{Trendy Thursday} -- Ruffled Cakes

With the holiday weekend and the kids being home from school, I got a little behind on my posts.  So, for this week only, Trendy Tuesday has moved to Thursday.  I hope to get back on schedule next week!   

Ruffle cakes are the perfect way to create a romantic, lush feel.  They are popular for weddings and showers.  But, they would also work well for a girly, vintage themed birthday party or tea party.  If you want to try making your own ruffled cake, check HERE for a link to video tutorial. 



The Twisted Sifter

The Ruffled Blog

Maisie Fantaisie

 

The Pinery

{Recipes} -- Summertime is Iced Tea time!

If you grew up in the south, then there's a good chance that your summertime supper was always accompanied by iced tea, mostly likely sweet tea.  In fact, I didn't even realize you could make tea without sugar until I was a teenager. 

These tea recipes will be sure to brighten up your summer entertaining.  My family favorite is definitely the Arnold Palmer, a mix of half tea, half lemonade. It's the perfect mix of sweet and tangy.  If you're looking for a great summer drink for your next party, then try one of these refreshing beverages. 



Arnold Palmer Iced Tea from the Food Network

Southern Sweet Tea from Food.com

Strawbery Basil Tea from Martha Stewart

Peach Iced Tea from Southern Living

Green Apple Mint Tea Sparkler from About.com

Memorial Day Party Ideas

What does Memorial Day weekend mean to you?  For me, it's not only a time to reflect on those who have sacrificed so much for my freedom, but to also give thanks for all the wonderful blessings in my life.  Additionally, we always enjoy time with our family and friends, kicking off the start of summer.

Here are a few Memorial Day inspirations, if you are planning your own Memorial Day party.  Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Table from Southern Living



Sources, starting at top left corner, moving clockwise:

Candle from Better Homes & Gardens

Fruit Pops from Bakers Royale

Star Medallions from Martha Stewart

Placesetting from Social Couture

Berry Parfait from Super Natural Botanicals

From Here

{Trendy Tuesdays} -- Gender Reveal Party and Dessert Tables

Trendy Tuesdays is a new feature that will be appearing weekly on the blog.  It will highlight party trends that are making news in the party world.  If you have a trend you want to see covered, please just let me know.

First up is the Gender Reveal Party.  Instead of a baby shower, couples have a party to reveal the gender of their little baby.   Sometimes, parents even decide to not find out the gender, but instead give the ultrasound results to their caterer or baker.  The baker then makes a cake or cupcake with a pink filling for a girl or a blue filling for a boy.  It's a fun, exciting take on a baby shower, that allows guests to get in on the gender reveal fun, too. 

The following ideas are perfect for a fun, sweet Gender Reveal Party. 



Boy and Girl Cupcake toppers from Meringue Bake Shop

What Will it Bee? Gender Reveal Party from Libby Lane Press via Hostess with the Mostess

Chalkboard for guests to vote on their guess for the gender from Paging Supermom via Amy Atlas

Cake filling reveals the gender of the baby from The High Heeled Hostess

Cupcake filling to reveal the gender of the baby from Pretty / Hungry

Having guests dress in pink or blue to reflect their guess on the baby's gender from Sadie James Photography

School's Out!! -- Now What?!?

My kids are super excited that school is out for the summer.  Our school year typically doesn't end until the end of May.  This year the school board moved the schedule up in anticipation of many snow days  . . . but, we had a mild winter.  No snow days means we have a full three months of summer, this year! Woohoo!

Now, we have to decide what all we want to do with our extra time this summer.  Do you have any summer traditions?  Here are some fun party ideas to make your summer a little more special.  And, that's the great thing about summer - you don't even need a reason to celebrate, other than it's summer!

  

Host an Ice Cream Party, see details HERE



Host a Sidewalk Chalk Festival June Bug Parties (I definitely want to do this!)

Make a Lemonade Stand from Lil Luna

Set Up a Garden Scavenger Hunt (Diva Girl Parties and Stuff)

Have a Water Balloon Fight from The Celebration Shoppe

Host a Picnic Party from A Party Style

I want to hear all your great ideas for summer fun.  So, please let us know all the great plans you have for the summer.   And, send in some pictures, too, if you'd like!

{New to the Shop} -- Sweet Bee Collection

I recently designed a custom baby shower collection for one of my fabulous customers.  She was co-hosting a baby shower for expecting parents of twins and wanted to incorporate bees and chevron into the design.  The Collection I designed for her is now available in my Etsy Shop. 



The Collection is now available HERE. 

The Collection includes:

1. 5x7 Invitation - chevron and bee design, blank (may be personalized for an additional fee)
2. Party Banner, 4" squares, text reads "Happy Birthday" or "Baby Shower"
3. 2" Party Circles: 2 bee designs, name (or "sweet baby"), and age (or "baby shower")
4. 2" Thank You Tags, text reads "Thank You"
5. Fancy Labels/Placecards, blank
6. Drink Flags, text reads "Baby"
8. Wishes for Baby card
9. Patterned Paper

Last Day of School!

Seriously!?!  How did this happen . . .



I can not believe it's the last day of school, already.  And, I can't even believe my little babies will be in 1st and 5th grade, next year.  Any other moms out there feel like time moves a little too quickly?

The kids made these little owl bags to hold their teachers' gifts.  I can not take credit for this cute idea -- I found it on Lisa Storms.  But,  it was easy enough for my daughter to make and she really enjoyed doing them.

It's going to be a fun summer!!!  Happy Summer to you and yours!

{Free Printables} -- Mother's Day Party Printables

This year, I'll be spending Mother's Day at the beach with my sweet family.  I couldn't think of any better place to spend the day!  Not to mention that I'll be with my favorite people!

Since I will be out of town, however, I won't be hosting any type of Mother's Day celebrations this year. But, if you are hosting a Mother's Day party, I've got you covered!  Here are several great free Mother's Day printables to help you pretty up your celebration!



Vintage Inspired Design from Funkytime

Mother's Day Card and Coasters from Sweet Metel Moments

Bright, modern Party Set from Amanda's Parties To Go

All About Mom Questionnaire from Simple As That



Mothers' Day Card from Paper and Pigtails

{Tutorial} - Simple, Inexpensive Cupcake Stand

For the Kid-tucky Derby table, I wanted two, three-tiered, cupcake stands for each side of the cupcake table.  Since we needed 60 cupcakes for all of the kindergarteners, I needed stands that would hold 30 cupcakes, each.  But, I didn't want to spend much money on stands I wasn't sure that I would use again soon.  Instead of looking for cupcake stands to purchase, I set out to make something for the party. 

I came up with this cupcake stand made using cans and cardboard cake trays.  I bought the cardboard cake trays in three sizes and a spool of ribbon.  The rest of the items were leftover items I found around the house.  Read below for all of the details on how to make this simple, inexpensive cupcake stand.

Materials Needed: 

(Makes 1 three-tiered cupcakestand)

2 empty, clean cans

3 12" cardboard cake trays

3 10" cardboard cake trays

3 8" cardboard cake trays

2 4.5"x 9" pieces of material or scrapbook paper

5/8" ribbon

Scissors

Glue Gun, with extra glue sticks

Using the glue gun, glue the three 12" cake trays together, stacked on top of each other.  Repeat with the 10" and 8" trays.  These will be the three bases for the stand.

Using your glue gun, glue the end of the ribbon to the outer edge of the cake trays.  (You can see in the picture that there are three trays glued together to make one thicker base, which was completed in the first step.)

Cover the outer edge of each layer of cake trays with the ribbon, glueing it down every few inches.

Glue one end of the material to the can. 

Fold over the opposite end, glueing it down, so the frayed edge does not show.  (You can skip this part if you are using scrapbook paper). 

Roll the fabric around the rest of the can, glueing the folded end down.  Repeat with the other can.

Starting with the 12" base, place glue around the bottom edge of the can and glue it down to the largest base.  Place glue around the top rim of the can, then press the 10" base down on to the top of the can.  Repeat with the other can and top with the 8" base.  Let dry completely, then your stand is ready to use!

I paid $4 for each of the three sizes of the cake trays.  There were enough trays to make two stands, plus extras.  The ribbon was $1.97 for the spool.  For less than $14, I was able to make two three-tiered cake stands.