Favorite FIND: Real Life Candyland Party

Ever been APART of a party? I mean, actually PLAY a part? Well, guests who attended this Candyland party definitely participated. How you might ask?! The creators of today's "Favorite FIND" turned their party into the famous BOARD GAME; "Candyland"--LITERALLY! Click on the image to get a better, larger view.

Picture taken from: MJ Decorations

I LOVE IT!

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Recipe of the Day: Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes

It's not too late to make your Thanksgiving food contribution! Below is a quick and easy recipe from Taste of Home to make the greatest Thanksgiving Turkey cupcakes!

Ingredients

* 1 can (16 ounces) caramel frosting or frosting of your choice
* Cupcakes of your choice
* Caramels
* Dots candies, candy-coated sunflower kernels and Sixlets candies
* Wax paper

Directions

* Frost cupcakes. For each turkey, unwrap three caramels; place on a small piece of waxed paper. Microwave on high for 5-7 seconds or until softened. Break off desired amount for the body; roll into an egg shape. Roll two smaller pieces into wings and two pieces into legs. Press onto body to attach.

* For leaves, roll out Dots candies to 1/8-in. thickness; cut leaf shapes. Place a turkey on top of each cupcake; arrange leaves, sunflower kernels and Sixlets around turkeys.

Prep time: 2 hours Servings: 24


Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!

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How to Make a Dessert Table Backdrop

As I continue to learn how to create great parties, one of the skills I would like to hone is really dressing up every aspect of my party. An area of your party that definitely deserves the right amount of attention is the dessert table. I struggle to create the perfect backdrop that invites my guests to check out the dessert table so below are a few materials you can use to make your own marvelous dessert table backdrop!

To make a backdrop you can use any of the following materials:

~Foam-core boards
~Beadboard
~Canvas
~Banners
~Picture Frames
~Curtains


The great thing about most of these items is that they can be reused and you can find them at your basic craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels.

Foam-core boards

When using foam-core boards it is best to buy two and tape them together for a more dimensional look against the wall. This size should also be fairly large to give a more detailed look to the table. With the foam-core board, wrap it in any fabric or wrapping paper that matches the color scheme/theme of the party.I read from Frog Prince Paperie, that the trick to keeping the edges of the fabric on the board stiff, tight, and crisp is to use starch when ironing the fabric. To keep the wrapping paper tight around the foam-core board simply pull tight when wrapping the paper around the foam-core board!

Picture taken from: Frog Prince Paperie

Beadboard

There are two sides to a beadboard: One side is smooth, the other has the bead board grooves. This makes it a reusable item because there is more than one option for use according to Frog Prince Paperie. Paint the beadboard whatever color that matches the color scheme/theme of your party. To apply, merely tack it to a wall with finishing nails!

Picture taken from: Frog Prince Paperie

Canvas

Another easy material to use is a canvas-preferably an extra large one to add a bigger visual. It's quick, easy, and reusable because all you do is paint it and voila! TIP: To make a really unique canvas, choose a design and upload it onto a canvas at Uprinting or Easy Canvas Prints!

Picture taken from: Frog Prince Paperie

Banners

Picture Frames

Curtains

Measure out the wall space that will be against the dessert table. Determine the dimensions you would like to use to hang curtains as a backdrop for the table. Then, locate your local fabric store (for me it's Joann's Fabric) and cut out the perfect fabric to match the dessert table. Use a rod, nails, or tacks to hang up the fabric.

I hope these suggestions helped! Now, go out there and create the perfect dessert table backdrop!

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xoxo,

Favorite Party Item: Thank You Gift Basket

It is proper etiquette to thank a host for hosting their event you attended. For those special hosts who went above and beyond to make you feel very important, I know just the perfect way to say "thank you": GiftTree.com

Wine Connoisseur Gift Basket

Whether the host loves wine, chocolate, fruit, or nuts, GiftTree.com has a plethora of choices for you to choose from to ensure you get the host a gift basket that matches them.

Nuts & Chocolate Gift Chest

Traditional Teatime Basket

The gift baskets come in all shapes and sizes and different price ranges...some as low as $27.95!

Harvest Fruit & Snacks Sampler

You even have the opportunity to personalize the gift basket with a message that can be written on the ribbon. You can also write a special note on the card of your choice to be attached to the basket.

There's nothing like saying Thank you!

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Recipe of the Day: Smiling Scarecrow Cupcakes

I absolutely love watching the leaves change into beautiful red,orange,and yellow Fall colors! When I think of Fall I think of pumpkins, apple pie, hot chocolate, and scarecrows....smiling scarecrows ;-)

Smiling Scarecrow Cupcakes Recipe (courtesy of Land O'Lakes):

Ingredients

Cupcakes
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened
1 Land O Lakes® All-Natural Egg
1 1/2 cups applesauce

Frosting
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup Land O Lakes® Half & Half or whipping cream
1/4 cup Land O Lakes® Butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Decorations
Pretzel squares*
Cinnamon graham cracker sticks
Chow mein noodles or pretzel sticks
Mini candy-coated chocolate pieces, chocolate chips, decorator candies or decorator gels, as desired
Candy corn
Chocolate sprinkles or licorice candies

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cups into 18 muffin pan cups; set aside.

Combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon in medium bowl; set aside.

Combine sugar and 1/2 cup butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Add egg; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture and applesauce. Continue beating until well mixed.

Fill each muffin pan cup 2/3 full. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, half & half and 1/4 cup butter in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil (5 to 6 minutes). Cool 20 minutes; add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Cool completely.

To create scarecrow face, spread 1 heaping tablespoon frosting over 1 cupcake; place pretzel square onto cupcake to make top of hat. Place small amount of frosting on back-side of graham cracker stick; place below pretzel to make hat band. Insert chow mein noodles into frosting around hat to resemble straw. Make face using assorted candies, chips or decorator gels. Repeat with remaining cupcakes and decorations.

Store in loosely covered container.

*Substitute colored marshmallows such as toasted coconut, strawberry or chocolate. Cut off 1 end of marshmallow and press sticky end to graham cracker stick and onto frosting to adhere.

Recipe Tip
- If frosting becomes too firm while decorating cupcakes, stir in additional half & half until desired consistency.

- If you are short on time, use your favorite cake mix for the cupcakes; top with frosting recipe above and decorate as directed.