Announcement

I would like to announce that I have started a new blog. I have had a lot of fun creating this blog, and events is something I love, but  I am also very interested in fashion and finding easy to make recipes so I wanted a blog where I could share my favorite outfits and recipes as well as party/home decor.   I felt that since this blog was titled Megan's Parties it would be inappropriate to include fashion and recipes. I  hope you check out my new blog mlw220.blogspot.com! 

Olympics Treats

Now that the 2012 Olympic Games have officially started I wanted to share some fun treats inspired by the olympics. 

1. Champion Chocolate Cake

2. My creation: Betty Crocker vanilla cake mix cupcakes, vanilla frosting and toothpicks with flags. 

3. Edible Olympic Torches 

4. Union Jack Fruit Pizza

Summer Party Menu

My parent's had friends over for dinner the other night and here is the menu I helped them develop. Everything turned out very well and looked pretty.

Appetizers: 
My parents served tortilla chips along with guacamole, regular salsa and corn and chile salsa from Trader Joe's (I have mentioned this salsa in previous blog posts). We also had pretzel crisps and carrots. Very simple, but the different types of salsa looked very pretty together. We also served Jose Cuervo Cranberry Margaritas with appetizers.


Entree:
 New York Strip Steaks: I found a marinade on all-recipes titled "best steak marinade in existence," which is what my dad ended up using on the steaks.

                                        

        Side Dishes:

 Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil

Fingerling Potatoes 

 

 

Dessert:

We served brownies, which we made from Trader Joe's Truffle Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix. We also had coconut ice cream, which we put alongside the brownies.

Lemonade Bar

I have been noticing a lot of pictures of lemonade "bars" and I think they are a wonderful idea for any outdoor party. Serving different types of lemonade in glass drink dispensers looks pretty and is an easy way to add a special touch to your party. Here are some pictures of well-done lemonade "bars" and also information about where you can buy nice looking glass drink dispensers.

Picture courtesy of: Lucy Dylan Weddings

Picture courtesy of: Ruffledblog.com



Glass Drink Dispensers:

Pottery Barn

Williams-Sonoma 

Breakfast bar Ideas

Breakfast bars have become a popular trend for baby showers, bridal showers and even weddings! Here are some beautifully executed breakfast bars.

Charming Farmhouse Brunch Baby Shower from Hostess With The Mostess

Pancake Bar from greenweddingshoes.com

                                               Mimosa Bar from ontobaby.com

Crepe Bar for onecharmingparty.com

4 Ways To Use Mason Jars As Part Of Your Party Decor

1. Strawberry Moonshine Julep from Saveur.com

2. Flowers in mason jars from allthingsgirlyandbeautiful.tumblr.com

3. Rainbow cake in mason jar from babble.com

4.Candle in mason jar from allsassandshag.tumblr.com

Where to buy Mason Jars:

Fishs Eddy ($1.80) 

Thank You Blogging Your Way 2.0

These past 4 weeks I have had the pleasure of taking blogging your way 2.0, an online class that discusses blog techniques. The class has been an absolute incredible experience. I have learned so much from Holly, Jeanette, Katrina, Thorsten & Nicole. Blogging Your Way has drastically improved my blog layouts. From Katrina I have learned how to create borders around  pictures and how to make cute photo labels, which are great ways to add visual interest to blog posts. While all the Blogging Your Way lectures were great the lesson that resonated with me the most was when Holly shared her story. I admire Holly's decision to leave her corporate life and follow her passion to write about interior design. Holly’s passion for interior design has served as the inspiration for her extremely successful blog décor 8 and she has also written a best selling book, which proves how important it is to do what makes you happy. Holly's message to follow your heart and listen to your gut seems obvious, but sometimes you need that message reiterated every now and again to motivate you to make necessary changes to your life.  

Holly's message really resonated with me because for the past few months I have been mulling over a concept for a blog geared towards people in their 20's. Before hearing Holly's lesson I had not taken any steps towards taking my concept and making an actual blog because I felt intimated.  I felt that my writing ability and graphic design skills were not strong enough to communicate my concept adequately. After hearing Holly's lesson I realized that as long as I had confidence in my self and was writing about things I was passionate about I could create wonderful content that I  could be proud of and hopefully inspire others. As a result of Holly's lesson I have now created a template for how I would like my blog  to look and I have also created layouts for three different blog posts. I am so happy with how everything is turning out and now I truly feel that my blog concept could become something truly special that would be a valuable resource for people in their 20’s. I am so happy Holly helped me get over my fears and inspired me to start making my blog dream  into a reality.