Hostess Jo

30th Birthday Centerpieces

Well I think I have decided what to do for the centerpieces of the 30th Birthday I'm helping with.  All of you had such great ideas and I've gone back and forth trying to decide!  Thanks so much for sharing them with me.

With the rustic decor of the venue I've decided to go with Manzanita Centerpieces from HostessBlog  I love how you can dress them up any way you please.  I would like to hang crystals from them and 30s.  Does anyone have any ideas what I would construct the 30s from?  I also want to place tea lights around the bases so that the crystals and 30s catch the light. 

I ordered three sandblasted Manzanita 18" branches from BloomsandBranches, their prices seemed the most reasonable.  I hope they are pretty and come in one piece! 

Here are is a pic of what I hope mine turns out like with the addition of the 30s!

 

 

My First Giveaway!

Favor Affair Giveaway February 6, 2008!

 

FavorAffair.com has come to me to host a giveaway on Let's Entertain!  I'm so excited for you. If you have not been to their site you are missing out on a great variety of favors for every occasion!  They even have favors for every season and great prices!

They are offering a $25 gift certificate to be used on their website-Favor Affair.com! 

All you have to do is leave a comment here about your favorite "My Sweet Sixteen Favor" and tell us why you chose it.  Contest ends February 6, 2008, 5 PM Central.  Good Luck!

Valentine's Night Cocktail

This cocktail caught my eye for its bright red coloring and this cool glass.  Then as I was reading that it is like a Sangria with cherries and gin I was in love for sure.  This drink would be great for anytime of year but would look lovely on Valentine's night whether for two or a group.  Enjoy!

Cherry Gin-gria

 

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces cherry syrup(recommended: Giammona)
• 2 ounces gin
• 5 to 6 ounces club soda
• 1 ounce red wine
• Maraschino cherries
• Fresh or frozen raspberries

Directions

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour in the cherry syrup and the gin; stir to mix together. Lighten the drink with a generous splash of soda. Float a layer of red wine on top by pouring it over the back of a wide, flat spoon. (Don't worry if it doesn't float; it tastes great either way.) Drop a few maraschino cherries and raspberries into the glass. Drink.

(photo and recipe from foodnetwork.com)

Super Easy King Cake

Its almost time for Mardi Gras and here is a super easy King Cake recipe to make for the occasion.  My sister who lives in Fairhope, AL (in the middle of all the festivities) sent this to me and she is a master of Mardi Gras fun!  Thanks Hanna!

Butterfly Craze

I love butterflies!  Probably more than most people and I've noticed they are being used everywhere!  To decorate adult rooms, kids rooms, cakes, parties, etc. They are so pretty and delicate, why not use them everywhere?  They would also be lovely at bridal and baby showers.  Here are some great examples of how you can decorate with butterflies this Spring:

Floral Arrangements

 

Cake Decorations

 

Pillows

 

Bedding

And Parties (from HostessBlog)

 

Please click on the links for the where and how to.  These are just a few ideas, I hope they inspire you!

I need your help!

I have a joint 30th birthday celebration coming up in March and I'm designing three centerpieces.  The venue they are using is already fabulously decorated but they want to incorporate "30" into the decor.  So I was thinking centerpieces. 

The venue has a rustic, Spanish feel.  There are large branches with white lights intertwined in them, Spanish style furniture, cool unfinished floors and walls and large windows trimmed in white lights. It also has paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. 

The only birthday centerpieces I've found on-line are those metallic spray looking things and that's just not going to cut it here.  I would love to make something myself.  If anyone has ever seen any cool milestone birthday centerpieces, or made some yourself, please let me know!  So far I was thinking large white candles would go well with the decor but I do not know how to incorporate "30" into candles???

Thanks!

Football Centerpiece Idea

 

I found this recipe on Kraft Foods.com for Football Field Gelatin but I was thinking this would make an unique centerpiece for your table at your Super Bowl party.  Its easy and inexpensive too.

Football Field Gelatin

2-1/2 cups boiling water

3 pkg.  (4-serving size each) JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin

2-1/2 cups cold water

1 cup  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mixes in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Pour into 13x9-inch pan.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm.

USE whipped topping to draw "yard lines" on gelatin. Arrange toy football figures and decorations on gelatin. Store in refrigerator. 

Super Bowl Snack Recipe

Sorry I do not have a pic of this great idea from Rachel Ray, but I do have a link to a video to show you how to make these Chili Cheese Corn Muffins!  For sports parties I am all about finger foods.  Since most fans will be in front of the TV you don't want a lot of messy food in the living room right?  This recipe combines chili, cheese and cornbread in a handy muffin form.  It just doesn't get any better than that!

Also, be sure to check out my Football Fare category for many other great recipes just for this occasion.  The Buffalo Chicken Dip is a hit everywhere I take it.

Perfect for a Super Bowl Party

 

Head on over to Paper & Cake and purchase this fun and sporty game day download for your Super Bowl parties!  Only $5!  Its perfect for a sports gathering, especially around guys, you won't have to sweat it if it gets messed up. 

Here is what is included:

(easy) game day invitations
beer bottle charms (also double as cupcake picks)
pennant garland (we are including one pennant from each Super bowl team)
party food labels
wine glass tags
napkin rings

Makes me want to have a Super Bowl party just to order it!

(photo from Tangarang)

Cute Idea

Here is an easy Valentine's Day craft idea from AllYou.com:

 

Make a Valentine's Day canister

Tell someone you care with a sweet Valentine's Day treat.

1. Pick up small metal paint cans and plastic canisters of various sizes (available at craft and organization stores). Using two tablespoons, shape a few balls of store bought or home made chocolate chip cookie dough into different sizes (measure the opening of the containers to get a rough idea of what size cookie you'll need).

2. Bake according to recipe and let cool. Once cookies have cooled, try placing in canisters to find which size works best -- you'll want them to fit snugly inside without being forced.

3. Once you've determined which size cookie fits, use it as a guide to measure out remaining dough. Bake cookies, and allow to cool completely before stacking.

4. To decorate tins, cut festive pink, red and white wrapping or craft paper nto heart shapes of various sizes and adhere to tins with glue or double-sided tape. Decorate tin tops with more heart-shaped paper or gift tags.