The girls are back in town!

Well Sunday night kicked off the Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo. So what should one do, well have a "Girls Night In" party for you and your friends. I planned the menu to be around the "Orange" of the "orange county of the shows name. I planned the color scheme to be pink, orange and lime green. With all this planning what could go wrong!?!? Did I happen to mention I had such a good time, at my own party I forgot to take pictures, until AFTER the party! I am sorry I don't have any cute pics of my friends but there was enough stuff left over that I can show you what I did. I first made "Fruited Chicken Salad" that has grapes, and Mandarin ORANGES in it. Yum! I then made and served Fuzzy Navel, and Sangria (the Sangria recipe called for strawberries, and ORANGES) Below is a pic of the Fuzzy Navel it was very yummy!

The only time I got off task was for the dessert. Sorry, for a girls night in Chocolate was the only way to go. So I made "Salted Carmel Cupcakes" that I had previously made for 4th of July. How can you go wrong with Chocolate and Salted Carmel? These cupcakes are super easy to make, but look and taste like it was a lot of work.

For my friends who do not drink alcohol, or were dieting and watching their calories. I found these yummy green tea at my local Health Food Store by Zhena Gypsy Tea: Mint Mojito tea, and Berry Bellini tea (a raspberry and peach flavored tea) both these tea's were completely alcohol free and went with the fun orange/fruit theme.

The take home party favor of the evening was that each lady got to select a fun nail polish color from a variety of shades (ranging from peach, coral, light pink, hot pink, and red!) You know girls love options and it was like shopping but free!

I am sorry that I forgot to get out my camera during the event. You know how it is when you are hosting a party -you are always busy! Hope that might give you some ideas for your next Girls Night In party. All and all it was a fun night, and the girls from Orange County provided all the drama we could handle and talk about! Did anyone else catch the show Sunday night? What did you think?

oops! I lost my camera!

I did an oops! I threw a large 4th of July party for family and friends -it was so much fun! However I did a hostess oops! I forgot where I put my camera and in the rush of having a party I was unable to look for it (which I found the day after located in my van -ahh! exactly where the camera was not supposed to be) So below are some pictures of some things I made or printed that I got from other blogs. The below 4th of July banner, flag straws, cupcake decorations all from the blog Tweedle Dee Designs Brandi over there makes the cutest designs! I know my pictures do not even begin to give her the credit she deserves. She helps the common gal look like she has it going on! Thanks Brandi!

I(I also made tissue flowers for decor inside, and outside on the front porch)
-The kids loved using the straws with the flags on them! It gave a very patriotic look to our beverages! Also note the cute water bottle wraps that she provided all for free downloading and printing!!!

Below is a picture of the very last cupcake (that I admit I put back just for me - you all know how you don't always get to take your time and eat when you are playing hostess) Two things to notice: look 1) at the cute cupcake decor that also came from Tweedle Dee designs and 2) look at how fab my poorly lit picture shows off the hit of the party, ladies you are gazing at the last Salted Carmel cupcake - yum!!!! I got this delicious recipe from Joy's Hope Something homemade everyday. This is a wonderful blog you really should check out her great ideas - and if you want a dessert that wows! the crowds - look no further than this recipe!!

Thank you Brandi and Joy for helping me throw a great party!! Sorry that I had to take these pictures a day late, instead of during the party!
***This just in my mom had her camera so here are a few family pics from the 4th of July:
Some of the cool older kids wanting to eat as far away as the could from us adult resorted to eating outside old school style -picnic style! (kaylee, Gracie, Mckenzie, Destiny, and Caleb)

Gracie and Max - sparkler time!
Princess Paige waiting for the firework show to start! Hope you all had a Great 4th July! I love our country, and are so thankful for the armed forces, and their families!