In approximately two hours, I will be at school with my youngest boy, registering him for classes and meeting our new teacher, Ms. Layher!  It is her first year teaching second grade, so I thought I would bring her something special to start off her year in her new classroom!  This wreath is all the rage on Pinterest.  I’ve seen it created with pencils, crayons, chalkboard, and other creative additions.  This is my wreath and below are some tips on how I created it.  Trust me, if you like the photo, wait until you see it in person.  And yes, it is SUPER EASY!!

First, I purchased a flat wreath form.  It is one of the least expensive forms to buy, around $4.99 at Michael’s.  I’ve seen people use all sorts of other wreath forms as well.  I hot glued crayons to the wreath, making sure to keep the “crayola” logo facing up.  When the logos are lined up, it forms a nice black band around the wreath and lining up all the graphic elements on the crayons make the wreath look clean and tidy!

Believe it or not, that is the hard part!  Once you hot glued all the crayons, you can then add accessories which can be reflective of your teacher (or yourself, if you are creating this wreath for your front door).  I do not know much about our new teacher, other than her name.  So, I used chalkboard letters to customize her wreath.  I also purchased a small rectangular chalkboard where I wrote “2nd Grade”.  This creates a custom look, but will also give her the opportunity of changing the message depending on her mood.

I also added some ribbon flowers which I created by twisting ribbon into a circular shape and hot gluing it.  If you don’t feel like going through the trouble of making ribbon flowers, just purchase some silk flowers, like colorful daisies, and use them instead.

In need of more ideas, check out Pinterest for more creative ways on embellishing your crayon wreath.  This wreath can be made for your front door, a back to school party, or a great teacher’s gift!

This year, I was in charge of the Back-To-School Party for my 2nd grader!  It was so much fun and I created some fun centerpieces as well as an adorable wreath for his teacher that is all the rage on Pinterest.  Since we had a buffet at our party, I thought it was cute to create a fun little sign to jazz the buffet up.  Here is my sign and how I made it.

First, I purchased pencils and crayons at Target.  They were at an incredible price of $1.00 for 24 pencils and .50 for a box of crayons.  Then I needed a round object.  Any will do.  I found a lid from a whipped topping container.  But really, any round object will work… even cardboard.

Then, I simply hot glued my pencils in a star burst pattern on the lid.  Then, filled in the empty areas with crayons.  Everything needs to be hot glued very thoroughly.  Lastly, I hot glued the round chalkboard to the pencils, added a ribbon bow, and wrote “Welcome Back” on the chalkboard.  Done!

I always get excited at the beginning of the school year!  Meeting new teachers, reconnecting with old friends… there is so much excitement for so many different reasons.  This year, I was in charge of organizing my youngest boy’s 2nd grade back-to-school party and I wanted to do something fun.  I didn’t really have a theme or a “vision”,  I just wanted to make something universal, fun, and cheerful.  Plus, it had to be cheap… no money in the budget for decorations, so I was on my own.  I went with a rainbow color theme because I figured it was gender neutral and easy to work with.  I also went through my closets to see if I could find items from past projects and lo and behold, I found ribbon, terra cotta containers, Easter grass, and styrofoam… I’m set!  Last but not least, I took advantage of the big back-to-school sales going on and purchased pencils and crayons at ridiculously low prices.

For my centerpieces, I purchased pop-up tissue balls at Target in the party section.  They were around $2.00 each.  I also purchased a ton of crayons which were 2 boxes of 24 for .50 (48 total).  I also purchased a round chalkboard for my “Welcome Back” centerpiece and that was the most expensive at $3.00 from Michael’s.  My last purchase were wooden sticks, which were about .50 at Michael’s. The sticks were needed so I could transform my tissue ball (which is meant to be hung) into a topiary.

From there, I started to improvise.  I used terra cotta containers and stuffed styrofoam inside each one.  You can also use oasis squares.  I stuck the wooden sticks into the styrofoam and took out the tissue balls from the wrappers.  Once you are ready to put the tissue balls on, make sure that you wrap them around the stick and glue the ends of the tissue balls together.    I used the thinnest sticks I could find at Michael’s…. sorry, skewer sticks won’t work.  You can paint the sticks… but why bother… kids don’t care!

To cover up the styrofoam, I hot glued paper Easter grass to it.   Last but not least, I tied some yellow ribbon around the neck of the wooden stick and had my boys hot glued crayons all round the terra cotta container just for fun!

This was a super easy project for centerpieces and I have to tell you, it will inspire you to create other things with those fabulous tissue balls.

For more details on how I made the “Welcome Back” sign and the 2nd grade teacher’s wreath,  check out my other post.

I’m going to admit something to you… I have a fail safe party secret which ALWAYS works… I mean ALWAYS!  Chocolate covered anything!  Some people resort to chips and dip, I resort to chocolate and it has never failed me yet.  So the next time you get the urge to entertain, try covering these foods in chocolate.  Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

Chocolate covered cherries

Super easy and absolutely delicious.  Cover these beauties in white or dark chocolate and you won’t be able to eat just one.  Serve them in a martini glass for a beautiful presentation.

Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Sandwiches

Hold on to your hats!  As if ice cream sandwiches weren’t enough, now you can dip them in delicious milk or dark chocolate for an added special touch and what’s a party if you don’t make your guests feel special.  Just make your sandwiches and freeze for four hours.  Melt chocolate and quickly dip the sandwiches in the chocolate and put back in the freezer.  I placed all my sandwiches on parchment paper in the freezer.  The sandwiches picture above were for a dinner party we had a few weeks back.  I also dipped them in bacon and peanuts…. yes, I’m crazy!

Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

I know, I know… pure sin!  However, chocolate covered potato chips seem to have a great combination of the “salty and sweet” that people enjoy.  Plus, it’s unique and who doesn’t want to do something “out of the box” at a party?!  Trust me, your guests may look at you funny initially, but they’ll be praising your efforts after they try it! Just brush a little chocolate on a thick potato chip.  I suggest using the kettle brand or the rippled versions.  I wouldn’t dip the chips, a light brushing seems to have a nice effect without overpowering the chip as dipping may do.

Chocolate Covered Bacon

Hold on to your hats!  What’s the hottest food trend? Chocolate covered bacon, of course!  I prefer to brush my bacon with chocolate instead of dipping it.  I find that brushing it gives it just the right balance.  Although some people fully dip the bacon and love it!  You’ll have to try it yourself and discover your preference!  Just make your bacon as you normally would.  I prefer to bake mine and for an added sweetness, I sprinkle a generous amount of brown sugar on the bacon before placing it in the oven.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This classic will never fail you.  You can ask my friends, no one has ever NOT had chocolate covered strawberries at least once while hanging out at my house.  Simply put, they are the magic dessert that always seems to look beautiful and taste sensational.  I prefer to dip my strawberries in dark chocolate, it’s the best combination of wonderfully sweet strawberries with a slightly bitter taste of the dark chocolate.  Pure perfection!!  And if you really want to go crazy, stuff the strawberries with cheesecake filling.  Your guests will never forget it!!  Here’s the recipes.

Each year, an incredible event takes place at the Ritz Carlton in St. Louis.  The Children’s Hospital Table Tops Annual Spring Event.  This stunning event is the most talked about event of the spring with very elaborate table tops created by local designers. Best of all, proceeds benefit the Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital Endowment Fund for Camp Rhythm, a summer camp specially designed for children with heart problems.

Here are a few photos from some of my favorite designers who participated this year.  There were a lot more table tops, but these are some of my favorites!!

Mary Tuttle’s – The Art of Living is a stunning store in Chesterfield Commons, which may just be the most amazing experience you will have, shopping for beautiful home decor, flowers, and fine china.  If you are in Chesterfield, make sure to stop by their beautiful store.  Their table-top was a garden theme with a variety of potted flowers and plants.  The Juliska china was a show-stopper!

The St. Louis Service Bureau – Is a beautiful non-for-profit boutique in Ladue, Missouri that benefits local charities.  If you love unforgettable stationery, unique home decor items, gifts, and jewelry, this store should be on your list to visit!  And the fact that it benefits local charities, is icing on the cake!  Their theme at the Table Top Event was the May Pole.  It was colorful, stylish, and a breath of fresh air!  Just looking at this table makes me happy!  I especially loved the mint julep cups and the long tapered candles.

Cosmopolitan Events is a St. Louis based special events planning company.  The team at Cosmopolitan Events are incredible at making their clients’ vision a reality! This year, they created a beautiful table with the most stunning color platte.

Wildflowers, a custom floral designer in St. Louis, created this gorgeous design… need I say more?!  It’s no wonder their  floral masterpieces grace the halls of the St. Louis Art Museum.

Last, but certainly not least, is Belli Fiori’s wedding jaw-dropper!  The entire design is dripping with opulence!  Orchids, hydrangeas, diamonds… seriously, what else can a girl ask for? Are those sequins on the tablecloth? I’m in LOVE!

For some people, when Easter comes, it’s time to dye the eggs!  In our household, it’s time to buy the PEEPS!!  We don’t eat a ton of them, but we LOVE to craft with them!  I have made a lot of fun PEEPS items over the years.  This year, we made a PEEPS bouquet out of sugar that we colored.  The result, was a fun sugar design and a fun PEEPS bouquet.  I demonstrated how to make this bouquet on Better Kansas City, a local TV show.  If you would like to see a step by step tutorial, just go to my VIDEOS page and look for the EASTER PEEPS VIDEO.

I was inspired by a similar recipe off a Manischewitz Matzah box.  I’m not sure if this is Kosher for Passover, but if you’ve never had Matzah / Matzo before, and you are not keeping kosher, this is a great way to enjoy it! If you need this to be Kosher, I would do a little more research or ask your Rabbi if modifications need to be made. I did read that they sell kosher for Passover caramel, as well as chocolate.  Someone told me that “Kosher” and “Kosher for Passover” may be different.  The Cool Whip tub does have the circle K on it, to say that it’s Kosher, but I don’t know if it’s kosher for Passover.  My goal with this recipe was to have my friends, who are not Jewish, try Matzah / Matzo for the first time, so keeping kosher was not the goal.  I also think this is one of those “surprise” desserts which can be eaten year round and the fact that it is made out of Matzo is the best part!!

MATZO / MATZAH CAKE

2 pkgs Matzo / Matzah
1 extra large tub – Cool Whip
1 bag of crushed or slivered almonds
1-2 bags dark chocolate bars or chips
1 jar caramel  (you can purchase the kosher variety available on-line)
1 bottle of grape juice or wine

Melt the chocolate bars/chips in a double boiler. In a bowl, empty out some of the melted chocolate and fold in 1/2 the tub of the cool whip. Keep folding until most of the chocolate is mixed in with the cool whip. You can play with the amount of chocolate by your preference. Add more chocolate for a chocolatier taste and less for less chocolate. This process doesn’t create a very smooth spread, but, once you spread it on the matzo and cover it up with another matzo, no one will actually see the cool whip and chocolate spread. Reserve the other 1/2 tub of cool whip for your layering.

Place a pile of matzo in a container and pour wine or grape juice over it. Give it about 15-35 seconds to soak in.

It’s time to layer. Take your matzo (which has been soaking in the wine/grape juice for 15-35 seconds) and spread the chocolate/cool whip frosting on top. Sprinkle some almonds on the frosting. Place another matzo on top and spread just cool whip on it. Take your caramel and pour a few drops on the corners and in the middle of the second layer. Place another matzo on top and repeat with the chocolate cool whip mixture with the almonds. Repeat with the plain cool whip and caramel. Continue with these steps until you have reached your desired height. On the very top matzo, spread just the melted chocolate and top off with a couple of strawberries.

Your last step is to refrigerate the matzo cake for at least 4 hours.  I actually had mine in the refrigerator for 24 hours and it came out great.  In fact, we even ate it 2 days after I made it and it was still delicious!!

For impact, I surrounded my matzo cake with strawberries.  But you can do raspberries, or any fruit!

I am absolutely in love with this recipe!  It is perfect in every way!  I love that people who are watching their carbs can enjoy this.  As a low carb eater, I find it hard, at some parties, to find items I can enjoy.  However, now you can create a beautiful appetizer without having to worry about your carb count.  If you don’t like endives, this recipe is great as a side dish as well!!!

CAULIFLOWER AND BACON BOATS

1 Head of Cauliflower
5 Strips of Bacon
1/4 -1/2 cup of chopped onion
3 Garlic Cloves – chopped
1 Tbsp of your favorite fresh herbs
1 Tbsp nutmeg
1/2 stick of butter of 1/4 cup of olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
1 Tsp of lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste
1 endive
2 Tbsp of your favorite salad dressing (I love ranch)

Cut the cauliflower into small pieces and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Arrange on a baking pan and roast in your oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cauliflower becomes tender.  Once the cauliflower is done, heat butter or olive oil in a pan and saute the onions and garlic.  Throw in the bacon and continue until its ready.  For the last step, add the cauliflower to the mixture in the pan and add lemon juice, lemon zest, nutmeg, herbs, and salt and pepper.  Arrange the endive leaves on a plate and add a drop or two of your favorite dressing.  Fill with the cauliflower mixture.  Sprinkle dried chives, or any herb you adore and serve immediately.

The cauliflower mixture can also be prepared a day ahead! Or served as a side dish without the endive boats.

The grandparents are in town and wanted to celebrate my son’s birthday early. But he gave up cakes and candy for lent. Thank goodness for Pinterest! I got inspired to make a fruit birthday cake with a fireworks theme. So easy and it made his day!!!

I had a great time on Better Kansas City showcasing some super easy recipes for St. Patrick’s Day.  My favorite, has to be the Rainbow Sangria!  All of the recipes are available in our “recipes” section and I also included links.

IRISH FLAG TRIFLE

RAINBOW SANGRAIA