This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #SavorTheMemory #CollectiveBias

December is always a very busy month for most of us, but with some planning and easy tips you will feel less stressed and more confident hosting your own holiday party!

With plaid being so popular right now, I chose the classic red and black pattern with pops of green and white for my color scheme. 

When deciding on the menu, think about your guest list, which I feel is the most important part of entertaining. You obviously know your guests, so think about what they would like to eat and what would be easy for you. Do you want a sit down meal or more of a cocktail party when appetizers will do the trick? 

I opted for appetizers for my Holiday Party. Mini grilled cheese sandwich strips paired with tomato basil soup shooters. 

The mini Coca-Cola bottles are perfect for guests to help themselves. Add an ornament to one of the bottles and fits right into your party atmosphere. 

Treat your guests to an unexpected dessert this time of year, such as Coca-Cola ice cream floats! 

Top the floats with whip cream and add a dash of holiday flair with red, green and white sprinkles! So festive, don't you think? 

Too cold for ice cream floats? Why not try these Coca-Cola brownie marshmallow cream bites? You will find the recipe and tutorial at the end of the post. 

Gathering all your beverages in one place allows your guests to mingle around the bar cart.

Serving a signature holiday drink is always a big hit at parties. Most of the time, it will be new to your guests.  

I served Cranberry Sprite with refreshing mint and fresh cranberries. Look how beautiful and festive it is. Trust me, it tastes just as fabulous! Cheers!!

Did you know to get clear ice cubes, you will need boiled filtered water? Simply pour the boiling water into silicone or metal ice trays add your cranberries and fresh mint. Allow it to freeze and you will have beautiful ice cubes like these. I love the look!

Sitting out additional ice cubes and mint, brings the festive colors into the bar cart as well as it allows your guests to help themselves to these wonderful items. 

Not all guests like to have an alcoholic beverage, by serving mocktails with a variety of ingredients and in fun glassware, it encourages your guests to try it. Do you remember the Orange Julius drink? I am sharing a copycat version with you at the end of the post. 

Provide a place where guests can gather around the fire to warm up and to enjoy the food and beverages you have worked so hard on. 

Find someone to take photos at the party. Parties are a great place for making unforgettable memories with family and friends. Choose the best photos, create a photo book with Shutterfly  and send it to your guests as a thank you! 

*************

Now on to the delicious recipes! 

COCA-COLA BROWNIES 

What you will need: 

Brownie Mix {I used a store bought mix}

4oz. Coca-Cola

1 cup chocolate chips {because I like my brownies really chocolatety!}

Marshmallow Cream

Instructions: 

Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions, add Coca-Cola and chocolate chips.  Bake. Once cool, break into pieces and add to shooter glass.  

Place Marshmallow Cream into a pasty bag and squeeze onto brownie crumbles. Continue this until the shooter glass is full. 

Top off with brownie crumbs.

Signature Holiday Drink

What you will need: 

Cranberry Sprite

Fresh Cranberries

Fresh Mint

For ice cubes: 

Fill metal or silicone ice cube tray with boiling filtered water. Add cranberries and mint, freeze.

Directions:

Pour Cranberry Sprite into a tall glass, add cranberry-mint ice cubes and enjoy! 

Copycat Orange Julius

What you will need: 

12 oz Orange Juice {I used Minute Maid}

1/2 cup Milk

3 tablespoons Sugar

2 teaspoons Vanilla

Using a blender, blend all the ingredients together until well mixed. 

Pour into your festive glassware and serve! Your guests will love this, as it is almost considered comfort food from when you were a kid! 

Do you have tips you use to have an unforgettable holiday party? Please share them in the comments below. 

Did you notice all the Coca-Cola products, I purchased from my local Tom Thumb to use for this holiday party? When you purchase 4 participating Coca-Cola products you will receive $20 off at Shutterfly.com now through December 28, 2016! The unique pin code will be printed out at the register so you can use it to redeem online at Shutterfly.

Coca-Cola and Sprite are available in your local Tom Thumb store in the soft drink aisle and you can find the Minute Maid Orange Juice in the milk and dairy aisle. 

Happy Holidays Friends! 

• Monday, December 19, 2016
• Christmas

Coca-Cola Holiday Party Tips

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #SavorTheMemory #CollectiveBias

December is always a very busy month for most of us, but with some planning and easy tips you will feel less stressed and more confident hosting your own holiday party!

With plaid being so popular right now, I chose the classic red and black pattern with pops of green and white for my color scheme. 

When deciding on the menu, think about your guest list, which I feel is the most important part of entertaining. You obviously know your guests, so think about what they would like to eat and what would be easy for you. Do you want a sit down meal or more of a cocktail party when appetizers will do the trick? 

I opted for appetizers for my Holiday Party. Mini grilled cheese sandwich strips paired with tomato basil soup shooters. 

The mini Coca-Cola bottles are perfect for guests to help themselves. Add an ornament to one of the bottles and fits right into your party atmosphere. 

Treat your guests to an unexpected dessert this time of year, such as Coca-Cola ice cream floats! 

Top the floats with whip cream and add a dash of holiday flair with red, green and white sprinkles! So festive, don't you think? 

Too cold for ice cream floats? Why not try these Coca-Cola brownie marshmallow cream bites? You will find the recipe and tutorial at the end of the post. 

Gathering all your beverages in one place allows your guests to mingle around the bar cart.

Serving a signature holiday drink is always a big hit at parties. Most of the time, it will be new to your guests.  

I served Cranberry Sprite with refreshing mint and fresh cranberries. Look how beautiful and festive it is. Trust me, it tastes just as fabulous! Cheers!!

Did you know to get clear ice cubes, you will need boiled filtered water? Simply pour the boiling water into silicone or metal ice trays add your cranberries and fresh mint. Allow it to freeze and you will have beautiful ice cubes like these. I love the look!

Sitting out additional ice cubes and mint, brings the festive colors into the bar cart as well as it allows your guests to help themselves to these wonderful items. 

Not all guests like to have an alcoholic beverage, by serving mocktails with a variety of ingredients and in fun glassware, it encourages your guests to try it. Do you remember the Orange Julius drink? I am sharing a copycat version with you at the end of the post. 

Provide a place where guests can gather around the fire to warm up and to enjoy the food and beverages you have worked so hard on. 

Find someone to take photos at the party. Parties are a great place for making unforgettable memories with family and friends. Choose the best photos, create a photo book with Shutterfly  and send it to your guests as a thank you! 

*************

Now on to the delicious recipes! 

COCA-COLA BROWNIES 

What you will need: 

Brownie Mix {I used a store bought mix}

4oz. Coca-Cola

1 cup chocolate chips {because I like my brownies really chocolatety!}

Marshmallow Cream

Instructions: 

Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions, add Coca-Cola and chocolate chips.  Bake. Once cool, break into pieces and add to shooter glass.  

Place Marshmallow Cream into a pasty bag and squeeze onto brownie crumbles. Continue this until the shooter glass is full. 

Top off with brownie crumbs.

Signature Holiday Drink

What you will need: 

Cranberry Sprite

Fresh Cranberries

Fresh Mint

For ice cubes: 

Fill metal or silicone ice cube tray with boiling filtered water. Add cranberries and mint, freeze.

Directions:

Pour Cranberry Sprite into a tall glass, add cranberry-mint ice cubes and enjoy! 

Copycat Orange Julius

What you will need: 

12 oz Orange Juice {I used Minute Maid}

1/2 cup Milk

3 tablespoons Sugar

2 teaspoons Vanilla

Using a blender, blend all the ingredients together until well mixed. 

Pour into your festive glassware and serve! Your guests will love this, as it is almost considered comfort food from when you were a kid! 

Do you have tips you use to have an unforgettable holiday party? Please share them in the comments below. 

Did you notice all the Coca-Cola products, I purchased from my local Tom Thumb to use for this holiday party? When you purchase 4 participating Coca-Cola products you will receive $20 off at Shutterfly.com now through December 28, 2016! The unique pin code will be printed out at the register so you can use it to redeem online at Shutterfly.

Coca-Cola and Sprite are available in your local Tom Thumb store in the soft drink aisle and you can find the Minute Maid Orange Juice in the milk and dairy aisle. 

Happy Holidays Friends! 

Read more »

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HoopMadness #CollectiveBias

Who’s ready for the big game? Today, I’m going to show you how to pull together a party to celebrate this fun occasion. I created this watch party with Coca-Cola products from Sam’s Club. The larger quantities you find at Sam’s Club, are perfect for a party.

I like to “set” the scene with a few basic items, like my signature Chicken Guacamole party sliders, munchies and delicious beverages. Since my kiddos are allergic to all nuts,  I am cognizant of food allergies, I never place anything out on the table they cannot have. Providing healthy options, like fresh veggies, to the menu with some of the traditional items as well, seems to keep everyone happy. Mini food items, such as sliders, bite size veggies and popcorn are get food choices for a party.

Here are a few highlights from our game day party.

Bring your theme to life by creating a party table to hold all of your food and beverages in the colors of the sport or your favorite team. Decorate the table with a oversized scoreboard and sports paraphernalia to tie it all together.  

The “nothing but net” mason jar glasses are a great DIY project I will share with you, in a later post.

We get so into the game, we even create our own bracket!

I try to always serve a portable snack, like popcorn in these striped snack boxes as well as a tray to hold additional beverages, snacks and glasses.

Let me show you how to make my signature Chicken Guacamole Party Sliders which includes my special ingredient, Coke Zero?

Preparing chicken in the slow cooker is one of my favorite meals to make. Not to mention it only takes 3 ingredients. I also love the fact, if I forget to take out my chicken to thaw the night before, all I have to do is place frozen chicken in the slow cooker and in a few short hours dinner will be ready. Who could ask for more than that?

Here’s what you will need:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts {I used 3 large frozen}

1 1/2 Cans Coke Zero

1 Cup Water or Chicken Broth **your choice

Season with salt and/or pepper **Optional**

Slider buns

Directions {makes 18-20 sliders}:

1. Pour one can Coke Zero into slow cooker
2. Add frozen {or thawed} chicken into Coke Zero
3. Add ½ of the second can of Coke Zero {as shown above} you will need the other half later
4. Add 1 cup water and cover
5. Cook on low 4-6 hours
6. Stir chicken in mixture before removing to shred
7. Remove chicken from slow cooker
8. Using a fork and knife, shred the chicken.
9. Add the remainder ½ can of Coke Zero to shredded chicken, stir and set aside

Now it’s time to make the guacamole or you can use store bought, but I prefer to make my own.

Here’s what you will need:

4-5 large Avocados

2 Roma Tomatoes

⅛ Cup White Onion

⅛ Cup Cilantro **Optional

2 T. Garlic Salt

Directions:

1. Peel, cut and pit Avocados
2. Dice Tomatoes
3. Chop Cilantro
4. Dice Onion
5. Add all ingredients to bowl
6. Add Garlic Salt
7. Mash avocados with a masher, then stir all ingredients together. If you like your tomatoes diced finer, you may want to consider placing all ingredients into a blender.
8. Once all ingredients are completely  stirred together, add Guacamole to the top of your shredded chicken.

Grab your favorite Coca-Cola beverage and enjoy the game!

Now you are ready to serve my signature Chicken Guacamole sliders at your next party! Beware, these sliders go quickly!

I purchased the Coca-Cola products at Sam’s Club in the following quantities, Coke Zero 35 pack cans and Sprite 24 pack 16.9 oz. bottles. To make it easier on you while shopping, I included a photo of what aisle I found the Coca-Cola products in.

Styling/Design | Jennifer Kirlin, BellaGrey Designs

Printable Paper Designs | BellaGrey Designs

Photography | Jennifer Kirlin

• Monday, March 07, 2016
• basketball

Game Day Party Ideas, including Food and Drink

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HoopMadness #CollectiveBias

Who’s ready for the big game? Today, I’m going to show you how to pull together a party to celebrate this fun occasion. I created this watch party with Coca-Cola products from Sam’s Club. The larger quantities you find at Sam’s Club, are perfect for a party.

I like to “set” the scene with a few basic items, like my signature Chicken Guacamole party sliders, munchies and delicious beverages. Since my kiddos are allergic to all nuts,  I am cognizant of food allergies, I never place anything out on the table they cannot have. Providing healthy options, like fresh veggies, to the menu with some of the traditional items as well, seems to keep everyone happy. Mini food items, such as sliders, bite size veggies and popcorn are get food choices for a party.

Here are a few highlights from our game day party.

Bring your theme to life by creating a party table to hold all of your food and beverages in the colors of the sport or your favorite team. Decorate the table with a oversized scoreboard and sports paraphernalia to tie it all together.  

The “nothing but net” mason jar glasses are a great DIY project I will share with you, in a later post.

We get so into the game, we even create our own bracket!

I try to always serve a portable snack, like popcorn in these striped snack boxes as well as a tray to hold additional beverages, snacks and glasses.

Let me show you how to make my signature Chicken Guacamole Party Sliders which includes my special ingredient, Coke Zero?

Preparing chicken in the slow cooker is one of my favorite meals to make. Not to mention it only takes 3 ingredients. I also love the fact, if I forget to take out my chicken to thaw the night before, all I have to do is place frozen chicken in the slow cooker and in a few short hours dinner will be ready. Who could ask for more than that?

Here’s what you will need:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts {I used 3 large frozen}

1 1/2 Cans Coke Zero

1 Cup Water or Chicken Broth **your choice

Season with salt and/or pepper **Optional**

Slider buns

Directions {makes 18-20 sliders}:

1. Pour one can Coke Zero into slow cooker
2. Add frozen {or thawed} chicken into Coke Zero
3. Add ½ of the second can of Coke Zero {as shown above} you will need the other half later
4. Add 1 cup water and cover
5. Cook on low 4-6 hours
6. Stir chicken in mixture before removing to shred
7. Remove chicken from slow cooker
8. Using a fork and knife, shred the chicken.
9. Add the remainder ½ can of Coke Zero to shredded chicken, stir and set aside

Now it’s time to make the guacamole or you can use store bought, but I prefer to make my own.

Here’s what you will need:

4-5 large Avocados

2 Roma Tomatoes

⅛ Cup White Onion

⅛ Cup Cilantro **Optional

2 T. Garlic Salt

Directions:

1. Peel, cut and pit Avocados
2. Dice Tomatoes
3. Chop Cilantro
4. Dice Onion
5. Add all ingredients to bowl
6. Add Garlic Salt
7. Mash avocados with a masher, then stir all ingredients together. If you like your tomatoes diced finer, you may want to consider placing all ingredients into a blender.
8. Once all ingredients are completely  stirred together, add Guacamole to the top of your shredded chicken.

Grab your favorite Coca-Cola beverage and enjoy the game!

Now you are ready to serve my signature Chicken Guacamole sliders at your next party! Beware, these sliders go quickly!

I purchased the Coca-Cola products at Sam’s Club in the following quantities, Coke Zero 35 pack cans and Sprite 24 pack 16.9 oz. bottles. To make it easier on you while shopping, I included a photo of what aisle I found the Coca-Cola products in.

Styling/Design | Jennifer Kirlin, BellaGrey Designs

Printable Paper Designs | BellaGrey Designs

Photography | Jennifer Kirlin

Read more »