The Hip Hostess

Menus, tips and ideas for hosting with style!

The Hippest Berry: Kiwiberry January 14, 2012

Mini kiwis

Have you tried these amazing little fruits yet?  If not, you’re missing out.  Kiwiberries look like teeny, tiny kiwis with an edible, fuzz-free skin.  They’re adorable, but even more importantly, they’re delicious.  Biting into a kiwiberry give you a burst of sweet-tart flavor.  To me, they taste sweeter and less acidic than their regular-size cousins – a combination of melon and strawberries, with the smoothness of banana. They’re also a nutritional powerhouse; packed with antioxidants, Vitamin C, and significant amounts of Vitamins A, E, B6, B2, folate and carotenoids.  Eat them when they’re soft to the touch and slightly wrinkly.

Kiwiberries are in season in February-March in Chile, September-November in Oregon and September-October in Pennsylvania.  I look for them whenever I pass by the berries in the fall/ winter, but sadly only find them on occasion.  When they’re available, you can get them at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Fairway.  Start asking for them at your local grocery store and hopefully they’ll start to stock them too.  Or you can order them directly from the growers in Pennsylvania, KiwiBerry Organics, when they’re in season.

Serve these bite-size berries on a fruit platter at a fall party, or skewer them and use them as a garnish for a kiwi-flavored cocktail or smoothie for brunch.

 

Hip Tip: Inexpensive Shower Decorations January 12, 2012

Stocking up of party decorations starts to add up, so I like to print a picture of whatever my theme is – a sock monkey or nursery rhyme – and frame it in a pre matted frame for the party.  Set it on the buffet or wherever you have drinks set up.  It’s a great way to add to your party decore without breaking the bank.    The best part is, you can reuse the frame for other parties or for your favorite picture.

Party Decore ideas

 

Frog Favors January 10, 2012

Party Favor Jars

I was looking for a vessel for frog gummies for a Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails theme baby shower.  Cello bags are generally my standard and I always have them on hand, but I had a lot of empty condiment jars that I had just cleaned out so I decided to use those instead.  Here’s how I made the favors:

Throughly wash “upcycled” jars with vinegar, soap and hot water to eliminate any lingering flavors.  Fill with gummy frogs, placing several of the frogs with their backs against the glass so the fill looks neat.  Cut squares of scrapbook paper (the dot pattern shown is from Michael’s single sheet section) slightly larger than the lid.  Fold paper over the lid and tie with ribbon or yarn (I used brown yarn and doubled it to make the bow look more substantial).  Buy printable labels, such as those from Gartner (also sold at Michael’s), and print a quote or name on the tags, and add a frog sticker.  Center the tags on top of the jars and you’re done!

 

It’s A Boy! Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails Baby Shower January 8, 2012

Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails.  That’s what little boys are made of.  And that’s the nursery rhyme that inspired this baby shower for a very hip mama-to-be with a baby boy on the way.  This mama already has a little girl (soon-to-be Big Sister) and has most of the essentials.  A boy themed shower was the perfect way to hint at showering mom and baby with adorable boyish goods.

I used the rhyme as my inspiration for the invites, decore, favors and dessert (check out the amazing cupcakes below), and served a killer brunch menu.  Here are some of the details from the party.  I’ll write a follow-up post with a how-to for the favors.

Boy Theme Baby Shower

Cupcakes by the amazing Cowie’s Confections; wooden frog pull-toy by Melissa & Doug; favors by the Hip Hostess (how-to post coming soon); flowers are mix of hydrangeas and hypernicum.

 

 
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