Brunch

There's nothing I like more than a reason to drink champagne in the morning! lol... I'm talking mimosas at Brunch!  Something I find to be easier, cheaper and usually better for everyone's schedule is brunch instead of dinner parties.We love to entertain so we have an vast array of hotplates and buffets which makes preparing for brunch a lot easier.  Here are some cute ideas to wow your guests....

I feel like these mini hotcakes represent what I am trying to capture with this blog... pancakes boring... mini hotcakes with skewer, blueberry, mint leaf and warm syrup EXCITING! I find it so much fun thinking of ways to present - it really changes everything! Source

Again, same thing... reinvent - these are french toast kabobs... use raspberries, bananas, blueberries... whatever you love! Not only does it look fantastic, it will really stretch the fruit and save the budget! Source

I thought this was too cute - donut holes on a stick.... best part - you can pick up a kabob with 5 or 6 donuts on it and count it as one... instead of standing in the brunch line stacking up donut holes while everyone eyes up how much room your hips are taking up ;o)  Source

Last but not least... pancake bars! What a great idea! hello!?!?!? why haven't I thought of this! Not only would this be great for a brunch, but also for every day.  Imagine popping on in the microwave for a few seconds and chowing down on the drive to work!?  My drive is only approx 4 min, but I bet I could finish one ;o)   You could even get crafty and make coordinating holders to match a theme.  Source - Baked Apple Streusel Pancake Bars Recipe

Dinosaurs

I came across the cutest cake today so I wanted to put together Dinosaurs theme post so I could pass him along! I know you'll fall in love with him too!!!

First set up a great party with theme items like hats and safety glasses so they feel like real archaeologists!  Brown postal wrapping paper would be a great tablecloth and find a few dinosaur stamps and stamp feet prints and fossils all over it - something you kid can help you do in preparing for their party!  Maybe even create little name tags in plastic holders (like you wear at a conference) for each child with their name and title of "archaeologist". Source

You can find a recipe for making your own "dig" material at this site

Create fun dinosaur fossil shortbread cookies by using toy dinosaurs as imprinters... plus you'll be able to use the dinosaurs as decorations afterward!  You could even dip the cookie backside down into melted chocolate to have it look like dirt and give it more dimension.  Source found via Edible Craft website

Homemade dinosaur eggs would be a great addition to the party! You can make this with or without dinosaur figures inside. Source and recipe (thanks www.mypartyfile.com for letting me know! Your eggs are too cute!!)

Ok, I am a sucker for cake... but tell me you don't love him too!?!?! If you break it down, he really isn't overly complicated and I LOVE LOVE the mini cupcakes with the eggs on them! I am going to do a graduation cake this weekend and was thinking to do the same model - one show piece cake and then a ton of mini cupcakes - that way my hard work gets to last longer lol...  Source

Barnyard

I shouldn't say that feeling like a fat cow today inspired this post rofl... but I think it did! Some days you just feel 800 lbs more than what you are! ;o) ... I think a great kids theme is barnyard.  It's so versatile and you can really go all out or go simple and it'll turn out great.  I did this theme for my nephew when he turned 1 five years ago, but we flew down to FL to do his party and I wasn't the experience party enthusiast I am now and couldn't really pack much for the plane so it wasn't something I could brag about now, but I have included two pics from the party anyway...

Every great party starts off with a great invite! I thought these invites were just so simple, yet so perfect! The barn doors open up to reveal the party information.  Source

To match your invites, create a barn door on a wall - interior or exterior.  Set up a stool or haystack (even better) in front to have the kids have their pictures taken.  Pass out straw hats as part of the party favors to make the pictures extra cute! Maybe even put a few farm stuffed animals around to finish off the scene.  Source

This is a pic from the party I threw my nephew.  I blew up white balloons and colored "cow spots" on with a permanent marker.  Super simple (and easy to pack in the suitcase!).

I thought that feed bags would be really cute but I didn't have a sewing machine at the time... I took pieces of burlap and stapled them all the way around with a regular office stapler - no lie! - and turned them inside out and put bandannas in them and wrote "FEED" on them.  No one ever knew my "no sew" secret (until now) lol...

Asian Baby Shower Party Ideas/Theme (Part 3)

Ugh! So sore this morning - exercised last night (that's where I went wrong rofl) and feeling muscles I forgot existed under layers of fat ;o) ... Anyway, here is a final conclusion to the Asian Theme baby shower (or any asian party for that matter).  Not saying we won't revisit Asian themes down the line ;o)  I have included a few recipes (by request).

Kind of a follow-up to the fortune cookies - this example of a take home box was too cute not to post.  I like the unexpected twist of not putting them in a chinese takeout box - plus it lets you be extra crafty! Source

Another idea is these cherry blossom (or any other theme you could make them) favor pillow boxes.  You could put Thai teas or Thai coffee in them for the Thai themed shower or coordinate them with whatever theme you are having.  I have a die cut for my Big Shot that does pillow boxes - I don't have one for my cricut, but that doesn't mean there isn't one! I am sure you can buy blank ones at the craft store or the internet.  These kinds of favors are great because you can really personalize them and fill them with coordinating goodies.  Source

What's a shower without cupcakes!?!?! hello!  I thought these might make a great pairing with the invitations on the previous post.  Obviously you would do them in coordinating colors to make the theme really pop! These are also great because they are simple and only require a cookie cutter or you could use an elephant chocolate mold.... anywhere you can fit more chocolate in, do it! Source

I want to shy away from posting recipes because unless you try them first hand, there isn't anything to report... but since it was requested... here are some traditional Thai recipes (untried!) that would be great for anyone's palate.  First pic - Miang Kum a traditional appetizer - shrimp lettuce wrap kinda deal - Source  Second pic Thai flavored chicken skewers Source  Third pic is Thai mango sticky rice pudding (sounds fab!)  Source  and lastly because we all need a drink sometimes! is a Thia mango cocktail Source






Previous posts - Asian/Thai theme baby shower Part 1 and Part 2

More Nature Inspired Wedding...

So now that I am engaged (OMG!!!), I felt it appropriate to post more Nature Inspired Wedding stuff since that will be our theme.  Enjoy! (and thanks for all the blog love I have been getting! Totally makes my day!)

I love LOVE the vibrant colors of this arrangement and the flowers (what are they?) spilling over the side... but I love even more they used a tree stump as the vase!  I thought how fantastic would this be to do and then be able to have the tree stumps around the house after the wedding as a reminder - beats a dried bouquet in a curio cabinet, right?  Source

(you see a tree obsession forming don't you? ;o)  I love birch trees - their bark is so beautiful! I thought that this placecard holder would look so beautiful on a nature-scaped table (don't think I would just lay it in the dirt like the pic lol).  Source

This arrangement really caught my eye - I think not only the play on contrasting colors, but different sizes and texture of flowers really makes this one POP! I really like the use of succulents in the arrangement as well.  Really should inspire all of us to try something new and different in arrangements - and not just for a special day! I love having fresh flowers around the house (when I have the extra to spend ;o)  So treat yourself if you man doesn't get them for you! I wish I had a flower garden where I could look forward to picking my own - maybe I'll have to try my hand at growing a few things (besides veggies) this year! I am SOOO craving Spring right now! Source

I have seen a lot of these flower "balls" on my web travels.  I really like the ones that are solid colored flowers - there's a simple understatement they make.  I have seen them anywhere from hanging in trees over an event, to like here, on the back of a chair or even from a chandelier.  If you did different sized balls, you could put them in clusters on a table.  And think more than wedding! What if you did pink or blue carnation balls for a baby shower or balls to put around for a tea cup party theme for a little girl.  Carnations are not very expensive at all, so feel free to indulge! Source







More Nature Inspired previous posts...  Here and Here and Here

Frosted!!!

So my man is more impatient than even I! We just picked up my ring yesterday.... and he proposed last night! With all these diamonds, I definitely feel FROSTED!  Couldn't figure out how to capture the sparkle with the camera, so these are my best pics... and no comments on needing a manicure! lol!

Asian Theme (Part 2)

Before we get on to part two of the Asian Theme baby shower... we got my engagement ring sized and picked up today... I have a feeling it will be realllll soon! keep posted for I will force everyone to let me brag I am sure ;o).... so... on to a few more ideas for the Asian Theme baby shower request.... I feel almost too cliche' to post fortune cookies and sushi, but I really loved these...

I figured you could use coordinating paper and make fortunes that were baby related or even information about the mom.  For the lady this post is for - maybe even get real creative and put Thai words and pronunciations on the back like real fortune cookies do with Chinese (there are a lot of online translators will rock it out for you).  You could fill a box up like the pic shows and put on each table or even just one on a buffet table or favor bag. First pic: Source
Second pic shows a quick tutorial of how to make the paper fortunes  Source

These are adorable! I have seen many "mock" Sushi but not sashimi! Are you kidding! Hello!?!? Don't these make you chuckle!?!? Swedish fish strapped with rollups! Source The sushi I thought were great and more simple than a lot I have seen - rice crispy treats (which I have a soft spot for!) wrapped in fruit roll-ups. Source

Lastly - These are washcloths rolled with socks on the outside with felt embellishments.  Too adorable! Another thought is to figure out something else to roll that you could use as party favors for each guest - maybe women's knee highs? or something? Or just maybe make the sushi above for the favor.  Till then...I think I am off to see if I have the ingredients for rice crispies right now lol...  Source

Stay tuned for part 3 of Asian theme....



Previous post with more ideas!   http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/asian-theme-part-1.html

Asian Theme (Part 1)

A friend requested ideas for a Thai baby shower... after doing some research, I would most suggest vibrant oranges and reds and possibly some of these Asian Theme items...

I fell in love with this invitation long before this request! The colors are so beautiful and really pop on the white background.  The elephants are perfect because they are a symbol of good luck.  Source  Maybe I'll try my hand at making one similar this weekend with my bff - the cricut ;o)  I'll post a pic if I can come up with something!




To keep with the elephant theme, placing one on each place setting would be perfect! These are wooden which would be a beautiful keepsake; however, you know what would be cheaper and delicious... chocolate DUH! ;o)  There are tons of molds available (Example).  You could even make soap elephants and like yesterday's post, make crayon elephants to keep any kids occupied if they were invited.  Source





In keeping with the Asian theme, tying chopsticks with each napkin in a coordinating ribbon would really bring some color to the table.  You could provide each guest with nice chopsticks or just purchase a bag of wooden ones which usually runs only a few bucks (I know we keep them around in our home though my boyfriend can't seem to master them lol!).  Source






How special would it be to do some placecards or buffet cards that had the mom-to-be native language on it?  Maybe write ทารก (baby in Thai) on each card where you see the writing on these place cards.  You could print it out on the computer or if you don't write like me, you could free hand it - get creative!  Source








Instead of a traditional "diaper" cake, why not whip up one with matching fabric and put a cluster of lucky bamboo in the middle! I know you can stop in your local IKEA and pick up bamboo stalks pretty cheap.  My local grocery stores usually carry planted bamboo, as well.  It would be nice for the mom-to-be to have a take away plant to remind her of what a beautiful shower you threw her! Source

Crayon Art Party

Ugh, home sick from work today - only good thing is maybe I will feel up to playing with all my adult arts and crafts (scrapbooking, cardmaking or maybe even try cutting fondant on my cricut *scared*!)... I figured today's party theme could be art - so you have kids, here are some ideas to make a great Crayon Art Party... if not as soon as I feel better, I think I should throw a grown-up art party! ...girls only though! Lots of glitter, glue, stamps and wine, of course!

I love the idea of this simple craft lazy susan! It would be great at the art party or even in a play or craft room.  The Source says you can buy at Pottery Barn for about 50 bucks (gasp!) or make her Ikea conversion for about 15!!  At that price you could make two! ... About 8 bucks for the lazy susan and a buck a piece for the pails.  The pails are just glued down - you could use a drill with a round cutter (like for a door knob) if you wanted to get real crafty.  Source shows a full tutorial.  Another idea would be to glue smaller containers for painting or chocolate "painting".... Enjoy!

You see these melted crayon ideas all over the internet.  I think it would be fun to melt them into a shape that best represents the party - maybe letters or cake shaped or cupcake shaped! Candy molds and cake tins are really endless these days. As a favor for the party, you could put a few into a clear bag and put a little topper on it in the theme of the party.  They are super simple to make - just melt crayons in a "double boiler" type setup on the stove, pour into molds, let set, ta-done! If you don't want to fuss - you can buy them on etsy - Source

I looked forever trying to find a crayon wrapped vase, and this is the best I could come up with.  I would do a more colorful arrangement, but you get the idea.  With putting the crayons around, you could use any object - a box, a soup can, etc because you wouldn't see it.  Source

Another idea... what if you did a stand like this for the cake or cupcakes you'll serve! Would even be cute if you made a box or bin covered in crayons that held art supplies on your table! I would just recommend gluing a piece of felt to the bottom to ensure there are no crayon tracks created by accident!

What's a party without cake hello!?!?  I love these two options!  Both options you would use food coloring to dye each yellow cake to the desired color and bake separately, then assemble using yummy icing goodness!  The second option you just kind of "plop" a little of each dyed cake mix together (and do not stir) and then bake so you get the color swirl.  Another idea would be to bake cupcakes out of each color or if you didn't want to mess with that, you could just do regular cupcakes and top each one with a different color frosting (but remember, colored icing equals colored faces and tongues (which is fun too lol).  Source 1,  Source 2

This was too much fun not to mention... Every kid (and adult) loves a moonbounce! Why not try and see if you can rent this model from one of your local party rental places! Because some kids might come to the party without socks on - maybe do a gift bag or set out a basket filled with different solid colored socks.  How fun would it be to get a picture of all the kids feet lined up wearing a pair of different colored socks! Source

Previous post with more ideas... http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/art-party.html

Tree inspired...

So we started ring shopping yesterday (BIG GRIN!) so my mind is on a wedding of course! We know that it will be nature inspired theme so bear with all the nature postings ;o) Here are some Tree inspired ideas...they would translate well into garden parties too.

The table setting is so simple, but yet so elegant! Instead of a fabric runner, it's a beautiful piece of distressed wood.  Anyone who has prepared for a party has enough energy and frustration (heehee) while preparing to distress a new piece of wood and then stain it to look like it's reclaimed.  Beautiful and stress relieving! Source

Again, another simple idea - wood coasters.  You could even do these as favors wrapped up with twine and have some kind of tag about the event/wedding.  I want to make these for my house! If you don't have a miter saw, I think you can find them on Etsy, but I tried my hardest but couldn't locate them.  Picture Source

This is such a clever idea! Just punch initials into leaves! This would even be great at Thanksgiving with fall leaves! Don't stop there! Think of other things you could punch a simple initial into for great impact!  I purchased a alphabet punch set at my local crafting store.  Source

More Valentine's

I just finally finished making my first Valentine Card for the year (yeah, I know most crafty crafters started on December 26th ;o)  I have been doing nothing but organizing the craft spending binge I was on for about 4 weeks straight! Here are a few more Valentine's Day things to keep it heavy on our minds!

I have seen these posted a lot around, but hey, I'm posting them too! lol... I love the finished look of a macaroon and the deep red color of these really has my heart (pun intended!).  I think these would be beautiful to bake for your family or wrapped up as a gift - just don't forget to save yourself a few... quality control tasting purposes of course!  Source

This was my favorite find lately... it's plastic play food! How much fun would this be to give to a child in your life on Valentine's day? Sure beats chalky candy hearts! And really reasonably priced on Amazon

These are really well decorated iced cookie hearts on a popsicle stick... but what if you made them a little thicker and slide a straw thru them before fully set out of the oven? ... now I haven't tried this, but it sure sounds like an easy idea! If not, how about you make a dozen and put them in a bouquet with a nice big ribbon around them or even in a vase like shown.  (I missed the source on this one, let me know if you know!)

Safari/Zoo

I am so in love with my animal kingdom Cricut cartridge and have been eyeing up a few of these Safari/Zoo kid's party items to try - then I'll just need a kid and a party rofl! I can't wait to my bf son is here for the summer - he is going to be so sick of events so that I can show off my ideas!  These will be great for just a zoo trip, as well.   Just thought about my title - it's like animals - whether they are free to roam or caged in captivity - I'll stick with Safari/Zoo... sounds better and I don't need PETA to friend me on facebook ;o)

I thought these were just adorable - what a great way to dress up bags of animal crackers! Talk about a cheap favor! These would be great just to keep stashed in the car or pack for a zoo trip! You could personalize them with children's names or the event, etc.  And don't stop there, think of other treats that you could fancy-up the same way!  Source  Creator:  Heather Binnie

In a similar feel, these bookmarks would be a little extra something special to give with a book gift - especially if it were an animal themed book or even a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.  You could even drop these in a favor bag. OH! you know what... make these in a bigger scale, cut a hole in the middle and you have an instant door hanger - that could be fun to put on the doors at the house during the party - I'll need to think about some cute sayings instead of "restroom" and "patio"... Source

I saw these chalkboard animal cutouts and thought, these would be so easy to do! If you put some temporary adhesive on the back you could put them up just for the party.  Another idea would be to go to the local craft store and get an artist's board (kinda like a big clipboard) and adhere them on there - you could take it on the road! If you just want to purchase, they are actually from Barnes & Noble (of all places) online - but it'll cost ya about 50 bucks for the collection... Source

Now, I am not usually a fan of plastic decorations for cakes... but I'll make an exception this time.  I really, really loved how the did the vegetation under each animal (that's why let it slide ;o)  Plus, for those that aren't crafty, you need options too!  Source

I consider myself a pretty good amateur cake decorator, but this cake even intimidates me! But I had to include it because I really fell in love.... Source

Appetizers

I hate to admit it to all my fellow women out there, but if I had to chose between dessert and appetizers, I'm SO picking appetizers! I know, I know! Cheese over chocolate? but it's true!  We host game night twice a month at our home and constantly looking for new ideas of appetizers to serve to wow our friends.  Here are just a few that I have on file...

Hello! I'm Irish so I HAVE to be in love with these mini reubens! The double-stackingness has my mouth watering almost as much as the fantastic presentation.  I have SO many serving dishes, but I don't have one of these, so the hunt will begin! I love the idea of mini sandwiches, especially when you are having an event that really will serve as people's dinner, as well.  Source

These eye-pleasing tomatoes make me crave my veggie garden! (another 2 months till we even start the seedlings, ugh).  I love LOVE the taste of fresh basil with tomatoes... take a tomato and don't slice alll the way thru.  Stuff inbetweens with mozzarella and basil, ta-done!  If you don't want to crank these out like a sweat shop - take one large tomato and hook it up - place it on the plate that has cherry tomatoes, slices of mozzarella and basil.  Source

This is a pic from my kitchen.  I was inspired by this Source to create these.  They were so simple and went like hotcakes! I took a potato peeler and ran it down the cucumber to make "stripes".  I then ran the cucumbers thru our meat slicer on the thickest setting.  Once cut I took a little spoon I have for serving and carved out the middles (but not all the way thru).  On my bff Kitchenaid, I threw in cream cheese, a little mayo, chopped onion and some crushed dill.  Once mixed, filled each slice.

OMG! Those that were at our gingerbread building party can attest that I threatened death to anyone that ate any - I wanted them all for myself! I painstakingly used a mini cookie cutter to cut out the shape of leaves out of Pillsbury biscuits - recommendation - just cut them up and stick them on the dang toothpick! and save yourself the trouble ;o)  The Source recommends a certain dipping sauce - I just served with Grey Poupon and loved it!