Minnie Cakes

I am a huge Disney fan. I have many wonderful memories from childhood, visiting Disney World. My parents have taken my sisters and I a few times as kids and teens. The High School I went to had a senior class trip to Disney that I will never forget, as well. I have dreams about the Jasmine pajamas I wore as a little girl, and when I see Sunflowers, I often think of Pocahontas. That is how much I love Disney, or maybe just how much I wish I was a princess of some sort.

Lucky for me, my girlfriend Kelcey and her Mother Dianne, generously invited me along on a girl's trip to the parks this weekend. So, it's a girl's weekend in Orlando and that means a few things in addition to princess time...Harry Potter, boozing around the world, a lot of talking, walking, The Hulk and Minnie Mouse. 

Since I am a guest on the trip, I felt it was best to bring some goodies in tow. Prosecco in one bag and Minnie cupcakes in the other. I spent a little extra time on the decorating, and not so much on the baking of the cupcakes. This batch, is purely boxed and Betty. I am not ashamed! The decorations were fun in the making, and Betty Crocker taste quite great. Take a peek at the pics below to see the tricks to creating the bow. Everything else is as easy as shopping for "minnie" Oreos, mixing food dye, and piping the icing onto the cupcakes with a Wilton icing bag and 4B tip. If I stumble upon Minnie in Magic Kingdom, I will be sure to post! xo RCN

Slice red Fruit Roll-Ups or Fruit by the Foot into 1" x 1/2" rectangles.

Then fold each rectangle in half onto itself and pinch the ends together, creating a little dimple, like picture below.

Take two folded pieces of the Fruit Roll-Ups and overlap the dimpled edges of each onto one another, and squeeze together. Continue to manipulate until it bulges at the middle and creates a clear shape of a bow with center knot.

 

Bottoms Up Bar Cart

It's only natural that your bar cart gets a face lift when it comes to the holidays. Not only, does it likely need re-stocking of the booze, but also some festive primping. Here is a snapshot of our bar cart mood and necessities for the upcoming hosting, partying, and drinking that will be had. When it comes to Christmas, I can't help, but be a little over the top with all the decorations. What are your must haves on the bar cart?  Oh, and if you are not hosting anyone this year, then I have just the thing to bring along with you to your hostess. Keep scrolling and you'll see. xo RCN

I like to use the bottom of the bar cart for glasses and bottles. I used a polka dot place mat beneath the clear glasses to give them a foundation on our glass and plexi bar cart. The glasses stand out more without mixing into all the other glass.

My Mom gave me a pack of mini trees, from Target, when I was home for Thanksgiving. I went back and bought a couple more packs! $3 and so worth it. The "Party" bottle opener was a $2 find at Homegoods.

If you are going to have the wine flowing, beautiful bottle stoppers are a must. I like to keep a few on hand that mesh nice with the theme. It's nice to include something personal, and something seasonal.

Cocktail napkins are important, especially if you don't want to be cleaning up millions of sticky rings off of your counters and tables. I found these cute "Cheers" napkins at Homegoods.

The confetti was also a Target find. A pack for $3. Can't beat it. I love that they are wood, too.

Straws and stirrers are also a must on the bar cart. I'll admit, not many people love to use paper straws, but they are so darn cute that I can't stop buying them. If not for nothing, the polka dot pattern ties in well with the look of the cart and adds more color.

Our glasses come from many places, Crate & Barrel, Target, Vintage, Anthropologie, Homegoods...I can go on. For Christmas, I like to bring out some of our festive glasses, like the "Oh Deer" beer mugs from Target.

Lastly, if the party is happening elsewhere, pack the booze and bring it with you. If you want to update your wine host and hostess gifts, think about bringing a different liquor. Packaging always sells me, and Smirnoff does a great job with their Peppermint Vodka. I picked up a wine bag for one dollar at Total Wine, added some peppermint candies and a matchy-matchy bow. Easy and different than last year. Cheers!