Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Happy New Year

New Year's Eve party ideas

Since the next few days will be busy, busy, busy and then we are leaving on a much needed vacation, Goosie Girl wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year full of good fortune, health & happiness!

See you in 2010!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Calendars

The start of a new year...
Exciting isn't it?
All the possibilities...
A chance to improve, try something different...
Organize...

Get a new calendar...

I know that sounds dumb but I love picking out that perfect calendar for the new year. Finding one that is going to hold all my (& the family's) obligations. One that I'm going to look at daily to make sure that I'm not forgetting anything.

This year I have picked out something different....I wonder what that means? I usually go with a pin up calendar that I just fold that shows the entire month...this year I have chosen a Lilly Pulitzer daily/monthly planner that is portable...one that is spiral, has pockets & is completely adorable, of course...
2010 Lilly Pulitzer® Large Agenda-Color by Numbers
In addition to that calendar, my mother-in-law always gets me a 5x7, Susan Wallace Barnes calendar that sits on my desk in the kitchen. You put each month into an easel frame and it just sits there so pretty ready to be looked at at any time. The picture always corresponds with the month. I just love it! I hope GG gets me one this year too.
2010 Susan Wallace Barnes 5x7 Art Print Calendar

Both of these pretties can be ordered from Lifeguard Press

Friday, December 18, 2009

Gingerbread House

Last weekend Goosie Girl & her friend, Sarah, made their first gingerbread house...it took quite awhile to assemble, it was quite messy (when royal icing hardens, it hardens and it is hard to clean) but it turned out rather cute for their first try...don't you think?
The Campbell's soup cans were supporting the walls as they dried...

We are going to use this as our centerpiece for Christmas dinner...for all to admire...
Very cute indeed...

The old adage goes "practice makes perfect"...

The candy man's gingerbread house

The candy man's gingerbread house by tiedupmemories.
This one must have had lots of practice...
pretty, pretty, pretty...

image from flickr

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas Thank You's

It's hard to believe that Christmas Eve is one week from today. It's time to start thinking about writing thank you notes. Goosie Girl has already received gifts from relatives (in the form of money, which is her favorite) so I made up these adorable notes for her to start expressing her gratitude...what do you think?


These didn't photograph as well as I'd have liked but they are in the turquoise & red that I've been seeing all over...of course with added sparkle & a Swarovski crystal for the bow...complete with a coordinated polka dot lined envelope...

Monday, December 14, 2009

Trish McEvoy Candle

Since Christmas is right around the corner and many of us are scrambling for last minute gift ideas, I thought I'd share my most favorite candle of all times...Trish McEvoy's Wild Blueberry Vanilla. I'm really not a big candle person but this is one I love! I set it out in a room and it acts as an airfreshner without being lit. You gotta love that! And when it is lit, the scent is intoxicating. It's strong but in a fab way. This would make a lovely hostess gift...Santa, I've been a good girl...can I have one in my stocking? Pretty please?

Trish McEvoy Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle
You can order this from Bloomingdale's

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Personal Stationery

Isn't it fun to have your own personalized stationery?
To have when you need to jot a note...it represents "you"

I made this for myself...love the purse! This set, actually, has six purses to choose from...
how fun!
This was personalized for Goosie Girl...
very divaish, don't you think?
Perfectly personalized for an alumni or a student...
I've made these for FSU, UF & Auburn fans...
Even perfect for a baby...

Personalized stationery...a perfect gift for anyone!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Turquoise & Red

Well I would say for the past two weeks I have seen these colors together on numerous occasions. At first I wasn't sure I liked the color combo. But now...I love! They are so festive together, don't you agree?

Even Martha is doing it...
boys car birthday party
I especially love this race car party...I need to do this for my hub...
image from Design Dezzle

CardinalPack
image from Living Locurto

[Amy+Atlas+Space+(6+of+27).jpg]
You know I love everything Amy Atlas...
Image from Amy Atlas

Who would have thought?

Bread & Drink

We've all been to weddings, banquets & meetings where you sit at round tables that are filled with plates, silverware, glasses, napkins, bread plates etc. Sometimes this can be a bit intimidating, no? My mother in law taught me this trick & I also just came upon in Mindy Lockard's blog, who writes about manners. So, I wanted to share this little tid bit of extremely useful information with you...

Question: How do I know which bread plate is mine?

Answer: Great question. Often times we find ourselves at a place setting that is more setting than space. With all of the plates, glasses and utensils at hand is can be trick to know which bread or drink belongs to you. Here’s a trick… Take your index fingers and thumbs and put them together like this…

b-d

Making a “b” with your left hand and “d” with your right hand. The “b” = your bread and “d” = your drink. If you choose to take this trick on the road to your next dinner party just remember to do it discretely as it always feels and looks better to appear ti know exactly what you are doing.

Follow-up Q: What do to when someone takes your “b” or “d”?

Answer: Remember two wrongs don’t make a right and doing unto others as it’s been done to you could start a chain of ”wrong bread” reactions that will leave someone at the end of the chain short on starch. Discretely flag the wait staff and ask for a bread plate or drink.

I use this trick every time I sit down at a large table...I don't want to be the one using the wrong utensil! I even taught this trick to my 6th graders...

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Fun Snowmen Drinks

Wouldn't these be the perfect addition to your winter party whether it was for children or adults?

tall snowmen drinking glasses







A glass of milk takes on new deliciousness with doughnut-hole snowmen heads. Outfit powdered doughnut holes with eyes and a nose made of edible food clay. Pierce a hole through the center of the doughnut using a skewer and fit in a straw. Make a miniature scarf for the glass from orange yarn and trim it with scrapbook brads in the shape of snowflakes.










Image & craft idea from Better Homes & Gardens



Friday, December 4, 2009

Cookies & Tags

I just wanted to share these cookies and tags that I made for a baby shower. I think they turned out cute...

These are faux gingerbread...sugar cookies made to look like gingerbread. Happy little guys aren't they?

Wrapped all snuggly complete with tulle bow & tag...

I also made Noah's Ark animals...

The elephant was one of my faves...

And finally, the tags (front & back view) which I used for the gift bags but they could also be cupcake toppers. Multifunctional, don't you love it? These are going on Etsy...

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Reason For The Season

The past few days I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Stressing about everything and everything coming up (have you ever felt this way?). Yesterday, I had a big order of cookies, wrapped cutely, complete with tags that I was trying to finish and my husband announced that he had bought tickets to see Chris Tomlin in concert last night. Chris Tomlin is one of my all time favorite christian artists BUT last night was not a good night. I WAS BUSY! I HAD THINGS TO GET DONE! Well much to my grumblings, we went. It was phe-nom-in-al!! Lou Giglio was on tour with him. I'd never heard of him before but OMG he totally put things in perspective or atleast it hit home with me...I know the whole christmas story but what I finally got last night was we have just wrapped Christmas into this pretty little holiday...beautifully wrapped gifts, cute manager scenes, decorated trees, lights & balls...but that's not it. Jesus did not come with pomp & circumstance & with an adorable invitation inviting us to a sip & see. He was not born in a beautifully decorated stable, nor were the shepherds (whom the angel told) well-to-do suburban shepherds. It was messy, dirty and probably pretty uncomfortable for Mary (giving birth in dirt?) and Joseph. Messy, like sometimes life is. I need to remember that God needs to get the glory...it's His season...not mine...


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Wrapping the "Lilly" Way

I stopped into the Lilly Pulitzer shop this past weekend... I forgot how much I love all things Lilly! All the pinks & greens, clothes, shoes, accessories,notebooks, calendars, coffee cups, wrapping paper. I was like, uh...yes please...I want it all! Lilly also didn't refer to Black Friday as Black Friday but "Pink Friday." How fun! The store was decorated for the holidays but not in your traditional colors but Lilly colors. Even pink & green cupcakes to nibble on. I just loved it, loved it, loved it! When I got home, I pulled out my two Lilly Pulitzer books (one about celebrating everyday life & one for Holidays). I was ready to start planning soirees. I also found this darling wrap job at kate's paperie. Really, is this the most adorable gift wrap you've ever seen? They're just happy little things aren't they? Here's the how to for us all to wrap the "Lilly" way...

Lilly Pulitzer Edition

















With their signature designs and vivacious color palette, Lilly Pulitzer paper goods are guaranteed to add just the right amount of pop to any gift.

We started with the Lilly Pulitzer wrap in pink and green, but feel free to mix and match colors and textures for any occasion.

When wrapping, keep these tips in mind:
• tape and glue dots are always hidden
• cut edges are always folded under
• paper should be tight with neat edges and corners



Step 1

1. Start with the Lilly Pulitzer paper for the primary wrap.
2. Trim paper to size, leaving enough to overlap.
3. Fold over the ends to avoid exposed edges and take the folded ends to the edge of package to disguise the seam.



Step 2

4. Turn package on its end and fold in the side flaps.
5a-b. Place package top-side down and finish folding the ends, folding over raw edge for a clean finish.



Step 3
Step 4

6. You’ve completed your base wrap.

We used Kate’s 1.5" satin ribbon to make a basic criss-cross accent on the wrap. Feel free to choose another color (you can browse our selection here).

7a-c. Cross the ribbon on top to maintain a flat bottom.
8. Tie the ribbon in a half-knot to secure.
9. Now, embellish the top with the Lilly Pulitzer party pom-pom, assembling according to the instructions enclosed in its containing packaging.

Finished! Now you’ve got a sassy gift that’s pretty in Pulitzer.


    Friday, November 27, 2009

    A Children's Christmas Party

    Can you believe that Christmas is now in full swing? I'm loving this Children's party from Southern Lady...whimsical and fun. Any child would be dreaming of sugarplums after they experienced this sweet get-together especially put together for them. Wouldn't this be a perfect ending to a cookie decorating party or a designing of gingerbread houses?
    So festive, isn't it? It puts me in a good mood just looking at it.
    Can we say precious?! White tablecloth on the bottom followed by a striped one on the diagonal over top. Add the accessories and you have perfection, no?

    I'm absolutely loving Santa, his reindeer & the trees (all from Lamb's Ears, Ltd 205-969-3138)

    Who said decorations had to be expensive & store bought? What a great way to display all the artwork that is created and/or comes home from school...
    Personalized plates that could double as favors (from Weezer's)
    Just adorable!

    Wednesday, November 25, 2009

    Chocolate-Pecan Dipped Marshmallows

    So yesterday I ended up making the ooey, gooey homemade marshmallows. They were very easy; just very sticky until I dusted them with the confectioners' sugar. My family was unimpressed...said they tasted like regular marshmallows. Go figure! Today I decided to give them a little bling bath. I melted chocolate, poured some chopped pecans in a bowl and went on to dip half the little fluffs first into the chocolate and then into the pecans. They turned from regular marshmallows into a decadent dessert (and yes my family liked the chocolate, pecan accessories that were added). And they looked pretty too. They will be a nice sweet appetizer to have out tomorrow...

    Goosie Girl wishes you and your family a wonderful thanksgiving!

    Chocolate, pecan bling
    Now we can say yummy!

    Tuesday, November 24, 2009

    Homemade Marshmallows

    There is something about marshmallows that conjure up warm & fuzzy thoughts. Mini marshmallows floating around in your hot chocolate, ooey, gooey marshmallows after being roasted over a campfire, marshmallows used in rice krispy treats, and the list goes on...I must admit though, I have always bought my marshmallows from a store. I have never tried my hand at making them myself. I'm getting ready though...Again, I have noticed marshmallows gracing dessert tables (can we say Amy Atlas?) and they always look so fluffy, cloudlike & downright delicious. They can be elegant (with a dusting of powdered sugar) and yet decadent (maybe dipped in chocolate). They're multifunctional, sweet enough to be a dessert at a bridal shower & hardy enough to be at a children's party.
    marshmellows by You'reMyFavorite.
    Here is the recipe I am going to use when I make these little lovelies...

    3 Tablespoons unflavored gelatin (about 3-1/2 envelopes)
    1 cup cold water, divided
    2 cups sugar
    1/2 cup light corn syrup
    2 egg whites
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    Sifted confectioners sugar

    1. Lightly spray a 9x9 baking pan with nonstick spray with flour & set aside
    2. In a small bowl, combine gelatin & 1/2 cup water & set aside
    3. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, & remaining 1/2 cup water over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cook without stirring until sugar mixture
    reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
    4. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla, and salt at high speed with an electric mixer until
    stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, combine gelatin & hot syrup mixture. Beat at high speed
    with an electric mixer until mixture is thick & tripled in volume (about 3-4 minutes). Fold in egg
    mixture. Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle top with confectioners' sugar.
    Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until set. Remove from pan & cut into squares.

    **Note**
    The marshmallows will be easier to cut if you freeze them prior to cutting. You may also want to spray the knife with nonstick spray to prevent the marshmallows from sticking to it.

    **Yummy additions you may want to add**
    2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    8 ounces toffee bits
    8 ounces chocolate chips, crushed

    Add these items in step 5 after you have combined the gelatin & hot syrup mixture. Beat the yummy additions for 2 minutes or until mixture is thick & tripled in volume and then continue on with the rest of the directions.
    homemade marshmallows by robayre.

    Perhaps, perfect for that cup of hot chocolate after decorating the Christmas tree?
    Homemade marshmallows by anjuli_ayer.
    Now who wouldn't love to get these pretty's as a gift?

    Recipe from Southern Lady, Images from Flickr