The New Goodies Are Here!

"The new goodies are here! The new goodies are here!"
(Visualize Steve Martin skipping in The Jerk - okay, so I'm dating myself)

Today I was able to pick up my Spring Fling Sweet Goodness swap package from Heidi from the post office. I was so excited, I didn't even open it in the house - I took the photos in my front yard.

All the items Heidi gave me were totally screaming "me" all over it!

S is for Sanding Sugar

This is so darn funny! I gave her the same thing for S! Great minds think alike! And I thought I was being so clever. But I have to admit, when I gave her the sprinkles in pink & green, deep down I wanted to keep them for myself. "Set it free and it will come back to you". So now I have my 0wn and I shall use them on my yummy Cream Scones, cuz I like to sugar the tops of my scones in a colored sugar before baking! I love the homeyness of the jar shape and the floral tops!

P is for Pleated Apron

I adore this vintage apron! Currently I only own regular neck aprons, nothing pretty (the kind from restaurant supply stores) and just the other day I was wishing I had a purdy waist apron since I've been seeing so many of them on other thrifty bloggers' sites. My wish came true and here it is! I really love the cabbage roses, which is my all-time favorite! It's a bad photo, it is actually a dark pink, not reddish like it appears here.

R is for Ribbon Topiary

When I started to see pink & green ribbon galore in the box, my heart actually raced. I lahv it! It is so darn me. But I am having a hard time deciding if I want to display it in Raina's room since it is all p & g or put it on my desk. Right now my desk is a mess, so for now I will put it in her room even with the very cute R tag for her initial. When my desk/craft area is clean and organized then I will proudly display it! I love everything topiary!

Added: I emailed Heidi and asked her for the directions on how to make this, because I think it would be a great centerpiece alternative to flowers for my tea parties. She replied that she has directions on on her blog - Ribbon Topiary how-to. You can see she made one for Halloween, and another one in different colors. Thank you Heidi! (It's a good thing I have a wholesale account with Offray ribbon company......)

I is for Immensely Cute Pink Glass

She's right. This is an immensely cute pink glass that has an image of Jack & Jill on it, and the pic doesn't do it justice because you can't see the detail. I just love how whimsical and retro it is! I will have to mull over what I shall do with it, for only a special use. Maybe put my loose crafting jewels in it?

N is for Note Cards

Whoa. Okay. Scary.
Now how did Heidi know that I am infatuated with chandeliers? ESPECIALLY the silhouette graphic kind, like these very cards? Just a couple of weeks ago I bought a thrifty dress for Raina that has almost the exact same graphic on it. It was $8 which is pricey in my book for a thrifty clothes item, but I had to have it just because of the chandelier factor! If I had the moola I would be bidding on every shabby/vintage type chandelier on eBay.

So you can imagine my thrill to receive these hand-stamped embellished note cards!
I love the backgrounds, the colors, the bling on the chandeliers. They are too pretty, I don't want to use them up! I am now on a mission to find this rubber stamp....

G is for Goodies

I was so tickled to receive this shabby chic muffin pan! I have sincerely wanted one of these, like, forever. I've seen them here and there, used for craft goodies, jewelry etc. but never found one. So I was so stoked to get this, plus filled with sugar-y goodness. And Dutch Mints are one of my favorite candies and so is anything watermelon flavor (childhood favorite memory...mmmm....watermelon-watermelon).

All my pink & green goodness!

So thank you! thank you! Heidi for all the wonderful items. I am so deeply delighted with everything and can't wait to either use them or display them!

This whole swap thing has been such a blast and has brought my soul so much cheerfulness! Thanks again swap sister Heidi, and thanks to Rebecca & Lucy for organizing such "goodness" fun!

Spring Fling Pink & Green Goodness Swap

Today is the deadline to ship out my goodies for the Spring Fling Sweet Goodness Swap. This is my first blogging swap. Not swapping blogs, swapping theme items with fellow bloggers. You know what I mean. My swap is with Heidi, her blog is Vacuuming in High Heels & Pearls.

WARNING:
THIS IS A LONG POST.

PROCEED WITH TIME TO KILL....

What can I say? I adore pink and green.

It's been my favorite color combination before they were "IN". I decorated my only daughter's room in pink & green over three years ago, and I have yet to get bored with it. And I bore easy.

Soooooooooooooooooooo. Let's just say I got a little carried away with this swap, it's so obvious. I couldn't help myself! A combination of my favorites - thrift shopping and craft-making (which I have not done in so long, it was nice to revisit being crafty), PLUS the pink & green factor.

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{ S } is for Sprinkles

Included in the swap is a recipe (scroll down) for my favorite childhood cookie recipe that my mom used to make. So maybe Heidi will make a batch and sprinkle some of this sugar luhvvvvv on them...

From perusing Heidi's blog I noticed that she really likes Pyrex. I searched high & low, went on my thrift store circuit, and prayed to the thrift gods to let me find a Pyrex bowl! But it had to have green on it, and not be so big/heavy that I would pay an arm and a leg for postage. No luck for the longest time. So on my last attempt, on the last day of searching, lo and behold I found this little guy! "AWHHHHHHHH" *thrift angels choir singing* It's the thrill of the search, eh?

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{ P } is for Pamper Goodies

I put together some homemade aromatherapy stuff in the "Pink Sugar" scent. The scented Soap Petals were a lot of fun, as I had been wanting to make them for a while, so now was my excuse! I'll post later how to make them. Here's a thrifty bowl the goodies are in.

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{ R } is for Recipes & Recipe Cardholder

I found a thrifty retro '70s cookbook with an avocado green cover . I wanted to include some of my fave sweet recipes, so this was my first attempt to make a paper lunch bag mini scrapbook. It has slots to hold the recipe cards, and also added a brief description of what that recipe means to me. This item was from my heart. I enjoyed making it so much, I am inspired to make one for my very close girlfriends and send it to them for Mother's Day. I know I always appreciate getting someones all-time favorite recipe because there is usually a story or history behind it...

This is just a fork I bent out of shape to hold a recipe card or a menu card.

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{ I } is for Initially Yours

I thought about painting pink & green polka dots and flowers on the H, but decided to just keep it simple. Heidi can switch out the ribbon to hang it on the wall to match her decor if she likes.

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{ N } is for Notebook of Goodies

That's Heidi's little girl, Maren on the cover (I snuck it off her blog). Isn't she just the cutest? And her chubby cheeks are pink and match the theme! The fabric block swatches behind the words are from a local linen company swatch samples box that has been sitting around in my office. I thought I would use them for crafting instead...

This one was a blast! I had a great time thinking up all the little goodies that could fit into these baseball card holders. I included wallet size photos of floral images from my baby shower that was also pink & green.


There are four pages total, but I don't want to bore y'all with every one.

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{ G } is for Glam Kitchen Gloves

Pink gloves! Couldn't resist including them in the theme. But lemmee tell ya - it is H.A.R.D. to find a glue that will stay permanent to latex. So sorry Heidi, if the lace cuffs falls off....


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{ G } is for Goodies for Maren

A little gift from my two year old to her two year old.
Just a few girlie-girl goodies like flower clips and satin bow clips that I made. And of course a feather boa and (plastic) teacups for her to have a tea party! I love the pink plastic jar - found it at the .99 cents store and bought 'em out. I added the lid sparkle.

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Wrapped up and ready to go!

Overall, for my first swap, I had a wonderful time because it has been so long since I have done anything crafty, and I hope Heidi enjoys her new pink & green goodies.

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4/26/07

Dear Risa,

I got your swap package yesterday and I can't decide if I love you for being the best swap partner ever or hate you for making me look like the most lame-o swap partner ever! LOL ;) Seriously, I was blown away by the lovely package you sent. You were so very thoughtful and generous and I appreciate every single little detail that you included!

I had to giggle when I saw the pink & green sanding sugar! I'm definitely going to make your Mom's sugar cookie recipe and those will be perfect for the decorating. I've been looking for a good cut-out cookie recipe for along time now and I'm eager to try this one! And you had me right on the Pyrex!

I love the little spa items you made! They smell wonderful and the little bowl is darling--I can't believe you found that while out thrifting! It's just perfect.

The brown bag album you made is just darling! The recipes in it sound delicious, perfect for me because I have one serious sweet tooth! YUM! I love the little recipe holder, too! What did you use to bend the fork tines? I saw a similar one in a catalog a while ago and decided to try it with one of my old thrifted silver spoons but I don't think I had the right tools. The vintage recipe book looks interesting and I look forward to reading it.

I love the H! I have a little collection of Hs that I've found and this will be a perfect addition! I'm especially fond of the polka dot ribbon! :)

The notebook--Wow! Risa, this is one of the most clever gift ideas I've seen in a long time! I was absolutely tickled pink to open it up and look through all the little goodies. What fun! I know several people for whom this would be a perfect gift, so I hope you don't mind if I use your idea. It's just wonderful! I love that you used the photo of Maren on the front from my blog. That is one of my favorite pictures that I've ever taken of her, so it is especially sweet to me.

The gloves are a hoot! How did you know that I do all my dishes and cleaning in rubber gloves? I just hate how my hands feel after soaking in hot water and soap and chemicals, so I have to wear them. The pink gloves are much cuter than the ugly yellow ones I've been using!

Thank you also for the other goodies--the shoes (which Maren thinks belong to her) and the CD and the sweets. Thank you also SO much for the darling little jar for Maren! What a treat for her. She has played with it nonstop since I opened the box! All of the little treats you included are just darling! You are so sweet to think of her.

Risa, the whole package was just amazing. I truly appreciate all of the work you did in making everything match and using the cute little labels and pretty ribbon & wrappings. I do hope you'll keep swapping; anyone would be lucky to have you as their partner!

Thank you again!
Heidi

You are most welcome, Heidi!
I really enjoyed it all!
Oh, for the fork I just used my gool ol' thumbs to push the tines back (yah, it hurts a little - but then isn't a thing of beauty worth the pain? tee hee), then needle-nose pliers to pry the tines outward in the back, and upward in front to hold the card.

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Here is the recipe card for my Mom's wonderful cookie recipe:


This recipe is the most special one to me. Mom made these all during my childhood. I remember her making these cookies into Christmas tree, bell & star shapes and I would frost them. During Halloween she would make them as pumpkin shapes and pipe the frosting into pumpkin faces, and that is what I would take to my classmates. They always thought they were the best cookies, and I was so proud that MY mom made them!

Thank you Hostess with the Mostess

I just wanted to thank Jenn from Hostess with the Mostess for showcasing my Mother's Day ParTea Goodies Giveaway on her blog.

And while you are visiting there, you have to check out her website for amazing photos and entertaining ideas. It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to tablescapes, and believe me, I. Am. Impressed. with their work. The photography is awesome (I use that word a lot, don't I?).

So again thanks for posting the shout out Jenn!

Suzanne's Bridal Shower Tea Party

Yesterday I had the honor of providing a tea party for Suzanne's Bridal Shower. It was a wonderful group of ladies who came together to celebrate, and since Suzanne and her soon to-be-husband live in Guam for their work it was extra special to see them have a great time. The entire afternoon was filled with LAUGHTER. This was the most laughing group I have been around, and I loved it. I love hearing laughter. Especially at the part where they are having a fashion show from the gals dressed-up in the toilet paper wedding gowns game. Perhaps it was because of the southern punch with spirits, and they didn't know it was spiked?

The shower was held at the bride-to-be sister's home, Nanette, who was the hostess of the event. It ended up being a beautiful, sunny afternoon, but we were worried for a while since that morning it was very windy and looked like possible rain. But we kept praying to the weather gods, and they must of heard us...

I made all the floral decor, menu cards and napkin "rings".

The red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. The ones I was going to make the cupcake cuddlers for. Didn't happen. Had way too much to do and ran out of time. But it is still very pretty.

Suzanne, the bride-to-be holding "the lovers" teacup I picked out for her to use.

Since she is a worldly well-traveled gal, I included a shower activity of signs posted with the words "I love you" in different languages and the ladies had to figure which language was what.

Click here to view the entire photo gallery and all the details.

I'm still fixing a lot of the photos since I used my new camera, a Canon Rebel XTi which I am still getting used to, and need to figure out the settings. Manual schmanual.

Tea sheets. I mean, tear sheets.

Back in March I posted a really cute pattern for this tea apron from a really cool crafty mag called Adorn. Well here is the recipe on how to make these yummy petite fours.

And here is an idea on how to adorn your own teapot.

I've been looking all over for this magazine with no luck, so I guess I will just have to contact them directly. I DO NOT want to miss out on this eye candy! Believe me, it is rare to find really cute, funky tea party layouts to put in my notebook to savor. So if my audience of three out there ever comes across tea-related tear sheets, by all means tear away and mail 'em my way!

I'm such a hoarder....

Photos from Adorn Magazine

The Gap...generations, not the store

Today:

"Hi, this is Risa, The ParTea Planner returning your call."

"Oh hi! Thanks for calling me back, how are you? "

"Well, to be honest I have caught my son's cold so you'll have to excuse the Brenda Vaccaro voice. "

Silence. Obviously the caller doesn't know who she is.

"Sooooo....how can I help you out with your tea party?"

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A few months ago when I was planning the Mary Poppins party:

"Good afternoon, XYZ Prop Company. This is Ashley, how may I help you?"

"Hi Ashley, this is The ParTea Planner and I need to rent an ice cream parlor prop that will make the space look like you are in a Farrell's."

Silence.

"Ashley, do you know what Farrell's is?"

"Uhm. Like. No."


Sigh.
Man do I feel old.

P.S. This is the final product of my vision:

Our Easter & Tea Party

I bought this dress at a thrift store when I was still pregnant with her. I loved the delicate pink and green flowers in the pattern, and especially the collar. Back then I thought This is going to hang in her closet FOREVER before she will get to wear it someday.

Well, that day was today. And all day I had an almost sad, melancholy mood and I knew it was because I can't believe she is already big enough to wear a dress I got almost three years ago. Can I get a remote like the one Adam Sandler had in Click and just put my life on Pause for a while?

Here is the tea table I threw together. I wasn't planning on doing a tea, but since dearest hubby was glued to watching The Masters golf all afternoon and me and kids were on our own, I decided to have them help me have an Easter tea. I put a link to view all the detailed photos and menu at the end.

My tee shirt and jeans kinda gal.....
New tights.....already torn.
New shoes.....already scuffed.

I actually have caught number two son's cold and feel very yucky right now, so I won't type out our entire day's activities or the tea party details. If you would like to view the photos from our Easter and the tea party, click here. If you click on Start Slideshow, it will have music and comments on the top left side. Thanks for visiting.

I need to get another kleenex.

Have a Hoppy Easter and much chocolate...

My Virtual Potluck Recipe contribution

Here is my recipe contribution for Shabby in the City's Virtual Potluck!

The San Clemente Pier

Since I live in sunny southern california in a beautiful beach/surf town called San Clemente, I would have to say THE MOST popular item here would be the Fish Tacos (Baja style). I know it sounds gross (I didn't try it out for the longest time because it sounds ick), but they are delish!

Baja Fish Tacos
From Cooking Light

The cabbage slaw adds a nice crunch and peppery bite to the delicate fish tacos.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 pound mahimahi or other firm whitefish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups pre-sliced green cabbage
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
8 lime wedges

Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl.
Add fish; toss to coat.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add fish; sautê 5 minutes or until fish is done.
Combine cabbage, onions, and sour cream in a medium bowl.
Warm tortillas according to package directions.
Spoon about 1/4 cup cabbage mixture down center of each tortilla.
Divide fish evenly among tortillas; fold in half. S
Serve with lime wedges.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 fish tacos and 2 lime wedges)

CALORIES 327 (26% from fat); FAT 9.4g (sat 3.3g,mono 1.3g,poly 2.8g); PROTEIN 26g; CHOLESTEROL 98mg; CALCIUM 182mg; SODIUM 624mg; FIBER 4.6g; IRON 2.4mg; CARBOHYDRATE 35.8g

Great with spanish rice and pinto beans. So make a margarita (strong or virgin) or open a Corona brewski with a wedge of lime shoved down in the bottle neck, and enjoy.

Surf's up, bro!

Mother's Day Goodies Giveaway

Click here to read all the details!

Please help me with my first giveaway. Since I am new to the blog world and have only, like, three blog friends, I need all the help I can get with spreading the tea luv!

For organization purposes, if you are going to enter to win,

be sure to leave a comment on the goodies giveaway blog, not this blog.

- Thank you! *Risa