Easter Cake Pops

Last year I attempted to make Bakerella's Easter Egg Cake Pops for my niece and nephews. 

I'm not sure that I did them justice, but it was a lot of fun!

I "planted" them in flower pots from the dollar section at Target...

...with a little Easter grass and candy eggs. 

Cute! 

Now I need to figure out what I'm making them this year...

Real Party: Nesting Baby Shower

This lucky mom-to-be had another cute baby shower.  My friend Megan threw a nesting shower for her sister a couple weeks ago, and was nice enough to share her pictures with me.  

Megan used these cute invitations from Etsy: 

The fresh color scheme was pulled from these: orange, green, and turquoise.  

Some very cute details...

Lunch was a make-your-own panini bar (who doesn't love that?!) and  yummy salads. 

Tissue poms and taper candles decorated the food station. 

Adorable birds nest cupcakes were served for dessert. 

Favors were candy eggs packaged in cute little brown bags tied with coordinating ribbon. 

The Best Nest doubled as a guest book and a gift for the baby.  (This book complimented the theme, and was a favorite childhood book of the mom-to-be). 

The mom-to-be was given a cute sash to wear. 

Oh Baby! Custom Shower Decor contributed a banner to the party..."Welcome to the Nest". 

Here's a couple close-ups of the banner: 

Congratulations Emily!  And cute party Hostess Megan!

I am Loving: Easter Trees

I loved decorating our Easter tree with my Mom when I was growing up.

Now I love these beautiful versions.

Bright and fun, from Womans Day.

 

A subtler, more sophisticated version, from Country Living.

Martha's lovely version. 

DIY Idea: Dark Easter Eggs

I was flipping through our newest issue of Sunset Magazine tonight, and came across a great Easter tip. 

They suggest dyeing brown eggs, rather than the traditional white eggs.  Apparently it makes the colors darker and brighter.  Who ever said Easter had to be all pastels? 

image via

 

I think its a brilliant idea.  And the colors are brilliant too. :) 

Have you ever tried this? 

Wine Tasting Weekend!

What a fun weekend it was...so sad its over! 

We hit up a few local wineries with friends, and I thought I'd share some highlights...

Our first stop was the beautiful Loma Prieta Winery. 

We tasted many wonderful wines...including some straight from the barrel, which was very cool! 

I learned two things that are worth sharing: 

Many of the oak barrels that wine is aged in are from Missouri.  Thanks so to any Missourian's out there for making California wines so tasty! 

And, for the first time I tasted a wine called a Pinotage.  Any wine connoisseurs out there - you must try this! Its primarily grown in South Africa, but a few US growers are getting into it now.  Delicious! 

Next stop was Burrel School Vineyards & Winery. 

This winery was a one-room school house in the 1800's, that has been converted to its present form.  

I loved the names of the wines here: Spring Break Syrah, Honor Roll Merlot, Teacher's Pet Chardonnay! 

So fun! 

Reminded me of this shower that I shared recently...which is popping up all over the blogosphere.  Any of these wines would've been perfect to serve! :)

Cheers!

I am Loving: Paper Circle Garlands

When I saw this post today, with this lovely display...

 Candy bar by Photographer Jen Williams and Event Planner Julianne Cragg from A Modern Proposal, spotted at Save the date for Cupcakes

...I was reminded of how much I love these paper circle garlands. 

Simple & Pretty.

Of course there are a million on Etsy that I am coveting...

DDJah

3GIRLSandagoat

kategreiner

Such fun spring colors too! 

I hope I have an occasion soon to use one of these little beauties! 

I am Loving: Cake Stands

I love love love me a good cake stand.  

In honor of the little Irish in me...here's some cute green ones I found today.

Aren't they lovely?  I could use every single one I think. I am green with envy... :)

Hope you're having a sweet St. Patrick's Day! 

Photo credits: 

1. Green glass stand, from Ebay

2.  Hobnail cake plates, from Les Smith Glass company, as seen in Country Living Magazine

3. Milk Glass Cake Stands, from ReFreshments

4. Green Cake Stand, from Kaboodle

5. Parisian Crackle Cake Stand, from Amazon
6. Ribbon stands, from Layla Grace

7.  Cake Stands, from Bauer Pottery

I am Loving: Spring Partyware from Target

Have you seen the millions of commercials for the new Liberty of London line at Target? 

They have been non-stop these last few weeks. 

The line debuted on today, and I had to check it out! 

I found some very cute pieces, in beautiful patterns.  

Serving ware and plates, in gorgeous patterns.

Wouldn't these be cute for a spring or summer garden party? Shower, kid's birthday party, luncheon...I can just picture the cute table display with these beauties! 

This adorable watering can would be great for watering flowers...but I'd use it as a vase to hold flowers at a garden party.  Isn't it sweet?!

Love the little daisies on this plate.  It is even cuter in real life.  The yellow in the center of the flowers is brighter, and the back of the plate is yellow.  I am loving this black, white, and yellow combination --it has been all over the blogosphere lately!  I'm thinking these will be hot colors for summer.  

I had fun today browsing through some cute housewares, paper items, and then found myself a new shirt. :)  Check it out!

Real Party: Ruby Red San Francisco Wedding

Awhile I ago I told you about Montage Event Management, which was started by a friend of mine.   While I was away on vacation, they got the website is up and running! It looks great -- make sure and check it out! 

My friend Samantha shared some pics of a beautiful wedding they recently helped with. 

Isn't it beautiful?!

I love the deep red color.  I love the way they took pictures around their city.  And I like the way a few stems of flowers were put inside vases....a very cool look.  Isn't that shot of the reception space amazing?! 

Photos by the talented Heather Kincaid.  Check out her blog -- many visual delights!

The ceremony was held at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. 

The reception was held at the historic Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco.

DIY Idea: St. Patty's Centerpieces

Better Homes and Gardens (one of my personal favorite sites for inspiration) has done it again! 

So many great centerpiece ideas for St. Patrick's Day!  Lucky me!

Potted shamrock plants (which are apparently called Oxalis. Who knew?)...maybe you'll get lucky and have a 4-leafed one in the mix!

Even more creative than shamrocks: Bells of Ireland! I love these flowers! (I had some in my bridal bouquet!)

Green glass bottles of all shapes and sizes...I see these often at yard sales...will have to grab some!

Re-purposed green Christmas ornaments.  Perfect! 

Just trade them out for the red ones if you used those for Valentine's Day. :) 

Thanks BHG! 

Real Party: Schoolhouse Baby Shower

I have the cutest baby shower to share with you! 

The mom-to-be is a teacher, and the schoolhouse theme was adorable! 

Simple little details made this party! 

Apples and books, stacked on cake stands of all sizes.  A chalkboard with the party's "schedule".  Poms and alphabet signs decorated the food area. 

Lunch was so cute! 

Customized waterbottles, sandwiches, salads, and the decorations complete the scene.

 

Peanut butter and jelly bars, warm chocolate chip cookies, and milk were served for dessert. 

The adorable mom-to-be eating her lunch on a cafeteria tray. 

The mom-to-be's students had secretly written her advice on being a mom.  These were read aloud during the scheduled "storytime". Isn't that a great idea? 

Guests left with goodies, in brown lunch sacks of course! 

Thank you Megan for sharing your pictures with me! What a great shower! 

Congratulations Emily!!

So happy...

via

...for her! 

Definitely a well-deserved award! 

I'm back!

It's been a crazy few weeks! We had a blast on our trip...but it's nice to be home.  

Looking forward to clicking around and seeing what everyone has been up to! 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by while I was away. 

Here's a few highlights of our trip: 

 

  

So much fun! Back to real life now I guess...  

PS I highly recommend both places if you are planning a vacation!

Its Academy Award Time!

Already?

I know! Its seems like it came up again so quickly!

To have a proper Oscar Party, you must have a prediction pool.  

Cash prizes optional...but recommended! :)

Here's a downloadable version of mine to use at your party:

Oscar Predictions

Look at these cuties available from Sprinkles March 5-7th: Red Carpet Cupcakes.

A nice addition to any Oscar party. 

Real Party: My Bridal Shower!

Keeping with my recent theme of past real parties...I thought I'd share my own bridal shower that my sweet bridesmaids threw for me.  They did such a great job! 

How cute is this invitation? 

I loved how they made it look like a little tag. 

My wedding colors were bright pink & green, and the hostesses used these colors a lot at the shower also. 

 

They made a cute runners for the tables in the colors. 

  

These adorable bud vases doubled as decorations and party favors.  

Bright gerbera daisies - my favorite!

 My friend Megan's famous sugar cookies...aren't they beautiful? 

 

The highlight of the day? The scrapbook that all the women in my life contributed to...each made a page with memories of the past and wishes for the future...I love it!

What a fun day! I had the best bridesmaids!   Thanks again girls! :)

Real Party: Bridal Shower Luncheon

Remember this wedding?  Her shower took place a few months earlier. 

It was a beautiful outdoor luncheon. 

One of the hostess' daughters makes doll-size wedding dresses.  They were used as centerpieces at the party.  They were seriously amazing.  We had a great time deciding which we would choose if they were life-sized. 

 

The thoughtful bride gave spatulas in fun colors as party favors.  They complimented the cookbook prizes given for winning games too.

I loved this game that her bridesmaids created:  (this bride is a celebrity-maniac!)

(I scanned my copy, so its not the best quality...but this would be easy to recreate.  Just make sure all the celebrity couples are still together!  I think #26 has broken up, and this was less than 6 months ago!  #30 is the groom's name...a freebie!) 
I would rather play this game (or this one) than make a toilet paper wedding dress any day! :)