Updating...bear with me :) 7/23/10
-Felissa
The Corpse Bride happens to be in my bestie's top five favorite movies. And so I dedicate this birthday theme to her.
The Invite
The Ghosts of All Soul's Cemetery
Have come out to have some fun.
It's Their Night To Party
And it's only just begun.
Don't be jealous you're not there
No, don't lose your head;
It's by invitation only, and only for the dead.
I had tons of different ideas for the invitation...but I just love scraps, and since this was for an adult party I thought I'd keep it very simple and to the point. However this could easily be dressed up with black and silver spiderweb card stock, and a black paper doily.
However...
I have to say I do love this innovative little save the date/invitation that Martha Stewart makes. You can buy them at your local Michaels.
The Cake
I happened upon this amazing cake via Azathoth Invictus photo stream. This is one theme that ties together elegance with the macabre...have fun coming up with your own unique cake.
This Miniature Corpse Bride cake is by Pink Cake Box.
Black & white cupcakes by Le Cupcakes
The Decorations
This theme cries out for a distinct dish and I don't mean meatloaf. These plates are meant to be inspiration only as alas...they are also no longer sold at Pottery Barn, however Target usually comes out with fairly goth dinnerware during October, or you can always do simple solid black dishes and dress them up with skull napkin rings, and silver or black napkins
Now this can be tricky depending on the time of year your planning it, although it would stand to reason that you would use this theme during October, or even November...my best friend's birthday is in December, and so even though I'll have these decorations handy, it may clash with the cheerier Christmas decorations you already have up. So, dedicate a room to decorate, temporarily remove all vestiges of green and red and go goth. I love the look of the feather boa's as a stand in for chargers, this tablescape was done by a reader of HWTM.com
Now the next tablescape was done by a member of iVillage Garden Web I love the way she pops that orange in among the black, and those glitter skulls can be found everywhere from the Dollar Tree to Marshall's.
These next items were all sold through Pottery Barn however many of them are no longer available for purchase...But, you can always fake it with a little imagination and your local Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, & Michaels - this crafter's holy trinity.
The Menu
Bloody Appletini
A classic twist to a yummy apple martini makes this gross Halloween cocktail one to die for. A bloody rimmed candy glass and the perfect sweet and sour martini mixture will be sure to make this a hit at any adult Halloween party!
Blood Candy Rim
The “blood rim” is made from the same kind of mixture as you’d use to make hard candy.
Ingredients:
1 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Karo Syrup
1/2 c. Water
Red Food Coloring
Directions:
Combine sugar, syrup and water. Cook without stirring to hard crack stage – which is 300 degrees F, use a candy thermometer to check. Add red food dye.
Turn off heat. While the mixture is still hot but not boiling, dunk the top of the cocktail glass into the mixture to create the red rim. Tip the top of the rim to part way down the glass – whichever you prefer. Flip the glass right side up to cool and cause “drips” as it hardens on the glass! Once hardened keep chilled.
The Appletini Martini
2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Apple Pucker Schnapps or
1/2 oz. Apple Juice or Cider
Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with the candy rim.
Keep the Appletini mixture really cold and adjust the pucker to suit your taste. Enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of Gross Halloween Recipes
Blood Candy Rim
The “blood rim” is made from the same kind of mixture as you’d use to make hard candy.
Ingredients:
1 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Karo Syrup
1/2 c. Water
Red Food Coloring
Directions:
Combine sugar, syrup and water. Cook without stirring to hard crack stage – which is 300 degrees F, use a candy thermometer to check. Add red food dye.
Turn off heat. While the mixture is still hot but not boiling, dunk the top of the cocktail glass into the mixture to create the red rim. Tip the top of the rim to part way down the glass – whichever you prefer. Flip the glass right side up to cool and cause “drips” as it hardens on the glass! Once hardened keep chilled.
The Appletini Martini
2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Apple Pucker Schnapps or
1/2 oz. Apple Juice or Cider
Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with the candy rim.
Keep the Appletini mixture really cold and adjust the pucker to suit your taste. Enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of Gross Halloween Recipes
Dead Man's Punch
Mummy’s Hand Halloween Punch Ingredients You will need a large punch bowl or ‘cauldron’ bowl if you can find one at your local Halloween store. You will also need to find some food grade plastic gloves to to fill with water for the floating mummy hands. Make sure you look for the ones made of clear plastic that have no talc on them like latex gloves do. Fill with water or colored water and freeze.
- 2 (6 ounce) cans frozen pink lemonade concentrate
- 1 (6 ounce) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate
- 1 gallon cranberry juice
- 2 liters ginger ale or 7-Up
- 4 cups crushed ice
- In a large punch bowl, mix lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate and cranberry juice. Once the ice hands are frozen, remove the glove and float them in your punch bowl. Add extra ice if needed. Pour in the ginger ale last to keep the fizz. For an extra spooky effect you can also use dry ice to give the Halloween punch a smoky, eerie effect. To make the punch into a cocktail just add 1 cup rum or vodka to mixture and enjoy.
- Also courtesy of Gross Halloween Recipes
Zombie Zin
For The re-animated palate, goes great with brains...
As I said my BFF's birthday is in December and in cold weather I definitely lean towards comfort foods, or traditional holiday menus. For me that works out well menu-wise for my family is Hispanic. My Dad's mom (Nana Lyda) used to make pumpkin, apple, and cherry empanadas, green and red tamales, mexican wedding cookies, and my Tio Norman made chocolate chimichangas that are to die for. My maternal grandmother (Nana Weda) makes the most amazing enchiladas, tortilla's from scratch, and homemade beans...I salivate just thinking about it. Here are a few menu ideas, starring the spinach enchiladas you see below...
Spinach Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 can (10 oz.) red enchilada sauce
- 1 jar (7 oz.) peeled roasted red peppers
- 1/2 cup green salsa (salsa verde, refrigerated or canned)
- 1 cup canned green enchilada sauce (see notes)
- 12 corn tortillas (blue, if available, 5 to 6 in. wide; see notes)
- 2 packages (10 oz. each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 6 ounces cream cheese or panela, cut into thin slices or small chunks
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese or packed crumbled cotija cheese
- 6 or 12 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (6 oz.)
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions, including tops
- 6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 6 to 12 tablespoons sour cream or Mexican crema
- Salt
2. In a bowl, mix green salsa with green enchilada sauce.
3. Set six ramekins (about 2 cups each, 5 to 6 in. wide or long) on large baking sheets. Pour red sauce mixture equally into ramekins and tilt to coat bottoms. Cut tortillas into quarters. Arrange four pieces in each ramekin, overlapping edges to cover bottom and pressing tortillas down into sauce.
4. Scatter spinach, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup parmesan evenly over tortillas. Lay another four pieces of tortilla over filling in each ramekin; overlap edges to fit. Spoon green sauce over tortillas, coating evenly.
5. Bake, uncovered, in a 375° oven until sauce is bubbling, about 25 minutes (25 to 30 if chilled). Remove pan from oven and immediately, with the back of a large spoon, make one or two slight depressions for eggs near center of each ramekin. Break one or two eggs into each ramekin; sprinkle evenly with cheddar cheese. Return to oven and bake 10 to 12 minutes longer for soft yolks (press yolk gently to test), 12 to 15 minutes for firm yolks.
6. Top each ramekin with green onions, cilantro, a spoonful of sour cream, and a sprinkling of remaining parmesan cheese. Set ramekins on plates. Add salt to taste.
Do-Ahead Tip: You can assemble the enchiladas (through step 4) up to 4 hours ahead; cover and chill.
Courtesy of MyRecipes.com
Butternut Squash Tamales
Guacamole Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Pumpkin Empanada
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Pumpkin Tartlets
The Favors
It's All About First Impressions
You want your guests to be wowed before they even see what's in the bag...from the creepy crypt treat bag full of Mini-Toblerone to the insanely elegant box of bath salts.
Personalized Treat Sacks From: MyWeddingReceptionIdeas.com
Silk covered Halloween Party Box Favor Featuring Gold Plated Crystal Skull Embellishment designed by NANGFA.
The Goodies
After they've ooh'd and aah'd over the bag...wow them again with fun and unique treats to take home. I've found so many cute and sometimes quirky items to share with you.
Now, I'm not an advocate for or against liquor...but aren't this mini patron bottles too cute!! You can buy them for about six or seven dollars a bottle...and as shown here it's so easy to personalize them.
These adorable champagne flutes are by Frenzy Art
For those with a sweet tooth what could be more appropriate then chocolate eyeballs! You can get these at your local grocery store or witch's cupboard.
Maybe you need something to gnaw on...how about a leg bone or a skull??? Of course their candy, would I lie to you?!?
Who wants to spend purgatory with chapped lips? Give your guests this cute lip balm by GCD Spa
