Fabulous Ways to Fiesta

By Haeley Giambalvo
Updated April 16, 2019
A fiesta doesn't have to mean tacos, margaritas, and pinatas. This playful, modern twist calls for crafty decor, icy Peruvian cocktails, and grilled pizzas. Yep, we'll say cheers to that!
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Modern Fiesta 101

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This modern fiesta is all about the details. From pretty paper flowers to bright and bold banners, Design Improvised blogger Haeley Giambalvo shows you how to get down and crafty.

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Cupcake Wrapper Flowers

Save on an expensive bouquet from the market and opt for reusable paper flowers instead. They're cute—and a cinch to make! As long as you have florist's wire, cupcake liners, pom-poms and hot glue, you're golden!

Haeley's Styling Tip: Fill tall green vases with the flowers for a natural holder that lets the flowers do all the talking.

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Cupcake Wrapper Daisies

Give your party drinks the Hollywood treatment with homemade swizzle sticks. These pretties are made with cupcake wrappers and plastic stir sticks—just cut, glue, and stir away!

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Colorful String Banner

Get crafty with a banner made of yarn. Haeley recommends using bold colors, such as orange, lime, pink, and purple. To hang, use clothespins and tie to trees, deck, or patio.

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Embellished Drop Cloth

Wide rickrack ribbon turns a plain painter's drop cloth into a fiesta-worthy tablecloth. All you need to make it is fabric glue, a measuring tape, ribbon, and the cloth.

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Yarn-Woven Silverware Basket

Keep up the festive yarn theme going by stringing some onto a wicker silverware basket. If it has a handle, even better! Haeley recommends wrapping that in string, too.

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Vase Placeholders

Mini vases make the perfect placeholders—just fill each with an easy-to-assemble name flag. For a sweet way to say thank you, let guests take them home as a favor.

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Tres Leches Strawberry Shortcake

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This seasonal recipe combines a traditional Mexican dessert with a classic American favorite. Soak a strawberry shortcake with a homemade tres leches mixture and top with freshly-sliced berries for a seriously indulgent dessert that's perfect for an outdoor summer gathering.

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DIY Drink Station

Let guests help themselves to a variety of fiesta-worthy drinks with a DIY drink station. Keep the bar stocked with a signature cocktail, festive sodas, and water.

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Pisco Sour Drink

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Start your party on a cool, authentic note with an icy pitcher of pisco sour, of course. The Peruvian national drink is light, crisp, and looks great when garnished with lime and fresh mint.

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Rhubarb Agua Fresca

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Nonalcoholic drinks don't have to lack festivity—and everyone can enjoy them. Mix up a batch of our rhubarb agua frescas, a refreshing take on the classic drink. In the spring and summer, use rhubarb and lemon slices to bring fresh flavor to this slightly sweet drink.

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Tlayuda con Chorizo (Mexican Pizza with Chorizo)

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Who says tacos are the only fiesta food? Give grilled pizza a go by piling it high with all your favorite Mexican flavors: jalapenos, cilantro, smoked chorizo, and more!

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Grill It

Grilling pizza is a super trendy (and easy) way to entertain, and it only takes a couple of minutes to make. Plus, it lets you hang outside with your crew instead of being cooped up in the kitchen. Look for premade crusts at your local grocery store.

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Shaping Perfect Pizza

Prefer homemade crusts over store-bought? We're here to help! Here's how to make perfectly shaped pizza crusts for your party.

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Authentic Pizza Toppings

Arrange a variety of fresh toppings in colorful small bowls, including salsa, cilantro, lettuce, queso fresco, avocado, and lime slices. Display the bowls in a pretty wicker tray lined with pom-pom trim. Just add a couple small dabs of hot glue to hold the trim in place.

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Spicy Pickled Eggs & Beets

Blaine Moats
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Turn hard-boiled eggs into a delicious spicy snack by pickling them with beets, chiles, and spices. Not only does this preparation give the eggs a rich fuchsia color, but it's so easy to do several days ahead of the fiesta—leaving you more time to mingle with guests the day of the party.

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TIY: Top It Yourself

Follow the pizza recipe or let guests make fun variations of their own. Use black beans or salsa as the sauce, spicy jalapenos or cool queso fresco as the topper—either way, these personal pizzas will be downright delicious.

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Mocha Tres Leches Cake

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Everything tastes better in a Mason jar! Serve guests individual mocha tres leches cakes in festive yarn-wrapped Mason jars. You can make them in advance so you won't have to spend time cutting and serving the cake during the party.

Haeley's Styling Tip: Cut the Mocha Tres Leches Cake into cubes and fill Mason jars 2/3 full. Pipe or spoon whipped cream mixture on top and finish with sprinkles.

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Meet Haeley

Haeley Giambalvo is the founder of Design Improvised—a blog focused on easy home decor and entertaining projects that make a big impact. Almost all the projects on her blog can be completed in less than an hour for $20 or less. Haeley is particularly passionate about any crafts involving pom-poms or balloons. Her idea to combine the two to make pom-pom balloons was the best decision she ever made! Her work has been featured by numerous magazine websites, Apartment Therapy, and BuzzFeed, among others. Haeley is a business consultant turned DIY blogger and mom to Stella, 5, and Hazel, 3. She lives in San Antonio, TX.

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