Thanksgiving: Box it up!

One of my favorite fellow party girls, Lindi of Love the Day, is sharing a wonderful free Thanksgiving printable just in time for your day of feasting. These adorable Pie Boxes will help you clear out some of the leftovers. Simply download here, print, cut, tape, and package leftover pie slices for your guests to take home and enjoy later. Easy, super cute, and FREE. Doesn't get much better than that!





Love the Day also offers a matching Happy Harvest collection that can be purchased here. Thank you for sharing this, Lindi.

Walnut-Stuffed Slow-Cooked Apples

I was browsing around the web this afternoon looking for a new dessert recipe to bring to Thanksgiving dinner this year. Someone in our family always brings the traditional apple and pumpkin pies but as yummy as they look and smell, I am just not a big pie fan. Sorry! So, I always try to come up with an alternative dessert option to bring to the table. I came across this Walnut-Stuffed Slow Cooked Apples recipe from Cooking Light, one of my all-time favortie recipe sources.

Not only is this recipe a great low-fat option for your Thanksgiving feast (not that anyone will really be keeping track....it's Thanksgiving!) but they look amazing. Top them off with a little whipped cream, frozen yogurt, or ice cream and you're good to go!

Want to give it a try? Here's the recipe:

Walnut-Stuffed Slow Cooked Apples
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 apple and 1/4 cup cooking liquid)

Ingredients
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons dried currants
2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
4 medium Granny Smith apples, cored
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup apple cider

Preparation
Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, stirring to combine. Peel top third of each apple; place apples in an electric slow cooker. Spoon walnut mixture into cavity of each apple.

Combine the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup brown sugar, and apple cider in a small bowl, stirring to combine. Pour over apples. Cover with lid; cook on LOW 2 3/4 hours. Remove the apples with a slotted spoon. Spoon 1/4 cup cooking liquid over each serving.

Fruit and Veggie Table

As much as I love a good dessert table (especially if chocolate is involved!), I have to admit that I often feel guilty serving my guests (especially children) a table full nutritionally void sugar concoctions, no matter how beautiful they look. Of course I know that a splurge here and there is part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle but with a background in dietetics and health promotion and a life-long love of healthy living, I just can't help myself. So, when I came across this Fruit and Veggie table by Esther Kim of My Bride Story I instantly fell in love.


Like myself and many other moms out there, Esther is conscious of what her son eats and wanted to present fruits & veggies in a fun and stylish way that would appeal to both parents and kids. With a menu of freshly cut fruits and veggies, salads, yogurt parfaits, and pumpkin latte shots, Esther did more than accomplish her goal. She has inspired so many others (including myself) to rise to the challenge and do the same. Way to go!








Isn't it beautiful! My mouth is watering and I wouldn't feel guilty serving or eating anything on this table for one second. Perfect! A fruit and veggie table would be a great addition to a holiday party or any Shindig for that matter. Even if it was paired alongside a traditional dessert table, your guests would have the option of enjoying beautiful FOOD that was presented in a beautiful manner. I hope that you are as inspired as I am. My mind is racing with healthy ideas... a healthy New Years Eve table may be in my future. Thank you, thank you, Esther!

Fab Find: Cupcake Carrier

This week's Fab Find is a tried and true Sheek Shindigs favorite. The Progressive Cupcake Carrier will make your life so much easier when you have to transport (or even just store) cupcakes for your next shindig. This tiered carrier can hold up to 24 cupcakes (or a layered round cake). It features cool little finger indents on each side of the individual cupcake holders to allow for easy cupake removal and it collapses to half its original height for easy storage.



I have used my Cupcake Carrier many, many times over the past year and can proudly say that I haven't had any cupcake casualties yet! This would make a great holiday gift for your favorite hostess, baker, or fellow mom (yep, great for transporting cupcakes to the classroom for birthday or holiday celebrations).



And don't forget about yourself. If you don't already have one, add it to your holiday wish list! For more details, check it out here.

The Paper Bag Turkey

Want a fun and unique centerpiece for the Thanksgiving "kids table" this year? One Charming Party has one for you: the paper bag turkey.

Isn't it cute! I know that my kids would think that this was super cool and they would love the surprise inside (popcorn!).

No culinary skills needed for this turkey creation. Just 1 large brown grocery bag, 2 small brown lunch bags, a glue gun, scissors, white paper, and some popcorn! You can find the complete DIY instructions from One Charming Party here. Have fun with this one!

A Baking Party

Oh. My. GOODNESS! I am completely IN LOVE with this Baking Party by One Charming Party. It is perfect. Great colors, great design, fabulous details, and amazing photographs.

















Amazing, right! From the chef's hats with baking cup flowers to the cupcake wrapper garland and custom doll cake topper, every detail is just so YUMMY!

The party had seven activity stations: decorating chef’s hats, dipping chocolate strawberries, making chocolate candies, making mini apple pies, assembling mixed berry tarts, making strawberry jam, and decorating cupcakes. Brittany and Sara really hit this one out of the park. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G job! And don't forget the photographer, Nicole Hill Gerlulat.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow....

All that I can say about this Rainbow Party by Bird of Bird Crafts is WOW! I am a big fan of Miss Bird and she has out done herself. You can't help but feel happy after looking at all of these bright, cheerful colors.

Bird used clear baubles that were only $1 from the craft store and filled them with crepe paper to create these cute, colorful hanging decorations.

Do you LOVE the ruffled tablecloth as much as I do? Bird used layers of crepe paper and double-sided tape to create the look. She simply layered the crepe paper onto a white paper tablecloth, taping each section as she moved down the table. The best part (other than the fabulous result)? No sewing skills needed!

Feel like a Rainbow Party? Visit Bird's shop here to purchase her Rainbow Party Printables.

Fab Find: Free Thanksgiving Templates and Printables

This week's Fab Find is sure to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving. There are some great Thanksgiving templates and printables out there for FREE. Here are a few of my favorites:

These Paper Pilgrim Hats and Bonnets from Martha Stewart would be a great addition to the kids table on Thanksgiving or as a craft for your child's class. You can find the free templates here.


This Printable coloring page by PaperGlitter will help keep the kiddos busy while you prepare your Thanksgiving feast. Download here and check out their other great Thanksgiving printables here.



Need invitations, food and place card tags, or labels for Thanksgiving? Check out anna and blue paperie for some great FREE printables!





Happy planning!

Sheek Shindigs: Etsy Pink Elephant Collection

I am so excited to finally have the Sheek Shindigs Etsy shop up and running. Horray! Sheek Shindigs is currenlty in the middle of an overhaul so the store isn't "pretty" yet. But, I did want to share a glimpse of my Etsy Pink Elephant Collection with you. These would be perfect for a baby shower or for a little girl's birthday party.

Stop by the shop {here} and check it out!

*** A Printable Elephant Party Package is also available in the Sheek Shindigs etsy shop now!

A {Modern Chic Home} Deal!

HURRY! Modern Chic Home has these adorable individual Cupcake Pedestals on sale until November 13th. This set of 6 would make a great hostess holiday gift, don't you think? Or, save them for your next Shindig!

Thanksgiving Inspiration, Part 2

Here are some fun, kid-friendly FOOD INSPIRATION ideas for Thanksgiving.

Want the recipes and DIY Instructions? You can find them here:

1. Corny Cookies Kids will love decorating these candy-topped treats to help prepare for the big feast! (Family Fun)
2. Gobble Me Up! Here's a healthy snack option from Family Fun that the kids can make themselves.
3. Gobbling-Good Cupcakes These tasty turkeys would be great for a classroom party. (Family Fun)
4. Acorn Dough Nuts Your kids will go nutty for these clever fall treats, which look like acorns but taste a whole lot sweeter. (Family Fun)
5. Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats Here's a treat that has an old-fashioned look but is made with two favorite modern-day treats: marshmallows and chocolate. (Family Fun)
6. Fruit Gobbler This fruity tribute to the real star of Thanksgiving is easy to assemble and delicious to take apart! (Family Fun)
7. Sweet T.O.M Turkeys Candy corn plumes and shortbread wings turn cupcakes into irresistible turkey sweets for Thanksgiving. (Family Fun)
8. Candy Corn Gourds Hollow out your left over gourds, fill them with candy corn and other treats, and create a festive display for your table. (Country Living)
9. Teeny Turkeys These bite-sized birds will help keep the kiddos appetite in check before the big feast.

Cat Themed Birthday Party

How cute is this Cat Themed Birthday Party by Parents Magazine! I love all of the details and THE BEST PART is that you can easily re-create this party at home!

Visit Parents.com to see all of the fun details and DIY instructions, including how to make balloon cats, cat cups and plates, cute collars, cat mittens, and a cat cake!

MEOW!

Fab Find GIVEAWAY: Homemade Happiness

This week's Fab Find includes a great Giveaway! If you recall, some of the printables that I used for my son's Pirate {and Polka Dot} Party were from the adorable Homemade Happiness.

Homemade Happiness offers great printables for your partying needs with an etsy shop and a Dutch shop as well (did I mention they are based out of the Netherlands?). I especially love their Woodland Party Line!

Party Hats...

Cupcake Toppers...
Finger Puppets!

They also have these super cute cookie pouches. Love them! And what about their printable Pin the Tail on the Donkey!



Homemade Happiness is giving away 2 free printables of your choice. You can choose from their etsy shop or their Dutch shop, which are suitable for US printing.

To enter to win, simply:

1. Become a Follower of Sheek Shindigs if you aren't already
2. Visit either or both of the Homemade Happiness shops and pick one or two of your favorite printables
3. Leave a comment on this post with what your favorite items are.

The winner will be announced on Friday, November 12th. Good luck!

DIY Thanksgiving Treat Holders

If you are a Pottery Barn Kids lover like myself, you have probably seen their adorable Thanksgiving Collection.


I love the traditional Thanksgiving elements, including Pilgrim Hats and Turkey Headpieces, turkey-shaped placemats, and a Mayflower inspired centerpiece. When I first got the fall catalogue and saw this collection, my eyes immediatley went to their Sailboat Treat Holders.



These treat holders are super cute and can be used a place cards as well. Wouldn't you know they are sold out. No problem. You can make your own! That's what I did. Here are the SUPER EASY DIY instructions:

You will need:

1 Piece of Brown Felt
1 Piece of Cream Felt
1 Wooden Dowel Rod (mine was cute to measure 9")
1 Piece of 1"x1" floral foam
Scissors
Glue Gun
Small Hole Punch

Step One:


Cut two pieces of brown felt into the shape of a boat. Cut the cream felt to resemble a sail (mine measured roughly 3 3/4" x 3 1/2", with the top of the sailing being slightly less narrow).

Step Two:


Using a hot glue gun, glue the sides and bottom of your brown boat pieces together. Do not glue the top portion, as this needs to be open for treats!

Step Three:


Using a small hole punch, punch a hole in the top middle and bottom middle of your sail. Thread your wooden rod through the holes.

Step Four:


Stick the bottom end of your wooden rod into a 1 x 1 piece of floral foam.

Step Five:


Secure the floral foam to the bottom of your boat using the glue gun.

You are done! Fill your Sailboat Treat Holder with the goodies of your choice and enjoy!



** If using as a place card, you can either use a heavy cardstock with names printed or written on them for the sails or you can write directly on the felt sails.