give us some more s’mores, please

 Toasted, gooey marshmallow goodness combined with rich, decadent chocolate squished between two, crisp honey graham crackers. Yummy. My mouth is watering for a s’more as I type!

The summer-time favorite  can be prepared and styled so many different ways –  whether your hosting a fancy wedding or a backyard BBQ, you can never go wrong with a s’more. Your guests will be saying, “give us some more s’mores please!”

S’more Favors

S’more Cupcakes
{recipe by Pizzazzerie}

Ingredients
Crumbs
6 graham cracker boards (oblongs)
2 Tbsp each sugar and melted butter
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cupcakes
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup each canola oil and water
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Frosting
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Crumbs: Process graham crackers in food processor until fine crumbs. Add sugar and butter; pulse until blended. Spoon about 2 tsp into each muffin cup. Top with 1 tsp mini chocolate chips.

Cupcakes: In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt until blended. In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, water and vanilla until blended; whisk into flour mixture until smooth.

Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use immediately.

Top cupcakes with marshmallow frosting and garnish with chocolate bar and extra graham cracker crumbs!

S’more Cake
{by The Birthday Blog}

S’more Dessert Bar
{
check out the rest of the adorable camp party with the s’more dessert bar by Moore Minutes}

{Postcards and Pretties dessert buffet}

{Amy Atlas s’more food station}

Wash it all down with a
S’more Martini
{recipe by The Daily Find}

 2 Ounces Chocolate Vodka
2 Ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 Ounces Cream de Cacao
2 Ounces Vanilla Vodka
2 Ounces Heavy Cream
Graham Crackers, Crushed
Chocolate Syrup
12 toasted mini marshmallows or 4 large marshmallows

Dip the rim of 4 martini glasses in the chocolate syrup and then into the crushed graham crackers. Chill glasses in the freezer. Pour all the remaining ingredients except the marshmallows into a martini shaker filled with ice and shake until well blended. Skewer your marshmallows on a cocktail stick and place in the chilled glasses. Strain the drinks into the 4 glasses.

{images via: s’more party favors: pinterest, once wed, elizabeth anne designs, pinterest, salt harbor blog. s’more cupcakes: pizzazzerie. s’more cake: the birthday blog. dessert bar: moore minutes, post cards and pretties, amy atlas. martini: the daily find. marshmallows: bakerella

grad par-tay

Are you graduating in a few weeks? If you are, (and are throwing a party to celebrate), check out these fun decor ideas to make your grad party one to remember.

I was browsing on The Party Dress and found these cute graduation cap pops by Bakerella. So simple yet creative.

grad pops

You’ll need: Airheads Extremes Rainbow Berry Sweetly Sour Belts, mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, lollipop sticks, a styrofoam block and Godiva chocolate squares. Visit Bakerella for “how-to” instructions.

I recently graduated from college and my parents threw me a fantastic grad party at Crimson & Gold Tavern. My invitations and thank-you notes were totally fabulous, thanks to Bonnie Marcus (available at Fleur de Lis). How cute and chic is the girl on this invite? I had to have her on my invitations and thank-you notes!

bonnie marcus stationery

We decided to carry the image from the stationery  throughout the decor. This fashionista grad was the center of the decor at the party:

Just go to Kinko’s and enlarge whatever image you like, attach it to a colored-poster board and hang it on the wall!

We had yummy cupcakes from Intricate Icings and added a little something special on top – cupcake toppers! A fun, easy way to decorate your deserts. All you need are crazy-scissors, double-sided tape, a hot glue gun and a lollipop stick! And yes, we had the grad image on the toppers, duh!

toppers

Wondering what to gift to give a grad? Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is a cute little something that is perfectly fitting for a recent grad. My niece and nehphew gave me a copy when I graduated – I loved it! Pair it with money or a gift card 🙂

barnes & noble

{images via tutto bella, The Party Dress and Barnes & Noble}

kentucky derby party, a run for the roses

On May 7, dust off your hats and seersucker suits…this party is for the ladies and the gentlemen. Though most of us will not be sitting on Millionaire’s Row during this year’s Kentucky Derby, we will enjoy the traditions, the fabulous and ridiculous hats and betting against all odds. Though they call it the “greatest two minutes in sports,” with the party ideas below, you’ll be celebrating more than just two minutes.

Run for the Roses Inspiration Board
Color: red, white and green

Decor: DIY Run for the Roses centerpiece following instructions from Hostess with the Mostess. Or, opt for low, white hydrangea arrangements in mint julep style cups and large tall arrangements of red roses in a large trophy. Red Ribbon DIY wreath on the front door to greet guests.  Bar of Bourbon and Whiskey for the gentlemen arranged in an antique wagon or box.

Drinks: Mint Juleps, of course, served in the traditional julep cup. Also serve iced tea and lemonade.

Place cards: Pony-size horseshoes (you can purchase from your local horseshoe manufacturer) with a small hang tag with your guest’s name.

Food: Kentucky favorite, fried chicken, Paula Deen-style. Bobby Flay’s Kentucky Hot Browns. If you’re not a fan of the mint julep cocktail, try a mint julep cupcake, courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess. Bourbon Ball French Toast, from Bobby Flay. Derby Cheese Hat and Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie by Southern Living.

Atmosphere: Kentucky Derby on the television. Play My Old Kentucky Home song in the background.

Don’t forget about those fantastic hats. Remind your friends to wear their most fabulous hat accessory. For the best hat, award a DIY prize ribbon to the ladies, and for the best suit or brightest colored shirt, award a DIY trophy boutonniere for the men (by Postcards and Pretties).

{images via Kentucky DerbyAstor and Black, Elizabeth Anne DesignsSocial Couture, The Food Network, Southern Living, The Knot, Hostess with the Mostess}

royal wedding viewing party

To most women (or at least to me), the royal wedding is equivalent to the Super Bowl… times 10. I am beyond excited to watch the historic events unfold. I’m a sucker for romance, and it’s a true Cinderella story. A commoner (a beautiful one) meets a handsome prince. They date. Fall in love. He proposes with Princess Diana’s gorgeous sapphire ring. She says yes. They are to be wed in front of millions at the Westminster Abbey.

At least for a day, girls everywhere believe, even more than ever, that they too can and will meet their prince charming and be a ‘princess.’

It’s a perfect opportunity for a royal wedding viewing party. Here are my ideas and inspiration board. Invite your girlfriends over…it’s a party fit for royalty.

Cheers!

P.S. Be sure to TiVo the event, as it will be aired either really early in the morning or really late at night, depending on where you live.

royalteawatchingparty

Food: Serve blueberry scones with jam. Shortbread cookies with a variety of teas, of course. Strawberry champagne. Assortment of tea sandwiches and strawberries and cream on cake stands and pretty platters. Champagne cupcakes courtesy of With Style and Grace.

Decor: DIY Britain flag table cloth. Floral arrangements in vintage or new tea tins. Tea cups placed on DIY mini cupcake stands (tutorial to arrive soon). DIY or store-bought British flag banner. British cupcake toppers or free printable from The TomKat Studio. For place cards at the table, remove the tags from tea bags, replace them with small handwritten name tags for each one of your friends.

Favors: Each friend receives a pearl necklace wrapped around a napkin (set at each place setting) with a replica diamond sapphire ring on top so she is made to feel like a princess. Or tell your girlfriends to pucker up with royal lip gloss.

Be sure to tell guests to wear their best hat. Ask each guest to bring a vintage tea cup and saucer. You can stack and use as decor, and even swap a tea cup and saucer set with a friend at the end of the party.

 {images via Martha Stewart, The Party Dress, People online, The Charm of Home, All Things Nice, HGTV, Food Network, Celebrations at Home}