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}

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}

and the oscar goes to…

YOU for throwing a fabulous party!

I have to say, although “Oscar season” is totally overplayed in the media {with all that we have going on in the world} and the show can be a bit boring, I enjoy the show just to see what people are wearing! I love the fashion that the night brings, and as a party girl, I love the excuse to invite some girlfriends over and watch the Oscars! With these tips. your Oscar party {Sunday, February 26} will be red-carpet worthy.

Kathleen at Twig and Thistle created an ENTIRE SET of Oscar party printables. From the invites, to the voting ballots and place cards – she’s got your covered and they are all for FREE here. Thanks, Kathleen. I based my party inspiration on her classic black, white, gold and kraft paper.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS:

For the table, find a sparkly gold table cloth, or if you don’t have one, find a white table cloth and add a black and white chevron runner down the middle of the table.

Add and light lots of votive candles. Love me some candle lighting.

Place a ballot from Twig and Thistle at each place setting and a gold pencil for guests to fill out at the beginning of the night.

Cut out white stars from cardstock paper, write best actress nominations {Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams…if you have more friends than nominees, add best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees} and attach via black and white twine to champagne flutes. Your girlfriends can be a nominee for the night…and keep track of their cocktail.

For the centerpieces, spray paint wine bottles with chalkboard paint and use chalk to write down all Best Picture nominees {Hugo, The Descendents, The Artist, Moneyball, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, War Horse, The Tree of Life, The Help, The Artist and Midnight in Paris}. Complete with look with a white flower inside the wine bottle centerpiece.

Hang black, white and gold poms above the table.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU:

I think it would be a blast to pay homage to all the year’s best nominated films by serving foods inspired by the movies. Epicurious had some fantastic ideas…so I picked what I thought would be delicious to try.
Deviled Eggs and Chocolate Cream Pie {The Help}
Hot Dogs and Beer {Moneyball}
Cranberry Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Topping {War Horse}
Cherry Tomato Pizza Margherita {Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close}
Twice Baked Potato with Goat Cheese and Chives and Creamed Spinach {The Artist}
Crab Cakes with Creamy Chili Sauce or Coconut Shrimp {The Descendants},
French Champagne {Midnight in Paris}
Skillet Corn Bread {The Tree of Life}
Oven Baked Chicken and Slow Roasted Tomatoes on a Baguette {Hugo}

If all that is too fancy for you, I think Moneyball inspired food – peanuts, hotdogs, beer, Coca-Cola and CrackerJack boxes would be lovely…and of course some French Champagne for a little fabulousness!

{images via Twig and Thistle, Snippet and Ink, MaryJane and Galoshes, The Glitter Guide, Reasons to Breathe, Pinterest, Lindsey B Photography and Rue}

sour soiree, the anti-valentine party

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhRMeiyret0]

All the single ladies need something to celebrate on Valentine’s Day too, right?
How about a little party we’d like to call: Sour Soiree, the Anti-Valentine Party

Here are some fun ideas to help you celebrate your fabulous, single self:

{1} Hang this ‘Love Stinks’ banner to decorate the bachelor{ette} pad.
{from Etsy}

{2} Serve Maple Sour cocktails … and keep them coming!
{find the complete recipe here}

{3} Customized water bottle labels, available at Fleur de Lis, for only $5.
Personalize them your own colors, fonts and wording to match your unique party. Be creative!

{4} Sour Patch cupcakes are a delicious {and appropriate} dessert for a single, sour night. YUM!
{find the complete recipe here}

{5} ‘Love Stinks’ lip balm is the perfect goodie bag gift!
{from Etsy}

{6} Black Heart Necklace. Super stylish and very Anti-Valentine.
{from Etsy}

{7} Girls’ Night Out Table Topics. Such a good time!
{sold at Fleur de Lis}

{8} Keep Calm and Plan Your Revenge t-shirt. Love this!
It’s the official dress code for a Sour Soiree!
{from Etsy}

{9} Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass, or Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster will be the cherry on top of your sour night, trust me 🙂
… it’s absolutely hilarious.

{PS}
Alice 105.9 is hosting a Bitter Ball with Slacker & Steve on Valentine’s Day in downtown Denver at Suite 200. It’s going to be a party for singles who could care less about Valentine’s Day and want to have some fun – another Sour Soiree to add to your list of parties!
Check out their Facebook page for details.

Remember, it’s okay to be a bit sour for Valentine’s Day … because it makes for a cute party!

{images via: Etsy, drinks: Pinterest, water bottles: Tutto Bella, cupcakes: Pinterest, Table Topics and Barnes & Noble}