dessert bar

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!!!

10:42 AM

Man it's hot outside, and when it's this hoe all I can think of is ice cream!! Here is a gorgeous ice cream sundae bar from blog Eat Drink Chic as inspiration. You can even download the cute sign templates here.
The best way to create a ice cream bar (or candy station) is to pick a color scheme and run wild with it. I found a few products to make a fun summer inspired ice cream bar.
Beach Ball Placecard Holder
For the label holders look for fun place card holders like the ones found here. I chose beach balls to bring in that Beach-summer look.

Polka Dot Ice Cream Bowls (set of 4)
 These fun ice cream bowls found here are colorful and great to hold a myriad of toppings.
Gerson Small Glass Apothecary Jars with Lids, Set of 2
Apothecary jars found here can hold nuts - the lid will keep them safe from anyone with allergies.

Anchor Hocking 1-Gallon Heritage Hill Jar with Glass Lid
 Another jar option found here.

This silverware drawer can be cute sprayed white and label holders placed on. Found this one on Etsy .

Yellow striped table cloth from Cloth Connection

Yellow Cake Decorations - YELLOW JIMMIES EDIBLE Candy Confetti Sprinkles for Cakes, Cupcakes & Cookies

Yellow Chocolates from Candy Warehouse


DOTS Original Chewy Candy

Also, include white toppings like coconut and marshmallows.

Another idea would be to make a ice cram sandwich bar. Make the sandwiches ahead of time (super easy - buy cookies and ice cream) and freeze at least overnight. Put out the sandwiches and have guests dip in a bunch of different toppings like sprinkles, nuts, even Carmel and chocolate sauce.
Tovolo Ice-Cream Pop Molds, Set of 4
A friend of mine got these super cool Ice Cream molds that allow you put your own mixture in it and freeze. Mix vanilla ice cream with a bunch of candy and freeze. Or, for the health conscious make it with yogurt like Chobani or Fage.

new ideas

Pottery Barn Party Planner

8:00 AM

The famed furniture store we all know and love now does party planning!! As always, Pottery Barn brings the masses great ideas on decorating and entertaining but the actual products may be a bit... shall we say impractical and overpriced?  Nonetheless, the site has tons of "tools you need" to host 9 different parties, from olive oil tasting (see above) to movie night. They even offer invite templates, how-to videos  and playlists. Definitely something to check out for all you party planners out there. 

The olive oil tasting party seems different and interesting for the foodies. Maybe at a house warming party this wouldn't seem so um, slow paced? This oil drizzler would make a nice gift and for only $10.50 you can pair it with a nice bottle of olive oil. 

These vintage beer bottles are where we start to get a bit crazy. $199 for old glass? Umm, no. Plus, I don't really get the connection to the olive oil party except to lend an old world feel for 2-hundy bucks. If you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket and are pondering ways to totally waste it then feel free to purchase these ridiculous items.
But I digress...

There is also a "Farmhouse Brunch" which reminded me how much I love brunch (stay tuned for an entire post on brunch parties!).  They feature recipes like custard battered french toast…YUM, and "easy" almond tart, which I may attempt because the word easy is in the title. 

I also love the rustic look with galvanized tin accessories. However, don't pay the Pottery Barn price when you can easily get buckets and tubs from hardware stores. 

The movie night is cool and not just because they show a martini bar (ok maybe), I love the popcorn presentation. However, I'm thinking it would be better to use parchment paper, I just keep seeing black popcorn from the ink…no bueno!