Fun & Glizy New Years Eve Party

This is the magical night that many celebrate and look forward to; the night that allows us to close the door to the past and open the door to a new beginning. 

If you are hosting a New Year's Eve bash at your house, you are probably thinking of ways to glam up this year's event. Here are some fun glitzy options that will be sure to wow your group; 0ur theme this year Glamorous Gold.

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Here are a couple of other simple ideas you can use to create some Hollywood glamor:

• Scatter votive candles to add brightness and sparkle throughout your rooms.
• Give your guests top hats and tiaras to wear while they ring in the new year.
• Add a gold charger to each of your plates to give your dishes a little more pizzazz.
• Make sure each guest has a champagne flute filled with bubbly for when the clock strikes midnight.
  

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Life goes by way to fast, so this holiday season lets make sure to enjoy some time with family and friends.

Last Minute Christmas Tips

Can you believe that Christmas is two days away! Is this really happening? It feels like just yesterday we were giving tips on how to host a great Thanksgiving dinner, and now we are onto Christmas. Where does the time go? Hopefully during this time, you have decorated your tree, made your Christmas cookies, wrapped your presents, and hung your stockings with care. If not, then check out some quick and easy tips from some of our favorite websites.

Easy Tips for Decorating a Christmas Tree

Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipes

12 Festive Holiday Wrapping Paper Ideas

Pottery Barn Stockings (just because we love them)

Happy Holidays!

Kids Friendly Holiday Activities

Most of the time we spend the holiday's catching up with friends and family, but what do the kids do while we are endlessly chatting away? Let me guess... they are either sitting in front of the TV zoning out, or staring at us completely bored, wondering when they can do something somewhat exciting.

So this year, why not have a fun activity planned for them? Maybe it's decorating their own Christmas tree ornaments or holiday frame. Or you can make your own personal gingerbread house. This is our favorite and has been a tradition in our household for years. It's very simple; all you need is some graham crackers, icing, and candy. The kids will be occupied decorating (and eating) for hours! 

Oh, and here is one more thing that will sweeten the party for both the kids and adults... a hot chocolate bar. Now who doesn't love that?!

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Naughty or Nice?

We love planning "friends only" parties because it allows us to be as CRAZY as we want to be. So as we sat around thinking about what to do this year, we kept on coming back to the same question; do we tone it down a bit this year since we are getting wiser (but not older), or do we make this a year to remember. Um...why not do both and have a Naughty and Nice party. Don't know how to play both sides of the coin? Then read on.

Invitations  - You need to send your friends something so they know when to mark their calendar for your soirée; and while they are at it, they can mark who they thought was Naughty or Nice this year with this personalized card from eInvite.

Desserts - Let's be Nice and leave some cookies out. You can also buy chocolates or truffles that you can label "coal" (only for those Naughty boys and girls).

Drinks - Since this is a Naughty and Nice party, we will not be having milk with our cookies; instead, we will be serving up some sweet adult beverages. Candy Cane Cocktail anyone? 

Gifts - To make the party a little bit more exciting, have a greedy grab bag. Haven't heard of this? Basically each person brings a gift worth x amount (you decide on the amount), then each person takes a turn to pick a gift; they can choose either a wrapped gift or they can steal one that someone has already opened. 

Office Holiday Party

Today's post is all about how you can jazz up your upcoming office holiday party. We know that this can be a challenge for a lot of people, so read on to learn how to make it fun, yet still professional. 

First step: Ask yourself where do you want to host this shindig? Do you want to keep it low-key and budget friendly by holding it in your office, or do you want to break out of the monotonous office environment and go to a local restaurant? Regardless what you do, have some fun; decorate it with holiday cheer. 

Second step: Figure out what you want to serve your group. Do you want to have a buffet, or plated meal? Or maybe you just want to serve cocktails and appetizers? Oh, and let's not forget about the dessert (the best part of the meal). Why not contact a local bakery and have these scrumptious cupcakes made?

Final step: Think about how to make the party stand out and be remembered. Maybe you bring in a photo booth. Coworkers can take group pictures that they can display at their desk all year round. Or maybe you hire an outside gaming company and set up an activity like a casino night, where you can play to win raffle tickets. These raffle tickets can be used to win prizes like a iPad, flat-screen tv, gift certificates, etc. (we did both, the photo booth and casino night at our office holiday party last year, and it was a huge hit)! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Today we are thankful for having the ability to spend the day surrounded with our loved ones. We hope you and your family have a happy and safe Thanksgiving Day!

Thanksgiving Table Setting and Decor

We know - it's one week before Thanksgiving and you have a TON on your plate. So instead of writing a lengthy post filled with lots of information for you to read, we decided to just give you a few images of our favorite Thanksgiving table settings/decor. So take a peek and then get back to getting ready for the big day!

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Kids Thanksgiving Table Ideas

One thing we always get asked is how can we make the "kids table" a little bit more fun and memorable. The last thing people want are bored kids. so here are some quick and simple ideas that you can incorporate into your Kids Thanksgiving Table this year. 

The first thing we suggest is to make the "kids table" a comfortable place for them to sit. It's been our experience that kids normally like to sit on the floor, so for the table you can use storage bins pushed together and for the chairs you can use pillows. Just make sure to cover the table and chairs (you can use t-shirts for the chairs to make it an easy clean up).

For the centerpiece, try to utilize some items from outside. One thing you can do is use regular branches from your yard and hot-glue brightly colored cut out leaves. 

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For the placemats, give the kids something to color. There are tons of free downloadable images to pick from, but this is one of our favorites. Like the image? Click here to download.

After dinner have the kids (and the adults) work on making a "Giving Thanks Banner". Each person can fill out one (or more) leaves to declare what they are thankful for. Then once everyone is done, string together the leaves and hang them somewhere everyone can see and read them. Our favorite location is the archway between the kitchen and dinning room. Click here to download the full tutorial and leave patterns. 

A Sweet TV Turkey Dinner

Wow - We can't believe it's November already. Where does the time go?! It seems like yesterday we were digging through our closet looking for shorts and flip-flops; and now we are bundled up in sweaters and leggings. 

This month we will be dedicating each post to one of our favorite holidays of the year - Thanksgiving. And to start us off we are sharing with you an out of the box cupcake dessert. 

If you are tired of serving the same old boring apple pie or pumpkin pie, then why not serve up this sweet version of a TV turkey dinner with all the fixings. 

TV Dinner Cupcakes

Serves 6

Supplies Needed:

1 aluminum muffin tray, with 6 spots
6 cupcakes, baked in foil liners
White frosting (at least 1 container)
Green food coloring
3-4 Orange fruit chews (Starbursts, Tootsie Fruit Rolls), cut into 1/4 inch cubes
Green hard candies, such as Runts or Skittles (I liked the Runts best)
1/4 cup white melting chocolate
1 c crushed cornflakes
3 plain donut holes
1 Yellow Fruit Chew (Starburst, Toosie Fruit Rolls, Laffy Taffy), cut into a 1 inch cube
Caramel Sauce, slightly warmed for easier pouring
2-3 Tbsp. Chocolate frosting
Colored Sprinkles 

For the Vegetables:

1. Tint about 2-3 Tbsp. of the white frosting bright green and frost 1 cupcake with the green frosting. Arrange cut up orange fruit chews and green hard candies on top, to look like peas and carrots.

For the Mashed Potatoes:

1. Frost 1 cupcake with white frosting, mounding slightly on top, and making a small well on top with a spoon.

2. Drop the yellow Starburst at an angle in the well, and pour heated caramel sauce over the frosting and Starburst, allowing it to drip down the sides, to look like gravy.

For the Dessert Cupcake:

1. Frost or Pipe chocolate frosting on top of one cupcake. Sprinkle with colored sprinkles.

For the Chicken Legs:

1. Draw yourself a bone template. Place it on a cookie sheet and cover with a piece of wax paper. Melt the white chocolate wafers in a small freezer duty Ziploc bag. Microwave in 20-30 second intervals, massaging the bag after each time. Repeat the process until the chocolate is completely smooth.

2. Press the air out of the bag, seal it, and snip a small corner form the bag, making yourself a piping bag. Pipe the bone outline onto the wax paper. Fill in the outline with the chocolate and tap the pan lightly to smooth the top of the chocolate. Repeat and make at least 3 bones, although I recommend making more, in case you break one. Refrigerate bones, until firm.

3. Lightly frost 3 cupcakes with white frosting.

4. Frost the donut holes with white frosting and place on top of the cupcakes. Now using the white frosting, frost around the donut holes to make smooth, rounded surface that tapers slightly at the top.

5. Pour crushed cornflakes into a shallow bowl. Press donut topped cupcakes into the cornflakes, covering completely. Do this carefully. As I turned my cupcake sideways, my donut hole started to slide off. You may have to sprinkle the cornflakes over the top of the cupcake and lightly press it into the frosting with your hands. Place the cupcakes in the aluminum tray.

6. With a very sharp knife, make a slit along the top of the donut hole. It needs to be deep enough and wide enough for the chocolate bone to slide into at least 1/2 an inch. Carefully insert the chocolate bones into the slit you've made. 

Happy Halloween!

Souse

Want to make these deliciously easy Scare y Spiders? You just need four ingredients - Oreo's, M&M's, Black licorice, and Vanilla Icing (to use to glue on the eyes and legs). Then make, eat, and enjoy!

Spooky Halloween Decorations

We love that Halloween falls onto a Thursday next week. We know, most of you are scratching your head thinking that we are crazy. Let us explain… When Halloween falls into the middle of the week, it allows us to throw and/or attend more than one Halloween party - one this weekend and one next weekend!

And speaking of throwing a Halloween party, below is the inspiration we are using for this year’s bash. We absolutely love the Haunted House Cardboard Cut Outs and table signs.

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We are also going to bring in some scary table/room decor curiosity of Pottery Barn.

From Left to Right: Vampire Teeth Drink Dispenser Stand, Skull Salt & Pepper Shakers, Witch Brew Napkins, Bone Spreaders, Bone Hand Vase, Bone Footed Platter, Skull ceramic Hurricanes, Vampire Salad Plates, Lit Twig Broom

An extra bonus - Right now all Pottery Barn Halloween items are up to 60% off. So don’t wait, these items won’t last long!

Kate Aspen Shower Favor Sale

Rue La La is having a sale on all Kate Aspen wedding and baby shower favors. But don't wait to long as this sale is only open for one more day! Log on now to take advantage of this amazing sale on these adorable favors. 

Not familiar with Rue La La? Rue La La is a members only site that allows shoppers to view and purchase the best brands in fashion, home, travel, etc. Each day a new boutique opens at 11 am and stays open for 48 hours. Not a member? Then sign up by email, Facebook, or let us know and we will send you an invitation to the site.

Housewarming Gift for the Chef

Sometimes we receive calls to source/create a fun gift whether it be for a wedding, baby shower, holiday party, etc. Our latest inquiry was for a housewarming gift for a couple that loves to spend their time in the kitchen. Here are our top two picks that we shared with our client:

 A cookbook wrapped in a kitchen town and slotted spoon.

A oven mitt that is filled with various kitchen utensils. 

Applefest 2013

This Sunday we will be busy with the highly anticipated Warwick Applefest; so if you are near Hudson Valley New York come by and say hello.

Applefest, which began 1989 supports both the Warwick Valley Community Center and Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. This family festival has become an event that many look forward to for the entire year. For the past three year’s Applefest is the proud winner of the Times Herald-Record newspaper’s “Best of Family Event of the Year” category and was chosen as one of the top ten festivals in the “Top 100 Events in North America” by the American Bus Association.

Over 30,000 visitors attend this one-day event, traveling from neighboring states to experience over 300 juried crafters, food vendors, and free local musical entertainment. They even have a Farmers’ Market which consists of over 22 vendors and a carnival for the kids to enjoy!

The festival proceed benefits both the Warwick Valley Community Center, Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, and over 50 other local non-profit organizations.

For more information visit warwickapplefest.com.

Personalized Wedding Card Holders

No matter what type of wedding you will be having, it's always fun to personalize your card holder. 

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Mini-Bites

No mater what you are celebrating - a wedding, graduation, shower, or birthday - everyone loves "mini-bites".  These tiny little dishes are small enough to eat in one shot, but are bursting with as much flavor as a main dish. Here are some of our favorite mini dishes that you are sure to love...

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Construction Party

Looking to throw a construction party for your little boys next birthday? Then take some tips that we pulled from Vixen Made. What we love about this theme is that you can pull most of the item from your garage, which helps keep the budget under control. 

Food Table

All you need is a couple of tires and a long piece of plywood that is painted orange. 

Fun Food Options

You can give each food and fun name that ties into construction like Tires, Fuel, Rocks, etc. 

You can also fill up all those Tonka trucks you have laying around the house with candy, fruit, whatever. 

Dinner Table

All you need is an orange table cloth, black table and white out or white tape.

Hard Hats

You can purchase these at Etsy

Unique Bachelor Party T-Shirts

The other day one of our soon to be brides asked for some "unique" t-shirt options that she could get for her upcoming Jack-n-Jill bachelor party. Check out some of these samples we shared with her and tell us which one is your favorite??

Years you have know the bride / Posse / Mingle / Kissing / The End / Shot / I Win / Return Me / Can't Keep Calm / Bling 

Laid Back Labor Day

This labor day we are taking a step back from the party planning and letting the "boys" take over. 

This is what we eat, breath, and sleep - so giving up the control made us a little bit nervous, but then we realized this is a good thing. We don't have to lift a finger or worry about anything; all we need to do is kick back and relax. 

The only thing we might offer are these adorable Beach Party Cupcakes.

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Beach Party Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 recipe favorite cupcake recipe 
• 1 recipe favorite cupcake frosting
• Blue decorating tint
• Blue decorating sugar
• Honey Teddy Grahams
• Finely Crushed Graham Crackers or Teddy Grahams
• Lifesaver Gummies (innertubes)
• Fruit-by-the-Foot Fruit Rollups (rafts and towels)
• Airheads Xtreme Belts (rafts, towels and cut up by color for pool noodles)
• Cocktail Umbrellas (beach umbrellas)

Directions

• Bake cupcakes as directed, cool completely
• Make frosting as directed
• Mix blue decorating tint to get desired shade of blue for water
• Spread each cupcake top with desired amount of frosting (I typically don’t like a lot of frosting but I did make these with a little more so the little dudes had something to stick to!)
• Use teddy grahams and candies as fun decorations – be creative
• Dip a few iced cupcakes in crushed grahams to look like sand (and a few half in the grahams for a sand and sea look!)

Anchor's Away

Ahoy there! Since we are off to Newport, RI for the weekend, we were inspired to share with you some fun items that will help you pull together your next "Anchor's Away" Bash.

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Pamper the Birthday Girl

Pamper your little girl this year by throwing her a spa inspired birthday party. 

At this full-service celebration, everyone is treated to having their hair, makeup and nails done any way they imagine. But Mom's we warn you - this might look like so much fun, you will be tempted to invite your friends over and join them!

Invitations: Each little girl receives a fun invitation like the sample below. Click to Purchase

Favors: Treat the girls to customized robes that they can use at the party and take home with them. We love these pink ruffled robes provided by Etsy. Click to Purchase

Spa Treatments: There are two ways you can do this. The first way is to bring in someone to do the girls hair, makeup and nails (one person for each station). The second is to rally your friends together to each take on a station.

A Sweet Ending: No party would be complete without something sweet at the end, like these homemade mask cookies.You can even make these masks ahead of time and let the girls decorate them on their own. Click Here for directions on how to make these.

We also love these adorable cupcakes. Click Here to purchase cake toppers like these. 

And last but not least: Make sure you take tons of pictures; before - during - and after!

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Summer Beer Tasting Party

Summer is all about kicking back and relaxing with a nice cold beer in your hand. So before the summer comes to a close, make sure you throw and end of the summer beer tasting party. 

It's simple to do - All it takes is three easy steps:

1. Send you friends and family and invite.
2. Grab some beer (with all the private distributors out there, make sure you pick up some kinds that people have never heard of/tried).
3. Make a delicious BBQ style menu filled with these crowd favorites - Jack Daniels Pulled Pork Sliders, Mini Smoke Mesquite BBQ Cheddar and Grilled Onion Hamburgers, Mac & Cheese Shots, Potato Wedges w/ Ketchup, Doctor Pepper Ribs, Coleslaw, Cornbread, assorted snack foods (popcorn, pub mix, etc), and some Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes.

See that's it. Simple right? 

Oh and don't forget to pick up some customized pint glass for the beer tasting, tasting rate cards, and supplies for beer pong. You're party won't be the same without them. 

Photo Credits: Beer Bottle Invitations, Table Setting 2 and 3, BBQ Slider, Irish Car Bombs Cupcakes, Mac & Cheese, Customized Pint Glass, Tasting Sheet.

Would you Trash your Dress?

"Trashing the Dress" is a growing trend that thousands of brides are taking part in. Instead of preserving their wedding gowns, they are wearing them one last time in a less traditional way in an artistic photo shoot.

Here are some of our favorite images of wedding gowns that have been soaked, attacked by paint, and just plain old dirty.

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So, would you Trash your Dress?