Stock the Bar Shower

Well the party went wonderful! I could not have asked for it to go any smoother. We had a great turn out and a great time.
These first photos are of how I prepare for a party. I like to set up the night before. I take out all of the serving pieces and label them with a post-it of what will be going on that tray. This makes it so easy when enlisting the help of others. They are able to help without having to keep asking "where do you want this?". The next photos are just of our buffets and drink table. In one photo you will see how we framed the invitation and put it out. I used the color scheme of the invitation for the rest of the decor...flowers, tablecloths, cupcakes(which using my crate and barrel cupcake tree create a centerpiece all their own), napkins, plates, and even the punch. If you are interested in any of the recipes just ask! I would be happy to post them!

This weekend I am hosting my mom for the WHOLE weekend! I am so excited! Sadly I hurt my back Sunday from cleaning up from Saturdays shindig so I am hoping by Friday I will be able to get the house prepared for Mom....

Easy and Quick Meal

So I haven' t posted in two weeks---so sorry!

Last week we had an impromptu super bowl party--just a few friends over to watch the game--GO SAINTS! But since it was last minute I need something quick and fast to make. I love the croc pot--its a life saver. So take one pork tenderloin, your favorite bbq sauce and a jar of salsa. Cook on high for 4 hours if you need it fast or slow for 8-10 hours. Take out, shred with a fork, and return to sauce on warm. Serve on rolls with your favorite sides.

The easiest thing in the entire world--one pork tenderloin serves 4 people. Hope it becomes a go to recipe for dinners and parties.

We are hosting a couples shower this weekend so there will be many stories, tips, etc to come from that.

Have a great week!

Chandelier

SO Lee's parents, Joe and Cathy, bought us a Chandelier for our kitchen for Christmas and its finally up!!

Since we do not have a dining room--something I know regret--I was trying to dress up our eat-in-kitchen and this Chandelier is the most prefect thing ever--casual enough for the kitchen but enough dressy to jazz it up a bit---it is from potterybarn.com if you are interested.

Baby Gift

So I love to theme any gift---and when given the theme thats even better! So I wanted to think of a creative and useful way to wrap my gift to a friend for her baby shower. So I bought a laundry hamper to match the colors of her nursery and put all the gifts in there so the container becomes a gift in itself.

This can be done for so many things--find great baskets to wrap up hostess gifts that can be used as picnic baskets...a storage container that your crafty friend can use to store her favorite crafts, a jar for your friend who cooks and include all the dry ingredients to your favorite recipe to give.

Here's a photo of the gift!

Couples Shower

I am planning a couples shower with a friend and this is the menu we have come up with. We want to be very relaxed, and casual.

- Chicken Buffalo Dip
- Chicken Fingers with various dips--this will make the chicken fingers not so ordinary--this works for lots of foods to update them.
- Cheeseburger Dip--always a hit will post the recipe!
- White Pizza Dip with Crostini--another party pleaser--will post recipe
- Sausage Balls--just quick and easy--these can actually be made in advance and frozen up to 3 months
- Fancy Pigs-in-a-Blanket with various dips--was thinking of a mustard dip and bbq dip, what do yall think??

Also going to make a Rasberry Lemonade Cocktail that is FAB!


One thing I need help with is flowers...what are some good flowers in February for some small flower arrangements?

I will post recipes and pictures of the shower!

All for tonight,
ACS