Scare Up Some Fun With the Best Halloween Cake Pans for 2024
No fright-night get-together is complete without a spooktacular Halloween cake. Shopping for skull, ghost, or jack-o’ lantern-shaped cakes? How about a tasty 3D haunted mansion or frosting-oozing brains for your party centerpiece this year? These top-selling Halloween cake pans make it easy to whip up spooky snacks like these—and more. Several top-rated bakeware brands make […]
Thanksgiving Prep: 5 Steps to a Stress-Free Holiday
I love hosting Thanksgiving, I think even more than hosting Christmas, and I have managed to sidestep house prep woes this year – but that has not always been the case! Here’s how I’ve managed to host Thanksgivings for more than 15 people on a working mom’s schedule and in a house that seats, say 12 on a good day.
Video DIY: 5 Easy Steps to a Party-Perfect Buffet Table in Any Size Space
Ever been to a party with great food on a beautifully arranged buffet table all served up by an unruffled host? If you’re like me, you’ve probably left a few of these parties wondering just how they pulled it off. While the host who throws perfect parties time after time may seem a magician, there’s […]
Video DIY: Set Stylish Holiday Tables on a Budget
Is the party at you house this year? Decorating a festive table doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can easily set stylish holiday tables on a budget that look like a million bucks! Take a look at these great table settings that are holiday-ready for any type of get together, from casual to festive […]
Video DIY: Thanksgiving Kids’ Tables Made Easy with These Simple Tips
Ah, the kid’s table… the spot where, if lucky, you might corral busy youngsters for a whopping seven minutes during Thanksgiving dinner. It’s always just enough time for them to smear potatoes across their face, drop their plate on the floor, then materialize at the grownups’ table just as you’re getting seated… But we can fix that!
5 Easy Ways to Add Color to Fall Decorating with Inexpensive Silk Leaves
Fall seems to be a time of decorating quick-change. Within 60 days, we move from spooky Halloween décor, to russet-hued fall colors, to Christmas sparkle and shine. Add to that holiday entertaining, parties, shopping and kid’s school needs, and the holiday season becomes busy indeed! That’s why I look for easy and quick decorating options, […]
DIY Homemade Recipe In a Jar Gifts
Homemade recipe in a jar gifts with beautifully layered ingredients topped with a flourish are a thoughtful and economical way to treat friends, coworkers, neighbors or teachers to the flavors of the season. And making them is easy and fun – especially if you get the kids involved. Jar recipes for everything from cookies to […]
Faves! Bar Tools & Wine Accessories
I have one rule when it comes to testing a bar or wine tool. I should be able to use it after a drink or two. I think this is a sensible rule and one I put into play on several buying trips. As a Texas-based buyer, the big homewares market at the Dallas Market […]
Faves! Serving Essentials
Who doesn’t love a good party? That’s an easy one — the party host who doesn’t have the right serving tools! Talk about misery — shuffling through cabinets, searching for platters, trays and bowls big enough to serve a crowd. You know what? I just described my first come-one-come-all family Thanksgiving as new bride. But […]
Fave! Cakepops Made Easy with the Cake Pops Baking Pan
If you’re a fan of cakepops (and really, who isn’t?), then you’ll love this kitchen fave. It’s the Cake pops Baking Pan, proudly made in the USA by bakeware leader, NordicWare. Making cakepops usually involves rolling crumbled bits of cake together with frosting to create the “pop”. While this method works, it’s a messy process […]
Faves! Tailgating Party Essentials for Sports Fans on the Go
The tailgating party is a main attraction on game day. Whether its a parking lot potluck or a snazzy sit-down affair complete with RV, canopy and outdoor kitchen, tailgating is always one thing — a party! And we’ve found some great ways to serve up your favorite fans in style. Kick off serving with mingle-friendly […]
Video DIY: Easy to Make Wine Glass Charms
Help party guests keep track of wine glasses and other stemware with these easy-to-make wine glass charms. A pair of needlenose pliers and a quick trip down the beading aisle at the craft store is all it takes to make these stylish and inexpensive dangles. They make a great gift, too! Best of all… NO crafting skills […]
Faves! Disposable Partyware
As if you don’t have enough to worry about when planning a party! Have you SEEN the vast array of disposable tableware options online? Not to mention the number of places selling disposable partyware and dishes? My head spins. Frankly, I say hit the dollar store for most party needs these days. Our Dollar Tree […]
Video DIY: Make an Easy Summertime Centerpiece with a Galvanized Bucket
Dress up summertime tables or add a pop of color anywhere you need it with this super easy summertime centerpiece! Start with a plain galvanized bucket from the hardware store (or a fancier version from the crafts store), add a few bunches of faux sunflowers or colorful daisies, and finish it off with a ribbon […]
Video DIY: Fun Golf Themed Party Table Idea
Does someone in your life spend the afternoon chillin’ (or getting serious) on the back nine? If you’re scratching your head for ways to celebrate the love of the game, here’s a fun golf themed party table we put together for our friends at eHow.com to get your creative juices flowing! This table theme comes […]
Video DIY: How to Decorate a Table with Calla Lilies
We filmed a series of fun table setting videos for eHow.com recently and our How to Decorate a Table with Calla Lilies creates one of my absolute favorite table looks — elegant Calla Lilies paired with silver, white and green. I think it’s a great look for summer weddings or special occasions… elegant, formal and […]
Video DIY: Decorate a Fun Basketball Themed Party Table
Here’s a fun Basketball Themed Party Table idea we were asked to do for eHow.com. It’s so easy to put together and fun for any game day table, complete with an interactive basketball centerpiece sure to please any fan. Our basketball goal centerpiece centerpiece works great on both sit-down tables and buffet tables if you’re […]
Video DIY: Girls Dance Party Table Ideas
Got Ballerinas? Here are some fun little girls dance party table ideas that will make any ballerina-princess spin with glee! We were recently asked by eHow.com to come up with some fun and easy party table ideas… including this one for a little girls’ dance party. Here’s how we did it: Table runner: Just cut […]
A Superbowl Party Menu Idea That’s Easy on the Cook!
If you’re like me, the last place you want to be on game day is in the kitchen yelling into the family room to get the latest score. But I’ve found myself there in the past – especially since hosting Superbowl is a bit of a tradition in our home. For example, last year we […]
Four Quick & Easy Kitchen Organization Tips for Holiday Entertaining
With a little planning, a quick clean out and some handy tools made to work in tight spaces, busy cooks can make the most of stingy kitchen storage and conquer clutter status-quo – in just a few easy steps.