3 Tips for a Holiday Hostess

Tip #1
I like to label what dish will be cooked/served in what dish . Not shown, but equally important, are the accompanying serving utensils.

Tip #2 
If you have the luxury of another refrigerator, no matter the size, take advantage of it!

Tip #3

Keep your chatty guest busy with magazines. It will give them something to do instead of distracting you. Real Simple and People Style Watch are two of my favorites. Or, have a book like the one from the editor of the magazine Ready Made opened (sadly, the magazine is no longer available). 

3rd Annual Fall Acorn Cupcake

As you have probably already deduced, here is my 3rd Annual Fall Cupcake! Super easy and very cute if I don't say so myself!!

All you need is cupcake mix, white frosting, Almond Kisses, Toffee Bits, Min Nilla Wafers and cchocolate chips. Follow the direction on the cupcake mix box, then after the cupcakes have   cooled, frost them.

To make the acorns all you do is place a small amount of frosting on both the mini wafer and the chocolate chip and "glue" them to the almond kisses.

The last step is sprinkling on the toffee bits (you can also use any crushed nut). And viola! You are done-zo.

**Special note: I try to always crack an egg in a separate bowl then the one that I already have ingredients in for two reason: It's easier to get any accidental shell bits and you won't have to start over should you have a bad egg.

Prepping for Gobble Gobble Day (Thanksgiving that is)

I can't make it home in the Midwest for Thanksgiving this year. Therefore, for the third time I will be preparing all the fixins for Thanksgiving. Here's what is on the menu followed by the ingredients:

Free Range Turkey:  Turkey, celery, carrots, onion, butter, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, salt and pepper

Honey Baked Ham: I ordered this

Stuffing : White and wheat bread crumbs, celery, onions, thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley, stock and butter 

Mashed Potatoes: Russet potatoes, butter, milk, heavy whipping cream and salt (TIP: make sure to dice the potatoes in equal sizes so they cook uniformly and warm the milk and cream before adding to the potatoes) 

Sweet Potatoes: Yams, brown sugar, pecans, molasses, butter and eggs    

Green Bean Casserole: Green beans, mushrooms,onions, mushroom soup, fried onions, and butter

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts, cipollini onions, olive oil, butter, salt and pepper

Cranberry Sauce: Fresh cranberries, sugar and water

Baked Brie: Unprepared crescent roll and brie cheese

Pumpkin Pie: Store made

Dinner Rolls: Store made

My mom exclaimed, "Wow, that's a lot to undertake", when I rattled off my menu to her. First let me say I'm certain she says this for two reasons. 1. I won't have her or my sister to help with the little and sometimes big hiccups and 2. She realizes that it is a BIG DEAL for me to get it right. I'll have to share pics after the table is dressed and everything is done!  

Finally, I wanted to share this inspiring pic. I'm kinda obsessed with a white theme.

Faun Costume

As mentioned in an earlier post, my second costume for Halloween this year was a Faun. I think the 4 hours of prep time becoming Mystique the night before drained my little Halloween spirit a bit, because I could have really pumped up the volume on this costume. Oh well. My mom said she was inspired by this and my make a version for herself next year. I'll take it!

The picture below shows the faun make up I had planned. However, after I was told the night before to take off my "mask" (while I was Mystique) I didn't go through with it. I didn't want my little Halloween heart to be broken again. Sigh...

If you want to see how I made the legs watch my video. 

http://youtu.be/QK39YNL8Uds
http://youtu.be/LsWdurT04pk

Mystique Revealed

It's been nearly 2 weeks since my weekend in Vegas for Halloween. After nearly 4 hours of makeup, which included adhering the prosthetic pieces and then applying 4-5 layers of liquid latex all over my body and face I swore, "I'll never do this again!". However, now that I look at the pics and recall the countless hours that went into creating the pieces I may do the unthinkable and resurrect this costume in the years to come (provided I stay in similar shape!)

Here are some pics. My bf went as Wolverine. I made his claws!

Here's the Video!

P.S. If you are planning on going to Vegas for Halloween beware. I had to take off my "mask" to enter the hotel/casino. It was a huge bummer.Click here to watch the how to video!