#30Seconds In-Depth: Shake Your Shamrocks in Style This St. Patrick’s Day With Cheryl Leahy! by Donna John

Hoping for good luck to find some simple, fun and chic ideas for St. Patrick’s Day? This week we were over the rainbow to welcome our very own #30Seconds contributor, Cheryl Leahy, a lifestyle blogger at All Dressed Up with Nothing to Drink, mom and media personality in the Chicagoland area. Cheryl dished on all things St. Patrick's Day, from the perfect party drink to DIY decor to festive food. You will be set to shake your shamrocks in style! 

Q: What are some inexpensive ways to decorate?

• This year, I am using butcher paper and creating oversize Irish Blessings to hang on my walls. 
• Pennies can be used as a cheap way to decorate! 
• For a table runner, glue pennies to a strip of kraft paper or material. 
• Greenery or yellow flowers in plastic black Halloween cauldrons is very "pot o' gold!" 
• Burlap makes a simple and rustic table cover or runner, wrap it around mason jars and pop candles in.

#30Seconds#stpatricksday A1 i know we always use the craft's our kids and now grandkids have made. They really get a kick out of that

— lorri langmaid (@lorri1956) March 15, 2018

A2: A mashed potato bar is my secret party weapon- I buy pre-made mashed potatoes and lay out toppings. #30seconds pic.twitter.com/FACIO9rPgQ

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Q: Any easy appetizer ideas that don’t take forever to make?

I always try to assemble vs. cook! My favorites are:

• Corned beef and cabbage sliders! Use Hawaiian rolls and fill with sliced corned beef, cole slaw salad mix and dressing.
• Beer cheese fondue is fairly easy. Pick your favorite fondue recipe and add celery sticks for dipping.
• Use spinach tortillas to make pinwheels. Put any filling in, wrap up and slice thinly.
• A mashed potato bar is my secret party weapon. I buy pre-made mashed potatoes and lay out toppings.

YES! I never make a full meal for anyone- it is always appetizers and a dessert. People don't eat much at parties usually, and you can be stuck with SO many leftovers #30seconds

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

YESSS! And you can put it in a crock pot and forget about it. Trader Joe's makes a pre-made fondue- I buy a few and dump in the pot. DONE! #30seconds

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Here is a photo of my #cornedbeefandcabbage sliders! #30seconds pic.twitter.com/9wNPvKJHr5

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Q: How about sweet treats? Any simple desserts to impress the guests?

• I make pot o’ gold truffles with leftover Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies! Mix 1 package of thin mints with 4 ounces of cream cheese and dip in chocolate.
• Lucky Charms cereal is an easy swap for Rice Krispies treats. I make a pan, cut into small cubes and pop on a stick after dipping an end in chocolate. Kids can help.
• I just discovered edible spray paint! Use gold to paint Oreos to make edible gold coins.
• For the kids, I make rainbow "candy" necklaces using string and Fruit Loops cereal.

A3: I make Pot O Gold Truffles with leftover Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies! Mix 1 pkg of thin mints w/ 4 oz cream cheese, dip in chocolate. #30seconds pic.twitter.com/HRX9OcUdoh

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

YES! I never serve anything that needs to be cut up like a cake or pie- people don't want to be the first #30seconds

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Q: After the kids go to bed, what cocktail ideas do you have for the adults?

• I greet guests with an oozy shamrock shake shot, which is vanilla ice cream plus Bailey's plus Creme de Menthe.
• Make sure to have plenty of Guinness on hand! Perfect a black and tan: use a pale beer like Harp's or Smithwick's on bottom, Guinness on top.
• For the kids, use a lemon lime soda and add scoops of lime sherbet for an Irish float.
• Since Moscow mules are so popular, try an Irish mule: ginger beer or ginger ale plus Irish whiskey and a squeeze of lime.

A4: I greet guests with a Boozy Shamrock Shake Shot- vanilla ice cream + Bailey's + Creme de Menthe. #30seconds pic.twitter.com/R1r12m3bl5

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Q: How about kid’s crafts? Any ways to get the kids involved?

• We love making leprechaun traps! We use Lucky Charms for "bait" and create elaborate ways to lure and catch this fictitious creature.
• You can make clay pot leprechaun hats. Simply paint terra cotta pots green, add a black piece of material and finish with a gold buckle!
• Tell your kids the legend of the blarney stone and help them make their very own with a rock and paint.
• Have them help make shamrock pretzel pops. Form a four-leaf clover with four pretzels, coat with green chocolate melts and add a stick.

#30seconds pic.twitter.com/vmuIrCqFMq

— dadsAdventuredaycare (@procm2) March 15, 2018

A6: Consider what upcoming events you have- Derby? Get a green fascinator and wear for both events! #30seconds I just bought this exact one on @amazon for $11 and it is ADORABLE: https://t.co/3nSf2jNHm8 pic.twitter.com/FClyqhFjXs

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Q: Now that I have all my party essentials, what do I WEAR to my St. Patrick’s Day party?

• I used to make T-shirts with funny sayings every year. I purchased iron-on transfers for my printer!
• Go beyond the green and go for the gold! I love a gold sequin skirt topped with a silky tank for an upscale look or a T-shirt for casual.
• Nail polish is an easy way to go green. Do different shades on each finger, or an accent finger in gold glitter.
• Jewel tones look lovely on everyone. Find an apparel item in emerald that you can re-wear throughout spring and summer.
• Consider what upcoming events you have. Derby? Get a green fascinator and wear for both events! 

Here is my little leprechaun a few years ago! #30seconds pic.twitter.com/IdVxQQPgCY

— Cheryl Leahy (@CJAllDressedUp) March 15, 2018

Be sure to follow  @CJAllDressedUp, follow Cheryl on Facebook, visit All Dressed Up with Nothing to Drink and read her 30Seconds tips!