2010 August

Luau Inspiration Board

August 24, 2010 By admin

Here is an Inspiration Board that I created for a friend who is wanting to have a Luau. There are so many great ideas that can transform your back yard to your own tropical paradise.

Sunset Skewers; Pineapple Cupcakes; Pineapple and Mango Cupcakes; Jello Shots; Grass Skirt Drinks; Parasol Drink Topiaries; Luau Party Collection; Luau Party; Aloha Dessert Table

Here are some great recipes to try for a Luau or a Tropical Party:

Appetizers
Tropical food is so diverse that you can serve anything from fruit, salads, salsa or even bread!

Tropical Fruit Salad
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Tropical Chicken Salad with Caramelized Walnuts and Coconut Shavings
Pina Colada Bread
Tropical Island Caramelized Pineapple Salsa

Main Courses
You won’t have to deal with too much prepping with these more simple tropical dishes.

Hawaiian Enchiladas
Tropical Tilapia
Hawaiian Pasta with Chicken and Pineapple
Tropical Shrimp Quesadillas
Hawaiian Chicken

Side Dishes
Slip into summer with a taste of these rice and veggie sides.

Island Couscous
Tropical Carrots
Tropical Sweet Potato Salad
Tropical Nut Rice
Island Sweet Potato Slaw

Desserts
The best thing about these desserts? They’re all one of a kind!

Hawaiian Tropical Coconut Snow Balls
Island Banana Bread
Tropical Cheesecake
Pina Colada Muffins
Hawaiian Pineapple Bars

Beverages
The colors on these drinks are blinding, but in a good way of course!

Tropical Kiwi Punch
Caipirinha
Tropical Blended Ice
Key Lime Pie Martini
Tropical Milk Shakes

Filed Under: Custom Inspiration Boards, Food and Drink, Outdoor Party

Apple Candy Cupcakes

August 23, 2010 By admin

Today my oldest daughter started first grade so of course I have back to school things on my mind. Here is a cute idea for a back to school party or any kind of celebration incorporating apples.

This idea is from Cute As A Fox Creations, found at Someday Crafts.

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The inspiration for this project came from OohlalaCandy.com, they make cute candy cupcakes, including an Apple for back to school. I saw it, loved it, and knew I could make it!

Here is what we are making:

Here is what you need:

Red Jelly beans or red candy. I paid way too much for Jelly Belly’s at the mall. Joanns has solid packs of M&Ms for 5.99 then you could use a coupon. However, the Jelly Belly’s are apple flavored so that is a plus
Cupcake liners or I used some ramekins from Dollar Tree. Three for $1.
Plastic wrap or shrink wrap
Skewers or toothpicks
Ribbon for a leaf (or a silk flower leaf)
Candy straws – also from Dollar Tree

Step 1. Layout some plastic wrap on something with sides. This will catch any candies that try to escape.

Step 2: Pour your candy in the center of the plastic wrap. 3/4 of a pound of jellybeans got me 2 apples worth.

Step 3. Bring all four corners of the plastic wrap up and twist. It will form a ball.

Step 4. Form your ball how you want it and get the plastic pulled pretty tight. You want it to look shrink wrapped or as close to it as you can.

Step 5. Secure the ball with tape and snip off any extra plastic wrap.

Step 6: Put your jelly beans into your cupcake liner or ramekin.

Step 7. Cut a piece of ribbon 3-4″ long and singe or fray check both ends.

Step 8: Bring the “right” side of one end of the ribbon around and stack it on the right side of the other end to form a leaf shape.

Step 9: Cut a small slit in the end of your ribbon and put it on the skewer.

Step 10: Insert the skewer into your jellybeans and slide all the way down to the bottom of the cup.

Step 11: Trim your skewer and work the candy straw onto the skewer. It is easier if the skewer has a point to it, so cutting at an angle may be helpful.

You are done! I can’t wait for my 4 year old’s preschool teachers to get them on the first day of school!

Variation: I put a package of sour straws at the bottom of one of the apples. That helped it look a little fuller because I hadn’t split the jelly beans exactly even.

Other fun variations:

Use a pretzel stick for the stem instead of a candy straw.
Color the end of a lollipop brown and use the end of the stick as the straw. You would just put the lollipop upside down and insert the stick through the jellybeans.

Filed Under: Back to School, Kids Parties

Here is another great idea for your back to school bash or to send with your kids on the first day of school from Skip to My Lou via Alpha Mom. This would also be cute to incorporate into an apple baby shower as a favor.

– A printable sandwich bag.