{Recipes} A Few of My Fiesta Faves!

Cinco de Mayo is a reason for me to visit one of my many favorite Mexican restaurants and splurge! But if you do not want to face the crowds at the Mexican eateries, here are a few of my favorite Fiesta staples!

Fresh Salsa

* 1 small can diced green chiles, drained

* 1 small can chopped black olives, drained (I like to dice mine)

* 5-6 green onions, chopped

* 2-3 medium tomatoes, chopped (seeds and juices)

* 3 tbs olive oil

* 1 1/2 tsp tarragon vinegar

* 1 tsp salt (I typically add a bit more)

Mix all together and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Mexican Cocktail

This is so simple to throw together and is great for a group

* 6, 12 oz bottles of Corona

* 1, 12 oz can of frozen limemade concentrate

* 1/2 a lime

In a large pitcher, combine the frozen limemade and beer. Allow the foam to settle, then squeeze the lime into the pitcher and stir.

Tres Leche

This recipe entails a little more effort, but I promise it is worth it!

Cake

* 6 eggs

* 2 cups sugar

* 2 cups flour

* 2 tsp baking powder

* 1 tsp vanilla

* 1/2 cup milk

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Pour into a greased 13x9 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

Syrup

* 2 cans evaporated milk

* 2 cans condensed milk

* 2 cans regular whole milk (use cans from condensed milk)

* 3 egg yolks (keep the egg whites for the icing)

Mix everything together in a bowl while cake is baking. When the cake is ready, cut cake in approximately 1 inch squares and pour the syrup all over. Let the cake absorb the syrup for a few minutes before you ice.

Icing

* 1 cup light karo syrup

* 1 cup sugar

* 3 egg whites

Place syrup and sugar in a small pot and bring to a gentle boil. Beat egg whites until they are sponge like and start pouring hot syrup into the mixing bowl, but do this slowly. Put a tiny drop of vinegar in the mix to kill the egg smell. When the icing is ready, spread over the cake and refrigerate.

Images: salsa (pioneer woman), drink (food network), tres leche (sylvia's)

{Real Parties} A Blue & Orange Baby Shower

Here is another incredible shower hosted by a Gatewood lady! This time, Cindy and the other hostesses went with the trendy palette of blue and orange. My friend, Hayley, designed the monogram along with the boxed invitation and other paper goods. She never disappoints!

Party guests sipped on "Mommy's Mocktail" which consisted of peach nectar, orange juice and grenadine. Cookies were passed out as favors that pictured the monogram used throughout the party. I love the use of baby bottles used as glasses! And how cute is the diaper napkin??!!

All photography by Angela Francis of Bella Smile

A few party details you might be interested in...

* Monogram, invitation and paper goods were designed by Hayley Hardcastle.

* The precious baby bump mannequin came from The Marketing Company.

* The gorgeous flowers were created by Plants and Petals.

* Distinctive Details provided the linens and the cake was made by Who Made the Cake.

* The monogrammed cookies were baked by Stephanie Conti in Galveston.

* The setting of the lovely shower was the tea room at The St. Regis Hotel.

***A little fun fact....the mommy-to-be had her baby TODAY!! Congratulations Katie!!

Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner! If there is one type of food that we love here in Texas, it's Mexican Food! Will you be doing anything special to celebrate?? We do not have any set plans, but I'll be sure to visit one of my favorite Mexican restaurants for a margarita or make a yummy meal at home with friends.

Decorating for a Mexican Fiesta is so easy! All you need are bright accents, simple flowers (sunflowers are a good choice) and delicious food! I have been dying to rent the Armando's taco truck for a block party. Armando's is a swanky Mexican bistro here in Houston. They now offer a taco truck which will park in front of your house and your friends can order right from the window. How fun is that?! To further set the mood, hire a mariachi band or a Spanish guitarist!

I have a delicious fresh salsa recipe to share with you soon along with the recipes for my favorite Sangria and margarita! Stay tuned...

Images

invitation, mason jars, entry way lantern decor, sunflower boot centerpiece (St. Louis Entertains), bell pepper votives and aqua tablescape (Keely Thorne Events), white tablescape, swanky couch, pitcher vase, kids table (D Jones Photography), fans and sombrero napkin rings (Caplan Miller Events), mariachi band, lanterns, pinata (allison events), taco truck (Armando's)

{Real Parties} A Black, White & Blush Pink Bridal Shower

This beautiful bridal shower was hosted by one of the Gatewood ladies again! The bride's colors were black and blush pink, so Cindy and her friends ran with that and included a gorgeous damask print to tie in the details.

The crystal wedding tree held notecards with various wedding words on them.

A black and white candy bar was present. Here are a few samples of what they offered.

Guests wrote down their wish for Teresa on notecards that were later given to the bride.

I am not always a fan of shower games, but I truly like this one! At each place setting was a card that listed the words, "old, new, borrowed, blue". Teresa, the bride, was wearing various items of clothing and accessories and guests had to guess which ones fit each category.

Another game the group played was to guess how many blush pink jelly beans were in a jar.

The blushing bride!

All photography by Angela Francis, owner of Bella Smile Photography. If you live in The Woodlands or Houston area, Angela is a wonderful photographer!

A few party details you might be interested in...

* The gorgeous flowers were ordered from Central Market.

* The "Damask Flocked" invitations are by American Crafts and were ordered from Bering's in Houston.

I love the bridal mannequin that is pictured by the invitation. Cindy uses it at many parities and she bought it from Bellaregalo.

* All candy was purchased online from Candy Warehouse.

* The damask linens, which sure made a statement, were rented from The Total Table in Pa.

* The rhinestone chargers and vases were bought at Z Gallerie.

* The white dishes were rented from Aztec Events.

{Real Parties} Is it a Boy or Girl??!!

Oh how I love this party! Gender reveal parties seem to be increasing in popularity and my friend Paige put together the perfect setting. Paige and Taylor had their doctor write down the baby's gender on paper and seal it in an envelope. One of the nurses then called The Cakery to let them know if it was a boy or girl...who then baked a cake and filled the center with pink or blue.

Paige and Taylor invited their closest family and friends to join them for dinner and then they cut the cake for dessert. Talk about a suspenseful dinner!

It's a......GIRL!!!!!