snowman fun

It’s been a snowy couple weeks in the mountains, and my kids are loving the wet, snowy playdates outside. Followed, of course, by some hot chocolate in our favorite snowman cups inside. It could be double or triple the fun with friends. So, if I get my act together, I’m going to host a Snowman Party for my kids friends…and mine too.

ACTIVITIES

Be sure to tell everyone coming to the party to dress warm. Bring their gloves, hats, mittens, etc for playing outside. Form groups of 3-4 people {depends on the total number of rsvp’s} to compete in a Build the Best Snowman competition. Have plenty of carrots, scarves, oreo cookies, tree branches, buttons hats, clothes, etc available so the kids can get creative. The winning team {judged by the party hostess} gets a cute new winter hat/beanie.

Sleds make for a fun playdate in the snow too.

A fun indoor activity {and snack} is Snowman on a Stick. This was the activity at our local library’s story hour this week and the kids loved it.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

Serve 2-3 different kinds of soups and grilled cheese for the kiddos too. Easy to prepare ahead of time and warming to the soul and belly. Don’t forget the fresh baguette.
Lasagna Soup
Winter Lentil Soup
Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Bites

Have a hot chocolate bar ready for when the kids come in from playing in the snow for dessert, served of course with snowman donuts {simply place a candy corn down in a mini powdered sugar donut, and use black icing or chocolate for creating eyes and mouth}. For the hot chocolate bar, fill bowls with all the yummy fillings…marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, candy canes, whipping cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, cherries and Bailey’s Irish Cream {for the moms of course}.  To make this easy on yourself, prepare the hot chocolate ahead of time, and keep in a large thermos. Set as many cups as you need on the bar, along with all the toppings, so when everyone comes in from the cold, they can go straight to the hot chocolate bar.

Serve irresistable Milk Men from Bakerella too for a cold glass of milk. You MUST check it out here.

FAVORS

I was smitten when I saw this Snowman Soup party and printable on Celebrations at Home awhile back, and Snowman Soup served in little mason jars would be an adorable favor for all the kids. Visit here for photos of the party and a link to FREE printable for the soup label. You will need hot cocoa powder, marshmallows, chocolate chips and peppermints to fill the mason jars.

{images via Giggles Galore, Celebrations at HomeFête Fanatic, Disney Family Fun and Bakerella}

if this shoe were a room…

I fully admit, I’m obsessed with Houzz. As my girlfriend says, “It’s like my Architectural Digest fix.” Not only can I find beautiful inspiration for my home, but I found products I want to buy and where to buy them. Gotta love that! If you have an ipad, you MUST get the Houzz App. It’s fabulous.

Combine my obsession with Houzz, and Jenna’s obsession with shoes and…If This Shoe Were a Room was born. It just shows that sometimes all you have to do is look down and find your next piece of inspiration on your very own feet.

If this Sperry Top Sider  Montauk Leather Boat Shoe were a room…

…it would be crisp, clean and oh so coastal nautical.

If this DV by Dolce Vita Archer Sandal were a room…

…it would be a cottage-chic pink and light teal bedroom with touches of gold.

If this Tom’s Corbel Classic Slip On were a room…

…it would be a bright and cheerful dining room full of pattern, color and bright light.

If this VC Signature Lene Sandal were a room…

…it would be bold, unique, glamorous and organic.

If this Kate Spade New York Cindy Wedge were a room…

…it would be a posh and fabulous fashion office in New York City {with black and white stripes, of course}.

If this elaborate Christian Louboutin shoe were a room…

…it would be a chic, detailed and shimmery room {in this case, a bathroom…I know, I know a Christian Louboutin should never be compared to a  bathroom, but just bear with me}

{images via Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, Design House, Honey & Silk, Nordstrom, NL Designs, Tara Seawright, The Designers Palette and Casa Sugar}

perfect party plates

We recently celebrated our grandma’s 76th birthday {btw, she still looks fabulous and has more energy than us most of the time}, and we brought some appetizers for the family to enjoy during the celebration. Among the thousands of options, we went with a delicious foursome – Pepperoni Roll, Avocado and Bean Salsa, Baked Brie Bites and a Veggie Tray served with Knorr’s Veggie Dip.

Take note {these are secret family recipes} and add to your recipe book.

Pepperoni Roll
{family recipe}

Ingredients
Pepperoni
8 oz. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
4 oz. Italian Cheese Blend
About 1 tablespoon Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 loaf Rhodes Dough {buy in frozen section and thaw before rolling out}

How To
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Rub a drizzle of olive oil to the bottom of a cookie sheet
Flour the table surface you plan to roll the dough on
Use a rolling-pin to roll out the dough into a rectangle

Add one layer of Pepperoni to the dough, covering the entire surface

Add the Mozzarella Cheese and Italian Cheese Blend on top of the Pepperoni

Roll the dough and its ingredients from the bottom to the top, like you would roll a cinnamon roll

Once you get to the end of the roll, pinch the seams together

Place the roll seam-down on the cookie sheet
Massage the entire roll with olive oil
Use a fork to pierce the length of the roll. Pierce through the roll and the ingredients inside until you hit the bottom of the cookie
sheet. {Pierce every 2 or 3 inches, so you will have about 10-20 fork marks}

Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese on top of the roll
Cook in oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown
Let it cool for about 20 minutes
Once cool, slice and place on a beautiful platter
I promise this is so easy…when my sisters and I had to learn to cook when we moved out of our parents house, this was the only app we could make. If we could do it as inexperienced cooks, anyone can do it!
P.S. This will be gone ASAP at a party, so we always make 2 rolls.

Avocado and Bean Salsa
{family recipe}

Ingredients
5 Avocados {more firm than soft} chopped
1 can White Shoepeg Corn
1 Jicama {small to medium-sized} chopped
1 Serrano Chili chopped
1 red pepper diced into small pieces
1 can black beans
1 small red onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 limes
Salt and Pepper to taste

How To
Add all ingredients to bowl and mix
Add olive oil, lime, salt and pepper
Mix with a spoon
Serve with chips

Note: If you want to make hours ahead of time, add White Shoepeg Corn, Jicama, Serrano Pepper, Red Pepper, Red Onion and Black Beans to a bowl. An hour or so before the party, add Avocado and season {Olive Oil, Lime, Salt and Pepper}.

Baked Brie Bites
{original recipe by Plain Chicken, but you can also find the recipe at Pizzazzerie}.

Ingredients
1 package mini fillo sheets
4 oz. Brie
Chopped Pecans
Brown Sugar
Honey

Visit Pizzazzerie for the directions on how to make. This recipe is a MUST. Seriously, it’s so good and a quick, easy and fabulous go-to recipe to keep on file.

Hope you and your lucky guests enjoy these delish apps!

{images via Tutto Bella}

the lorax and his trees are reasons enough for fun parties

On March 2, Zac Efron, Danny DeVito and Taylor Swift star as the voices behind characters in one of Dr. Seuss’s beloved classics, The Lorax. In the story, a 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. But, to find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, who speaks for the Truffula Trees and fights to protect his world.

In honor of the movie release and Dr. Seuss’s birthday {also on March 2}, today is all about Dr. Seuss party inspiration. His books bring out the child in all of us, and open our world to imagination and wonder…while teaching life lessons.

The Lorax Party Ideas
Mustache on a stick, Babble
Lorax face on beverage dispenser, Tonya Staab
Truffula Trees in a frame, Babble
The Lorax cake pops, Bakerella
Truffula Trees Centerpiece, Portraits by Jenn
Truffula Tree Cupcake Toppers: Hank and Hunt
Orange Smoothie served with orange and white striped straws from Shop Sweet Lulu
Give Tree Favors {after all, The Lorax is all about saving trees}
Among other Dr. Seuss inspired snacks {green colored deviled eggs for green eggs and ham, goldfish for one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, etc}, create Lorax inspired snacks such: For Brown Bar-ba-loots swimming in white fruit, serve Chocolate Teddy Grahams in a bowl of marshmallows and a bowl of Goldfish to represent the Humming-fish in the movie {idea by Babble}.

We featured a Cat in the Hat-themed 1st Birthday Party last summer for Jacob. So adorable, chic and loved every detail!

This 1st birthday party featured on Hostess with the Mostess brings the many Seuss characters to life in creative ways. Be sure to click here to read about all the details and clever food/drink titles.  

Courtney at Pizzazzerie featured a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party on a Budget…and you would never know it was on a budget by the looks of it. It’s so fun and colorful. After you looks at all the details of the party, you MUST also view the orange and green-themed Green Eggs and Ham party. It’s adorable and you will love it.  
We leave you with some words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss, Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!

{images via Babble, Bakerella, Tonya Staab , Hostess with the Mostess, Pizzazzerie, Portraits by Jenn, Hank and Hunt and ByHeartBooks.com}

just hitched

First I saw a Just Hitched sign on a newlywed couple’s reception chairs in Colorado Expression’s Confetti Magazine, then I found the one above {found at Bash, Please} and just knew I had to share it. It was love at first sight. Such a sweet, rustic touch to a wedding, and a charming decor item in a married couple’s home to remind them of their special day.

Green Wedding Shoes shares a wonderful tutorial on how to make a DIY rope sign here. You could make a just hitched sign, mr. and mrs. or whatever your heart or DIY-self desires.

{images via Green Wedding Shoes and Bash, Please}