Monster Cupcakes & Halloween Fun

Every year, my daughter's original baby group gets together for a Halloween costume party. The kids are now five and a couple of siblings have joined the group. It is an event that I look forward to for months. We hosted the party at our house yesterday and had a lot of fun making goodies and decorating. The cupcakes were decorated with all kinds of candy. I just filled up several bowls with all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. We also cut up some licorice strands. I frosted the cupcakes and handed them off to my decorating crew (Ella, 5; Milo, 3; and Gabe, if I revealed his age he might kill me). Milo's cupcakes looked less like monsters and more like giant mounds of candy corns. Ella's were the most elaborate and she had a story about each of them. This would also be a really great activity if you are looking for a Halloween party activity. Just pre-frost the cupcakes and let the kids go to town. Just be prepared for sticky fingers!

Veggies can be fun! We got this idea from a magazine and it was a hit.

Carmel apples (a classic) & Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

The spread. The candy corn seemed to disappear before our very eyes!

My husband and kids helped me decorate these scary beasts.

As it turns out, kids like candy. Even the monsters knew they were in trouble!

A Great Place For Party Ideas

Just got this link from a friend's Tweet. Their stuff is adorable and worth checking out if you want to do something fun for an upcoming event...

Couture Parties

Espresso Shortbread Cookies

Looking for a delicious, sophisticated and EASY treat to make for your next event? Try these. The recipe is from Martha Stewart's website. I made them for a cocktail party that I had a couple of weeks ago and have not stopped thinking about them since.

After the cookies cooled, I dipped them in melted Valrhona Chocolate. It made for quite a nice cookie!

How to make a cupcake topper

This comes from Amy Bakes Cupcakes. GREAT and easy ways to make decorative cupcake toppers...

How to Make a Cupcake Topper

MasterChef Cookbook is now available!

Amazon delivered my copy of the new MasterChef Cookbook today, hot off the presses. It was written by my friend, JoAnn Cianciulli, and features many of the recipes that you have seen the contestants prepare on FOX's new hit show. It is a great book to have in your library, offering tips on stocking a pantry, selecting cookware and suggestions on wine pairings (from judge Joe Bastianich.) There are lots of recipes from the contestants, judges and Cat Cora's halibut dish from last week's episode. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to cook and especially to fans of the show.

Working on MasterChef was so much fun for me, personally. Even though I have been in "the biz" for close to 20 years and have worked on many shows. This one, in particular, was really special. The people involved from the producers to the production assistants were top notch. We all were passionate about the project and worked very hard, with limited resources and a short amount of time. I have been so proud of how it turned out. As the set decorator, my focus is always the "look" of the show and I think my crew really knocked it out of the park. And it is really fun to see all of this in a cookbook; something I can keep on my shelf, always. The coolest thing is watching the show each week. So much fun!

GREAT job to JoAnn and her outstanding culinary team. I hope that these books sell like hotcakes!

Sometimes, plans change

I was supposed to be baking today. But alas, I have been hit hard with a nasty cold/flu bug that has held me hostage for the better part of a week. Thanks to some fabulous antibiotics, I am finally on the mend. But as I am recovering, I am staying home tonight while my husband and his friends are going to the Hollywood Bowl to see a concert. We have a box subscription for the World Music Series. Our box holds 4 people and it is always my favorite part of any summer. Usually, I make a fun dinner (sometimes with a theme) and I always bake a goodie to enjoy for dessert. I had the menu planned for tonight, lots of Italian favorites including prosciutto and melon, panzanella, roasted veggies w/Israeli cous cous and on and on. Dessert was going to include espresso cookies, lemon cupcakes and raspberry pavlova. Yes, for four people. What can I say? I tend to "go to town". And 2 of our friends are turning 40, so I was going to go a little extra crazy. Instead, I have been on strict diet of soup and popsicles. Talk about misery. If you would like to make the pavlova, seen above, here is the recipe. I hope it tastes good!

Pavlova with Raspberry Curd & Berries

Entertaining Checklists

Martha Stewart Online has these really fabulous checklists that can help you get organized when having an event.

Entertaining Checklists

Scroll through the lists including All Occasion Planning, Birthday Party Planner, Bridal Shower Planner, Baby Shower Planner and my favorite, Preparing for House Guests.