How to host a Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

So this was an especially hot May 3rd in Pennsylvania and these beautiful paper fans were a must! And they came from the Dollar Store!!!

Look at the detail people! I loved them and even if I wasn't using them for this event I had to have them!
I made some fun signs and props with chalkboards:

 and print outs on cardstock in frames:

I even used some of my Easter decorations and simply added wonderland touches:

This was the entryway as guests made their way into my garden.

In the garden itself was a cardstock-backed Cheshire cat:

And I made a queen banner with 2 decks of dollar store cards (sold in one pack), a hole punch and some red ribbon.

The mushrooms and other things are normally there.

When decorating the table for a tea party it is important to remember to leave room for the food! It's very easy to get carried away with decor! Especially when it is this fabulous!

Linens are a must, I took all of my dining room chairs out for this occasion and all of my Waterford crystal. Also make sure to give your guest plenty of water as well. I make sure to have their glasses filled and 2 pitchers standing by. For this hot occasion, I also made some fresh brewed iced tea.
A few hings that I need for any tea occasion:
1. scones- recipe link at the bottom of this page
2. homemade devonshire cream
 3. strawberry jam
4.Tea! obviously!
But in my case, french caramel creme brulee tea! Yummers! The Raspberry Royale Tea by Bigalow was a huge hit at this party though. I have to say it was delightful and would prob be great cold too!

And now for the food! 
There were 9 of us, I asked certain people to either bring a dessert or a tea sandwich. I included the following in my invite:
"This lady date will be a day of whimsical Alice in wonderland fun! I will provide much of what will be needed for the day to be a success but will need some help from 3-4 ladies to bring either a tea sandwich or dessert. I know you may be thinking- I’ve never done that before!? Trust me, it’s not as overwhelming as it seems, it’s a simple search on allreceipes.com and you get many choices, most of which have 3-4 ingredients:

http://allrecipes.com/search/default.aspx?qt=k&wt=tea+sandwiches&rt=r&origin=Home+Page  "

The ladies actually had a lot of fun with it. I think the scariest part of trying something new is messing it up- but when it has 4 ingredients- you really can't!

 I made the scones, Chesire cat inspired cupcakes, devonshire cream and the strawberry swirl sammies- delish!

All-in-all a great success! 
For a no-fail scone recipe go here:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Simple-Scones/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=simple%20scones&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page&soid=sr_results_p1i1
Just watch your fingers/knuckles kids- grating frozen butter is no easy task. If you want to skip that just hit up Panera for some plain scones- they are the best for some devonshire cream, lemon curb or strawberry jam!

Make this for UNDER $5 

DIY Bunting Banner

At work we were saying "bon voyage" to an old program and wishing it farewell as it sailed away. Since it was April we were having no luck finding decor to go with this celebration. So obviously me being me volunteered to make a banner. It just so happened when I went to the Dollar Tree I saw this absolutely perfect DUCT TAPE, yes, I said duct tape people. This banner is made of duct tape. This is why it cost me less than $5. 

This is what you will need (as pictured above):

1. a good pair of scissors or in my case a Fiskars package opener- I absolutely love this tool! It has saved me from slicing my hands on those plastic packages that toys and electronics come in. AND they even have a mini screw driver in the handle there- you know for the toys as well. :)

you can buy them here: http://www.walmart.com/ip/22477846?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227016304481&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40944212432&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78883874192&veh=sem 

2. A piece of cardboard- I used the piece that comes in the bottom of a case of water

3. this fabulously classy duct tape

4. jute/twine

 Cut the cardboard into triangles - the size you would like your banner to be.

 You should be able to finish a triangle with each cut as pictured: 

The ends went in the trash. 

Now the wrapping begins! 

Make sure to leave a flap at the large end of the triangle- you will use this to fold over and secure the "flag"

  I matched up the pattern which took a little longer but I wanted it perfect.

 One your flag is covered just fold that flap of duct tape over the jute- make sure you leave slack to hang up your banner! 

 You will be left with a little over hang, you can just cut that right off with scissors or an exacto knife-

Continue doing so and alternating patterns:

I added some red bows when I got to work because it was just too plain, the finished product:

It was a huge hit! 

Post some pictures of your own! 

Hello again blogging world!

I'm happy to report that the table top roses are still doing well! Also the the squirrels do not like to eat blue bells- yes they've been up for 2 weeks or so now!

I love them! and I added some delightful daisy looking flowers to my planters.

Balsamic Vinegar Chicken Recipe, Duchess of Cambridge Ring, a cute outfit and some gardening

Hello Blogging World!

Several things happened this weekend; I bought a new fabulous ring, I planted some "tabletop" roses and I am trying out a new recipe tonight for dinner.

First things first, the ring! When I saw it I instantly loved it and with the price had to have it! Kohl's was having a super sale and I just couldn't resist and after the BF gave his blessing- there was no stopping this puppy from coming home with me, here she is:

Ignore my blue nails lol. I didn't know I'd be buying this ring when I got them done. Isn't she fabulous? Yes, it's a she because it reminds me of the Duchess' ring. You know, Kate Middleton! I have a lady crush on her. She's stunning. So I'm thrilled to have something so beautiful and similar. and mostly to pay less then $80 for it! Woot woot! This girl loves a sale! and then to have a coupon and Kohl's cash on top of it just puts the icing on the cake for me...


 Now for the gardening, the prized ring had to come off for this, lol.  I bought these: tabletop roses and thought that they would look nice in the planters that I have on the BF's balcony. There's not too much room to put big plants plus I'm cheap and I get bored easily. I like to switch around the things that I have in there. Now the planter won't be complete until the Vinca vines grow back in. And the sprouty little plant is some kind of Dianthus, I think they were pink but I can't really remember.
So what do you think?

 You can't tell from the picture but these next ones are purple:

I'll keep you posted on the ease of these roses and the longevity.  I'm a semi lazy gardener since I split up my time between my two homes. So needless to say, if they are too much work they won't last long... it's terrible but true.


 The new dish that I was trying out was a pin that I've had on my board for months and today was the day that it was selected. Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with fresh tomatoes. In no way, shape or form was I trying to claim ownership over this recipe but the pin is a dead end.
 http://pinterest.com/pin/40391727879924492/ 
You can also follow me on Pinterest ;)

So here it is:
Balsamic Vinegar Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 – 5 garlic cloves
 1 cup fresh basil
 1 tablespoon olive oil
 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
 1/4 cup water
 1 cup sliced mushrooms
 1 package of cherry or grape tomatoes
 1/2 red onion
 Combine all ingredients in an oven safe dish and place in a preheated oven (350 degrees) until chicken is cooked through. 

I can't give you the time in the oven because I shrunk down the recipe and butterflied the chicken breast because I'm impatient. This is before it went in the oven: 

And as a side I got some zucchini and yellow squash. This is before it went in the oven, I am putting them both in the oven at the same temperature. The veggies should take a little linger so I'll put that in first.

This is what it looked like after the oven:

And last but not least, the outfit. This was my outfit on Saturday and I must say I've definitively got my money out of these red jeans. I love them and they were also a Kohl's buy, thanks Lauren Conrad for generally being a douche but making great clothes. I picked this pose as the best way to show my jewelry and boots while at home by myself and setting the camera and running before it went off. I know I'll get made fun of for it later but I accept. lol! I love Spring- Ahh warm weather!

That is all!