Saturday, December 24, 2011

A great reminder....

I love Christmas.  It is so easy to get caught up in the gifting and fun celebrations around the holiday.  I read this at my parents house the other day and thought it was a great reminder that I needed.
I hope everyone has a blessed weekend with the ones they love.



Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Cupcakes galore!

This weekend I hosted a cupcake swap.  Last year I had a cookie swap and this year I thought I wanted a new theme to plan a party around.  I may or may not have gone a little crazy with the theme.
This year I got a mini flocked tree and decorated it for the party.
I had found the adorable "sprinkle" fabric at JoAnn months ago and knew it had to be used at the party.
My mom whipped up this ruffled tree skirt for me.





Each girl got a "goody bag" with a little cupcake ornament on the outside, a handmade ornament on the inside and an appliqued cupcake towel.


My old room mom did these towels for me, I was so excited!

There was a little prize for the winner of the cupcake tasting!

The dinner table was all about Christmas!
I was really excited to use my new Christmas china.

Each plate had a Santa or Mrs. Claus place card.



The flowers were different sized green and white mums with fresh cranberries floating in the vase.


For dinner I made risotto with fontina cheese and a roasted pear salad.

Our drink of the night was amazing.  

It was cranberry juice, champagne, triple sec, and lime juice with a sugar rim.
I was so excited about the cupcake charms for my new champagne glasses.

I loved the floating raspberries and the two different colors in the drink.

Mmm....honey rosemary brie.
I could eat you for every meal of the day.

For the swap I made vanilla raspberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
I made a compote by heating fresh raspberries and sugar.


Once the cupcakes cooled I scooped out some of the cake and added the compote.

Blake was my helper!

We frosted them and added a raspberry and some white chocolate shavings.

I also made samoa cupcakes for Blake because she doesn't bake.  

She just tastes....

These cupcakes had coconut extract in the cupcake and they were SO good!

 After dinner we swapped cupcakes and had to taste them!

Of course the vase filler in the cupcake room was sprinkles!


I couldn't resist ordering this.
I think I might need to start renting out my theme decorations for all the parties I throw so that I can justify buying more party items!




Gingersnap cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.


Champagne cupcakes

Oreo cupcakes

Peppermint hot chocolate cupcakes




I decorated a box for each girl to carry their cupcakes home in.




Poncho even had a special scarf for the cupcake swap!


It was a wonderful night with sweet girls.