All Hallow's Eve.. with All the Girls!

Sick of the days of skimpy costumes? Tired of the crowded bars and parties? Why not make a girl's night out of the occasion while enjoying some of the things that we love most?! Crafts, drinks, and baked goods of course! I stumbled across some amazing pumpkin decorating ideas that you can see below such as this absolutely adorabley Burberry painted pumpkin. Or, this bedazzled one adorned with jewels and glitter? Because who ever said pumpkins had to be orange? Let's get creative ladies! Some friends and I decided to paint matching pumpkins, how cute are these?! Head over to your local craft store and scoop up a variety of acrylic paint, sponge brushes, ribbon, jewels, flowers, glitter, or anything that speaks to you as being fabulous! Real pumpkins are great but fake ones are even better because you can save your lovely masterpieces to display each and every year. Maybe even have a pumpkin swap party the following year! Get creative!

To make the night a little more silly how about some delicious Angry Orchard hard cider, or a Caramel Apple Martini (recipe below)?  Whip up this heavenly batch of pumpkin goodness to snack on (recipe below), and you have yourself an agenda for a girl's-night-in full of painting, poisons, and palette teasing pumpkin treats! 

Caramel Apple Martini Recipe:

1 1/2 ounces apple cider or juice

1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh Wild Apple Vodka

1/2 ounce Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka

1/2 ounce apple schnapps

Caramel syrup

Apple slice (round), seeds removed

1. Glaze the inside of a chilled martini glass with caramel syrup and place glass in the refrigerator until ready to use.

2. Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

3. Strain into chilled glass glazed with caramel syrup.

4. Float a thinly sliced apple round (seeds removed) on top.

http://www.recipelion.com/Alcoholic-Drinks/Caramel-Apple-Martini/ct/1

Pumpkin Bar Recipe

1 box of spice cake mix

1 small can of pumpkin puree

1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

1 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip

1/2 bag of Heath bits

Caramel sundae sauce

1. Mix together the cake mix and pumpkin puree until a smooth batter forms.

2. Pour batter into a well greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350º according to the directions for a 9x13 cake on the cake mix box.

3. Let cool for about 10 minutes after baking.

4. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the cake.

5. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, filling the holes.

6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

7. Spread the cool whip over top of cake.

8. Sprinkle on the heath bits, and drizzle caramel over top (just to your liking).

9. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or overnight (best).

http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/678384139//

Fall Football Weekends...

It's the middle of fall and one of the things that inevitably comes back when fall rolls around is Football! Chilly fall weekends have been associated with warm, tasty comfort foods since the beginning of time, so marrying the football weekends with an array of warm tasty food just.. makes sense! Something very innovative and fun that I found from Chris Nease's blog "Celebrations at Home" was a Chili bar! I have posted the ingredients below. In addition, below you can see a picture from her finished Chili bar. Visit her blog post for a more detailed look at this awesome idea! http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2012/01/set-up-a-chili-bar-all-purpose-chili-recipe.html

All Purpose Chili Recipe

1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned
Chili Seasoning Packet -- "Original" flavor
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 small onion diced
1 tbs sugar
1 can of water
*Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 6 hours.


Base Items Available for Topping with the Chili
Pasta
Tortillas
Hot-dogs
Crinkle-cut French Fries
Small bags of Fritos corn chips
Baked potatoes


Toppings

Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Diced tomatoes
Diced onion
Sliced jalapeno
*Other condiments like ketchup, mustard or relish for the hot-dogs

Quick & Easy Fall Treat!

It's prime time fall season right now and we are wrapped up in the midst of all things pumpkin spiced, flavored, and topped! Here's a great treat that you can whip up in under 45 minutes for that last minute dinner party, office luncheon, or October birthday celebration at school snack!

Pumpkin Pie Bar (by Krusteaz)


I bought a box of this mix as I was dashing through the isles of the grocery section in Target picking up a few random items. Since it was a crisp fall day full of colored leaves, a morning started by a Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte and my new cozy scarf, all things pumpkin seemed to be calling my name. These bars are absolutely delicious! They're like a piece of pumpkin pie morphed with a moist gingerbread cookie. Mmm! The bar consists of a gingerbread crust with a pumpkin pie-like topping. The crust and topping come in two separate packages.


To make the crust all you need to do is melt 3 tbs. of butter and mix it with the prepared crust mix. Then, with a fork, gently press the mix into an even layer in an 8x8 baking pan. Bake for 5 minutes and then remove from the oven.


While the crust is baking, prepare the pumpkin topping by whisking together the pumpkin mix with 2 eggs, half of a stick of butter, and half of a cup of water. After the crust has baked for 5 minutes, pour this mixture on top. Pop the pan back into the oven for 26-30 minutes. Allow it to cool, cut into squares, display on a pretty platter, top with a dollop of whipped cream and enjoy! I know you will!

Hello...

..and welcome to my blog, "The Heavenly Hostess"! Ever since I was a little girl I've been infatuated with decorating, cooking, planning, and most importantly, socializing! What better way to encompass all of these fabulous activities than to plan parties?! Whether it be an intimate gathering of friends for a dinner exploding with the flavors and aromas of autumn, or a winter-wonderland birthday celebration for your little princess in the dead-of-winter, I'll give you the tips and tricks you need to successfully tackle the task. I love taking simple ideas and bringing them to life through decor that will entice you, hors d'oeuvres that will delight you and an atmosphere that will leave you feeling fully enthralled by the event. For me, it's all about the experience. Please follow me on a journey through the seasons of soirees to develop "the heavenly hostess" within you. I will not disappoint. Stay tuned!


-ta ta for now, Brittany