Five Lucky Charms

My Working Life (So Far)

2011-02-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

So here is how it goes. When I was growing up my parents owned their own shop. They worked ALL the time. Most of my childhood I sat among boxes in a storeroom. I watched Golden Girls. I read Archie. I also worked. Age appropriate jobs, of course. So I started my working life at 10. By the time I was old enough to get a worker's permit I hightailed it out of there and got a job somewhere else. Working for your family isn't fun. Actually working for other people isn't fun either. Working for your family is even less fun. So I worked every summer until I graduated college and got a full time big person job. Then I got a better big person job and then another. Then I had a baby. Well, that was the end of the big person job. Then I had another baby, and then another and before I called it a day I had one more.

Actually a whole, huge amount of fun and exciting things also happened but that isn't part of this story. This is about working and where I am now. It's time to decide what comes next.

Here is what I know. I love making my own schedule. I like being here when the kids get off the bus. I love that summer is not spent in an office looking out the window wishing I were outside. Basically I want to work from 10-3 and have most of the summer off. Sounds like a great job, doesn't it?? There's just tons of jobs like that around!

I have a plan. A work from home, have my own business plan. It does not require me to actually make anything because I'm not good at making anything but nachos. I can make really great nachos. So more details later. I have plenty of time before my little guy is in school long enough for me to be productive. So why not stretch this out in two, ten or 30 posts?

A Little Changeroo

2011-01-31T09:33:00.000-08:00

I'm cleaning up the place. A new header, new layout and it's taking forever!! Why does this stuff take so long to do? Or is it just me? Anyhow...I'll have a new post soon. In the meantime know that my poor technically challenged self is taking 45 minutes to just change the font.

Summertime, Summertime

2010-08-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have not been around much lately. Summer has been good to me. Many trips to the beach. Lazy days and fun nights. Boat trips and boat drinks. The kids entertained themselves with sandcastles and swimming pools. Some days I just sat at the edge of the surf and stared out to the ocean.

Life is good and in the summer life is very good.

It will all end soon and that's ok. The school bus will come, football will start and I'll dust off the crock pot. All the while dreaming of next summer...........

So much to do!!

2010-06-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

This is going to be one busy week. I have two parties this weekend. Not to go to.......parties here at my house!! My husband scheduled one, I scheduled the other and miscommunication occurred. Actually, he told me about his and I forgot to put it on the calendar. At least they are not on the same day!

Thanks to everyone who gave advice on my beach cupcakes. I think they will turn out so cute. If so I will take pictures. If not I'll just chalk it up to another cupcake experience. So a party on Friday and a party on Sunday and then Father's Day on Sunday. Yikes! I have a lot to do.

I saw these on Martha and I think they will be perfect for the older kids to make.

I also have a bucket left over from Liam's party. I thought we could either write something on it or draw pictures on it and then fill with car wash supplies and he can keep it in the garage. It's a twist on a gift idea I also saw on Martha.

In more relaxing news, just two weeks till our Outer Banks vacation. Fun, fun times around here. Parties, crafts and packing for the beach. I couldn't love summer more than I do right now.

“My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go.”

--Thoreau

Grass or Sand..........

2010-06-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my "End of School" party next week. Having a little cupcake dilemma. I'm doing little fondant flip flops as the cupcake decoration. Perfect.

Now for the hard part. Make grass out of icing? Ice them regular and put brown sugar for sand? Umbrella or no umbrella? or I was even thinking of piping the icing putting the flip flops on top and then using sprinkles.

Isn't summer great? My only dilemma involves flip flops.

images: cocoa and fig and flickr and cupcaketakesthecake.com

Smores for Everyone

2010-05-21T05:16:00.000-07:00

I have Smores on my mind. The weather is getting warmer. People are going camping. People who are not me that is. I make my Smores with a little indoor Smores table my sister bought me. It's great. You make smores without sitting on a log and eating off a tree branch. I'm sure the outdoorsy thing is part of the Smores experience but I just really like the chocolate and melted marshmallow combo.

So here are Smores three ways. One packaged up very pretty for a great summer hostess gift. Next, a Smores cupcake. Lastly, just because it's Friday, a Smores Cocktail. Cheers!

Smores Cupcakes

Smoretini

32 ounces Vodka

16 ounces Chocolate Liqueur

1 64-ounce pitcher

1 sleeve of graham crackers or more if needed

1 jar marshmallow creme (Marshmallow Fluff)

16 martini glasses

1 bag wooden skewers

1 bag miniature marshmallows

Pour vodka and chocolate liqueur into pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for several hours until very cold. Crush a graham crackers and place into a small bowl. Rim martini glasses with marshmallow crème. Dip glasses into graham cracker crumbs and shake gently to remove excess. Place marshmallows on skewers and toast over an open flame (grill or fire pit preferably). Pour 3 ounces of cold drink mixture into each prepared glass and serve with toasted marshmallow as garnish.

Liam's Baseball Party

2010-05-17T04:16:00.000-07:00

Smooch

2010-05-12T04:17:00.000-07:00

We are huggy-kissy types in these parts. What's better than kissing a chubby baby cheek or a hug from a friend you have not seen in a while? That's why last week something painful happened. It was Liam, my little blond love muffin. He asked me if I would kiss him before the bus comes not as the bus is pulling up. Oh no. It's the beginning of the end of smoochville for him and I. How many more kisses can I get in before he won't make eye contact with me and locks himself in his room for six hours?

He's turning six next week. I'd like to say I've been away from the blog because I'm so busy party planning. Not at all. The truth is I have so much to do and I'm going to have to work like a crazy woman to get it all done. It's May. I'm tired of packing lunches and checking homework. I need a vacation. I need a beach and a Margarita. I'm so not in party planning mode. I need a swift kick of motivation!! Help!

A Mexican Cutie

2010-05-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

Is this the Mexican cutie Jimmy Buffett is speaking of? Most likely not but how cute are these Margarita Cupcakes? They are my contribution to tonight's Cinco De Mayo fiesta at my girlfriends house.

I have no idea why Cinco De Mayo is even celebrated but I will take any excuse to drink a margarita on a Wednesday night. Chips and salsa too, what a great holiday! Back to the Margaritaville lyrics.....we have no Mexican cuties in our house but we have plenty of Irish cuties. Here is one of them. I love the pudgy little face!!

cupcake recipe and source

All You Need Is Love

2010-04-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

My "Love and Ice Cream" themed gift is finally together for wedding on Saturday. The bottom gift has ice cream sundae cups (from Homegoods) and a scoop. The second box has ice cream toppings and sprinkles. The top box contains a visa gift card for "a trip to the ice cream store or somewhere else...." All inspired from the free printables at Eat Drink Chic.

I think it turned out pretty cute!

Have a great weekend!

Wedding Bells

2010-04-28T04:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be going to a wedding this Saturday. Not only is it a date night but we stay at a hotel so we don't have to wake up at an ungodly hour with the little people!!

How many weddings have I been to? Lots and Lots. So why is it I have absolutely nothing to wear this Saturday? Nothing. I actually tried on a few things yesterday with my three boys in the dressing room. That is how desperate I am. I need a new dress. A new dress and new shoes. Some highlights would help too but I only have three days.

So before I go I'll post the ice cream themed gift I put together for the bride and groom. It's super cute! Happy Wednesday!

picture source

Tears, Tears, Tears

2010-04-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Before I was a Mom I only cried when something bad happened. Breakups, work problems, bouncing a check. The usual. Thankfully, I wasn't crying very often.

Now I seem to be crying all the darn time. Friday night the school had a program and they did a video montage for the fifth graders involved. They showed their kindergarten picture then faded out to their fifth grade picture. I know not one fifth grader in the school. I cried though the whole 20 minute montage.

Thursday I was at the bus stop just like I am every day. The bus pulled up, opened the doors and off comes my seven year old. This day was different though. She was dressed with paper looking like the statue of liberty. She even had a torch that she held up as she bolted toward me. Tears came and only partly because I didn't have my camera.

You are told a million times before you have kids and after about how fast time goes, how quickly they grow up. The first few years seem to go quickly but manageable. Once they turn five it moves at warp speed. That is when the heartache comes. It's a weird heartache though. It's mixed with happiness. Another reason being a Mother is so hard.

What if they didn't grow up? What if my three year old had never turned four and stayed three forever? (three didn't agree with him so well) Now that would be something to cry about.

image:bakerella

Love and Ice Cream

2010-04-23T04:44:00.000-07:00

I have a wedding to go to next week. I saw these tags on iDiY that were made by Eat Drink Chic and was inspired! So cute. I'm putting together a love and ice cream themed gift for the new couple. I'll take a few pictures once I get it all put together.

Happy Friday!

Testing, Testing

2010-04-21T04:45:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out different recipes for Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes. I made these last night. I like them but don't love them. Needs tweaking. I'm going to try a few more recipes till I find one I love.

Speaking of cupcakes here is my smallest one. He wanted to be my taste tester but he isn't very discriminating when it comes to desserts. He loves them all.

2010-04-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

I wrote last week about my cupcake problem. The one where I need to get in shape but I'm eating cupcakes daily. Saturday my four year old put three cans of diet coke in the freezer when I wasn't looking. A few hours later I opened the freezer to find a cola explosion of massive proportions. Every frozen cupcake left from all the parties was ruined (and two tubs of ice cream). Cupcake problem solved.

Today we are going craft shopping. I'm working on favors and lolly jackets for the baseball party.

I'm also searching for a cupcake to make for the kids on friday. Two of them are in the school variety show so I want to have something for after the show. I'm leaning toward these strawberry lemonade cupcakes. Happy Tuesday!

Cupcake link

Party Peek

2010-04-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the invitations for Liam's party that my friend Janell made for me. She did a great job!

I realize the clock is ticking so my procrastinating tendancies have been set aside. The invites go out today. I've been working on the buckets. As soon as I have one done I'll post a picture. I also changed my mind on the favors. No more burlap bags. What else?? Oh, I was addressing the invites yesterday and my husband walked by. He looked at one and said "Were having a birthday party for Liam?" Oh. Whoops, forgot to mention that I guess.

Pina Colada Anyone?

2010-04-16T02:49:00.000-07:00

I'm having a cupcake issue. Last month I made a lot of cupcakes. Three birthdays X two dozen cupcakes. All the extra ones I wrapped and froze individually. Why did I do that? Every morning over the last month I have defrosted and ate one cupcake with morning coffee. Every morning. This is not a good situation.

On Monday I start Jillian Michael's shred. I keep saying I'm going to start but if I write it here I feel obligated. It's just 20 minutes a day for 30 days but it works. It only works if you do it 30 straight days though. Until Monday......

Here is what I'm making this weekend for a girl's get-together. Pineapple cupcakes with pina colada frosting. A Pina Colada cupcake!! All you need is a cherry and a straw for decoration. Could they be cuter?

Recipe

Lollipop Jackets

2010-04-15T03:55:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday I posted a recipe for Tilapia. It was one of Paula Deen's recipes. I went to the grocery store to buy the tilpaia and other ingredients. Halfway through shopping I made my way to the restroom and who do I see? Paula Deen! True story. I think she was autographing books or something. Anyway today I have decided to post a recipe from Bradley Cooper. Well.........you know I would if he had any!

So I'm going to make these lolly covers for Liam's party. Super easy and using the different papers adds to your decor. Love them. I'm thinking they are also great when your kids need to take in something to school for different holidays. So easy, so cute.

Happy Thursday!

pic source

Thinking About...

2010-04-14T03:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I realized a few things. One is that aside from the 20 minute run to Target here and there I have been with my children every waking moment for the last 2 months or so. This can't be good for the head, can it? Secondly, because of the lack of any solidarity I have somewhat started to resent the 20 minute commute my husband has. Twenty minutes alone with no one asking you anything at all. Sounds like heaven. Lastly, I have come to realize as soon as I start feeling sorry for myself I immediately start feeling guilty. That's what kids do to you. Even bad days are good because you have them.

In party planning news I went to the craft store yesterday to see about fondant. I saw a girlfriend in the aisles, talked about nothing and everything for thirty minutes and then forgot why I had even came. It was very productive.

I did make a semi-decision on the favors. Baseball makes me think of peanuts and peanuts makes me think of burlap? Burlap sacks? Somewhat like this picture. Not filled with coffee of course....

pic: weheartit.com

Gifts for the Grandmas

2010-04-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. One month early and I found Mother's Day gifts for my Mom and Mother-in-law. I'm always desperately searching a few days ahead of time and then end up sending flowers. These silhouettes are custom made by Le Papier Studio. So I'm getting one done of my kids and I actually may need to order one for myself.

Too cute not to share. Don't you love them?

Decisions, Decisions

2010-04-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

A baseball party seems so easy but I'm somewhat stuck on a few things. Actually I'm stuck on a lot of things. One is the dessert table.

Over the weekend I was looking at the Chasing Fireflies catalog and saw these buckets. I was thinking that since Liam's name is so short having 4 buckets spelling out his name will make a great center point on the dessert table. Also you can get galvanized buckets at Home Depot for cheap, cheap, cheap. I can raise them up on a box that is wrapped in plain paper (another cheap idea). So it's just my painting skills that are up for a test. But I keeping go back and forth and I can't decide!! Hmmm.......buckets or no buckets?

TGFM: Thank God for Margaritas

2010-04-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those kind of days. I spent two hours matching socks only to have 30 singles left over with no home. I have a 4 year old who had a royal fit because I said no to Pokemon. My daughter missed the bus so I piled 5 of us in the car, in the rain, in our jammies to take her to school. Oh and one of the kids took a bath and splashed so much that the water leaked down into the kitchen.

So TGIF and I'm thinking it's a Margarita kind of day. I was thinking of going a little non-traditional so here is the Prickly Pear Margarita!! Cheers!

PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITAS
Cafe Terra Cotta Restaurant
3 oz. Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
2 oz. Triple Sec
4 oz. Lime Juice
1 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Prickly Pear Syrup
On rocks: Mix ingredients, pour over ice into 4 glasses.

Link to card

A Master Plan

2010-04-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Since this is the weekend of the Masters, the major golf tournament in Augusta Georgia, we are having a little theme party. We do this little theme party with almost everything-- the Kentucky derby, playoff football, Cinco De Mayo. Any reason for a party and we will come up with one! So here is the menu for the Masters Party:

Main Course: Grilled Tilapia with Peach BBQ Sauce from Paula Deen

Dessert: The Peach Pound cake pictured above from the only food blog I read, A Yankee in a Southern Kitchen

Drink: The Broken Down Golf Cart, which is a drink made of equal parts midori and amaretto with a splash of lime.

Of course if your have some time you could whip up a batch of these cuties from French Kiss.....

Figuring out Fondant

2010-04-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

I took cake decorating class, Level 1, with a bunch of girlfriends. I basically learned how to ice a cupcake. I failed at making roses and piping stuff. It was a lot of pressure too. You had to do homework--bake a cake, decorate it and bring it in to class. So that was my education in frosting.

Well I'm somewhat addicted to the website The Frosted Cake n Cookie. She makes all kind of cute fondant toppers for cupcakes. She also gives you step by step instructions. It looks fun. It looks like play-doh. Is it as easy as play-doh? I'm going to have to test it out.

Dairy King

2010-04-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

I love all things made with milk. Cream cheese, buttercream, ice cream, whipped cream, pizza, cupcakes, pie. Everything.

Tomorrow my little pumpkin gets tested for a milk allergy. Peanuts, shellfish, red dye #50. I can live without those things. Living without dairy-- oh my. Of course I don't have to give up all things dairy. However I can't even imagine cooking for 5 of us and then cooking something seperate for # 6. Life will be a lot easier if I just keep it out of the house.

It's not such a big deal I guess. Many little ones get handed much worse so we will deal.

Oh, those are vegan cupcakes up there. They don't look so bad, do they?

Is it summer yet?

2010-04-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

Every year on the last day of school I give my kids a new pair of flip flops. To me flip flops represent summer so it's a little tradition we do.

Now that my kids are getting older I look forward to summer so much more. No more trips to the bus stop. Girl scouts, gymnastics, soccer, and other activities come to an end. SO...this year on the last day of school I'm going to invite a few friends and have a little party. A party for the little people and a party for the big people!

I'm going to give all the kids who come a pair of flip flops. I've been inspired by this unseasonably nice weather and I'm thinking of all things flip flop. I found these cupcakes from cocoa & fig. They are just too cute!

I'm counting the days till summer!!

Arnold Palmer with a twist

2010-04-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most people have heard of an Arnold Palmer. It's a drink half sweet tea and half lemonade. It's named after the famous golfer of course. Well now there is a cocktail called the John Daly. He is also a golfer but a sometimes drunk golfer. The John Daly is two parts lemonade one part sweet tea vodka. Yes, they now make sweet tea vodka!

I'm not big on cocktails but I promise this is a good one! Just don't drink them while coloring the eggs or anything-- they are sneaky. They taste just like a tea/lemonade mix--no vodka taste at all. So great!! Happy Weekend!

Baseball On My Mind

2010-03-31T06:28:00.000-07:00

I have 6 weeks till my soon to be 6 year old has a baseball theme party. I need to get moving!!

Ideas so far; mason jars with lemonade, blue and white decorations with a touch of red, baseball printed lanterns and traditional ball park treats.

Yet to be decided; invitations, cupcakes, favors and pretty much everything else. Lots to do!!

Photos: 1st Row: Pic 1,2. 2nd Row Pic 1,2,3,4. 3rd row Pic 1,2.

Delaney's Parisian Candy Party

2010-03-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures from Delaney's Parisian birthday party!! Thanks to all my friends for all their wonderful comments on the party. Thanks so much to Jessica for the tags and toppers, they looked great!

a few more pics...

The favors. Little purses filled with candy.

When the girls came in they each made a hat. I had hats, ribbons, buttons, flowers and the girls got creative!

and this is the "before" picture of the table. It went from zero to trashed in 10 minutes! Twelve 1st graders and a whole lot of sweets makes for a giant mess!

Delaney selected the theme all on her own. She loves Paris and the Eiffel Tower. It might not look like it but I did everything on a budget. I got all the candy at the Farmer's Market. I made my own cupcakes. All the decorations are paper; pom poms, party banner, favor boxes and table decor. All the craft materials are from the dollar store and I got the glasses for the candy for $1.99 at Ikea. You can have a beautiful party on a budget!!

The candy was the big hit for sure!! We even had candy theme games like "Guess the Jelly Bean Flavor" and of course lots of dancing to burn off all the sugar!

Party Time!

2010-03-26T03:37:00.000-07:00

These cupcakes are so easy and yet so cute. I'm storing them in my head for when I have a multicolored party of some sort.

I'm engulfed in candy and pom poms!! I have just about 24 hours till our Parisian Candy Party. At the last minute I have nixed my idea of white flowers on the table as the centerpiece. The table is looking too bridal shower and not enough kid party. So that is what I'm working on at the last minute.

I'm so excited to post my pictures on Monday. Have a great weekend!!

Party Pics: Movies and Popcorn

2010-03-22T04:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pics of the movie party. I am in full blown party planning craziness. Less than a week till our Paris candy party and I threw together a small little movie theme party for my 4 year old. The cupcake toppers look great and the party was fantastic!!

I highly recommend not having your children be born within a week of each other! If you can control that sort of thing, of course.

Party Peek: Favors

2010-03-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here are the favors I'm putting together for the Paris Party. I love the little black purses, very Paris chic. Each little girl will fill her purse with pink and white candy from the candy buffet.

A purse full of candy! What do you think?

Batters: Baseball and Cupcakes

2010-03-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

A baseball party. That's officially the next party on my list. This weekend my soon to be 4 year old is having a movie party. Next weekend a Paris party for my daughter. Then I have about 6 weeks to put together a baseball party. I got pretty lucky because I was really close to having Darth Vader cupcakes. I kinda sorta used Jedi mind tricks to talk him out of the Star Wars party.

So I'm being inspired and I love the vintage baseball look. The baseball shaped invites are super cute. I love the peanut holders. So simple: peanuts, paper and stickers!

Oh and St. Pattys is coming. So I made some St. Patty's cupcake pops A La Bakerella! Not too shabby for a first timer. Happy Monday!

Pom Poms & Purses

2010-03-11T02:47:00.000-08:00

All is right with the world. My Martha Stewart White Pom Poms came in the mail yesterday. Of course Martha is only selling colored ones on her site so I had a bit of searching to do. I say "bit" but I actually spent way too much time driving to stores and scouring the Internet just so I wouldn't have to pay the marked up price on eBay. One guess where I ended up buying them from.

Speaking of too much time on the Internet. I have seen every website selling favor containers known to man. I had it in my head that favor boxes shaped like purses would be perfect. Except all favor boxes shaped like purses are very, very small. Two to Three inches tall. Too small for all the candy I'm sending these girls home with.

Well you know when you have an idea in your head and your determined to find it? Determined or obsessed. I spent more time searching then I wish to admit. My house was totally neglected. However, I am happy to report I will soon be the proud owner of 12 black boxes that look exactly like little purses. Perfect!

Must Find Straws!!

2010-03-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

I sort of wish I never saw these, sort of. Now I'm determined to find pink and white striped straws for my party. Won't they just be so darn cute in all the girl's party cups?

So now I'm a woman on a mission. I have found them in lots of colors, just not pink. Some are made of paper so they have a vintage look. It's just a small detail but they really make a big difference--don't you think??

I'm going to turn in to a cupcake.......

2010-03-09T07:50:00.001-08:00

Why do I think I have time to make cupcakes for St. Patty's Day? I made cupcakes last week for my husbands birthday and next week is my son's birthday and the week after my daughter's birthday. That's a lot of cupcakes. I also freeze the leftover ones and eat them for breakfast. Not good.

So next week my son is turning 4 and we are having a small party for him. He wants a movie theme. Look at these cupcakes! So, so cute. I will not be making them. I love them though so I posted a picture anyway!! They look super complicated and I already have everything I need for the party. I'll post some pictures next week.

I'm going with my favorite recipe from Ina Garten for my cupcakes. It's a tried and true favorite. Plus the icing has cream cheese and I love that!

Lucky Cupcakes

2010-03-09T03:23:00.000-08:00

Testing recipes for my cupcakes for the party. I think I found the perfect one and I am going to use it to make these St. Patty's Day cupcakes.

You can print out the topper and simply attach it to bamboo sticks that you purchase at Target or lollypop sticks from the craft store.

I took a cake decorating class with my friends and failed. It's so not easy. These are. Anyone with a printer can do it! Look how cute they make a cupcake.

And so it begins....

2010-03-03T06:57:00.001-08:00

Do you like the invites? Minus my erasing job on the particulars of course. My friend Janell designed them for me. I sent all the invites yesterday and now I'm in full blown party planning mode.

Now I'm currently menu planning. I'm serving 12 little girls lunch, Paris style. So, I need non-complicated but 7 year oldish food with a Paris type twist. Any ideas?

Cupcake Toppers

2010-02-26T03:24:00.000-08:00

Here are the cupcake toppers Jessica at PBD made for me!! They could not be more perfect.

Here is the cupcake vision; black liners, white icing, pink bubbles (like nonpareils but bigger) and these cute toppers. You don't have to spend a fortune or be a cake designer to have great cupcakes.

Less than one month till the party!! I'm so happy I have a girl. Planning a Star Wars party (the next in my party planning future courtesy of my 5 year old) just isn't as much fun. Well it doesn't seem like it will be, maybe I need to get schooled on my Storm Trooper knowledge.

Happy Friday!

Candy Buffet Love

2010-02-24T04:53:00.000-08:00

I have to admit. I hate buffets. There are a few exceptions like being in Vegas or a wedding. The Candy buffet is a whole different story. I'm obsessed of late. I have seen about a hundred of them in the last week or so. I'm drawn to the buffets where they only use two colors like this blue and white one. It's one of my favorites.

I'm told these buffets are big at weddings but I think they are perfect for kid's parties. Ever met a kid who didn't like candy?

I'm on a search for those big lolly's. They really make the table stand out. I want pink and white and I don't want to break my budget buying them. I actually have seen them for $5.50 each. 12 pops at $5.50 each. You don't even have to do the math, that's way too expensive!! So the search is on....

Inspire Me!! Party Table

2010-02-23T03:36:00.000-08:00

I only have one daughter. She's turning 7 soon but in the blink of an eye it will be 16. I'm sure she will be asking for a car and a trip to Paris when that time comes. That or a truck and a trip to the Jersey Shore. Either way it's a scary thought. So, I'm going to go all out on this party. Except I'm on a budget. It's great to find inspiration and then work it your own special way.

I love this table. It's from the brides.com site and it's a Paris Bridal Shower. So I'll be making mine more whimsical and I'll use less black. Oh and I need to replace the flowers with something. Still working on that. I'm off to Marshall's and Home Goods to see if I can recreate this on the cheap. Wish me luck!!

Candy, Candy, Candy

2010-02-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on the candy buffet for the party. Here is a picture of one in similar colors to mine. The only challenge is I'm working on a budget. I have been buying lots of Valentine Candy at 75% off; pink gumballs, pink and white m&ms, etc.

I'm still on the search for white candy that I can buy in bulk that doesn't break my budget. White Jelly Bellys are expensive if you have to fill a huge glass container!!

Kids will love filling up their bags with candies of their choice. I think I might do a candy buffet at every party!

Love is in the Details

2010-02-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

What party is complete without a signature drink? You can't have a signature drink without pretty tags to go with. Jessica at PBD made these for Delaney's upcoming party. Love, love, love them!!

Now I have to mix up some potion! I'm going to try out a few "mocktails" on the birthday girl and let her pick her favorite!

While I'm at it I may mix something real for myself. All my friends are raving about a "John Daly", it's a new drink with equal parts lemonade and Sweet Tea Vodka. It doesn't sound so great but they swear it is. Cheers!

The Macaron Dilemma

2010-02-18T07:47:00.000-08:00

A Macaron is not a Macaroon. One is a french pastry and one is a sticky coconut cookie. What is a Paris themed party without a Paris Macaron? They are great for parties because they come in so many great colors. If your talented enough you can even make them into a tree.

I really don't think a bunch of first graders will care about a plate of Macarons. So I will order them and pretend they are for the party then eat most of them myself.

So my dilemma is they are pretty pricey yet not easy to make. I'd also have to have them shipped because French pastry are hard to come by in these parts.

These are from Pix Patisserie and they even make a pretty pink one that will go perfect with my pink and white color scheme.

Ooo La La, Look at this!

2010-02-17T03:42:00.000-08:00

Jessica at Party Box Design is making party tags and cupcake toppers for Delaney's party. She just finished the tags for the favor bags. Don't they look great?

The theme is Paris, chosen by the kid not the Mom. I guess reading Madeline 400 times had an effect? She also loves all things sweet so we decided to make it a Parisian Candy Store party.

Back in the day my Mom threw together a funfetti cake and blew up three balloons and called it a day. Times have changed!

Inspiration

2010-02-16T03:55:00.000-08:00

Love this candy table from Amy Atlas. The idea is you give each guest a bag and they fill it with candy of their choice. For Delaney's party this table is my inspiration, except all the candy will be in white and pink.

So the search is on for white candy that isn't for weddings. No seven year old wants a bag full of mints and icky Jordan almonds.

Oh and I bought leftover bags of Valentines M&M's on the cheap and plan to separate out all the white and pink M&M's by hand!

Be Funky

2010-02-14T17:52:00.000-08:00

On befunky.com you can do all sorts of crazy stuff to your photos. I should use this site on all photos of me. It seems when I put the Patriotic effect on my own picture it makes me look ten times better. Who knew the American flag could be so becoming? I used the cartoon effect on this picture of my daughter.

Obsessed with Pom Poms

2010-02-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

Pom Poms are the new balloon. Seriously. They are cheap and chic and perfect for parties. Yet, they don't depressingly deflate the morning after or present a choking hazard for your toddler.

I'm planning a birthday party for my soon to be 7 year old and I'm on a serious search for the Martha Stewart Pom Pom Kit. Now Martha tells you how to make them. However, it's sounds so easy but it's not. So they make a kit and then they stop selling the kit. Then people on ebay sell their kits for twice the price.

I recently got a tip that Big Lots might be selling them for 3 dollars!! So, tomorrow I'm going to venture into the seedy town where Big Lots lives.