Superbowl/Football Party Ideas/Inspiration

Truth be known, D and I are only really hockey fans (and I love basketball, too)... but I love a reason to have people over, so I will most likely have a little get together! If your friends are like mine, they just want food and beer - they don't care about the fancy table (gasp!) but if you want to get fancy anyway... here's some ideas!

(don't forget about last year's football "frosting", old but still fresh! - here)

This set up cracks me up! I love the crazy banner! Some fun things to take away - little brown bags for treats are a fun idea to do over and over again! & did you notice the yard line cupcakes? Source

Something my friends would get into... "Hail Mary" bar! Do you see the little Tabasco bottles on the labels!? so cute! Source

Sandwiches in the shape of footballs - simply put cream cheese or mayo in a piping bag and add a little stitching! Source: Family Fun Magazine

A simple touch even the boys won't mind ;o)  Yard line coasters! Adorable and practical, now that's my kind of party item! Source and tutorial

Have you seen these yet? Super easy & cute idea to make your strawberries into footballs! Source

{Real Parties} Chinese New Year Birthday Celebration

Do you love Project Nursery as much as I do?! Well, the sweet and talented co-creator of the site, Melisa Fluhr, just hosted an adorable first birthday party for her son! Melisa's son, Chase, is 1/4 Chinese, so she thought it would be perfect to base his party around the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration - The Year of the Rabbit!

With only a few weeks to plan the party, Melisa enlisted the help of the incredibly talented Kelly of The Party Dress and WH Hostess. Kelly did a beautiful job interpreting Melisa's vision of a modern, bamboo themed first birthday party that would incorporate red rabbits!

The dessert table featured authentic Chinese goodies and candies such as Moon Cakes, Sesame Balls, Wintermelon Cakes, Lychee candy, Haw Flakes, candied water chestnuts and more! Melisa also included yummy cupcakes and banana pudding from Magnolia Cupcakes and vailla sugar cookies with lemon frosting by Angela from Queen of Tarts Cakes.

My favorite part of the dessert table was the DIY canvas backdrop! Kelly sent Melisa the bamboo print in a file which she then had turned into a canvas at Uprinting. The next step was to visit an art supply store and stretch the canvases on canvas bars. Now Melisa has wall art with mod graphics that can be enjoyed year round! Such a great idea!

The cake is adorable! I love the pop of red and yellow from the FONDANT fortune cookies! What a simple adornment, but it provides a big impact!

The party was held from 5pm-7pm, so the children arrived in their pj's or "Mandarin Suits". The big kids watched "Mulan" and "Kung Fu Panda" while participating in a Chinese paper lantern craft.

Finger foods, such as Dim Sum, was served in Chinese take-out boxes!

The adults were treated to a fully stocked bar with two signature drinks...Burning Mandarin Martinis and Lychee infused champagne cocktails!

{Does this background look familiar?? You may remember the window area from the precious Modern Train Party Melisa hosted last year along with Kelly's designs!}

As a parting gift and keeping with the Chinese New Year tradition, guests departed with Mandarin oranges for good luck, take out containers filled with candy and a lucky red envelope from the decorative centerpiece to ward off evil spirits!

Is the birthday boy not the cutest??!!

I hope you enjoyed this birthday party with a cultural twist as much as I did! As always, Kelly's designs are perfect and Melisa did a fantastic job carrying out the theme. Thank you ladies for sharing this creative party with us!

2010 VW Passat the Auto Cars

2010 VW Passat Photo
2010 VW Passat Pics


The 2010 Volkswagen Passat ranks 13 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 66 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Passat, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat is an affordable midsize car with an interior that almost belongs in a more expensive class, combined with with suspension tuning that makes it fun to drive and an excellent safety record. However, it's also one of the most expensive midsize cars, particularly when fully loaded with options.

The 2010 VW Passat offers a near-luxury level of refinement, and excellent road manners. It also offers a near-luxury price. Edmunds notes, "For many folks, the Passat fills the gap that exists between normal, humdrum family cars and the financially out-of-reach luxury brands."

Reviewers aren't sure what to make of the car because of that unusual status, floating between affordable and luxury classes. The 2010 Volkswagen Passat, most critics say, is an enjoyable car to drive. It offers a refined, smooth ride, and sharp handling for a family car. Its interior is a step up from those of most Affordable Midsize Cars, with high-quality materials and fine attention to detail.

Its high price, however, can be hard to justify. Volkswagen's midsize car isn't among the class leaders in fuel economy, either -- making it an expensive car to own.
Other Cars to Consider

The Passat is known for its tight handling, but high price. Those looking for a fun-to-drive midsize car might want to consider the Mazda6 or Ford Fusion as well. Both cars offer similar athleticism at a lower price. The all-new Suzuki Kizashi is a bit smaller, but may be the sportiest entry in the midsize category.

Volkswagen loyalists might also want to look closely at VW's other midsize car. The stylish CC uses many of the same parts as the Passat, but offers an even more upscale feel with similar driving dynamics. Many VW dealerships now stock a greater variety of 2010 CCs than Passats.
Volkswagen Passat: The Details

Volkswagen has scaled back Passat production significantly, as the company prepares to replace the aging model. For 2010, Volkswagen will build only a single trim level for the Passat, available as a sedan or wagon. VW offering free scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles on all Passats.

Cute Valentine's Garland and Cookies

Earlier this month I took down the gingerbread cookie garland I had hanging in my kitchen window.  The window was looking a bit bare, so I wanted to make something to dress it up again, but in a Valentine's theme.  This time I opted for paper hearts, embellished with some buttons, beads and pretty twine.  

I been enjoying the new garland over my kitchen window, and this week I had some time to make some cute matching cookies.  Simple shapes and designs, with a fun pop of blue. 

For the cookies, I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe (here) and iced them with royal icing (recipe here).

For the garland I used...

Paper hearts (I cut mine out with my Cricut, but you could use a punch, or cut them by hand)

Twine (from The Twinery- I used Maraschino and Pink Sorbet )

Buttons

Wooden beads (I bought a bag of all pink ones from Wal-Mart)

~ Directions ~

Decide on the length of your garland and prepare as many hearts as you need to fill the length.  Attach two or more hearts together (as desired) using any kind of glue or adhesive (I use Tombo adhesive).  String twine through a button and make a bow.  Attach button to prepared hearts using glue dots, or tacky glue.  When you have your hearts dressed as desired with buttons, punch small holes on each side of the hearts (at the top).  String paper hearts and wooden beads along a double thick length of twine.  Tie ends, hang up and enjoy!

Happy Crafting!

Sponsor Shopping Sunday!

I first want to thank all the of sponsors that have been so very good to Party Frosting! If you want to become one, please contact me (email: kim.partyfrosting@gmail.com) for low rates that can support any budget (or lack there of!) You will get access to about 2000 subscribers and many other passer-byes!

Looking for a non-chocolate gift for Valentine's this year? How about adorable personalized note cards/stationary! Lelan doesn't stop there, so head over to her shop to see all her designs or contact her for a custom one!

Found:  Good Gravy Designs
Section: Stationary
Price: Begins at just $16/set!*

Maybe you need little boxes for all your fun treats! Pam offers these adorable gingham boxes along with many other containers perfect for one loved one or all your little one's classmates!


Found: Party Starters
Section: Valentine's
Price: $2.50/each*

How fun would these glittery cookies be instead of store bought chocolate?! Sandy bakes up tons of different varieties or tell her what you want!

Found: Sandy's Baking Memories (soon to be Firefly Confections!) 
Section: Holiday
Price: varies*

Can't forget about the Superbowl while we are planning Valentine's day! I love how Mary uses these toppers on cream puffs - not just for cupcakes people!

Found: EgoVerte Paper
Section: Toppers
Price: $4.50/set*






*please note shipping is extra, please see each store for details...

Shopping Saturday!

Great weather for shopping today - meaning no snow! lol... I got some great finds myself - click here if you are nosy and want to see ;o)

Don't forget...now is the time to shop the Easter "fillers" for items that you can use in your parties the rest of the year...

Super adorable porcelain baskets perfect for a Spring time party! Don't you love the ribbon?!?

Found: Big Lots
Section: Easter
Price: $3

Mini little version of the big plastic pails we all use for toys, laundry or bbq drink barrels! So many possiblities!

Found: Big Lots
Section: Seasonal
Price: 4/$2

Little hacky sacks perfect for your Sports themed party! As favors or come up with a fun game. It would take a few packs, but buy them for the footballs & use for Superbowl!

Found: Big Lots
Section: Easter
Price: $3

Colorful mini bakeware! I am a sucker for minis! That little red tangine is killing me! Use these all for single serves for any event (or just a fun dinner ;o)

Found: Pier 1
Section: Kitchen
Price: $5 & under

Doing a Fish or Under the Sea theme this summer? These fish dishes will make awesome snack bowls! p.s they had coordinating drink dispensers & dishware

Found: Pier 1
Section: Kitchen
Price: $5

Spring color bins - great for serving, holding favor bags, napkins, flipflops, bug sprays & suntan lotions, etc for your event!

Found: Target
Section: by $1 bins
Price: $2.50

Having a Knight party? Pick up these swords - WAY better than any I have seen in the $ store!

Found: Target
Section: Dollar bins
Price: $1

More Sports items! Mini notebooks & erasers! Use the erasers on toothpicks for instant cupcake toppers, glue to ribbon & wrap around boxes or containers on your buffet, glue one to the top of each favor box...

Found: Target
Section: Easter
Price: $2?

Hard to see, but bag full of mini Dinosaurs - use in same ways as erasers (above mentioned)

Found: Target
Section: Easter
Price: $2

Chocolate tools for your Construction or Tool themed party! Can't go wrong with edible decorations ;o) Could even top a cake with them!

Found: Target
Section: Valentine's
Price: $5.99

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars {Recipe}

This past Christmas I became a bit obsessed with re-creating Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars.  These delicious treats are one of Starbucks most popular holiday desserts.  The Starbucks version consists of a chewy, cake base (similar to a blondie) studded with white chocolate chunks and cranberries, then a delicious cream cheese frosting, topped with more cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate.  Sounds delicious, right?  This is why I had to learn to make them!

After purchasing two Cranberry Bliss Bars from Starbucks (in the name of research), reading the ingredient list of the original (from Starbucks) and then reading through at least a dozen different recipe claiming to be the "top secret recipe", I headed to the kitchen and worked up a recipe that I'm really happy with.  I made several batches over Christmas and the bars received rave reviews from all of my "taste-testers"  (the official panel includes my friends, neighbors and my husband's co-workers).  Now to be fair, the end results of my recipe tests did not create an exact copy of the original Starbucks version.  Although I know this recipe has most all of the same ingredients, the Starbucks version is a bit chewier, and this recipe is a bit more cake-like.  But the flavor is right on.  And everyone who tasted my version said they were as good, if not better than the "original".

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (slightly softened)

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 teaspoons fresh orange zest

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon powdered ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped

6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) white chocolate chips

~ Frosting ~

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 Tablespoons butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon orange extract

1/2- 2/3 cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped

2 ounces white chocolate, melted

~ Directions ~

1.)  Preheat oven to 350 (F) degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan then set aside (I also like to line the pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over the two long sides- this allows the bars to be pulled out of the pan after baking for easier cutting).

2.)  In a medium bowl add the flour, powdered ginger, salt, baking soda and baking powder.  Set bowl aside.

3.)  In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth.  Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest and mix well.  Gradually add the flour mixture and blend until combined.

4.)  Stir in cranberries and white chocolate.  Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. 

5.)  Bake 25-30 minutes, until edges are light brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6.) Prepare frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.  Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and orange extract.  Beat about 1 minute until fully incorporated. 

7.)  Assemble dessert by spreading the frosting onto the baked and cooled bars.  Sprinkle additional cranberries on top.  Drizzle melted white chocolate on top as desired. 

Recipe Source ~ Final recipe by Glorious Treats

(Adapted from Mr. Breakfast, based on the original recipe from Starbucks)

Share these delicious treats with someone you love!

To make heart shaped bars, I used a heart cookie cutter. 

You could also cut the bars into triangles, and then argue with your friends that you did in fact make them (and didn't just buy them from Starbucks).

~ Shopping notes ~

Cute red and white straws from Shop Sweet Lulu.

The little milk bottles were a gift from a friend.  Similar ones are available from Sharnel Dollar Design.