Galentine's Day Brunch

Galentine's Day Brunch 

If you're a morning person like me, brunch is great for a Galentine's Day Celebration.   I usually start the party at 11:30 a.m.   When my friend showed up at the party this year she said, I am so glad you have your parties at 11:30 a.m., I get to sleep in, come over and spend a great time with friends and still have time to get errands done or attend an evening event.  YAY! comments like that make a host feel pretty darn good. 

This year's theme was XOXO.  I saw this gold XOXO at Hobby Lobby and the party started forming in my head.  Pink and gold are the main colours with touches of red.  I'm loving the pink with the gold. How about you?

I love serving brunch for a few reasons.

1. People love breakfast foods. 
2.  The food is easy to prepare.
3. Breakfast foods are my favorite foods. And I'm a picky eater. 

Oh how I love croissants.  So I pick up mini ones from the store.   I could try and make them but it's just so much easier to pick up at a store or local bakery.

I may not make the croissants but I do make the strawberry scones.   I make them into heart shapes by cutting out the scones with a heart shaped cookie cutter.  The heart shape of these turned out WAY better then the last time I made them into heart shapes.   I use Baker by Nature's recipe.   When you make the dough the scent of lemon from the zest smells so fresh and you get a hint of that taste in each bite. My friends like these scones so much they're always happy to take some home.

Along with the mini croissants and scones, I also made a crustless quiche and served fresh fruit.  It's not berry season in February in Oregon so I wasn't sure how these would taste but oh my my.  These berries were bursting with flavor.

You didn't think I was not going to have dessert did you?  No party of mine is complete without dessert.  These Jelly Belly Valentine Jewel Mix didn't last long.  In fact as soon as my friend saw them she grabbed a handful.  Dessert before brunch?  I'm down with that.  This mix is sooo tasty. The combination of bubble gum, cream soda and very cherry is, well, it's hard to stop eating them, that's what it is.

Classic vanilla cupcakes got Valentine'd up with gold flecked heart toppers from Wilton and Candyfetti from Sweets Indeed.  Why am I telling you where I got everything from?  In case you want it for your party you'll know where to get it.

I hope this party inspired you to host a Galentine's Day brunch.  Be sure to come back to see the cookie decorating portion of this party.  My guests and I had way too much fun and you don't want to miss it.

Shop this party:
Styling, concept and photography by: Fizzy Party
Red backdrop: Oriental Trading 
Gold sequin table linen: Joann
Gold XOXO : Hobby Lobby 
Pink glitter candle and xoxo sticker: Target 
Felt ball garland: Mailbox Happiness 
Red glitter hearts, gold glitter box, clear containers holding jelly beans: Michaels
White and red cake plates: World Market
Jelly Beans: Jelly Belly 
Gold flecked heart cupcake toppers: Wilton
Candyfetti: Sweets Indeed 

Sunday Brunch

The Hydrangeas were a perfect backdrop to a Sunday brunch with friends. My friend Carole had us over for some delicious food and great conversation. How fun to be Going to a party instead of hosting. Now if I can just talk more of my friends into doing this, hint hint

Carole is a good cook so I was looking forward to this brunch. She made us baked french toast with pecans and this delicious crust less quiche. Spinach, eggs and dripping with extra cheese. I need to make me one of these.  No quiche pan? Do what Carole did and use a pie dish. 

With watermelon in season Carole served hers up with in season blueberries. Fresh fruit for brunch is a must!

I too brought watermelon but gourmet'd mine up. I added feta cheese and drizzled it with a balsamic reduction. I got all fancy. My friends loved it! They had never had watermelon this way. 

Thank you to my friend TheMistressT of Bubble Off Plumb for introducing me to this fancied up watermelon. 

Now go invite some friends to brunch before summer comes to an end and you can't dine outside anymore. 

Little Monkey First Birthday

My friends little boy just turned one.  The theme: Monkey banana. Since he was turning one, the decorations were kept to a minimum. How many monkey's do you see?

I would have gone with a yellow or green table cloth to keep with the theme. That's just me. I like to match everything to my theme down to the last detail.

Fresh Pina Colada's were served for the adults.  By fresh, I mean, pineapple chunks and canned coconut.This was the first time I had fresh pina colada's and they were quite tasty.

Along with a veggie tray, quiches were served.  Potato and spinach variate's.

The chicken skewers were a BIG hit with the kids and the adults.  Can you tell?  We eh hem, sampled some before the party really began :)

Mini bundt banana cakes were a hit among the kids.  oops! I missed getting a picture of the chocolate covered banana's. Both dark and milk chocolate were served.

BIRTHDAY CAKE! It was gluten free and vegan because many of the kids who were invited have food allergies. I confess, I didn't try a piece.  I'm all about the gluten and sugar and eggs. As soon as my ears hear the words gluten free and vegan I think, that can't possibly taste good.  The adults that did eat the cake said it was good but dry.

Happy Birthday Jax!