Archive for the ‘ENTERTAINING’ Category

Posted on November 19, 2010 - by Brie

My Favorite Cookie Cutters

In honor of the fact that Oprah is having her ‘Favorite Things’ episode today I figured that I would round up something a little smaller – some of my favorite cookie cutters – for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Obviously at least one of the above does not require actual baking and while I really do love to mix, roll out, cut, bake and decorate there are times that I only want to decorate. So skipping steps is just fine in my book!

clockwise from top left: pre-baked gingerbread tree kit $10; copper elf cookie cutter $9.75; owl cookie cutter $16.50; bear in stocking cookie cutter $35; star wars cookie cutters (set of 4) $20; squirrel cookie cutter $13; christmas roll and cut cookie cutter $8

I also found these lovely cookie baking pans…so you can mix, bake and decorate without the hassle of having to grab the rolling pins and cookie cutters! I really love these and honestly tend to prefer them when baking since so many times sugar cookies can spread so easily on just a sheet pan.

left to right: christmas cookie pan $12; snowflake cookie pan $13

Finally, in case you just can’t find a cookie cutter to your specific liking…or you just have a fabulous idea for a cookie cutter you can have your own copper cookie cutter made from Copper Cutters!

Cheers to holiday baking!

Posted on November 16, 2010 - by Brie

PUMPKIN BUTTER DESSERT SQUARES

I have made these dessert squares for Thanksgiving for the past I-don’t-know-how-many-years and they are absolutely delicious (and super easy). I usually don’t even like pumpkin that much…but these are amazing! I use the Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter and usually run out at the last minute and grab some from Williams-Sonoma or if you have time you can order it from the Muirhead website. Enjoy!

Pecan Pumpkin Butter Dessert Squares

1 Package yellow cake mix; set aside one cup
1/2 C Melted Butter
3 Large Eggs
1 Jar Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter
2 T Milk
1 T Flour
2 T Sugar
1/4 C Softened Butter
1 t Cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Divide the yellow cake mix, placing all but one cup in a mixing bowl. Stir the melted butter and one egg into the cake mix. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13” pan. Mix the jar of Pecan Pumpkin Butter with two eggs and milk. Pour this result over the cake mix. Stire the reserved cup of cake mix with the flour, sugar, softened butter and cinnamon. Mix together until crumbly. Sprinkle over top of the pumpkin layer. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Serves approx 24.

Finally, if you are looking for a great hostess gift for an autumn treat you can even give the ingredients or the actual dessert squares in this lovely baker from Crate & Barrel.

Posted on November 10, 2010 - by Brie

perfect postcards

So I am sure everyone else probably knows about this site but I just found it and these fabulous postcards. The Felt & Wire Shop is a curated marketplace of designer papergoods. They have note cards, stationery, posters, invitations, etc from lots of different vendors…It’s like Etsy – except only for papergoods. It is my new heaven!

I am particularly in love with the postcards pictured above… BIG, GRAPHIC, SIMPLE & FUN. Everything a postcard should be just to let someone know you are thinking about them. So since I will be ordering some of these…who wants a postcard?

Posted on November 3, 2010 - by Brie

Glowing Planters

These planters from Rotoluxe are so cool. Not only are they made out of 100% recycled plastics – like water bottles and milk jugs – but they glow and are oh so exciting. You can order them in lots of sizes, shapes and colors – in case a custom pantone color  is more of what you are looking for. Plus how fun would it be to have these lighting up your backyard for a party – I understand we are in the middle of fall, however, it is currently really hot in orange county so I thinking of pools. Also, a backyard party is not the only option…

Another Option One – Thanksgiving is coming and having a few in a cluster by your front door accompanied by pumpkins and scarecrows would definitely be inviting to your guests as they arrive for dinner.

Another Option Two – These would probably be really cool in red and white with pine trees in them lining your driveway for a Christmas party. Just thinking of that makes me want to have a really long driveway and lots of Christmas parties.

At any rate – amazing planters…They are going on my Christmas Wish List.

Posted on June 2, 2010 - by Brie

craft: chocolate bar wrappers

this post is a little late after the event. but hey. so my sister is getting married in eighteen days (aack!) and so in april when everyone was around we had a little bridal shower. i was put in charge of favors – and given that the majority of women in my family are addicted to chocolate – i thought what better than chocolate as a favor!

so i ran (yes ran ) over and picked up some hershey’s bars (you have to get the bigger bars because the smaller ones are wrapped in plastic instead of foil). after carefully removing the wrappers i set up the layout in publisher and got to work designing. then i was off to the copy store to make multiple copies (i was not going to deplete my printer ink). and finally used double sided tape to secure the wrapper ends.

i was so pleased with how these turned out. and i definitely think that i will be using these for future showers and gifts

Posted on May 18, 2010 - by Brie

super cute letterpress

i love love love cute letterpress. and the cards from copper willow super cute. copper willow started in 2006 when two friends wanted to be able to work and raise their own kids. not only does copper willow treasure family but they also are super green and make some awesome products that don’t hurt the environment. which makes you feel even better to send a card. two new lines of cards are even made from recycled cotton t-shirts! go check them out. and for those of you in the la area…they are in culver city

Posted on April 7, 2010 - by Brie

gift of the mouse

i am not a fan of mice in my house.  but this adorable paddling mouse candleholder from wisteria would be an exception for me. and i think this would be such a cute little gift or just such a nice nicknack [like i need more things around my house]. but really…i love this little mouse.

Posted on April 6, 2010 - by Brie

dazzle easter eggs

thanks to my momma for purchasing these dazzle gems from two’s company. because of her i colored some wonderful eggs and then dazzled them up with the stick-on gems…

these eggs would be perfect for a easter centerpiece and i really want to have a late easter party just so i can have these as a centerpiece. they were really fun to color and next year i am going to have to color them and then blow out the yolks [instead of hard boiling them] so that i will not be as sad when i have to crack them to make egg salad.

Posted on April 6, 2010 - by Brie

wedding: bachelorette invitations

since these will be hitting the mailbox tomorrow morning i feel like it is finally safe to post them on the blog. i have postponed this in order to surprise the guests but i am just tired of waiting so here they are.

i had so much fun making these invitations for britt’s bachelorette party at the end of this month. they were really not that difficult to make… with scrapbook paper i already had, paper templates i made, 50 cent ribbon and some scissors these were put together in no time… and they were definitely cost effective. my favorite part now is that i finally gave in and purchased envelope liner templates from paper source so i could make the cute striped liner for the invitation. and on the back the invitation has all the information about the party on red paper that matches the ribbons. more posts to come on all the party planning!

Posted on March 30, 2010 - by Brie

spring has sprung invitations

spring has sprung all around me. the blossoming trees. the blooming wildflowers. the brilliant sunshine. and to celebrate we are having a dinner party on friday night. i couldn’t just send an evite…so paper invitations were sent. i had so much fun making these (i want to use these translucent envelopes all the time). and i love these invitations because of how clean and crisp they are…just like spring. and now since they have been sent out i better go plan the menu. yay for spring!