Movie Week: Alice Inspire

With the Oscars last night, this week is dedicated to movie inspired events. Alice in Wonderland is the perfect way to start it off! The bright colors, imaginative decor and overall craziness creates the most fantastic party atmosphere!

I found this photograph on imdb.com and thought it would make for a fantastic invitation to the party. Papery and Cakery could create something custom, using this as inspiration, to help you fall down the rabbit hole!

I absolutely love this Alice in Wonderland themed party from Lollipop Events. This would make for the most fun and creative bridal tea party, shower, birthday party... or any old reason to celebrate! Be sure to invite the Cheshire cat and the Queen of Hearts!

I adore this fantastic photoshoot for an Alice and Wonderland themed party, featured on the Amy Atlas Events blog. The photos were shared with Amy by the South African store, In Good Company. The images are so whimsical and breathtaking!

Hopefully this will give you a little inspiration for your next {Mad Hatter tea} party!

xoxo,

Ali

Cakery Friday: PRECIOUS Popcorn... a real UP for Oscar Night!

It's already Friday, we don't want you walking on The Blind Side or feeling Up In The Air about the Sunday night Oscar show. Be a Serious Man (or woman) and pay attention while we give you An Education on what to serve at your District 9 party. The Inglorious Bastards (and guests) will love the caramel and cajan popcorn. Afterwards, they can work the calories off in a Hurt Locker.

And the winner is... Avatar, silly!

To make the caramel chocolate popcorn...

Gather all the ingredients.

In a large saucepan place 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1/4 cup water.

Cook until golden brown. Do not mix during this time.

Add in 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon butter.

Add in 7 cups of hot air popped popcorn. Mix quickly.

Mix in any other toppings (I added pretzel bites to mine!)

Pour onto a baking sheet fitted with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.

Allow to cool slightly and drizzle with chocolate (I used both white and dark chocolate)

To make the Cajun popcorn...

Pull out all of the spice (paprika, seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper)

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and add 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Pour over 8 cups of hot air popped popcorn.

Mix well!

For a printer friendly version of these recipes, click here: Caramel Chocolate Popcorn.htm

Happy Oscar's Night!

xoxo,

Ali

Oscar Mania!

I was thinking today how much fun I could have throwing an Oscar viewing party. It's almost like the girl's version of a Super Bowl party! I can go over-the-top with decorations, games and of course, food! Here are a few of my favorite ideas I would totally include.

A signature cocktail is always appreciated... like this Sidecar from Martha Stewart. It seems like pure Hollywood glamor.

No movie or television watching experience is complete without popcorn, and what's better then flavored popcorn? Or chocolate caramel?

Although it would be a huge undertaking, serving a meal made famous from a nominated movie is such a fun idea! I like this Beef Bourguignoune from Julie and Julia.

Or you could choose to create an entire meal around a movie. What about an Avatar themed meal, based on the color blue.... bleu cheese salad, blueberry muffins? The possibilities are endless!

Bakerella had two of the cutest ideas I have ever seen! I adore the "Award Night" sugar cookies as well as the "popcorn box" brownies! So creative!!!!!!

Ask your guests to pick who they think will win and play a game. Most correct answers wins a prize!

What are your favorite Oscar party ideas?

Happy Watching! {Fingers crossed for Meryl Streep in Julie and Julia!}

xoxo,

Ali

Cakery Friday: Beignets

I spent last weekend eating my way through New Orleans, and I had to share some of the wonderful tastes of the Big Easy with you. The only catch is... I used a mix! These beignets taste so good, I hope you forgive me for cheating! I've tried to make beignets from scratch, but the truth is the mix is superior (the ultimate is getting yourself to New Orleans and eating fresh beignets from Cafe Du Monde in person, but this is the next best thing!) You can purchase the mix on Cafe Du Monde's website.

Beignet is actually the French word for "fried dough" and these have been made famous in the U.S. by Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. They are also the official state doughnut of Louisiana. Don't you think every state needs its own official doughnut?

It has become a family tradition for years that my Dad an I make these delicious doughnuts for an annual family breakfast at our cabin in Arkansas (Arkansas you say? Very long story for a future blog).

There really aren't many ingredients to gather. Start simply by pulling out the box


Place two cups of beighnets mix in a large bowl.


Add 7 ounces of water (add the water slowly and mix, you want the dough to be slightly sticky but not very wet).


Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness.


Cut into 2 inch squares.


Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a pan and heat to 370 degrees. Place each dough square into the hot oil (be careful not to burn yourself!) basting continually on each side until puffy and light golden.


Drain well.


Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar and be sure to eat them warm (with a cup of Cafe Du Monde chicory coffee).


Mine looked almost as good as the ones from Cafe Du Monde!


Happy Beignet Day! Be sure to get yourself to the Big Easy soon to eat these at the real live Cafe Du Monde. In the meantime, hope you enjoy bringing a little piece of Cafe Du Monde into your kitchen.

xoxo,

Ali

Mason Jar Love {Part Deux}

I have developed a recent obsession with Mason Jars. Niki posted about them a few months ago and I just can't seem to get them out of my head. For my Super Bowl party I created an ice cream buffet and served the ice cream in Mason Jars. Tt was a huge hit and got me thinking about the multiple uses of these fabulous jars!

They make the most beautiful flower vases, like these ideas from Style Me Pretty.

Or as a wide-mouthed glass (I really think drinks taste better from a Mason Jar!)

Martha Stewart illustrates "lantern" Mason Jars, which would be beautiful along a walkway or lining a long table.

Bakerella creatively put all of the dry ingredients for her Cowgirl Cookies in a Mason Jar. What a perfect gift!

I love this idea of baking cupcakes inside of Mason Jars from Cake Spy! You can put a lid on them and ship them as gifts!

Can't get enough of Mason Jars either? Buy The Mason Jar Dessert Cookbook!

Happy Mason Jar Day!

xoxo,

Ali