Thursday, July 8, 2010

A Pink Party

Can I please tell you that I am swooning,
SWOONING, I tell you, over this pink party
that I saw on P is for Party...
The poms (absolutely LOVE the poms 
hanging by pretty ribbons)...
The long rectangular table (so girly chic)...
Have I told you that I l-o-v-e long tables like this?
The candy centerpieces with more poms...
The cupcakes with the rhinestone tiaras 
(I want them...please)...
Even though this was for a little girl's birthday...
I'm loving everything about it...
Lucky little girl!


Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Blueberry Crumble

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July...
We just got back from a wonderful trip to upstate New York...
My inlaws had been babysitting their precious
Boston Terrier granddog, Spooky, while we were away...
They volunteered to drive him home to us
rather than meet halfway as we normally do...
My hub said he was tired of eating out 
and asked if I could make something at home...
Goosie Girl and I ran to the store for the necessary
ingredients to make his grandmother's baked spaghetti
(which is a family favorite & not to mention simple)
and as we were about to check out, 
I remembered I had nothing for dessert...
I ran back and grabbed 2 packs of blueberries,
 recalling this recipe I had seen on The Barefoot Contessa...
Let me tell you it got rave reviews...
and it was incredibly easy to make...
It would be perfect for any time of the year...
just use any fruit that is in season...
Picture of Blueberry Crumble Recipe

Blueberry Crumble Recipe:

For the fruit
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 pints fresh blueberries

For the crumble:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick cold, unsalted butter, diced

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place blueberries in a large bowl. 
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar & flour.
Gently mix together.
Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
Spoon the mixture into ramekins or a pan.
(I used a 12x12 pan)
For the topping, 
combine all the crumble ingredients
in the bowl of an electric mixer 
fitted with a paddle attachment.
Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas.
Sprinkle evenly over the fruit.
Bake for 40-45 minutes,
until top is browned & crisp
and the juice is bubbly.
Serve warm or at room temp.
I served mine straight out of the oven
with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...
De-lish!

The pic of the crumble is from Ezra Pound Cake
 as I did not have time to take a pic before serving...

Friday, July 2, 2010

Sweet Straws

I just adore paper straws...
The vintage look...
Taking you back in time...
A slower pace where you enjoy the moment...
The yummy drinks they are put in...
They just put me in a good mood looking at them...
Happy 4th of July weekend!












cocktail+6.jpg


Paper straws_4



images:
1st, 2nd, 3rd from The Knotty Bride
4th from Party Box Design
5th from Such Pretty Things
Last from Pen and Paper Flowers via TomKat Studio

Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Perfect Size

I just love individual sized desserts...
They are the perfect amount...
and not to mention irresistibly charming...
Like these...



Image #60693





{top image via Country Living, second & last image via Style Me Pretty}

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Festive Cocktails

Here are some festive cocktails
that would be fun to serve at your 
4th of July party or to sip on while
you're watching fireworks...
Patriotic_cocktails_1
Click here for the recipes...
Cheers!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Paper Banners

Banners have always been popular
to use at parties...
I'm not really a fan of those plasticy ones...
I'm so glad we've graduated to paper and/or fabric...
aren't you?
You can customize your colors, the font, the shape...
everything...
Perfect for any type of party, recognition, welcomes,
good-byes, classrooms, you get the picture...
Here is an easy how-to from One Charming Party...
If you've never checked her out, you should...
She has wonderful ideas & beautiful eye candy...
paper banner tutorial 2

directions:

1. Cut out circles and letters, about 3 or 4 inches.

2. Choose your ribbon color
3. Using adhesive, stick the letter to the circle
4. Hole punch two holes to the top of the circle to thread ribbon
5. Thread the ribbon through the top,leaving enough ribbon on each side to hang

Friday, June 25, 2010

A Lemonade Stand

Now this...is my kind of lemonade stand...
Makes me want to get out and set one up myself...
Lately, many of the children in my neighborhood
have been doing lemonade stands...
I love to stop because they get so excited...
None have looked quite like this though...
Perhaps, this will inspire you...
Happy Weekend!
I'd pay a premium price for these...
wouldn't you?




This paper chain...I'm dying...absolutely precious!

I'll take two please...

Thank you Swank Sweets for introducing me
to Paper and Cake who created this little heaven on earth...