Entertaining: Semi-Homemade Affair

The past few weeks have been quite busy! My time was spent planning, purchasing, and preparing for the surprise party my sister and I were hosting for our dad's 50th birthday as well as our parent's 30th anniversary. My sister wanted to make everything (or at least, semi-homemade), and I went along with it. Sometimes it's just nice to give, have, and be a part of something that takes a lot of time, thought, and energy. Our parents definitely deserve it!

The tropical themed party was located at my parents house on a Saturday night from 7:00 to 10: 00 p.m. so my sister and I went with a variety of hot and cold colorful appetizers and several desserts, many of which incorporated coconut. We were expecting approximately 50 to 60 guests. Here is the menu we prepared:

Appetizers

Bruchetta

Caprese on a stick

Cheesey triangles

Coconut shrimp

Crudites

Fruit skewers

Garden salad

Individual layered mexican dip

Pigs in a blanket

Pizza bites

Tomato, basil, and mozzarella pasta

Desserts

Angel lush cake with pineapple

Chocolate coconut bars

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate butter cream frosting

Coconut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Coconut macaroons

Lemon cupcakes with lemon butter cream frosting
Three-tiered yellow cake with butter cream frosting

Beverages

Assorted bottled beers

Frozen Georgia peach

Malibu and Diet Coke

Tropical punch (non-alcoholic)

Tropical sangria

The only food that was not semi-homemade were the pizza bites. We used Frechetta's flatbread pizzas in both cheese and meat lovers. Everything else was a compilation of store bought items paired with something homemade. 

By word of our guests, everything turned out delish! Since my sister and I were hanging out around the oven for the better part of the evening, we didn't get to eat much. I snuck in a layered dip or two and those are nearly impossibly to screw up and they were pretty tasty. The most popular apps were the pigs in a blanket, the pizza bites, and the cheesey triangles made by my BIL, Nick (props!).

Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to take pictures the day before or of the party since we were going non-stop for about 48 hours. But here is what I did have a few seconds to capture...

Pigs in a blanket ready to be baked

Fresh fruit skewers

Homemade 3-layer yellow cake with butter cream frosting

Cupcakes and cake on the buffet

If you would like the recipes for any of these appetizers or desserts just let me know! I am happy to share. 

I should also note that I have been asked to make the coconut cupcakes and the chocolate cupcakes for someone's birthday/Easter festivities this coming weekend! They were really that good!

-Kristin

Entertaining: Cousin's Christening

Is there a cuter color combo for a little girl than pink, brown and white? Is there? I don't think so!!!

My aunt, Annie, and her boyfriend, Doug, hosted a reception after their daughter McKenzie's christening on Sunday, and I just had to share some pictures. Annie had mentioned something a few months ago about putting together a candy stand for the party, but once I saw it in person, I couldn't stand how amazing it was. My other aunt Jodi is super talented in the craft department, and together they created a really beautiful display adorned with lots of pink textured and patterned ribbon.

(I know, I desperately need a good camera, and it doesn't start with an "iP...")

My aunt Jodi drew and cut out the letters by hand and glued the ribbon and bows on each container.

She seriously is so crafty.

These 2x2" favor boxes were super cute and filled with Hershey kisses. It was hard to tell even in person, but that is a brown box with white polka dots!

My aunt Annie filled these larger white boxes with candy and tied pink, brown and white balloons to them at each table. She also made up extra boxes so everyone could take their favorite candy home.

  A wardrobe change was in order for McKenzie from her lovely white gown to this super cute pink ruffled, polka dotted party dress with a coordinating pink cardigan.

The bow on the headband was about 2/3 the size of her head.

The candy stand was a huge hit for adults and kids alike. It definitely added some extra fun to the party!

-Kristin