Serve Ciao Bella Sorbet at your next cocktail party!

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

You guys know that I had a makeover by Mom's Fashion File, right? (said sarcastically and with a wink).  I'm not trying to rub it in to those that didn't win, or brag about how fantastic I looked "after".   It was an amazing opportunity on so many levels.  I met many beauty experts and successful professional bloggers but it really came down to the amazing group of sponsors they put together including those from their Secret Style Suite party.  The absolute highlight for me (and not just because it contained alcohol that I required before the fashion show) were the cocktails created using some of the Ciao Bella Sorbets.  (Remember I posted a brief snippet about them about a month ago?) Absolute cool fantasticness and you SO totally need to set up a bar at your next party. 

Ciao Bella uses all natural ingredients and delicious, bold flavors and is a favorite of my family.  I am dying to try the Peach Ginger Sorbet though, so if anyone in Orange County runs across it can you let me know! I look at every market I visit and have yet to find it! 

Follow Ciao Bella on Twitter and Facebook! 

Here are some recipes for you to try out.  You will not be disappointed!

{peach ginger margarita}

1/2 pint CIAO BELLA Peach Ginger Sorbet

1/2 pint CIAO BELLA Lemon Zest Sorbet

1/2 cup lime juice

1 cup tequila (white or golden)

1/4 cup Cointreau

Ice Cubes

Optional:  salt for the rim

Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.  Pour into a margarita glass with a salted rim.  Add more ice as needed.

{wild blueberry lemon drop}  I heard RAVE reviews about this one

2 oz. citrus vodka

1 oz. Cointreau

2 oz. lemonade

CIAO BELLA Wild Blueberry Sorbet (very soft)

Optional:  sugar for the rim and CIAO BELLA Lemon Zest Sorbet

Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.  Pour into a chilled martini glass with a sugared rim.  Garnish with a small scoop of Wild Blueberry or Lemon Zest Sorbet!

{blood orange sparkling sangria} This is the one I had...PERFECTION!

One bottle sparkling wine (can use white or rose)

1/2 cup Cointreau

1 pint fresh raspberries

1 pint strawberries (cleaned and cut in to small pieces)

CIAO BELLA Blood Orange, CIAO BELLA Prickly Pear Sorbet or CIAO BELLA Peach Ginger Sorbet (all good options)

Pour wine and Cointreau into a pitcher.  Delicately add fruit and ice.  Pour into glasses and garnish with CIAO BELLA sorbets.  

{pickly pear bellini}

Sparkling wine (prosecco, cava or champagne)

CIAO BELLA Prickly Pear Sorbet

Optional:  fresh fruit for garnish, CIAO BELLA Blood Orange Sorbet or CIAO BELLA Raspberry Sorbet

Pour the sparkling wine into a champagne flute leaving plenty of room at the top.  Slowly add a small scoop of the Prickly Pear sorbet to the glass.  Be mindful as it will likely foam up over the rim of the glass.  Cheers!  

Go try it.  Now.  

Sharon

Top 2 photos by Amy Winkelmann for Cupcakes and Cutlery

Bottom 2 photos by Bella Diva Photo (see more shots of the Ciao Bella Table from the party here)

Cocktails for the weekend

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

This weekend I will be luxuriating in a rented home in Palm Springs, CA with a wonderful group of friends (holla Genette!!! Thank you for being born so we could celebrate you in style! :).  I was on a twitter party earlier this week and found out that you could make some amazing cocktails with Ciao Bella Sorbets...yeah.  While I don't know any specific recipes yet (I think they are unveiling them soon) but I'm sure I can come up with something.  I can think of nothing better than sitting on a raft in a pool with a wonderfully chilly sorbet cocktail.  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!  Oh and expect light posts next week as we are home from Palm Springs on Sunday afternoon, home for two days and then headed back out with the boys for our first ever family vacation!  Woo Hoo!!!!!!

Sharon

image via Ciao Bella

The cutest ruffled streamers from plastic tablecloths!

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

If you found me via Pinterest, please note that my blog has moved!!!  

CupcakesAndCutlery.com

How cute are these!  I'm not even sure how this idea came to me (and it has probably already come to someone else out there too...) but I started thinking about how sometimes when you stretch plastic it warps it and creates a sort of lettuce edge.  I gave it a try and they turned out super cute.  So with just using a cheap plastic tablecloth you can create bunches of darling ruffled streamers.

This streamer above was the white version I tried a few weeks ago.  Now, these plastic streamers might not work for someone who is a total perfectionist and needs everything to look super finished and polished.  For me, however, these are perfect!  My first intro to ruffled garlands was from the radically talented Jenny of Hank and Hunt.  Hers are made from fabric and are gorgeous but since my sewing skills are elementary at best, there was is chance that I could recreate those.  If by chance you are a sewing maven, go check out her tutorial here.  When I read it I thought for a very brief second that I might be able to, in fact, give them a shot.  But alas, no way.

I have a bunch of plastic tablecloths on hand so I'm not sure of the exact cost but I would have to say each would be between $1 and $2.  And because I get bored very easily when putting together a tutorial, I didn't cut the whole cloth to see how many garlands you could get out of it.  Here is my estimate:  a bunch, ok I'd guess about 15 depending on the width you cut.  I'd also like to point out the wrinkles in my cute fabric tablecloth.  Ain't no chance I'm going to be ironing things before I do a tutorial.  Given that most of them take place during a nap time, and I'm lazy, chances are good that you will be seeing wrinkles in most of my instructions.

Do not unfold the tablecloth once you take it out of the package.  You will want to find the side with the end of the tablecloth, not the fold, so when you cut you will get a strip.  And thanks to that last sentence I could quite possibly be the worlds worst tutorialist.  Cut as many strips as you want.

If only I had a third hand this portion of the tutorial would be more informative.  Basically you will want to the plastic in one hand between your thumb and pointer finger and hold the plastic the same way in the other hand right next to the first hand.  And pull your thumbs away from each other.  Give it a test so you can figure out how much and how far you should stretch it.  The good thing about these is that they are never going to come out exactly the same as the last stretch so variety is fine.  Also, you will tear the plastic once in a while.  As long as you haven't torn it clear through to the other side, it is also fine. The tear sort of ruffles as well and blends in.  I wouldn't point the tears out to my party guests but I would totally use the garland.

Stretch down one length of the plastic strip and then flip the strip over and do the other side.

I did this when my husband was out of the house.  When he got home he thought they were really cool but swears it must be too time consuming.  Uh, hullo!  I did it!  It's totally not time consuming.  And this is one of those party projects you could easily do while watching tv.  I even tried putting two strips of the plastic on top of each other to stretch two at once.  It worked great!

I'm not sure if you all have heard but California had some "weather" this weekend.  It was freezing outside the day I did this (you guys, it was like 54).  So I literally stapled these babies up, took as many pictures as I could and ran back inside.  I could have hung them up cuter but quite frankly my fingers were beginning to get frost bite (yes, I'm a baby).  But here is the amazing thing.  They are still up in my backyard as we speak.  They have been outside through rain, hail, wind and sun.  They look exactly the same as when I first put them up.  These would be so great for anywhere that is windy or has lots of moisture in the air.

They are also SUPER lightweight.  Although I used my staple gun I am pretty sure that depending on what type of surface you are trying to attach to, most kinds of tape should be able to hold them.

I think what I like most about the idea of using a plastic tablecloth to make really cheap, really cute ruffles is that you can make a ton for next to nothing.  I can see using a ton of them, all different colors for a crazy photobooth back drop.  Which would cost you around $5.  While it does take some of your time to make them, you could make a huge impact with these around your party.

I also wondered if you could do it around the edge of the tablecloth to get a super girly ruffly look.  You totally can!  Don't judge my composition.  I was working against the clock here people.

Wait, what's that you say, Sharon.  It was freezing outside the day you did this tutorial?  Oh and there is your son barefoot out on the freezing concrete with no jacket.  And to you I say, yes.  You are right.  I think this shall secure the sarcastic mother of the year award for me.  But I just needed one quick picture of this last garland.  This is made from a black utility trash bag.  I just needed to see if it would work.  It did. 

Sharon

Hank and Hunt has new goodies!

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

Um.  Have you seen these new goodies from Hank and Hunt? Ridiculous.  Check out that metal cupcake stand!!!!!  What?!? And her printables...the ikat and confetti? Gingham! Sheer genius. Go buy them.  Right now.  Printies are like $5.  Less than Starbucks.  (ok, I never spend that much on a drink at Starbucks but I have to imagine that the big gulp size costs the same as a smart car).  So proud of Jenny and the products she is adding.  She is truly talented.  I want to be her when I grow up.

Sharon
image via Hank and Hunt.

A delightful discovery

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

My four year old son, Oliver,  is kind of amazing.  He is totally smarter than a 5th grader, he's loves music and comes up with amazing party ideas all the time.  Take, for instance, his brother's 2nd birthday party.  It was Oliver's idea to do a juice bar.  I was floored.  What a brilliant idea.  And I did it too.  I will be showing photos soon.  And it was his discovery this evening that I just had to share with the rest of you.  My son used to have an iphone - don't get all judgey, it was mine but then I got a new one.  He'd play games and listen to music and one day it died.  A moment of silence please.  No really, that is all I get now that he doesn't have it to play with.  So now, from time to time, I let him play with my ipod that I have in the kitchen which provides our soundtrack to dinner.  Tonight, he was in the other room and came running excitedly in the kitchen with the ipod and his paper amp.  You know, the ones that go with those weird flat guitars that were all the rage this Christmas?  He says, "Mom!  The music totally comes out of the amp!"  And he was right.  And it kinda sounded pretty good!  Why hadn't I known this two weeks ago for his brother's bday?  It would have worked way better than the tiny speaker we had.  So I wanted to share with all you party mom's.  Go steal your kid's amp!  And the funniest part is that it is small and nondescript and could easily fit in to a party scene without someone asking you what the heck you are thinking.  Crazier still?  They cost between $8-$15 depending on where you purchase.  Party on, dudes.

Sharon
Please notice the oversized cowboy boots on my younger son in the photo.  Although he has some in his own size, he much prefers his older bro's.  Do not think your screen is distorting it, I know it sort of look like his legs are on wrong.

Like an entertaining mullet - photo shoot in the front, party in the back

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

First, I want to thank all of you who have shared kind words with us about this photoshoot.  Choosing to do the shoot the weekend before Christmas might have been one of the worst ideas I've ever had but the stress was totally worth it.  I am in LOVE with how everything turned out, the vendors we got to work with and the fact that Lauren and I had an amazing time working together on it.  (If you haven't followed this project from the beginning, read this post first).  

    

I didn't know Lauren before this project but thought she might be the perfect partner.  And I was totally right.  I could not have guessed how well the planning and styling of this party could have gone.  We were on the same page the entire time down to the types of champagne glasses to use.  We complemented each other really well and I can't wait to work on our next project...

Although we originally set out to do a New Year's Eve party, I love that we kept it from being too themey and allowed it to shine as a girly shindig too.  The glittered jax and pink yo yo's lent a sense of whimsy and pink glass accents were subtle and sweet.  We used mostly rosey-gold tones to keep the look cohesive and grown up along with gold which added just the right sparkle without being over the top.  The gold cake stand that Lauren made (available on her Etsy shop) and the tiered plate stand (inspired by a silver one seen in the December issue of Real Simple Magazine) added a ton of interest and can be re-used in all kinds of other celebrations.

Both Lauren and I enjoy hitting the thrift stores for party pieces.  These glasses can be found in abundance and were such a great touch for the party.  To me, these glasses are really feminine and are fit for pink champagne.  Having a lot of guests and don't want to buy a ton?  Buy just a few and use them to serve candy, plop a big candle in it or turn it over and put a plate on it for a quick pedestal.    

I love the idea of serving a signature cocktail to keep from having to supply a full bar.  I have never been trained as a bartender so I don't know the first thing about mixology or even which brands are better than others.  When you are using mixers, you don't have to worry (as much) about the quality of the liquor and everyone loves something new.  How freaking adorable are those labels?  Can you believe that Lauren did those by hand?!  Traditional calligraphy can take a hike.  For those of us less than blessed in the writing department, there are various free girly fonts we could use instead like Champignon, Loopi, Gruenewold, and the unfortunately named Breast Bomb.

Because we were focused on creating the decor from the pages of a magazine, were were able to introduce a few other subtle colors through the various garlands we hung.  To make this even more girly, you could easily use a variety of coordinating scrapbook paper for the garlands.  There are also some great wrapping papers out right now (thank you Valentine's Day...) that could be used.  

To mimic the jagged edges of the starbursts we used throughout the decor, I found these opaque white star lights at Ikea and we made a quick "lantern" with them for the table.  Although I like the idea of candlelight, I have an irrational fear of open flame and sometimes there is more drama with a harder light.  Shadows can keep a pink party in check.  

Noisemakers scream New Year's Eve, but with the right color glitter, they become a girly accessory.  To all those about to get married, we salute you.  But we also implore your bridal party to leave the male anatomy doodads at home for your bachelorette party.  Want to be noticed?  Pass out glittered noisemakers.  That will cause an entrance that won't go unnoticed.  Just be sure to appoint one person noisemaker collector so as the drinks start flowing the noisemakers won't turn in to the cause of a bar brawl. 

These fancy little numbers in the champagne flutes didn't come out until much later in the night, after the photographers were long nestled in their beds.  But they were a super fun touch and totally girly.  I liked the idea of a non-baked dessert and came across this recipe by Donna Hay for basically a fancy jello shot.  They are made with cranberry juice, gelatin, vanilla beans, and vodka (I used raspberry vodka) and poured over sliced strawberries to set.  A dollop of whipped cream and they are ready.  If you know me at all you know my motto is "can't leave well enough alone" so I wanted to add some "bubbles" to the top since they would be served in a champagne flute.  I basically made a krispy treat but substituted Kix cereal and used a few pink marshmallows to give it a hint of pink.  I think they added a nice touch.  

So whether you like this party for New Year's or any girl get together we thank you for coming back each day to see more of the project.  The project wouldn't have happened with Real Simple Magazine having such lovely pages so I'm just going to give you a quick little run down of all the items we were able to make with them:

-paper jewelry

-all kinds of different garlands

-placemats

-placecards (see them above, the actual names were made with letters cut out of the magazines gift guide.  Each section of the guide had a title and I was able to find all the letters for each girl's name there)

-Signs

-Photo props

-Calendar favors

-Ribbon decoration 

-Chandelier

-Drink Labels

-Napkin Rings

Lauren has some photos up today as well.  Hop on over to see her wrap up!!  

And a huge thank you to our vendors and sponsors who collaborated with us on this very fun project:

-Meringue Bake Shop - The most fabulous desserts ever!  Kristin, thank you, as always, for your willingness to participate in my crazy adventures.  You never hesitate and always come up with unique ideas.  You are truly an artist and so much better then anyone knows yet.  Seriously, your PushCakes are IT for me.  I love that you are always trying new things and pushing bakery boundaries.   I look forward to you getting the attention you deserve and I will help you to do that in any way I can. 

  

-Up Imagery - Ed and Desi MADE this shoot.  Given a time crunch, (ok huge underestimation of the time set up would take on our part) they styled some of the detail shots themselves and they came out amazing.  Big thanks to Eva for matching us up!  Their excitement about the project from the very start kept me going.  I love their shooting style and they were a joy to work with.  Can't wait to work with them again and look forward to keeping up on their blogs to see their work!     

-Lucid Absinthe - Thank you for working with me on a recipe for the signature cocktail.  I NEVER would have come up with that on my own!  Thank you also for the product sample! 

-Freixinet and Segura Viudas - Thank you for the samples you sent for the shoot.  Both were delightful and fit the party perfectly.    

-Glue Dots - Thank you for supplying all the adhesive we could ever need for the paper crafting we did on this project.  The ease of use of your products and versatility were perfect for this crafty party decor.  You were on board with us from day one and we appreciate your generosity. 

photo by Up Imagery

-Amy - In the midst of packing up your old house and preparing to move in to your new one (as well as preparing for Christmas) you offered to make a full meal for us.  Not only did it look good but it tasted amazing.  I thank you for your friendship and appreciate all the support you have given me in this project and in others.  I look forward to seeing what the new year has in store for you (hint - it involves food and Amy becoming a star...)

-Taryn - Thank you for letting us take over your house for the day to shoot the party and then actually have a little party.  The fact that you let us invade your space was so generous and the fact that you are about 20 months pregnant is even more mind blowing.  You are an amazing friend to me and giving beyond belief and I adore you.  

-Lindsey - Thank you for picking up the pink rock candy for us.  It may seem like a little task, but the party would have felt undone to me without it.  And that just lets you know how crazy I am but that really helped us out!  You did whatever little jobs we gave you and were just plain fun to hang out with. Thank you for everything!  

Lauren - Seriously, you are awesome.  I am beyond impressed by your talents and am so happy that you are mere minutes from me.  I am so glad that we were able to meet, create an amazing project and become friends.  This would not have been possible without you and I am truly grateful that you were willing to work around my schedule with the kids to get everything done.  Cheers to 2011!!!

Sharon

All photos, except group photo, taken by me

Potter and Butler is here!!!

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

Thanks a lot, Emily. I desperately need to go get in the shower so I can finish packing and catch a plane and now, here I sit writing a new, unscheduled post. Emily of Hello!Self,

has been teasing a new celebration decor company and I have patiently waited. Its finally here!!! Introducing Potter and Butler.
The colors she uses are a delightful change to some of the more subdued stuff out there right now. They are all handmade and use lovely fabrics.
Look how elegant and simple this looks on the plate and ads an amazing pop of color.
Sure we've seen poms, but there is something about these that makes them dainty yet powerful.
Gorgeous!! You could forgo florals all together and just use poms.
LOVE! You've got to check out the rest of her stuff on Etsy. So great! Congrats, Emily on a site well done. And Potter and Butler is on twitter too!

Sharon

All images via Potter and Butler

Stylecology - Plan your next party in style

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

Stylecology is an online store that offers stylish and unique accessories, gifts and products for every phase of life but also is the perfect place to browse for your wedding supplies. They have a variety of hostess and baby gift options, jewelry, home decor and more but it is also a place I bet you haven't thought to look when designing a party.

Their wedding section is ripe with great party items. Sure, you might not need table numbers for your next fete but these darling peacock seals and favor tags are a must. (other styles available) Set of 25 for $42.

Who doesn't love this old-fashioned one gallon candy jar? So cute. And the price at $13.32 (price break at 4) is very reasonable. Compared to how much some places charge for the apothecary jars, this is a steal! Oh and Stylecology sells some bulk candy too (by color!).

This glass plate ($29) is billed as a sign-on guest plate. I think it would make a perfect serving tray. Could this by my next inspiration board challenge piece? Because my head is swimming with possibilities.

Looking for personalized ribbon? You can find it here a bevy of colors. Not only can you take care of favors for your bridal shower or bachelorette party, but you can also package them up beautifully. They have dozens of options for boxes and bags but I'm partial to their small cloth bags. So cute!

Ribbon wands ($5.50 each), created by Mary Dann, aren't just for weddings any more. They come in several colors and I happen to know several little girls who love to have these at their next birthday parties.
These votive wraps $2.29 each (set of 24) are a stylish option for adding a little special touch to your event. The available designs are very.

There are great baby gifts, items you are going to want for your home, the most beautiful wrapped soaps. This post doesn't even begin to showcase all that Stylecology has to offer. Check them out for yourself.

Follow them on twitter (@Stylecology) for daily discounts.

Sharon

All photos via Stylecology

Yeah Easter!!!

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

So, my 3 month old has pink eye. We don't leave the house so I am not sure where it came from. And guess what folks? Today my eye is very irritated and I feel like tomorrow morning I will try to open my eye and will find a goopy mess. (sorry about the visual). Of course, this is all perfect timing since A's party for her son (my nephew) is this Saturday. I really hope O doesn't get the eye or else some/all of us won't be able to go. So that is adding a little stress to my life. What else is adding stress? The fact that in two weeks, I will be having house guests, O's super sweet 3 birthday party extravaganza, a small cupcake decorating party for my out of town niece and Easter (oh, did I mention that Easter also happens to be my birthday?). And I am planning all of these things (well except for anything for my birthday because quite frankly, I just don't have the energy!!!). So here is where I will now be a hypocrite and post about a holiday. I believe it was just last week when I told you that I would not do this. But this is too cool to pass up. For O's party, I am going all out (with some design help from A) and making all my own signs, stickers, labels etc., but for my nieces party, I knew I couldn't put too much time into it. But I still want it to be super special and cute. So via decor8, I found Happy Papers. I purchased the Little Red party decor sets (2 sets at $5.00 each - check back after Easter to see photos of both O's party and also the Little Red party) but saw that they also had some Easter decorations too!!!! Would I usually decorate for Easter? No. Do I feel like I have to now because I will have 2 extra little kids in my house that shouldn't have the fun of Easter robbed from them just because they are staying with me? Yes. Thank goodness for the Easter sets!!!!!! Amazing!!! And Happy Papers even has a special deal, purchase 3 download sets, which are usually $5 each for $10 total. And then since, it's not like I have enough parties to plan, I am also co-hosting a bridal shower as well as a bachelorette party. For the bridal shower, I am using the Damask Table for Two downloadable table scape from Paper and Cake. It is going to be so easy to through together (since the party is just two weeks after the party weekend from hell). And they also have an Easter download. So cute!!!! These downloads are also $5 each and couldn't be easier. For all the downloads, both companies are on Etsy, you pay, get the files via email and print and construct (which let me tell you, I am not crafty and these are easy to use and look amazing!). Check out all of the other great party scapes and stationery options. Not sure about customizing the Happy Papers sets (I imagine they would be willing), but I know that Paper and Cake will for sure work with you to meet your needs (at very reasonable prices). Partyscape downloads are my new favorite things and I will be using them for everything!!!!!!! There are a few other Etsy sellers with downloads but that will have to be for another post. I have to go shut my eye.

S-

Party sets to make your party life easier

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

I can be really indecisive about certain things. So I love it when I see something and it helps me make an immediate decision. Such was the case when I saw the Party Sets from Demby and Solomon Fine Printed Goods. Even though we said we weren't going to have another big birthday party for my son until he turns five, we decided a party would be a good way to meet people in our new area. Little did I know that it was going to turn in to a Super Sweet Three (to rival the rap star's kids parties on MTV). My son loves to play with his toy guitars so when I saw the Rockstar party set, I thought, PERFECT! I thought I would buy this kit and it would be a really easy theme to carry out without taking too much time. But then I told the theme to my husband. Yikes! His first reaction was not, "ok, but let's not get carried away" like I thought it would be. No. It was, "I'll build a stage." Uh oh. My plans to use the adorable invitations has also since changed. No longer is it good enough for my husband to send out a nice little invitation. We have upped the ante and will be sending out a video invitation (we are somewhat known for videos, so it kind of makes sense, see here {quick side note: every year we do a themed xmas card and a few years ago we did one as a family band and recorded a song and this was the video to go with the song}and here {youtube took our music off due to copyrighting, whatever, but it was soooo much better with it. It was to a Flaming Lips song and just really made the video}) So what would have been an easy party using the party kits, has no grown in scope and stress (and of course I will post the final pics after the party so stay tuned). But back to the party sets. The graphics are modern, with a touch of whimsy, and are available for all kinds of events. Some are done in a girl or boy version (like the rockstar theme) while most are unisex (like backyard barbecue and bon appetit). I think you will all love these!!! The sets are totally coordinating so if you are like A and I, you know that everything will match and provide a cohesive look for your party (including options for matching postage stamps!). Most sets include an invitation with either a lined envelope or a basic envelope, a return address label, a favor sticker and a thank you note. All items are sold a la cart (which I love - since really I can only work the favor stickers in to my party now that my husband has got all up in my party planning business) with invitations starting at $55 for 25, favor stickers are $25 for 25 and thank you notes starting at $50 for 25. The best way to purchase the sets is to visit the Demby and Solomon website and look up a retailer or email them with your location and party set request. My response was quick and thorough and it has been a pleasure working with the company. Turn around time is generally 3-5 days from an approved proof plus normal shipping time. I have a bridal shower (I LOVE the pop drops) and bachelorette party to plan in the upcoming months as well, and again, these kits would be awesome!!! I hope you all like them. Let me know what set is your favorite! And also take a look at their personalized gift stickers (as seen in Oprah!) and their amazing letterpress. Word on the street is they have some exciting new products in the works as well. And we'll be sure to let you know as soon as they debut.

S-

In Stores Only

We've moved to www.cupcakesandcutlery.com - you'll be redirected to this post in a moment.

There was that time in my life, not too long ago really, where it seemed like everyone I knew was getting married. Our lives were consumed by MS Weddings magazines and putting together the perfect color palette. Come to think of it, my wedding might be one of the first real parties I put together. (Which is frustrating because now when I look back, there are things that kill me. Okay, so I'm probably the only one who would notice, but whatever.) Anyway, I think it was planning my wedding that gave me a love for party planning. I still get some great ideas for parties by browsing through wedding magazines. And although generally weddings are a whole thing of their own that we like to kind of steer clear of, occassionally you run across something great for "weddings" that can be adapted to other parties too. That's what makes me love the new line by BRIDES magazine. Its another one of those "available in stores only" products by Michaels (note to anyone who might be a decision maker at Michaels - can you please put together an online store like everyone else????) Anyway, this is a great line. They've got several complete sets for weddings complete with everything you could need - from save the date cards and invites to labels, favors, seating cards, gift bags, confetti, you name it. The sets are all modern, stylish, elegant and completely customizable. Plus, totally affordable which is my favorite part. You can view the whole line here at Michaels.com, although I really feel like the photos don't do the line justice, which is frustrating for a blogger but trust me, its worth taking a peak at. And the next time you're planning a large soiree or even looking for a unique shower or birthday theme, think about making a trip to pick up everything you could need. And then get busy writing a strongly worded letter to Michaels for not having an online store.

a-