Friday, November 30, 2012

Advent Calendar - Red and Aqua Combo

Just finished my Advent Calendar!! Just in time!! 
Let the countdown begin!


And here is my Red and Aqua Holiday Wreath!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!


I Heart Nap Time

Red and Aqua Holiday Wreath


Inspired by the Holiday Decorating ideas from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, I decided to do the red and aqua combo! 
First on the list was the door wreath!
LOVE it!


Now time to decorate the Christmas Tree!

Aqua ornaments from Target
Ribbon from Joann's



I Heart Nap Time

Friday, November 16, 2012

Festa Junina - A traditional Brazilian party

We had a traditional Brazilian party called "Festa Junina" from my native country of Brazil


Whoever has traveled to Brazil during the month of June and July, has already found out that Brazilians celebrate the month with parties that can be even bigger than Carnaval in some cities. Those parties are called Festas Juninas and they celebrate saints Anthony, John and Peter with lots of traditional foods, drinks and a theatrical dance inherited from the French called quadrilha (a type of square dance).
festa junina party ideas


The Celebrations are very colorful, the decor are made of paper lanterns and colorful banners. Men dress up as farm boys with large straw hats and women wear pigtails, freckles, painted gap teeth and red-checkered dresses, all in a loving tribute to the origins of Brazilian country music. Like during Carnival, these festivities involve costume-wearing (in this case, peasant costumes), dancing and fun games for the children.
Since I had my children, I always try to bring Brazilian culture into their lives. It is important to me to have my culture alive and plus I LOVE parties!! :)
The dessert table had some of the traditional Festa Junina food like corn bread, pacoca(peanut butter candy), pe de moleque(dessert made out of peanuts), sweet popcorn,  brigadeiro(chocolate fudge), sweet and salty peanuts to name a few. Corn on the cob is a must at a Festa Junina, instead of real corn, I made marshmallow corn on the cob using jumbo and mini marshmallows. Lynlee's Petite Cakes made the cupcake toppers to match exactly from the Festa Junina that Bird's Party custom designed specially for the occasion.
Just like a real Festa Junina we had games and prendas(prizes). 
We played Fishing Game, Musical Chairs, Hit or Miss can game to name a few!

All our guests had a blast they were able to leaner a little bit more about my native country culture.

festa junina party ideas 3festa junina cupcakes

festa junina costumesAt Festa Junina parties, men dress up as farm boys with large straw hats and women wear pigtails, freckles, painted gap teeth, and red-checked dresses (all in a loving tribute to the origins of Brazilian country music). Dancing and fun games for the children make for an awesome party!
festa junina party ideas 2
festa junina decorations
festa junina party table
The dessert table had some of the traditional Festa Junina food like corn bread, pacoca (peanut butter candy), pe de moleque (dessert made out of peanuts), sweet popcorn,  brigadeiro(chocolate fudge), sweet and salty peanuts to name a few. Corn on the cob is a must at any Festa Junina, instead of real corn, Crissy made marshmallow corn on the cob using jumbo and mini marshmallowsLynlee’s Petite Cakes made the cupcake toppers to match exactly with the Festa Junina printable that Bird’s Party custom designed especially for the occasion.
photography and styling Crissy's Crafts
printables fromBird's Party
coordinated cupcake toppers by  Lynlee's Petite Cakes