
I have a really fun giveaway announcement for you! Starting today, I will be giving away a different item(s) everyday (weekend included) for the next seven days! I\’ll still be posting \”regular\” post (fashion, food, beauty and everything in between) during that time, so there will be two new posts a day except for the weekend. Be sure to check back so you don\’t miss anything!
Remember last week I said my friends and I were having a Chex Party Mix-Change instead of a Cookie Exchange. Well it was such a hit I decided to have a giveaway!
All goodies provided by general mills through myblogspark
• Give your party a theme! Parties can be stressful to plan. A theme allows you to stay focused on a specific idea. For example a pink and green theme party would have a pink drink, pink and green napkins, pink and green candies etc.
• Look good in the kitchen! Incorporate a cute apron into your look. I almost always have one on when guests arrive no matter what the season is. All my aprons are from The Hip Hostess
• Set the mood! Candles create a warm and inviting ambiance.
• Back to basics! I love incorporating my favorite parts of childhood parties with my grown-up events; cupcakes, pretty candy and balloons are great additions.
• Give a gift to all guest! Everyone loves to get a gift so why not have a little something to give to your guests as they leave. Gifts can be homemade such as sugar cookies individually wrapped or something you buy. Check the dollar spot at Michaels and Target for some wonderful seasonal ideas.
Do you have any party secrets/tips you\’d like to share?
In college a group of girlfriends and I started to do a Cookie Exchange at Christmas. Once we graduated and were scattered across the United States we decided to still do a Cookie Exchange. Instead of physically being there we mail each other cookies and then have a Skype party. As I am sure you have seen in commercials and advertisements Chex has been promoting Chex Party Mix-Change. Since money is tight for everyone this year we decided we would skip the cookies and send each other some Chex Mix. I made Traditional Chex Mix (my way any way) and Lemon Puppy Chow.
What\’s your favorite kind of Chex Mix?
Lemon Puppy Chow
Ingredients
• 9 cups Rice or Corn Chex cereal
• 1 1/4 cups white chocolate or white vanilla baking chips
• 1/4 cup butter
• The zest of two lemons
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
1. Measure the cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
2. In a pot over low heat melt the butter and white chocolate (or vanilla baking chips). Once it has melted stir in the lemon juice and zest. Pour mixture over cereal, stir until evenly coated.
3. Pour mixture into a 2 gallon ziplock food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar, seal bag and gently shake until coated. Spread on waxed paper and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container.
Chex Mix
Ingredients
2 cups Rice Chex cereal
2.5 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2.5 cups Honey Nut Chex
1 cup Corn Chex cereal
1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 cup rye chips
1.5 cups Cheez-Its
6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoons garlic powder
1.5 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoons onion powder
Directions
• In a large bowl, mix the cereals, nuts, Cheez-Its and rye chips.
• Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.
• While oven is pre-heating cut the butter into pieces and place it in an oven safe glass dish. Place in the oven until the butter has fully melted. Remove and stir in seasonings. Add cereal mixture, stir until evenly coated.
• Place in the oven and bake for one hour at 250 degrees. Stirring every 15 minutes.
• When finished remove from oven and pour onto paper towel and enjoy!