Kool-Aid Popcorn

I recently did a  "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" baby shower and I wanted all my food to fit within the theme. One of the items was my pop star popcorn I made using kool-aid.  It adds flavor and color all at once. I was nervous to try berry flavored popcorn, but I liked it... A LOT! 

Here is how you can make it to... 

What you need:
* Cooking spray
* 10 cups light buttered popcorn (you can use plain as well)
* 1 cup of sugar
* 1 cup of corn syrup
*1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*1 package of kool-aid. Go for the color that will match your party.

Instructions:
*For Crunchier popcorn, preheat your oven to 225.
*Pour your 10 cups of popcorn into a greased bowl (spray with pam).
*Bring sugar, corn syrup, and kool-aid to a boil for about 6 minutes and continuously stir (picture 1.) *Next, take the mixture off of the heat and add the baking soda. This will make it puff up as seen in picture 2.
* Next, pour the mixture over the popcorn and evenly coat.

For softer and Chewier popcorn just take the popcorn and place it on a non stick mat or parchment paper to let it harden.

For crunchier popcorn continue to step 4 and place it in the oven at 225 for 30 minutes. This will help dry the popcorn out, giving it more of a candy coating vs a soft chewy coating. Once done, immediately place on parchment or a non stick mat to harden. Do not let it harden in the  pan or good luck trying to get it out ;).

To see more of this Rock-a-Bye Baby Shower click 

HERE

Photo Backdrop

What  to create a cute back ground with out breaking the bank? Here is the trick.

 This is so easy and any one can do this. I used a table cloth, fabric, tulle, and a clothing rack all thrifted at a local thrift store. I used clamps to pin the table cloth back, but you could use a sheet, wrapping paper, or any thing that fits the width of the clothing rack. This is easy and so versatile to switch out from party to party.

please keep in mind these pictures were taken after the party was over so ignore the mess around the stand :)

To see more of this princess party click here

18 months already?

GOSH time is cruising by. My baby is 18 months today and before I know it he will be 18. I think this stage is the best. He listens and still thinks I am cool yet he is so full of personality. He is such an easy kid and I am cherishing this past year just him and I. Sooner than I know it the days of just him and I will be gone, as I am loading up my mini van with 6 kids :) but until then I am going to continue to wake up every morning with excitement to go in and get him out of his crib. He really makes me a better person and being a mom is BY FAR the best gift anyone could of ever given me.

Princess Party

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a little girl named Tessa turned 3.

For this party I was told the my niece wanted a princess theme, but I was given the freedom to do what I wanted. I chose to do a different spin on a typical princess party. I focused more on the stories of each princess. I wanted each guest to feel like they stepped into their own fairytale that started “Once Upon A time” and ended “Happily Ever After.” 

For the decor, I incorporated old books to represented the different fairy tales. I also used my ruffle fabric banner, princess party hats, and  Fairy godmother wands For the backdrop, I used a table cloth and a frame from Ikea. For the table cloth I used a bedskirt on bottom and a lace overlay on top.  Now for the best part... the food.  I took inspiration from the princess stories. We had: kissing frogs, Cinderella glass slipper cookies, Snow White "poison" caramel apples, royal jewels, and Princess PB&J's.  The  food wouldn't make any sense if it wasn't for the amazing printables. They were done by my sponsor Mimi's Dollhouse . She did exactly what I had in mind and was so easy to work with. These printables will be available for purchase in her shop so you can go and create your own perfect princess party.

Enjoy!

The invitation sets the mood for the whole party so I always try to set the theme and tone with the invitation so the guests can know what to expect.
Invitation by Mimi's Dollhouse.

 Fairy Godmother wand tutorial and giveaway HERE

To see how I made the back drop click here

This party was featured on the one and only Amy Atlas :)

Vendor Credit:
Paper straws: Gygi's 
Fairy godmother wands: The Wood Connection
Printables: Mimi's Dollhouse 
Milk Glass bottles: Bake it Pretty

Linking up here

Snow White "Poison Apples"

For a princess party, I did these Snow White "poison" apples. I know everyone knows how to make a caramel apple but I wanted to show you how to make it a little prettier. I took out the stem. Stuck a skinny skewer down the center and then covered it with a paper straw. You cant just use a paper straw because it will not be strong enough to hold the apple... learned that the hard way ;). All you do is cut the straw to the length of the skewer and then tie a little bow with bakers twine. Super easy but all the little details is what makes a party stand out from the rest :)

Enjoy!

Printable made by Mimi's Dollhouse

AMY ATLAS FEATURED ME!!

This is a big deal for me. Amy Atlas what I like to call the "Martha Stewart of Parties" featured my princess party. This is why I haven't posted it yet on my blog because they get first exclusive rights to the photos. So go and check it out... I will post more of it in a later post.

EEEK!!!! I am like a kid on Christmas morning getting the biggest present under the tree!

Go check it out HERE

Princess Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches

I made these pb&j's for a princess party last Saturday. Here is how I gave a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich a "princess" makeover. :)

I bought some small poms at Michaels craft store and stuck a tooth pick in the center of them. Easy enough right? 

 Next, you need to use the oval shaped Doilies you can find at the Dollar Store. Fold the top and bottom edges in and then wrap around your pb&j. I cut off the crust of my Princess pb&j's because a Princess should never have to do that herself ;) plus it fits in the doily better

And they lived Happily Ever After!!! Eating Princess Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches of course...