{Real Parties} Calling All Superheroes!!

So I know you've seen many Superhero parties but this one is special to me because it was requested by a 4 year old girl.

During the initial call about the party, I was envisioning a pink super girl and wonder woman party. Her mother quickly reassured me that the pink superheros idea was not going to cut it, Rhea wanted the real thing. As much as she loves her nails painted, she also loves watching all the Superhero movies with her dad.  She just puts a whole new spin on 'you go girl'!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candy Bar

 

 



 

 

 

 

Photo Booth Props

 

Face Painting Station

 

Mask Making Station

 

Wow, clearly, someone is an artist!

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday Rhea!

Photography by: Sofia Sohail Studio

{Real Parties} Video Game Party

This is a fun theme for all ages. A neighbor recently had a video game party for her son's 8th birthday complete with a Rolling Video Game Truck!!  How fun is that!?!

 

In most cases the truck can pull right up to the house so the kids or adults can play as a group.

 

 

The truck also has 2 additional screens perfect for gaming or for sporting events to watch the big game!

Look how spacious!

 

The birthday boy, Mavav's favorite video game is Super Mario, so I make the cake to look like a Wii.

 

And matching cupcakes!

If you're in the Washington DC area, I highly suggest booking Rolling Video Games for your next party!

 

{Recipe} Shamrock Martini

I thought I'd share this quick and easy recipe for a drink that I came up with for a party I'm hosting this weekend.

I'm hosting my first ever St. Patty's Party... It's actually a couples party for our country clubs mom's group. Stay tuned for that post!  In the meantime, if you're hosting a party this weekend, this is a festive way to greet your guests:

 

Shamrock Martini

 

1 part Irish Cream Liquor

1/2 part peppermint schnapps

1/2 part cream or half & half

1 drop green food coloring

 

Shake all ingredients over ice. Strain into a chocolate lined martini glass.

 

I also garnished mine with a chocolate shamrock that I piped onto wax paper.

 

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

{Recipe} Snow Ice Cream

Yay!! After almost 2 years of uncharacteristically mild winters, we are finally getting a good snow dumping! 

In celebration and preparation, I, along with the rest of Northern Virginia (judging by the supermarket lines), am ready for the snowquestration storm of the season!

Along with a really good comfort food filling the house with yummy aromas, I love to make snow ice cream. It's very simple and yet so fun to throw together. You can make it as is or add some fun toppings and mix-ins. Maybe some chocolate chips, sprinkles, toasted coconut, fresh fruit. Of course you can't forget the chocolate sauce and whipped cream!

 

 

Growing up in Southern California, I never got to make snow ice cream but I did enjoy a tropical treat called Halo-halo. Halo-halo (meaning mix-mix) is a Filipino dessert, also popular in Hawaii and Guam.  You can usually find halo-halo mix in the Asian section of your grocery store, it's a mixture of candied fruits and beans.

 

If you are adventurous and want to try a little tropical treat with your snow, here is a very simple version:

• halo-halo mix
• condensed milk
• 1-1 1/2 cups of fresh snow

Place about 2 tablespoons of halo-halo mix in the bottom of an 8oz glass, fill the glass with snow and top with as little or as much condensed milk as you like (I usually use about 2 tablespoons), mix well and enjoy!

 

{Real Parties} Winter ONEderland

I had the pleasure of making smash cakes (yup 2...twins) for this Winter ONEderland Party. I was waiting for a snowy day to share this but I think it's safe to say, we are probably not getting the snow that I hoped for this year.

This party for adorable twins Ava and Emma is complete with a hot cocoa bar that makes you dream of a snowy day.

Ava & Emma

 

Winter ONEderland invitation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hot cocoa favors

 

getting ready for the smash!

 

Ava got down and dirty and Emma was a little lady about it

 

Mommy Lisa did an amazing job with her twins' party!

 

Can they get any cuter!?! I love this!

 

Happy 1st Birthday Ava and Emma!

 

 

 

 

 



Happy New Year 2013

I know it may be a little funny to be writing a New Year's post 9 days into the new year but I guess it's better late than never.

If you're as addicted to Pinterest as I am, you may have seen or even pinned this saying:

When I saw it, I felt like it was intended for me.  I have to admit, I struggled with 'busy' most of 2012.  Like most working Moms, I felt like I was constantly busy...

busy with the kids activities...
busy working on my business...
busy keeping up with cooking, cleaning...

I could go on and on. I truly felt like every time anyone asked me how I was doing, my reply was always busy with...

At the beginning I kept thinking, busy is great when you own a business, then as personal and family needs took a back seat, I realized:

I'm BUSY... but not necessarily productive!!

So, with that being said, my biggest resolution for 2013, is to stop the BUSY and organize my thoughts, needs and of course my family's needs and focus and prioritize what is important, like having more time to pin on Pinterest....no, no, no, more time to finally execute the pins I've pinned. 

Wish me luck!!

What are your 2013 resolutions??

{Real Parties} Annual Glam Christmas Brunch

My girlfriends of, dare I say, 20 years have been doing a Christmas get together on and off for the last 10 years.  Last year I decided to do a "glam" brunch because it fits this group to a "T".  This year it was requested that I host it again. I think we have officially declared it an annual event.

Last year I used hot pink, black, silver and white.  This year, I tried to keep it a little more traditional with the red.

I apologize for the lack of pics but hopefully you get the feel:



glam table setting

 

 

 

 

 

favor: mini martini shaker filled with ingredients & recipe for a peppermint martini

 

 

our signature drink: the peppermint martini

 

 

 

 

 

 

the gals

 

 

Stay tuned for next years "glam" brunch...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!