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Happy Hour Happens: Drink Your Easter Eggs

by Kayla Kitts March 15, 2013 2 Comments

This might be the most fitting post I’ve ever written for Design Happens. Yesterday, I returned from an eight-day vacation to Chile where their most famous cocktail is the Pisco Sour. And today, I received some oh-so-delicious recipes that incorporate Chilean Pisco from the Elqui Valley with egg whites to create some refreshing, spring-y cocktails. If I can’t be in Chile, I might as well bring that South American feel to my kitchen.

KAPPA Sour

Kappa Sour Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

2 ounces KAPPA Pisco
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white
Angostura bitters, for topping

Directions

Combine KAPPA Pisco and remaining ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a small champagne flute. Top with half dashes of Angostura bitters.

KAPPA Blue Star

Ingredients

2 ounces KAPPA Pisco
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white
10 blueberries

Directions

In a shaker, muddle blueberries with simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice, add KAPPA Pisco and remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain into a small champagne or martini glass.

Photos and recipes courtesy of KAPPA Pisco

Our Fave St. Paddy’s Day Recipes

by Kayla Kitts March 15, 2013 4 Comments

Modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations involve lots of green, feasting and, to put it bluntly, an absurd amount of alcohol consumption. No matter how you celebrate, you can’t deny these recipes are mouthwatering. And we figured we could at least combine a few of the traditional St. Paddy’s Day elements.

Desserts

Whiskey Cake in a Jar Recipe for St. Patrick's Day Whiskey Cake in a Jar

Whiskey lovers will enjoy this sweet combination of cake batter and alcohol mixed together in dessert form. Plus, it’s infused with an Irish whiskey butter sauce throughout. Top it off with whipped cream and green sprinkles (for good luck!). Get the Full Recipe >>

More sweet treats: Celtic Knot Cookies, Lucky Vanilla Cupcakes, Chocolate Stout Pudding

More Irish-Inspired Recipes

Daily Delight: Free St. Patrick’s Day Banner

by Jessica Yonker March 15, 2013 2 Comments

St. Patrick’s Day is only two days away; have you decorated yet? If not, today’s your lucky day: this festive pendant banner is an easy, last-minute craft that is sure to bring the spirit of the Irish into your home.

Download the free banner template and get full instructions >>

Our Favorite Easter Decorating Ideas

by H. Camille Smith March 13, 2013 13 Comments

Easter celebrations are right around the corner — time to banish winter blahs and freshen up indoors and out with a few springy touches. We’ve gathered 25 of our favorite Easter decorating ideas to inspire you. From quick-and-easy centerpiece ideas to a clever way to glam up your Easter eggs to a free, printable Easter banner — we’ve got you covered.

All 25 ideas have the official Easter Bunny stamp of approval (seriously!) but here are my 5 favorites:

Delight Easter guests with this creative place setting idea featuring cute (and oh-so-fluffy!) feathered chicks and candy eggs: Set your Easter table with a creative place card like these cute (and oh-so-fluffy!) chicks and candy eggs

Weather permitting, bring your dining table and chairs outside and enjoy Easter dinner al fresco surrounded by Mother Nature’s changing scenery.

Easter Kids’ Craft: (Cute!) Painted Pail With Ribbon Roses

by H. Camille Smith March 6, 2013 5 Comments

Can you believe it’s only 3 weeks till Easter? Time to hop to it and get crafting! For a fun twist on a traditional Easter basket, try a painted pail instead — it’ll look great filled with treats on Easter morning and is just the right size for stashing toys or craft supplies the rest of the year.

All you need is a metal pail, spray paint and round stickers. Get step-by-step instructions here: Easy Kids' Craft: Cute Easter Bucket With Ribbon Roses

The ribbon roses may look complicated but they’re actually a snap. Wired ribbon and scissors are all you need — no sewing necessary. Learn how to make them here:
Easy Kids' Craft: Cute Easter Bucket With Ribbon Roses

So, are you ready for Easter celebrations? No? Well then you’re in luck — check out the project ideas below and keep checking Design Happens for more Easter inspiration to come!

MORE EASTER IDEAS:
Printable Bunny Ears — Free Printable PDF
Hatching Chick Egg
Kids’ Craft: Dyed Easter Egg Animals — Free Printable PDFs
How to Make Cascarone Confetti Eggs

Celebrate National Chili Day

by Kayla Kitts February 28, 2013 3 Comments

Every day is a holiday! I’m not kidding. There’s National Chocolate Fondue Day, National Sticky Bun Day, National Public Sleeping Day and one of my all-time favorites, National Margarita Day. But today, we’re celebrating National Chili Day. Nothing sounds better than a nice, hot bowl of chili on this 30-degree day.

Spicy Tofu Chili:

Spicy Tofu Chili Recipe From HGTV Design Happens Blog Photo and recipe courtesy of House Foods

Our Fave Chili Recipes

Weekday Crafternoon: DIY Felt Shamrock Craft

by Marianne Canada February 26, 2013 8 Comments

St. Patrick’s day is such a fun holiday, it’s a little bit cheeky and heavy on the eating and celebrating. But there is a darker side to St. Patty: as a child I lived in fear of getting pinched. Yes, I was the kid who worked up a lather that somehow, in spite of my mounting anxiety, I would forget to wear green on March 17th, inviting perfect strangers to pinch me to their hearts content.

Maybe I was a weird kid. Whether that’s the case or not, I can tell you one thing: I’ll be wearing my green this St. Patricks Day. And here is an easy and adorable way for you to get your green on as well: These simple felt shamrocks take just minutes to make, cost only pennies, and can adorn everything from hair clips to pins and more. Frankly, once you start making them, you might find it hard to stop.

Weekday Crafternoon: Learn how to make these easy felt shamrocks for St. Patricks Day!

How will you wear your green this St. Patrick’s Day? Or will you hole up in your house, hiding from those rogue pinchers?

Host a Bubbly Valentine’s Day Brunch This Weekend

by Kayla Kitts February 14, 2013 22 Comments

I know, I know, today is Valentine’s Day (Happy Love Day, friends!), but don’t most people typically celebrate mid-week holidays on the weekend? I do, at least. Weekend Valentine’s Day celebrators, here’s a sweet idea for you. Katie Meyers of Meyers Styles decided to spread the love this year with a bubbly V-Day brunch for more than two. Check out her fun, festive and simple entertaining ideas.

Valentine's Day Brunch Ideas for HGTV Design Happens Blog

Valentine's Day Brunch Ideas From HGTV Design Happens Blog

Host a Valentine’s Day Brunch

Valentine’s Day Card Presenters Kids Will Love

by Kayla Kitts February 13, 2013 2 Comments

Let’s just be honest, when you’re a kid and there’s a giant wrapped gift sitting in front of you with a card on top, the last thing you’re looking at is the card. (I mean, thanks for the “happy birthday” Mom, but I just really want the baby doll.) Now, with Hallmark Card Presenters for Kids, they’ll be reaching for the card first. Featuring cute animals, cool textures and creative details, these presenters make greeting cards exciting for kids. And they’re especially perfect for making a sweet statement this Valentine’s Day.

Hallmark Card Presenters for Kids

The best part? Kids can hold onto their cute character long after Valentine’s Day ends. They’re perfect for storing small treasures. It’s a gift within a gift!

From toddler to teen, discover inspirational style ideas from nurseries and kids’ rooms your little one will love.

5 Cocktails for Every Relationship Status

by Kayla Kitts February 12, 2013 No Comments

Ah, Valentine’s Day. Every store is covered in pink and red; candy companies are churning out their holiday favorites; teddy bears are being sold in abundance. No matter your romantic status (happily single, not-so-happily single, in love, crushing, bitter over a breakup, etc.), we have the perfect Love Day cocktail for you. I mean, nothing will soothe your tears this Valentine’s Day like a “Bleeding Heart” cocktail, amiright?

BLEEDING HEART:

Bleeding Heart Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons pomegranate vodka (or raspberry)
fresh cranberries
Polar Pomegranate Seltzer (or Cherry)
2 tablespoons frozen cranberry juice concentrate

Directions

Combine the vodka and cranberry concentrate in the bottom of a glass. Add fresh cranberries, then add Polar Seltzer and watch it bleed before drinking with abandon.

Get More Valentine’s Day Cocktail Recipes