{Pin-tastic} Lovey Candy Coated Cakes

A few weeks ago, my friend sent me this beautiful photo of an M&M decorated wedding cake she found online:

Source: brides.com via Keisha on Pinterest

She requested I put it in safekeeping for inspiration so I could duplicate it for her next birthday bash. Of course, I had to Pin It to my board.

Well, in the past few weeks this photo has be re-pinned several times over and it got me to thinking...was this a growing trend....wedding cakes decorated with candy in a super modern and elegant way????? Well, I searched online and found some beautiful candy decorated cakes - that are very adult friendly.

This gumball decorated cake is gorgeous displayed on top of a decorative cake plate stand and looks like a work of art!

Source: blog.weddzilla.com via Keisha on Pinterest

This rock candy decorated is so fun yet chic - I absolutely adore the combination of orange and turquoise.

Source: flickriver.com via Keisha on Pinterest

This simplistically candy button cake is perfect for any candy inspired bash without being too over-the-top.

Source: ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com via Keisha on Pinterest

Necco Candy wafers really bring attention to this basic two-tiered cake.

Source: yourbestwedding.blogspot.com via Keisha on Pinterest

Crushed hard candies give this cake a lot of texture and depth.

Source: bride.net via Keisha on Pinterest

I absolutely love the use of ribbon candy on this three-tiered cake

Source: vtvows.com via Keisha on Pinterest

Inspiration Thursdays: Stylish Party Trends I Heart

My new hearts are succulents (yes, as in fleshy plants with squishy innards), chalkboards and outdoor furniture vignettes!

I know it's winter, but I have been keeping a running photo tab on some really fancy ways for some do-it-up-party style when the warm weather returns.  I am sooo digging these stylish details that I've noticed over the past months and think they have a strong chance to continue on through this year. 

Here is an example of how Miss Carissa Jones of JL Designs used succulents last year for some of her remarkably spectacular events:

Spray paint succulents or hang them from glass bird feeders for a whimsical display!  Super cute!

For warm-weather parties build an outdoor room or vignette using furniture pieces from your home to create and eye catching focal points.

I am crazy about chalkboard now - I've been seeing little black boards everywhere lately - I am soooo inspired by these designs!

Leave a comment below and share what inspires you!

Photo Credits:

Succulents

Chalkboard Eggs

Chalkboard Food Sign

Vintage Summer Party Sign

Aqua Side Board

Chandelier, Outdoor Room & Standing Cabinet

Summer Picnic

Girlfriend Gathering: Hot Chocolate Mixer

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a hot chocolate social 'mixer' is great way to get together with the girls for delicious sweets and a warm treat during the remaining winter months.  Get ready to sit by the fireplace, here are some ideas to help you plan your own.

{Inspiration Board Created by K. Sibert - Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams - photo credits below}

1. Select your Cocoa

Start with good quality hot cocoa like Marie Belle Aztec Hot Chocolate or Ghirardelli for a splurge and set out Swiss Miss or Nestle packets for tried and true standards. 

2. Arranging your Hot Cocoa Bar

Display your hot cocoa by flavors/brand (milk chocolate, white chocolate , sugar free, dark chocolate, etc.). You can present packets in a basket embellished with ribbon or place packets in decorative envelopes cut from scrapbook paper to coordinate with your theme; use this tutorial as a guide to make your own.   If your cocoa is in a canister, be sure to have a small scoop spoon available.

Keep hot water and hot milk warmed in coffee carafes for easy dispensing.  A fondue pot will keep melted chocolate nice and warm for guests who want a more homemade tasting cup.

Put  toppings and 'mixins' in bowls or stemmed glasses so guests can create their own custom flavors.  Some suggestions for toppings are whipped cream, marshmallows, Hershey's Miniatures, sugar cubes, or crushed bits of peppermint, toffee, candied ginger and Oreo cookies!  Don’t forget to label each item for easy identification.

{Photo Credit}

Use tasty confections as stirrers. I recommend chocolate covered pirouettes, vanilla swizzle sticks, peppermint and cinnamon sticks.  Place these items in footed mugs for a grand display. You can also dip spoons in melted chocolate or add a dollup of whipped cream to them.

Be sure to have plenty of mugs and spoons on hand for guests who want to try more than one cup!

3. Provide Sweet & Savory Bites

A hot cocoa social is sweet but be sure to have a few sweet and savory bites which guests can nibble on.  Set out  pistachio biscotti, Chocolate Dipped shortbread cookies and savory chicken salad or cucumber tea sandwiches will keep guests from going hungry.

4. A 'Favor'-ite Activity 
Send your guests back into the wintery world with their own custom hot cocoa mix.  Have guests create their own cocoa mix then package them in mason jars or soup containers to take home as favors.  Label or tag each container with the guests name and what type of cocoa mix they created.

{Photo Credit}

5. Wintery Decor
Hues of soft blues and brown compliment the theme.  Hang knitted mittens, scarves, hats, paper doilies or snowflakes from the ceilings or light fixtures.  Little snowballs made from cotton balls or styrofoam spheres also add a wintery element.  If you have one, a fireplace adds a bit of coziness and warmth to set the scene.

*Bonus Tip

For a small group of friends, create a cocoa mix recipe based on their different personalities.  For a friend who is spunky and fiery you might create a custom Mexican Hot Cocoa using your favorite chili powder.  For the friend who is adventurous and outgoing, a zesty Orange and Cream Hot Chocolate would be fitting.  A friend who is very traditional, a classic Hot Cocoa is suiting.  Make sure to include instructions for preparation and additional ingredients.

Now that you are inspired and have the plan - here is a free printable invitation for you to download and send out to your gals!

Photo Credits:

Whipped Cream Spoons

Hot Cocoa Mix Favor

Crushed Candies

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

Marie Belle Aztec Hot Chocolate

Back-to-School

August has been soooo busy for me.  It just snuck up on me and now here it is September!!!! 

I had major moments last month from my 35th birthday to my Etsy shop opening (more on that in a later post) to a Star Wars party I planned and hosted right to my baby girl starting Kindergarten at French School…..


Aaaaawwww......(sniff)



Proud student

My little guy beat me up when it was time to leave…..poor dude…..if he only knew….


I’m so grateful she loves to read


She made friends right away, It was like Venus and Serena!!!  BTW, I must say I'm proud of my braiding skills - who knew I could braid decent cornrows (patting myself on the back)


…..and she was ready to take over the class!


French...???? 
 
She held up okay for the first day…..I cried all the way home on though.  Eventually she broke down a few days later.  She’s still campaigning to stay at home – but she can put that notion right in her little cubby.

Since school has started and actually a few weeks prior to the first day I have participated in FOUR , yes, FOUR very long school events all providing the same information…..annoying.  I even had the gall to join the God Bless-ed PTA!  In any case, at certain points of these random on-goings, I started dreaming up some fantastic ways to celebrate going back to school.

Here are some ideas for throwing a fun back to school bash:

Lunch Bag Swap

 Photo Source 

This is a great opportunity to meet new friends or reconnect with friends after the new school year begins.  Each guest will bring a lunch item they do NOT like but that another child might.

Give each child a fabric lunch bag or lunch box to decorate - which they keep as a favor.  Have them fill the containers with lunch staples like (apples, chips, milk, juice, PB&J) and the item they want to swap.  The kids get to swap the lunch item they don't like for one they do like. 

School Tools Swap Meet

Photo Source

This is great for parents working on a tight budget. Parents can organize this event prior to the first day of school.   Each parent is responsible for bringing one school supply for each child attending the party.  For example, one parent might be responsible for color pencils, another would be responsible for composition books, another for crayons.  A host parent collects all the items prior to the event and sets up supply stations on the day of the event.

Having the kids decorate their own notebook  serves double duty as an activity and favor.  Serve light refreshments and drinks.  Let the children to to the supply stations and fill thei bags with  the necessary school supplies.  Now each child can start the school year with a backpack full of supplies!

First Day Fête

 Photo Source

A host parent can coordinate with other parents in the child's class prior to the first day of school to have an afterschool get-together for about an hour or so. 

As kids enter the party, prize tickets are handed out for giveaways for school related like cool pencils, books, or learning toys.  Offer guests school-themed cupcakes, snacks and juice as refreshments.  This is a great way to meet new friends and get to know the parents, as well.  An alternative for this party is to have a 'Bus Stop Bash!

Apples & Bookworms  Party

Photo Source

Since apple picking season usually begins around the same time the school year starts, what a perfect time to throw an apple themed celebration. 

If time permits kids could go apple picking at an orchard and return to the hosts' home for party activities.  If you don’t have an orchard near you, another option is setting out bushels of apples.  Place them around the yard so kids can go 'apple picking'. 

Serve apple sausage dogs, apple chips, apple fritters or apple cupcakes.....kids could also make their own gourmet candy apples!  Setup displays using apples, rulers, books and 'book'worms for decoration.

Games can include apple bingo , pin the worm on the apple, or an apple toss.  For a fun activity have the kids make their own bookworm bookmark craft using construction paper or craft foam shapes.  Party favors can be packaged in a small berry box to include a small reader book, apple sauce, note pad, fun pencils, gummy worms and gummy apples, pencil case and crayons.

I know the first week of school is a busy time – but if you do have one, feel free to email me pictures of your bash!  I’ll be recapping the Star Wars themed party I hosted last weekend for a great client of mine.  Check back later for more details!

Ask and Ye Shall Receive; I'm on Creative Parties & Showers!

So, on my birthday I had this awesome awakening of all that I deserved to have in my life. Being a mom, I took care of everyone else, I worried about everyone else and what they thought about me if I didn't do what they wanted me to. I was at that place where I was ruled by everyone else's opinion of me and what I did. I became suffocated by it and really felt poorly about anything I did. Clearly, this isn't the mindset I needed to have to move forward in a positive direction in my life. I knew this was not the person I am, but I was slowly fading into this idea of what I thought other people should have of me. So, I decided on that day to change my mind and my thoughts and create the life I should have. Since that moment, so much of what I've envisioned, felt, believed, thought, dreamed has started to come to fruition and I am so thankful for it.

One example of my hopes and wishes coming to be was that I really wanted my parties to be featured on Creative Parties and Showers. For those of you not familiar with CP&S, it is a blog that features, amongst other things, the hard work and effort of so many creative people and the talent they have at planning parties. You can see the passion that these people have for just creating these really fun & unique party spaces. I think the site is awesome and I've referred to it many a time for ideas and inspiration.

For me, it really meant a lot to be featured on the blog. This morning I received an email from Shannon with CP&S informing me that the Spiderman Party I did a few months back would be featured on the site. You cannot imagine how excited I was and how grateful I am to be up there.

I sent details about the party with the thought that, "Oh, it'll never be up there. They probably get hundreds of submissions everyday." Well, when I changed my mind, I literally changed so much of what happens in my life. I started visualizing my work on the site (even when it eally wasn't there) and as recently as yesterday I was talking to a friend about my hopes to be featured on the site; well, now I am. I hope that in the future more of my work will be up there for others to see. This happening is just another testament to my belief that if you change your mind, you change your life.

Click here to see photos from the party.