Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!
So I call today the "calm before the storm".  Today is great for sitting around, watching parades/football, eating and just getting to hang out with the family.  Tomorrow starts the madness!  I don't know if I'm going to venture out in it, I just don't need anything That bad..... but I will be looking around for deals on the internet.  I really prefer Monday when you can still get the amazing sales, yet you don't have to fight those maddening crowds.  Who's with me?  Anyway, I did want to post a picture of a cake I made for today, straight off the cover of this month's Southern Living Magazine.  You can compare the pictures, not quite the same, but I'm sure it's going to taste amazing..... I'll let you know.  Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you all have a great one!

Christmas Cakes

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

How to throw a cupcake themed party

So on to the party from this past weekend.... no, not Tis the Season, my daughter's first birthday!  I can't believe it's already been a year!  All you people with kids know how it goes, one day you are bringing them home from the hospital and before you know it, they are up walking and developing their own little personalities.  Well the theme was cupcakes, and it was all pink and burlap with lots of glitter and fun!  Here's a few ideas if you want to do the same kind of birthday or baby shower.....


First, go online and find a cupcake template you can use and get creative.  I used this for my treat bags but you can also use them for signs, etc.
Next, go on Etsy and get you some water bottle labels.  You can find pretty much any theme, colors, whatever, and the best part is, you can print them off yourself.  So cheap and so cute!


 For the adult beverages, Cupcake wine of course!  I love the Chardonnay and the Merlot, but the Cab is great also.  These little cans of Sophia champagne are too cute and I put those little pink and white straws in them and they were absolutely adorable!  You can get those straws on Etsy as well.

 Next, fill a jar with candy. You can get any color gum ball at party city and fill them in a glass jar.  On the table, I covered it in burlap and then put a pale pink runner on top.  For the food, you'll want to keep it in the same color scheme as your party.




These adorable pom poms are at Joann's and you can make them yourself.  So easy!

I got this sign on Etsy also and it was only like $5 or $6.  The napkins I found at The Dotted Line in GreenHills.


Here's a picture of my sweet girl with her smash cake.  I made this banner out of scrapbook paper I found at Joann's.  It was really easy and anyone can do it!  The smash cake and delicious cupcakes came from Ya'll Be Sweet.

I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of my adorable cookies from Laura's Custom Creations.  They were amazing!  She did them in the shape of cupcakes and the number 1's.  All pink and tan glitter of course!


I have to end on this picture.  I, of course, had the most beautiful birthday hat and this is as close as she came to putting it on her head.  Oh well, this will be a great picture for her baby book!

Hope you like the party ideas!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Yummy Recipe

So sorry everyone I didn't post yesterday.... I had a CRAZY busy weekend with two parties I hosted, one of which was at my house.  (Hopefully, Sunday's post about Tis the Season made up for it. Wasn't that show great??)  Anyway, more on those parties tomorrow, but today I want to share with you a great recipe I found on one of  my favorite morning radio shows Wake up with Taylor on Cosmo Radio.  It's for Sweet Potato Balls.  I know, some people hate sweet potatoes, but I thought this recipe sounded delicious and I'm going to try it out.  (Hopefully they will turn out better than my cake ball disaster!)  Here's a link to it on the Wake up with Taylor website.  http://cosmoradiowakeup.com/?page_id=103 

Please post your favorite Thanksgiving recipes.  I'd love to see them!

All photo rights go to LisaG.com
The lovely Miss Lisa G from Howard came on the show to help us set our Thanksgiving Table. What a great time. If you missed it, here’s a clip from the show AND her delicious Sweet Potato Balls recipe that you can bring to the table.
You’re welcome!
check her out on twitter: @LisaG30D
and her site: lisag.com
SWEET POTATO BALLS
• 3 lbs sweet potatoes, cooked
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or to taste
• 1 whole egg
• 1/2 cup miniature marshmallow
• 1/2 cup gingersnap crumbs
Directions:
Mash the sweet potatoes while they are still hot and add the butter and cinnamon.
When cooled a little bit, add the egg and continue to whip until thoroughly combined.
Chill until firm and then form into golf ball-sized balls, stuffing 2 to 3 marshmallows in center of each ball.
Roll in the ginger snap crumbs and place on a non-stick or lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Tis the Season, great merchants!

So you all know, if you follow me on Facebook, all the great vendors I saw at Tis the Season on Friday night.  The Girls Night Out party was fabulous and the vendors were just as impressive.  I HIGHLY suggest getting yourself down there today, if your in town, and doing some shopping.  Here's some pictures from Friday night and I've also included some of my favorite booths.  Happy Shopping!!!

Christmas Decorations of course!

 What??? Fringe and Lace is my kind of booth.

More Fringe and Lace

Fine Art by Deann...beautiful!

Heather Traylor and Suzanne Smothers at Girl's Night Out

Buchanan Ink

Full bar all day everyday....oh yeah!

Collard Greens

Wrapping Paper

Love these limited edition Brittany Fusion cards she has at her fab booth!

Lots of really cool, handmade jewely

There are tons more incredible booths so get down there today!