{Pizzazzerie} Pirate themed party by Pizzazzerie

Arrghhh Matey!
Our sweet friend, Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie, recently posted a guest article on Hostess with the Mostess. She shared fabulous details of the Pirate themed party that she styled.
We worked closely with her to create the printable graphics for the photo shoot.

When designing the printables, we wanted to do something different, so we added a
pop of aqua and grey to the traditional red and black colorway.

I love how Courtney makes this striking table display cost effective by doing some really simple styling tricks. One example is her "Walk the Plank" sign. A recent Nashville storm actually caused a tree to fall and knock over her back fence. A piece of the fence came in handy when painted with some extra acrylic paint for this signage. Cheap, easy and adorable!

Courtney added the perfect touch with a chest filled with vintage looking net for an “old” look. Extra net was tossed over a crate and used it for favor bags filled with gold coins, rolos and red candy!

Her wooden fence makes a perfectly fitting backdrop for the banner!

Courtney thought of islands and coconuts when she was putting together the menu. I love this coconut ice cream topped with shaved coconut served in real coconut half-shells.

I love these swirl bottles with the red beverage, perfect for a Pirate's of the Carribean style party! Courtney says to check the sand craft aisles in your local craft store for these fun bottles! GREAT idea!

Love the rootbeer that Courtney served in an old Rum Bottle (Her grandfather found this rum bottle in Charleston 50 years ago washed up on shore!)

Store bought fudge sticks were embellished with red icing to make "walk the plank" cookies. Creative, lady!

Party flags and party logos were used to embellish cupcakes and treats...

Great job, Courtney!

VENDORS & SHOPPING RESOURCES
– Photography + Styling: Courtney Dial and Phronsie Dial – Pizzazzerie
– Printables ~ Paper Goods: Anders Ruff Custom Designs
– Swirled Drink Bottles: Ben Franklin Crafts
– Pirate’s Chest: Hobby Lobby
– Pirate’s Hats + Net: Party City

{Pizzazzerie} Pirate themed party by Pizzazzerie

{Dream} a little dream....

Maureen and Adria are in New York City today at Martha Stewart's "Dreamers Into Doers" event. I wonder what they are doing right now?! Are they chatting with Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie? Are they trading tips with Kim Stoegbaeur of The TomKat Studio? Are they meeting....MARTHA??? I know that we will hear (and read) all about their trip on Facebook and right here on the blog when they return.

Typically I write up a party to post; however, today, I wanted to share with you one of the most imaginative blogs I have had the privilege of reading, Mila's Daydreams. Mila's mother, Adele, in her own words..."This is my maternity leave hobby. While my baby is taking her nap, I try to imagine her dream and capture it." As I try to imagine what fabulous things Maureen and Adria are up to in the Big Apple, take a peek at what Adele imagines her sweet baby Mila is dreaming of...




























Of course all of these photographs are superb. Which one is your favorite? Mine is the baby bunny...

Thank you Adele, for sharing with us your amazing pictures of Mila.

{Dream} a little dream....

{Press} DJ Music Themed Birthday Party

Courtney Dial, of Pizzazzerie, just released the photographs from
Nicole Anderson's husband's birthday party (of Dough A Deer).
A DJ/Music birthday party.

I was dying to share these photos that Nicole took over the styled dessert table.
(Thank you, Courtney, for the collages!)

We designed the printable graphics for this event and I just LOVE the
creativity that Nicole displayed in her styling.
The table immediately reflects a music/DJ theme by just adding a few creative serving "vessels".

Don't you just LOVE how she displayed the truffles!?

Charynn (of Two Sugar Babies) designed these fabulous fondant cupcake toppers. (Remember her amazing work for our holiday collection photo shoots?)
Could she get any more talented? If you haven't thought of using fondant... you need to! You can get or make some plain yummy cupcakes and dress them up with Two Sugar Babies fondant toppers that go with your theme.

Below, pretzels from Pretzels Pleaze (Remember them from our holiday photoshoots?!) Donuts from Dough A Deer, herself. I LOVE this!
Creative ways to accessorize and style the table for this theme. I love the cupcakes on the CDs (again, adorable fondant toppers!). Donuts on the record player!

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did!
Thanks, Nicole, for inviting Anders Ruff to be a part of your fab party!

Printables coming to the shop soon!
Email us if you have any questions.
(andersruff@gmail.com)


Photographer: Nicole at DoughADeer
Printables – Anders Ruff
Doughnuts- Dough A Deer
Cake Truffles – Velvet Cream Bakery
Cupcake toppers – Two Sugar Babies
Pretzel rods – Pretzels Pleaze
Pretzel knots, rice krispie treats and oreos- SDP Treats

{Press} DJ Music Themed Birthday Party

{Guest Post} Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie

We are thankful for today’s guest post by none other than the fabulous Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie. We have collaborated with Courtney on several projects and hope to continue our partnership with this purveyor of pizzazz! Courtney, thank you for sharing with us and our readers this recipe for your mom’s spectacular Apple Cake.

Courtney Dial (She's so adorable!)

Thanksgiving is full of family, football, and naps at my house! My mom is an amazing cook and my brother and I love taste testing her recipes each year. One of our favorites (that we request every year) is her Apple Cake. It's so moist and delicious. We usually aim to have it as a dessert but in reality, it's breakfast for us too. It's that good. Enjoy our family recipe this Thanksgiving!

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 cups apples, diced (we use Granny Smith)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans, chopped (or walnuts)
3 tablespoons vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat the oil, sugar, and eggs until well blended. Then, add the flour, vanilla, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Finally, add the apples and pecans. Mix until well combined. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes in a 9x13 greased pan.

ICING INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk

Add all icing ingredients to a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil and then pour over the well-cooled cake.

Enjoy!

Thanks Courtney, we won't be waiting until Thanksgiving to enjoy this delectable cake!

{Guest Post} Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie