All Things For All Parties

Cake Pops are All the Rage!!!

 
What could be better than a cupcake?  A cake pop...of course!   Cooking blogger Bakerella, Angie Dudley has turned cake pops into a party extravaganza!!  Moms and women everywhere are going crazy for cute little cakes on a stick.  Starting from just simple decorated balls to more exciting designs such as bumblebees, clowns, farm animals, ice cream cones, and so many more!  

These adorable creations are the perfect bite-sized alternative to cake at any party or get-together. 

Angie appeared on Martha Stewart's show to demonstrate how to make these delicious little treats and now with a little help from her new book you can recreate these amazing treats right at home with her simple, step-by-step instructions and photos of more than 40 featured projects, as well as clever tips for presentation, decorating, dipping, coloring and melting chocolate, and much more!  So if you like to entertain as much as I do...go get a a copy of this adorable book, Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats. 

They are perfect for any occasion - birthday, wedding, bridal and baby showers, Halloween, Christmas...you name it!

Below are a few fun ideas you may find in the book...

 

 
 
 

Create Your Own Dazzling Centerpiece

 
I spotted this dazzling DIY wedding favor and was instantly struck by how easy and chic this project is. All you need are some tin cans and beads.

Wrap tin cans with gold, black and copper bronze bead strands than fill with cut flowers.  How much easier could a DIY project be.

Use them as centerpieces for your tables or as vases around the house. The cans will look stunning lined up on the table.
 

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!

Claire Robinson's Millionaire's Shortbread

 
Valentine's Day is right around the corner and you know what they say about what the fastest way is to a Man's heart?!?!?   The answer to this question is very simple....Millionaire Shortbread!  Just take a look at the picture...Oh my yummi-ness!  If your sweetheart is on a diet and doesn't want to partake (LOL) than share it with your kids, family and friends...I promise they will love you even more than they do now!  

Claire says, "You will feel like a million bucks after one bite of these tasty treats - and they're so easy to make with only a few ingredients."

Fun Lighting Options

 

Are you looking for some super cool lighting options for your next party or just some cool lighting at home?  Well, look no further because I have found the next "hot" lighting item!  I would like to introduce to you the Supernova!!!  LA based contemporary furniture and lighting design firm Scale 1:1 developed a line of "huggable" plug-in inflatable lights called Supernova.  How fun are these?!  I love them!!!  The tubular lamps, which contain LEDs, are available for purchase at fordandching.com (just ask for the Supernova). 

Everyday Tablevogue

 

This time of year everyone is looking for ways to turn something old (oh, say, that folding card table tucked away in the garage between uses) into something fun and fabulous like a suitably stylish table for the next bunco night or a convenient gift/cake table or bar service for a party but look no further because now you can turn even the simplest folding table into a tasteful, elegant setting worthy of celebration – instantly – with Tablevogue!  Save tons of time and money on party prep and home decorating with these great table covers.  Ta da...instant elegance.

 
 

These table covers are perfect for any event.  Planning on hosting an Awards Party or Super Bowl party than check these great covers out - ideal for your buffet or dressing up a table for extra seating.  Whatever the occasion these covers are a "must have."
 

 

 

 

 

Winter Dinner Party

  

The holidays are such a busy time for us that I feel like I never really get to spend any quality time with friends; so now that they are over I think I am going to host a Winter dinner party so I can really catch-up with my friends. 

I love how simple and elegant this dinner party is....everyone has a white tablecloth - add a simple silver runner and silver chargers to accent the white.  Our Snowflake Curios are the perfect napkin ring coupled with Snowflake Place Card Holders.  Fill Oversized Mint Julep Cups with the winter floral of your choice and voila - you have the perfect tablescape for your winter dinner party.

Now just pick-up the phone and call a few friends and you are ready to party!

 
 
 

Champagne & Chambord...The Perfect NYE Cocktail

 
 

Can you believe that 2010 is over?!  I think I am still in shock that this year is already coming to an end...Wow!  What a year it has been.  I think one of my New Year's resolutions for next year is to keep it simple in 2011.  I am going to stop over complicating things and get back to the basics because I truly believe that is what makes life less stressful.  I will prioritize the things that are truly important and focus on those things!  I am also going to let go of any old baggage or issues (including relationships) that have been taking up too much of my time and energy.

I am going to start my New Year's resolution tonight and toast to it with a simple cocktail...Champagne & Chambord!  What could be a better way to kick-off this New Year than with one of these yummy drinks!  Cheers to you all!!  Have a very Happy (and safe) New Year's!

Champagne & Chambord Drink Recipe:

•1/4 oz Chambord Liqueur
•Champagne Add Chambord to bottom of a flute and top with Champagne. Garnish with a raspberry.
Please enjoy Chambord responsibly.www.chambordonline.com©2010

T.G.I.F Flying Blue Dragon

If you are planning an Oscar's party this Sunday and are wondering what to serve how about this Flying Blue Dragon in honor of one of the Nominations for Best Picture, Avatar.

The blue-curaçao hue of the Na’vi people in Avatar may look a little frightening but after a few sips of this Avatar inspired cocktail, you will definitely have enough courage to travel by dragon.