Coffee and Donut Cupcakes from Just Jenn!

Just Jenn is so darn creative! Just look at the coffee and donut cupcakes she created! How cute would these be at a festive brunch, or as desert at a breakfast-for-dinner party?!

Look HERE for the recipe!

When would YOU make these adorable cupcakes?

Champagne Thursday Week 2 Wrap-Up

Sorry to post so late about last weeks Champagne Thursday! Bad blogger! Bad blogger! Here are all the pictures from the setup , as well as my favorite dances from last week. This week I went with a Fiesta theme, probably inspired by Modern Marie's recent Fiesta!

On the Menu:

- jarred salsa spiced up with diced tomatoes and fresh cilantro

-homemade guacamole

-veggies and dip

-orange slices and strawberries

-sugar cookies

-a variety of non-alcoholic choices

-margaritas

-peach margaritas

-beer

-and of course.... champagne!

Does this wrought iron stand look familiar? That's because it's a yard-sale find that I got for only three dollars and then shared with you! 

An over-sized margarita glass filled with key limes and a candle becomes instant decor.

I rimmed cups with green sugar, and salt to go with the tasty margaritas! ( salt for traditional margaritas, and sugar for the peach)

Now let's talk about some dancing! This week I had two hands down favorite routines! 

I loved Kayla and Max's pop/jazz routine by Brian Friedman, a unique number that was in my opinion, danced to perfection.

But I also loved Melissa and Ade's Jazz dance choreographed by Sonya

( I guess that I may just love anything that Sonya does) , Melissa really showed her talents this week,

and her diversity, it was really nice to see her out of her style still dancing beautifully and nailing it.

Sadly, two must go home. tis week it was Max ( who in the world saw that coming?!?) and Ashley.

It's been a jazzy week for me. We'll see what I like next week.

This week's garage sale finds

Every now and then ( I wish every week) I go hunting for treasures at garage sales. I look for all kinds of things, mismatched tea cups, interesting serving pieces, or other vases and candleholders to enhance any gathering. This week I managed to spend only $6.00 and got three fantastic pieces! Check em' out!

Three items for only $6.00 can you believe it?!

I got this piece for .50! I have already used it too! I served dip from it just the other night, but it could also be used to float candle in or serve appetizers from!

This green and brown striped table runner was $2.50!

I'm not sure what this is supposed to be but I plan to serve food from it, display candles on it.....and more!!

Maybe this weekend YOU should go garage-saling and see what you find!

Champagne Thursday Week 1 Wrap-up

So, Champagne Thursday is basically an evening filled with yummy appetizers, cocktails, and watching So You Think You Can Dance! This past Thursday was the official first champagne Thursday, and it was lots of fun! Here's pictures of the food setup.

I wanted to go with a pretty simple setup, I overlapped linen napkins to create a sort of argyle pattern, filled a giant margarita glass with green food-colored water and floating candles, and then it was time for the food!

On the menu this week:

-fruit (watermelon, green apples, and grapes)

-veggies and dip

-pork/asparagus rolls (more to come on that)

-champagne (of course!)

-beer (for the boys)

-shrimp dip ( recipe below picture) with wheat thins

I got this recipe out of the Kraft Food and Family Magazine, and let me tell you it is a crowd pleaser! Doesn't it look yummy in the picture? Here's the recipe:

Philly Shrimp Cocktail Dip

ingredients:

1 package (8 oz.) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

3/4 lb. cooked shrimp, chopped

3/4 cup Kraft cocktail sauce

1/4 cup Kraft shredded parmesan cheese

2 green onions sliced

directions:

1. Spread cream cheese onto the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate or shallow bowl. Toss shrimp with cocktail sauce; spread over cream cheese.

2. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and onions.

3. Serve with wheat crackers.

4. Enjoy! 

Serve this at your next gathering and your guests WILL NOT be disappointed!

THIS was my favorite dance of the evening. Kayla and Max partner up  for a Samba! I am a Kayla fan all the way! Enjoy the video! I can't wait to see the dances next week!

Introducing....Champagne Thursdays!

Some of my favorite gathering to host are the ones that could be considered more "casual" . On Thursdays I am inviting people over to view So You Think You Can Dance, and to drink cocktails. I am calling it "Champagne Thursday" (ala Zooey Deschanel in Failure to Launch). 

Every week I will try out some yummy appetizer recipes, and different cocktail recipes too!  So let me know if you've got any good ones! This week, I need some good champagne cocktail recipes so let me know what you 've  got! Perhaps I will play my dance playlist this week!!

By golly! She's done it again!

Zooey Deschanel has been named the new face for the Oliver Peoples 2009 eyewear campaign. Is is any wonder? Adorable, chic, and just over-all like-ability make her a natural choice for the campagin. Here is a commercial that will air that showcases her comedic talent. Enjoy the lovely Zooey Deschanel !

Up Party ideas

I saw the new Disney/Pixar movie Up this weekend...what a lovable movie, with such a sweet story. Trust me, this is a must-see! I just know that there are going to be some amazing Up parties out there. It got me thinking about what I would do if I were planning an Up party. Here are some images and ideas that have inspired me so far:

I could want to use all the colors of the balloons in the movie as my color palette. An Up party is screaming to be colorful! 

Grape soda would need to be served of course ( if you have seen the movie than you know why) as well as chocolate bars.

I love the idea of mixing in elements of blue sky and white clouds throughout the party space. Tablecloths, balloons, scene setters ect...

Serve bright party foods and candy at this event to keep the fun in the food!

Maybe pull in some polka dot elements?

Here are pictures from the Hostess with the Mostess's Candy land party that inspire me.

Balloons, balloons, balloons.....EVERYWHERE! ALL OVER the party space, attached to the favors, even attach then to the invitations! Use your imagination!

What are YOUR ideas for an Up party???

What kind of hostess are YOU?

I found this great quiz on the Martha Stewart website! I found out that I am 

The Thoughtful Hostess:

" You plan ahead to ensure that the events you host are special and that your quests feel welcome. Friends feel comfortable in your home and enjoy bringing signature dishes to your table. You're known for featuring unique touches without going overboard.

Take the quiz and find out what kind of hostess you are!

and playing the role of last minute wedding coordinator.......me!

I am not a professional party planner (yet!) , so I sure am not a professional wedding planner either. For now I'm indulging in my hostessing obsession, I enjoy scouring the internet, magazines, anything really for party inspirations and the best recipes. I love how other peoples creativity helps to widen my own, and how I can come up with something different and unexpected because of that inspiration. So, we have established that I am NOT a professional, that being said.....I was asked this past weekend to "help out" at a rehearsal dinner for a wedding that my husband Matt was the best-man in. The bride knew that I had "a thing" for party planning, so she thought I was a good choice. We get there and, it turns out everyone's eyes were on me to basically run the whole show. This was nerve racking for me as I have never planned or coordinated a rehearsal dinner, much less a whole wedding. I decided to rise to the occasion and give it all that I had. I have to say, it was VERY stressful but I learned SO MUCH!

 Here are just a few things I learned:

1. I need to get myself an "emergency kit" with tape, lighters, tea lights, scissors, markers, chalk, double-stick tape, and band-aids ( my poor blistered feet, they didn't deserve to be in such pain...but they sure looked cute!

2. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES ........you will be running around ALOT to make sure that everything is on schedule and everyone is on the same page.

3. I wore a bright yellow top , which seemed to work out well for me because if the caterer or photographer needed me for anything, I was easy to spot.

4. I also learned a handy little trick: pre- light the candles to melt the wax off of the wick so that when you need to light the candles quickly (say I dunno about 50 of them in roughly 10 minutes) it won't take as long. This trick is especially for weddings when it comes to the unity candle.  

Anyhow, that was my recent experience. I hope to have some photos soon....there was sort of a rustic apple theme.

Modern Marie's 20th Birthday Fiesta!

Check out this sweet Fiesta that Modern Marie held at her home for her 20th birthday! I just love all of the bright colors! Her blog is so full of inspiration, these photos make me want to have a fiesta of my own! 

What a creative invitation! So simple to make, I love it!

Yum! Margarita pie!

The paper flowers are such great details in this party!

She used pom-poms to spice up a colorful table runner from Crate and Barrel

The festive table settings look great!

Forever 21 Party Dress!

I went to Forever 21 yesterday, you know just to scope out the newest styles and I stumbled upon a LOVELY party dress! So....someone invite me to a fun retro party so that I have somewhere to wear it immediately! I also bought this adorable blue flower ring and purple fabric flower headband. Oh Forever 21, how I love you

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...Ryan turns 3!

Here is a party that my cousin Ashley threw for her daughter Ryan's 3rd birthday! The Wizard of Oz is such a great party theme for children! So fanciful! Check out the details of this adorable party!

Ashley used sidewalk chalk to create a "yellow brick road" down her front walkway. So people could follow the yellow brick road to the party!

Legs of the wicked witch of the East!

Rainbow piñata!

Pinwheels and swirly lollipops brought a bit of Munchkinland to the party!

I just love the cotton candy tornado!

What a creative mind! Not a surprise, after all she's the one who threw my beautiful "Love is in Bloom" bridal shower!

Thanks for the party inspirations Ashley!