Preppy Baby Announcements

I saw these the last time that I was at Target, and they are just too cute for the price!! 50 cards for $20 is too good of a deal! Even though you have to do some of the work yourself, they do have a template, which should make the work a little easier. Looking at the online reviews, everyone was really pleased with how they turned out. Just an idea you members of the Preppy Preggo Club! You can use the main card for the picture and then the small card for the little one's new name, birth weight, etc.
I am thinking about using the pink and green one for a party invitation and using the little card as an RSVP card.

Potted Plant Arrangement

My grandmother did this arrangement for our Easter celebration. This arrangement gave a very grand appearance to the center of the buffet table for a fraction of what cut flowers would have cost. The cool thing about using potted plants, instead of fresh cut, is that it can be less expensive and they last much longer. She got this wire flower tower from a local interior design shop, but you can find them at gardening centers as well.

One of the tips that she said is to include plenty of greenery. This gives the arrangement a fresh, spring look. My favorite were the bright green baby ferns that are on the 2nd and 4th layers.

Also, in order to cover up the pots, you can use spanish moss, or any other kind of moss, around the outer edges of the wire rack.

Another idea that I heard recently for bridal showers...

They arranged a large pot with potted plants in the center of the table, which was later given to the couple to plant at their new home. Smaller arrangement were put into terracotta pots and disperse throughout the house. These were the guest's party favor at the end of the day! Another way that you can use potted plants as a less expensive option for entertaining!

Mardi Gras: LPW Edition

This post is a shout out to my fabulous friend M, with whom I have spent many fun and crazy moments with!! After moving away from Memphis during middle school, she became a NOLA resident. One of my favorite memories from high school was my "college visit" to Tulane that "magically" occurred during Mardi Gras week. We hopped from house party to parade to krewe balls all week long. Somehow, we managed to party to the LSU frat boys AND live to tell the tale! Anyways, I wish that I could have been down there again this year to celebrate, but this darn test on Tuesday really cramped my style!


So this is what I decided to do to celebrate the week! I made my very first homemade king cake! First, let me warn you that this is not for the faint of heart. Also, the recipe calls for a HEAVY DUTY mixer -- ex. KitchenAid Stand Mixer -- and they really mean it. Yes, I had to learn this the hard way. Also, I would recommend not making this if you are not in good shape. Seriously, my abs and arms are still aching from kneeding the dough yesterday! I kept thinking that at least I was burning off some of the calories I was about to eat. With all the warnings having been said... let's proceed to the recipe!

Southern Living's King Cake

Yield: 2 cakes

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 6 to 6 1/2 cups bread flour (you can also use all-purpose, but the cake will be denser)

You will need to choose one of the two filling options!

Filling Option 1

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Filling Option 2

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Creamy Glaze -- not optional :)

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons milk
• Decorating sugars
  

Directions:

1. Cook first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts. Set aside, and cool mixture to 100° to 110°.

2. Stir together yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a 1-cup glass measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.

[Watching yeast activate is actually pretty interesting!]

3. Beat sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, and 2 cups flour at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add enough remaining flour (4 to 4 1/2 cups) until a soft dough forms.

[This became known as plan B. I almost burned up my roommate's hand mixer, so I turned to the Cuisinart with a bread attachment. I will NOT be making this recipe again, until I get a HEAVY DUTY stand mixer like the recipe calls for ;) but the recipe turned out okay so I guess you could use a food processor with the special attachment instead.]

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top.

[Before]

5. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until dough is doubled in bulk.

[During]

[After!]

6. Punch down dough, and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 22- x 12-inch rectangle.

7. Filling Option 1: Spread 1/3 cup softened butter evenly on each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter on each rectangle.

Filling Option 2 (this is what I did): Beat 3/4 cup sugar; 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 1 large egg; and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on each dough rectangle, leaving 1-inch borders.

[mmmm... the best part is getting to lick the spoon!]

[I used a measuring tape to make sure that my dough was rolled out to the correct dimensions.]

8. Roll up each dough rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side. Place one dough roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bring ends of roll together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. Repeat with second dough roll.

[Make sure to roll tightly and evenly!]

9. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 to 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

[This is what it looks like after it has proofed again and is ready for the oven.]

10. Bake at 375° for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden. Slightly cool cakes on pans on wire racks (about 10 minutes).

[This is what it looks like after it came out of the oven. I should have let it cook a little longer so that the inside would have been completely cook. So, the cake should be golden brown --> brown.]

11. Make glaze. Stir together first 4 glaze ingredients. Stir in 2 tablespoons milk, adding additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until spreading consistency.

[I used a whisk to combine all of the ingredients. Also, it took a good amount more milk than the recipe called for to even get it to be spreadable.]

12. Drizzle Creamy Glaze evenly over warm cakes; sprinkle with colored sugars, alternating colors and forming bands. Let cool completely.

[I was so excited to find these pink and green sprinkles on the baking aisle! It wasn't until after I had put them on the cake that I realized that they are watermelon flavored! Oh well... it still tasted good!]

[Voila!]

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! I hope you all have a wonderful Fat Tuesday!!

On the Nineth Day of Christmas...

I got Styrofoam cups with this design on them last year, and I still love it!! You can find them at Cool Cups and Stuff. They also have some really funny Christmas designs for cups and cocktail napkins, along with a lot of other interesting things. If you are having a Christmas get together, you should check it out!

P.S. It is a really hectic weekend so my posting might be a little sparatic. I promise I will try to be better next week :)

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

I am recovering from our WACKY TACKY CHRISTMAS PARTY and doing homework.

Here is the way that my day started out... with text messaging my fabulous roomie, who was no more than 15 feet away.

ME (1:29 PM) - I need food!! Want to grab a bite to eat?
HER (1:29 PM) - hhmm... Sho. Let me kick this red head out real quick.
ME (1:34 PM) - Sounds like a plan! I'll get dressed... or at least attempt to!
ME (2:15 PM) - Tummy is growling! Any success detouring red head outta bed?

Right after the last text, I hear the front door slam shut and in comes fabulous roomie to say she is ready to go. Apparently her BF (red head) is not very easy to wake up! So off we headed to Wendy's in an attempt to cure our lingering hangovers.

Last night was so much fun, and I cannot begin to tell you how crazy the outfits were! I think the guys had more fun with their sweaters than the girls did. About half of our guests raided their mother's closets, while others hit up the local thrift stores.

The picture above was the sweater that I sported. I stole it from my grandmother's closet, along with a bunch of other interesting finds. She wore this to Christmas Day last year! My uncle said if she wore it again, he would disown her!! So, I have decided that I will let everyone have a good laugh when I show up to our family's Christmas Day celebration wearing this exact piece of fashion!

The girls in charge of the drinks came up to two very deadly concoctions that I thought I would pass along.

Sex Under the Christmas Tree

• 2 large cans of peaches in heavy syrup
• 1 bottle of cranberry juice
• 1 gallon of orange juice
• 1 bottle of triple sec
• 1 handle of vodka (I think they added 2!)

Cranberry Champagne

• 1 can frozen cranberry juice
• 2 bottle champagne
• Fresh cranberries to float in the drinks

Back to studying I go! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

Easy Entertaining During Cold Weather!

I am all about having a good time! My friends and I love to get together and cook dinner, play board games, or grab a drink. With this in mind, we are always coming up with fun things to try or do. Since the weather has really taken a turn for the worse... its been cold and dreary around here. I decided I was going to try to do something to warm everyone up. I started thinking of cold weather essentials and set out to try homemade chili. Not only is it easy to do, but it is really inexpensive (okay so the college kid in me comes out every once in a while).

I found a recipe on allrecipes.com that appeared to be the easiest and then I changed it a little to make it my own. Here is what I did...

1. Chop half of a medium onion and brown in the pan with one pound of ground turkey.
2. Then drain the meat and add one packet of chili mix (I used the hot kind and it was definitely spicy!)
3. Add one can of chopped tomatoes (with the liquid) and one can of kidney beans (with half the liquid)
4. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

While the chili was simmering I made cornbread muffins using the Jiffy box (my fav!)

Then to garnish...
Make sure you have sour cream, cheddar cheese, and chives.

Not only is this super easy but everyone thought it was amazing! I plan on making it again very soon!