Entertaining

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Fun & Festive Memorial Day Recipes

Do you have Memorial Day recipes to welcome summer? What better way to celebrate than with great food at a BBQ?! Whether you’re hosting, visiting with your in-laws or attending a friend’s party, here are a few great recipes with wow factor!

Fun: What says summer more than a BLT sandwich…I’d have to say these mini tomato BLT bites! Quick and super cute, these little stuffed tomatoes are guaranteed to be on everyone’s picnic plates and a topic of conversation. It’s always nice to be the newlywed who brought the amazing appetizer. 😉

Festive: Is there such a thing as a summer BBQ without Jello? Bring down the house wherever you bring this amazing patriotic flag cake complete with 2 types of Jello (I make one layer with blueberry Jello) and fruit. Both kids and adults will love digging into this perfect summer dessert.
Fancy: Leave it to American Italian TV chef Giada to create an elegant appetizer that suits any style of Memorial Day party. Here’s the recipe for ricotta and pancetta stuffed baby peppers. They sound a bit tricky, but take less than 20 minutes to make….and trust me they’re worth it!

Fizzy: Short on time but want to bring something pleasant to the party? Try this recipe for fizzy mint lemonade coolers. It’s a great twist on a picnic classic. If you want to boost the fun factor of this beverage add a cup of vodka to the pitcher!

No matter what you bring, people always appreciate your thoughtfulness. The simple call asking if you could pick up more ice or napkins on your way over can switch a hostess from headache to happiness. Have fun during this weekend holiday and remember to be safe.

Do you have any great Memorial Day recipes to share with our readers? We’d love for you to leave a comment.

Easter Is a Time For Sweets! Don’t Go Empty Handed!

Easter is a time for sweets! Whether you are playing host this weekend, or have plans to visit the family for Easter, or even if you have no plans at all and have a relaxing day at home, we’ve got some fabulous, fun recipes for you to try out and test your creative skills! If you are traveling to visit family and friends this weekend, it’s always good to show off your domestic skills- especially to your mother-in-law! I have compiled a few of my favorite Easter desert recipes to share with you that the kids and adults alike are gonna love!

This Bunny Cake is so fun to make, and almost too cute to eat!

If you’re looking for the perfect kid-friendly dessert (and who doesn’t love marshmallows?) Try this Cupcake Bunny Cake.

Easter is about the sweet treats, but don’t completely forget about your veggies! This one definitely takes the cake! Check out this Carrot Cake which is also going to give you your full serving of fruit for the day as well!

Easter Egg Cookies show off your creativity and use these to decorate around the desert table!

Not much of a cook- make this chocolate Trix treat– you can’t go wrong with cereal!

Please let us know if you have tried one of these delicious deserts or if you decide to experiment with one this weekend! Do you have a favorite “go-to” crowd-pleaser dessert? Please share since Easter is a Time for Sweets!

St. Patty’s Day Party – Get Your Green On!

Are you ready to get your green on? St. Patrick’s Day: The one day out of the year that everyone truly ‘goes green’ is just about here! Have you planned out your day’s festivities yet? We have come up with a few ideas for you to enjoy a full day, packed with green beer, some hearty Irish food, and of course a cute outfit!

If you haven’t checked out what’s going on in your neighborhood, now’s the time! There are so many St. Patty’s day activities that go on across the country, parades, festivals, 5K’s (if you’re feeling energetic), concerts, etc… Call your friends to see what everyone is looking to do, and if you live in the city, you may want to create your plan-of-action because it is most likely going to be packed at all of your local bars/restaurants.

If you’re planning to have some friends over to start the day off with you, visit your local craft or party store and pick up some fun decorations and some necklaces and hats for your guests! Onto the most important item of the day, finding a cute outfit!

If you’re looking to keep it casual, check out these cute St. Patty’s Day tee’s, or if you and your spouse have plans to go all out Irish, this is a super cute costume that you can find at Target!

Many bars and restaurants open up as early as 5:00am (from what I’m aware of!), so if you plan on starting early with the best of them, you will want to be sure to begin your day with a hearty Irish breakfast!

Next, if you have not received one of these from your wedding registry, you must invest in this amazing, lifesaving cooking device- a crock-pot! Your next menu item is the famous Irish stew, and if you can have it brewing all day in your crock-pot, it will be ready to dive into at the end of the day! If you’re not into stew, try another Irish fav, potato and leek soup.

Check out these recipes, make your list, and head to the grocery store the day before (and be sure to grab the green food coloring too)! Wait- let’s not forget about the most important part or your menu, desert of course! Check out this Irish Baileys Marble Cheesecake!

I personally do not have Irish genes, but since I married an Irish man, there are certain traditions that my spouse and I have started together to celebrate St. Patty’s day each year, and it’s a day that we really enjoy and look forward to!

Do you and your spouse have any traditions for St. Patty’s day? Please share how you plan to get your green on! Happy St. Patty’s day to you, and Cheers or Sláinte (to your health)!

4 Easy Steps to a Memorable Super Bowl Party

It’s time for the ultimate manly event of the year…the Super Bowl and a Super Bowl party! Almost nothing will make your man happier than having his buddies over for the big game, enjoying a few beers and some great food. You may be thinking, “I’m not much of a football fan;” however, what you ARE is a great hostess! No? Well, just follow these few steps and you will be on your way to hosting an amazing game day party.

1. Prepare the guest list: You have to know how many people are coming in order to be sure you have enough food and drinks to go around. After all, there’s no good time to run out to the store during the game (not even during the commercials or half-time)!

2. Decide on the menu or Potluck: You can ask guests to bring one dish or drink (such as chili, nachos, chips and salsa or a bottle of wine or liquor) as the best Super Bowl parties have a casual feel to them. It’s a good idea to serve foods that don’t require much of your time so you can enjoy hanging out and cheering on your team with your guests during the game. We recommend anything that can cook in a Crock Pot (i.e. meatballs, fondue, chili, etc.). You can find easy Super Bowl Recipes for some of the most popular party foods through Celebrations.com.

3. Put up decorations: You can use streamers (team colors of course), football themed napkins and party plates. Feeling fancy? Check out Plates and Napkins Blog for these Super Bowl Cupcake Rings.

4. Decide on Drinks: Some people prefer to stick with beer to quench their thirst during the big game, while others are up for trying something new. Try an Old Fashioned Wisconsin if you’re a Green Bay Packers fan or The Black and Gold if you’re a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Not a fan of either? No problem, check out 32 NFL Team Inspired Cocktails* and choose your favorite! Just because your team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl doesn’t mean you can’t have a drink in their honor!

Do you have any Super Bowl party traditions, recipes, or ideas you’d like to share with our readers? We’d love to hear them, so leave a comment below to start the conversation!

*Drink recipes provided by StilettoSportsMagazine.com.

Newlywed Recipes You Will Fall In Love With!

Looking for newlywed recipes? I am definitely not Betty Crocker in the kitchen, so it’s a good thing for me that my husband enjoys cooking, and even more fortunate for me… he is an amazing cook! I have been getting much more comfortable trying out my newlywed skills in the kitchen, and I especially don’t mind when I’m exploring a new recipe cause then my hubby would never know if I screwed it up or not!

I have a few cook books at home, but of course they’re collecting dust since I generally turn to online suggestions such as cooks.com and of course the woman who makes it look so easy, Rachael Ray! I actually prefer getting recipes from my family and friends, so now that we’re enjoying the season’s fall foods, and (dare I say it!?) rapidly approaching the holidays, I wanted to share some of my fall fav’s with you, and I hope that you will do the same!

Let’s begin with Numero Uno: The Cocktail!
Pumpkin Pie Martini: Here’s my new BFF, and I hope she will be yours too!
Ingredients:

Ice cubes
2 ounces (1/4 cup) vanilla vodka
2 ounces (1/4 cup) crème de cacao
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Whipped cream, for garnish

Directions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the vanilla vodka, crème de cacao, heavy cream and pumpkin pie spice and shake well.
2. Dip the rims of 2 martini glasses into a bowl of whipped cream. Strain the cocktail into the glasses and indulge!
Servings: 2 / Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Ginger Pumpkin Bread: Excellent for breakfast or dessert!
Ingredients:
1 ½ sticks melted butter (12 tablespoons)
2 ½ cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can canned pumpkin (15 oz.)
3 eggs
Sugar glaze (optional, see below)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pans (or spray with Baker’s Joy). In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ginger and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together both sugars, pumpkin, melted butter, and eggs. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined.
2. Divide batter evenly between the loaf pans. Bake 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center of loaves comes out clean. Let cool ten minutes and invert loaves onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
3. Once cool, glaze if desired. Combine 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar with 2 – 3 tablespoons of water in a liquid measuring cup. Stir until glaze is smooth and thick, with no lumps. Drizzle over loaves and let set 15 minutes prior to serving.
Makes 2 Loaves
Butternut Squash Casserole: Don’t knock this one till you try it!
Ingredients

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