DIY Oscar Party Drink Stirrer

oscar-party-envelope-gold-champagne-red-white-straws

We’re going to be honest, our record for having actually seen any of the Best Pictures nominated for this year’s Academy Awards is not too good. It’s 0 for 8 to be exact. We are, however, familiar with the nominations for the animated feature film…we’re rooting for How to Train Your Dragon 2!

In our sleep-deprived, ‘surrounded by sick kids’ state, a fancy party is not in the cards this year. But, pajamas and a glass of POM champagne or vino sounds fantastic. Our low-key evening does have a DIY, of course. All for good reason – we are going to be the star of our own show. And, you should too. You’re the main character of your life – the leading lady or man. This year, you get your own gold envelope…and a cocktail.

This is such an easy DIY and a fun way to celebrate with girlfriends and sisters. Get creative and funny.

oscar-gold-envelope-champagne-red-white-straw-party

gold-oscar-red-white-envelope-party-straw

gold-oscar-red-white-straw-envelope-party-champagne-cocktail

oscars-champagne-pom-red-white-straw-gold-party-bubbly

How-To:

  • Buy or create mini envelopes. We used our Silhouette cutting machine to create gold glitter envelopes.
  • Create and cut mini tags to insert into the envelope. We created ‘drink winner’ tags on Microsoft Word.
  • Use scissors to cut small slits on the top of cute paper straws, and insert the envelope.

You can prepare a speech if you want to…but the drink, it’s is all yours. Cheers to you!

{images via j. sorelle}

Day 6: Your Cocktail’s Best Accessory, a DIY Drink Stirrer

diy drink stirrer_holiday cocktail

On the 6th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you…a DIY drink stirrer.

We accessorize our outfit for holiday parties…so why not accessorize our cocktails too? This year our drinks will be a bit more festive – cheers to that!

snowman drink stirrer

Snowman Drink Stirrer

You’ll Need
:

  • 3 mini styrofoam balls
  • Hot glue gun
  • Shredded carrot sticks
  • Black puff paint
  • Drink stirrer
  • Red and white striped twine
  • Mini branches

How To:

 

  1. Glue the 3 styrofoam balls together.
  2. Push the carrot in the face for the nose.
  3. Add three buttons with the puff paint on the middle ball or ‘belly’ of the snowman.
  4. Tie a small piece of twine around the ‘neck’ of the snowman so he/she has a scarf.
  5. Add a mini branch to each side of the snowman so he/she has arms.
  6. Push the top of the drink stirrer into the bottom ball.

tinsel and ornament drink stirrer

Tinsel and Ornament Drink Stirrer

You’ll Need:

  • Mini ornament from your local Target or Walmart
  • Tinsel
  • Drink stirrer
  • Hot glue gun

How To:

  1. Wrap a small piece of tinsel around the top of the drink stirrer. Add a dab of hot glue to the end tip of the tinsel to keep it in place.
  2. Wrap the string attached to the mini ornament around the top of the drink stirrer and add a dab of glue to keep it in place, too.

Now that you have two adorable drink stirrers to make, you just need a cocktail to fill your cup. Stay tuned because we have a yummy and festive drink recipe we can’t wait to share.

{images via j. sorelle}

Day 5: Holiday Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe and {CAMERA GIVEAWAY}

pomegranate champagne cocktail On the 5th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you…a Canon EOS Rebel T5 Camera with two lenses giveaway and an amazing holiday cocktail.

Cameras and Cocktails – that sounds like a party with memories worth capturing. We are those moms who always have the camera out and ready for a moment, a laugh and even a cheesy smile. Our mom was the same way, so maybe its generational. But, the moments are so fleeting and our kiddos grow up so fast. Photographs are our window to the past and a way to remember the present moments we want to hold on to before they are gone. We admit, cell phones are small and convenient to carry around and snap photos here and there, but the camera we have with us on family vacations, family reunions, the birth of our children, baby’s first steps, birthday candles being blown out, the first day of school, and every tiny and large moment in between, is our Canon. We are pumped to be teaming up with 15 other amazing bloggers to giveaway a Canon EOS Rebel T5 with two lenses. With so many cash giveaways happening online, we decided to participate in a giveaway that was a special gift for one of you. We know your hard-earned cash is going towards gifts for family and friends, so this is our way to treat one of our lucky readers {you} to a gift you can keep for yourself. And, it’s just in time to capture the moments and priceless reactions when friends and family open your gifts this holiday. Check out all the ladies joining us on this giveaway by clicking on their image below.

Image Map
This is your chance to make some photo magic with your family. The giveaway will run from December 5-19 and is open to US and Canada residents only. All entries will be validated, and if there are any issues with your entry all will be voided. So you better be honest because we are going to be like Santa and check it all twice. Good luck! Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We promised you a cocktail recipe too, and this is one of our favorites {thanks Lea}. For the holidays we lovingly call it Christmas in the POM of Your Hand. pomegranate champagne cocktail for the holidays Ingredients


How To Create Christmas in the POM of Your Hand

  1. Pour about 1 shot of POM to the champagne glass. The POM juice should fill ¼ of the cup.
  2. Pour the bubbly.
  3. Add a small handful of Pomegranate seeds. They may float, or sink. Science experiment too. The Pomegranate seeds are so delicious to eat while you sip. Plus, hello antioxidants!

Cheers!

pomegranate champagne cocktail

Jessica & our beautiful Mom

{images of cocktail and party via Meredith Moran Photography}

  Disclaimer: This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. This blog and any participating blogs did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Entries will be verified. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I

The Best Bloody Mary Recipe

bloody mary recipe_jsorelle

There’s something about a Bloody Mary. So, so good. It’s a tradition that we cheers with a Bloody Mary in hand at my grandma and grandpa’s Easter celebration. My incredibly cool aunt Marti is our volunteer bartender {it’s on her resume from her college days}, and she is good y’all! I asked her to share her delish Bloody Mary recipe with us because I was craving one and honestly hers in the best, and she kindly obliged. So, either start the FAC early with one of these this evening…or start the day off good with one tomorrow. She sent a bonus recipe for another cocktail too, so we’ll share soon.

bloody mary recipe_jsorelle

Bloody Mary Recipe
recipe by cool aunt Marti
servings: good for one Bloody Mary

You’ll Need
1 shot vodka (if you want it stronger, 2 is ok and good quality vodka Kettle One or Absolut is recommended)
5 dashes of worcestershire sauce
3-4 shakes pepper
3 shakes celery salt
1/4 cup pickle juice
ice
Tabasco to taste {5 dashes tasted good}
Fill the glass with tomato juice {ends up being about 1 cup} and mix!

 Note: You can always add more tabasco or picked juice. And, aunt Marti recommends preparing it in a shake glass so you can shake and mix well. Garnish with salt around the rim and of course, add a pickle, pepperocini or celery.
bloody mary ingredients_jsorelle
bloody mary recipe_jsorelle
{images via j. sorelle}

 

How to Create a Black, White and Gold Glitter Bar

Here’s one of the details from our Sparkle from Head to Toe photo shoot we told you about Fri {the one featured on Hostess with the Mostess}.

We created the perfect party for women to kick off the holiday season and really SHINE. The sparkle party gave women a chance to gossip with friends over cocktails and cookies, try on and shop for jewelry by local artists, and paint their nails at a OPI nail painting station. Women deserve to Sparkle from Head to Toe…and this party let them do just that!

As you know, every good party needs a bar. With a small space, and a tight budget, we created a DIY bar from a tray. It’s a great accessory for any holiday party, bachelorette party, birthday party, or just a night with the ladies. Here’s how you can do it too.

DIY Black and White Striped Bar Tray

You’ll Need
Tray
Paint
Paint brushes
Painters tape
Wood letter from your local WalMart, Hobby Lobby or Michaels
Gold Glitter Spray Paint

How To
Clean and sand the tray if necessary.
Spray paint the whole tray with white primer.
Once primer is dry, paint entire tray white. Repeat once for two coats.
Add Painter’s Tape where you want stripes. My tray had the perfect lines carved into it, so I just lined the tape up with those.
Paint the non-taped parts black. I used a brush to paint for more control, instead of spray paint. Repeat for a total of 2 coats.
After 24 hours, pull the tape from the tray.
If you have any touch ups to do, use a small brush and paint to fix.
For the letters, it’s best to use the primer to spray paint so you don’t see the wood grain under the glitter.
Once the primer is dry, spray paint with glitter spray paint.
Accessorize the bar with champagne, Izze drinks and fresh fruit.

Labels printed and sparkled by FLEUR DE LIS, custom paperie.

{via Tutto Bella}