Dad's a Rockstar: Get Free Printables!

Father's Day is just around the corner: for those of you who think your Dad Rocks, here is a nice way to celebrate with some fun props that could be used for photos, table decor or a zillion other ways. Hop on over to our friends at  Three Little Monkeys Studio for theses outstanding freebies!

Great Pirate Party Food, Fun and Games

With the success of Jake & the Neverland Pirates, the classic pirate party is once again a big hit with the kiddos.  When making plans for your pirate party, we recommend a new twist: a  pirate rockstar! Music is such a big part of the Disney show's success why not find a way to include it in your child's pirate party.

While treasure hunts, maps and digs, reign supreme and are the expected party activities, here's a chance to do something different and give your pirate crew the chance to sing and dance with a intrument-bearing pirate or play the Disney Junior Jake & the Neverland Pirate band soundtrack.

Check out these fab pirate party ideas boys and girls will love right here:

#1. Treasurer Bags hold Gold Doubloons and Lunch to Go

Make sure your pirate food is yo-ho, ready "to-go" friendly. Little people are grazers and having cute bags to pack a lunch or put found treasurers  in is essential! Moms will thank you.

#2 Let them make and float there own Pirate Ships

What little buckaneer doesn't like to imagine they're sailing the high seas in search of ye old treasure?  Row the boat and rock the boat!

3. A sea-fairing table and treasure chest for everyone!

I love the way these customized pirate treasure chests came out! They are the perfect size for pint-sized lunches.

#4. Hire your own Pirate Music Band

Seems kids and adults love pirate music.

#5 Anchor Jake's Musical Pirate Ship Buck on your  buffet!

This is one economical way to decorate your party and reduce, reuse what you already have on hand.

#6. Don't Forget the Treasure Map

This birthday pirate loves cookies, so he got just that in the form of a large chocolate chip cookie cake. An economical way to celebrate. Fresh baked individual cookies were ready for passing out to the hungry pirate cookie with extras to take home.

Ahoy Mateys! Keep us posted on your own pirate rock parties.

Cake Pops Sticks with Hollywood Style

Fashion alert: Just wanted to share this exciting new party styling product with you from Parties In Style ! If I were planning a rockstar, princess party or Girl's Night In...I would definitely order some of these treasures for dressing up my dessert bar!

 In fact, I am taking advantage of this week's pre-order special and will definitely find a way to use Sparkle Sticks!

Check 'em out. Use Sparkle Sticks on your cake pops, marshmallow pops or even dress  up donut holes!

 If you buy some and do something fun with them, please share your pics with us. A little bling goes along way around here. Party on peeps!

Rockstar Party: Fun activities and favors!

If you are looking for a super fun activity for your party guests or just a great take home gift,
how about these personalized Bubble Wands from Monogram Muse Gifts? Get them with your guests name on them, wrapped and ready to go.

Check out the color and packaging options available at Monogram Muse Gifts.

 Kids of every age love bubble wands and who doesn't want to be a kid? Have an extra supply of bubble solution on hand and you can easily refill them for kids to take home! Great for any outdoor party.

Easter Bunny Bread Recipe

This bunny appetizer dish was so easy, I want to spill all the details. You gotta try it.


Use your favorite bread making recipe: We liked this one from All Recipes, using 6 1/2 cups of flour.  Whether you go fresh or frozen, you will need  two loaves (approx 1lb).

Break Your Dough into these 11 Shapes:

Make your own dough (or use two frozen dough rolls thawed).  Shape and place dough in these 11 configurations. Use slivered almonds for the teeth and  raisins or cranberries (or whatever you have on hand) for the eyes.  Cover dough with a towel and let  rise for about 30 minutes (should double in size). Glaze with beaten egg. Bake the dough as your bread recipe instructs.

After your Easter Bunny bread has cooled or whenever your ready to party, cut out a cavity for  a small dish and fill with your favorite dip. Dress with colorful vegetables. This bag of vegetables offered variety at a good price.



Happy Easter. See our complete Easter dinner menu here.

Easy, Peasy Ways to Decorate Your Easter Eggs

Egg hunting this weekend? Plastic eggs are great for that, but on your dining table you will want something colorful and most of all edible.  Using this glitter tape I got at my #Michael's store I simply decorated my cooked eggs with this ready-to-go glittery tape.

Good news is you can do this ahead and refrigerate and it still sticks! Great non-toxic choice for decorating Easter eggs! Fancy eggs done in minutes!

Have you seen these  Paas Color Snaps? Another no fuss, no muss way to decorate the Easter Eggs. The kids will love using these! Found mine at my local #Walmart.

Happy Easter! More posts to come to help you create an awesome family event that rocks and is easy on your pocketbook.

New Spin on Easter Dinner: Easy Recipes!

Whether you're serving dinner or Easter brunch, we think you’ll flip over these fun and inexpensive family meal ideas you can serve before or after your Easter egg hunts!

Creating this adorable bunny centerpiece is easy; deciding which part of the bunny to eat first is another matter.

Pork Wellington stuffed with dried apricots is something everyone will enjoy.

Smart & Final: everything you need for your Easter meal.

Entertaining on a budget for my family means one stop shopping at Smart & Final. You'll find everything you need and be able to #ChooseSmart.

Our families "Eat, Hunt Rock" themed-Easter dinner menu includes: Pork Wellington, Roast Potatoes, Sugar Glazed Carrots, Green Salad and for dessert, Trifle. This is dinner on a budget, feeding a family of four for under $50. 

Want to recreate this dinner for your family? Here is an (almost) fail proof recipe for Pork Wellington. It's an easy to cook meal that everyone will love:

Ingredients: 

•  Pork tenderloin
•  Puff Pastry (one sheet, store bought)
•  Dried Apricots (5 to 6 medium chopped)
•  Salt and Pepper to taste
•  Rosemary, thyme for rub (optional to taste)
•  One whole egg
• Tbs water and olive oil

 How to (prep and bake):

1.  Chop up dried apricots

2. Slice your pork lengthwise (like a sub sandwich); trim fat

3. Create a rub using salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme

4. Sprinkle the inside of one of the pork slices with the apricots and top with remaining slice

5. Use your rub and dress the tenderloin; drizzle with olive oil

6. Fold the puff pastry over the tenderloin. Roll the pork over to encase completely leaving the doubled pastry on the bottom and pinch the pastry seam to seal in the juices.

7. Whisk your egg wash (egg and water together) and dress your pastry with the wash.

8. Cook  for 25 to 30 minutes  in a 400 degree oven until pork reaches 140 degree temperature.  Let rest on cooling rack for 10 minutes.

   

BARGAIN ALERT: Visit Smart and Final's Facebook page for coupons  and money saving tips!

Stay tuned for more EAT, HUNT, ROCK Easter  party details as we count down to Easter 2013!.

Vendors:
Party styling and graphics: www.zperfectparty.com
Glitterware wine glasses: www.partiesinstyle.com

“I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Smart & Final #cbias #SocialFabric”  All opinions are my own!