Dyed Coconut "Feather" Cups

A couple of weekends ago, Kirstin threw the world's best Angry Birds Birthday Party.

Seriously, everything was made into an angry bird (though, I've come to realize that most anything, given eyes, furrowed brows, and a beak can become and angry bird), but she did such a great job with it!

Here's the birthday boy making his angriest bird face...

When I asked to help, she gave me the drink table. I guess I should say this lightly, since she already had several ideas she wanted to do, so I just added to it, and helped execute.

My biggest contribution: "Feathered" cups for the Orange Juice  "Bird Nectar.

They were really fun to make, and added just a bit of excitement to an otherwise ordinary breakfast drink. 

Want to see how we made them?

Here's what you need:

shredded coconut

food coloring

a plastic bag that seals (one for each color you make)

plastic cups

white icing

plates for rimming

Here's how to do it:

First, we wanted the feathers to be different colors, since actual Angry Birds aren't just white. So pour some shredded coconut into a baggie.

Next add a couple drops of food coloring (you really don't need much, I just did two or three drops)

Shake. Shake. Shake.

Do this for all the different colors you need.

Next, pour each color coconut onto a plate, one for each color. 

Then scoop out a bit of icing. Try to put in about the diameter of your cups.

Dab the rim of your plastic cup into the icing, coating the whole thing.

Next, dab the now iced rim of the cup into the color coconut you wish. Coat completely.

Repeat this enough times so each guest has a rimmed cup and set them up on display before everyone arrives!

Cute, right? Who knew you could dye coconut? It's perfect for a bird themed party, or a bachelorette party, or any party where you want to add some coconut. 

Seriously, the combo of orange juice with vanilla and coconut was just delicious. I might start rimming my juice glass every morning... would that be ridiculous? 

Can you think of another use for coconut rimmed glasses? 

Madras Slushes

Is it me or does everything taste better in slush form?

Remember our Brandy Slush post? I mean really, who knew Brandy could taste so good?

For whatever reason, at the first sign of warm weather, my instinct is to go get a slushy. Ask Adam, it's true.

I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it has something to do with my childhood "Slurpee after soccer practice" routine. Perhaps that, paired with the fact that it was rarely warm outside where we went to college, (Grove City College--go Wolverines!) and so when it was, we'd treat ourselves with slushies from Sheetz.

Whatever the reason, I crave slushy things when it's hot outside.

A couple weekends ago, I ventured off from my normal recipes and tried making a Madras. In the process I thought to myself "why not get crazy and make it a slushy Madras?" So that's what I did.

For those who don't know, a Madras is easily confused with its vodka-cranberry cousins like the Cape Codder(vodka-cranberry), Sea Breeze (vodka-cranberry-grapefruit) and Bay Breeze (vodka-cranberry-pineapple).  It obviously has the vodka-cranberry components, but adds in a bit of orange juice into the mix.

Want to make one too?

Here's what you need:

1 1/2 oz vodka

3 oz cranberry juice

1 oz orange juice

10-12 ice cubes

(though I would have probably added more ice so it was a bit slushier)

a clementine for garnish

Here's how to do it:

combine all ingredients into the blender

blend until smooth

 

serve in your favorite glass

garnish with a clementine slice (it's more petite)

The combination of tart, sweet, and slush was perfect way to satisfy my warm-weather cravings.

"Sip Your Way Skinny": Day 1-Coconut Water

Hope you guys had a great holiday season! We did, but we're glad to be back, we missed you. 

Anyway, it's January 9th, which means we're now 9 days into our 2012 New Year Resolutions. And, if you're like most of America, "getting fit" or "losing weight" made it onto your Resolution list this year.
(but let's be honest, isn't it on there almost every year?)

  

We're right there with you, so we decided the entire month of January should be dedicated to

healthy drinks and "skinny" drink options.

Because most of us are consuming too many liquid calories

 and there are plenty of great alternatives.

 We are calling it Sip Your Way Skinny

and guess what, it starts today! Woo!

Sip Your Way Skinny:

Day 1- Coconut Water

Image via

Have you noticed Coconut Water is all the rage? You probably have seen pictures like the ones above on the cover of US Weekly, or People, in line at the store (or in your weekly subcription if your like me...I'm a sucker for these magazines) and might be wondering what the hype is all about.

We did the research for you to see if its just trendy, or if it's really as great as they say,

 here's what we found:

Health Benefits

(these are just some we've highlighted because they're so many,

if you want to read more, there's lots of info out there, but this is the site we used):

-helps re-hydrate you

-better for you than sports drinks (less sodium and sugar, but more potassium)

-helps boost your immune system and fight viruses

-helps raise your metabolism

 -can reduce risk of cancer

-helps control diabetes 

 After reading all of that good news, we came to the conclusion that it is worth trying.

So we did, and loved it.

Coconut water can be little sour if you're not used to it,

so try adding just a splash of orange juice like what's shown above.

 (don't do too much or it will off set the low sugar/low carb benefits)

mmm...delicious.

Champagne Week: Day 1 - Merry Mimosas.

2011 has five days left!


That's five days to finish last years bucket list/new years resolutions, get some good R&R to wind down from the Holiday, and... plan your New Years party (or plan what to take to someone else's).


This is precisely why we planned Champagne Week for you.
Let us help you ring in 2012 with a little sparkle.


Today, we wanted to suggest that you kick off the celebration this weekend with a Merry Mimosa.

The recipe was originally published in Southern Living's 2011 Christmas Cookbook
(that my mom gave me, thanks Mom),
but it's the perfect recipe for this time of year: Tradition + Holiday + Glam


It's so great for a brunch on NYE or on New Years day, because shouldn't every year start off with little bubbles?

Here's what you need:
3 c orange juice, chilled
1 c cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 bottle Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled.

Garnish with an orange peel and/or frozen cranberries.

Here's how to do it:

Combine orange juice and cranberry juice in a large pitcher.

Add Champagne just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Serve immediately.

Makes 7 cups