Safari Giraffe Jars

Safari Giraffe Jars!  Giraffe Cookies!  Well, kinda giraffe cookies.  I had time to make these cute animal jars but not time to go my usual crazy pants self for the cookies.   Why not?  Because these were for Pam's bachelorette party last weekend and I was too busy crafting all the things to cut out tiny giraffe cookies like I had originally planned.  But they are color coordinated and let's face it -- adorable.  So all is well.

I made two batches of shortbread cookies; one chocolate chip and one orange almond.  (Recipes below)

And then I alternated cookies as I stuffed them in these decorated giraffe jars. 

To make jars like these you will need:

1. Clean Mason Jars

2. Stickers/Label for the front (Michael's)

3. Giraffe ribbon (Etsy)

4. Giraffe Charms (Etsy)

5. Plain Cupcake Liners (Michael's)

6. Hot Glue Gun

General Assembly Instructions:

1. Hot glue the ribbon around the side of the lid.  (I found it easiest to tie the ribbon in a bow and then attach it to the lid separately.)

2. Fill jar with yummy cookies.

3. Place the top lid over the jar, and then cover it with cupcake liners.  Screw on the side lid over the liner.

4. Hot glue charm on top of the liner.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

I followed this recipe, but omitted the orange zest and juice and added 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips instead. 

Almond Orange Cookies

I followed this recipe, but added two small drops of orange food coloring instead.  Not enough to make them bright orange, just enough to make them more giraffe colored.  =)

Both recipes and flavors worked well together.  

But wait why was I making giraffe jars for a bachelorette party?  Because we went on a Safari, duh.   Pammy isn't big on the traditional Vegas-esque, drinking clubbing bachelorette parties and neither am I.  She's getting married at the zoo in September, so a Safari made sense.   And she's also going through a giraffe phase.  After all of this prep work  it kind of made me into a fan too! 

For the record the Safari was not in Africa. HAHA.  It was in Santa Rosa (Northern California) at Safari West.  Hopefully the bride to be had fun!  There were a bunch of animals to look at, we went glamour camping and took a "winos and rhinos" tour.  We dressed in animal print pith helmets and animal shirts.  Oh and I also made her wear a zebra veil that was attached to one of the hats because what on earth could she possible wear that day? You can see more pictures of the adventure on Pam's blog here.  

Aaaaand now it is time to plan Bachelor Party #2.  The life of a Maid of Honor is hard.  

xoxo,

Anna 

Welcome to Candyland

You know what's super easy to make?  Those gorgeous candy covered pretzels above.  So easy, that I can show you how to make them in one collaged picture.

Ingredients: 
Pretzels (either rods or bows will do)
Colored Candy Melts
Optional:  Sprinkles  (Because who doesn't like some added pretty?)

Directions:
1. Melt candy melts in microwave in a glass bowl.
2. Dip pretzels in bowl, tap off excess candy and place on parchment paper.
3. Optional: Toss some sprinkles on top for good measure.
4. Pop in freezer or fridge for 5 minutes to harden.
5. Done!

What are these good for?  For EVERYTHING.  True story.  The salt and sweet combo makes you never want to stop eating them. I'm surprised I'm not eating some right now.  I made purple rods and blue pretzel bows. What for?  A blue and purple themed dessert table.

Bff called me a few months ago with a special request.  His niece was turning 15, he loves and spoils her like crazy, and she wanted a dessert table -- would I help?  Of course I would.  So I spent my time planning the table, he spent his time shopping for ridiculously cute candy and cupcake themed party decor.

We used all glass jars and trays  and filled them with blue and purple candy.  Bff made centerpieces with adorable lollipops.  We tied ribbons and bows to anything we could.

Then we used polka dots and stripes throughout the table.  Especially on the place cards and signs.  Oh those place cards?  Yeah, aren't they awesome and adorable?  Thought so.  A big, BIG thanks to Pam who blogs all things art and fashion at Just Pandippo.  She made the banner I use for this site but was also kind enough to take time out of her busy day to make these for us.  And she didn't even get a cupcake or cookie in return!!!  That's friendship.   And as an extra special Halloween treat, if you're looking for some blue and purple place cards/signs she's willing to give them to you.  :)  Just head over to her post here and download them for free!  Thanks Pam!   (Also, these actually print out teal, my printer colors were off and I didn't have time to redo it.  Oops.)

I also baked a little.  I made lemon filled blackberry cupcakes and my awesome peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  The cupcakes are new.  That's not even a good look at them is it?  It's just a sneak peak.  :)

Did I mention we had another smaller side table too? We had to because we had a Chocolate Fountain!  It was so messy.  Bff got chocolate all over his dress shirt b/c they didn't secure it properly before turning it on.  The clean up was a pain, but it was worth it.  Especially if you got to make yummy little creations like that faux raspberry s'more down below.  That one was mine.  I ate it.  Twice.  Cinnamon graham cracker, chocolate dipped marshmallow and a chocolate dipped raspberry on top.  You know you want. (Do you see the heart in the chocolate on that other marshmallow by the way?  <3 cute="cute" p="p" so="so">

And then for good measure, we also had an ice cream float station with the best little sprinkle cups EVER.  I got kind of obsessed with them and took a bunch home.  I don't know what I am going to do with them yet... but be assured that you will see them again.  We had three kinds of soda to choose from. Whatever float you wanted, I served with a smile.   You will also see that I made some chocolate truffles.  Half were rolled in cocoa powder and half were rolled in graham crackers. They probably look familiar.  I've blogged about them before.  

And Oh my God the cake right?  My friend Jimmy made the cake, and BFF directed the decoration for it.  Jimmy is the same one who made this Hollywood cake for his own Birthday back in April.    Amazing right?  Two layers, two different flavors.

I had helped out with a pink bridal shower dessert table earlier this summer and was excited to do this (mostly) on my own.  It was a lot of fun.  A lot of work.. but a lot of fun.  The gorgeous birthday girl was very thankful  and gracious (so unusual for a teenager) that we spent the time to make her big day special.  

I had a blast.  And I might have had fairy wings on.  (Hey it was supposed to be a costume party, but apparently only I got the memo.) And a necklace with REAL sprinkles inside.  A candy fairy maybe?

Have a safe, sweet and happy Halloween! 

Recipe for the chocolate truffles..

Recipe for the peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Recipe for the cupcakes.

You can buy the chocolate fountain and chocolate candy we used online at Sephra.

Download Pandippo's awesome placement cards.

xoxo,

Anna