How to Throw an Impromptu Party!

I found this little gem on Skinnygirl Cocktail's FB and just had to share! I mean, sure the video is shameless self promotion, but they do bring up some really great points. I've pointed out in several other blog posts that when I'm planning a party it can take me DAYS to prepare and by the day of the party I've driven myself mad with preparation. So quick tips like this (and you know I love me some quick fixes. lol) can take so much stress out of party planning, especially if you don't have a lot of time.

Party Hostess Mode! Activate!

My Birthday party (which I of course planned myself since I'm an uber perfectionist) is this Saturday so I've gone into full Party Hostess Prep Mode. This means my week is about to be filled with an obscenely over the top cleaning regimen and obsessive party planning and prep....my poor husband. 

Hot Spiked Cider/Caramel Apples Drink Recipe

Today I have two recipes for you in one! A lot of you have been asking me for the recipe for my Warm Spiked Apple Cider that was featured in my Ugly Sweater Friendsmas Party blog so here it is! Plus (just because I love you ladies) I'm adding in my super easy recipe for Caramel Apple Shots! 

Warm (Spiked) Apple Cider

What You Need:
1 Four Quart Crockpot 
1/2 Gallon of Apple Cider (I bought a whole gallon and saved what wasn't used for the recipe for the non-drinkers at the party)

3 Cups Of Spiced Rum (I used Captain Morgan's Original Spiced)
1 Green Apple
1 Stick of Cinnamon (Optional)


How To Do It:
About an hour before your party starts: Pour half a gallon of apple cider into the crockpot. Add 3 cups of spiced rum (you can add more depending on taste but you shouldn't need more than 3). Stir. Add a stick of fresh cinnamon to the bottom (optional) and turn your crockpot onto high and cover. While your crockpot is heating up, it's time to prep your green apple. Cut off the top and the bottom to throw away then cut the rest into thin slices (about 3/8 of an inch thick). Core the apples OR if you'd like to make it fun like I did, cut out fun shapes in the center of the apples such as leafs, pumpkins, hearts, stars, Christmas trees, snowflakes, and letters! Use your awesome female imagination! Add the apples to the top of your cider and cover.
10-15 minutes before your guests arrive turn your crockpot to warm and cover again so the heat stays in but isn't too hot to drink. Once the guests arrive you can take of the lid if you'd like so the guests can see your fancy apples, and don't forget to provide a ladle for them to get the cider out! Drunk people dipping their glasses into the crockpot can get VERY messy. lol


Easiest Ever Caramel Apple Shots
(You can make this as a shot or a drink but it's very sweet so I think shots work best)


What You Need:
Spiked Apple Cider (See Above Recipie)
Butterscotch Schnapps (aka: Buttershots)


How To Do It:
1.) Fill up half a shot glass with spiked apple cider. 
2.) Fill up the rest of the shot glass with Butterscotch Schnapps. 
3.) Drink it and be amazed at how it really does taste just like a caramel apple.
Become totally smashed! :D

Hostess Gift Idea: Pink Champagne! YUM!

If you are ever going to a party and are thinking of bringing a Hostess Gift...bring pink champagne. It's the perfect Hostess Gift! 
I absolutely love champagne and pink champagne is my favorite! It is sweet and elegant just like me! On my top ten list of little things that put a smile on my face, I would say that pink champagne is in the top five. I've even heard you can bake it into a cake, which I will be doing very soon and posting pictures of! Baking and champagne, two of my most favorite things combined to make one super happy Arielle! Though I may need to buy two bottles so I can make sure I have enough champagne left for the cake. lol

(HK Pink Champagne!! How cool is that?!!)

I would drink it like water. Hell I would bathe in it! Wouldn't that be a lovely sight? Me in a tub with little tingly pink champagne bubbles popping delightfully around me? lol Oh well, I can dream. ^_~

(I would bathe in it...seriously.)

Pink champagne is so delicious and wonderfully girlie, it makes me feel every bit the Princess I am! Since this is such a girlie drink, the Hostess will know that you had her in mind when you bought it, which I think is more personal than bringing over a bottle of Captain Morgans or beer (unless it's her favorite). I also like having Pink Champagne in stock for when I have get togethers with my girlfriends. I'll serve it with a tiny pink edible hibiscus flower at the bottom of the glass, and let me say, it is just FABULOUS! 

(Pink Champagne in hand (with a hibiscus flower in the glass) at a VIF party.)