See you on the boat this weekend!
Opening Day of Boating is this Saturday! Is it a big deal where you live? It's a big deal for me. It means that it's almost summer. It's almost time to hang out on the boat. To have cocktails in the sun. To smell the ocean. I adore being on the boat.
Even if you aren't on a boat this weekend, you can still feel the call of the ocean with a little Fish Food.
I am seriously loving this drink right now. Fun side note, leaving the watermelon out when people aren't expecting it to be soaked in tequila produces some surprised expressions. Just make sure they are adults...
I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Here's what I'll be catching up on
::
are up and selling fast! Sign up for your spot so you aren't left out! There are three parties - all are expected to be AMAZING with loads of awesome treats and drinks.
:: How phenomenal are these
giant animal wall stickers from This Little Street
?
:: New York City is one of my favorite places. And I
on the quirks of the city.
:: Lauren showed off some of her
and it's amazing. You might recognize her handwriting in my
series!
::
. Sharon is a genius.
Follow Alexandra Hedin's board Inspired by Cinco de Mayo on Pinterest.
What is Cinco de Mayo without tacos?! If you have time, then my
are a fab choice {or sub out beef for pork!}. If you don't have time, that's where fish tacos are a marvelous choice. Fish tacos cook ridiculously fast and require very little prep. You can literally get home from work at six and be eating by seven - with time in there to set the table, drop some flowers in a vase, and pour yourself a cocktail!
Follow Alexandra Hedin's board Inspired by Cinco de Mayo on Pinterest.
have fun. be fun.
This year Cinco de Mayo is the ultimate Weeknight Party Girl Extravaganza! It's a Monday! Because it's a Monday, I put together a crazy simple dinner that is perfect for entertaining. This is not fancy pants entertaining - this is fun cocktails, good friends, and salsa. This is simple. This is fun.
have fun. be fun.
{all week I'll be posting the recipes + cocktails + MORE TEQUILA so stay tuned}
I can't even tell you how many times a week I bring cookies, fruit, snacks, you name it - somewhere. T-Ball practice, a game, a friends house, to the park - it seems never ending. Leaving platters places makes me crazy.
So I came up with a solution. And not just your average 'grab-a-paper-plate' solution. A real-live-looks-cute-in-public solution. With a little help from Chinet, I created colorful serving tiers. I even tested them at a real life party and they did not tip over or break. They held together perfectly - and washed up nicely if you're interested in trying to reuse them.
You'll need
Chinet Cut Crystal Dessert Plates
Chinet Cut Crystal Dinner Plates
Chinet Cut Crystal 9 ounce cups
Acrylic Paint in bright colors
Craft Epoxy {like E6000}
A Q-tip or small sponge
Step 1 :: Pour a small amount of paint on the inside of each glass. Swirl it around to coat the entire inside and pour extra back into the paint can. Let dry upside down, but check often that they are not sticking to the newspaper
Step 2 :: Spread a small amount of E6000 on the rim of one of the glasses using the q-tip and press it onto the center of a dinner plate.
Step 3 :: Spread a small amount of glue on the bottom of the glass that's glued to the plate and line up a second glass base on top of it. Press firmly.
Step 4 :: Spread a small amount of glue on the rim of the top glass using the q-tip and press a dessert plate on top. Let dry. Repeat with all of the glasses and plates until you have enough tiers.
Also, I discovered that two cupcake wrappers - one upside down and one right side up - fit perfectly into a 9 ounce cup! The perfect way to serve cupcakes!
Want to win an entire Chinet Party Pack yourself? That's a bunch of plates, cups, and silverware for your summer entertaining. Leave a comment below and we'll choose a winner on April 18th! Don't think you need a Chinet Party Pack? That's where you're wrong my friend. It's really handy to have plastic or paper plates and cups on hand.
UPDATE :: Comgratulations to Erin Smith! Happy Entertaining!
Entries must be posted by
Thursday, April 17th at 9pm PST
, and one winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be sent one Chinet Party Pack. Good luck!
{Limited to US residents only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes.
Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, posted on Facebook and announced on the bottom of this post soon after.}
Chinet Party Pack and Chinet Product used in this post courtesy of Chinet.
Have you made Pineapple Upside Down Cake recently? Or ever? Do you know how simple it is? Totally fabby and worthy of a weeknight party. Any night of the week.
Topping ::
3 ounces butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
5 pineapple rings
5 maraschino cherries
Cake Batter ::
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped pineapple
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the bottom of an 8x8 pan and line with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer whip together butter and brown sugar until light in color and fluffy. Using an offset spatula, evenly cover the bottom of the prepared pan with the brown sugar mixture. Place drained and dried pineapple rings on top of the brown sugar mixture and place one cherry in the center of each ring.
Clean out the mixing bowl and whip together eggs and sugar until light and airy. Add vanilla. In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients and add them to the egg mixture. Mix in flour with as few strokes as possible. Add pineapple and combine.
Pour batter over pineapple rings and smooth out with an offset spatula. Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let rest 5 minutes before inverting. When slightly cooled, place a platter on the top of the pan and flip over so cake lands on the plate.
Serve warm.
