New Years Eve Party Menu! ♥

New Year's is almost here, and I have a few recipes for your New Year's Eve pre party or party! ♥

New Year's  Shrimp Cocktail 

Olive Tuxedo Penguins  

 Crab Stuffed Mushrooms 

Ultimate Party Meatball's 

New Year's Mimosa's 

And for the next day's hangover...

Diy Bloody Mary Bar 

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's! ♥

New Year's Eve Party Menu ♥

New Year's is almost here, and I have a few recipes for your New Year's Eve pre party or party! ♥

New Year's  Shrimp Cocktail 

Olive Tuxedo Penguins  

 Crab Stuffed Mushrooms 

Ultimate Party Meatball's 

New Year's Mimosa's 

And for the next day's hangover...

Diy Bloody Mary Bar 

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's! ♥

New Year's Eve Party Menu ♥

New Year's is almost here, and I have a few recipes for your New Year's Eve pre party or party! ♥

New Year's  Shrimp Cocktail 

Olive Tuxedo Penguins  

 Crab Stuffed Mushrooms 

Ultimate Party Meatball's 

New Year's Mimosa's 

And for the next day's hangover...

Diy Bloody Mary Bar 

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's! ♥

Skinny Holiday Shrimp Cocktail Dip ♥

This is a dip my mother used to bring out every holiday for Christmas and New Years parties, using my favorite Philadelphia cream cheese. And Kraft Recipes !
Here is my skinny lighter version, perfect crowd pleaser at parties, you just might want to make a double batch of it! enjoy! ♥

(recipe adapted from Mama and Philadelphia Cream cheese Kraft recipes) 

 Ingredients ♥

     1   pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA light  Cream Cheese, softened
     3/4 lb.  cooked cleaned shrimp, chopped (about 2 cups)
     3/4  cup  KRAFT light Cocktail Sauce
     1/4 cup  KRAFT Shredded Parmesan Cheese
     2 green onions, sliced


Directions ♥

    SPREAD cream cheese onto bottom of shallow bowl.

    TOSS shrimp with cocktail sauce; spoon over cream cheese.


    TOP with remaining ingredients. enjoy! ♥

New Year's Mimosa's ♥

Here is a perfect New Year's morning drink, New Year's  Mimosa's! enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥

     Sparkling Wine, Cava, Moet, Prosecco or Champagne (1 bottle)
     Orange Juice (1 carton)
     Triple Sec (optional)

Preparation ♥

Fill half of a champagne flute with chilled sparkling wine or Champagne (about an ounce) and top off with chilled orange juice (again about 2 ounces), gently stir. If you'd like to add triple sec, just a splash to taste works out fine. For added flare, slice up a strawberry to decorate the rim of each flute. Enjoy!

* Also delightful over ice in a larger white wine glass as I did above!

New Year's Diy Fortune Cookie's ♥

Here is a supercute idea for New Year's, why not make your own fortune cookies with your own personalized labels. Here's how...♥

For the labels you can make your own or copy and paste my printable below

Ingredients ♥

2 egg whites
1/2 cup flour (sifted)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Makes about 12 fortune cookies

Instructions ♥

 Set oven to 400F degrees.
 Place egg whites in a bowl and beat with electric mixer on medium speed until very frothy, almost soft peaks.
 Add sifted flour,
 Add sugar, almond, and vanilla then mix.
 Stir in 2 tablespoons of water to thin batter.
 Using a Silpat baking mat, parchment paper or  un-greased baking pan place 1 tablespoon of batter on pan.
 Working from the center in a circular motion, spread the batter into a 5 inch circle. Start with two cookies. Once comfortable with the process more can be baked at one time.  I was only able to ever bake two at a time.
 Bake until edges are lightly browned. Mine baked for 6 minutes. Start watching closely at 4 minutes.
 Working quickly, remove cookie from pan with a very thin spatula.
 Flip the cookie over and place slip of paper on top.
 Bring sides up and pinch together.
 Next bend cookie over the edge of a cup. The whole process of forming the cookie should take about 10 seconds. Once formed place cookies in a muffin tin to help them keep their shape while cooling.

Then, package in some Chinese take out containers…♥

New Year's Plan 101 ♥

So it's almost New Year's and that means the it's time to plan for the perfect party dress and  the perfect cocktail party food. I have teamed up with one of my favorite website's Dressfirst.com to find the perfect party dress for New Year's! ♥

DressFirst.com is the global leading online retailer for wedding gowns, special event dresses, wedding party dresses, and accessories. Customers can browse the vast online selection and choose their favorite dresses with great satisfaction. DressFirst.com prides itself on exceptional customer service, high quality and affordable prices.

They also have great fast shipping and an awesome return policy. Customers need to contact DressFirst.com Customer Service to initiate the return process within 7 days upon receiving your items. If your product arrives in a defective manner, mis-shipped or color error, you are qualified to get a full refund. However, if the item is not faulty or it is made accordance with the size you ordered but does not fit, please note that we will Not accept your returned item. But why would you ever want to return such an awesome party dress!

 They have great inspired Kate Middleton dresses, I love these they are elegant and classy perfect for a party or just a evening out! 

One of my favorites is this......
  It comes in so many different colors, you can take this classic look anywhere, parties, dinner, or on that perfect date!

So make sure to check out their website and pick out your party dress!

Here are a couple of my fave picks ..for new years this dress is perfect and comes in a variety of colors, sparkly and fun!

...and for shoes you can dance all night in these glitter stiletto pumps!

And right now Dressfirst.com is offering free shipping on prom and wedding dresses..speaking of wedding dresses here is one of my favorites..who say's the second time can't be around the corner..a girl can dream...♥

Right now Dressfirst.com is offering free shipping on prom and wedding dresses! 

So  be sure to check them out they have the most beautiful dresses for any occasion! ♥

 As for parties, here is a great cocktail menu I prepared for appetizers for your pre party celebrations! enjoy!  

Why not try my shrimp cocktail.

Ingredients ♥

    Shrimp:
    2 pounds deveined, shell-on jumbo shrimp (16 to 20 per pound)
    2 1/2 tablespoons salt
    10 sprigs fresh thyme
    2 teaspoons peppercorns
    3 bay leaves
    1/2 teaspoon celery seed
    8 (2-inch) strips lemon peel plus 1/4 cup juice, from 2 lemons (reserve the lemon halves that have been juiced)
    8 cups ice

    Cocktail Sauce
    1 cup ketchup
    1/4 cup prepared horseradish
    1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    1 teaspoon lemon juice
    1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
    1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions ♥

    Combine the shrimp, 4 cups cold water, salt, thyme, peppercorns, bay leaves and celery seeds in a large pot. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring every so often, until the water registers 170 degrees and the shrimp are just beginning to turn pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
    Remove the pot from the heat and add the lemon peels, juice and lemon halves that have already been juiced. Cover the pot and let the mixture sit until the shrimp are completely pink and firm, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the ice into the pot and let the shrimp cool completely, about 5 minutes. Drain the water and peel the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Refrigerate the shrimp up to 24 hours until ready to serve.
    For the cocktail sauce, whisk all the ingredients together until combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve with the shrimp.enjoy! ♥

Don't forget the bubbly!

So have a safe and happy new years everyone ! ♥

Skinny Shrimp Cocktail Dip ♥

This is a dip my mother used to bring out every holiday for Christmas and New Years parties, using my favorite  Philadelphia cream cheese. Here is my skinny lighter version, perfect crowd pleaser at parties, you just might want to make a double batch of it! enjoy! ♥

(recipe adapted from Mamma and Philadephia Cream cheese Kraft recipes) 

 Ingredients ♥

     1   pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA light  Cream Cheese, softened
     3/4 lb.  cooked cleaned shrimp, chopped (about 2 cups)
     3/4  cup  KRAFT light Cocktail Sauce
     1/4 cup  KRAFT Shredded Parmesan Cheese
     2 green onions, sliced



Directions ♥

    SPREAD cream cheese onto bottom of shallow bowl.

    TOSS shrimp with cocktail sauce; spoon over cream cheese.

    TOP with remaining ingredients. enjoy! ♥

Olive Penguins ♥

There is a chill in the air and these appetizers are a hit at holiday parties! Supercute! enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥

    1 can (about 16) colossal pitted black olives, drained
    16  small pitted black olives, drained
      4 ounces (1/2 of a standard 8 oz brick) of LIGHT Philadelphia Cream Cheese TIP ( let it sit for a bit to soften its easier to work with)
    16 thin slices (give or take) of the fat end of a peeled carrot
    16  toothpicks

Directions ♥

Cut a small triangular wedge out of each carrot slice.
Use a skewer or toothpick to push the narrow end of a carrot triangle through the wide hole of each small olive until it pokes out the narrow pitted hole.
Make a lengthwise slice halfway into each colossal olive. Gently hold the olive open and push as much cream cheese into the opening as you can, filling the olive. Use your fingers or a paper towel to tidy up along the edges of the opening.
Place a filled olive, large hole side down, on a carrot round, lining up the white of the cream cheese with the wedge cut from the carrot round. Use a toothpick pushed down through the center to hold the "chest" of the penguin to the "feet".
Push one head, "beak" side lined up with the "chest" and "feet" down onto the toothpicks.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. enjoy! ♥

Kicken' Cranberry Punch ♥

 Here is a great idea, budget friendly when entertaining my holiday recipe for cranberry punch with a kick, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas... enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥ 

 3 cups cranberry juice cocktail (low sugar or light)
 3 cups ginger ale
 2 cups vodka
 1 can frozen orange juice from concentrate 
 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
 pinch allspice
 smaller pinch nutmeg
 sugar to taste ( I use Stevia)
 thinly sliced oranges

Directions ♥ 

Add all of these ingredients together as you see them listed.
Wait to add the orange juice concentrate until you have mixed the rest of  the
ingredients, add the concentrate and stir gently, add cranberries and sliced oranges as garnishes! enjoy! ♥

Flashback Friday Fondue ♥

Okay, I thought I would try something different for dinner, why not a flashback friday? I remember when I was younger my mother used to throw fondue parties, well I thought I would try a little fondue dinner, see below for my recipe! ( I found this recipe in her old fondue set recipe book)  enjoy and Happy Friday! ♥

Ingredients ♥

• 1 3/4 cups Emmanthaler Swiss Cheese, shredded
• 1 3/4 cups Gruyère Cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 Cherry Flavored Liqueur (Kirshwasser)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Dash of grated nutmeg

Directions  ♥

Toss the cheese and flour in a bowl. Place a metal bowl over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of water. You may also use a conventional double boiler. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and pour the wine into the bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and garlic using a fork. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

Add half the cheese and cook until the cheese is melted, stirring constantly. Add the remaining cheese, a small amount at a time, stirring constantly in a circular motion after each addition until the cheese is melted. Pour the liqueur slowly around the edge of the bowl. Pull the cheese mixture away from the edge of the bowl and cook for about 1 minute or until the alcohol cooks off. Stir the liqueur into the cheese. Stir the pepper in gently. Pour into a warm fondue pot and keep warm over low heat. Garnish with a dash of nutmeg.
Serve with meat pieces such as cubed beef, veggies, fruit, crackers, cubed bread pieces, or even shrimp. Enjoy! ♥

"skinny" mini lobster rolls ♥

It's friday and here is my weekly healthy fish recipe..skinny  mini lobster rolls! supercute for a party or a fun picnic at the lake! ♥

Makes 18

Ingredients:  ♥

easy mini baguettes:
all purpose flour for dusting
6 frozen Parker House rolls, thawed and each divided into thirds

12 ounces poached lobster meat, diced
3 1/2 tablespoons diced hothouse cucumber
2 1/2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/2 lemon zested and juiced
2 teaspoons thinly sliced chives or green onions, plus more for garnish
2 1/2 tablespoons fat free salted butter, melted
salt and pepper to taste

1. For mini baguettes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll each piece of dough into a small, 2”x 1/2” loaf and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake mini loaves for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and fluffy. Set aside and allow baguettes to cool before slicing in half and assembling. (Tip: The baguettes can be made up to three days ahead of time and kept in an airtight container. They can be warmed in the oven at 200°F for about 10 minutes before using.)
2. For the filling: In a mixing bowl toss together the lobster meat and cucumber. Add the mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice and chives to the lobster mixture and season with salt and pepper . Gently mix together until well combined.
3. To assemble: Split each baguette open and fill with about 2 teaspoons of the lobster mixture. Brush the tops of each roll with melted fat free butter and sprinkle with sliced chives. Serve and Enjoy!  ♥

or you can incorporate this recipe into the traditional  but lighter "skinny" lobster roll! ♥