Shooters have been trending all over the internet for a handful of years now.  They are small and simple, and I am crossing my fingers and toes that these delights never go out of style.  There are endless options, and there are so many ways to style them to suit any occasion.  From trending straws to whipped cream to sprinkles, the combinations are endless!

1. Root Beer Float Shooters?  These are the perfect detail for Father’s Day!
2. Who has a birthday coming up?  Boozy Birthday Cake Shooters are the perfect final detail for the party.
3. Caramel Banana Split Shooters are great for any summer evening sitting in your favorite chair on the patio.
4. Dirty Road Milkshake Shooters make for the perfect festive highlight to any bachelor (omit the sprinkles) or bachelorette party.
5. Inspired by Magic Mike, these shooters were made with blackberries and gin.

Melissa Johnson is the Founder and Creative Director of Best Friends For Frosting. A self-taught baker, she used the experience she gained from working at three different bakeries to launch Best Friends For Frosting, making her the entertaining expert and dessert stylist she is today. Her expertise has been exhibited on QVC, In The Kitchen With David, America’s Test Kitchen, Easy Food Magazine, Foodspotting, Amy Atlas, Craftzine, The Tomkat Studio and The Party Dress Magazine.

In a just a few short hours, everyone will finally have a look at Baz Luhrmann’s glittering adaptation of The Great Gatsby. Between the lavish parties and decadent dinner scenes in the book and film, champagne and vodka seem to flow like water. While we can’t imbibe to that amount of excess, we can still get into the spirit of the era with a few cocktails that capture F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ideal.

Daisy Dirty Martini

1 ½ oz. Skinnygirl Bare Naked Vokda
Splash of Dry Vermouth
Fresh Olives

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with fresh olives.

Cali Mojito

2 oz. Caliche Rum
1oz. Fresh Lime Juice
¾ oz. Simple Syrup
8 Mint Leaves

Lightly muddle the mint leaves in the rocks glass before adding ice. Combine all of the ingredients over the ice and garnish with a mint sprig.

Gatsby Gimlet

1 ½ oz. Skinnygirl Bare Naked Vodka
1 ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice

Pour ingredient into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

West Egg Punch

1 ½ oz. Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka
1 oz. Lemonade
2 oz. Sparkling Water
Strawberries
Watermelon Slices
Lemon Twist

Muddle a few strawberries and a piece of watermelon in a highball glass before adding ice. Add the vodka and lemonade and top with the sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon twist and a strawberry.

Last week we left the city behind and entered a world of greenery at the New York Botanical Gardens—all to test out New Balance’s latest walking shoe, the 1765. The sneaker boasts a FantomFit Mesh upper for ultra light support, N2 cushioning technology so the foot can be lower to the ground, and REVlite foam to add a lightweight stability to the shoe. As we strode over to the conservatory, we learned the 3 principals of walking with good form from Grant Robinson of Good Form Running and fitness expert Holly Perkins so we can burn calories and shape our derrieres just in time for beach season:

Stride—Take shorter strides at a faster pace that works for you, instead of locking your knees to lengthen your strides, which can cause joint pain. There’s no need to shuffle quickly either. That can actually slow you down as your shoes scrape the ground or floor.

Footstrike—Try to land lightly on your heel and transition forward. It’s not a runway so there’s no need to stomp down the street and possibly injure your joints. If you need to pick up speed, you can pull your arms up by your waist to swing to propel you forward.

Posture—Walk tall as if you’ve pulled your arms above your head to avoid slouching. It extends the spine and put the body’s muscles into their proper places for a more efficient walk. It also helps to wake you up when you feel a little run down.

Your stationery just received a chic upgrade courtesy of Oscar de la Renta. The designer created 50 original wedding designs for his new partnership with Paperless Post, an exclusive collection of stationery with engraving and letter pressing options launched today— for both print and digital.

“Oscar de la Renta was our first choice for this project—his work is never overly demure or girly,” James Hirschfeld said, Paperless Post’s CEO and cofounder. “And there is almost a statement in each piece.”

The stationery draws inspiration directly from the designer’s colorful worldview and consummate entertaining style, his home in Punta Cana and most importantly, the Fall 2013 bridal and ready to wear collection, according to a press release. The invitations will showcase the designer’s delicate laces: Chantilly, Alencon, and guipure.

Wedding designs are just the beginning; de la Renta has plans to move into children’s invitations, general entertaining, and personal stationary through 2013.

Invitations can be filled out on paperlesspost.com to be delivered electronically or printed out on card stock or cotton paper.  Electronic cards cost $0.25 apiece, flat-printed cards start at $1 and fine crafted cards are priced at $1.58.

We’ve got the invites, all we need is the wedding, er, and the groom, but who’s keeping track?

It’s hard to believe the school year is almost over and it’s time to start celebrating all the graduates. Whether you’re planning a preschool, elementary school, high school, or college graduation party, here are some creative ideas (and free graduation printables) to get you inspired. To the class of 2013, hats off!!

1. This cute party has a “One Smart Cookie” theme, and includes mustache props and a photo booth!  The moms each brought a dozen cookies for the kids and chocolate and white milk were served, perfect for an end of the school year get-together!
2. Graduation treats like Smarties dressed up as tiny diplomas, ribbon tied snack cakes, and diploma topped cupcakes take center stage at this event. I especially love the beautiful place settings with the miniature chalkboard place cards.
3. “Having a wild time” is the goal at this exciting zebra themed graduation celebration!  Lots of fun elements are included like the adorable cake pop grads, push up pops in school colors, and zebra striped Oreos!
4. A backdrop of kindergarten, high school, college, and grad school photos hanging inside large frames is the focal point of this party. Blueberries and cream cupcakes say “Congrats” and Pepperidge Farm Piourettes with red ribbons look like tiny diplomas on top of chocolate cupcakes!

Party printables are an easy and striking way to decorate at your graduate’s celebration. This free collection from Printabelle includes a sign, banner, invitations, water bottle labels, cupcake toppers and more!

Jillian Tohber Leslie decided to “get her party on” and launched Catch My Party in 2009, as the place to share party ideas, tips, and photos, and to celebrated the entertainer in all of us! Jillian received her BA and MBA from Stanford University. Jillian currently resides in Palo Alto, California, with her husband, David, daughter, Lainey, and company mascot, Gertie, their nine-year-old Tibetan Terrier. In her spare time, Jillian loves to cook, craft, entertain, style parties, and take photographs. To learn more about Jillian check out her Catch My Party blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Treat yourself (or tell your man to get a clue!) with these breakfast-in-bed ideas. From heart-shaped pancakes to fresh-picked flowers, here are four fun ways to start a day off with zest.

Heart-Shaped Pancakes
Add some passion to your pancakes by using a cookie cutter with your pancake batter to make this tasty breakfast heart-shaped. Add freshly-squeezed OJ for an extra special touch!

Fresh-Picked Flowers
Add a little pizzazz to breakfast in bed by including a vase of fresh-picked flowers. Classic roses are always a passionate choice, but lilacs, sunflowers and tiger lilies will add a bold splash of color to any breakfast tray.

Zesty + Flavorful
Don’t make breakfast boring. Keep it delicious with a flavorful omelet served alongside a tasty side salad featuring Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing.

Berry Sweet
Serve a colorful array of berries, yogurt, granola, and pastries with fresh flowers for a “berry” tantalizing breakfast.

Wondering what to get for the mom who has (or could buy herself) anything? Think outside the box this Mother’s Day and go geek chic! Whether she’s uber fashionable or ultra practical, there’s an adorable tech gift out there for your mom this Mother’s Day. Some of these adorable gifts will make her life easier (Jonathan Adler On the Go Charger, $28) while others will make her life sweeter and brighter (Kate Spade New York iPad Sleeve, $50). We guarantee she’ll be impressed by your tech savvy style and will have you to thank every time a girlfriend compliments her on the new Tory Burch iPhone Case ($65) she’s sporting.

1. Tory Burch iPhone 5 Case, available at Bloomingdales for $65
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Tootsie Flower Print Tablet Case, available at Marc Jacobs for $58
3. Jonathan Adler Heart Leather iPad Case, available at Bloomingdales for $158
4. Native Union ‘Neon Pop Phone’ Handset, available at Nordstrom for $25
5. Portable USB Car Charger, available at Urban Outfitters for $10
6. Jonathan Adler On the Go Charger, available at Shop Bop for $28
7. Coach Legacy Leather e/w Universal Case, available at Coach for $68
8. Kate Spade New York La Pavillion Dot iPad Sleeve. available at Bloomingdales for $50
9. Green Inca iPhone 4/4s + 5 Case, available at Shop Jeen for $25

Mother’s Day is the time to spoil the leading lady in your family! Celebrate all mom has done for you in your life with a sweet gift and a Mother’s Day brunch! Help mom put her feet up in style with these personalized gift and brunch party ideas.

Sweet Dessert Brunch

Celebrate mom with a special brunch complete with a sweets bar full of delectable little treats like a honey lavender cake, mini raspberry lemon cupcakes, and cake pops! Serve up her favorite desserts to make it extra special. Tap into your inner party planner and create cute signs for mom!

Modern Colorful Mother’s Day Brunch

This colorful party is loaded with pops of inspiration for a Mother’s Day Brunch! Set up a mimosa bar with sweet stir-ins like raspberries. Add in a yogurt bar with mix-ins like granola and berries for a tasty and healthy breakfast with mom! And you don’t have to break the bank. Visit your local dollar store for inexpensive decorations like pink + orange tissue, gift bags, and cute plates!

Keep it Personal

Moms love nothing more than personalized gifts just for them! Give them a special keepsake this year by adding their monogram to a gorgeous gold necklace, a beach-worthy sun hat, chic clutch, or traveling jewelry case! Choose her favorite colors too for the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

Courtney Whitmore is a cookbook author of 3 dessert books (Push-Up Pops, Candy Making for Kids, and Frostings), food and party stylist, and blogger at Pizzazzerie.com where she shares daily inspirations on entertaining in style from recipes to DIY party ideas. Growing up in the South, she attended Vanderbilt University earning both a bachelors in Communications + masters in Organizational Leadership. She’s been featured on Martha Stewart, HGTV, Lady’s Home Journal, AOL, and Access Hollywood Live.

Target is making a statement—a very big statement—to show off its new home collection, Threshold! The retailer took over Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station in New York City to display a massive, full-sized dollhouse. Inside the 21 foot tall construction, the seven room structure features over 3,000 pieces from the collection, styled to perfection. From a faux living room to a beautiful bedroom to an enviable kitchen setup, Target’s Threshold creations brought the dollhouse to life, and made us want to move in, immediately.

While most installations in NYC have a “look, don’t touch” rule, Target’s inviting tourists, passersby, and commuters into the 1540 sq. feet of living space to check out the offerings and get inspired to update their own interiors! The dollhouse will be on display in Grand Central until tonight at 7 pm, so hurry up and stop by to get inspired!

Mother’s Day is coming; so here are four full collections of free Mother’s Day party printables to download, print out, cut out, and use to decorate your brunches and celebrations. It’s an easy way to show your mom how much you care!

1. Here’s a gorgeous cherry blossom set perfect for spring, filled with rich reds and aquas, and everything you’ll need to bring that extra special touch to your party.
2. This classic set of Mother’s Day printables showcases chandeliers and flowers, and it even has a mini banner to add flair to your cake or pie.
3. This darling Mother’s Day printable set features two little children holding up signs with their warm Mother’s Day wishes! It’s perfect for a young family to honor Mom.
4. Here’s a lovely pink and yellow brunch collection which is focused on ”Mama’s Love.” What could be better?!

Jillian Tohber Leslie decided to “get her party on” and launched Catch My Party in 2009, as the place to share party ideas, tips, and photos, and to celebrated the entertainer in all of us! Jillian received her BA and MBA from Stanford University. Jillian currently resides in Palo Alto, California, with her husband, David, daughter, Lainey, and company mascot, Gertie, their nine-year-old Tibetan Terrier. In her spare time, Jillian loves to cook, craft, entertain, style parties, and take photographs. To learn more about Jillian check out her Catch My Party blog, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.