EventTagious Daily Inspiration Blog

Hot Appetizer Recipes

2012-12-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Fried Mozzarella

A favorite pub snack goes upscale when you coat bocconcini (bite-size fresh mozzarella balls) in panko breadcrumbs. Accompany them with a dish of warm tomato sauce for dipping.

Get the Fried Mozzarella Recipe

Sausage-Cheddar Balls

While these look like meatballs, they’re really bite-size biscuits generously studded with sausage and cheddar cheese. Serve them with your choice of dipping sauces, such as mustard or barbecue sauce.

Get the Sausage-Cheddar Balls Recipe

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer

To make this easy appetizer, marinated goat cheese or feta is baked until soft and golden brown, and then drizzled with olive oil and garnished with thyme sprigs and pink peppercorns. Serve the warm cheese with crackers, sliced baguette, or red bell pepper strips or blanched broccoli for dipping.

Get the Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer Recipe

Hot Spinach Dip

Mozzarella and cream cheese make this hot spinach dip extra-rich. To save time, you may use frozen spinach in place of fresh. This appetizer can be made up to three days ahead of time and baked shortly before you are ready to serve it.

Get the Hot Spinach Dip Recipe

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Ruffled Rainbow Dessert Table

2012-12-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Taste the rainbow… with hearts and ruffles! From sprinkled cupcakes and striped heart cookies to an AMAZING ruffled cake and matching cake pops, this Ruffled Rainbow Dessert Table is COVERED in colors! My friend Paige of Paiges of Style always throws fun, colorful & inspiring parties (to see more of her fabulous features go here and here)!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– Rainbow striped party hats with a red pom pom ball fringe

– Striped paper rosettes + an eye-catching ombre rainbow paper rosette backdrop

– Cute rainbow party invitation with a fun request: Please wear your favorite color of the rainbow!

– Heart striped (and rainbow of course!) cupcake toppers & rainbow confetti printable wrappers

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PARTY DETAILS, as told by Paige…

:

Somewhere over the rainbow you’ll find this fun and colorful birthday party! Rainbows, ruffles and lots of sugar are a dream for any child’s birthday celebration.

The focus of this party was a fabulous dessert setup. To set the stage, we made a background of rainbow paper rosettes inspired by this amazing rainbow party. Stevi of Hey There, Cupcake made the most incredible rainbow ruffly cake. It was literally breathtaking, almost too pretty to eat. To keep up the ruffly goodness, Pam of Cake Ball Love created rainbow ruffle cake pops, the detail on these were spectacular, and the cutest rainbow sprinkle cake pops. Kris of Kcreative created the rainbow striped heart cake pops, so darling! Hayley of Hayley Cakes and Cookies baked the most beautiful rainbow heart cookies. A rainbow party wouldn’t be complete without a rainbow of macarons, they were so beautiful and tasty.

The paper details of the party added to all of the colorful fun. Everything from the invites to the cupcake wrappers and rainbow party hats helped the little guests have a blast. My little girl’s were in awe of the colorful goodness and loved celebrating the rainbow.

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Rainbow Party Package, Styling, Photos: Paiges of Style

– Rainbow Ruffle Cake: Hey There, Cupcake

– Ruffle rainbow cake pops: Cake Ball Love

– Heart Cake Pops: Kcreative

– Heart Cookies: Hayley Cakes & Cookies

– Macarons: Baked

– Photo Editing: Nicole Benitez Photography

courtesy of HWTM

Radiant Red Ikat Holiday Dinner Party

2012-12-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

“Radiant” is the perfect word to describe this warm & modern, textile-inspired HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY byJennifer and Jeff of Honeycomb Events & Design!

The chic Ikat fabric that hung on the wall behind the dessert table served as the inspiration for this entire party (Learn more about Ikat here.), and I love how Jennifer & Jeff carried their ornamental ikat design throughout the gorgeous invitations & paper details – including the super cute “place cards” that hung from ribbon on the backs of the chairs! Other favorite highlights include the cactus party favors, vibrant red peonies, and whimsical desserts like chocolate dipped spoons and pudding adorned with Persian fairy floss.

Read on for more lovely photos & creative details… {P.S. This would translate beautifully to a Valentine’s Dayparty too!}

*****

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Jennifer & Jeff…

“The holiday season is full of life, color, and brilliance. We wanted to take the best and brightest parts of the holidays and create an intimate and radiant dinner party.

The inspiration for this party came from the Ikat fabric featured on the wall behind the dessert table. Ikat is a dying process similar to tie-dye, but the threads are dyed before construction. This red and white repeating pattern reminded us of the shape of a glass blown Christmas ornament. It had just the right touch of holiday color and modern, natural aesthetics. We kept the color story easy and modern, but brought out the details in the textures, from the woven strands of the Persian fairy floss that adorned the pudding, the shredded flakes of the coconut cupcakes, down to the smooth and uniform petals of the succulents. This dessert table was all about taste and texture.

The ornamental Ikat reappears in paper with the name cards pinned to the backs of the dining chairs. A white lacquer branch and ribbon polish off this festive touch. This table combines the abundance of life and little dash of shine. These marvelous succulents bring in a soft sprinkle of green while the vibrant red peonies and gold candlelight radiate the warmth of the season.

The real fun and whimsy of this party is found at the hot cocoa bar, where guests are invited to grab a mug of cocoa and customize it to their liking with salted caramels, whipped cream, toffee chips, homemade marshmallows, and chocolate and peppermint dipped spoons. All of this atop vintage board games that can be played while enjoying a one-of-a-kind chocolaty creation. The hearty succulents were so beautiful that we had to give them away as favors, so our friends and family to take a little bit of our holiday with them.”

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Event Design: Honeycomb Events & Design

– Menu, Invitation & Printables: Honeycomb Events & Design

– Caramels: Iris Estell

– Rock Candy: RockYourMouthGB

– Wooden Sticks with Ball Ends: Wood Candy Sticks

– Vintage Games: Penny Pickers

– Persian Fairy Floss: iPashmak

courtesy of HWTM

Homemade Food Gifts

2012-12-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

Peppermint Bark

Handmade gifts are the best kind, particularly when they're edible and prettily packaged. And although the items in our collection are all easy to make, offering them to friends is much more than a small gesture -- it's a personal one, showing the best sentiments of the season.

Sweeten someone's holiday with a tin of peppermint bark.

How to Make the Peppermint Bark

Foolproof Holiday Fudge

To make this easy chocolate fudge, cream and butter are heated with marshmallows to form a sweet and smooth foundation, then white or semisweet chocolate chips are melted in.

Get the Foolproof Holiday Fudge Recipe

Caramel-Almond Popcorn

This salty-sweet homemade popcorn feels extra festive presented in a pretty tin wrapped in ribbon.

Get the Caramel-Almond Popcorn Recipe

Holiday Drink Mixers

Spread cheer with batches of homemade cocktail mixers. Decant them into decorative bottles, available at home stores, and add a label with drink recipes and storage instructions.

How to Make the Holiday Drink Mixers

All-Purpose Spice Rub

A homemade blend of spices is a perfect little gift to stuff into a stocking or tuck in a gift basket. Deliver your mix in recycled spice shakers with a homemade label.

Get the All-Purpose Spice Rub Recipe

courtesy of Martha Stewart

7 Make and Take Holiday Appetizers

2012-12-17T11:20:00.000-05:00

Patricia over at Live Out Nanny shared a wonderful post with us that we'd like to share with you. If you're still trying to figure out apps for holiday gatherings, she has seven simple and easy apps you can make. Enjoy!

The holidays typically bring a lot of parties and social gatherings with friends and family, and more than likely you’ll need to provide some sort of food item to share for a few of these get-togethers. To keep things simple, it’s usually easiest to bring an appetizer to these types of events. These seven appetizers are the perfect treat to bring to your next holiday party.

Meatball bubble biscuits – Use a can of layered refrigerated biscuits, halving 10 of the biscuits. Cut two sticks of string cheese into 10 pieces each, then cut 10 cooked frozen meatballs in half. Place ½ a meatball and a piece of string cheese into the center of ½ a biscuit, close the biscuit dough around the filling, then roll it into a ball. Once you’ve rolled 20 cheese and meatball biscuits, place them into an ungreased 9 inch round cake pan. Sprinkle parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the top to taste. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Wrap with foil to transport. Serve with hot marinara sauce that you microwave at the host’s house.
Clam dip – Beat two 8oz. packages of softened cream cheese until smooth. Add one teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and two 6.5 oz. cans of minced clams to the cheese. Add ¾ of the juice from the cans of clams. You can add more or less juice based on how thick you want your dip. Mix to combine, then serve with crackers. This appetizer travels well.
8 Layer Mexican dip – In a glass bowl or trifle dish layer the following ingredients: 1 bag of shredded lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 2 medium diced tomatoes, 8 oz. sour cream, ½ cup chopped black olives, 1 can refried beans, 8 oz. guacamole, and 8 oz. salsa.
Pinwheels – Spread onion flavored cream cheese onto a 6 inch tortilla. Layer thinly sliced ham over the cream cheese and roll up the tortilla tightly. Cut the tortilla into ½ inch slices and pierce with a toothpick to keep them rolled up. Pack these up in a container and take them to the party.
Deviled eggs – Hard boil 6 eggs. Cool eggs to room temperature or refrigerate for easier peeling. Peel the eggs once they’ve cooled, then cut them in half lengthwise and put the yolk into a small bowl. Continue separating the yolks from all of the egg white halves. Set the egg white halves on your serving platter. Mix together the yolks with ¼ cup of mayonnaise, 1 ½ tablespoons of mustard, salt and pepper. Taste to make sure it doesn’t need more salt. Pour the filling into a zip top bag and seal. Snip the corner off of the bag and pipe the filling into the egg white halves. Sprinkle the filled eggs with a little paprika for garnish.
Apple Kielbasa – Cut 2 lbs. of kielbasa into 1 inch pieces and toss into a 3 qt. crock pot. Add ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 cup chunky apple sauce, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, and 2 cloves of garlic grated. Stir to combine. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Take crock pot with you to party for a tasty hot appetizer. This recipe can easily be doubled if you have a larger crock pot.
Sour Cream Pesto Dip – Mix together 1 cup of sour cream, ½ cup of basil pesto and 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Chill. Serve with fresh veggies or any kind of chip. This dip is versatile enough to also be a spread for sandwiches if you have any leftover. You can use a bottled pesto or make your own favorite recipe. Wrap up the bowl of dip and take it with you with a tray of fresh veggies and you are all set.

Remember these quick appetizers the next time you get a request to bring something to a holiday party. Keep in mind that you can also warm things in the host’s oven once you get to the party if you’d like your appetizers to be hotter, though many appetizers are fine when served at room temperature.

courtesy of Live Out Nanny

HWTM Party of Five

2012-12-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here we go with the latest round of Friday Party of 5 picks from our HWTM.com members! Just click on a party title or collage to check out the full album & details from the following creative events:

– Vintage Boxing Party

– Darling Dinner Party

– Minecraft Themed Birthday Party

– Tiffany’s Inspired Bridal Shower

– Pink Cowgirl Party

1. Vintage Boxing Party (pictured above) by Lauren Borquez

2. Darling Doily Dinner Party by Fujiko’s Flowers

3. Minecraft Inspired Birthday Party by Sunnybydesign

4. Tiffany’s Bridal Shower by Mariana Sperb Party & Design

5. Tessa’s Cowgirl Party by Cupcake Express

courtesy of HWTM

Holiday Entertaining – Appetizers And Cocktails

2012-12-07T14:30:00.000-05:00

For me, Christmas is synonymous with decorating and entertaining, so when I had the chance to create a holiday party for Pier 1 using some of their items, I was thrilled! You know how I love to incorporate food as part of the party decor so pieces from their tasting party were “must haves” for this appetizers & cocktails party. This is my favorite way to entertain - intimate gatherings with small tasty bites.

See how I put it all together, and read my tips for hosting your own adult soiree, below…

Get the Look:

One of the first things I think about when setting up party tables is the centerpiece, or focal point. When I found this gold “twig”-style tree at Pier 1 I knew I needed to have it. It’s sturdy, disassembles for storage, and it’s versatile enough for year-round decorating – a triple threat in this party girl’s book! I placed it to one side of the table to hang ornaments from and left the rest of the background empty for a clean modern feel.
During one of my shopping outings at Pier 1 I found the white sawhorse desk. I’ve been on the lookout for something white and lightweight that I can use for parties and be able to move from room to room as needed. I nearly died when I saw this table and knew I had to have it – I just love it!
I kept everything in white so the menu would shine, and added red for a pop of color. The beauty of using white as a base is that you could add in ANY single color that matches your decor.

Setting up the buffet is just plain fun when using the tasting set pieces. I love using them because they add an architectural element of design, and the white and clear glass pieces coordinate with everything I already have. I already had the mini martinis and Asian spoons, and by adding the glass bowls, white bowls, and stemless flutes I was able to set a fabulous buffet. Here’s my menu:

Pasta & Crab Salad served in white tasting cups – even for appetizer parties I like to serve things that are hearty and filling, especially if men are around. You don’t want anyone hitting up the fast food joint on the way home because they’re still hungry. I made this one by combining a pasta salad from the deli with chopped crab meat {okay, the “faux” crab meat}. Pre-made salads are always overly dressed so the addition of the crab meat really helped balance that out. I was surprised at how tasty this was, and would certainly serve it again. To dress up the tasting cups I simply added an adhesive ‘pearl’ to the side.
Hummus served in mini martini glasses – I always provide some time of dip at a party. It’s a good time and money saver because it feeds a lot of people at once. Serving dip in individual glasses alleviates any fears of the dreaded double dipper! Hummus is also a good choice if you have vegetarians in your group. As the hostess you have to be aware of the special diets of your guests.
California Rolls served in Asian spoons – Have you ever noticed how “one bite” items always seem to take 2 or 3 bites {is that just me?}? Serving sushi rolls in the little spoons is great for people like me who need the extra help, plus you can put soy sauce in the well for dipping. Placing the spoons on a tall cake stand adds height to the table and makes it easier to reachitems in the back.
Upside Down Cheesecakes in mini dessert bowls – You can serve classic recipes but why not do something different with them. I think these upside down cheesecakes look even prettier than the right side up version, plus my favorite part is the graham cracker crumbs so I love that they are on top!
Peppermint Cotton Candy Cocktail served in stemless flutes – I’ve always wanted to try the cotton candy champagne cocktail, and the holidays are the perfect time to try something special like that. I found peppermint flavored cotton candy that’s white with a little red throughout – matched my party perfectly. After trying the mixture I am a fan! Not only does it make for an interesting {and tasty} presentation, but it’s a novel idea your guests will love and the kind of detail you will be remembered for.

courtesy of Celebrations at Home

A Merry Little Camp Christmas

2012-12-06T11:30:00.000-05:00

It’s a Merry Christmas around the campfire! Camping parties, glamping birthdays and parties celebrating the outdoors have been insanely popular lately. Lauren Haddox Designs decided to put her own twist on the trendy theme for a A Merry Little Camp Christmas where pint-sized guests gather to celebrate the holiday with those oh-so-cute woodland creatures, tree stump platters and s’mores galore!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– Tissue paper campfire with haystack seating for s’more marshmallow pop “roasting”

– Christmas tree decorating (ice cream cone craft)

– Nature scavenger hunt with personalized baskets embellished with yarn poms

– Fabric tent photo-op with lined with green pom poms

*****

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Lauren…

:

I had WAY too much fun designing and styling everything for Camp Christmas! It seems like camping parties are so popular right now so I thought what better way to celebrate my absolute favorite time of the year than with a camping Christmas Party??!!

The party started with everyone gathered around the “tissue paper” camp fire roasting s’more pops. We had a nature scavenger hunt and had a tent set up for pictures. Everyone enjoyed PB&J’s, fresh fruit, veggies and trail mix for lunch. We finished the party by decorating ice cream cone “Christmas Trees.”

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Printables: Lauren Haddox Designs on Etsy

– Cookies: Silly Gilly

– Photography: Katy Marshall Photography

– Glass Jars: Enfamil Containers

– Paper Lunch Boxes: Shop Sweet Lulu

– Woodland Animals: Tuesday Morning

– Camp Christmas Poster: 20×20 print from Office Depot

courtesy of HWTM

Favorite Cookie Swap Recipes

2012-12-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

Shaped Icebox Cookies

Choose from our selection of cookies that will keep well and are sure to delight all the lucky recipients at your holiday cookie-swap party.

Try one of our shaped icebox-cookie variations:

Almond-Cherry Coins

Apricot-Pistachio Triangles

Almond and Candied Orange Zest Bars

White Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Cherry Triangles

Papaya, Macadamia, and Coconut Triangles

Cranberry-Orange Coins

Chocolate, Walnut, and Cranberry Coins

Candied-Fruit Squares

Almond and Ginger Bars

Get the Shaped Icebox Cookies Recipe

Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

Get the Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies Recipe

Cutout Cookies

Try one of our cutout cookie variations:

Stained-Glass Snowmen

Sugared Wreaths

Stained-Glass Wreaths

Fluted Wreaths

Cookie Houses

Christmas Trees

Chocolate Gingerbread Bars

Get the Chocolate Gingerbread Bars Recipe

courtesy of Martha Stewart

8 Steps to Hosting a Cookie Swap

2012-12-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

What's a Cookie Swap?

Simplify your holiday baking by hosting a cookie swap. Invite a group of friends, and have each person make enough of one kind of cookie to share. At the party, sample the treats, then trade and package them in appealing assortments. Everyone leaves with finished gifts -- and plenty of new recipes.

Step 1: Send Out Invitations

Invite guests three to four weeks in advance. Seven or eight people are ideal -- manageable, yet enough for a good variety of cookies. Have each person bring along copies of her recipe as well as some supplies for pretty packaging, such as ribbons, tags, or boxes.

Set just the right tone for your cookie swap with stylish invitations from our partner Pingg.com. Choose from exclusive Martha Stewart photography, or hundreds of other designs that you can print, send by email, or both.

Make an Invitation

Step 2: Choose Cookies to Bake

Ask each guest to make a dozen cookies for every person in attendance, plus an extra dozen for sampling; you do the same. This way, everybody will go home with several dozen in different flavors to give as gifts. If that seems daunting, scale back; if seven of you have six dozen to swap, you will take a few less of each kind but will still have an ample number. Decide who will make what, coordinating ahead of time to avoid duplicates. Sturdy cookies are best (very thin or delicate varieties won't pack well).

Get Our Favorite Cookie Swap Recipes

Step 3: Create Display Cards

At the swap, it helps to know which cookie is which. Put folding place cards in front of each variety as a label, or print out our template. Write or print the name of the cookie and the contributor on the card: "Chocolate-Drizzled Spice Cookies, from Laura." It's also helpful to write or print a cookie menu that lists each of the different types displayed.

Get the Template

Step 4: Set Up a Packaging Station

Ask guests to bring wrapping materials; you might also keep some on hand in case any are overlooked. Set everything out on large worktables. Consider stocking the station with tags or sticky labels, ribbons, twine, cardboard boxes, sturdy paper plates, baking papers, scissors, hole punches, tissue paper, cellophane, and other trimmings.

Step 5: Offer Boxes for Gift-Giving

Consider using white boxes. If you offer white boxes and keep all the other items in a specific palette of colors, everything can be mixed and matched easily.

Step 6: Offer Ribbon and Other Trimmings

Offer ribbon or waxed twine that guests can attach to gift tags, holly leaves, beads, and tiny bells. Holiday stickers seal packages and double as tags. Decorative hole punches can be used on boxes, and then they can be finished with ribbon.

Step 7: Decorate Your Plate

Consider edging paper plates with pinking shears, setting it on a different colored plate, and topping with tissue. Guests can arrange a selection of cookies on top and slide it into cellophane for a simple -- and simply yummy -- holiday gift. Or, set out your decorated platter of cookies and display it on your holiday table.

Step 8: Prepare for the Swap

On the day of the party, brew plenty of coffee and tea, and clear a few tables for sampling, swapping, and packaging cookies. Provide several platters and cake stands, and have each guest put out a plate of cookies for tasting, with stacks of recipes alongside if you like. Let everyone sample the treats -- and maybe even take a vote on the best one. When it's time to trade, set out the remaining cookies and let each person walk around the table to pick up their share of each. Or, have people take only what they need to package one gift at a time, and return to the table for more as they wish.

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Real Party Inspiration

2012-12-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

We love this Red & Aqua Owl Birthday Party spotted over at HWTM, it's simply adorable!

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Winter Wedding Favors

2012-11-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

Planning a winter wedding this year? We've found some cool favors over at MarthaStewart.com to share with you.

Ornament Favors

With Christmas around the corner, Heather and Neal gave ornament versions of their getaway car as favors at their intimate Thanksgiving wedding in Somerset County, England.

Icy Favors

Metallic string secures a monogrammed tag and a tiny foil leaf to a transparent box filled with crystals of rock candy.

Snowflake Cookie Favors

Capture these delicate symbols of winter's beauty in dough, and share them with your wedding guests. Gingerbread cookies, piped with royal icing and highlighted with sugar and nonpareils, are perfect snacks for the post-reception ride home or the day after the wedding. Package them in clear acetate containers banded with ribbon and a quilling-paper label (ours reads "A love like no other"), both held on with double-sided tape.

Christmas Trees To Go

Give a favor that symbolizes love growing and becoming stronger with time. Many seedlings are available at online nurseries -- these are foot-tall Norway spruces.

How to Make the Christmas Trees To Go

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Metallic Hot Cocoa Bar {with FREE Printables!} + Sparkly DIY Drink & Dessert Topper Ideas

2012-11-28T16:36:00.000-05:00

We absolutely love this hot cocoa bar idea from HWTM. We might be trying this with a few of our holiday dinners!

Need a fun {& easy} idea for your holiday party or wintery get together? Warm your guests up with a Gourmet Hot Cocoa Station where they can choose from yummy mix-ins like flavored marshmallows and spirits or liqueurs to create their own tasty drink.

We all know the little ones love hot chocolate, but I wanted to create something especially for the adults this time around, so this particular Hot Cocoa station (from our Sparkle & Shine Metallic Dinner Party) features gourmet peppermint, chocolate, and vanilla marshmallows and a pretty bottle of rum that guests can splash in to mix up a hot toddy! You can make your own flavored marshmallows – or just buy them to keep things easy – and get creative with the liquor mix-ins: brandy, coffee liqueur, raspberry liqueur, Peppermint Schnapps, etc. are all great options for flavoring hot chocolate.

FREE PRINTABLES & MORE

Scroll down for pics + links to download all the free Party Printables pictured here. You’ll also find ideas for some easy DIY metallic dessert toppers created from tinsel-infused yarn and craft poms + metallic gold pipe cleaners. ENJOY! :)

*****

Check out more how-to details and pictures from this Sparkle and Shine Metallic Dinner Party right here.

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DIY DRINK & DESSERT TOPPER IDEAS:

– Festive mini yarn poms made from tinsel-infused yarn & attached to toothpicks

– Other toothpicks topped with sparkly craft poms + chenille pipe cleaners

– Toothpicks embellished with printable party flags reading: TASTY, SWEET, YUMMY

– Drink Stirrers: Bamboo skewers topped with sparkly craft poms + pipe cleaners

– Hot Cocoa Mugs embellished with printable party circles

*****

HOT COCOA BAR PRINTABLES (Download Links)

– Flavored Marshmallow Tent Cards (pre-filled)

– Mini Dessert Flags (TASTY, SWEET, YUMMY)

– Metallic Dinner Party Circles (as seen on the Hot Cocoa mugs)

– Hot Cocoa Station Signs (5×7 and 4×6)

– Decorative Party Signs (“Raise a Glass” and “Let’s Get Together”)

*Check out more Printables from this dinner party right here.

****

courtesy of HWTM

Winter Drinks for Santa

2012-11-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

We love these fun winter drinks for the kiddies to leave behind for Santa

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Leave a steamy cup for Santa on Christmas Eve -- or relax with one of these seasonal drinks yourself.

Get the Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

Favorite Eggnog

Get the Favorite Eggnog Recipe

Cocoa with Floating Marshmallow Snowflakes

Get the Cocoa with Floating Marshmallow Snowflakes Recipe

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Get the Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

Warm Vanilla Milk

Get the Warm Vanilla Milk Recipe

Mulled Cranberry Cocktail

Get the Mulled Cranberry Cocktail Recipe

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Stylish Backyard Beer Bash {Adult Birthday}

2012-11-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

Lori of LB Boutique threw a bright and festive Backyard Beer Bash for her husbands birthday (and choose the varieties based on his stations in the Coast Guard)! Photo booth props and Beer Pong cups in teal paired with yellow striped labels and local Milwaukee fresh corn on the cob provided bright dashes of color! For more brew bash ideas click here and here!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– Twine wrapped bottles with dried wheat

– Guinness & Blue Moon Beer Cupcakes

– Fresh popcorn favors in simple bags tied with teal twine

– Pulled Pork Sliders & Root-Beer Floats

– Beer Pong Trophies (teal cups glued to white candlesticks!)

*****

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Lori…

:

My husband and I love to throw a good party, but we haven’t had the time since moving from Alaska. I thought this would be a perfect excuse to throw a party for Jonah’s Birthday. The idea for a Beer Bash was because first my husband loves a good beer and we now live in Milwaukee, WI which has lots of breweries, a bar on every corner, and lots of CHEESE. I already had my colors in mind to be mustard, brown, cream, and a blue. Emma at Yellow Door Creative designed the perfect invite for the bash. Taylour at Swoon Soiree made my decoration dreams come alive.

I had been building up ideas on my Pinterest since July of what I wanted to do for decorations. Swoon Soiree made all the fan circles and seriously took them to another level. Jonah helped me with the beer bottles (aka he emptied them). My Sister-in-Law Anissa wrapped them in twine and I added wheat sticks to the bottles (no flowers for this party, even though I love them I wanted to keep this as clean, rustic, & manly as possible:). The Birthday sign by YDC brought the table scape together. I flipped the invite over to use the beer bottle on the back as a pointing arrow. Alessia even helped with a chalk board sign (trust me I had to erase her beautiful artwork ever 5 mins while I did this). It wouldn’t be a Baskin party without Beer Pong. I found this table on craigslist for $19 and it was the perfect look of rustic white (a little beat up from the college students, but what a great price). The winners of the Beer Pong received the BP Cup Trophies (I spray painted 2 candle stick holders white and hot glued 2 solo cups on top).

Our patio furniture couldn’t have fit more perfect with the color scheme and made a great relaxing area to drink beers and snack on candy. Jonah was mad that I put the blue jelly belly’s (we have a factory in Milwaukee that we have toured) at the bottom of the canister. Hello…did that on purpose so he wouldn’t mess up the colors, sometimes you have to out smart them!

DRINKS

I had first wanted to do a beer tasting party, but that turned out to be too much/my husband thought all the beers would go bad if they had to sit out too long (only he would think of that). I switched gears to incorporating beers from where we have been stationed with the Coast Guard. Alaska: We had the Alaskan Summer and Amber. You use to not be able to find this beer unless you were on the West Coast, let me tell you how excited Jonah was to find this right down the street from us in Milwaukee. Wisconsin: Riverwest and Fixed Gear are Milwaukee based beers from Lake Front Brewery. HELLO can’t forget the Root BEER Floats!!! I picked up a Milwaukee based Sprecher Root Beer.

I know what you are thinking who serves water at a beer bash, but no lie we had only 1 lonely bottle left after the party… so thankfully YDC created the water bottle labels to fancy them up and keep with the color theme.

FOOD & DESSERT

Where’s all the food???? Thinking about all the beer that was going to be consumed, I wanted everyone to experience a little bit of Milwaukee and the local places in our neighborhood. A few of the items we had are; Pulled Pork Sandwiches from Milwaukee Smoked BBQ (they just opened a few months ago). Sweet Corn from the local South Shore Farmers Market. Apple Coleslaw from Sendicks a local super market (they have carpet on the floor, you feel so fancy when you go there). One item I didn’t get pictured was the mini pretzel rolls from Mader’s German Restaurant they didn’t even get a chance to get in the oven to warm before the boys had downed about 4 of them. The amazing beer cupcakes were made by Jonah’s boss Joe L. because they work in Food Service for the Coast Guard so why not use my resources. They were amazing and I was about to turn into a cupcake after eating so many.

POPCORN POPCORN POPCORN – Doug’s Cowboy Kettle Corn Popcorn is by far the most amazing thing and for entertainment he yells YEEEHAWWW after each batch he makes (check out his site). I used simple white bags wrapped them with teal twine (try saying that 10X’s fast…I bet you just tried) and used the Popcorn label from Yellow Door Creative. Simple but sweet Thank You’s to everyone for coming to the Bash.

ACTIVITIES

A photo booth is so simple to make at any party and you don’t have to have a fancy backdrop. Just add a cute banner and some props and you are set! Swoon Soiree made the adorable photo props and pennant banner. YDC added the Photo Booth Sign. I used Martha Stewart Blue & Black Chalk Board Paint on the wooden plaques.

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Invite, Table Sign, Popcorn, Water & Cupcake Labels, Tooth Pick Flags, Photo Booth sign: Yellow Door Creative

– Folded Circles Decorations, Beer Signs, Pennant Banner, Photo Booth Props: Swoon Soiree

– Photography: LB Photography

– White Frames: Ikea

– Mason Jars for Root Beer Floats & Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint: Michaels

– Twine: GroopDealz

– Popcorn Bags: The Joyful Cup

– White Buckets, Candle Sticks, Candy Jars: Target

– Popcorn Holder: Pier 1 Imports

courtesy of HWTM

Fall Pumpkin County Fair Birthday Party

2012-11-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

Step right up! Fall is in the air, everyone come on down to the Pumpkin County Fair! Wendy Updegraff Photography brought the gang over for a backyard bash with bundles of hay, pumpkin accents and seasonal treats + a pop of PINK to celebrate her daughter’s ninth birthday!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– Carnival ticket backdrop and “paper chain” rope

– Mini cheese “pumpkins” on crackers and Cinnamon bun pops in ribbon wrapped hay

– Drink station covered in stripes, polka dots & paper rosettes

– Decorative polka dot ribbon prizes + boxed candy apple favors

– Horse back riding, balloon animals, bobbing for apples, sack races & more fair fun!

*****

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Wendy…

:

This weekend we celebrated my sweet Bella’s 9th birthday with a backyard bash with some country flair. The theme was Pumpkin County Fair and we tried to make it a little feminine by sticking with pinks, oranges & black. All of the decorations were a labor of love by my very talented mother and myself… and my wonderful mother-in-law helped out with the baking. My son and a friend of the family were our “carnies” and I think they were the two cuties carnies I have ever seen. They did a great job helping the younger kids with all of the games. Thank you to all who came to celebrate, I hope you had as much fun as we did!

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Party styling & photography: Wendy Updegraff Photography

– Invitations: Loralee Lewis

– Bella’s Dress: EmmaNicole Designs

– Bella’s Hair piece: Flowerz by Suz

– Bella’s Jewlery: Teeny Tinley Designs

– Cake: Love & Sugar Kisses

– Cake Topper: IndigoTwin

– Preston’s Bow Tie: SDLM

courtesy of HWTM

Happy Thanksgiving

2012-11-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Enjoy the day with your families and friends.

We are very thankful for all families and look forward to spending the day with them.

Geometric & Bright Southwest Style Thanksgiving

2012-11-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

Inspired by the fresh color palette of the Southwest, Margaux of Harmony Creative Studio combined geometric elements and vibrant colors for a Southwest Style Thanksgiving. To brighten the days following, she included heartwarming ‘Thankful Journal” favors to share the Native American belief that we should be thankful everyday, not just on Thanksgiving!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– “Free floating” feather backdrop & ombre paint chip decorated “Thankful” letters

– Hot + low budget pepper crate table centerpiece

– Modern Thanksgiving Meal: salmon, wild greens, squash & Three Sisters Stew

– Bright linens, red diamond-folded napkins and contrasting square plates

– Name stamped feather place cards & paint chip embellished leftover boxes

*****

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Margaux…

:

Inspired by the vibrant colors of the Southwest, the popular ‘Fiesta’ dishwear from the Homer Laughlin Company was featured, and the colors really pop against bright contrasting placemats and runners. Turning the square plates was a fresh take and we kept the geometric angles consistent with the overall theme. A low, colorful and ‘hot’ centerpiece of six different pepper varieties allowed for conversation during dinner – and made for fun conversation at the grocery store checkout line!

Tiny, hand-stamped feathers with our guests names were tucked inside small ‘Thankful Journals’ for them to take home and utilize all year, to emphasize the Native American belief that we should be ‘Thankful Everyday’, not just on Thanksgiving. Feathers were also strung as a backdrop for the buffet, the clear wire allowing them to appear free–floating.

Paint chips, free at any home improvement store, are a great way to add a dose of color. We cut them into strips and used as bands over both the small journals and colorful ‘Leftovers’ containers. They were also used to create the colorful patterns on the ‘Thankful’ sign featured above the buffet.

All of the food prepared was modern takes on what might have been offered at the first thanksgiving. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that Turkey was the main course. Instead, the proximity to the Atlantic meant that fish was most likely the featured dish. As such, a full filet of Salmon was prepared with herbs and baked to perfection. Other dishes included wild greens (Collard, Mustard and Red Chard) cooked with onion and garlic, a medley of acorn squash and heirloom tomatoes and our favorite: ‘Three Sisters Stew’. One of the agricultural techniques the Native American tribes shared with the Pilgrims was ‘Companion Farming’, where squash, corn and beans (the ‘Three Sisters’) were planted close together in order to thrive. These three ingredients pair wonderfully with onion, celery, cilantro, chile powder and lime to create a fresh take on this traditional palette.

*****

VENDOR CREDITS & RESOURCES:

– Event Design, Hosting & Food Preparation: Harmony Creative Studio

– Photography: Michelle Rene Photography

– Fiesta Dinnerware Website: Fiesta Factory Direct

– Recipe Sources: Three Sisters Stew & Braised Wild Greens

courtesy of HWTM

Divine Desserts

2012-11-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

Apple Crostata with Cheddar Crust

Whether you're looking for traditional pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies or the unexpected, such as cranberry-port sorbet or pumpkin tiramisu, you'll find something to love in our collection of favorite Thanksgiving desserts.
This rustic free-form take on apple pie gets a savory tang from the addition of sharp cheddar cheese to the crust. After the crostata comes out of the oven, brush melted apricot jam over the filling to make it glisten.

Get the Apple Crostata with Cheddar Crust Recipe

Pumpkin Cream Pie

An easy gingersnap crust sets this pumpkin pie apart. The silky-smooth custard filling is cooked on the stove top.

Get the Pumpkin Cream Pie Recipe

Apple and Cranberry Pandowdy

Like a cross between a pie and a cobbler, squares of pastry dough are arranged over lightly sweetened apple-cranberry filling to make this rustic dessert. Serve the pandowdy warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or cinnamon whipped cream.

Get the Apple and Cranberry Pandowdy Recipe

Chocolate Black-Bottom Pie

Melt semisweet chocolate into hot cream and stir in a splash of rum to make the filling for this easy pie. Top it with macadamia nuts and whipped cream just before serving.

Get the Chocolate Black-Bottom Pie Recipe

Citrus-Glazed Pumpkin-Carrot Cake

This moist, walnut-studded cake is a delicious alternative to the usual pumpkin pie. Combine lemon and orange juices with confectioners' sugar to make the easy glaze.

Get the Citrus-Glazed Pumpkin-Carrot Cake Recipe

Click here to see more desserts

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Inspiration....Martha Stewart Style

2012-11-19T13:30:00.000-05:00

Darcy Miller’s Thankful Tree and Tabletop

I love Thanksgiving, so when Good Morning America asked me for decorating ideas, I created this easy family activity and kids’ table. My favorite part is that all this decor can be created ahead of time (like this weekend!), so you can get your table out of the way to make time for baking pie or roasting turkey next week. If you don’t get to it this weekend, just shop for supplies: The supplies are affordable and the projects are easy enough that they could even be created the night before.

This Thankful Tree is a sweet centerpiece you can craft ahead of time — and it’s perfect for teaching kids what Thanksgiving is really about. To make it, get branches from your yard or local florist (I used curly willow) and cut paper leaves from construction paper. You’ll just need a small piece of double stick tape to attach the foliage to your branches.

(Sources: Gold paper from Paper Source embellished with Martha Stewart Crafts Deep Edge Punch from Michaels, pillar candles from Colonial Candle, gold paint for pumpkins from Martha Stewart Craft Paint, chocolate turkeys from Godiva, birch rounds for trivets from SaveonCrafts).

When people arrive or just as they sit down to eat, ask guests to pick a leaf and write what they’re thankful for. Go around table and read the leaves, then add them to your scrapbook when the holiday is over. (It’s so nice to read these year after year.)

(Source: Paper leaves from Courtney McFarland)

I like to have a special table for the kids at Thanksgiving. Decorating is simple: Just have children draw designs on a brown craft paper “tablecloth” with crayons, stickers, and stamps. Paper cups can be embellished with glitter leaf stickers and flameless, battery-powered candles will make kids feel like grown-ups.

(Sources: Amscan turkey table decorating kit from Party City; orange paper napkins and gold paper drinking cups from Party City; glittered leaf stickers from Martha Stewart Crafts; paper turkeys and orange table runner from PaperSource; battery flickering candles from Saveoncrafts; coloring crayons from Melissa and Doug; wood table with chairs from Ikea; wood plates and flatware from Bambu.com.)

Candy cups filled with candy and popcorn become ships when you adorn them with my Mayflower template. You can also attach our template to a skewer, then stand it in a cup full of treats.

(Source: Gold paper candy cups, New York Cake and Bake)

Treats are not just for eating! These treats add color — and fun — to table decor.

(Sources: Martha Stewart Collection Serveware from Macys, cylinders fromSaveonCrafts.com)

Menu cards are a fun way to let guests know what’s to come. You can also add personal touches, like identifying which courses are family recipes.

(Sources: Cornucopia menu clip art, pilgrim menu clip art, turkey menu clip art, paper from Paper Source, cylinders from SaveonCrafts.com.)

Check out Good Morning America for great deals and offers on materials used in the segment, including 50 percent off on my favorite Martha Stewart Crafts punches and paints!

Photos: Charlotte Jenks Lewis

Fashion-Inspired Wedding Cakes

2012-08-31T10:39:00.000-04:00

Romantic Ruffles

What makes a wedding gown special? Extraordinary embellishments, of course. Here, desserts get adorned with fabulous flounces, beautiful beading, and more. Playing dress-up just got delicious.

A David Fielden gown served as the inspiration for this cake. "To match the dress's airy feel, we formed dampened wafer paper into edible ruffles and pressed them into the buttercream," says contributing editor Wendy Kromer, owner of Wendy Kromer Confections in Sandusky, Ohio. Come reception time, they serve a ruffled rosette with each slice.

Get the Recipes: Apricot Puree, Apricot Buttercream, Vanilla Cake

Beautiful Beading

The net-and-bead fabric displayed as a tablecloth served as the model for this cake. The four tiers were covered in seafoam-green rolled fondant, then decorated with "reeds" made out of hand-piped royal icing; the beaded icing "leaves" on each stem were painted with luster dust to add shine. On the inside, "pick something light, like white pound cake and lemon frosting. They'd pair nicely with the grassy design," suggests Kromer.

Showing Sequins

To create this dazzling design with a glittering trim, Kromer used a scallop cutter to shape bands out of gum paste. Then she piped the edges with royal icing and sprinkled them with gold-colored sanding sugar and 10-karat-gold twinkle dust (available at fine cake-supply stores). Consider reflecting the warm gold tones of the cake's exterior with a spice cake and caramel buttercream, says Kromer.

The Details: Fabric for curtain, Mood Fabrics. Sequin trim, M&J Trimming.

Fine Floral Applique

This enchanting cake takes inspiration from one of Alberta Ferretti's ornately designed dresses. Kromer crafted the blooms from gum paste and attached them to tiers covered in peach-tinted fondant with royal icing. To carry the peach theme to the filling, stick with jam, not fresh fruit. "Fondant cakes are made the day before an event, and anything fresh will start to ooze into the layers in a few hours," she says. As for the batter, opt for white or yellow cake, or add an element of surprise with dramatic dark chocolate.

Get the Moist Yellow Cake Recipe

Pretty Pleats

For an unexpected sweet course, set out confections reminiscent of pleated skirts. Associate food editor Kristina Kurek whipped up a silky caramel mousse with caramelized apples, then layered gold-flecked tuile cookies around it to make this stunning silhouette. Complete the look by displaying the individual portions on a ridged tablecloth, and invite guests to serve themselves.

Get the Recipes: Caramel Apple Mousse; Carmelized Apples; Gold-Flecked Tuile

Elegant Embroidery

A gorgeous Dior Couture skirt covered in geometric stitching set the style for this charming cake. Kromer used royal icing and different piping techniques to mimic the intricate needlework of a couture seamstress, fading out the design at the corners to emulate the original fabric. Like all the best fashion statements, it wouldn't be complete without the perfect accessory: favor boxes wrapped in overlapping ribbons.

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Tomato Bliss

2012-08-30T10:33:00.000-04:00

Tomato Basics

Whether homegrown or store-bought, fresh tomatoes are the star of summer meals.

In Season: Tomatoes are at their most flavorful in summer.

What to Look For: Often, the best-tasting tomatoes are grown locally. Look for ones that yield slightly to pressure and are fragrant and heavy for their size. The skin should be smooth, brightly colored, and free of blemishes.

How to Store: Keep tomatoes at room temperature until ripe, and then use within a day or two. Don't refrigerate them, as it will affect their flavor.

Tomato and Avocado Salad

Make an elegant and memorable salad by pairing buttery avocado with juicy, multicolored tomatoes. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper is all the seasoning this easy salad needs. Serve with grilled steak or chicken for a delicious summer meal.

Get the Tomato and Avocado Salad Recipe

Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart

Using purchased puff pastry makes for quick preparation of this beautiful savory tart. Spread the pastry with a mixture of sour cream and grainy mustard, top with sauteed leeks and cherry tomatoes, and bake until golden brown. Finally, scatter crumbled goat cheese and fresh thyme or basil over the top.

Get the Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart Recipe

Tomato Panzanella with Ricotta

Toast cubes of crusty day-old bread before tossing them with fresh tomatoes, red onion, red-wine vinegar, olive oil, and lots of fresh basil. With a spoonful of creamy ricotta cheese on top of each serving, this panzanella salad is substantial enough to enjoy as a vegetarian main course.

Get the Tomato Panzanella with Ricotta Recipe

Warm Tomato Pasta Salad

Toss hot pasta shells with diced beefsteak tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and flat-leaf parsley. Serve this warm pasta salad with grilled chicken or sausage, or on its own for an easy vegetarian main dish.

Get the Warm Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe

Heirloom-Tomato Pizza

Marinate sliced heirloom tomatoes in olive oil for an hour before scattering over homemade pizza dough with pecorino cheese, guanciale (or pancetta), and a sprinkling of dried oregano. This recipe is courtesy of chef Chris Bianco, owner of the acclaimed Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

Get the Heirloom-Tomato Pizza Recipe

ABC NYC Baby Shower {Big City Inspired}

2012-08-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

If you ♥ big city life, then get ready to fall head over heels for this {super creative and stylish} “ABC NYC Baby Shower“! With the help of Laura Ritchie and her mom, Amanda of Ashley Baber Weddings planned this fabulous baby shower for her sister, Tyler. Mom-to-be happens to work in the fashion industry in New York and had requested a “non-traditional, non-pastel” celebration, which is exactly what her loved ones delivered! They even managed to bring in a touch of fiesta, which was very fitting since the shower was held on Cinco de Mayo. ;)

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– AMAZING Cityscape diaper cake with a baby wipe “water tower”

– “I Heart Cereal” Buffet with ”Captain Colin Crunch” + ”Coo-coo for Colin” cupcakes

– Chinatown Coffee station with NYC napkins

– Colorful paper lanterns, fringed streamers + mexican sodas

– Madison Avenue Mimosas and Statue of Liberty green beans

*****

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Amanda…

:

My sister, Tyler, who works in the fashion industry in New York, requested a non-traditional, non-pastel, baby shower in early May. Our mother, Tyler’s best friend Laura Ritchie (of Events in the City) and I were charged with coming up with ideas surrounding a ABC, NYC, bright/bold colored theme baby shower.

When guests arrived, they were greeted with decor lining the walk and door. A large crepe paper backdrop hung in the foyer with a welcome sangria. The shower was also on Cinco de Mayo, so we had to have a touch of fiesta! Flowers were provided by Laura’s aunt, who works with Holly Heider Chapple. Guests were also asked to sign the vintage baby book, which I found from Craft Party.

Lunch was served buffet-style, with several New York themed dishes. Guests were also offered mimosas and mexican sodas. Bright colored lanterns and onsies served as decor inside.

Tyler has been craving all of her childhood favorite cereals during the pregnancy. I made three flavors of cupcakes and decorated the buffet with an “I Heart Cereal” sign, maps of NYC napkins and a “Chinatown Coffee” station. The three flavors of cupcakes were “Captain Colin Crunch” made with Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, “Coo-coo for Colin” made with Cocoa Puffs and “Yabba Dabba Delicious” made with Fruity Pebbles!

Guests took a quiz about how well they know Tyler and helped her open her gifts. The favors as they left were smiley face cookies from Eat’n Park, a favorite when our family lived in Pittsburgh, PA :)

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

– Photographer: Elusive PhotoDesign

– Stationery: Stubborn Press & Company

– Favors: Smiley Cookie

– Linens and decor – DIY

courtesy of HWTM

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

2012-08-28T13:30:00.000-04:00

Birthday? Anniversary? Going-away party? This super-easy, one-bowl layer cake is the perfect dessert for any gathering of chocolate buffs.

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, softened, for pans
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder, plus more for pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
3/4 cup warm water
3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Frosting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans (2 inches deep); dust with cocoa. Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined. Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Divide batter between pans. Bake until set and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Turn out from pans. Transfer, faceup, to wire racks. Let cool completely.
Spread 2 cups chocolate frosting onto top of 1 cooled layer. Top with remaining layer; frost top and sides with remaining 2 cups frosting.

Cook's Note

Unfrosted cake layers can be stored, wrapped in plastic, at room temperature or refrigerated overnight. Frosted cake can be refrigerated overnight.

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Party of Five Party Ideas from HWTM

2012-08-27T10:20:00.000-04:00

– Pink Dessert Table

– Back to School Party

– Owl Always Love You

– Circus Carnival Extravaganza

– Toy Story Party

1. 2nd Birthday Ladybird Themed Dessert Table (pictured above) by Sweet Style

2. Back to School Party by Sweet Threads Clothing Co

3. Owl Always Love You by Truly Chic Inspirations

4. Circus Carnival Extravaganza Tyler Turns 3 by Chakoda Design

5. Stylized Toy Story Party by Huckleberry Grace

*****

courtesy of HWTM.com

EventTagious Daily Inspiration Blog

Hot Appetizer Recipes

Ruffled Rainbow Dessert Table

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Paige… :

VENDOR CREDITS:

Radiant Red Ikat Holiday Dinner Party

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Jennifer & Jeff…

VENDOR CREDITS:

Homemade Food Gifts

7 Make and Take Holiday Appetizers

HWTM Party of Five

Holiday Entertaining – Appetizers And Cocktails

A Merry Little Camp Christmas

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Lauren… :

VENDOR CREDITS:

Favorite Cookie Swap Recipes

8 Steps to Hosting a Cookie Swap

What's a Cookie Swap?

Step 4: Set Up a Packaging Station

Step 5: Offer Boxes for Gift-Giving

Step 6: Offer Ribbon and Other Trimmings

Step 7: Decorate Your Plate

Step 8: Prepare for the Swap

Real Party Inspiration

Winter Wedding Favors

Icy Favors

Snowflake Cookie Favors

Metallic Hot Cocoa Bar {with FREE Printables!} + Sparkly DIY Drink & Dessert Topper Ideas

FREE PRINTABLES & MORE

DIY DRINK & DESSERT TOPPER IDEAS:

HOT COCOA BAR PRINTABLES (Download Links)

Winter Drinks for Santa

Stylish Backyard Beer Bash {Adult Birthday}

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Lori… :

DRINKS

FOOD & DESSERT

ACTIVITIES

VENDOR CREDITS:

Fall Pumpkin County Fair Birthday Party

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Wendy… :

VENDOR CREDITS:

Happy Thanksgiving

Geometric & Bright Southwest Style Thanksgiving

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Margaux… :

VENDOR CREDITS & RESOURCES:

Divine Desserts

Inspiration....Martha Stewart Style

Fashion-Inspired Wedding Cakes

Romantic Ruffles

Beautiful Beading

Showing Sequins

Pretty Pleats

Elegant Embroidery

Tomato Bliss

Tomato Basics

ABC NYC Baby Shower {Big City Inspired}

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Amanda… :

VENDOR CREDITS:

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Directions

Cook's Note

Party of Five Party Ideas from HWTM

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Paige…

:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Lauren…

:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Lori…

:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Wendy…

:

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Margaux…

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PARTY DETAILS, as told by Amanda…

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