Iron Cupcake Challenge: Squash

Check out my post from last month for the details on this event.

This month's ingredient was SQUASH. 

Here's a few of the entries:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupakes (this was probably my personal favorite of the night)

Roasted Butternut Squash Cupcakes with Cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

Topped with Toasted Pecans

Pumpkin Pie Poppers:

Crusted-Bottom Cupcake with a Layer of Pumpkin Spice Cake and a Layer of Pumpkin Pie Filling

Topped with Whipped Buttercream and a Fondant Fall Leaf

Pumpkin Curry Cupcakes

Orange Buttercream Frosting

Topped with a Crystalized Ginger Chip

Chocolate Cupcakes

Filled and Topped with Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Lemon Raspberry Zucchini Cupcakes

Cream Cheese Frosting

Topped with Fresh Raspberries

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Topped with Pumpkin Seeds

Butternut Squash and Butterscotch Cupcakes

Topped with Carmel Cream Cheese Frosting

And finally, my entry:

Acorn Squash Spice Cupcakes

Hazelnut Buttercream Frosting

Topped with German Chocolate Shavings

All were delicious!  There's definitely some great ideas for any fall parties you may have approaching. 

Check back tomorrow for the recipe I used to make my entry...they turned out well, and were EASY! 

Real Party: Glamorous Urban Wedding

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Earlier this week, I told you about all the fabulous paper items from this wedding. 

The wedding was held at this iconic San Francisco hotel, which just happens to be celebrating it's 100 year anniversary.  Every detail was incredible. 

The ceremony took place under this stunning glass ceiling.  Quite a setting, huh? A nice personal touch to the ceremony: the couple were married by the groom's father. 

Mr. and Mrs.!

The cocktail hour followed the ceremony.  The space was literally covered with candles.

Guests milled about, as appetizers were passed. 

When the main reception hall was opened, it literally took my breath away.

There were both short...

...and tall centerpieces.  And both were stunning. 

The happy couple made their grand entrance, and then shortly after dinner of salmon or prime rib was served. 

Table settings were glammed-up with gold linens, custom menus, satin napkins, and placecards, handwritten by the groom's mother. 

After dinner, guests were invited to visit the candy bar. 

Custom labels were on each candy vessel.

This was one of the most amazing cakes I have ever seen. 

In case any guest's sweet tooth wasn't satisfied, these little treats were also served after dinner.

A highlight of this party was the photobooth.  Guests had a blast cramming into the booth throughout the reception to pose with friends and family.  Aren't the bride and her brothers cute?

Congratulations Leslie & Pavel! 

P.S. Check out the detail on that cake!

Wedding: All Things Paper

This weekend we attended (another) wedding.  I am still recovering from all the fun, and will work on a detail-packed post later this week.

For now I wanted to share the fabulous paper-goods from this party.  This lucky bride has a graphic-designer for a bridesmaid who created the beautiful design just for her.

I am absolutely in love with the classy, but fun, pink swirls.  
(click on the pictures to get a closer look at the design)

  The invitation

The program

The program - inside

The menu

warning: if you are hungry, do not read the menu...it will make it much worse. :)

I'll be back with more details later this week.  Hope to see ya back here soon!

I am Loving: Dish Towels

I love when dishtowels are used as cloth napkins. 

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They are nicely absorbent, often much more so than cloth napkins. 

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They open up a whole new world of patterns to perfectly match your tablescape. 

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 And there are endless options for holiday towels that are appropriate for use as napkins. 

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Check your kitchen drawers for towels that could double as napkins for tonight's dinner!

Football Season

It's that time of year again...football games will be on the TV several days a week at our house.  To put it mildly, this is not my favorite thing.  My husband watches games that aren't even for "his" team because he is in a fantasy football league! "Every game is important now Sandi," he tells me.  It's enough to drive a girl crazy!

Well, something good has to come from all this.  I must make one of these very soon:

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Cutie little cupcakes, complete with tufts of grass

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Fooball truffles, by Bakerella

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Sugarcookie cuteness

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And a tasty cake

Here's wishing you a sweeter football season.  ;) 

Real Party: An Engagement Hoe-Down!

This might be the cutest party I have ever seen.  A friend was kind enough to share her pictures of this amazing event with me, and I cannot wait to pass them on!   P.S.  Thanks Heather!!  :)

These little painted signs were everywhere.  The rustic wood and funky fonts added to the cowboy-casual decor.

Every guest came in Western gear. 

Of course refreshments were available in only the classiest of serving-ware.  ;)

Margarita, please!

Bandanas and sunflowers and hay bales galore!

I'd say this advice is worth more than 2 cents...

Out of all the creative touches, the best part of this party decor was definitely the lights. 

We've all seen lanterns and strings of lights before, but these are truly amazing. 

Congratulations to the happy couple! I can only imagine how fantastic the wedding will be!