Thursday, July 18, 2013

Party Planning 101: Invitations

The very first impression you are giving your guest of your upcoming event is the invitation. I don't think people realize this, maybe the fine details of entertaining don't really matter much to you. Either way, an invitation of some kind is always extended.

So... Why send out an invitation?

Guests
Are one of the most important parts of entertaining. Whether it's the guest of honor or the attendees, you want them to be excited and feel special.

Before you send out the invite....
Make sure you have an idea of the type of party you want and a general theme. I know, some people hate themes but it not only adds some cohesiveness to the part, it prevents the who shindig from being a big confetti mess.

  • Mail invites
    • Printed digital
    • Handmade
    • fill in the blanks
  • Email: This is very informal.
  • Evite: Convenient to keep track of R.S.V.P's but I've seen many missed and taken for spam. Some don't even get delivered to the inbox.
  • Facebook invite: These one's are hard because not everyone has or checks their Facebook account.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Caribbean Pound Cake

I'm excited about this one. It's an original!!! One of my favorite things to bake is pound cakes and loaves. They make amazing thank you's and unexpected gifts.

What you need...
2 sticks of unsalted butter-at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
5 large eggs-at room temperature
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinamon
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt- sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups pineapple tidbits

What you do...
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a loaf pan.
  • In a bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar until light about 3 mins.
  • In a separate bowl, add in egg, honey, vanilla, cinnamon. Don't combine. Add egg mixture, one egg at a time, to your creamed butter. Use medium to a low speed. 
  • In a seperate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and mix. Slowly add flour to wet mixture on low speed. With rubber spatula, scrap down the sides of bowl. Combine until just about mixed. 
  • Use spatula to fold in pineapple tidbits. 
  • Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutess. You can use the toothpick checker system to tell when ready. Let it cool.
This pound cake makes a great addition to a sundae, too!
Enjoy!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Pink Backyard Bridal Shower

Pink Backyard Bridal Shower

White tents were set up for shade. We used potted inpatients to add an extra floral detail.


A great way to dress up a table setting is use real glassware. You can find them on sale or from the dollar store. It does make for added clean up but you are saving the environment and they are reusable for your next party.

*Tip: Since it was a hot day, we placed pitchers of lemon ice water on every table!


D.I.Y Party Favors and Table Decor
I purchased these small glasses from Ikea for 5.99 for 6. I went to home depot and purchased a couple of inpatients 6 for $1.99. I used etching cream to etched the couples monogram on the glassses. It's hard to see in this picture, but you can make out the L. 

The whole project took about a day and costed no more than $35! They made fabulous party favors and table decor. 
*Tip: You can create party favors that make excellent decorations and save on cost!

The Game: Dates in a Jar
I'm not too fond of the corny bridal shower games, I had a feeling the bride wasn't either. Instead, I wanted to create something heartfelt with guest participation. I put out a jar filled with writing utensils and strips of paper. The guest had an opportunity to write down a creative date idea for the soon-to-be married couple. Some of the ideas were very creative and some were pretty funny!


Coconut Cake and Sweet Treats
The bride loved the idea of a non traditional bundt cake. Her favorite is coconut, too! A great light alternative for a hot day!



Salad Bar and Yogurt Parfait
Are those champagne glasses? Yes, we served the fruit, granola and yogurt parfait's in champagne glasses!


The food served: 
Salad Bar w/ various toppings (Chicken, Shrimp, Steak)
Fruit Yogurt Parfait
Bagel Chips w/ dip

I love the idea of a salad bar as a light option at any afternoon shower! It was going to be hot and I wanted to serve something not too filling. You can totally dress it up with fancy options like shrimp or salmon. We had a fruit and spinach, Caesar and classic salad. It's easy to set up and you don't need to work about cooking!

What do you all think of the shower?
I will post the menu recipes and etched glass tutorial in another post! To keep update, make sure you subscribe and become a friend on Facebook!






Monday, July 1, 2013

5 Years From Now: 52 Weeks Of Blogging With a Purpose

5 Years From Now...

I will be 34 I hope I don't start aging too fast!!!Wow, 5 years ago I was 24.. The distance seems so far yet so close!!!

I hope to be a SAH/WAH  entrepreneur I don't know exactly what just yet but wheels are in motion to become start my own business. I have many ideas and I need to start separating them and figuring out what is going to work in the long run. I did have an Etsy shop where I was making party supplies but i had to put that on hold while I was in school.

Settled into a home of our own and making renovations Have you heard about the home I long for.... Sustainable farming and all, with chickens and mini pigs! I want a farm... BADLY, which would be totally different from our current suburban living.
Farmhouse
Source

Living abroad LOL if the previous one doesn't happen. I keep telling the hubby that I would gladly following him anywhere on this earth!

Another one... maybe I say maybe because we are not sure. I would love a big family but our history with childbirth and congenital diseases frightens us. I have felt a real calling to adoption though. This might be a real possibility with us, either way. My babies will be big kids by then... I don't know how I will handle that but I can't wait to meet them!

Published author Once I finish up my degree in Communications, I plan on devoting some time to this one... Yet to decide what type of book it shall be.

I hope to be more patient Because that's what kids do to you. They either make you lose the patience you had or you become more patient.

I might get to sleep through the night We have a 20 month old who still doesn't sleep through the night, partially our fault. I have faith one day, I can sleep in my own side of the bed comfortably through a solid 8 hours... okay maybe just 6.

Inline Marathoner I'm not a runner, but I am a damn good blader!

Travel more I hope to take at least one vacation that didn't center around the MOUSE.

When I think of this title, it's a reminder of how I once looked at life. When I was in my early 20's I always thought "in 5 years I will be/have/do/live".... you get the picture. I was never living in the now and that made me realize all the tiny moments that were passing by. I realized my 5 year plan never worked out the way I had anticipate and that's because there is a bigger plan that is not always aligned with our current agenda.

I can still day dream and make goals though!