Sea Horse Wine Cooler on Sale!

Sea horse wine cooler with matching wine stopper. Great for parties and any coastal table. The picture does not due justice to the rubbed white wash finish and seahorse design.

Also makes an attractive tropical vase!

Hot and Cold Dip Dish!

This versatile serving piece by Beatriz Ball is great for serving dip! Made of an aluminum alloy this bowl can go from freezer to oven. Make dip ahead of time store in bowl in refrigerator. Heat up in the serving dish in time for the party.

This beautiful piece is elegant and useful!

10 deals of Mothers Day!

Get ready for 10 days of fun! Starting April 20th we will be offering 10% off one item each day. Items will include fun aprons, colorful colanders, golf headcovers, prissy plates, sas-y serving dishes and more.

Finding the perfect gift for mom couldn't be easier! All gifts come with choice of wrapping paper and personalized gift card.

Check back each day to see what is on sale! The 10 deals of Mothers Day begins April 20th.

Sas-y Designs

Brand new at the Merry Martini! Whimsical glass serving trays. With patterns that range from crawfish to traditional damasks there is an option for everyone. The wrought iron stand is a great addition to hold pastires and cakes. Start a collection and switch out the tray for different parties!

We interviewed the founder and designer of Sas-y plates! Join the newsletter to see the interview in April's edition.

Summer Apples

These easy apples make a great side dish, or dessert when served with Ice Cream!

Baked Summer Apples

6-8 medium unpeeled baking apples, washed and cored
2 tablesppons raisins
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter


Mix raisins and sugar; fill center of apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a dot of butter. Place apples in crock-pot stacking to fit; add 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low overnight or 8 hours.

Quick Potato Fudge Candy

This recipe sounded too odd to pass up! While spending Easter Sunday at my in laws I was not surprised to find a whole book on Chocolate. (My mother in law is a recovering chocoloholic) While gazing through Oh, Fudge! by Lee Edwards Benning I found a recipe for Quick Potato Candy Fudge.
The ingredients for this recipe were not the only surprising part, this recipe has a history that dates back to frontier times. It was first recorded in the 1907 edition of Woman's favorite Cookbook.

Like gravy, this recipe did not have seem to have a formal recipe. You simply combined your leftover pototoes with what you had on hand. Potato fudge seems to be rediscovered during times where sugar, butter and chocolate are scarce.

I have to admit, I have not tried this yet...but I will let you know how it is when I do!

QuickPeanut Butter Potato Candy Fudge
2 servings instant mashed potatoes (equal to 1/2 cup leftover mash potato or 1 large baked potato)

1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 1/4 cups (1 lb) confectioners' sugar
optional: 1/2 cup salted peanuts

Beat in salt and peanut butter to potatoes until well incorporated using wisk or portable mixer. Add confectioners sugar 1/2 cup at a time until mixture is thick and forms ribbons in the bowl. Pat into buttered 5 x 9 inch pan, garnish with salted peanuts. Chill before cutting.

Fudge mellows with age, it tastes more peanutty the second day.

Alternative Recipes:
Chocolate Candy Fudge- Instead of peanut butter add 3 squares of melted unsweetened chocolate

Mocha Potato Candy Fudge- Make instant potatoes iwth strong black coffee. Instead of peanut butter add chocolate chips.

Serve all three up in an adorable garnish dish that can be used any season!

History of the Easter Bunny

Happy Easter! While Easter is a deeply religious holiday, there are a few traditions that are based just on the time of year as opposed to the religious history.

The Easter Bunny dates back to pre-christianity, the bunny or hare was the most fertile animals known. The bunny became a symbol of Spring bringing new life.

The Easter Bunny was first written about in the 1500's in German writings. The German brought the tradition to the United States when they settled in Pennsylvania Dutch Company. Originally regarded as "oschter haws" by the German children, the Easter bunny delivered brightly colored eggs the morning of Easter to children that behaved well throughout the year. This tradition has evolved to Easter baskets and egg hunts that we have today.

Charming Cards

There is nothing more charming than personalized items and fun office accessories! Lisa Giger owner of Charming Cards hand selects her products each year at the New York stationary show. Here are a few of her great finds:

Personalized Paperweights

Personalized Coasters- great for parties!

and tons of great stationary products!

Paula Dean and Friends: Living It Up Southern Style

The Paula Deen cookbook now available at The Merry Martini! One of my favorite food network stars Paula Deen has compiled some fantastic recipes for entertaining. Paula Deen's recipes are simple and easy to follow, but always packed full of flavor.

Slice-and- Bake Cheese Straws

1 stick of butter (Paula's favorite ingredient)

1 lb of grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 1/2 cup cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine butter and cheese in food processor

Sift together remaining ingredients add to food processor

Pulse until dough forms a ball

Roll into logs (2 or 3) on wax paper

Wrap around log and twist at the ends

Refridgerate until firm enough to slice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet.

Cut dough into 1/4 inch slices. Cook immediately for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Dough may also be placed in freezer bag and baked at a later date.

These cheese slices maek a delicious appetizer or savory snack!

Angel Lush with Pineapple

I often gaze through the gourmet cookbooks and magazines dreaming of replicating their perfect desserts. When it comes down to actually baking, what I am really looking for is something quick with few ingredients. I found this delicious recipe on www.kraftfoods.com This simple, beautiful cake includes only five!

Premade Angel Food Cake
20 oz can crushed pineapple
1 package vanilla instant pudding
1 cup thawed cool whip topping
Strawberries to garnish

Combine pineapple and pudding in a bowl. Fold in whipped topping. Slice angel food cake into thirds horizontally. Fill between each layer with mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour, top with strawberries. Store in fridge.

Tini Tip- Try using light cool whip and sugar free pudding for a healthy dessert!

Show this cake off with a fun cake stand!

Birthday Martini Glasses

Anyone who likes martinis would love a birthday martini glass for their special day!

Huephoria Birthday glass, a great way to start a collection for a friend. Collect glasses with different charms and always know whose glass is whose!

Lolita Martini glass comes with recipe on the bottom. Give a gift basket with martini glass and ingredients needed to make the recipe. Any Birthday girl would appreciate this gift!

St. Patricks Day

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks
May your heart be as light as a song
May each day bring you bright
Happy hours that stay with you all year long!
-Irish Blessing

Interesting Facts about St. Patricks Day

• St. Patrick made the shamrock popuar by using it to explain the holy trinity to the Pagan King Laohaire of Tara


• On St. Patricks day you can bing yourself good luck by finding a four leaf clover, wearing green, and kissing a blarney stone


• The first St. Patricks day parade in America was held in Boston on March 17, 1737

Happy St. Patricks day!

Celebrate with something green! Take any drink, drop in a little green food dye, and toast the Luck of the Irish!

Prissy Plates are Here!

Prissy Plates have arrived! These fun plates come with a ribbon and premade bow. Additional bows are available to change out for a new look!

Plates are also great as a white board. Use dry erase markers to leave notes for family and friends.

Easter Eggs

With Easter around the corner it is time to get ready to die eggs. As kids Easter Egg dying was always an exciting event. Why not take the time as an adult to indulge yourself in this tradition. Here are a few simple techniques to create beautiful elegant Easter Eggs.

Photos from http://www.marthastewart.com/

Marbleizing Eggs

Create two groups of Egg Dies, base colors and swirl colors.

To create a base die: Combine 3 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons vinegar and 10-20 drops of food coloring.

To create a swirl die: Create base die, pour in bowl where liquid is no deeper than 1/2". Add 1 Tablesppoon olive oil

Drop egg in base die till desired color is reached, remove. Swirl olive oil with fork in swirl die. Place dyed egg in swirl die mixture, roll once to pick up streaks. Remove pat dry.

Each egg will be unique!

Glitter Eggs- Simple and Stunning

Coat eggs with adhesive, roll in glitter....simple!

I find it easiest and cleanest to use spray adhesive to coat eggs. This ensures an even coat and no dripping. Once eggs are coated gently roll in glitter, spoon glitter over top until completely covered.

For a solid glitter look, repeat process. For a more layered look, take eggs that were dyed and add light coat of glitter.

Do not eat eggs once spray adhesive is applied.

Live, love, and celebrate everything!

Kelly

Mom's Mock Caesar

My mother has made this salad since I was young. It is a tasty alternative to creamy caesar dressings. It is also a convenient recipe, most ingredients are staple items.

Don't trade out for store bought, the best part of this recipe is the homemade croutons!

Croutons
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1-1/2 cup cubed day old bread

Combine all ingredients, brown till at desired crispness

Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 raw egg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Tear preferred greens into bite size pieces, toss with dressing. Add croutons lightly toss till mixed.

Tini Tip- I have tried this recipe substituting part of the olive oil in the dressing for Truffle olive oil. I tried 1/8 cup truffle oil and it was just enough to notice, add higher percentage if you prefer.

New Product- Candle Carver

The Candle Carver is a new product that has many uses. Great for changing a variety of fruits into votive holders. Also great for creating a bowl for dip.

Holiday Ideas- Use the candle carver throughout the year with different fruit to add a seasonal flair to your table.

Fall- Pumpkins, Squash

Winter- Plums, Pomegranite

Spring- Lemons, Limes, Oranges

Summer- Watermelons

Panda Park Boutique- Unique Baby Gifts

Tim and Leslie Diaper bags are perfect for stylish moms. This vinyl coated diaper bag comes with matching changing pad and an insulated bottle pocket. Find these adorable diaper bags at the stylish Panda Park Boutique. The Panda Park Boutique was founded by mother of two Jill Sorensen who searches out the latest trends for mom and baby. With a focus on unique and high quality merchandise the Panda Park Boutique is a great shopping spot for mom's to be and baby shower gifts.

Ame and Lulu Spring Collection

The Ame and Lulu Spring Collection is here! For fun, unique golf and tennis accessories, look no further! This collection is a blend of contemporary color combinations and traditional patterns. Ame and Lulu is a great gift for a any golfer!

Flatware Tote

This silverware organizer is handy on the buffet table or in the kitchen for everyday use. Flatware design is whimsical and fun!

I use this item every time I entertain whether it is filled with plastic ware or fine serving ware it is functional and unique.

Fill this tote with cocktail napkins and this item makes a great hostess gift!

Live, love and celebrate everything!
Kelly

Orange Hot Chocolate

With the cold days coming to an end, take one last opportunity to cozy up in your favorite chair with a toasty drink. Orange hot chocolate is a delectable way to warm up, with a hint of springtime.


4 cups milk
1 cinnamon stick
4 oz semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
2 slices of orange rind (optional, remove before drinking)

Heat milk, orange, and cinnamon until almost boiling. Add chocolate and sugar, stir till dissolved. Remove from heat stir in extract. Enjoy!


With little sugar in this recipe, this is no kiddie cocoa.

Spring Fever

"Spring is Natures way of saying, let's party"
- Robin Williams

With Easter coming early this year, it is time to start preparing your spring table.

Yellow Egg Placetiles



The yellow egg place tiles are perfect placecards for your Easter dinner. Expecting a larger crowd? Use Egg place tiles for labeling items in a buffet. Make these a tradition on your Spring table!

Champagne Celebration

"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!"
- Dom Perignon, at the moment he discovered champagne

There is no question that champagne signifies celebration. With the grand opening of the Merry Martini finally here, it is time to celebrate by popping a cork and enjoying some bubbly.

Champagne Basics

Decoding the bottle-
The amount of residual sugar per litre is often a main factor in selecting champagne. Below are common terms you will see on a bottle listed least sugary to sweetest:

Extra Brut
Brut
Extra Dry
Dry
Sec
Demi-Sec
Doux

How to properly open champagne-
1. Remove foil and wire restraint
2. Place dish towel around top of bottle and neck
3. Aim away from self and others
4. Slowly twist bottle or cork until you feel or hear a popping
5. Pour into fabulous glasses and enjoy!


One thing I have found that comes in handy is to always have a bottle of champagne in the fridge. There is nothing spur of the moment about waiting for a bottle to chill! Whether it is simply a good day at work, or the beginning of a fun evening with friends, champagne always sets a festive mood.


Live, love and celebrate everything!
Kelly