Posts Tagged ‘entertaining’

Chipotle Popcorn + Easy Paper Cones

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Last week I bought a popcorn popper! I’ve been doing it on the stovetop until now. It’s not terrible, but it is nice to avoid standing over the stove for 10 minutes at a time.

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Our neighborhood has this little tradition called “Street of Treats”. Each street is assigned a Sunday through out the summer and early fall months, and neighbors get together to provide and eat treats. Our street was up first for the summer! I wanted to do something fun, but I didn’t want to spend a whole lot of time preparing for it.

I also wanted to do something besides brownies and cookies as I knew mine would certainly not be the best nor the only ones out. So I did a popcorn bar!

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About an hour beforehand I realized I didn’t have enough paper cups for neighbors, so I had to get inventive. I certainly have enough paper on-hand, so I made cones:

Cut the 12×12 inch paper into fourths. Find some cute, but strong tape (this is masking tape from OHF).

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Lightly crease the corner.

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Overlap opposing corners.

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But don’t overlap too much.

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Secure with tape.

I believe I made about 50+ cones and about 10+ batches of popcorn last night. Neighbors and friends topped their own popcorn with cinnamon and sugar, butter, parmesan, Mrs. Dash Chipotle powder, Salt, Pepper and/or dill. The little kids loved dousing their popcorn in lots of butter.

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My personal favorite combination? Butter, Mrs. Dash chipotle seasoning, lots of parmesan and kosher salt.

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I’m pretty sure I need to host a movie night and do this kind of thing again. It was fun, easy, cheap and cute.

Does your neighborhood do any fun get-togethers like this during the summer months?

Thrifty & Chic: Olive Goblets

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I found these gorgeous olive glass goblets on a D.I. run today. I’m so excited about them, I had to share them with you right away.

I found the set of 6 for 75¢ each. Not bad, eh? I think these would be so perfect for a regal outdoor dinner party in September when the trees are starting to change. Don’t you? I think I’ll go ahead and pencil a party in for mid-september.

No-Sew No-Fuss Napkin Rings

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Napkin Rings Supplies Photo

Here’s a quick and easy table top craft to dress up your dinner table! It takes only a small scrap of leather or felt to add some zip to an otherwise ho-hum napkin. These things are small, easy to store, and can be used as name tag holders for your next Fall feast.

Three different styles napkins

click-to-download

Each cuff takes just a minute or two from start to finish, depending on how careful you are with the corners. Just cut out the templates, trace them onto your leather and get to work with your Xacto knife or scissors. I’ve included three different templates for your crafting pleasure, and I invite you to follow the Melissa Esplin Two-Step Program.

Step 1 is to recognize that you have a problem. Take a hard look at your table settings. Would you describe them as fresh and fun, or sad and wimpy.  If you answered “sad and wimpy” with a disappointed frown on your face, you should be congratulated for your self-awareness.

Step 2 involves firing up your printer and getting your craft on. If you find yourself making excuses such as “I just don’t have the time,” or “nobody really notices these things anyway,” or—heaven forbid—”drab table settings are a victimless crime,” stop right there. You’ve entered a No Excuses Zone. Your guests will notice your rad napkin rings. Your guests will think more highly of you. And you will turn over a new chapter in your life,  a chapter marked by renewed self-confidence and crafting zeal. Thank you for your time. That will be all.

(P.S. That last part was Chris’s doing. All his doing. Isn’t he clever?)

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