{Party People} Carnival Party Collaboration

So I know I've been MIA for a few days, but I've got big and exciting things going on - which I will share with you later in the week......first thing's first, the winner of my Edible Cupcake Wrapper - and the lone entrant is - (drum roll please) the FABULOUS MONIQUE from Enchanted Expectations! I heart Monique, she's one of the first blog friends I made and she's very creative (and the reason why I spend endless hours in Home Goods). Check out her blog and to view all her fancy parties!

On to other business! I recently teamed up with fellow members from the Martha Stewart's Dreamers Into Doers, Party People group for a Carnival party styled by Amy Croushorn of Make it Mine Parties (hearts it). This party was a fabulous collaboration of super talented party gals, including, Jutta of The Lucky Elephant, Pia of Cake Pop Fusion, Kristal & Jen of Atutudes and myself. Each of us lent our talents and crafts to help make, what I think, is an absolutely adorable party!

I provided Amy with a festive yarn pom-pom garland similar to the one I made for my daughter's Bubble Gum Birthday Bash! The garland was used as decoration for her photo backdrop - look how cute it turned out!

This fancy tutu was created by Kristal & Jen of Atutudes and is absolutely adorable!

A 'charming' bracelet from The Lucky Elephant!

How fun are the clown cake pops from Pia of Cake Pop Fusion?!!!

To get more details about the party and to check out Amy's Party Ideas blog!

Parties for Grown Folks: Inspiration by Martha

I love the new ideas for adult themed birthday parties in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine:

There are some really great budget friendly party ideas, eye catching photo collages, and super easy tips on making party favors.  Check out more party tips, ideas and inspiration from the current issue here.

If you have your own party inspiration to share, check out the Share Your Party page and be featured on our blog!

{Day One} 12 Days of Cupcakes - Gingerbread Cupcakes

I am excited to kick off  my 12 Days of Cupcakes!  I've been elbow deep in batter and frosting all weekend just to get this whole thing together and share with you!  Go me!

A few weeks ago, I was perusing through The fabulous Miss M's Cupcakes book and saw that it has a kick ass recipe for Gingerbread Cupcakes.  This recipe is so delicious - and cute to boot - cause it's got little gingerbread men as toppers....

Some of those little gingerbread fellas don't look so happy, I wonder why??? (mwahahaahaaahaaaa...)

Martha's recipe comes with a how to on making your own teeny gingerbread fellas, but I was too pressed for time, and I've said it once before, and I'll say it again, I don't do cookies.  So, to cut on time I bought little gingerbread men from the grocery store and called it a day.  You could do the same too if you'd like.  I also slightly adapted her recipe to save time on some ingredients and added a few of my own.

Gingerbread Cupcakes

adapted from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes

1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

2 Tbsp. Ground Ginger

2 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp. Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Tsp. Ground Cloves

1 1/2 Cups (3 Sticks) Unsalted Butter

1 1/2 Cup White Sugar

1/2 Cup packed Light Brown Sugar

2 1/2 Tbsp Molasses

4 Large Eggs

1 Tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

___________________________________________________

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

2. Sift together, flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

3. Combine Sugars, add butter to bowl and mix on medium-high speed; cream until light and fluffy in texture.  Add molasses until well combined.

4. Add eggs one at a time until combined,  scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed; mix in vanilla.

5. Reduce mixer to low and add flour mixture gradually in three additions until combined.

6.  Fill cupcake pan evenly with batter about 2/3 of the way.  Bake for 10-12 minutes and rotate pan, bake for another 10-12 minutes, or until a tootpick comes out clean from the cake centers.

7.  Allow to cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from pans and then cooling completely on the rack.

8. Frost cupcakes with (my favorite) Vanilla Buttercream and lightly sprinkle with ground nutmeg.  Top with a teeny gingerbread cookie fella!

This is a GREAT recipe - I sure do hope you try it....and hey, if you do, send a picture and let me know how it works out for ya!