Insta-party

This year I decided I wanted to throw myself a birthday party, rather than going out to a restaurant. This was partly due to my desire to (one) use all the new housewares I'd purchased like the Kate Spade hors d'oeuvre tray and (two) actually make all the recipes I'd been pinning.

I was quite ambitious and chose a bunch of fun, but time consuming recipes and I was a HUGE FAILURE and didn't photograph everything! I know, all that work and I only have a few instagram photos to show for it.

But I will at least tell you about everything...

Cupcake
Let's start with these beauties. They are called Hi-Hat Cupcakes and the recipe is from Martha Stewart. I was really intimidated by the meringue frosting and almost didn't make them. I actually diverted from Martha and followed this recipe for the frosting. (The ingredients are the same, but the process is different because I have a stand mixer and not a hand mixer.)

For my next treat I made oreo truffles, but did a slight variation by subbing in mint oreos and of course using food dye to make the chocolate coating the perfect mint green!
Photo courtesy of Bethany and note how awesome her manicure is!!

Wish
For my third dessert, I made chocolate chip cookie dough cheese cake. An old favorite. I had it for my 16th birthday... and goodness that does not feel like it was 10 years ago!

I love the idea of a party with only appetizers. I think they are more fun than a sit down dinner, small portions let you try a lot of different things and (theoretically) still have room for dessert.
On my menu was:
Cinnamon chips with fruit salsa
Buffalo Chicken dip (made by Bethany)
Goat Cheese and Peach Tartlets
Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach Bread
Mini Ramekins of Mac and Cheese
Baked Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard
Various Cheeses and Olives
Tropical Ginger Punch

Slate cheese board and mouse knife! #latergram
The slate cheese board and mouse knife were a couple of things I had to buy just for the party, or rather, I wanted to have a party so I'd have an excuse to buy them. Either way, they are both from Amazon and the total was under $40.

Present TulipBday

I really should be packing for Florida right now, but I hate packing and I was so consumed with preparing for, and subsequently cleaning up after the party all weekend that I haven't read a single blog and I've been missing you all!

49 comments

  1. Happy Birthdaaaay. You look beautiful! And those oreo truffles are insane, I want them. So bad. I hope you had a lovely lovely party! :)

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  2. Awesome! I love making desserts- even if they don't look pretty, they always taste great:)

    xoxo
    Ashley
    http://textbooksandtofu.blogspot.com/

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  3. Happy Birthday!
    Great shots, all that food looks amazing and I LOVE your mouse shaped cheese knife

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  4. Ahh I love cupcakes! Yum!
    Love your blog, like always!



    mintblush
    mintblush
    mintblush

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  5. Aww I love your party theme and you rock for making everything (umm can I come next time and bring a snack?)
    Ooh have fun in Florida!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  6. Well Happy Belated Birthday! It all looks so yummy, kudos for you for throwing your own party and making all that yummy food!Daisy Dayz
    Cross-Jones-Photography
    My Hub Pages

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  7. Happy belated birthday! What a spread! Everything sounds and looks delicious - you have some lucky friends! Have an amazing time in Florida starting your new year!

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  8. happy birthday! your treats turned out really well, they look so pretty, as do you!

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  9. Aw - looks and sounds like you had a fabulous time! Those cupcakes look ahhhh mazing, and I love the cheese chalkboard - so cute :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  10. Ooh so much fun! Too bad I was too much of a chicken, haha :) (but I think it was best that I didn't come...I woulda been nervous for the whole time)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  11. Aw, you're the cutest!
    Happy Birthday your royal cuteness. :)

    xoxo
    ~Natasha Fatah~
    ~Natasha Fatah~

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  12. Happy Birthday! Looks like you had a wonderful gathering (and I definitely need to make those chocolate-dipped cupcakes!).

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  13. Happy birthday! You look so cute and I'm offially drooling for dessert and it's not even 9:30 am

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  14. Happy late birthday!!! I'm glad to see you had such a wonderful time, all the treats look so good! I'm sorry they all didn't turn out as planned, I know how that is. I always plan on making a cazillion treats for each holiday, and then just make one or two of which one is always a failure... haha. Good luck packing!

    www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com

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  15. That looks like such a fun time!!! I hope you had an amazing birthday - and that your trip goes swimmingly.

    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  16. glad your bday was fun! the pics look great; those tasty sweets look divine! have fun in FL :-)

    ~nic
    www.nics-picks.com

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  17. Those cupcakes look AMAZING! And I'm a huge fan of oreo truffles, I've never had a mint one but it sounds really awesome.

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  18. awesome pictures!! Hun you have a very interesting blog! Loved it! Come by and let's follow each other! Stay in touch ;)! xx

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  19. You're so cute! I love these photos. Me and gourmet cheese and crackers ... yum say no more. I love Gouda. The Tiara touch is perfect. Happy Belated dear.

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  20. Happy birthday!
    All of the food looks and sounds fantastic, I'm sure it was a great party :]

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  21. A big happy b-day to you! Your menu sounds divine. All I can think about right now is chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake.

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  22. Looks like you had a great time! I've been thinking of throwing myself a party for my 25th as an excuse to as friends to dress fancy/ make cocktails.

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  23. Hope you had a great party!! I am just drooling over those hi-hat cupcakes! Appetizers and desserts is such a perfect idea.

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  24. The first picture of the cupcakes look so yummy! I am new to blogging so hope you can stop by :)

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  25. Happy birthday, beautiful. Everything looks and sounds delicious. I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday.

    xo,
    Tracy

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  26. I love appetizer parties! I hope you have help prepping and cleaning though, because that's what kills me!

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  27. Hot damn, if I'm drooling over the instagram pics of the things you did photograph, I'd hate to see how bad I'd be drooling over your entire menu. It looks to me like you had a super delicious birthday (and a fun one with all that baking!). What a good way to spend the day!~

    That oreo cheesecake especially though... dang. Oreos are my weakness. And goat cheese tartlets? I'm saving some of these recipes. Good choices. Be sure to invite me next time (so I can vacuum up all your food-- I mean, bring you a gift!)! ;)

    I hope your birthday was super amazing, Lyddie!~ :D

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  28. Happy birthday! Those desserts look yummy.

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  29. everything looks so yummy
    i threw myself a b'day party this year as well
    love the dress and the tiara is fab
    brett

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  30. Happy Birthday!

    HAHAHA I would totally plan a party to use my Annie Glass trays and bake off of Pinterest... That's a reason to throw a party within itself!

    Those treats look delicious- thanks for sharing and you look fabulous for your birthday fun!

    Hope you had a great one and I love your blog!

    Amanda
    It's an Easy Life

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  31. You look stunning! Happy Birthday to you!

    Hope you enjoy your trip!

    Those truffles looked yummy!!

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  32. All the food pics looks so delish!! I am so happy that you had a wonderful birthday celebration! You deserve it :)
    Have a lovely trip!

    Christine
    dela chic

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  33. Wow, what a spread! My mouth is watering! I'm so impressed with those hi-hat cupcakes too--that's one I've been wanting to try. I hope you had an amazing party and birthday!

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  34. Happy Belated doll! I love appetizer/tapas parties. The cupcakes look professionally done - mouth watering.
    I hate packing too. Nothing fun about it, except the prospect of being on vacation. Enjoy. miss you too!!!
    xx
    The Fashionable ESQ
    http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/

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  35. Happy birthday! It looks like you had a blast! Thanks for sharing the update with us even though you're busy and should be packing. Enjoy the sunshine!

    xo,
    Lindsay
    Lindsay Living

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  36. oh my gosh! It looks like such a fun and delicious time! Those cupcakes look super profesh!

    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    the shop of worldly delights

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  37. this is so freakin adorable! those oreo truffles look absolutely delicious!!! and i love your cheeseboard!

    happy birthday domestic goddess <3

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  38. Oh my goodness, girl, this looks like a fantastic party! I, too, love appetizer only menus. I feel like they're more fun and allow people to mingle and, of course, always have a drink in hand! ;) Also I just about died when I saw that cheese board and mouse knife on instagram. SO adorable!

    Looks like you had a blast! And happy birthday again! :)

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  39. oreo truffles...omg...that looks so fun!!

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  40. Happy birthday fellow Ram! Loving what you had on your bash, especially the cheese (and the board!). Looks like you had a ton of fun! x

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  41. We miss you to but we understand. Have blast!!! Happy birthday!!! U look like Audrey Hepburn with your tiara.

    www.living-thesuite-life.blogspot.com

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  42. Happy birthday, beautiful lady! Looks like you had a blast. I love love love the slate cheese board. I want one badly!

    xo,
    Hannah
    www.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com

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  43. Inspiring and great fashion concepts!

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  44. Happy happy birthday again, my dear. I've been stalking your instagram and Florida looks lovely. I hope you took your sailboat blouse!

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  45. Oooh, I remember seeing the cupcakes on Instagram! You did such a great job with everything. Happy Belated Birthday!! :)

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