Create My Event - Event & Party Ideas Blog

Cream Cheese to the Rescue!

Check the pantry of any savvy party princess and you'll find a myriad of olives, capers, mustards and all sorts of yummy marinated goodies. Her fridge will no doubt offer up a trendy staple of cured sausages and salamis, cheeses and fruits. She's ready for anything and anyone, at any time.

But wait, was that your doorbell? And it's only Tuesday - your grocery day isn't until Thursday. Luckily, you've got the mother of all go-to condiments in your fridge: cream cheese!

Yes, that creamy, tangy white stuff you've been "schmearing" on your bagels all these years is the quintessential party fixer upper when hungry, unexpected guests show up at your doorstep.

For the timid, mix any size container of cream cheese with a variety of dried herbs, garlic and salt for a quick cheesy-yummy spread for crackers and veggies. For those of you who crave culinary adventure, combine cream cheese with shredded cheddar, a splash of hot pepper sauce, tons of garlic,  chopped and drained frozen spinach [thawed] , and chopped artichoke hearts [packed in water, not oil].  Place the mixture into a baking dish and bake until hot and bubbly on top, and ta-da! You've just created the best darn spinach and artichoke dip that would make that chain restaurant you secretly go to each week blush. Serve with crackers and crudite.

If you're searching for more ooh's and ah's, roll cream cheese into a log, or break into small pieces and roll into 1/2" balls. Then roll the cream cheese into cracked black pepper or a variety of fresh, chopped herbs. Mixing cream cheese with nuts and honey makes a sweet dessert cheese in a pinch. Serve with crackers and berries or grapes on the side.

Ok, you're getting the hang of it. Stuff giant green olives with a mixture of cream cheese, finely diced red pepper, garlic and capers. Or, try a mixture of cream cheese, peanut butter and honey - pipe fancy ribbons onto stalks of celery and munch the night away.

And [cue trumpet call] for the ultimate cocktail sauce [and killer with potato chips, too], mix cream cheese with ketchup. Yes, you heard me. It's amazing. Really. Add lump crab meat or lobster meat and you'll send yourself straight to the moon.

Whether sweet or savory, diva or totally tailgate, the beauty of working with cream cheese as a dip or spread is that you never need a recipe. It's such a wonderfully forgiving condiment and blends so well with just about anything you care to mix into it, in any amount or measurement.

Share the love - jot down your favorite Cream Cheese to the Rescue! recipe and share it with our readers by replying to this post.

Thanks for "schmearing" your recipes!
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Post and images provided by the folks at Anna Bella Stationery: stationery & lovely things.

Totally Cool

Are you stuck in the 80’s?  Well you're in luck.. Trivial Pursuit Totally 80’s  is here!  The perfect game for after dinner, fireside entertainment, or your next 80’s party.  Also, a fabulously fun hostess gift. 

Homemade Frozen Treats

When the kids want a sweet treat and you need a fun craft project, you can't go wrong with yogurt - frozen, that is!

Try these fun frozen yogurt parfaits, guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults. They freeze like creamy, yummy ice cream but without the guilt!

Ingredients:
Yogurt, any brand or flavor [except whipped]
Small paper cups - like the kind you used to keep in the bathroom as a kid
Popsicle sticks
Tin foil

Directions:

1. Fill cups to the top with yogurt. To make a parfaits [and cool stripes!], alternate flavors...a few spoonsfuls of vanilla, then a few spoonsfulls of banana, etc.]
2. Place a piece of tin foil over the cup and cut a slit in the center with the tip of a sharp knife.
3. Slide the popsicle stick through the slit in the foil and half way into the cup of yogurt
   Place into the freezer for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.
4. Remove the foil and peel away the paper cup.

Enjoy!

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Post and images provided by the folks at Anna Bella Stationery

: stationery & lovely things.

Beat the Heat

The heat is on... So make sure your guests stay cool or they will be quick to depart in their air-conditioned cars.

•    Have plenty of water, both flat and sparkling, on hand. Spice up your offerings by adding cucumbers or lemons to your water pitcher a few hours in advance.
•    Provide plenty of shade.  Arrange chairs under trees, umbrellas or overhangs. Consider providing guests with parasols and/or small fans if you require them to be in the sun for any amount of time.
•    For a casual party, a blow up pool for wading while cocktailing is always fun.
•    Serve cool foods, like cold salads, meats, soups, popsicles and…
•    Ice cream sandwiches!  Martha Stewart does it right the old fashioned way if you’re up for the work.  Or, you can simply scoop some slightly melted ice cream between two of your favorite bakery bought cookies, re-freeze and serve.  Vanilla wafers and sherbet also make pretty little sandwiches if the appetites are smaller.

Kids Parties with Style

Can’t bear the thought of buying another Thomas the Tank Engine Birthday Party set this year? Yet you need to throw your child a super-fun party… a cute and classy super-fun party? Here’s a list of “theme party” ideas that should appeal to both mom and tot….take them and let your cute, classy imagination run wild.

Western: Ring tosses, pin the tail on the donkey, Country Western tunes, bandanas for napkins, cowboy hats as favors…and you can wear your white eyelet skirt and cowboy boots and be the hottest mama on the block.  Love this perfect Sendomatic.com invitation too!

Luau: Hula dancing, grass skirts, fruity drinks with little umbrellas, leis and pupus for everyone.

Spa: Come in your slippers, mani’s, pedi’s, mud masks and make-up applications, sparkling apple juice in plastic champagne glasses, tea sandwiches and mini-cupcakes. Goodie bags of all of those samples you’ve saved.

Nautical: Think boat races in a blow up pool, red, blue and white, sausages and pretzels, boat flags, bouys...

Fiesta: Quesadillas, tacos, rice and beans, soccer games, sombreros and ponchos and most importantly, the piñata. And another great invitation from Sendomatic!

Got Craft?

Do you envy those who have the gift of craft and can make even the most basic pipe cleaners into amazing works of art? Me too! That's why I was so thrilled to find an entire section on craft and paper kits at Paper Source. Their various kits come with everything you'll need to create beautiful and interesting paper crafts - including easy to follow directions and a list of miscellaneous materials/tools you may need that are not included in the kit [i.e. scissors, etc.] These kits are perfect for those of us who can't get past the "caterpillar" stage with those pipe cleaners.

Above: The Nörsa Blooms Flower Kit is just one of many paper kits available only at www.paper-source.com. They also offer album making kits, card making kits and more!

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Post and images provided by the folks at Anna Bella Stationery

Christmas in July

You’ll think we’re crazy but listen up. While the summer sales are in full swing, it’s time to take inventory and stock up on items you’ll need for the Holidays. Save yourself from paying top dollar in the height of the season and avoid the last minute headache of the trip to the packed mall when you realize you only have eight napkins and you need twelve.
Some items to consider:

•    Serving dishes (Platters, trays, large bowls)
•    China
•    Crystal
•    Flatware
•    Wine Glasses
•    Cocktail Glasses
•    Knives (especially of the steak and carving variety)
•    Cookware
•    Table linens
•    Bed linens (for the overnight guests)
•    Guest towels
•    Hostess gifts

And then treat yourself to a little something fun (e.g., a new bag or bauble) for all of your efforts.

Birthday Blues? What to give the child who has everything!

Books, I say! Books!
You can't go wrong with books. They're fun. They're educational. And, if used correctly, can even subtly nudge that certain someone into using good manners the next time they're at your house for a play date.

We've tested and kid-approved [and mom, too!] the following list of fun, engaging, thoughtful, educational, best-all-around books:

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	Time to Say Please Mo Willems Let's face it: Toddlers don't want to go to bed. Neither does the very stubborn insomniac pigeon who stars in this adorable picture book. Any reader who has ever bargained for "just one more video" before bedtime can identify with the sly hero of this funny interactive story.
	Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Mo Willems As a companion book to the popular Time to Pee!, Mo Willems has created a book on manners in his own signature style. Groups of ebullient mice narrate this humorous text as young children try in vain to get what they want, learning along the way that it is helpful to say "Please," "Thank you," "Excuse me," and "I’m sorry." Oh, and you have to mean it, too.
	Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin (Illustrator) This innovative and smart story introduces children to the concept of bargaining and compromise. Using the tools at their disposal, the cows worked hard for their basic needs. Skills and smarts add up to a successful outcome. Another concept explored here is the basic rights of individuals. In understated but clear terms, young readers are led to question Farmer Brown's authority and inherent right to the milk and eggs. Sound a little serious for a kids book? Take another look. The fabulous watercolors and crisp text of the typewritten notes will woo young readers. And the hilarious ingenuity of the courageous cows and hens will inspire and amuse.
	Diary of a Worm Doreen Cronin, Harry Bliss (Illustrator) From March to August, the baseball cap–wearing worm records his thoughts and feelings about friends, family, digging, and eating. Armed with his mom's sage advice ("Never bother Daddy when he's eating the newspaper" is one of the most important) and a fairly positive attitude about life, the "underground dweller" gets a kick out of scaring girls on the playground, hanging out with friends (literally, hanging out with Spider), cutting the rug at school dances (getting farther than "put your head in" during the hokey-pokey is impossible), and other school-worm activities. Of course, a worm's life isn't all fun and games, especially since worms can't chew gum or have a dog, but they never have to go to the dentist or take baths! And while the little worm says life is tough because sometimes people forget worms exist, dear old Mom reminds him that "the earth never forgets we're here."

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To make your gift even more personal, include a set of personalized book plates available at Anna Bella Baby Online Stationers. Bookplates are smart little stickers that fit on the inside cover or the first page of a book and proudly display the child's name and ownership of the book: This book belongs to [insert child's name]. What child doesn't love that! And moms, they have bookplates for you, too!

Books above can be found at your favorite local bookstore and online at:
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.borders.com

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Post and images provided by the folks at Anna Bella Stationery

Packaged Goddess

What wonderful news! The author of some of our favorite cookbooks, The Barefoot Contessa series, Ina Garten, has come out with a line of packaged goods.  The line includes everything from a melt-in-your mouth scone mix to a fabulous tequilla lime marinade (to make the chicken we wrote about in June even easier). The line of incredible goodies, designed to keep your life simple and delicious, is available online through Stonewall Kitchen and at various specialty stores around the country. We advise you check it out as soon as possible.

Hot Mama Invites

Throwing a shower for the hippest mom-to-be in your life and all you can find are cutesy-patootsie baby shower invites?  Then you simply must check out the fabulous selection available at Tiny Prints. These invitations are fresh, modern and fun, yet they still address the subject of mama and baby. The prices are reasonable and all can be customized with your text. On their website you are able to preview your printed invitation and share it with others to solicit opinions before you order.