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...

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!!

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

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.

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!