Hostess with the Mostess®

Here’s a fun Halloween party idea that can be tailored to adults OR kids… Jello Jiggler “Bites” or “Shots” with gummy body parts trapped inside! I tried this idea both ways; the orange jigglers were non-alcoholic and the yellow ones were the “cocktail” version – utilizing water and vodka – and both worked out great!

You could do the “trapped gummy” thing with regular jello shots (served from shot glasses or plastic cups), but the “edible” idea sounded especially appropriate for a jiggler/shot that calls for a gummy candy inside… and I also love the idea of serving them up in neat rows on trays, “appetizer style“! Read More…

I’ve been receiving a lot of requests for downloadable versions of the posters from this Enchanted Fairy Birthday Party theme I did a while back, so…. here they are! I made a more “general” version of the “Happy Birthday” poster that could be used by anyone, and also created versions of the “number” poster in ages 1-5.

The individual designs can be downloaded below, and each .zip file includes both a 20×24″ and an 8×10″ sized jpeg (high-res). For the large posters (which will most likely need to be printed at a local print/copy shop) I’d recommend either mounting them on foam core or displaying them in a poster frame (all pictured below). Read More…

Ok, since we went for the extra-creepy cocktail look yesterday, here’s are a couple ideas for those of you that might not have the stomach for a “speared eyeball” garnish and like your Halloween libations on the “classier” side…

Both of these cocktails incorporate Blavod black vodka to achieve their perfectly Halloween-esque hue. Pictured at top is the Black Widow Martini, which is great with either blackberry or deep purple grape juice and a splash of Chambord (full recipe below).

And pictured below is the Screwed-up Shooter, which – you guessed it – is a layered OJ and black vodka shot!

Orange rimming sugar makes for a pretty presentation on these two-tone shooters, or you can also garnish them with a clip-on black spider like this: Read More…

Halloween is supposed to come with a little shock factor, right? That’s my excuse for this next creepy cocktail: Pina Ghouladas served in “blood rimmed” glasses and garnished with “bleeding eyeballs”.  I promise they taste way better than they sound! =)

The from-scratch drink recipe is below, or you can keep things easy and just use frozen or pre-mixed pina colada mix. Entertaining little ones or non-drinkers? Just leave out the alcohol!

Full recipe & garnish details below… Read More…

Looking for a fun Halloween cocktail? Here’s one we whipped up last night – the Jack-o’-Lantern! The cocktail recipe is below, but you can really achieve this look with any of your favorite orange-colored cocktails or drinks. This would even be cute with straight-up O.J. for a Halloween breakfast!

It’s really all about the “Pumpkin Top” garnish and using a short tumbler or rocks glass to allude to the shape of a jack-o-lantern. A stemless wine glass would actually work well too!

Full details below… Read More…

Winner Update: This giveaway is now closed. Thanks so much for all the great recommendations! I’m going to compile a list for everyone from them soon!  And the 3 random winners of the drawing are… Commenters #94 – Grace, #15 – April, and #116 – Barb. Congrats, ladies! We’ll be contacting you via email to coordinate your prize =)

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I’ve been on a bit of a party/entertaining book kick lately, and am already bracing for the exasperated looks I’m going to get when my husband sees the multiple Amazon shipments start rolling in later this week… =)

And for those of you that can feel me on this obsession, here’s a fun new giveaway just for you… we’ve got THREE author-signed copies of a truly fabulous entertaining book – the creative DIY read by Maria McBride called Party Basics for New Nesters – up for grabs! Want one?

A few projects from this book are featured above; click here for even more info & images from an earlier post. And really, the projects in this book should appeal to anyone that loves to entertain at home, not necessarily just “new nesters”!

How to Enter: Read More…