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Monday, April 29, 2013

{Cupcake Monday} 5 Must-Try Cinco de Mayo Inspired Cupcake Recipes

Are you looking for something fun & festive for your Cinco de Mayo sweets table?  If you are, then I'm your gal!  I scoured and Pinterested my way through a few blogs and found a handful of delicious recipes that just made my mouth water!  I am listing 5 must-try Cinco de Mayo cupcake recipes perfect for your upcoming  fiesta!

Churro Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche sauce - Bakingdom
This girl loves her some churros.....I can pop those babies back like Benadryl on a high pollen count day so, I'm sure that these cupcakes would NOT last in my presence.


Mexican Fried Ice Cream Cupcakes - Monster Mama
OMG - tasty, crunchy, cinnamony fried ice cream made into a cupcake????  WINNER!!!!!


Dulce de Leche Caramel Swirl Cupcakes - Whipped
Caramel......mmmmm.....


Sangria Cupcakes - Hoosier Homemade
Oh the fruitiness of it all.....what could be better than a cupcake made with wine and fruit??? NADA!!!!



Black Bean Avacado Chocolate Cupcakes - The Sweetest Vegan
Admittedly - I don't like Avacado, but the name of this recipe alone sounds to interesting to pass up....and it's VEGAN!



Hope you're serving up something sweet and festive for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, and if not, give one of these recipes a try - they sound muy delicioso!!!!


.....and if cupcakes aren't your thing.....try MARSHMALLOWS!!!!

My party pal Alejandra Morin of The Marshmallow Studio is coming out with a new book, "MARTshmallows"!  There are over 187 full-color pages of  all about creating tasty treats and pops with marshmallows!  The book will be available on Amazon on Aug. 1 but you can pre-order the book now for just $24.99!!!!





Saturday, April 27, 2013

Weekly Blog Love: Spring-Time Celebrations, Earth Day, Teachers and More!

Here's today's fabulous round-up from the bloggahs I heart!!!

Mirabelle Creations does NOT strike out with this modern baseball party she styled for her son's birthday!  I think my fave style point is the home plate backdrop!



Calling all Jedi!!!!!  Here's a Star Wars Party that is out of this world by Hello My Sweet!



What better way to show a teacher your appreciation.  Magnolia Creative crafted up a sweet Tulip Teacher Thank You treat - just a little way to say thanks!



D&P Celebrations knows a way to a girl's heart!!!!  Next to jelly nothing goes better with peanut butter than chocolate!  This Peanut Butter Frosting recipe looks perfectly dee-lish!



There is nothing sweeter than an Earth Day cupcake!  Sweet Song Bird shares these fun cupcakes that she made for her son's birthday!


Speaking of Earth Day....did you get a chance to check out my fave online sites for go-to Earth Day Party Supplies?  These shops feature eco-friendly, re-usable and sustainable products that would make Mother Nature super happy!



I've got lots to catch up on around my house and I'll definitely be using some of these helpful Spring Cleaning Tips shared by Everything Mommyhood.




Here are some more Earth friendly party options by Party Printables - give away favors that last for your next party or celebration!

A Woodland Party is a perfect party theme for a boy!  Check out all the details and cost-effective party tips over at Spaceships and Laserbeams!


Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner.  Check out all the cool fiesta finds that BellaGrey Designs found over at Etsy!  My fave is this cute plush pinata by Hen and Chick!


A rose by any other name is.....a sandwich?  Creative Juice has the prettiest little sweet rose shaped sandwiches made with raspberry and lemon meringues.


If you're Three Little Monkey's Studio, of COURSE you have the world's best banana bread recipe!



Get your motor runnin' because this motorcycle birthday party by Frog Prince Paperie is FIYAH!!!!  I cannot get enough of every single detail of this party - it's a sure fire winner!


Here's to the weekend!  Hope you enjoy it and keep up with whatever shenanigans I'll be into by following me on Instagram!




Tuesday, April 23, 2013

{Blog Love} My Top Five Blog Posts of All Time

I was doing a bit of stats checking on my blog the other day and wondered what were my top five blog posts of all time.  Well, I was amazed at what came up!  I personally wouldn't have chosen these posts as personal favorites....maybe I can say only one is my favorite, the Princess and The Frog party for my daughter....for obvious reasons, but the rest, eh!  This is not to say that I think that all my posts suck.....it's just that my blogging style has evolved in the past two years, and what I'm seeing below is not reflective of where I am at today....I guess that's sort of a good thing.  In any case, I figured I'd share my critique of the posts and find out if maybe you agree!

1.  This is the top post of them all.....the recap of my daughter's Princess and The Frog birthday party. I'm guessing Tiana and her Toad are still sorta popular among party themed celebrations!  I had no idea about taking photos or anything like that.....most of the pics are blurry!  LOL What I did know was how to make things look pretty....sorta :)  Pretty party for my pretty girl!



2.  Spiderman Party Recap - this was my first post EVER!  It was mainly to recap a birthday party I did with a Spiderman theme.....I was soooo overwhelmed and clueless about how to make the party fabulous that I just thought I'd gone crazy!  I am certain it's my wordiest post to date.  I do happen to like how the photos came out however, and was content with the set up of the party space - considering I'd just started party styling.  I'm guessing it's popular because most boys go through some super hero phase at some point in their young lives and parents need some good party ideas.  Also, I always get asked where I got those bags...... well, I made them myself....maybe I should do a tutorial in the future!



3. A couple years back I started playing with naming days of my posts and did one called Trendy Tuesday where I thought I'd share a new party trend every Tuesday.  Well, I kind of fell off posting new trends on Tuesdays and honestly, I can't even tell you why.....my best guess is that my real life took over and I just stopped it - although.....I still have Cupcake Monday, Pin-tastic Tuesday and Fab Friday.  In any case, this trend I was seeing with decorating with streamers led me to do a whole post dedicated to crepe paper!  Two years later I think the trend is still...trending....case in point.



4. Okay - so this post was a recap of a party thrown by my dear friends and takes the fourth spot on the list!  My friends Keri & Brian throw the bests parties for their girls and this cowgirl themed birthday party was just one of them.  This post also shares a giveaway winner announcement - if I were to write a similar post now, I would definitely note the winner in a separate post or at the end of the post.


5. For my '25th' birthday I created A midnight summer's dream inspiration board for a party I was planning for myself.  Being that my birthday falls in mid-summer....it was a perfect theme right?  Well, the theme never came to fruition, but I did have a birthday celebration!  That's not the whole thing though, what's funnier about this particular post is that I added in a featured party from another party stylist.....Lord, work with me!  I really should have done a completely separate post, because her party was amazing!!! #hadnocluewhatiwasdoing :|


So, what do you think?  Good posts?  Horrible Posts?  EH????   I do have some faves that I might share in a later post, but overall, I think this just shows how far I've come and it kinda makes me proud!





Monday, April 22, 2013

{Celebrate Earth Day} 5 Eco-Friendly Online Party Shops I Love

As a party planner, I love using items more than once.  I try to keep my use of paper products to a minimum and reduce, reuse and recycle!  So, to celebrate Earth Day today I am listing five online party supply sites that are environmentally friendly, aware or conscious!  


Acme's motto is  "Party. Rinse. Repeat." - everything you find on this environmentally responsible site is just super cute!  I'm loving these wool felt crowns!  You can hold onto them from year to year and they don't have to be just for parties.....they can be used for dress up, pretend play and more!
Green Party Supplies

Touted as  the 'source for green party supplies, eco-friendly, non-toxic toys and gifts from recycled, biodegradable, organic, eco- friendly, forest friendly or reusable items for any celebration' Green Party Supplies offers a wide array of trendy and modern party supplies that will take your birthday decor from drab to fab!  I'm a HUGE fan of these bamboo paper straws....perfect for a Asian, Garden or Ninja themed celebration!



Green Planet Parties

Created by a mom who was concerned about the amount of waste generated from kid's parties, she created a site providing 'sustainable, but fun supplies for kids parties!'  On this site you will find handmade items made by local artists, reusable decor and pre-made goody bags you will just adore!  Check out this DIY yo-yo kit - kids can decorate as they please and who doesn't love a yo-yo?!!!!



Eco Party Time
Another great site with a huge variety of reusable favors and party supplies, Eco Party Time helps create  'celebrations for a greener tomorrow.' A purely sustainable product, these bright colored beeswax birthday number candles are the perfect cake topper!


Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams!

YES!!!!  My Etsy shop has MANY eco-friendly options available to keep our Mother Earth a bit happier.  You can find reusables like yarn pom-pom garlands, toppers and favor wands.  I also offer printables where you can print out how as many and as much paper decor as you need!



Remember, every small thing you do to save the planet has a great impact.  How are you celebrating Earth Day today?



Friday, April 19, 2013

{Fab Friday} Weekly Blog Love: Out of This World Party Ideas

There is certainly a running theme this week from my bloggahs I love!  Mostly everyone seems to have gone star crazy or super earthy and elelmental!!!!


I'm digging these candy dish helmets made from simple household items for a Space Party from Hello My Sweet!

Need ideas for a Nautical Party????  Well these ideas shared by Spaceships and Laserbeams will certainly help get your winds sailing!




This is such a smart idea - check out this Sunscreen Station from This Little Mama....anything from Target's dollar spot is deee bestest!



You're sure to turn pink and green with envy once you see the Lily Pulitzer Party Ideas with Mirabelle Creations!



Earth Day is certainly a cause for celebration right?  The gals over at D&P Celebrations think so.  Watch this Video Tassel Tutorial they have on making a tassel garland from plastic shopping bags.



I can't help my play on words today.... GET SUCKERED IN with this fab Seersucker Party shared by Magnolia Creative!  I love all the southern charm about this bash!



The Ruffled Paper Streamers tutorial I posted made my own personal cut!  If you haven't read it yet - it will leave you in 'stiches'!!!!



This Star Party by Bloom Designs is my fave party of the week!  You will adore the twinkle light setting!



I'm a totally fan of this Rock Star Party  by BellaGrey Designs.  Check out the cool guitars and retro 80's CD's on the dessert table!



This Asian Cabbage Coleslaw Recipe   by Everything Mommyhood is a total easy-peasy weekend meal.....and one word....Ramen!



Fruit Salad....yummy-yummy here are some great Sweet Fruit Party Treats and ideas from Party Printables.



Hope you have a great weekend, and as always you can follow me on Instagram to get behind the scenes sneaks at my upcoming projects & any other random thing I might be up to!


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

{DIY Party Decor} Ruffled Paper Streamers



Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers by cupcakewishesandbirthdaydreams.com


 I created this ruffled paper streamer backdrop for the dessert table for my daughter's Monster High Spa Party this past weekend.  I am so in love with the ruffles and frills that the backdrop is still hanging up!  I thought I'd share a quick tutorial with you on how I made, what I call, a 3-layer ruffled streamer.

First you will need crepe streamers, thread and a sewing machine. I used two different colors streamers, but you can certainly use three.  I got my streamers from the dollar store and they held up very well in the machine....is that how you say it??? 'In the machine'...I don't sew much....moving right along.....I measured out about 3.75 yards of the streamers.  This allowed me to work with the paper easier than working from the roll.


Next I overlapped my two 'base' streamers and then added a lighter color on top.



 Next, I  stitched down the center of the streamers, I didn't necessarily work in straight lines and allowed the machine to basically do all the work to gather the paper to create the ruffles.  I wanted them to look a touch uneven so, I wasn't worried about them looking too perfect.....my poor sewing skills definitely came  in handy!


This is what the finished streamers look like.



You can leave the streamers as is, or pinch along the top streamer to create a more dimensional look.


Create a whole bunch of them and mix them in with straight lengths of streamers to create a bold and eye-catching backdrop!!!!!!







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