black Swans in Swan Lake. Our cocktail portrayal of the film features a White Lady, made with gin, lemon juice and Cointreau, and The Blackout, made with tea leaves, amaretto and rum. Drink up!

White Lady

1 1/2 oz gin
1 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

The Blackout

Spiced Sugar (see recipe below), for rimming glass
3/4 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce 151 proof rum
1/2 ounce white creme de cacao
3 ounces hot Leaves de Provence tea or another floral tea Lightly whipped and sweetened heavy cream 3/4 ounce amaretto
Coat the rim of a thick wineglass with the sugar and add the rum. Using a lighter, ignite the rum. Twirl the glass to caramelize the sugar, making sure you keep the glass upright, so that no burning liquid reaches the floor. When the sugar is caramelized, put the fire out by pouring tea into the glass, and add the amaretto, Grand Marnier, and crème de cocao.
Top with the whipped cream.

Spiced Sugar
1 cup superfine sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
Stir together all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

 
photo by iVillage.com

Winter's Bone: Corpse Reviver No. 2Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) faces grim and morbid circumstances as she searches for her meth-cooking father in the Ozarks. Though this drink was named for its perceived ability to wake the dead (it's strong!), we're not sure it could do much good in Ree's situation.
3/4 ounce dry gin
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
8 drops absinthe
3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc Brandied cherry, for garnish
Fill a stemmed glass with ice and let sit to chill. In a shaker, combine liquid ingredients and shake with ice until chilled. Discard ice from the stemmed glass, shaking out excess water. Strain the drink into the chilled glass. Garnish.

Ideas for an Award Winning Oscar Party

 
 
Now that we know The Kids Are Alright and are home watching Toy Story 3, brave the Winter's Bone with your True Grit.  Come on over for 127 Hours to expand your Social Network.  Let's find out who the biggest Fighter was this year and ready to give the King's Speech. 

Be sure to come on time, at the Inception of the evening, to walk the red carpet in your most creative duds, get harassed by the paparazzi, and cast your vote. 

P.S. All Black Swans are welcome! 

It seems like things are finally starting to look up but in the name of keeping things stress free we have created a fun and easy, not to mention affordable, Oscars night at home!

Buffet or Plated Dinner?

 

When you have your first "real" meeting with your wedding planner (you know the one after you hired them) one of the first things to determine is if you want a sit down dinner (plated dinner) or buffet? Stations or family style? Depending on your answer it usually gives wedding planners a good idea of what kind of event you are trying to achieve. I would say nine times out of ten the first reaction is “Of course, sit down.” But there are many factors that come into play when making the decision. Location is a big one and what food you would like to serve is the next. To make it easy for you, I’ve broken down the different services and give you the pros and cons of each.

Steel Magnolias Bridal Shower Themed Tablescape

 

 
 

This breathtaking bridal shower btablescape was created by Amorology (one word:  WOW!) There are so many gorgeous details that truly make this table absolutely perfect. I love how they used different components that define the path of true love; the subtle pairing of contrasting soft and strong elements like steel with cotton, burlap with soft white linens and driftwood with soft fresh flowers. I love the softness of the varying shades of pink magnolias and roses - it is incredibly sweet and romantic.

 

T.G.I.F. Pear & Sparkling Cider Cocktails

 
I am heading up North this weekend to spend some quality time with my Mom and Sister and we are going to have a good ole fashioned girly brunch on Saturday morning - complete with Pear & Cider Sparkling cocktails and Spanish Tortillas (aka Tortilla Espanola) Yummy!  I am so excited I can hardly wait.  It's the perfect combination for a bridal shower, baby shower or brunch...I hope you will give it a try as I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients
2 cups pear nectar, chilled
2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
2 cups seltzer, chilled
4 ounces (1/2 cup) bourbon whiskey, such as Knob Creek
1 Bosc pear, unpeeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges
Directions
1.Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer, and whiskey in a pitcher. Divide pear wedges among glasses, and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately. 

(Pssst!  You can also make these non-alcoholic...they are still very delicious!)

Photo by Real Simple
 

 

Dinosaur Printable Party by Paper & Cake

 

My son is turning 3 next week and he is in love with dinosaurs.  It could have something to do with the Dinosaur Train or Dino Dan...not really sure but either way he has been asking me for a Dinosaur themed party for months.  So, I called my good friend Abigail from Paper & Cake and she suggested their Dinosaur Dig Printable Birthday Party.  It is perfect!  Absolutely adorable and so easy.  I love fact that all I have to do is print, cut and I have instant party decorations!!! 

You can host the perfect Birthday for your little paleontologist with this charming Dino Dig Party Collection. This ultra adorable printable party just needs a couple kids, a dozen cupcakes, some 250 million year old bones, and bam! You've got the makings for a great bash of Prehistoric proportions!

Thanks, Abigail!  Your printable parties ROCK!!!
 

 

Various Vases

 

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make beautiful centerpieces.  Various sized vases or antique bottles clustered together is all the rage right now for gorgeous centerpieces.  You can get vases from just about anywhere; friends, local retailers even secondhand stores.

Use glass boxes (vases) or other props to add height and interest.  Fill them with any flower or vegetable you like.  In the pictures shown above people used kale, cactus and zinnias. 

Get creative with these centerpieces.  There are so many different options...just have fun with it!!!

 

 

 
 

Asian Inspired Engagement Party

 

Since this couple had plans to spend their honeymoon in Southeast Asia their family thought an Asian-themed engagement party was the perfect way to kick-off the first of their many celebrations. 
 

They chose orange and green as their theme colors for this affair. To get the party started they served cucumber mint martinis as their signature cocktail.  Single stem florals filled vases to create a chic Asian feeling while additional table centerpiece vases had beta fish swimming in them.  A "make your own take-out box" bar was set-up for easy serving.  Bite- sized steamed dumplings were served in Asian soup spoons.  For ambience, a Thai dulcimer player helped guests feel like they’d been transported to the Eastern Hemisphere. 

So fun! 

Pause for Romance!

 
Take a minute to pause for romance tonight and if not for romance than for yourself.  Life seems to be so busy these days that I think it's important to just take a time out to enjoy all the wonderful things it has given you over the years.

I've fallen in love many times... always with you.  ~Author Unknown

Happy Valentine's Day!!!