add a little sparkle

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Red. White. Blue. One of my all-time favorite times of the year. This week I was inspired by the 4th of July and a wedding from Style Me Pretty that beautifully carried our nation’s colors throughout the decor. What a fun theme for a summer wedding!

My new obsession for weddings: FIREWORKS!

I am SO in love with wedding photos with guests sending-off the newlyweds with fireworks. The fireworkds literally light up the party, they are exciting for guests and they are a fun, creative way to end the night as bride and groom. And, the photos are undeniably awesome. I am definitely obsessed!

Also a romantic prop for engagement sessions:

Go ahead, add a little ‘sparkle’ to your wedding day 🙂

A few ideas for buying fireworks online…

Koyal Wholesale has 20 inch sparklers in bulk for a reasonable price.

BuySparklers.com has a variety of sparklers that come in ‘wedding’ packaging and are  a variety of prices and styles.

Wholesale Event Solutions sells 10 inch sparklers for 99 cents.

{images via green wedding shoes, southern weddings, style me pretty & the frugal style}

ride your bike to wedding day

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Even though I drove my car to work today the air conditioning on full blast, today is Bike to Work Day in Denver! I give all of you props who rode your bike to work today in this 90 degrees weather… I definitely decided to pass up that opportunity 🙂

And so today, I was inspired to see how bikes can be used as accessories at weddings. These photos are just too fun!

 customized Kate Spade bicycle notes at Fleur de Lis

{images via style me pretty, lily spruce, i plan it right, chic cyclists & fleur de lis}

DIY photo lantern

photo lantern

One of my fave DIY projects has made an appearance several times on this blog…diy photo lanterns. I’ve made them for a several parties, and people continue to make comments about how much they love them. So, I’m going to keep a good thing going and attempt to share my how-to instructions to make this easy, affordable DIY project that will impress your guests with their personal touch and warm, soft glow…and have you looking like a little Ms. Martha Stewart.

You’ll Need:
black and white vertical photos
vellum paper
lanterns {I bought mine from Pier 1, but have seen adorable lanterns at Pottery Barn Home Décor too}
double-sided tape
scissors
candle {real or fake will work}

How To:
Measure the openings on the lantern where the photos will be placed
Edit black and white photos on a computer program to the exact size of the lantern openings {I just used Microsoft Word to adjust the size accordingly}
Print the photos on vellum paper on a laserjet printer
NOTE: An ink jet printer does not work as well because the ink is too wet once printed on the vellum
If needed, cut the photos and adjust them accordingly
Place a small piece of double-sided tape on the corners of the lantern opening
Place the photo on the glass and press gently on all sides and corners
Put a candle inside the lantern and light it before party guests arrive
voila

photo lantern with candle

{p.s. this makes a great gift for your mother or mother-in-law with photos of the grandkids, or a bride with engagement photos}

photo lantern with candle inside

give us some more s’mores, please

 Toasted, gooey marshmallow goodness combined with rich, decadent chocolate squished between two, crisp honey graham crackers. Yummy. My mouth is watering for a s’more as I type!

The summer-time favorite  can be prepared and styled so many different ways –  whether your hosting a fancy wedding or a backyard BBQ, you can never go wrong with a s’more. Your guests will be saying, “give us some more s’mores please!”

S’more Favors

S’more Cupcakes
{recipe by Pizzazzerie}

Ingredients
Crumbs
6 graham cracker boards (oblongs)
2 Tbsp each sugar and melted butter
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cupcakes
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup each canola oil and water
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Frosting
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Crumbs: Process graham crackers in food processor until fine crumbs. Add sugar and butter; pulse until blended. Spoon about 2 tsp into each muffin cup. Top with 1 tsp mini chocolate chips.

Cupcakes: In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt until blended. In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, water and vanilla until blended; whisk into flour mixture until smooth.

Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use immediately.

Top cupcakes with marshmallow frosting and garnish with chocolate bar and extra graham cracker crumbs!

S’more Cake
{by The Birthday Blog}

S’more Dessert Bar
{
check out the rest of the adorable camp party with the s’more dessert bar by Moore Minutes}

{Postcards and Pretties dessert buffet}

{Amy Atlas s’more food station}

Wash it all down with a
S’more Martini
{recipe by The Daily Find}

 2 Ounces Chocolate Vodka
2 Ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 Ounces Cream de Cacao
2 Ounces Vanilla Vodka
2 Ounces Heavy Cream
Graham Crackers, Crushed
Chocolate Syrup
12 toasted mini marshmallows or 4 large marshmallows

Dip the rim of 4 martini glasses in the chocolate syrup and then into the crushed graham crackers. Chill glasses in the freezer. Pour all the remaining ingredients except the marshmallows into a martini shaker filled with ice and shake until well blended. Skewer your marshmallows on a cocktail stick and place in the chilled glasses. Strain the drinks into the 4 glasses.

{images via: s’more party favors: pinterest, once wed, elizabeth anne designs, pinterest, salt harbor blog. s’more cupcakes: pizzazzerie. s’more cake: the birthday blog. dessert bar: moore minutes, post cards and pretties, amy atlas. martini: the daily find. marshmallows: bakerella

Rainbow Party Ideas

I had several inspirations for this post today – the rainy weather today, listening to Josh Groban and Patti LaBelle sing Somewhere over the Rainbow on Oprah’s Finale show of surprises and my craving for colorful cupcakes.

It doesn’t need to be St. Patrick’s day everyday (although my hubby would like it to be) for a rainbow celebration – you can plan a fun rainbow birthday party for your kids, bring the color inspiration into your wedding palette, use as home decor or surprise your family on a cold winter (or warm summer) day with a colorful breakfast. Now just hoping you find that pot of gold at the end of your rainbow.  

{images via…rainbow pancakes: I am mommy, cupcake stands: Chica and Jo, rainbow cake: Bump Smitten, flower arrangement: One Charming Party,  cupcakes: Hoosier Homemade, rainbow soda station: Project Wedding, rainbow straws: Cupcake Social, winter floral blast: Cori Cook Floral Design, hunter rain boots: Those Alaskan girls, rainbow table skirt: Mon Tresor Blog, rainbow wreath: Pinterest, rainbow poms: Fowl Single File Blog, rainbow balloon arch: The Party Dress}