A couple things happened recently, culminating in this inspiration board…first my Serena and Lily catalog arrived last week, and second I came across the adorable Lobster Sugar Cookies from Sugar Lane Bake Shop on Etsy and immediately fell in love! So after dreaming of a Summer Lobster Bake Party all night, I put together this party inspiration board. The bold red, aqua and navy color theme give a nod to the nautical nature of this bash, complimented with neutral touches of natural wood and burlap. Eating lobster is notoriously messy, so use the nautical-stamped burlap bags {2} to store the “lobster bib” and toilettes and place on each person’s plate (or in a basket if keeping it casual). And how cute are those mason jar lidded cups {6}…yes, please! If you’re feeling inspired, check out the resource links below – fun ideas for a wedding shower, rehearsal dinner or just-because dinner party!



Resources | {1} Piazza Outdoor String Lights, serena & lily | {2} Hand-Stenciled Burlap Bags, etsy | {3} Lobster Sugar Cookies, etsy | {4} Lobster Napkins, caspari | {5} Fresco Beverage Bowl, serena & lily | {6} Mason Jar Tumbler, etsy | {7} Riviera Arm Chair, serena & lily | {8} Poppy Awning Stripe Throw, serena & lily | {9} Woven Rattan Lanterns, serena & lily |

First, let me THANK all of you who have kept me busy with such amazing projects! It has been an incredible 2012, and I can’t believe how quickly it’s flown by…how is it already May? I’ve been very busy with lots of Etsy orders and some really fun Custom Orders that I cannot wait to share with you. I also just finished working on this fabulous Royal Birthday Bash event with some other amazing vendors…sure to be some eye candy for everyone! I’ve got so much to share – and I’m starting with these two custom kid’s birthday invitations. Enjoy!

It’s only fitting that every little boy think he’s a super hero, and who else to pretend to be than Batman? This mom of a Batman-in-training knew exactly what to throw for her four year old’s birthday party…a Batman-Themed Party! And what fun he had! Here are the invitations that went to each guest.





Being the mom of a little boy, I had SO much fun designing this fun invitation for a tomboy mama of a girly-girl! Her little gal – the youngest of two brothers – channeled all the girly-girl in the family. At two years-old she knows what she wants…pink and glittery and sweet (she’s my kinda gal!). Here are her birthday invitations:





Much to come soon!

I know that Tissue Poms have been around for a bit now, but I’ve had a few “just how easy are they?” questions come my way, so I decided to put together a little board with step-by-step photos. Tissue Poms are now sold in packages, via Martha Stewart, or individually in 20 different colors and 3 sizes, via Luna Bazaar – and I’m sure there are other places you can find them. What’s great about these options is they come with the wire you need and pre-cut ends for a perfect look! For under $25 you can add some pops of color to your next party. Step-by-step photos are below:

{Steps} 1. & 2. Accordion fold the tissue paper. | 3. Fold wire around center of folded tissue paper, and create small hook by bending wire. Use this to hang your tissue pom from the ribbon. | 4. Lay tissue pom flat on table. | 5. Take top tissue layer from one side and lift tissue layers away from each other. | 6. Complete side before starting the next.

Check out my “Ready To Pop” Sprinkle where these lovely poms hung over the food table!

I gave a little peek of the invitations yesterday, and I’ve been so excited to share with you the details for this sprinkle I had the honor of co-hosting for a very dear friend’s second baby. Once she shared the news she was expecting her second, my friend Jen (of Shop Snug Haven) and I knew immediately we wanted to throw her a sprinkle that centered around her love of popcorn! Below are some photos and details from her “Ready To Pop” Sprinkle!

Tissue poms floated over the food and drink table, with the three different blends of popcorn taking center stage. We had sweet and savory popcorn options, plus other “pop-related” food items like Cheesy Popovers, Chocolate Cake Pops and yummy Kettle Popcorn Cookies. For the beverages we served Rose Sparkling Wine, Italian Soda Pop, Sparkling Water, Red and White Wine.






For the party favors, we put together bags filled with “things that go pop”, which included: Mini-Champagne to pop open on 02.29.12 (baby’s due date), Pop Rocks (who doesn’t love those?), Gumballs, Kettle Popcorn and Cake Pops.



The invitations and printable partie kit will be available on my Etsy Shop later this week, and comes in three different color options! I’ll also have a photo tutorial for the tissue poms next week ready to share.

Here’s a peek at the “Ready To Pop” sprinkle invitations I designed for a dear friend’s baby sprinkle last month! Lots of photos and party details to come tomorrow

The invitations and coordinating partie kit are available on Etsy, can be worded for a shower or sprinkle and come three colors.

For the Friday before Valentine’s Day I wanted to share a festive easy-to-make cocktail and with blood oranges only in season for a little bit longer there are only a few more weekends to enjoy it! Serve this bellini with a special homemade breakfast this weekend to your sweetie, or start the evening with it – either way it’s sure to be a hit! Ingredients and directions below the photo.



Ingredients :: serves 4
- Fresh-squeezed juice from 3 blood oranges
- 2 ounces of simple syrup
- Prosecco (or another sweet, sparkling wine)

Directions
1. Fill four champagne flutes two-thirds of the way with prosecco.
2. Pour a 1/2 ounce of simple syrup into each flute.
3. Pour 1 ounce of fresh-squeezed blood orange juice into the glasses (it’s important to pour this last).

Cheers!

I know I typically post a Friday Cocktail, but in honor of the Super Bowl this weekend (especially since it’s in my hometown!) I wanted to share with you this delicious & easy chili recipe. I don’t know about you, but I love the resurgence the crockpot has made over the past few years. It’s made weeknight meals a breeze, and with this chili recipe it’s going to make entertaining a breeze this weekend! This recipe was passed on to me by a friend, and has become a recipe staple in many of my friends’ households. It takes about 6 hours on high, and 10 hours on low – ingredients and the three-step directions below the photo. Enjoy!



Crockpot Chili {serves 8 – 10 people}

2 pounds lean ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
2 green peppers, seeded and chopped
1 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 15-ounce cans stewed tomatoes
1.5 cups of frozen corn
4 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 bay leaves, whole (remove just prior to serving)
1 teaspoon oregano

{Directions} ::
1. Brown beef, onion and green pepper in large pan. Drain grease and place beef mixture in crockpot.
2. Add all other ingredients listed above.
3. Stir until well mixed. Cook in crockpot for 10 hours on low or 6 hours on high.

This recipe freezes really well and will keep frozen for up to three months.

Wow, I cannot believe it’s already February…last month was busy with parties, custom orders and DIY fun – and I can’t wait to share some stuff with you this month! But first things first, with Valentine’s Day now just under 2-weeks away, I wanted to show you some love with some Free Valentine’s Day Printables {click here to download}. Perfect for your kid’s classroom cards, sharing the love with the office, or giving treats to friends. Enjoy!




Click here to download these Valentine’s Day Printables, and other free printables here. And check out my Valentine’s Day Inspiration Board for entertaining ideas from last month, there is still time to order!

So switching mental gears from Valentine’s Day prep to Super Bowl Party prep, and thought for this Cocktail Friday I’d explore a beer cocktail. With microbrews becoming more and more popular, so are these beer cocktails (who knew?). This one caught my eye, and seemed like something that everyone could enjoy. So whether you’re tailgating this weekend or watching the playoffs at home, here’s a beer cocktail you could try as “homework” for your Super Bowl party!

Ingredients
- 1 oz. Southern Comfort
- ½ oz. Aperol (or Campari)
- Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Saison (or another golden ale microbrew)

1. Pour Southern Comfort into a highball with ice.
2. Add Aperol and top off with Ommegang Hennepin.

Pretty easy, right? Cheers!

{Source} DailyCandy {Photo Credit} Alchemy

How is Valentine’s Day under a month away? I feel like I’m still regrouping from the holiday madness…but with all the adorable red, pink and white stuff out there, it’s time to give in! Here are a few items I’m loving right now on Etsy, all of which would be perfect additions to any Valentine’s Day shindig you’re hosting.

Dress up your cupcakes with these incredibly unique show-stopping pinwheel cupcake toppers {2}, add a pop of color to your dessert table with these beautiful red velvet heart macaroons {4}, and show your drinks some love with these adorable red heart straws {1}. Having an adult dinner party? Bring out the inner-child in your dinner guests with these felt fortune cookies {3}, put them at each person’s placesetting and get some laughs as everyone read’s their Valentine’s fortune at the end of the evening. And don’t forget to send your guests home with something sweet, wrap up these pink and red swirl lollipops {6} with some “be my valentine” ribbon {5} for an easy and pretty favor. Resource links below the photos, happy shopping!

{Shopping Resources} :: 1. Heart Straws, $3.50 for 15 straws {photo credit hwtm.com} | 2. Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers, $6 for 12 Pinwheels | 3. Felt Fortune Cookies, $22 for a dozen | 4. Red Velvet Heart Macaroons | 5. “Be My Valentine” Ribbon, $10 for four yards | 6. X & O Lollipops, $12 for four lollipops