Monday, March 15, 2010

Leave Your Mark with Calling Cards

As a child my mom purchased calling cards with my name on them to go with every birthday gift that I gave to my friends.  The history behind calling cards (formerly known as visitor cards) is quite interesting.  According to Emily Post, the visitor card "was to be left as an evidence of one person’s presence at the house of another."  Today, calling cards or enclosure cards are placed within wedding gifts or on top of a present so that the person receiving the gift knows who gave the gift to them.

I would argue that greeting cards have somewhat replaced calling cards, as more people tend to enclose a Hallmark card with a gift than a calling card.  I will admit that I only use my calling cards when sending a wedding gift to someone, and for that reason my calling cards are rather formal and traditional.
I am considering ordering some more casual calling cards (see the wonderful designs below) for more "everyday" occasions.  These calling card designs could also be used as business cards, simply by adding your contact information, instead of just your name.
Simple Border Calling Card by Jack and Lulu
Kate Spade Assorted Frame Calling Card atFineStationery.com
 
Martha Stewart White Cartouche Calling Card at FineStationery.com
William Arthur Prestegious Calling Card at FineStationery.com

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Posted by AnnieB at 7:36 PM 0 comments
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

St. Patty's Day Celebrations


Do you associate St. Patrick's Day with drinking green beer?  



I think it would be festive to incorporate an authentic Irish beer selection into your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, in lieu of that stank, green-food-colored-beer that has become the norm.   I will admit that I have celebrated St. Patrick’s’ Day in the past by raising a green beer in a plastic solo cup, but I think it’s fair to say that my green beer days are gone for good. There are tons of Irish beers that you can try, besides Guinness.  You can get an overview of Irish beer on Epicurious.com
  • I have always wanted to grow a shamrock plant.  And of course, Martha Stewart has a "how to" tutorial on growing shamrocks. 
  • Take a look at these St. Patty's day menu ideas from Bon Appetit.
  • Why not think outside of the box when it comes to your St. Patrick's Day festivities?  Host a St. Patty’s Day Brunch – get some ideas from this Yum Sugar.   
  • UPDATE -- A "MUST SEE": Take a look at these amazing St. Patrick's Day cupcakes on HWTM's blog. 
  • Check out this post from Celebrations.com about an Irish-inspired breakfast menu.  Even if you're no master baker, you can whip up a batch of scones using a delicious mix like these made by Sticky Fingers.  My favorite flavors are lemon poppy seed and cranberry.  
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Posted by AnnieB at 9:18 PM 0 comments
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Saturday, March 6, 2010

The Cake Ball Phenomenon

I tried my hand at making a batch of cake balls yesterday. If you have not heard of cake balls, essentially they are made from cake that is crumbled up and mixed with icing -- and dipped in white chocolate. I had read about how cake balls have a unique, almost truffle-like taste that people go crazy over, but I never imagined what a hit they would be with my friends.  

As usual, I didn't get a great picture to capture the cake balls before they were snarfed up, but here's a little snapshot.  I wish I had time to decorate them more carefully, with fun colors, but I will have to try that next time around.
The thing I love most about cake balls is that the flavor combinations are endless. Although they are super easy to make, cake balls take a while only because the mixture has to be chilled for at least 2 hrs and the balls frozen for at least 6 hrs.  

Here are a couple of cake ball recipes to try:
  • I used this basic cake balls recipe from the Dallas Morning News *yellow cake w/ vanilla icing -- white chocolate coating w/ a touch of semi-sweet chocolate on top*
  • Bakerella is the cake ball queen -- this recipe is for red velvet cake balls (yum!)
  • The Pioneer Woman has a great cake ball tutorial with pictures
  • Step-by-step pictures and flavor combo ideas from Simply Daily Recipes (next I want to try strawberry cake, cream cheese icing and white chocolate coating!)  How about funfetti cake balls?!  
Image via DallasNews.com


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Posted by AnnieB at 9:28 AM 1 comments
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Thursday, March 4, 2010

Noah's Ark Baby Shower

How much fun would it be to throw a Noah's Ark themed baby shower?  In my opinion, this theme could be translated to either a girl or a boy. You could use this theme to shower a mom expecting twins -- two by two. Invite your guests and kick-off the theme with an adorable invitation like one of these.

Animal Onesies by TSCookies on Etsy
How cute is this "Zoo Crew" Cupcake Tower by Sweet Roxy's
Animal Collage Napkins by Caspari


Animal Suckers from Oriental Trading


Wouldn't these be the perfect shower gift?
Handmade Wooden Blocks -- Zoo Themed!  from tinygiraffe's Etsy shop


Gingham Animals Bib & Burp Sets from Pottery Barn Kids

You could smock a dress for the baby with a Noah's Ark scene, like my mom did on the dress above.  That would be the ultimate shower gift in my opinion! 




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Posted by AnnieB at 10:22 PM 1 comments
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Friday, February 26, 2010

And the winner is... {drumroll}.....

Congratulations to Lauren H. from Nashville, who is the winner of the Frecklize the World Birthday Giveaway!  Lauren will receive a copy of Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics by Ina Garten.  Thanks so much to everyone for participating in this fun giveaway.  Hopefully there will be many more exciting opportunities to win free party stuff in the future!


To wrap up the big birthday week, here are some fabulous birthday party ideas from some of my favorite blogs AND my Grandmother's recipe for the ultimate birthday cake (in my opinion anyways).
Image via Martha Stewart
Image via MarthaStewart.com

Grandmother's Angel Food Cake with Fluffy White Icing

Cake Ingredients
1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (Grandmother prefers Swan's Down)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups egg whites, separate eggs while cold, then allow to come to room temp (about 12 eggs)
1 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/3 cups sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Measure sifted flour, add 1/2 cup sugar and sift 4 times.  Combine egg whites, cream of tartar, salt and vanilla and almond extracts in large mixing bowl.  Beat on high speed with electric mixer until soft peaks form.  Sprinkle in 1/13 cups sugar in 4 additions, and beat well until  blended.  Add flour mixture in four additions with a large spoon, then scrape down sides of bowl.  Pour mixture into ungreased tube pan.  Bake in oven for 35 to 40 minutes.  Cool cake upside down over a plate.  

Icing Ingredients
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold water, less 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
150 small marshmallows
3 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup.  Cook over medium heat until the mixture "spins a thread" or 215° F–235° F on candy thermometer.  In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar for about 1 minute.  Add the sugar syrup mixture to the egg whites while beating on medium-low speed.  Next, gradually adding marshmallows and sifted powdered sugar. Continue to beat mixture until well blended and fluffy.

Once cake has cooled, ice generously with fluffy white icing.  Best served within a day or so of baking, but leftovers (if there are any!) will keep for a couple of days.

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Posted by AnnieB at 7:30 AM 2 comments
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