A 20s Themed Party The Easy Way

This week we did a Great Gatsby theme of Pink, Black & Gold. This color scheme wasn't planned at all. The venue we booked had old-fashioned dull pink curtains and pale, old rose colored walls... But it was for the low cost. This made me think of just going with pink. And since it was going to be a "Great Gatsby" party, why not add some black & gold? These colors on the overall decor would eventually make the drab curtains and walls blend in nicely.

One easy way to transform a small/low-ceiling room (as in our case) is to use free-floating balloons with ribbons. This helps to visually elongate the space as well as add interest to a plain and boring old room.

I also put up some party tassels for that elongating effect... And to cover the old curtains, tinted windows, and dirty window frames. I bought matte gold and silver gift wrappers, then cut them in approximately 1" wide strips. Just eyeball the width - the strips don't have to be cut perfectly as they will look good together once you make lots of them. Finally, I just folded and stapled the ends of the strips to a string, alternating the different colors of gift wrapper. Not only did the silver and gold have a camouflaging effect, they were awesome as a photo backdrop.

Setting the tables was easy. I happen to have found a stash of Dollar tissue paper being sold at the Peso store. Yep, dollars at a peso store - I thought those dollars were pretty darn cute as tissues AND perfect for a Great Gatsby themed party.

To my excitement, I also found some chocolate gold coins to add to the dollar notes. I stacked some "coins" over the dollar tissues so they would act as a weight.

The placemats are simply made out of paper. I used a frame template online and a collage software (lots of free ones online). I added a "thank you" note from the celebrants on the placemats - why not hit two birds with one stone?

Next, I always love making parties a little more interactive by using accessories and props. A 20s party isn't complete without those slender "cigarette holders" as they were officially called. Here I once again used the ol' trusty straws, this time black ones. I covered the ends with foil (matte side for the exterior) so they look like cigarettes. These faux cigarette holders are great for DIY photo booths.

The party favors were fashion jewelry I found at a supplier at a very cheap price. You can buy assorted jewelry as favors from flea markets and online shops selling pre-loved items. Here I used the plastic covering they were in and just tied the ends with pink elastic bands (which I already had lying around, so I didn't need to spend any more).

Of course, the cake is usually the highlight of birthday parties. This is a customized cake, with a beautiful lace design to go with the 20s theme.

I hope you enjoyed some of these ideas. 'Til then... See you at the next party!

Photo credits: www.jpconsunji.com

Frozen Inspired Party Decor and Ideas

Disney's Frozen has gotten pretty popular these days. I went all DIY with the props for a surprise 11th birthday get-together. The banner is made out of colored and printed paper, with circle cut-outs and letters drawn out with a marker. You may use left-over gift wrappers. Templates can be downloaded online or you can just just 'eyeball' it. 

Search for online tutorials on how to make paper snowflakes. Making designs are a challenge at first but it gets super easy once you've made five or so pieces. I used some pieces (and some straws, foil and colored cellophane) to make snowflake wands.

The paper snowflakes can also be used to make cupcake toppers.

Labels are a great way to suggest a particular theme. Here I labelled a bunch of large white marshmallows "snowballs."  Use an ice bucket for better effect!

Here are some 'snowflakes' aka flavored popcorn.

This is a bucket of 'melting ice' (lychee jellies).

Once again some 'snowballs.'

Ask your guests to wear some braids to the party!

photo credits: www.jpconsunji.com

Zesty Organic Ice Cream

An ice cream with no cream or any sweetener, who would've known? But it's sweet as honey, no joke.

Ingredients:

Bananas

Pomelo

Frozen Blueberries

Apple

Lemon

Cinnamon

Olive oil

Slice an apple and remove the seeds. Place the slices on a tray lined with wax, sprinkle with cinnamon, and spray on or drizzle some olive oil over the slices. Allow to bake in an oven toaster for 30 minutes.

Now mash some bananas with a fork. Squeeze just a little bit of lemon juice over the mashed bananas and mix, making sure it's not watery.

Scoop some banana mush into a glass, then pomelo chunks. Scoop another layer of the mashed bananas and top with blueberries.

Once the apple slices are baked they will become soft and even sweeter. Allow to cool before decorating your dessert with the baked apple slices and mint or basil leaf.

Place in a chiller for a few minutes or until the banana mush becomes firm and icey (not totally frozen). Serve after dinner or on a hot summer's day.

Holy Week Special: Cheat Meat Tuna Patties

It's officially the start of summer! This is a healthier, can't-believe-it's-meat version of your typical burgersteak. And if you're one hungry jack on a no-meat fast, these tuna patties can be done in no time.

For the patties:

2 pcs canned tuna in oil

1tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp rosemary

1/2 tsp thyme

1 tsp black pepper

Turmeric

Extra virgin olive oil (or other veg. oil)

1/4 tsp juice of lemon or calamansi

Balsamic vinegar or soy sauce

Garlic (finely chopped)

Chives (finely chopped)

1 whole egg

1/2 cup flour

For the sauce:

1 part mustard

1 part soy sauce

2 parts ketchup

Drain the tuna and transfer to a bowl. I specifically used 50% less sodium canned tuna but the regular kind will do. I've tried adobo flavored canned tuna and the taste is stronger but really good.

Mix in the oregano, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, a dash of turmeric for color, and lemon juice. Then mix in several drops of balsamic vinegar or soy sauce, a capful of extra virgin olive oil and as much quantity of the garlic and chives as you like.

Add in the egg, mix, then add just enough flour so the mixture is slightly sticky.  Mix well.

Drizzle some evoo over a frying pan and turn the heat on high. Form heaping spoonfuls of the tuna mix and place into the hot pan to shallow fry. Flatten the patties a bit at the center. Allow to fry and do not lift or move the patties for 1 minute.

After about a minute the bottom will be cooked enough to safely lift off the pan without sticking. Flip the patties and turn the heat down to medium. Allow to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels.

To make a quick, no-fail burger sauce, mix together mustard, ketchup, and soy sauce.

Garnish the tuna patties with your burger sauce (slather on lots of it) and fresh basil, spinach, onion rings, or any garnish you like. Adding cheese is optional, as the sauce and herbs in the tuna will give enough flavor. I used focaccia buns but burger buns, panini or pandesal will work also. And hey, you can eat those sizzling tuna patties with rice - why not!

Makes 5 servings. Bon appetít!

Healthy Honey Baked Squash

Do you like baked peaches, apples or even squash? Yes, squash is technically a fruit (notice the seeds!) but considered a vegetable in its usage just like cucumbers and tomatoes. Baking squash gives that subtle, sweet taste.

Just mix about the same amount of honey and olive oil, and then mix in cinnamon powder and sesame seeds. Coat some squash wedges (seeds removed) with this mixture and pop in the oven at 220C / gas mark 7. Bake large wedges for 45 minutes or until soft enough when poked with a fork. Thinner wedges or chopped up squash may require only 20-30 minutes of baking. 

This is a healthier and super easy, no-fuzz method. There are many things you can do with baked squash, depending on your personal taste. You may use feta cheese, Parmesan, raisins, or butter for flavor.

April Fools Day special: Burger Cupcake Meal

Photo credits to:

U Photography by JP Consunji

After doing some non-serious research I thought these faux burgers would be an awesome project for April Fools. I totally felt the giggles just putting these together  - they were so tiny and funny looking!

I used lemon cupcake batter for the burger buns just because the color fits. The patties are made of brownies and the 'cheese' is a lemon buttercream frosting. Of course, the best cupcake topping in this case would be sesame seeds.

What's a burger without fries? These are made from the leftover cupcakes. I sliced them up to look like French fries and toasted them for a couple of minutes to make them crunchy on the outside and look more realistic. I had a lot of tea bags so I used one of the tea packets as a French fries box. The 'ketchup' is red jelly.

As for the 'chicken nuggets' I also used leftover cupcakes and covered it in honey and then crushed cornflakes. The nugget dip is cherry jam. Simple and easy! Fun to make with the kids or as a unique treat for someone special :)

Dewy Mochaccino

Inspired by  my favorite beverage: coffee.

Crease: medium soft brown, then light gold shimmer over.
Upper lid & corner: glossy cream.
Upper & lower lash line: dark brown applied with damp angled brush.
Highlight: Matte ivory.

Out-of-the-can Fish Cakes

Salmon cake (shallow fried) with yogurt-mustard dressing

I almost forgot how good fish cakes are. The last time I had salmon cakes was years ago. I realized just how easy they are to make, too.

Sardine cake (baked) with ranch dressing

I simply mixed together canned fish, some finely chopped vegetables, herbs and whole eggs. It depends what you want in the mix.

You can throw in finely chopped peppers or carrots, but I always include onions. You can then add maybe some powdered garlic, curry powder, or chili powder. The egg will act as a binder. You may use canned salmon, sardines, tuna or milkfish (bangus).

I tried 2 cooking methods: shallow frying and baking.

For the dressing, I like something sour or tangy to go with the fishcakes. So I mixed yogurt and mustard for one type of dressing.

I also tried using ready-made ranch dressing. It's up to you what you think will go best.

Garnish: sprigs of rosemary or fresh parsley.

Salmon cake: mild taste.

Sardine cake: very strong taste.

Rosemary & Thyme Chicken w/ Sundried Tomatoes

Steamed 12-15 minutes in a sealed foil pouch. Cooked pretty much the same way as the steamed boneless milkfish with white wine vinegar & pasta. Couscous could be a better match for this one :)

Steamed Boneless Milkfish w/ White Wine Vinegar & Pasta

This is a light dish that cooks in about 20-25 minutes. I used half of boneless milkfish fillet for one serving.

This dish was inspired by my boyfriend's steamed chicken with white wine vinegar & pasta:

Since I'm using fish instead of chicken I rubbed in seafood herb mix & a bit of Knorr seafood cube. I added some finely chopped garlic, onions, rock salt, and tomato slices. The fillet of fish goes on a bed of half-cooked pasta (drizzled with olive oil to prevent sticking) already placed on a sheet of foil.

 Finally, I topped it all off with 1tbsp. butter and about 2-3tbsps. of white wine vinegar. The foil is sealed securely on the sides and placed in a preheated oven at 200C for 20-25 minutes.

Once cooked, serve. The steam comes out nicely when the foil is pierced and opened.

Style & Beauty: Quick, Creamy Gold Eyes (Day)

This is a quick, natural day look to appear fresh with some emphasis on the upper lash line.
Palette: gold/cream.

1. Apply concealer/primer around eyes.
2. Apply black eyeliner (pencil) in short strokes right on the upper lash line in between the lashes to create the illusion of fuller lashes. Apply on the outer corners, including part of the lower lash line for a wide-eyed effect. Clean up & create a slightly smokey effect with a damp Q-tip.
3. On crease, in sweeping motions & blending out: any light, yellowish gold shade with a little shimmer.

4. On upper lid: any light, creamy shade (i.e.: ivory, off-white, cream) with low to medium shimmer.
5. Finish off with black waterproof mascara.

Health: Coconut Oil For Healthy Hair & Scalp (Tried & Tested)

I've been on coconut hot oil treatment so many times before and it has worked each and every time. My scalp tends to become easily irritated under different conditions, whether it's hot, cold or dry. This would often lead to itchiness and excessive hair fall. So whenever I feel my hair and scalp need a boost, I quickly cook up some coconut hot oil treatment at home. It's easy to make!

bad hair day? hmm...

Step 1: Get a handful of fresh desiccated coconut. Store the rest in the freezer for later use.

Step 2: Heat a cooking pot with the desiccated coconut in it and add some water (enough to cover the coconut).

Step 3: Bring to a boil. Stir in between and add more water if necessary.

Step 4: Strain and transfer to a separate cup or bowl. Allow to cool a bit so you don't burn your scalp.

Step 5: Dip a cotton ball into the liquid and apply onto the scalp and hair (or just the hair). Wrap hair in cling wrap or plastic bag and leave for 30 minutes to an hour.

Step 6: Wash off with your regular shampoo and conditioner. I either use anti-dandruff shampoo (Nizoral) or SLS-free shampoo like Avalon products. Throw away whatever remains. Store the rest of the coconut oil (that you strained into the first bowl) in a jar and keep refrigerated for no more than 3 days (the moment it smells funny, throw it away).

I don't recommend keeping this treatment in the refrigerator or freezer for more than just a few days. I know there are other coconut oil products that can keep for a very long time though, even at room temperature. But I think it's because this particular treatment has a lot of liquid or water in it that makes it spoil so quickly. I've never tried other coconut oil products, so I can't say how effective they are either.

Here are the results:

Give it a try :)