Goodbye to the Rip-Roaring 20's

So I turned 30 this year.  What better way to celebrate than to throw an amazing Goodbye to the 20's theme party.  We had set up two poker tables, a black jack table and a roulette table for our guests.  Each guest got a bag of poker chips when they walked in the door.  The winner at the end of the night received a gift card.  We also had a prize for the best dressed.  I was impressed at all the AMAZING costumes everyone was in!!  We also had dancing floor for those that would wish to dance.  It was such a great night!!

Cinco de May Wreath

Found this adorable wreath on pinterest today and I had to share.  This would be perfect for the Cinco de Mayo party.

Things you need:
Styrofoam wreath
Cocktail parasols
Hot Glue Gun
Ribbon for trimming (optional)

All you need to do is hot glue in the parasols.  Cute right?

Cinco de Mayo

Today's inspiration comes from The Party Dress, http://www.thepartydress.net/blog/.  I have been a fan for a few years now.  They have even started their own magazine that has wonderful party inspirations.  Today I wanted to post their Cinco de Mayo party.  It is absolutely stunning!!

Kentucky Derby Part 2

I wanted to post a couple of recipes for the most famous part of the Kentucky Derby, and that would be Mint Juleps. 

First is the classic Mint Julep provided by Michael Chiarello on the Food Network, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/mint-julep-recipe/index.html.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup water
• 2/3 cup sugar, plus more for garnish
• 3 bunches mint
• 1 bottle Southern whisky
• 1 egg white
• Mint or lavender sprigs, for garnish

Directions

Make a mint flavored simple syrup by boiling water and sugar with two bunches of roughly torn and bruised mint in large sauce pot. Boil just until the sugar dissolves completely. Cool and strain the mint out of mixture.

Add bottle of whisky to the infusion. Stuff the empty whisky bottle with last bunch of fresh mint leaves and fill with the simple syrup/whiskey mixture.

Cap and put in freezer overnight. It will freeze to a slushy consistency for serving.

Glasses: dip the rim of each glass in egg white, then in sugar for a frosted appearance and chill. Fill with mint julep mixture straight from the frozen bottle and garnish with a mint or lavender sprig.


Next up Mint Julep Sorbet.  Yum right?  Here is a recipe provided by Emeril Lagasse, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/mint-julep-sorbet-recipe/index.html.

 Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup club soda
• Mint sprigs for garnish

Directions

Combine sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

Add the bourbon and club soda to the cooled syrup, stirring until combined. Freeze mixture according to manufacturer's directions in an ice cream freezer.
Place sorbet in a freezer-safe container and allow mixture to freeze for 4 hours before serving. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

And finally, here is Mint Julep Cupcakes, yes cupcakes.  This is provided by Jen on Hostess at http://blog.hwtm.com/2009/04/mint-julep-cupcakes-recipe/.

MINT JULEP CUPCAKES
{adapted from Cooking and Booking}
Ingredients:
Cupcakes
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup bourbon (or whiskey)
1/2 cup Creme de Menthe
Icing
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
milk
*****
Directions:
Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350º F, and grease or line 30 cupcake cups.
Combine salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour (1 cup). Mix as little as possible, just until the batter comes together. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.
Icing
Combine the powdered sugar, salt, extracts and melted butter and beat until creamy. Gradually add milk until the texture is right for piping. When the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the icing on top. Garnish with cake sparkles or sprinkles, a straw (trimmed to size), and mint leaves.
 

Kentucky Derby

YAY!  My Blog has been fixed and is allowing me to post.  There are a LOT of holidays and special days coming up.  This Saturday is Cinco de Mayo and The Kentucky Derby.  Next week is Teacher Appreciation and then the following Sunday is Mother's Day.  So...I plan on trying to post some inspirations for each day. 

First up is this Saturday is The Kentucky Derby.  There is one party that I have been DYING to throw for the last 5 years and that party is The Kentucky Derby.  The problem is that I am always out of town.  So maybe next year.  For those that don't really care about a horse race, don't write off the Derby.  There could be so much fun for this type of party.  Have all the ladies wear a Derby Hat.  Have a hat contest (crazy hat, best hand-made, etc.).  You can serve up some wonderful Mint Juleps.  Have everyone bet on horses when they walk in the door.  The race itself is no longer than 2 minutes, so it is a perfect party to socialize and watch just a few minutes of a race.  So here is a wonderful party thrown by one of my favorite party goddesses Hostess With The Mostess.  Doesn't this make you want to go out now and get a hat?  Hoping to throw this party next year!

Did I mention that she has free printables?  Check out http://blog.hwtm.com/2012/04/kentucky-derby-taste-of-derby-official-party/. 

I Luv the 80s

My husband and I were 80's children, in other words we grew up in the 80's.  So for his 30th birthday party I decided to throw him a surprise 80's themed birthday party.  For more pictures please click HERE.

It's The Great Pumpkin Carving Party

Back in 2009 we hosted a pumpkin carving party.  It was so much fun.  For more pictures please click HERE.