Patriotic Fruit

There are many ways

to add patriotic detail to the ordinary...

For example...rather than just cutting up fruit...

use a star cookie cutter instead...

It definitely adds a nice bit of flair...
Don't you think?

{images via Recipe Girl, Chica and Joe, Tip Junkie}

Layered Jello

Goosie Girl is planning her own party

for a few of her friends

to celebrate graduating from elementary school...

She's already ordered polka balloons...

with her own money...

She's sketched out her food table...

She says she needs a few more items to complete it...

I thought this might be a yummy & pretty accompaniment...

This actually is a jello shot...

Of course I would omit the alcohol for Goosie Girl...

But how fun would these be for the 4th of July

to have kid friendly AND adult friendly versions...

Click here to get the full how-to...


{image/recipe from Jelly Shot Test Kitchen}

Valentines And One Charming Party

Have you ever popped over to One Charming Party?

It is truly one of my favorites...

She always designs such pretty parties & crafts

and then breaks them down into steps

so everyone can understand the how-to...

I'm just adoring this gumball necklace...

Of course she gives us directions on how to create this
lovely masterpiece...
I've always liked the girls to do a craft at Goosie Girl's parties...
This would be perfect & inexpensive...
You would just need a little prep before hand to get
everything ready...
Okay...next...
I'm just giddy over this pizza...

Really...
Heart pepperonis...
Have you ever seen anything so darling in all your life?
For a special occasion this might be fun to do...
It certainly is precious!
How does she think of these things?
Take a trip over to her blog 
and be inspired...

Ice Cream Baby Shower

How sweet is this little Baby shower ice cream party that I saw at The TomKat Studio

by Polka Dot Prints...

I'm loving these big letters!

Pop over to Polka Dot Prints see more eye candy...

Cupcakes In Egg Cups?

Cupcakes in egg cups?

Yes, please!

Look at this precious way to display cupcakes from Save the date for cupcakes...

With Easter right around the corner, you can find a great assortment of these sweet little cups to suit your fancy (and your cupcakes)!

Midnight Snack Favors

How wonderful would this be waiting for you as your favor to take home after a late night party, a wedding reception, a dance or even for teenagers?

Milk & cookies packaged adorably in to go boxes...

Love the little cow peeking out!

A nice, big juicy hamburger with fries? Can you say yum?!

Simple ideas that would be wonderfully received!

top image via Bridal Party Tees & Hostess with the Mostess

bottom image via P is for Party & Keely Thorne Events

Valentine Wishes

Here are some conversation heart cookies that I made for both Goosie Girl's class party & a client...

They are sassy & fun, no?

The front of Goosie Girl's valentines...

We decided on tags to tie on goody bags in lieu of traditional cards.

She opted for a blue owl with sparkle...

The back of the tag with the sentiment...

The coordinating owl cookie for the goody bag...

She is a sweet little thing isn't she?

Yummy, too!

Packaged & ready for hand out...

Goosie Girl wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Milk & Cookies Anyone?

I am just loving this party theme...

Milk & Cookies...

Who would have thought such a simple joy could be this adorable?

Look at this precious tablescape!

I mean, seriously...

Simplicity at its finest...

This party was a finalist in the Most Adorable Party contest...

I can definitely see why!

Pictures are from A. Party Style (who came up with this sweet little thing) .

Thank you Anne for a fabulous party idea and such wonderful eye candy!

Festive Marshmallow Hearts

Here is a sweet, easy & inexpensive way to add a bit of Valentine festivity...

A reader sent this in to Everyday Celebrating...

Take a large marshmallow and roll it out flat...

Next, use a small heart cookie cutter to cut out little marshmallow hearts

Look how cute these little billowy marshmallow hearts are!

Makes me want to eat one!

Use these as garnish on the top of a mug of hot chocolate...

these would make a nice snack to go in a lunchbox...

For a teacher, these would be great for a Valentine center (like for graphing etc.)...

Oooohhh, how about dipping part of them in chocolate?

Thank you Everyday Celebrating & Pera Chapita for sharing this with us!

Images from Everyday Celebrating & Pera Chapita

Cookie Crazie

I'm thinking about making some decorative sugar cookies for Goosie Girl's class.

I was swooning when I saw these beauties by Cookie Crazie.

These are utterly crazie cute! Don't you agree?

Oh my!

What talent Cookie Crazie has!

The intricate detail on these sweet little things is amazing!

I wonder how long it takes to complete these...

These are definitely the icing on cookie!

Not Your Typical Snack Packs

I popped over to the Ritzy Bee blog (which I absolutely adore!) and found these little cuties...

Snacks...

But not your ordinary snacks...

These are done to the tee...

Now who wouldn't just love these?

Okay, I am loving how adorable these are! Would these not be perfect

if you were taking a bunch of little girls on an outing?

Or how about if you & "the girls" were going to spend a relaxing weekend at the spa?

These would make nice munchies in the hotel!

How about this midnight snack?

Wouldn't this be great for like an after prom party,

a favor to send home with guests after the party

or even a sweet treat to leave in the room for overnight guests.

This one is my fave!

Wouldn't this be perfect as a gift for a neighbor who just moved in,

a special friend who needs a smile or even a housewarming gift

The possibilities are endless, no?

And if you really look at them, they are not hard.

They just require a little time & love to put them together.

The recipient would be most impressed! I know I would be!

Thanks Ritzy Bee for finding these!

Images are from the Ritzy Bee & Martha Stewart Weddings

Football Cupcakes

Since Superbowl will be arriving shortly, it's time for us to start planning a fabulous Superbowl party, right?

Here are some adorable cupcakes with wrappers that would jazz up any dessert table and have your guests most impressed with your presentation...

Football Cupcake

Photo Credit: John Sparano

To Make These Cupcakes:

• Bake a batch of chocolate cupcakes and ice them with white frosting.
• I purchased the football paper at Michaels - it actually feels like plastic,
• which makes it more durable.
• Make a pattern for the cupcake wrap by wrapping white paper (or cardstock)
• around the cupcake and trimming it to fit.
• Place the cupcake wrap pattern on the football paper and cut it out.
• Cut 4 vertical slits into the front of the cupcake wrap for the laces.
• Make 2 slits on top and 2 slits on the bottom as in the picture.
• Insert the shoelace tip into a top slit from the backside of the cupcake wrap
• and gently pull it through to the front (think sewing!).
• Pull the lace almost to the end leaving about an inch tail.
• Then, insert the shoelace tip from the front-side of the cupcake wrap
• into the other top slit that is horizontally across
• from the first slit and pull the lace through.
• Repeat the lacing that you just did for the remaining 2 bottom slits.
• Then bring the lace under the wrap to the front and thread the lace under the horizontal laces
• that are on the cupcake wrap so it resembles a football.
• Bring the excess lace over the top rim of the wrap and tape all lace ends into place
• on the backside of the cupcake wrap. Trim off the excess lace.
• (Tip: Use the shoelace tip as if it were a needle as the slits can be tricky to thread.
• If you accidentally cut off the tip, just wrap scotch tape around the shoelace
• to make the lacing process easier.)
• Wrap the cupcake in the football wrap and tape the back to keep it closed.
• Image and directions is from Celebrations featuring Jeanne Benedict
• The Hostess with the Mostess also featured this.

Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

How many of you are a fan of Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa)? I absolutely love her and she visits me everyday at 5pm. I just love her motto..."back to basics." I love her on the food network and I love all of her cookbooks! Today I made her Chocolate Ganache cupcakes (for Goosie GIrl's school faculty meeting). I do believe they were the easiest, most delicious things I've ever had. This was the second time I had made them and I've decided that these are my "go to" when I need sweets that are yummy & fast.

Here is the recipe. You definitely should give it a try...

1 stick of butter at room temp

1 cup sugar

4 extra large eggs at room temp

11 ounces of Hershey's chocolate syrup (one can)

1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (I used these the first time but did not today)

For the Ganache:

1/2 cup heavy cream

8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips (Today I used Dove chocolate)

1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules (Again, I did not use this today)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325.

Line a muffin pan with liners

Cream the butter & sugar until light & fluffy

Add the eggs, one at a time

Mix in the chocolate syrup & vanilla

Add the flour & coffee granules & mix until just combined

Do NOT overmix or cupcakes will be tough

I poured mixture into a ziplock bag, cut a tiny end off and squeezed it into muffin liners

You can fill them to the top as they don't rise

Bake for 30 minutes or until just set

Don't overbake!

Let them cool

For Ganache:

Cook heavy cream, chocolate chips & instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth & warm, stirring occassionally.

Dip tops of cupcakes into ganache or pour ganache in ziplock bag, cut tip off and squeeze onto top of cupcake.

Voila'...

I added cupcake toppers to the finished product & I had instant cuteness & delishness