Cupcakes in a Jar!

Check out this business!
I always love unique and usable party favors...the key being usable ( and in this case delicious!).
I saw this lovely idea at My Cakies blog.
First there was cake, then cupcakes, mini cupcakes, and now cupcakes in a jar! Oh, I'm loving this! You can get jars at the supermarket for crying our loud, how easy is that? Add either your favorite frosting/cake recipe or just use a boxed cake mix...simple and adorable!
The possibilities are endless with a party favor like this!
For full directions head on over to My Cakies.

Happy Friday all!

Gingerbread Mug Perches

Check out these simply lovely mug perches found at Not Martha. How much do you want to make a million of these??? What a festive addition to your holiday traditions! These would make amazing garnishes for a Christmas party, and the PERFECT hostess gift for the times when you are the Christmas guest! I need to get into the kitchen and make these immediately!

You can find full instructions and helpful hints here.

Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff cookie sandwiches!

These days I find myself short on spending money, so what should I do when a friends birthday comes up ? Well, I never tire of baking and cooking for loved ones. I really enjoy finding or created recipes that are suited just to their taste! For my friend Amber, I decided on peanut butter and marshamallow fluff sandwich cookies! I used the recipe on Modern Marie for "babysitter cookies" ....and they were so quick and delicious! I made them mini  and just added marshmallow fluff in beteween!

The cute final birthday package!

I fit 9 cookies into a white square box I had in my gift wrapping stash.

..and a sweet note makes the gift complete!

Yummy Watermelon Martini Recipe!

Nothing says summer like Watermelon. Cool off with this yummy watermelon cocktail! (recipe makes two servings)

Ingredients:
-1 cup of watermelon juice ( press watermelon through a sieve or cheescloth )
-1/2 cup of vodka ( 4 oz. )
-1/4 simple syrup -the juice from 1 lime
-3 tablespoons of salt -3 tablespoons of sugar
- ice
- watermelon slices to garnish

Directions:
1. Mix together sugar and salt . Wet rim of two chilled martini glasses with a piece of watermelon. Dip the rims into the salt/sugar mixture.
2. Place the watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice,and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Top with ice and shake well.
3. Strain into glasses.
4. Garnish with slice of watermelon.
5. Enjoy!

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.

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!

Happy Peach Margarita Monday!

Well aint' that a peach?? May is coming to an end but I couldn't let that happen without first sharing a yummy margarita recipe (after all Cinco De mayo was this month) So....I give you the peach margarita!!

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup tequila

-1 1/2  cup margarita mix

-2 oz. peach schnapps

-16 oz. (about 2 cups) frozen peaches

-1 cup of crushed ice

-1 tablespoon of sugar

-fresh lime for rimming the glasses

-kosher salt

Directions:

1. Run lime around the rim of the glass . Dip rimmed glass in kosher salt.

2. Add tequila, margarita mix, peach schnapps, peaches, sugar, and ice to a blender. 

3. Blend until smooth.

4. Enjoy!

Boxed Lunches for Retro Bridal shower

As I was imagining the whole food set-up for this shower, I envisioned boxed lunches. I wasn't sure yet what would go in them , but we needed a way to keep food costs down without sacrificing style or quality. Several ladies were going to arrive hungry , so I knew I had to rise to the occasion. Jenny and I ( the hostess ) decided to order several $5.00 foot-long sandwiches from Subway, we cut them into quarters, speared them with heart picks (Martha Stewart, Walmart) added chips, tied up with yarn , a napkin, and a bride/groom pick and BOOM! Adorable boxed lunches!...Ready to serve!

Boxed lunches stacked neatly on the food table.

I found the cutest bride and groom picks at Plumparty.com to decorate the top of each box.

Each row was labeled with the kind of sandwich in each boxed lunch so that guests could choose.

I folded a colorful napkin, and tied up a pick with blue and green yarn.

Here's what the inside of each one looked like.

Happy Easter Cake Pops from Bakerella!

What's the very best way to say Happy Easter? Baked goods of course! Bakerella has got some great ideas! She's famous for her cake pops already so it's no surprise that she has some design ideas for Easter too! Check them out!

Cute little bunny tails!

My personal favorite is the sheep!

Peeps!

Peeps! Recipes and crafts to make with your favorite marshmallow treat! Peeps are now the number one non-chocolate Easter candy. The projects and recipes highlighted in this whimsical book are surprisingly suited for any time of year. (unfortunatley the chick and bunny marshmallow versions are only available around Easter) This book would make a great addition to any party-makers library!

Who knew that peeps could make such adorable vase filler?

I love the place-card holder idea pictured on the lower left of the book cover!

Peeps are even useful for making accessories! Use them as stamps to make tote bags and more!

I Heart Bakerella!

Bakerella.blogspot.com is quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs!She posts tons of tips and recipes for the cutest baked goods, or posts like this one with just a very creative idea ...no baking required! She came up with the cutest idea for a Valentines Day treat! Simply use a small heart shaped cookies cutter to cut into an Orea Cakester Cake, and you have a sweet fluffy treat that you didn't even need to preheat the oven for! Check out her other fun posts!

Valentini

This yummy raspberry infused cocktail was originally created by chef David Burke to be served at Bloomingdale's in New York City, but for the occasion I am going to re-name it the "Valentini"...here's the recipe:

Ingredients: (makes 1 cocktail)
-6 raspberries
-2 oz. Stoli Razberi
-1 oz. sweet and sour mix
-1 oz. cranberry juice
-1/2 oz. cream
-sparkling white wine to finish

Directions:
Crush 3 raspberries in a cocktail shaker. Add Stoli razberi , sweet and sour mix, cranberry juice, and cream. Shake and strain into glass. Top with a splash of sparkling white wine and garnish with 3 raspberries.

Passions Pops

What's more fun than a chocolate dipped cookie on a stick?.....I can't think of anything!! Parents.com has got the recipe and directions for these adorable v-day creations! You could bunch a few together and give as a "bouquet" or wrap them individually in small cellophane bags tied with a pretty bow to show loved ones how much you care...for a little extra somthing you could even attach a small card with a handwritten message! Happy dipping!

Super Bowl Party Food

Everyone knows that Super Bowl Sunday is real only about two things the game (of course) and the food! There are many different choices for your game day menu, keep with tradition and serve super bowl favorites like hot wings, get gourmet with miniature goat cheese pizzas, or just choose your favorites. Here are a few food ideas for your Super Bowl festivities! Chocolate rice crispy footballs ( pictured above ) are a sweet treat after lots of beer and salty foods.Follow the link to see the recipe! The food centerpiece of the party could be a big pot of chili, or meatball subs (Rachel Ray as a yummy recipe!) and just for fun bake up some fresh soft pretzels! ( who doesn't love soft pretzels??)