Every fall I love to have friends over for a chili dinner and s'mores for dessert.. When the first chill is in the air and the leaves begin to turn I start brainstorming ways to decorate a festive fall table. There are so many beautiful and budget friendly ways to decorate and have a very festive party! Here are some creative ideas: This example of the perfect outdoor fall decor (by Country Living) is made by using natures best decorations! Hay, fall flowers, pumpkins.. all easy and inexpensive - perfect for an outdoor party. Too cute idea for the table or to add a bit of fall ambiance to your home. Trim the stem off of a small pumpkin. Using hot glue or floral wire - attach fake leaves, berries, and candle to top. So cute! A great party favor to thank your guests for … [Read more...]
Modernism Week – A Designer’s Delight
Those who have enjoyed the grandeur that is Palm Springs, California, will attest to its sunny warmth, paradise-worthy weather and the brilliance of its authentic desert style. Add to this a magical conglomeration of innovative work by superb artists, set against the backdrop of exquisite, color-filled natural landscapes, native palm trees swaying in the wind and the majesty of the San Jacinto Mountains in the distance, you have the award-winning recipe for the spectacular Modernism Week. This annual event genially showcases where mid-century architecture, fashion, art, and design meet contemporary ideas and thinking; it is an understatement to merely suggest that it is a designer’s dream to attend. The impressiveness of this extraordinary event, however, extends far beyond … [Read more...]
Easy Entertaining: Mashed Potato Bar
One of the things I love about entertaining is being able to serve up great food to my favorite people, but I do not love the stress that goes along with entertaining. It took me a long time to learn how to enjoy my own parties because I spent more time in the kitchen than I did with my guests. Eventually, I learned to lighten up and serve foods that my guests could customize to suit their own tastes, which took a lot of stress off of me. One of my favorite foods to serve guests is mashed potatoes - they economical, easy, and pretty much everyone loves them, plus they're a great comfort food. When I throw a party, I love to set up a mashed potato bar, where I serve a scoop of mashed potatoes in a martini glass and then set up a buffet of toppings. I typically make my potatoes from … [Read more...]
St. Patrick’s Day Party Food!
I just love the colors that are associated with St. Patrick's Day. Who doesn't love rainbows, glitter, pots of gold, and lots of greens!?! For your St. Patrick's Day Party this year, how about you serve up these healthier party foods that your guests will love! Menu: Rainbow Vanilla Pudding topped with Homemade Whipped Cream Shamrock Mini Pizzas Rainbow Fruit Plate Rainbow Pudding adapted from Kid's Kitchen Ingredients 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup corn starch 1 cup 2% milk 2 cups whole milk 1 egg 3 egg whites 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract gel food coloring (Americolor) - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon powdered sugar 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract How-To Stir … [Read more...]
Holiday Parties Made Easy and Yummy with King’s Hawaiian and Walmart
(Sponsored) This blog post was sponsored by KING’S HAWAIIAN® Holiday at Walmart but the opinions are all my own. Are you ready for the holidays? ‘Tis the season of festivities, and I can’t wait to plan a holiday party with friends and family. My first rule is to make sure that preparation and clean-up is simple and easy! I want to be able to enjoy the party and not worry about the food and mess. We usually invite families with a mixed age group, and, therefore, the menu has to be appetizing for everyone. To minimize the holiday stress, I rely on King’s Hawaiian and Walmart to help! The party planning begins with a quick trip to Walmart. My one stop go-to store for all my holiday needs! I grab a cart and get ready to conquer my holiday shopping list. The list is simple and … [Read more...]
Amazing Life Lessons From Board Games
Who doesn’t love all the benefits of a good old-fashioned board game? Board games are perfect for a little indoor fun as the weather gets cooler and on rainy days. They provide hours of entertainment and are wonderful ‘educational tools’. Yes, they make everyone a little smarter! And to top it off, they offer lots of family bonding-without screens. Top Life Lessons Learned: Taking Turns – Let’s face it, it can be tough for kids to take turns. Board games teach you to be patient as you wait for your opponent’s next move. Commitment – Keep going and don’t give up! A simple game such as Monopoly teaches commitment and perseverance. Stay committed, even if times get tough. Things can turn with time! Focus & Concentration – Study the situation and focus! Operation takes a … [Read more...]
