1.  Minted 

Minted is one of my favorite sites for customized- creative printing.  This “Year of Art Grand Calendar ” can be completely customized. You are able to select the featured art work for every month and even have special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries printed onto the calendar.

2. Sugar. Paper

Sugar.Paper is a sweet stationary company based out of one of my favorite cities,  Los Angeles!  The Kate and Audrey desk calendars will complement any work space. Both styles can be ordered with or with out the metal stand.

3. Anna and Blue Paperie via Etsy

Etsy is always a great resource for all things creative and handmade. I came across this 2013 desk calendar and was immediately drawn to the bold patterns and prints that cover each month.

What do you think of these desk calendars? Do you prefer a calendar that you can hang up, carry with you or keep on your desk?

Thanks for reading!

Jolly Old Elf

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What’s In It: 

• 1/2 oz Amaretto liqueur
• 2 oz Cranberry juice
• Fill to top of glass with brut champagne or sparkling wine
• Frozen Cranberries (for garnishing)

Any drink that starts with champagne is a winner in my book!

Christmas Sangria

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What’s In It: 

Holiday Coquito

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What’s In It: 

• 1.5 ounces Cîroc Coconut
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 ounce coconut cream
• 1 ounce milk
• 1 egg white
• 1 dash cinnamon
• 1 dash nutmeg
• 1 dash all spice

Coconut and Pineapple are summer cocktail staples; adding nutmeg and cinnamon makes this drink a game changer for real!

 Peppermint Eggnog Punch

What’s In It: 

• 1 quart peppermint ice cream
• 1 quart dairy eggnog or canned eggnog
• 1 cup rum (optional)
• 1 – 2 10 ounce bottles (1-1/4 to 2-1/2 cups)ginger ale, chilled
• Additional peppermint ice cream (optional)
• Peppermint sticks (optional)

Place ice cream in a large chilled bowl; stir until softened. Gradually stir in eggnog. If desired, stir in rum.Transfer to a punch bowl; add desired amount of ginger ale to reach desired consistency. If desired, top each serving with additional peppermint ice cream and peppermint sticks. Makes 18 (4-ounce) servings.

If you are entertaining kids this weekend they will go crazy for this treat. I would make a batch with rum on the side for the adults to enjoy.

Cranberry Margarita

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What’s In It: 

• wedge of lime
• sugar
• ice cubes for shaking and serving
• 1/2 cup of cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
• 1/2  cup of tequila
• 1/4 cups of orange liqueur (grand marnier, triple sec or citronage)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• garnishes: thinly sliced limes or cranberries

Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, and dip the edge in sugar to coat. Fill glasses with ice. Set aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all the ingredients, and shake.

Strain into ice-filled glasses and serve.

There is never a wrong time to enjoy a margarita! Here’s a quick tip: freeze your cranberries a few hours before and use them instead of ice cubes to keep your drink chilled.

All of these holiday cocktails would be great to serve at your party this weekend; and if you are visiting friends and family, making a pitcher of your fav will be a great hostess gift! I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend and remember to drink responsibly.

Thanks for reading!

Gift Tags

Dress up your gifts with these tags…

If your gifts are handmade or baked try these chalkboard inspired tags from At Altitude.

{click here to download + print}

The non-traditional  colors  Caroline Johansson used for these tags add a modern touch to your gifts. 

{click here to download + print}

If you love Instagram as much as I do, these labels that have been inspired by the bokeh filter are just for you.

{click here to download + print}

Gray + Teal + Emerald gift tags for the city dwelling, gift giving person in all of us.

{click here to download + print}

Table Top

Deck out your table with these festive, fun and FREE cupcake toppers, food labels and place cards.

Hostess With Mostess’ “Mod and Merry with a Peppermint Twist” collection  was featured at a recent holiday event at Starbucks!

{click here to download + print}

This Bird’s Party collection is proof that neutral tones can be festive; and burlap is no longer reserved for barnyards only.

{click here to download + print}

Frame + Hang

Download + Print these posters and have them blown up at Kinkos, Costco or any other reasonably priced printer. You can find frames at HomeGoods, Target or even use frames you have around the house already.

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Here are a few tips to remember when using printables:

• Heavy stock paper works best for these because it is sturdy and can be cut, glued or glittered without ruining the design.
• Use a laser printer so that the colors, images and prints will be clear and bold. This will also keep the images from looking pixelated on paper.

Thanks for reading! 

When it comes to holiday decor, few would argue that decorating your tree isn’t most important.  Ornaments should tell a story. Whether you prefer bright + modern or simple + classic your tree ornaments should be a reflection of your personal style.  Nothing says more personal than a DIY! 

Ombre Glass Ornaments

These ombre glass ornaments from Ambrosia Creative are perfect for all “modernistas”! Imagine these beauties on a white tree?!?! Yassss!!!

What You Will Need: 

• DecoArt transparent Glass Stain
• clear glass ornaments (currently 60% off at most A.C. Moore’s)
• string
• a small round bowl to dip the ornament in
•  a paper grocery bag to catch any drips

What You Will Do:

• Clean/dust outside of ornament with a damp cloth.
•  Empty out entire bottle of glass stain into your dish.
•  Tie end of a ~12 inch long string to top of the ornament. Knot a loop on the other end to hang the ornament while the paint dries.
•  Wrap string around your hand and fingers so that it isn’t in the way, and submerge ornament about halfway. Pull out, letting paint drip off, then submerge again about 1/3 of the way. Pull ornament out, then submerge in smaller increments.
• Hang ornament over a paper grocery bag to drip-dry.  The stain will pool to the bottom of the ornament, creating a little bubble. While the paint is wet, gently wipe this off with your fingertip.  Check ornaments every 10 minutes to wipe off more paint. If the paint hardens, this is a little trickier to do. Just smooth it against the ornament gently.
• Cover any leftover paint with plastic wrap (use this paint for step 7).
• When the first layer of stain is completely dried.  Dip just the lower 1/4 my ornament back in to deepen the color. Let dry.

Cupcake Ornaments

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These cuties are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with out damaging your diet.

What You Will Need: 

• 2 ½” Styrofoam Balls
• Heavy-duty foil cupcake liners
• Iridescent White Soft Snowflakes
• Berry Spray (color of your choice)
• Craft Glue
• Paint Brush or Foam Sponge Brush
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Scissors
• Ribbon or decorative string for hanging
• Skewers or Dowel Rods

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What You Will Do: 

•  Press a dowel rod into each Styrofoam ball, and coat a little more than half of the top of the ball with a generous layer of craft glue.
•  Roll the glue-coated Styrofoam ball in a shallow pan filled with artificial snowflakes, then use your fingers to press the flakes securely to surface. Tap gently to remove excess flakes, and prop in a coffee can or mug to dry. Try to wait patiently because if you try to glue liners on before the styrofoam balls dry, the sides won’t stick.
•  After glue sets and dries, add a generous dollop of hot glue to the bottom and the top inside of each foil cupcake liner and press the Styrofoam ball in firmly. Be sure to carefully press the sides of the foil so the liner is tightly glued on. Also, keep in mind that you may not want to push the styrofoam ball down too far or the bottom will curve and your cupcake will not sit flat, (not a big deal if you’re planning on hanging them though.) If you are having little hands help you with this project… be sure to only have big-kids or adults handle the hot glue step.
•  Snip the berries from the branch, leaving about an inch of stem, and cut lengths of ribbon or decorative thread for hanging. Add a dollop of hot glue to the top of each Styrofoam ball, pressing the tails of the ribbon (if you are wanting to hang your cup and berry into the Styrofoam. You can also flip your cherry around with the step showing upwards to make it look like a cherry stem! Allow to dry thoroughly before displaying.

Feather Ornaments

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You are not going to believe how easy-peasy it is to recreate these neon baubles!

What You Will Need:

• Feathers
• Glass ornaments
• Cardstock
• Hampton Art ‘be happy’ stamp OR pen to write
• Ranger Archival ink
• Hangers
• Scissors
• Hole punch

What You Will Do:

• Stamp or write ‘be happy’ on cardstock
• Cut cardstock into tag and punch hole in top left corner
• Remove ornament cap
• Gently place feathers into glass ornament, the more the merrier…ho, ho, ho
• Replace ornament cap
• Attach tag to ornament cap with pretty ribbon
• Add hanger
• Hang on tree

All of these ideas are fairly simple to do and are sure to add your personal style to your holiday decor.  Which is your favorite?

I hope  these DIY’s have inspired you to incorporate some handmade ornaments on your tree this year.

Thanks for reading!

For your viewing pleasure, some emerald inspiration. Get into it! 

This is what every office is missing!

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By now, I’m sure you know that Chevron is one of my favorite patterns. This cake is gorg!

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Gorgeous emerald tiles in the bathrooms at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.

Some green goodness from Coach and C Wonder! Both sites have some great gift ideas for almost everyone on your “Nice” list this year.

“Going Green” now has a whole new meaning: Elegant,  timeless,  and luxurious,  EMERALD, I love you!

Thanks for reading!

]]> http://cartergirlevents.com/2012/12/pantones-2013-color-of-the-year-emerald/feed/ 0 http://cartergirlevents.com/2012/12/5-fab-holiday-cookie-recipes/ http://cartergirlevents.com/2012/12/5-fab-holiday-cookie-recipes/#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:38:23 +0000 CarterGirl http://cartergirlevents.com/?p=1399 [Continue Reading]]]> Aside from decorating, baking cookies is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season. This year my 2 nieces are old enough to join in the fun! My only dilemma is selecting which cookies to bake.  Check out these 5 fab cookie recipes to try this holiday season. Help me pick 2 recipes to bake! 

Candy Cane Oreo Chocolate Chunk Cookies – Picky Palate 

What You Will Need

• 1 stick/8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 Cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 Cup all purpose Gold Medal Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspooon baking soda
• 12 Candy Cane Oreo Cookies
• 1 1/2 Cups chocolate chunks

What You Will Do

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line your baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner.
2. Cream your butter and sugars into your stand mixer. Add your egg and vanilla beating to combine. Slowly add flour, salt and baking soda until combined then add your crushed Oreo Cookies and chocolate chunks. Scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough into each muffin top pan or 2 tablespoonfuls on cookie sheet. For muffin top pan bake for 15 minutes until golden or if baking on baking sheet, bake for 10-13 minutes, until golden.
3. Let cookies cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Makes 12 large cookies

Iced Eggnog Cookies – Hungry Girl por Vida 

What You Will Need

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ground)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons softened, unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup dairy eggnog, well shaken

for the glaze

• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg (or ground)
• 2 tablespoons eggnog
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

What You Will Do

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment, set aside.

2. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or with electric beaters, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, beat to combine and scrape bowl well. Add vanilla, beat to combine. Mix in flour and eggnog alternately, beginning and ending with flour, until just combined. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed.

4. Drop tablespoons of dough on cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart-cookies will flatten slightly while baking, but still be domed. Bake sheets 1 at a time until cookies are puffed and slightly golden around the edges (9-12 minutes). Cool the cookies on sheets for 1 minute before transferring to a cooling rack.

To make the glaze: Whisk together all of the ingredients until combined. Add more confectioner’s sugar or eggnog to acheive the consistency you like. Spoon glaze over slightly warm cookies. Allow to set on wire rack until cool and glaze hardens slightly.

Ginger Molasses Cookies – Lisa Dupar and Company 

What You Will Need

Cookies:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1-1/2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger root
• 2-1/4 cups pastry flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup sugar

Filling:

• 1 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

What You Will Do

To make the cookies:

1. In the bowl of a standing kitchen mixer with the paddle attachment, whip the butter, brown sugar, and sugar at medium speed until creamy and smooth. Add the egg and whip at medium speed until smooth. Add the molasses, and continue to mix until smooth.

2. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add to bowl along with the freshly grated ginger root. Scrape down the bowl and whip for 1 minute at medium speed.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the pastry flour, cinnamon, powdered ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. Add the dry ingredients to the butter-molasses mixture and mix well, scraping down the bowl several times with a rubber spatula.

4. Scoop the cookies into 1-inch balls with a small ice cream scoop, and chill until ready to bake.

5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, cinnamon and sugar until well mixed.

6. Remove cookie dough from refrigerator and roll the balls in cinnamon sugar, place onto parchment-lined sheet pans.

7.Bake until just barely done, about 7 to 8 minutes. They will be slightly cracked on top.

To make the filling:

1. In the bowl of a standing kitchen mixer with the whip attachment, whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.

2. When the cookies are cool, turn half of the cookies upside down. Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling, in a large dot, at the center of each cookie. Place the other half of the cookies on top, creating little sandwiches.

Makes 25 to 30 small sandwich cookies

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies – Better Homes & Gardens 

What You Will Need

• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup cold butter
• 12 ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 drops red food coloring (optional)
• 2 teaspoons shortening
• White nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)

What You Will Do

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.

3. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

5. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or edible glitter. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set.

Makes about 60 cookies.

Salted Caramel Corn Cookies – Authentic Suburban Gourmet 

What You Will Need

• ½ cup Shortening, butter flavored
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 tablespoon of  Vanilla Extract
• ½ teaspoon of Salt
• ½ teaspoon of  Baking Soda
• 1 ¼ cup of Flour
• 3 cups of Caramel Corn

What You Will Do

1.Using an electric mixer, cream together the shortening, sugar and salt. Add the egg and whip quickly.

2.  Add the vanilla and baking soda until incorporated. Slowly add the flour until well mixed.

3. Remove the mixing bowl and gently mix in the caramel corn with a spoon being careful to over mix or break up the caramel corn. Stir until all caramel corn is covered.

4. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Using a cookie or ice cream scoop, make one inch balls and be careful to leave plenty of room between, since they will spread.

5. Cook for 9 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for one minute, then remove with a spatula onto a wire rack to cool.

All of these cookies look delicious, don’t they?  Which recipes are you going to try?

Leave a comment to vote for your favorite recipe!

Thanks for reading.

GRAY + ORANGE + WHITE

This colorway featured on Hostess with the Mostess , has urban + chic all over it.

Floating with Thankfulness 

This concept was originally used for a surprise bridal showed featured on Wedding Chicks; but, when I saw it I immediately thought it would be a great way to display thoughts of gratitude and thankfulness over the dinner table.

When guests arrive ask them to write down what they are thankful for this year and attach their note to a balloon over the table. Not only is  this idea is a conversation piece, it’s a great activity to get your guests in the holiday spirit.

CRANBERRY + GILDED GOLD

This color combo is regal and classic!  The bold stripes of the table cloth are a great compliment to the natural (and artificial) fall foliage.

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Adding gold to your table will be easy peasy. Just spray paint fall themed items: pumpkins, leaves, twigs and tree branches.

Let your Thanksgiving table make a BOLD statement this year. Try an unexpected color pallette, go with a bold pattern and use a classic staple in a way you never have!

Thanks for reading!

Alicia

Decorate

Try these easy-peasy DIY Confetti projects I found on Subtle Revery.

Use this fun table runner to cover the main table.

For this paper confetti backdrop all you will need is colored construction paper (or scrapbook paper),  scissors and tape.

Eat

Your guests will have fun munching on White Chocolate Confetti Popcorn. Nom. Nom. Nom.

Follow this quick and pretty simple recipe from The Glitter Guide to whip up this sweet treat.

Drink

Jazz up the rim of your glasses by coating them with sprinkles or nonpareils! F-U-N !

1. Pour a good amount of sprinkles into a bowl.

2. Pour a good amount of simple syrup into a separate bowl.

3. First, dip the rim of your glass into the simple syrup, then dip the rim into the sprinkles!

I hope these ideas have sparked some “sprinkles” of inspiration in your inner “host”.

Happy Monday!

These are a few simple recipes to get you inspired.  We’ll start with the cocktails.  (Most people sip while they cook, right? Or is that just me?)

The Cocktail:

Pineapple Upside-down Cake Martini ( c/o The Patrician Palette)

What You Will Need: 

½ ounce Grenadine
2 ounces Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka
2 ounces pineapple juice

What You Will Do: 

• Fill the bottom of the martini glass with Grenadine
• Fill a cocktail shaker ¾ full of ice. Add the vodka and pineapple juice and vigorously shake for 20-25 seconds to create an icy foam.
•  Slowly pour the pineapple foam down the side of the martini glass so it runs to the top of the Grenadine as a separate layer.

The Food:

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken ( Recipe c/o Best Recipes Ever)

What You Will Need: 

• Boneless skinless Chicken Thighs, beef short ribs, or any kind of meat you want to use.
• 1 C. packed light brown sugar
• 1 C. soy sauce (I don’t recommend the Dark kind, it’s too strong, the regular cheap-o will do)
• 4-5 cloves of garlic chopped
• 1 1/2 T. fresh ginger root chopped
• 1/4-1/2 large onion sliced

What You Will Do: 

Marinade Directions

1. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar and soy suace together. Keep mixing until almost all the sugar is dissolved in the soy sauce.
2. Add in the garlic, ginger and onion and mix.
3. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
4. Put meat into a zip lock bag and pour mixture over it. Depending on how much meat you have you may need to make more marinade and split this into 2 different bags. Let this marinade for at least 4 hours.

For the Grill

• 13×9 Pyrex dish or smaller depending on the amount of meat you have
• 1 stick of butter (trust me this is the linchpin)
• 4-5 green onions sliced small

Grilling Directions

1. Place Pyrex dish on the hot grill if you have room otherwise you can put it in the oven.
2. Add the butter to the Pyrex so it starts to melt.
3. Add the meat to the grill and cook to perfection.
4. When the pieces of meat are done place them in the Pyrex to let swim in buttery goodness until all are done and add the green onions.

The Dessert

Tropical Cheesecake Truffles ( c/o Free Coconut Recipes)

What You Will Need: 

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 oz raw ripe mango
• 1 inch vanilla bean
• 3 oz dried coconut for rolling

What You Will Do:

Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature.

In a large bowl, mix the mango, vanilla bean, honey and cream cheese using a whisk or an immersion blender. Place the mixture in the freezer for 5 minutes. This will allow the cream cheese mixture to harden and then let you shape into small balls.

In a soup bowl, place 3 oz dried coconut. Shape cheese into truffle (ball) shapes, roll in the coconut and place in individual candy cups or directly on a plate. Chill in the fridge for 60 minutes and enjoy.

These recipes are simple enough for a novice chef (like myself) to complete with ease and perfection.  You’re guests  probably have not tasted these “eats” before so if you customize the instructions a bit, they won’t notice.

Let me know which of these Labor Day Luau recipes you try this weekend!

Thanks for reading!

The May Books website is completely interactive; creating your own notebook is so much fun. You can customize from start to finish. There are tons of patterns to select for your cover.  You are able to select colorways, design a monogram or message for the front of your book.

These are just a few of patterns to choose from for your book. You’re able to customize the inside pages of your May Book into an agenda, blank page notebook, lined or graph paper! Once you’ve created and designed your stylish book, you will be wow’ed when you get your package in the mail.

Now, you all know I love all things CHEVRON!!

Here are my most recent May Book creations:

I designed this  journal for my bestie’s birthday gift (she’s a writer).  I put the name of her blog,  Stylish Thought on the cover of her book.  How adorable are the little mustaches?!?!

Here’s the notebook I designed for myself.  The blank pages inside will come in handy when sketching and brainstorming for upcoming projects.

I can’t wait to use my new notebook! But, I have to be honest, I’ve already been playing on the May Books site designing my next order!!  Thanks, Mica… I can now add your site to my new list of current addictions! And I do agree, “Life IS too short for ugly notebooks”. 

Be sure to visit and order your stylish notebooks today!!

Happy Monday and Thanks for reading.