Succulent Workshop

It's been awhile since I hosted a workshop.  Too long in fact. The last workshop was a fun tropical fest.  I missed throwing workshops so this year I'll be hosting quite a few.   If you get my newsletter you'll be sure not to miss any of them.

My first workshop for this year was a succulents one because succulents are so fun! I mean look at these cuties 👇

I love starting the party at the door and this sign was perfect for the succulent workshop.  If you're at one of my workshops you better believe you're awesome! Not only is this sign perfect for succulent workshop but if I ever do a cactus workshop it works for that too.

Can't have a workshop without treats. Well you could but that wouldn't be as fun.   Sprinklemade made the cutest tastiest macarons for the workshop.  Strawberry flavor burst from them and there wasn't a single macaron left.

I lined up all the succulents in the middle of the table for the guests to choose from. I made sure to have a variety of cuties.  The different shapes and colors made for a more interesting garden.

Not only was there a variety of succulents to choose from there was also a variety of containers to choose from as well.  Guests could choose from a glass bowl, a glass globe or a vintage metal bath tub.

After choosing their succulents and container it was time to get creative.  Why the rainbow crepe paper down the middle of the table you may ask.  The succulent workshop was held around St. Patrick's Day and I can't help but add a little holiday décor into my workshops.

As the guests were creating their succulent gardens I walked around and helped them in deciding how much dirt to fill in their container, which variety of succulent to place where, and gave tips on how to not kill the succulents once they got them home. The beauty of succulents is they are super easy to care for.  And if you have a yard you can remove them from your succulent garden, plant them in the ground and they will multiply.

It was so fun to see all the succulent gardens taking shape.  Those little bathtubs were SO cute stuffed with succulents.  Both guests who chose the bath tubs said they were going to place them in their kitchen window.  CUTE!

Succulent garden in progress.

Succulent garden complete.

We even had a special guest at the workshop, The Tenacious Little Terrier.  He was the cutest little helper.  He gave his paw of approval on the finished succulent gardens.

This workshop was so much fun and so popular that I'll definitely be hosting another one or two 😉  While I probably won't make it to your state this year, leave me a comment and let me know where you'd like me to host a workshop. You never know when I just might make it to your state.

St. Paddy's Day Brunch

I don't know what it is about St. Paddy's Day that makes me like to add a twist to it.  One of my fav's was my Irish Elk party.   This year I added succulents to the mix.  I also went a lot more casual for the table set up than I usually do.  Why? Because it's more fun to be in the moment with your friends than stressing about everything having to be perfect.

This year I'm shifting my focus a little and diving deeper with my posts to help you throw more mini parties at your house.  Giving tips, ways to keep the stress down, and becoming your top destination for strengthening the bonds with your friends through mini parties.

I have gotten SO much use out of that gold sequin table linen.  It's fabric from Joann's.  I absolutely love fabric but can not sew.  Sewing machines have it out for me.  I could have bought an actual  sequin table linen but it was less expensive to buy the fabric at Joann's on a  coupon.  So if you see some fabric you love, especially at Joann's, wait for a coupon and buy it then.

Ok, let's break this table down.  Is it picture perfect? Oh heck no.  Is it real and authentic? 100% yes.  To make this table picture perfect I would have to place the food in matching serving pieces and snapped all the photo's before the guests came over.  By then, the food would have been cold and I'd have to re-heat it. No biggie right?  Sure, except it adds a layer of stress trying to time it just right. No one likes a stressed host.   All the serving utensils should be out of the photo too.  But this picture is real life.

Mylar balloons.  I'm loving the mylar balloons because you don't have to take them to the store to get helium in them. One less trip to make. Unless you want them to float, then you'll need to go to the store.  But if you're going to use them for a backdrop or attach them to a table, wall etc you can just blow them up with the little stick they come with.  You might have noticed that the U is a little flat looking.  I think it had a small hole because it was full and plump until about 10 minutes before the guests arrived. Than it started going a little flat. I did not have time to run to the store and get new balloons before my guests arrived just so the U wouldn't look a little deflated. Do you think the guests even noticed?  Nope. So if this happens at your party don't even stress about it. And certainly don't point it out to your guests. You want your guests to focus on the fun, not the flaws.

You'll also notice the red wall behind the backdrop.  Here's the thing, unless I want to move my couch to the middle of the living room during the party, we don't have a white wall like you see on all the party sites.  We love color.  My point is, work with what you have. Your house doesn't have to be picture perfect to host a party.

These scones are delicious!  I serve them at a lot of my brunches because they are delicious and I never have left-overs.  The recipe is from Baker by Nature but I of course tweak it.  I add WAY more berries than the recipe calls for.  It makes the scones moist and you get a berry in every bite. One of my guests wanted the recipe and she made it for a birthday party and added a whole carton. She said everyone loved them.  If you make these scones leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

I had asked Sprinklemade to create some succulents on macarons for me and they turned out so cute! Strawberry filled to match the strawberry scones.  Instead of filling the pots with gold I filled them with succulents from my yard. Party tip- Use storage boxes to add height to your party table.  These boxes are frequently on sale at craft stores and they come in a variety of colors, patterns and glitter.  I have several and fill them with craft supplies.

I hope you enjoyed delving into the party a little deeper.  I'd love to hear your thoughts. Your comments help me make improvements. :)

Irish Elk for St. Patrick's Day

If you stopped by earlier in the week you saw my twist on St. Patrick's Day . We celebrated with the Irish Elk.  Funky Monkey Designs  created the invitation. Funky Monkey Designs asked the artist D. Trudeau  if we could use her art which was the inspiration for this party. (Always ask and get permission from the artist before using their work)

I looked everywhere for an Irish Elk figure but couldn't find one so I had to use his stunt double. 

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation loaned me antlers and hides for the party.  It helped bring the look and feel of the party to life.  My friends property in Montana served as the backdrop. 

Just playing around with the party props to achieve different looks. Apothecary jars are a very versatile party prop. 

Auntie Bea's Bakery created the perfect cookies for this party. Elk silhouettes and shamrocks. Very tasty too.  That great faux bois 2 tier stand was painted by Bubble Off Plumb. 

 These cupcakes were delish! My friends kitchen smelled amazing when we made the candied bacon. I made sure to take some to The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as a thank you for loaning me antlers and hides.  Recipe from Just a Pinch. 

 I found these great little pies in my local grocery store. Favor Bags by Fancy & Fold. 

 Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

A big thank you to the vendors.  Their products help bring party visions to life. 
Suddenly Surrounded by Taxidermy for letting me set up the party on her property.
D. Trudeau for allowing us to use her artwork.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for loaning me antlers and hides.
Funky Monkey Designs for creating the invitations. 
Auntie Bea's Bakery for sugar cookies in the party theme.
Fancy & Fold for creating favor bags. 
Ten 23 Designs for the wood shamrocks 

St. Patrick's Day- With a Twist

It all started with a cupcake pick seen on my friends page Suddenly Surrounded by Taxidermy,  a majestic Irish Elk print from artist D. Trudeau  and a party idea was born.  Let's put a twist on the traditional St. Patrick's Day party and celebrate with the Irish Elk. 

Funky Monkey Designs contacted the artist D. Trudeau and asked if we could use her stunning art as part of our invitation and she agreed. A big thank you to the artist.  Funky Monkey Designs captured just the look I wanted. 

Always ask an artist permission before using their work.

Once I had the vision for this party I knew the perfect location for it, my friend Bubble Off Plumb's property in beautiful Montana. A big thank you to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation  for loaning me the antlers and hides. They were the perfect addition to the party.

Sugar cookies by Auntie Bea's Bakery 

These Cowboy cupcakes were rich and delicious.  Recipe from Just a Pinch . The maple brown sugar candied bacon made the house smell amazing. 

 Mushroom cookies created by Creating Awesomenessity. 

A menu befitting the outdoor location. 

Lunch served among the tree's.

 And a view of the Sapphire Mountains. 

Favor bags for Auntie Bea's wonderful sugar cookies created by Fancy & Fold  

I have so many more photo's of this fabulous party to share with you so be sure to come back Thursday.

A big thank you to all the vendors who help make party visions come to life. 
Bubble Off Plumb for the idea behind this party.
D. Trudeau for allowing us to use her art work of the Irish Elk.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for loaning me the antlers and hides. 
Funky Monkey Designs for specially creating the invitations and menu.
Auntie Bea's Bakery cookies for creating the sugar cookies from my vision. 
Creating Awesomenessity for the mushroom cookies.
Ten 23 Designs for the wood shamrocks.
Fancy & Fold for the perfect favor bags.

Woo Hoo!! Wednesday

St. Patrick's Day 2013, a woman mixes a cake in her kitchen. Her husband asks, "why are you making a cake?"  The woman's reply, "Because it's St. Patrick's Day" {duh}.

Bailey's Irish Cream cake from The Noble Pig 

This cake is Delicious!  I brought some in to work to share with my fellow Judicial Assistants and word somehow leaked to the clerks.  Lets just say I didn't end up taking any cake home. 

The cake is moist and the glaze a wonderful taste of Bailey's. 

Thank you Noble Pig for sharing this recipe. Woo Hoo!!