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Check out more photos of this vintage wedding with a warm and colorful reception at AnnPaul Photographers
Cactus Candle Favors found here
Cupcake Wrappers found here
Free Printable Love Bird Cupcake Toppers
2" in Size
popups must be enabled to view and print PDF file CLICK HERE
All of these DIY Wedding projects can be accomplished by anybody of any skill level, and April with April Foster Events truly shows that a wedding is not about the size of your budget, but the size of your creative imagination.
Using fabric for inspiration it can be scanned and traced into a printable file to use.
For DIY instructions for the pinwheels, Chocolate-dipped Rice Krispy Treats, fabric covered lampshades, framed matted photos, and escort card door display visit Elizabeth Anne Designs.
Accent the Party and celebrate Bastille Day by make this Eiffel Tower cookie sundae. To find the original recipe, click HERE, click on "downloads" and search for the little white, lidded jar on the left hand side of the kitchen and click. Or for a shortcut: Find the pdf with instructions HERE
If you are interested in making these lovelies..check out the tutorial on Glorious Treats...wouldn't your party guests be surprised by your creativity.
FREE Printable Hydrangea Bunting
popups must be enable to view and print PDF file click here
Today we are happy to have The Crafty Chemist join us with this fun and whimsical giveaway. In the next 2 weeks a lucky Party Blog reader will win a $30.00 Gift Certificate to be used at The Crafty Chemist towards any purchase on their site. Perfect for Mardi Gras or or Ball Theme Wedding or Party.
To enter the contest, please visit The Crafty Chemist and then come back here to leave a comment {or thought} from their online shop. The contest runs thru Sunday July 25th (midnight), with a winner being selected on Monday July 26th. Please be sure to leave your email address on the comment form so we can email you if you're the lucky winner. PS: don't forget to share this post with all your friends and check your Spam folder for emails in case you turn out to be the lucky winner.
Contest prize: $30.00 Gift Certificate at The Crafty Chemist Contest Deadline: Sunday July 25th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST Contest Question to Answer: What is your favorite product{s} from the The Crafty Chemist shop?Click on the "Comment" link below to leave your answer. The Crafty Chemist will contacted with the winners name so you can obtain your Gift Certificate when you are ready to contact them and make your purchase..
LUVIN this inspiration from runway fashion trends, textures and patterns, boutique shop windows and vintage interiors of bygone eras for a wedding. Finding some great ideas here for a wedding.
Accent any event with these new favor kits from Accent the Party....great for filling with any treating you think your wedding party guests might enjoy!!
LUVIN this chic yet inexpensive wedding inspiration... JL Designs put together a beautiful table top using string pendants. They blew up a balloon, wraped it with string, slathered it in fabric stiffener, let it dry, and then popped the balloon - SUPER cheap and SUPER different...
The Love Letter Opener Favors were found at Accent the Party.
1. Preheat the oven to 210˚C. Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Spread the sugar over one of the trays and place in the oven for roughly 5 minutes, or until the sugar starts caramelising slightly around the edges.
3. While the sugar is in the oven, place the egg whites in a free standing mixer. Start whisking the eggs on a high speed just before you take the sugar out of the oven.
4. Lift the parchment paper containing the sugar up from the tray and slowly start pouring the hot sugar into the mixing bowl. Allow to whisk for 8 minutes. Place the used parchment back on the tray. Turn the oven temperature down to 90˚C.
5. Place mixture in a piping bag and pipe small rounds (roughly 5cm) onto the two baking trays. You should have some meringue left in the bowl, save this for later.
6. Place the tray in the coolest part of your oven (mine is at the lowest level) and bake for roughly 2 hours, or until the meringue is quite hard to the touch. Turn the oven off and allow the meringue to cool in the oven. This helps in drying them out further.
7. Once the meringues have cooled to room temperature, place a dollop of the soft meringue (you can add some colouring to it, I used some drops of fresh raspberry juice) that you saved in the bowl, onto the bottom of one meringue and place another meringue on top of that. Press gently together. Serve on rose petals.
Yes, summer is coming and so are the fantasies of being on a beach somewhere. Here's a great way to accent a tropical party for your guests.
Recipe of Pink Bikini
The recipe makes 10 cups
Ingredients
1 bottle of raspberry lemonade
3/4 cups of coconut rum
1 cup of amaretto liqueur
Preparation
Combine the raspberry lemonade, coconut rum, and amaretto liqueur in a large pitcher.
Stir well, and serve over ice or in half cut coconuts.
How to crack open a coconut....
Hold your coconut in one hand over a sink or bowl to catch the liquid that comes out. Tap firmly in the center of the coconut with a hammer, rotating and tapping along the equator. You might have to rotate the coconut several times before a fissure appears and then break the coconut open.
Courtesy of Coastal Living
BIRCH COVERED POTS:
Materials:
Terra cotta pots in various sizes
Sheets of birch bark Floral scissors
Hot glue gun
Directions:
1. Break the birch bark into manageable sized pieces (4 or 5 inches long), with jagged edges. (Breaking it by hand, instead of with scissors, will give it jagged edges.)
2. Glue the pieces onto a terra cotta pot, slightly overlapping the edges of the bark (minimizing harsh edges).
3. Using floral scissors, cut strips of bark and glue around the top edge of the pot. Tip: Birch bark is very malleable, but some pieces are thicker than others. If you find that your strip of birch bark is too thick, carefully peel off a layer or two from the back side.
Good Earth Tip: Only use birch bark that’s taken from fallen trees.
These look so delicious and refreshing.....Pomegranate Green Tea Cupcakes....try serving these delights at your next event....
Pomegranate Green Tea Cupcakes
12 cupcakes / 350 degree oven
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoons green tea (matcha) powder
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1. Beat butter on high until soft, about 30 seconds.
2. Add sugar. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add egg/egg yolk one at a time, beat for 30 seconds between each.
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and matcha in a bowl.
5. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.
6. Fold in pomegranate seeds.
7. Scoop into cupcake cups about 2/3s full.
Bake for 22-25 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.
For the rest of the recipe visit Cupcake Blog
Looking for some tropical wedding inspiration. I'm luvin this design with Tropical sunset orange & yellow orchids. Thanks to Designs by Hemingway for sharing.
Looking for ideas for A Spring Tea...can't wait things are colorful and warm again. Decor Photos
Flower Pen Favors, Cupcake Wrappers and Watering Can Candle Favors found at Accent the Party
Free Printable Valentine Cupcake Picks
Accent the tables with festive cupcake picks for your guests
Open the PDF file with one of the links below and print out on cardstock.
If you're looking for free party supplies and decorations to accent the party with....
Free printable paper chinese laterns Part 3....
How to Make these Laterns
A.. Choose your design from any of the links below and Print out picture
B. Fold the paper in half and cut along the lines
C. Open the paper and tape, staple or glue the left and right edges together. Tape a piece of string or cut out construction paper to the top of the lantern and hang it anywhere you like. You can also make several lanterns with different designs, then hang them on a long string across the room to make a parade of lanterns.
If you still have the time accent the holiday gathering with these cute candy cane cupcakes with xmas trees.....how cute! These will surely delight your guests with holiday cheer.
To decorate these cupcakes, you’ll need:
Cupcakes
Sugar Cones
White Candy Melts
White Sugar crystals
Frosting
Pink Sugar crystals
Candy Canes
Fondant
Icing colors (I used Wilton Dusty Rose & )
Snowflake Sprinkles
Confetti Sprinkles
Cut off the ends of the sugar cones so the tree section is around 3 inches long. Use a serrated knife to carefully cut through the cone without shattering it.
Dip the cone sections in melted white candy coating. If you use a tall plastic cup, it will be easier to coat the entire cone.
Remove and let excess coating fall off.
Sprinkle some white sugar crystals or sanding sugar over entire surface of the cone. Sprinkle over a large bowl and you can reuse the sprinkles.
Set on wax paper to dry completely. When dry, you can redip the bottoms to make sure the cone is completely coated.
Use 6 inch long candy canes and break the handles off so you are left with a straight piece that's around 5 inches long.
Cover the cupcakes with tinted pink frosting.
Fill a small dish with the pink sugar crystals or sanding sugar and press the cupcake tops into the dish until the entire surface is covered with sugar cyrstals.
Dip one end of the candy cane in some of the melted candy coating and insert the other end straight into the cupcake.
Place a Christmas Tree on top of the candy cane and let the candy coating dry and work like a glue.
If you want decorations, it would be a good idea to add them before you attach the tree. Just dot a small amount of coating on the surface and attach a colored sprinkle.
For presents, tint white fondant and shape the fondant into small squares by hand. Then use some of the white fondant, roll it out and use a knife to cut thin strips for ribbon. Attach the white fondant ribbon to the presents with a small dab of water. Then attach the snowflake sprinkles the same way.
Remember, use dense cupcakes instead of light and fluffy ones so the trees will not want to tip.
Or skip the candy canes, use the entire sugar cone and make big trees. Then you won’t have to worry.
HOW CUTE and a great way to accent the Christmas or Holiday party for your guests!
All you need is..... Cheese Balls:
Base: 6.5 ounces of cheese (Pepper Medley)
Middle: 4 ounces of cheese (Spinich and Artichoke)
Head: 2.5 ounces of cheese (Light Cucumber Dill)
Find the "how to's" at Fahrenheit 350
Place the crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.
1 (8.5-oz.) jar of drained and halved sun dried tomatoes
1/2 cup of olive oil
3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
Garnish: flat-leaf parsley sprigs or fresh rosemary stems
Preparation
1. Cut the blocks of cheese into 1 inch cubes and arrange the cheese cubes and tomato halves in an 8-inch square baking dish.
2. Whisk together 1/2 cup of olive oil, chopped parsley, and next 6 ingredients and then pour evenly over cheese cubes. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Transfer the mixture to a serving plate. Garnish with fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, or spear tomato halves and cheese cubes with short rosemary stems, if desired. Drizzle with marinade, if desired
Gorgonzola Truffles
Ingredients
4 ounces of softened cream cheese
1 (4-oz.) container of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
2 teaspoons of finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon
Apple and pear slices
Grapes
Preparation
1. Beat the first 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until they are well combined. Cover tightly and chill for at least 1 hour or until firm (can chill up to 3 days).
2. Roll the cheese mixture into 3/4 inch round balls. Roll each ball in bacon. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve. If chilled, let stand 30 minutes before serving. Serve with apple and pear slices and grapes.
Mini Caprese Bites
Ingredients
1 pt. of halved grape tomatoes
10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds*
32 (4-inch) wooden skewers**
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.
2. Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste.
*1 (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, may be substituted.
**Wooden picks may be substituted.
Feta Cheese Truffles
Ingredients
4 ounces of softened cream cheese
1 (4-oz.) container of crumbled feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons of finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley
Cucumber slices
Grape tomatoes
Kalamata olives
Whole almonds
Preparation
1. Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until well combined. Cover mixture tightly, and chill at least 1 hour or until firm (can chill up to 3 days).
2. Roll cheese mixture into 3/4-inch-round balls. Roll each ball in parsley. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve. If chilled, let stand 30 minutes before serving. Serve with cucumber slices, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives, and whole almonds.
How cute are these and they would be a great addition to any holida party this season. I just couldn't bear to keep this cool polar family a secret any longer. Here's how to make your own adorable trio, starting with Mama Bear via familyfun.go.com.
Lovin this modern and chic poppy theme party I found at In The Now Weddings. The color pallet of poppy pink and yummy warm orange against a stale slate grey backdrop really works for this outdoor party.
FREE....just print on cardstock or adhesive paper, cut or punch out, glue onto picks and WHALAAH! Use them for cupcake toppers, sandwich picks or other food item picks, or you can use as stickers to put on Halloween Candy Bags and other Halloween craft products. 2 inches in size.
Make sure you popups are enabled to open a PDF page.
LOVIN this Parisian Countryside Wedding I found at Veranda. The wedding is Inspired by an 18th century pastoral festival, the fête champêtre. New York interior designer and stylist Kelly d'Halluin brought the inspiration to life for her own elegant wedding reception.
Find lots of ideas at this gallery to turn an ordinary sandwich into a fun way to accent the party with.
Check out Funky Lunch for more ideas to delight your guests with.
I'm lovin all the bright colors and ideas with this fun Mad Hatter Tea Party!
She used placesettings that consisted of plastic pink chargers, black ceramic plates with white polk dots, giant metal flower and ribbon napkin rings with chartruse napkins and black and white Cheshire cat mugs. The placecard holders were of butterflies in pots and she made the name cards on the computer.
Party Wishes did this one and they did a great job! Would have love to of attended this one...
Let the veggies entertain by displaying them in unique and fun ways.
Make a Mr. Tomato Head by hollowing out a tomato and saving the top slice. Fill them with cooked couscous mix, top with shredded basil, and cover partially with the reserved tomato top, as shown. Next rest black olive slices on the tomato ledge for eyes. Cut a piece of provolone cheese in the shape of a mouth and place it right on the tomato.
Serve Cucumber Water
Cut slices of cantaloupe in the shape of a flower. Thread the melon and cucumber slices onto a toothpick, coffee stirrer, or skewer and put them in a glass of cold water. Garnish with mint.
Ideas and Photos courtesy of Parents.com
12 ounces (one bottle) of ginger beer
36 ounces (three bottles) of cream soda
3 T of butterscotch ice cream topping
Thoroughly chill the unopened ginger beer and cream soda in the refrigerator until they are icy cold. Refrigerate the empty glass pitcher as also. Once the beverages are chilled, in a small mixing bowl or tall glass, stir 1-2 ounces of cream soda into the butterscotch topping until it's thoroughly combined. Pour all the remaining soda into the chilled pitcher. Quickly add the butterscotch mixture to the pitcher. Stir until it is just combined - do not over stir. Pour it over the ice and serve them immediately. This recipe serves 6.
To add a frothy sparkle to the drinks, dip the rim of each glass in corn syrup, pulling drips of syrup downward with a toothpick. Then dip each glass rim in a mixture of colored sugar. Before dipping, spread the corn syrup & sugar mixture each onto a separate, flat-bottomed plate.
Use these cute miniature Firebolts I found to add a bit of magical accent to your favorite Harry Potter party drink. You can also use the broom handles to skewer together some of your favorite tasty morsels that threaten to scurry away on the dessert table at the Halloween Party.
Broomstick Picks
Materials Needed
Raffia
Wooden skewers
Colored embroidery floss
Brown thread
1. Assorted decorative papers
2. Scissors
3. Glue - a glue stick works best for most papers
4. Wooden skewers or drink stirrers
5. Alphabet stickers - should coordinate with papers
Here's a cute way to accent the party with this cute DIY project...personalized drink stirrers. It seems relatively easy...don't you think?
Great for a baby shower or bridal shower, this retro color palette of yellow, white and grey will add a chic touch to the special event.
Use vintage vases filled with mums and sunflowers.
Find the recipe for the cute Marzipan Bumblebees at Marth's site.
Purchase the muffin pans to make the coconut cakes at Sur La Table
Find all the other DIY tips for this event at Lolli Blog
Offer your guests a candy buffett....
Lolliblog will be following up in the near future with a post on DIY instructions for the marzipan bees, the yarn and the ribbon chandeliers, floral arrangements and the table linens. So stay tuned.
Photos courtesy of Lolliblog via Jasmine Marie
This is a fun party exchanging chocolate recipes and who doesn't like chocolate? I found this theme idea at Parties and Holiday's Blog.
Make your own napkin ring holders with cardstock circle punches
Try serviing Milk Chocolate Chai Mousse. You find the recipe at Dove Chocolate Discoveries. Try offering caramel apples dipped in chocolate as a treat for the party. Skewer the miniature apples on rustic birch branches if you have some in the yard, for a modern and chic interpretation of a childhood favorite. Dip the apples in caramel and chocolate and then roll them in Chocolate Covered Almonds or your favorite plain nuts or sprinkles for a yummy dessert or snack. Finish them off with a sprinkle of your favorite dusting powder for an added flavor kick
Fill a glass or vase with Hershey Kisses and have your guests guess how many are in the vase or glass for a prize.
You can find these pretty blue party supplies at Target.
Floral Design: Nobutama Floral Studio
Flowers: Hydrangea, Vandalia roses, stargazer lilies, sea shells and starfish
Linens: BBJ Linen
Photographed By: The Studios of Joseph Guidi
Decorations for your Bohemian party can be as simple or as ornate as you desire. A combination of green and orange add a graceful motif. This theme boasts a lot of fun and it's that time of year to entertain outside. Most items here I found at zGallerie. I love the Taj Laterns in orange, turquoise, green and fuschia. Accent the area with Columnea Orange Sherbet flowers. These large orange flowers are produced all year on a vigorous trailing plant.
Serve a Green Flash with 1 ounce of vodka, 1/2 ounce of Peach Schnapps, 1/2 ounce of Blue Curacao, 3 ounces of orange juice, 3 ounces of sprite and ice. Your guests can lean back, savor the special evening and enjoy.
It's going to warm outside so serve your guests Green Tea Ice Cream to cool down with.
I just love the color combination. Being from SW Florida, these colors are right up my alley.
Use Hydrangea, vendella roses and cymbidium orchids to accent the tables with.
Serve a cool refreshing cocktail like the Strawberry Basil Margaritas:
2 ounces of tequila (1 oz = a shot)
1/2 cup of strawberry simple syrup*
juice of 2 limes
splash of Cointreau (substitute any other orange-flavored liquor)
2 Teaspoon of fresh basil, chopped roughly
To mix the drinks, place the basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker (or large cup). Pour in the tequila. Mash the basil leaves into the tequila, so as to release the flavor. Fill the shaker with ice, then add strawberry syrup, lime juice, Cointreau. Cover and shake, then strain out into glasses. Garnish with sliced strawberries and basil.
To make the strawberry simple syrup:
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
4-5 strawberries, sliced
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the strawberries look exhausted. Cool the syrup, then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing the strawberries firmly to extract all liquid. Store in a bottle or jar in the fridge-will keep for up to 2 months. (Recipe courtesy of Blue Jean Gourmet)
If this doesn't inspire you when it comes to spring garden parties, I don't know what will. Thanks to Sandy at Quill Cottage for sharing. Can I come over for tea?? I love her blog!!
Use semi sweet chocolate and balloons that are on the smaller side with no writing on them.
Now you can serve them with just about anything inside. For further information and instructions visit Paula's blog at Bellalimento courtesy of Kristy at The Wicked Noodle.
Linnae Asiel and Jonathan Michael of Asiel Design were inspired by more than one theme when they created this event design called Modern Sensuality. They say It represents the merging of two worlds or ideas into one piece. “Masculine, modern, black or dark, and sculptural, with bold vases, clean lines, and pave,” they convey, “And then the feminine: soft, sensual, sophisticated, bright, vintage, and glamourous.” I love this color palette for a wedding!!!
Here's a cute idea from Watermelon.org that your guests are sure to love on a hot day!
What you’ll need to make them:
8 cupcake liners
8 cupcake shaped pieces of seedless watermelon, (see below)
2 cups pineapple cream cheese frosting
Sprinkles for garnish
How to make these:
Place the liners in an 8 cup cupcake tin. Cut 3 inch thick slices of seedless watermelon. Cut round cupcake sized pieces from the slices. Put a watermelon cupcake in each liner. Place a dollop of frosting on each cupcake. Decorate as desired with sprinkles. Serves 8.
Why not try transporting your wedding party guests to the eastern shores for this Nantucket Nautical style clambake where sea foam and cherry colored beachy decor set the tone for this laid back DIY nautical event.
Keep in mind cable knit, the Kennedy's and the Coca Cola Classics for this all Americana inspired palette. Use glossy red willow branches and red coral for the evening and bring the fun event to a dramatic new height for your guests. Use small bud vases and embellish them with the same ribbon used on the main centerpiece to tie the table together. You can fill them with any flower you want, from inexpensive red carnations to bright red peonies.
Trees, wood and birds are a common theme throughout this love bird wedding theme such as spruce and birch. They represent life and growth. Choose chocolate brown and chartreuse and moss green with this color scheme.
I found this cute idea at La Fuji Mama and though I'd share it with our readers....little bite sandwiches dressed up as cupcakes. So simple and can be used at baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, weddings and other special events.
Bright colors like yellow and black will give your table an ultra modern appearance that could work for any special event, whether it's a baby shower, a cocktail party or a wedding reception! Grandeur, beauty and glamour seems to be the inspiration for this deco type table setting! The mirror placemats add a sense of elegance and a small table runner of wrapping paper on top of a striped table runner gives it a Palm Springs Deco. I love this color palatte!
Here's a simple idea from Country Living. What an easy and elegant way to accent the tables when entertaining or having a wedding reception.
photo credit: Frances Janisch
Make starched doily baskets by shaping a basket, soaking the doily in liquid starch, squeezing out excess starch, and placing the doily over an inverted glass bowl covered in waxed paper. Dry it one to three days, depending on humidity and walla!!
Being from SW Florida, this wedding seashell galmour setting is one of my favorite inspirations. I love the black and cream color combination with the rose centerpieces. It just looks so glamourous and up to date. I have tons of seashells around the house that I have gathered out on Sanibel and Captiva Island....now I know what do to with them....use them on my own table.
I love the mix of ostrich feathers with this wedding decor...sooo elegant. Blooms by Martha Andrews knows how to make each wedding unique. If you're in California, you most definitely should look her up!
This inspires me to be young again. Perfect for a wedding, Sweet 16 party or a Quincenera. I love the chair covers! It reminds me of when I was a ballerina with the pink tutu.
Courtesy of Ceremony Magazine
Flowers: Peonies, Roses, and hydrangea
Rentals: Unique Tabletop Rentals, Chameleon Chair
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Location: Pacific Design Center
Photographed By: Anderson Photography
Happy times with your party guests call for fun and cheerful cupcakes that everyone will love. Cupcakes are easier to serve than cake and require no slicing, no plates, and no utensils - and everyone gets their fair share of icing.
I found 4 fun birthday cupcake ideas from Martha Stewart that I thought I'd share with you. My favorite is the Shark and Beach Cupcakes seeing that I live in SW Florida of course.
I live in SW Florida and I heard on the news last night that bookings for July weddings are higher than normal in the past years.....WHY???....it's hot people!!
Well this South Beach wedding decor by Ceremony Magazine inspired me with it's bright aqua and Florida orange hues. With the ambiance of Miami South Beach, I'm sure your wedding party guests won't mind the July heat so much while they celebrate your special day.
I like to try new cocktails whenever I get the chance. Between my busy work schedule with my business and the family over the years, it has become harder and harder to be able to enjoy an evening with a yummy new drink. During a recent wedding over this past weekend at Sanibel Island, my husband and I were able to enjoy some much needed time to relax with friends and enjoy a cocktail. A chocolate cocktail....and it was so good it inspired me to find some recipes to use at home.
Below are 3 chcoolate martinis I found at Dove Chocolate Discoveries. I'm absolutely positive they will wooo your wedding guests.
1. CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MARTINI
ingredients 1 lemon slice,
¼ DOVE Chocolate Discoveries™ (DCD)
Chef Series Dark Chocolate bar - shredded,
2 tablespoons raw sugar,
8-10 ice cubes,
4-5 tablespoons espresso - chilled,
1 shot DCD Chocolate Martini Mix,
1 shot vodka - chilled
preparation
1. Using the lemon slice, wipe the rim of a martini glass.
2. Using the DCD Dessert Decorator, shred chocolate bar into a small bowl and add the sugar. Mix well.
3. Dip martini glass in mixture and roll to coat rim.
4. Drop ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and add espresso, Martini Mix and vodka. Shake for 20 seconds and strain into rimmed glass.
2. CHOCOLATE TURTLE MARTINI
ingredients
1 DOVE Chocolate Discoveries™ (DCD) Chef Series Dark Chocolate bar - melted and/or tempered,
DCD Cocoa Powder,
2 ounces vanilla vodka,
2 ounces DCD Chocolate Martini Mix,
2 ounces pecan-flavored liqueur,
2 cups crushed ice,
1 jar caramel ice cream topping,
1 toasted pecan - for garnish,
1 DCD Chocolate Ruffle - for garnish
preparation
1. Rim your favorite martini glass in tempered chocolate or cocoa powder. (You can also try drizzling some caramel sauce and melted chocolate on the inside of the glass for an elegant design.) Set martini glass aside.
2. Shake the vodka, martini mix, and praline liqueur in a martini shaker with ice to chill. (Fill the martini glass almost full with crushed or shaved ice, being careful not to touch the rim.)
3. Strain drink into the martini glass, and garnish with a toasted pecan and/or chocolate ruffle.
3. CREAMSICLE MARTINI
ingredients
2 ounces mandarin orange-flavored vodka,
2 ounces DOVE Chocolate Discoveries™ (DCD) Chocolate Martini Mix,
1 ounce Irish Cream,
1 ounce light cream or half and half,
1 cup ice, Optional garnishes:,
Chocolate-covered strawberry,
DCD Chef Series Dark Chocolate,
Chocolate-covered pretzel rod
preparation
1. Shake the vodka, martini mix, Irish Cream and light cream in a martini shaker with ice to chill.
2. Pour into a 12-ounce martini glass, and garnish as desired.
Accent the Party and impress your guests with a great focal point for your next party table with one of these watermelon baskets. Watermelon baskets are a fun and very practical way to serve fresh fruit to your guests. Watermelon baskets can be a great hit at parties, weddings and picnics. Here are some great ideas from ClassBrian.com and they have instructions on how to make each watermelon basket.
Watermelons come in many different varieties like red, green or yellow flesh and also seeded or seedless varieties. If you are going to use the fruit scooped out from your watermelon basket creation, consider buying a seedless variety.
If you're not very creative in the kitchen or want to bring a dish to a party, consider ordering one from Carved Creations. Use their masterful team of International Carvers from Carved Creations? to sculpt away at your perfect day.
