4 Colorful Fall-Inspired DIYs to Bring the Party This Season

‘Tis the season for entertaining and dinner parties galore. If you’re looking to DIY your way to the title of “hostess with the mostest,” you’ll need to start with our list of fall entertaining projects. With a little elbow grease and plenty of pumpkins, you’ll be ready for your next (or first) party of autumn. So dust off the glue gun, prep the dye, sort through your craft paper collection, and sharpen your scissors — it’s crafting time!

1. Painted Pinecone Table Runner: Pinecones aren’t just for Christmas! You can paint yours and create a monotone or pastel runner. They’ll look just as good around the house as they will on your fall tablescape. (via A Subtle Revelry)

2. Leaf Backdrop: You don’t need a photo booth or dance party setup for this ombre leaf backdrop. Use it as an accent wall in your kitchen or dining room. (via Oh Happy Day)

3. Gold and Neon No-Carve Pumpkins: These subtle gold and neon-painted pumpkins are a modern and trendy take on the traditional gourd. Put ’em on your sideboard or next to the main dish on your Thanksgiving table. (via For the Makers)

4. Fall Leaf Cake Topper: These beautiful cake toppers look gorgeous when placed together or individually on cupcakes. (via The House That Lars Built)

This Fourth of July Chia Pudding Is As Patriotic As It Is Healthy (and VEGAN!)

Every year around 4th of July, everything, from our mani-pedis to our desserts, turns red, white, and blue. But before you reach for the food coloring, how about whipping up an ultra-healthy and naturally patriotic chia pudding? It will satisfy your craving for something sweet, but it’s totally vegan and won’t fill you with empty calories. What’s more, it’s super-simple to prepare, and is the perfect festive treat for your holiday barbecue!

Ingredients:

Makes four

• 5-6 Tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 cups coconut yogurt (or Greek yogurt if not vegan)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 2 Tablespoons agave syrup
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions:

1. Pour the coconut milk into a large jar and add the chia seeds. Stir to combine and add the yogurt.
2. Stir very thoroughly, as the chia seeds tend to form clumps, which is a big no-no! You might also want to give the jar a good shake.
3. Seal the jar and chill in the fridge for a minimum of four hours, preferably overnight.
4. Place the raspberries and agave syrup in a bowl and mash lightly.
5. Stir the chilled chia pudding, then add an even layer in little glasses. A jar funnel will help keep things neat!
6. Add a layer of the raspberries and spoon some more chia pudding over them.
7. Top with fresh blueberries and serve immediately.

Happy Independence Day!

Beyoncé Lyric Drinking Glasses?! Yesssss, Please!

We stumbled on these Beyoncé lyric cocktail glasses that will run your party world. These fierce gems are perfect for your next summer soiree or your bestie’s bachelorette.  If you love this idea as much as we do --- you can buy a 10-pack of the stickers for $13 here.

5 Fall Baby Shower Themes That Go Way Beyond the Pumpkin

So your BFF asked you to plan her fall baby shower and you’re stoked… but also admittedly a little lost about which theme to choose. Before you automatically go down the well-trodden path of planning a pumpkin-themed baby shower, consider these other baby shower ideas that are just as *fall-tastic.*

1. Fox Theme: Here’s to hoping her little one is as cute and clever as a baby fox. Complement the fox-themed decorations with woodland-inspired centerpieces, like this tree stump flower arrangement. (via Marcie Lynn/Style Me Pretty)

2. Where the Wild Things Are Theme: Turn this classic children’s book into a whimsical baby shower complete with gold paper crowns and flower crowns. Get the shower started by asking guests to “crown themselves” upon entering your party space. (via Camille Styles)

3. Shower Theme: Not sure what the baby’s gender is? No problem, just go with a fail-safe shower theme that’s perfect for the coming cold temperatures. You can even add a touch of glitter to the raindrops for some *sparkle.* (via Lisa Storms)

4. Enchanted Forest Theme: For a theme that’s as dreamy as it is wild, go with that of an enchanted forest. Decorate your space with wreaths made of greenery and toy animals. (via 100 Layer Cakelet)

5. Mother-to-Bee Theme: Your BFF is as sweet as honey, which means she deserves the very best, including this adorable honey bee-inspired baby shower. Make sure to send your guests off in the most fall/rustic chic way you know how with a jar of homemade honey. (via Hostess With the Mostess)

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Red, White & Blue Layered American Flag Cake

You’ve seen it, you’re curious, now make your own! Try this recipe for an American Flag Layer Cake.

Ingredients

Red Cake Layers

1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix

1 pint (2 cups) strawberries, stems removed, pureed in blender or food processor to about 1 1/4 cups

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 egg whites

1 teaspoon red paste food color

Blue Cake Layer

1/2 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix (about 1 2/3 cups dry mix)

1/2 cup blueberries, pureed in blender or food processor

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 whole eggs

1/2 teaspoon blue paste food color

3 tablespoons Betty Crocker™ white star-shaped candy sprinkles or nonpareils

White Cake Layer

1/2 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix (about 1 2/3 cups dry mix)

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 egg whites

Frosting and Sprinkles

3 containers Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (Betty Crocker™ red, white and blue sprinkles, as desired)

Directions

1  To make red cake layers: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray two 8-inch round pans; place 8-inch round piece cooking parchment paper in bottom of each pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In large bowl, beat red cake layer ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Spread in pans. Bake 29 to 34 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Gently remove from pans to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Flatten cake layers by trimming off rounded tops. Cut layers in half horizontally to make 4 thin red layers. In 1 layer, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch biscuit cutter. Wrap and freeze 1 thin layer and the layer that was cut out of; save for another use.

2 To make blue cake layer: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 8-inch round pan; place 8-inch round piece cooking parchment paper in bottom of pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In medium bowl, beat all blue cake layer ingredients except sprinkles with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Fold sprinkles into batter. Spread in pan. Bake 29 to 34 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Gently remove from pan to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Flatten cake layer by trimming off rounded top. Do not cut in half horizontally. Cut small round out of center, using 4-inch round biscuit cutter. Wrap and freeze 4-inch round; save for another use.

3 To make white cake layer: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 8-inch round pan; place 8-inch round piece cooking parchment paper in bottom of pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In medium bowl, beat white cake layer ingredients with electric mixer on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Spread in pan. Bake 29 to 34 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Gently remove from pan to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Flatten cake layer by trimming off rounded top. Cut layer in half horizontally to make 2 thin white layers. In 1 layer, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch biscuit cutter. Wrap and freeze the layer that was cut out of; save for another use.

4 To assemble cake: Place 1 red cake layer on cake stand or serving platter; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with 1 white cake layer; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with second red cake layer; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Gently top with blue layer. Carefully spread thin layer of frosting on cut edge inside of blue cake layer. Gently insert white 4-inch cake round; top with frosting and then red 4-inch cake round; press slightly. Frost side and top of cake using remaining frosting. Top with sprinkles. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Originally posted on BettyCrocker.com.