Let's Mingle Blog

Easy Entertaining for Everyday Celebrations

DIY Cactus and Chalk Place Cards

Mar 27 2015 by 2 Comments

DIY Cactus and Chalk Place Cards-4Yay! It’s Friday!

Is it just me or did this week just seriously draaaag! It’s the WORST!

Things are looking up though, because the weekend is here and hopefully you’re going to mingle with some friends and family! (Or just spend the entire weekend inside, catching up on The Walking Dead and eating mini Cadbury Eggs…not that I know anyone that does that or anything).

I really appreciate the little things and unexpected details at a gathering and the DIY cactus and chalk place cards that I am sharing today will really up the cuteness factor on your next tablescape. These little guys also double as favors too, which is killer! I love when you can get double duty out of a party detail and have one less thing to worry about!

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Coffee Shooters Recipe

Mar 25 2015 by Leave a Comment

Espresso Shooters-4Usually, when I host a get-together, I struggle and spend a majority of my time trying to figure out what cocktails to serve on the menu. What type of liquor to serve, what pairs well with the meal, the type of event I’m hosting, and what variety of options I should have available. That’s a lot to wrap your head around and it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes…right?! One of my go-to’s is this super easy coffee shooter recipe!

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DIY Sprinkle Easter Eggs

Mar 23 2015 by 3 Comments

Guys, I. Love. Sprinkles.

In case you were wondering, the best combination at Cold Stone Creamery involves Sweet Cream ice cream, cookie dough, Kit Kat, and SPRINKLES.

But back to the sprinkles…

I’m a big believer that sprinkles make just about anything better. Including Easter eggs.

Sprinkle Easter eggs….? Duh. Of course.

They are bright, colorful, and just plain fun. And who doesn’t love sprinkles? (If you don’t, I am questioning your sanity).

DIY Sprinkle Easter Eggs-5I think these little eggs are just screaming for an Easter basket this year.

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Dipped Marshmallow Pops

Mar 20 2015 by Leave a Comment

I’m a sucker for sweets. I don’t try to deny it. I own it. And just about everyone else in my life already knows it.

Me and sugar are besties and have been for years. It’s a love/hate relationship, but somehow the sugar always wins…go figure.

I usually don’t discriminate against different types of sugar, but if you add multiple chocolatey layers, soft marshmallow, and gooey caramel together, you’ll have these dipped marshmallows pops and one happy camper.

Dipped Marshmallows-19Not only are these triple dipped marshmallow pops delicious, but they’re also the perfect treat to give out as party favors too!

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DIY Balloon Garlands

Mar 18 2015 by Leave a Comment

DIY-Balloon-Garland-16There’s just something about balloons.

As much as I try to hate them or try to convince myself that they have past their prime, they always seem to do something that makes me fall for them all over again. (Yep, still talking about balloons here).

They add the perfect touch to a birthday party and seem to make photos so much more fun.

There are SO many fun ways to elevate (no pun intended) them and make them a bit more fancy or fun.

Today, I’m sharing a really easy and quick way to add a bit of personality to them by adding a DIY balloon garland! And the best part…? All you need to pull it off is a sewing machine!

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DIY Floral Wrap

Mar 16 2015 by Leave a Comment

Spring is definitely in the air and I can’t say that I’m complaining.

I’ve already noticed the bulbs in my garden springing to life and these beauties that are stocking the grocery floral departments too.

DIY Floral Wrap

With Easter only a few short weeks away, I wanted to share a SUPER easy way to upgrade those grocery store flowers and turn them into something pretty to bring as a host or hostess gift when you’re invited to brunch (my fave!) or dinner.

All you need are:

  • flowers (any variety works)
  • wrapping paper that you love
  • twine
  • small gift tag

DIY Floral Wrap

First, cut your paper into a square. Ensure that you have enough paper to wrap the flowers, but also not too much that it covers your blooms or the bottoms of your stems. (You can make adjustments to your size as you start placing your flowers).

Turn your paper so that it resembles a diamond, with the tip of your paper towards the top. Place your flowers on top of your paper (make sure the stems are dry!) and arrange them so that you have a few varying layers. This can take a few tries before you get it just right.

Gently wrap the middle of the paper around the stems, tucking the inner corner under the stems.

DIY Floral Wrap

Wrap the twine around the center of the paper wrap. Pull tight and secure with a bow.

DIY Floral Wrap

Add your gift tag!

DIY Floral WrapDIY Floral Wrap

A DIY floral wrap is such a quick and easy way to give some fresh flowers even more of a wow factor and impress your host!

DIY Floral WrapDIY Floral Wrap DIY Floral Wrap

Let's Mingle Blog

Homemade Hot Chocolate (& Printable Stencil)

Feb 5 2015 by Leave a Comment

Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil

Normally, February in Utah is a bit more snowy and a bit more freezing, but lately we’ve been hitting temps in the low 60’s.

Utah seems to be having a climate crisis, but a mug full of piping hot chocolate is always ok in my book, regardless of the weather.

Jazz it up with a splash of Baileys and a cute topper and you’ve got a winner!

I combined 4 cups of milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream together and simmered on the stove until warm.

Next, I mixed in one 11.5 ounce bag of chocolate chips, stirring constantly until melted. I used gourmet milk chocolate baking chips, but you can use any type of chip you want. If you want a less sweet hot chocolate, only use 3/4 of the bag.

Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil-5

When it has all melted, it’s a smooth chocolatey dream.

Pick your favorite mug and pour! If you want to spike it, add 1 Tbsp. of Bailey’s Irish Cream in each mug and stir.

I used really tall mugs (yours might be smaller) and this amount filled up three of them perfectly.

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Now, let’s get to the fun part…

Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil-7

How darling are these stencils from Peter Loves Jane?! You can download your own here.

I just cut them out with a pair of scissors, but you could easily use a Silhouette too.

Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil-10Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil-11

Place the stencil over the top of your mug and dust with any type of powdered topping you like. I used cocoa powder (because who doesn’t want more chocolate) but you could use cinnamon too!

Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil-9Homemade Hot Cholcoate and Mug Stencil-4

I love unexpected details and this one is too cute.

How could you pass up a mug that looked that good…? I know I couldn’t.

Strawberries & Cream Creme Brulee

Feb 3 2015 by Leave a Comment

Strawberry Cream Creme Brulee-12

If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to serve for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or even just a Tuesday night, this little recipe is sure to a be a hit. And those heart shaped ramekins…? They sure do elevate the cuteness factor.

I got my ramekins here.

The recipe is simple to put together and can be done in about an hour and a half, from start to finish.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 2/3 cup Heavy Cream
  • 5 Egg Yolks
  • 6 1/2 Tbsp. Sugar
  • 1 Tsp. Vanilla
  • 1 Cup of Diced Strawberries (plus some extra to garnish)
  •  Sugar for Sprinkling

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Whip together sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla until well blended.

Strawberry Cream Creme Brulee-3

Heat the cream until just slightly simmering (about 190 degrees) and very slowly pour into the egg yolk mixture, while whisking the entire time.

Strawberry Cream Creme Brulee-8

Fill the bottoms of the ramekins with strawberries.

Remove any excess foam off of the top of the custard mixture and pour into the ramekins until they are about 3/4 of the way full. (The strawberries will float a bit in the mixture).

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Set the ramekins  inside a non-stick baking pan and carefully pour water into the pan until it reaches about 1/2 up the sides of the ramekins.

Place onto a middle rack in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until they have set and are no longer “liquidy”.

Strawberry Cream Creme Brulee-6

Once done, chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Sprinkle sugar over the tops of the chilled brulee. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar by moving the flame in a circular motion on the surface. (If you don’t have a kitchen torch handy, you can cheat a bit by placing the brulee into your oven on the “broil” setting to help get a crusty top using the sugar. Be sure to watch it carefully though, because it can get very hot, very quickly!).

Garnish with diced strawberries.

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Strawberry Cream Creme Brulee-13

This recipe will make about 6 heart shaped strawberry & cream creme brulee’s.

They didn’t last long at my house, so next time, I might need to make double!