Appetizers: Cherry Tomatoes

My tomatoes feel like they are taking FOREVER to grow this year!!! We do have a few cherry tomatoes finally ripening up... so I figured I'd let they yummy-ness inspire tonight's post!

Heaven to me - tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil - talk about a flavor explosion! Count me in! Source

Serving antipasta can turn into looking like slop on a plate... great solution - kabob it up! total genius... and everything is better on a kabob anyway! Source

ok, a little kabob obsessed, I know - but how hard is it to do salad and food in the same buffet trip?! Grab a kabob or two of salad and you can still hold a heaping pile of everything else! ;o) Source

Another great way to serve cherry tomatoes... stuff the babies! Great secret for stuffing items like cherry tomatoes, strawberries, etc... put them in an egg carton slot to help hold the suckers still until you can get them stuffed! Source

BBQ idea/inspiration: Fruit

Though we had an early 4th celebration to allow Douglas to participate, but I think we may do another one this weekend... can't have enough BBQ, right?

Here are a few ways to add Frosting to your BBQ with fruit...

I've seen watermelon done SO many ways, but somehow this simple "fry" style is one of my favs! Source found via bedifferentactnormal blog

 How cute is this!? Fruit stuffed fruit! I guess you could do this with a peach or apple or whatever... dice up other fruit and stuff away! Great alternative to a bowl full of fruit salad! Source found via ediblecrafts blog

Waffles aren't just good for icecream (though I argue you should have some with both ;o)  ... fill them with fresh fruits for an easy serving idea (just don't put in too ahead of time or risk getting a little soggy).  Source

Frozen fresh fruit cups are a great way to cool the kids down and make them healthy! 2 cups of chopped fruit, 1 tbsp of sugar, 1 tsp of lemon juice - throw in a blender, then freeze! Source: BJ's Journal 2011

Fourth of July ideas/inspiration: Red, white & blue

We are still trying to figure out if we want to do another 4th of July celebration now that we have had a "pretend" one this weekend for Douglas.  Can't believe he's leaving on Wed!!!


Here are a few ideas to Frost your 4th with traditional red, white and blue elements...

How clever is this utensil banner?! Not only patriotic, but dang useful! Source

Another way to display utensils is to wrap them up in striped napkins and add a bit of ribbon to a basic basket - changing inexpensive plasticware into perfect festive bundles! Source

Super fun favor - homemade chalkboard and chalk! ...not as time intensive as you would think! Source and tutorial

A cupcake made after one of my favorite ice cream man treats! Source and recipe

Shopping Saturday!

We spent the day at the park - picnic, playing and geocaching! Then bbq and now pushing the two couches together for a couch fort and a family movie - Diary of Wimpy Kid 2.  What are you guys up to?!

Here are my local finds (at national chains) to help you stash away for your next event.  Inspiration has been slim pickings!

Golf, Fishing, Basketball, Pool and Casino themed party items you can use for serving! Look past the shot glasses (unless you want to use them ;o) and look how you can use them for serving pieces instead!

Found: Christmas Tree Shop
Section: Kitchenware
Price: varies

Cute little puzzle tin favors for Disney, Pooh, Cars themed parties!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Toys
Price: $1

Who doesn't love magic towels?! Great for Sports themed parties!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Bath
Price: $1

For a Magic themed party - pic everyone up one of these magic hats (they had tons of magic stuff)! Use them upside down as serving containers or string them to have them hang at different heights creating a fun area above the dessert table!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Toys
Price: $1

Don't forget to put fun party theme touches in the restroom and kitchen area! These Citrus themed soap pumps would be a great touch.  Use the apple one for Snow White or Apple picking party.

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Kitchen
Price: $1

Icecream social? Not only are these candy holders... but they are stampers too!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Candy
Price: $1

Maybe I am slow... but I never came across these before... foil wrappers for cake balls! love it!

Found: Michael's Craft
Section: Baking
Price: $1.99

4th of July ideas and inspiration: Stars

We are almost done planning what we are making for our pretend 4th of July tomorrow (since little d goes back to TX next week!).  I am so glad I talked him into the cake pops I wanted to make heehee...

here are a few ways to Frost your 4th with stars!

 Make a star filled invite for your BBQ! Source

TOTALLY genius idea you can use for any event... stencil, water, flour - AWESOME grass designs!!! Source and tutorial

I heart vertical garland! Punch/cut out stars and attach to twine or ribbon and use for a backdrop or even on an entry way.  Source

...if you are more of a cake box kind of gal - your dessert table doesn't have to suffer! Find star decorations or print off images from the internet onto hard cardstock and cut out - place cupcakes in the middle of each and no one will even question the plain looking cupcakes ;o)  Source and tutorial

Spa themed party ideas/inspiration

How cute would a spa themed sleepover be for a set of little girls?! I remember as a young girl doing our nails and feel like the coolest kids in town!

How adorable is this nail polish invite?! Super clever! Source

Create spa mask cookies that the girls can decorate! Source

If you are feeling really creative, these spa lady cookies crack me up! Get the cucumber slices out ladies!!! Source













Pink nutter butter slippers! LOVE! Source and tutorial

4th of July ideas and inspiration: Flags

We are planning to have a "pretend" 4th of July with my stepson since he leaves at the end of the month.  Last year we had a blast making Pop Rock cookies and doing a cookout and ending with fireworks! Here is all the Frosting posted last year for the 4th (here)

How fun and easy is this flag wreath!? Grab a bag of paper flags, a dollar store circle wreath and a few minutes! Source and tutorial

What a fantastic idea for cake balls! Source

Healthy flag option... fruit kabobs! Source

These are on my list! Make using a cupcake cake ball mold and top with stars, m&M and a paper flag! Source

Miscellaneous Monday!

Ever notice coming back from a trip you need a vacation from your vacation?! We still have bags everywhere but we are glad to be back! Here are a few miscellaneous items from my stash that don't fit in any 1 category...

 This idea is fantastic for any shaped toppers! Print out a shape from the internet and lay down a piece of wax paper over...pipe melted chocolate wafers, dry... and ta-da! Instant awesomeness! Source

Such a fun craft to do for a candy or rainbow themed party or just as a fun craft for the family! Source

Everyone asks for ideas for milestone bdays - I love the different pics of the #30 and sprinkled a baby pic! If blown up, would also make an awesome buffet backdrop! Source

Happy Father's Day!

we just arrived home from a New England road trip! woot! It didn't go quite as planned, but we still had a fantastic time traveling as a family! As soon as a get a pic sent from who we visited, I'll let you in on it ;o) I looked back on the week and realized I totally left you without Father's Day Frosting! can you tell I was distracted by vacation!?!

...Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there - special one to my love, Damian and my Father (searched days for a pic of me and him... I was a middle child, enough said lol).

   Damian and Douglas yesterday in New Hampshire

See ya tomorrow night!

We've been roadtrippin' this week! Lots of driving and not too much chain store shopping... so back to Shopping Saturday next week! I'll give ya post tomorrow of some of my finds along the way and tell you who I visited ;o) hope you are having a great weekend! hugs!

Nautical baby shower ideas/inspiration

We were out today and FINALLY near a Panera Bread - do you guys have these?! We always stop when we are near one - bagels are soooo amazing! (yes, all I do is thing about food lol).  Weather has been fantastic and really enjoying my stepson's visit! 

If the future mom-to-be does not have a theme picked out for her baby boy, a nautical theme is always a great fallback!

 These adorable invites would surely set the scene! Felt background and the invite on the sail - totally adorable! Source

How fantastic is this diaper cake? I love all the fabric and twine... and the extra rock "Frosting" on the table! ... peek in the back - she even did netting on the wall! WOOT! Source  buy net here - link

I am SO inspired by this photo! How clever is it to put waves along the counter?! Think about how you could do grass for a picnic, flowers for a garden party, etc. - total genius! Source

...simple touches to napkins - add twine and a lifesaver! So adorable! Source

For dessert, serve up these tangerine sailboats on blue jello! Source