Mexican Style Potato Hash

I sorta just threw this together, and boy was it good! So easy too.

DIY Candy Bags

I LOVE making these little candy bags. Aren't they so sweet? These can simply be used as favors or as a way to arrange your candy on your buffet table... That way you don't have to worry about jars and scoops... The guests simply grab a little candy filled bag and start eating right out of it at the party.

[$25 DIY Party] Cinco De Mayo Fiesta

I really love how this party turned out! This is exactly how I think a CINCO DE MAYO PARTY should look like--BRIGHT and COLORFUL! Of course, like always, these ideas can be used for a birthday party or other party as well.

Poached Eggs With Asparagus And Hollandaise

It's about time I make something a little more advanced, don't you think? This recipe is very Classical French. Make this as a breakfast with toast, or as a vegetable side dish for dinner. Make it with or without the poached egg. Hollandaise goes really well with asparagus and other bitter, green vegetables such as broccoli.

[Real Party] Carnival Party

 Here's a carnival party I did for a boy turning 5. I went all out on this candy table. Boy was it a LOT of candy! I found a vintage gumball machine and use it as the centerpiece.

Decorating With Doilies: Part 3

Here's a couple more ways to decorate with doilies. For part 1 go HERE. For part 2 go HERE.

Salad Recipe: Marinated Tomatoes, Olives, Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula

Someone named "anonymous" just asked me to post the recipe for this salad...and I never turn down a request from a "fan", so here it is...

 

Marinated Tomato Salad

Yield: 10 Servings (as a side dish)

INGREDIENTS

10 hot house tomatoes (on the vine), thinly sliced

1 small bag washed arugula

2 small containers fresh ciliegine mozzarella (little cherry size balls)

about 3/4 pound fresh olives, mixed variety

fresh chives, chopped fine (about 1/2 of what comes in the small plastic container)

fresh basil leaves, sliced thin (about 1 small plastic container or about 10 large leaves)

1-1 1/2 cup good variety extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup good variety balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

kosher salt, to taste

fresh ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Arrange all the tomato slices on the outside of a large round platter, overlapping as much as needed in order to fit on the platter. Sprinkle the tomatoes with the chives and basil. Next, border the tomato slices with all the little mozzarella balls. Season the cheese and tomatoes with salt and pepper, then drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil. Add the arugula in the center making sure you can still see the pretty tomato slices. (Oh, and make sure you don't place your tomato slices in the fridge! Buy them the day before and leave them out, then slice them right before you make the salad.) Finally, add the fresh olives to the very top. For the vinaigrette, whisk together 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over the arugula when ready to serve. 

 

[Real Party] Wild Animal Party

 Here's a party I did this weekend for a boy turning 7. It was different than other parties because I wanted everything to be on black instead of the usual white. I made boxes out of plywood and painted them black. These boxes worked out perfectly to add height to the cake and platters. I made the backdrop with lots of strips of black taffeta. Everything was great at this party besides it being REALLY windy! As you can see, for this picture, I don't have all my food labels out except the 3 center ones because the wind kept blowing them over.

Decorating With Doilies: Part 2

Here's part 2 of my "decorating with doilies" posts. (Go HERE to see part 1.) I still have some other great ideas so make sure you come back to see everything! And be sure to become a follower on the right side of your monitor. (Yeah, over there, where it says FOLLOWERS. Click on "join this site"!)

Decorating With Doilies: Part 1

Using doilies has got to be one of the cheapest, yet most elegant ways to decorate your parties. I bought a 32 pack of 8 inch doilies from my local dollar store.

In Search For The World's Greatest Pancake Recipe

Last week I made these yogurt pancakes. Unfortunately, I'm NOT going to give you the recipe because they actually WEREN'T THAT GOOD. They were a little rubbery and they didn't taste that great either. See how determined I am to only share with you GREAT RECIPES! 

[$25 DIY Party] Sweet Shoppe Candy Party

This party cost less than $25!

Candy buffets have been popular for some time now. You would think that people are sick of candy by now...but my candy buffet post still gets the most hits to this day. So, I wanted to show you a very simple and cute candy buffet for...you guessed it...less than $25!

Glazed Carrots Recipe

Have you ever made glazed carrots before? They are easy enough to make any night of the week and fancy enough to serve at a holiday party.

[$25 DIY Party] Vintage Teal Birthday Party

This party cost less than $25!

I threw a little party for my sister's birthday this weekend...and it all cost less than $25.

Here's what you need to buy to re-create this vintage-style party: