Last Minute Halloween Ideas -- Halloween Party Inspiration

Happy Halloween!  If you are still planning your Halloween party, I've rounded up a few of my favorite dessert tables from this year.  There are lots of great ideas for both kid-friendly and grown-up parties.  So, if you are looking for a little last minute Halloween inspiration, these parties have it all! 



Bewitching Halloween Party from Frog Prince Paperie

Rustic Halloween on Hostess with the Mostess

Candy Corn Dessert Table on Amy Atlas Blog

Bright Halloween Table from Shindig Parties to Go

Spooky Chic Dessert Table on Catch My Party

{RECIPES} -- Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

Agua Fresca, which translates to "fresh water", is refreshing drink made with strained fruit pulp, water and lime juice.  It is simple to make and is a significant step up from bottled fruit juice!  If you are looking for an impressive, delicious, non-alcholohic drink for your next Fiesta, this is a great choice. And, it can be made with any juicy fruit, such as strawberries or watermelon. 

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

(Recipe originally from Food Network)

Ingredients

• 1 large cantaloupe or half a watermelon, seeded and diced (about 3 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 to 3 limes, juiced

Directions

Puree cantaloupe and pour through a fine sieve to eliminate pulp. In a pitcher, mix strained fruit puree with water and season with sugar and lime juice, to taste.

{RECIPES} - Dia de los Muertos Party -- Pan de Muertos Recipe

Pan de Muertos, Bread of the Dead, is one of the traditional Dia de los Muertos treats.  It is a sweet anise and citrus flavored bread.  I made this bread for my sweets table for the Dia de los Muertos Party.  It had a wonderful texture -- light, but still substantial.  And, it had just the right amount of light sweetness.  However, I must confess I'm not a huge fan of the anise flavor.  The bread's texture was perfect, though, so I will make it again.  Next time, however, I will try substituting 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for the anise extract.  Do you have any other thoughts on flavors that could be used for this bread?

If you try making your own version of Bread of the Dead, let me know.  I'd love to hear the interesting flavor combinations you create!

Pan de Muertos (original recipe from Allrecipes)

1/4 cup margarine

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon anise extract

1/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons orange zest

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tablespoon orange zest

2 tablespoons white sugar

1. Heat the milk and the butter together in a medium saucepan, until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and add the warm water.
2. Combine 1 cup of the flour, yeast, salt, anise extract and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat in the warm milk mixture then add the eggs and orange zest and beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding more flour until the dough is soft.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet, loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until just about doubled in size.
5. Bake at 350 degrees oven for about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven let cool slightly then brush with glaze.

To make the glaze: In a small saucepan combine the 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush over top of bread while still warm. Sprinkle glazed bread with white sugar.

{Mirabelle Creations Party} -- Colorful Dia de los Muertos / Halloween Party

I don't know about you, but I've seen some beautiful Halloween parties over the last couple of years.  I have noticed lots of parties with pumpkins, witches, ghosts, bats and other ghouls.  This year, I wanted to try something a little different.  So, for Halloween this year, I created this Dia de los Muertos inspired party.  The black, orange, purple and lime green color scheme and skull designs could work both for a Halloween party and a Dia de los Muertos party.

Not familiar with Dia de los Muertos?  Neither was I, until two years ago when my daughter performed in a ballet about the holiday.  Dia de los Muertos  -- Day of the Dead -- is celebrated primarily in Mexico.  During the holiday, which is on November 2nd, people gather to celebrate their deceased loved ones.  It is a day of remembrance and celebration.  

Food:

All of the food was handmade with my daughter.  This party was great way to learn more about the cultural aspects of the Dia de los Muertos.  First, we made pan de muertos, an anise-citrus flavored sweet bread, which translates to "bread of the dead".  We also made sugar skulls, using skeleton ice-cube molds that we purchased locally.  Sugar skulls are traditionally made as a gift for a visiting deceased loved one's spirit.  We also made calaveras sugar cookies, using fondant toppers.  Lastly, we made calacas, or skeleton, cupcakes.  For a drink, we made cantaloupe agua fresca. 

Decorations:

The party design began with the brightly colored calaveras printables.  The main colors of the printables are black, orange, lime green, and purple.  Because Dia de los Muertos is just a couple days after Halloween, I designed the printables so that they could be used with either holiday.  The pictures show cupcakes topped with toppers that say "Dia de los Muertos" or, alternatively, "Happy Halloween" and "Boo!".   The entire Printable Party Collection is available in my Etsy Shop!

Another traditional Dia de los Muertos element is the use of cut paper banners, papel picados.  Many of the banners are intricately cut works of art.  I created a banner over the top of the table, inspired by the papel picados.  I also used mini banners as a banner on the bread and mason jar glasses.  For the favor boxes, I made paper flowers.  Paper flowers are often used to decorate the altars and graves during Dia de los Muertos.  

For Halloween, why not try something new and different, this year?  Check back later this week for all the recipes and DIY projects from this party, so you can host your own Dia de los Muertos party! 

Dia de los Muertos / Halloween Party -- On Bird's Party Blog and In Etsy Store!

Mirabelle Creations' Dia de los Muertos / Halloween Party is now on Bird's Party Blog!  So  honored to be featured on her fun site!  While you are visiting her fabulous site, make sure you check out the Fall issue of Bird's Party Magazine for some wonderful fall party and decorating ideas.  I will have all the details, recipes and DIY projects from the party on the blog in the upcoming days. 

The Dia de los Muertos/Halloween printable party collection is now available in my Etsy Shop for only $10.  The bright, whimsical collection can be used for both Dia de los Muertos and for Halloween.   It includes the following:

     1. 5x7 Invitation "Dia de los Muertos Party" design, blank
     2. 5x7 Invitation "Halloween Party" design, blank
     3. Dia de los Muertos Party Banner, text reads -- "Dia de los Muertos"
     4. Halloween Party Banner, text reads -- "Boo!"
     5. Dia de los Muertos 2" Party Circles: 2 Calaveras (skull) designs, "Dia de los Muertos"   text
     6. Halloween 2" Party Circles: 2 Calaveras (skull) designs, "Happy Halloween" text & "Boo!" text
     7. 2" Thank You Favor Tags
     8. Water Bottle or Napkin Ring Design
     9. Fancy Labels/Placecards, blank
     10. 4" Party Circles, (could be used with the banner or as a cake topper)



Don't forget:  50% of all profits from the October sales in my Etsy Shop will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation!

{REAL PARTY} -- Little Miss Sunshine Baby Shower

This sunny baby shower was sent to me by my cousin's wife, Mandy Jane.   Before Mandy Jane's daughter was born, her sister and sister-in-law hosted this bright baby shower to celebrate the impending arrival of Baby Ivy.  

The shower colors and design were inspired by Baby Ivy's nursery decor.  To learn about all of the gorgeous, thoughtful details, read below.  I especially love the Blessings Wish List each of the guests filled out for Baby Ivy and the creative, but delicious menu choices.  What a fabulous shower these ladies created! 

Details:

As told by Mandy Jane's sister, Rebecca:

"When Mandy Jane announced she was expecting her first child, our family immediately decided a baby shower was needed to welcome [Ivy] into a family of strong women.

We wanted the shower to reflect Mandy Jane’s modern style. So, the palate of the shower mimicked [Ivy's] nursery in shades of grey and soft yellow.

Mandy Jane was having some serious pregnancy cravings, so a “Cravings” theme was the perfect. [I] crafted a menu that would highlight some of the eating quirks Mandy Jane experienced during her pregnancy, but with a culinary twist that would appeal to all the guests.

Guests arrived to a drink bar featuring “Lullaby-lini” cocktails and mocktails served in yellow sugar-rimmed champagne flutes as well as fresh lemonade offered with whimsical yellow and white striped straws.

Since the baby had not yet been named, a sign reading “Welcome Little Miss Sunshine” showed the excitement of meeting the new baby. The sign was handmade by [me] with vintage-inspired fabrics.

While guests waited for the meal, each person filled out a “Blessings Wish List” for the baby offering wishes and advice for the baby. The completed sheets were funny, touching and heart-felt. Once completed, each person clipped their blessings card to the fireplace for everyone to read.

The food was prepared by Mandy Jane’s family and friends with everyone pitching in to help. Mandy’s husband, Nick, and brother, Tyler, served as the waitstaff for the day – complete with matching striped bowties. Each food item was created to sound and look as odd as pregnancy food cravings, but with gourmet flair. The menus on the table highlighted the lunch’s offerings. Some of the favorite items from the three-course luncheon were the meatloaf cupcake (piped with mashed potatoes), a “peanut butter spaghetti” that was reminiscent of a pad thai recipe with peanut sauce, steak with a chocolate-balsamic glaze, and the bratwurst quiche. The beautiful dessert was a cheesecake, garnished with a “potato-chip” cookie.

The shower was truly a group event where everyone pitched in to help. Mandy Jane’s cousin, a New York-based graphic designer, Trista Coy, designed the shower invitations.  Mandy’s sister in law, Jennifer, provided her mid-century modern house as the perfect backdrop for the modern shower. Mandy’s mother designed the adorable “blessings wish list” cards for each guest to compete. Jane, Mandy’s grandmother, sewed the table runners."

{FREE PRINTABLES} -- Roundup of Free Halloween Printables

Halloween is just two weeks away from today.  If you are starting to do a little Halloween decorating or planning a Halloween party, you will love all of these free printables!  This roundup of Halloweeen printables will be guaranteed to get you in the Halloween spirit!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted this free Halloween sign, HERE.

5x7 Wicked Sign from Frog Prince Paperie

Party Collection from Embellish Goods

Party Circles from Creative Juice

Boo Sign from the Tomkat Studio

Party Collection from Mimi's Dollhouse via Catch My Party

Guest Blog Post over at the Crafty Chica

Hello everyone!  Today, I am posting over at The Crafty Chica.  You can check out my guest post HERE. 





The Crafty Chica is an wonderfully inspiring crafting site!  She has been creating her "Chicano Pop Art" for years, including selling her art to retailers like Target, Bloomingdales and Hallmark.  She has her own line of craft supplies, currently available at Michael's.  She is also an acclaimed writer, writing both crafting guides and novels.  Wow!  She's one busy, creative lady!!

For Halloween this year, I decided to create a Dia de los Muertos inspired collection.  While getting  ideas for the collection, I checked out her site numerous times.  To be able to post about my party on her fabulous site is such an honor! 

Check out her site!  You will find some wonderful crafting inspiration while you are there!  And, my Halloween Collection can be found at my Etsy Store. 

Happy Friday!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- 50% of All Etsy Store Profits will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

If you have been thinking about ordering a party collection from Mirabelle Creations' Etsy Store, this might be the time to do it!  Of course, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  So, it seemed like the perfect time to donate to the cause!  In the month of October, at least 50% of all profits made from the sales in my Etsy Store will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.