Valentine/LOVE Party

Well, it look me a little while, but I'm finally posting our Valentine/LOVE party. 

Can we first just take a minute and talk about that cake?
Oh, WOW!

I actually ended up making this cake two week-ends in a row because my family didn't think they got enough of it the first time! It was really that good!

Three layers of dark chocolate brownie, sandwiched together with a rich and fluffy chocolate chip cookie dough icing.  (The icing was incredible!)

The recipe came from here.
Instead of pouring chocolate ganache over the entire cake, (like the recipe said) I frosted the top and then poured the chocolate over each piece as it was sliced and served. It was so delicious!
(The LOVE lettering was made with melted dark chocolate piped on wax paper.)

This party was a Sunday lunch gathering.  AH chose to grill up his favorite ribs for everyone.  Click here for that recipe.  We also served green salad, fresh fruit and vegetables...but really the ribs and cake were the stars of the show!

OK, moving onto the decor.  Red was the color of the day.

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I pushed my two tables together to make seating for 12 guests.
Solid red wrapping paper lined the tables as a runner.  Grapevine branches were found on Christmas clearance at Joanns.

Red mini stands and pillar candles were found at Michaels
and this wide wired ribbon was looped down the table runner.

Red chargers, red paper napkins and heart paper plates were used. Guests ate on glass plates that set atop the paper plates and chargers.

These square bud vases were filled with red and white carnations and a few mini roses and greenery.  I absolutely LOVE these vases and I use them all the time.  I've had friends borrow them for showers, parties, weddings and I even used them at this memorial. 

I tied on little paper hearts to the drinking glasses for name markers.

The pops of red in our home were eye catching!

Here's a look at the kid's table.

Melamine heart plates (found at Target years ago) and lots of felt hearts decorated this table.  Mini red pails held candy for each guest and a red mailbox became the centerpiece.

And of course I made a photo booth.

This photo backdrop actually covered the messy desk area in our kitchen...perfect coverage!

The love balloon came from here.  The striped fabric is actually a shower curtain from Target.  I love using fabric shower curtains for back drops because you can hang them so easily with Command hooks.  The shower curtains already have built-in holes.

My daughter took lots of photos with her Instamax camera. (It's so fun to have one of these cameras at a party.  Guests can go home with an actual photo!)  I took lots of digital pictures, too.

This was such a fun party, that we re-created it the next week-end when my parents came to town.  I was amazed how easy it was to pull this party together the 2nd time around.  The thought did cross my mind (just for a second) that every party should be done twice.
No, that's just too exhausting, but my family would argue that the desserts should be made twice.

 Click here to see my party page. An A to Z list of every party I've posted on michellepaigeblogs.com

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Simple Halloween Mantel

A Simple Halloween Mantel

Well, we finally decided that the TV was not going above the mantel in our new house. In our old house the giant black box was above the mantel, which meant decorating the mantel was out.  (Not that I didn't try.)
When the TV is above the mantel, the main attraction of the room becomes...you guessed it, the TV.

I actually went back and forth about the TV placement decision for quite awhile...10 months to be exact. I asked many people and family members for their opinions. 

A neutral colored living room allows me to add pops of color in any shade.  This month it's orange!

And with the TV out of the way, I can have a Halloween mantel, oooooh, how fun!


I found my old, cracked, stained glass black window and put a paper backing behind it.  On top I hung this black feather wreath I've had for years. (they sell these at Target.)
A few tall candlesticks (all found at second hand stores,) gives the perfect Halloween touch.  








Real mini pumpkins straight from the pumpkin patch and the polka dot orange and black ribbon add to the theme.  (ribbon from Hobby Lobby.)  More ribbon looped around to add to the Halloween colors. 

Oh, I almost forgot.  The black crow (from Michaels) is perched on a candle.  My son thought the crow was 'epic'.  

I always forget how much the kids appreciate the holiday decor...even as teenagers.
Apparently, you're never too old for Halloween?  (Well, that's what the kids are saying...)

Happy Halloween!

 

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15+ Mother's Day Party Ideas

Mother's Day is quickly approaching!  Need some new ideas to celebrate mom?  I've gathered up our past Mother's Day celebrations to inspire you.  So many fun, creative ideas to choose from, plus some real cute kids to look at!  Take a look and click on the links for more information.


2011  Mother's Day Pink, Lime Green and Toile

Mother's Day Celebration
Flower Pot Place Markers
Squiggle Cake for Mom
Plastic Tablecloth Poms
Herb Garden for Mom



2012  Mother's Day Turquoise Party

Mother's Day Turquoise Party
Glass Jar Painting
Gumball Wreath
Ruffle Cake for Mom
A Love Tree



2013  Mother's Day Tea Party Brunch


Mother's Day Tea Party Brunch
Tea-riffic Tea Bag Cookies
Donut Hole Cupcakes
Card Branch Gift Idea for Mom



Here's our Lime Green Mother's Day Celebration.  This one never made it on the blog, but don't you just love our color theme?  Lime green with black and white polka dots plus some chalkboard thrown in. 

2014  Lime Green Mother's Day

A few details: 
-Lime green jello push pops were a hit with my nephews.
-Chalkboard tags were used for place markers.
-Polka dot cupcake liners held little candies and treats.
-I made everyone take a turn in the 'photo booth' (of course). 
-We changed up from a brunch menu to a lunch menu. Yummy!  -The men chose to 'cuddle' up at the table so they could celebrate Mother's Day AND keep their eye on the Mariner's game happening on the TV. (They're cheering for a M's win.)
-The lime green poms down the center of the table were from Mother's Day 3 years ago.  I love when I can reuse!
- Lime green polka dot wrapping paper covered the table, with black and white polka dot crepe paper down the center.


2015 Pink Floral Mother's Day

Floral Mother's Day
Mother's Day Centerpiece
Mother's Day LEFT/RIGHT Game

2016 Gold Themed Mother's Day

A Golden Mother's Day

2017 Mother's Day--at a restaurant. (gasp!)
2018 Mother's Day--Black and White (never made it to the blog, stay tuned.)

2019 Lemon Yellow Themed Mother's Day

  Lemon Party for Mom

Happy Mother's Day to you!
Want to see more parties on my blog? Click here.

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'Rollin' in the New Year Party Ideas

***The printables to this post have been updated to welcome in 2017.  See below for link.

Whether you're hosting New Year's with a crowd or just the family, these pun printables will have everyone ready to 'roll' in the new year!

Simply print out the tags and cut them out.
Click here for link.  Tags have been updated to welcome in 2017.

Mini forks and coffee stirrers work perfectly with the tags.

 Stick a tag in a mini fork and place in a big pretzel crusted roll.

Attach a tag to a coffee stirrer and stick in these swiss rolls.

 Rolo candies make perfect party favors. 
Attach tag and tie candies up in a bow.

Other candy treats to fit the theme...
Fruit Roll-ups!

and don't forget Tootsie Rolls!

Of course you can expand on this 'roll' theme with the dinner menu.
Why not serve up egg rolls or sushi California rolls or even give my yummy Chicken Roll-Up recipe a try?

'Roll' the dice to play Bunco and be sure to award the highest roller a Cinnabon gift card.  (Get it? Cinnamon 'rolls'.)

 Have a rockin', rollin' great New Years!
(What would you add to this theme?)







Sticking with the 'roll' theme...
click here to see my 'Role' Appreciation Gift.


Here's some more New Year's Pun Party Ideas for you.  Click here.

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Washi Tape Turkey Favor Sacks

Here's another quick turkey favor idea for
the kid's Thanksgiving table.

Cute and easy!

Here's the supplies I used.

Roll out strips of colorful Washi tape down the mini paper sack.

Cover the entire front of the sack.

Trim pieces and fold the excess tape
over the back of the sack to secure.

No pattern to follow, just cut.

Cut little triangle shapes from orange colored cardstock, for the turkey's nose.
Cut little squiggly shapes from red colored cardstock for the turkey's snood.
Using glue dots, adhere all the pieces to the front of the sack.

For extra flair, tie a piece of twine or jute around the bag.
Add a few packages of Sixlets candies for the 'feathers'.

That's it.
These are so easy, you could have the kids make their own!

Set a turkey sack at each place setting.

Gobble! Gobble!
Happy Thanksgiving!

More turkey ideas:

Candy Turkey Favors

Office Supply Turkey

Sugar Cookie Fruit Turkey

Linking up to: TheFrugalGirls Chic&Crafty,
LinkPartyPalooza,
TimetoSparkle,
WowMeWednesday,

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