Batty For These DIY Chocolate Cupcake Toppers

chocolate cupcake toppers - halloween dessert

We are not pastry chefs, and don’t have fancy kitchen tools, but we do love when we can make something that looks “professional,” and tastes good. We’re always craving chocolate, so we tried our hand at “drawing” with it! It was fun, and we love how our Halloween cupcakes turned out. The cupcakes are store-bought, so we saved baking time there; but have a homemade touch with the DIY chocolate toppers. #winning

To learn how to make these adorable DIY chocolate toppers for Halloween, or any holiday, see our post on Momtastic.

chocolate cupcake toppers - halloween dessert

 

Bohemian Glam Birthday Party

bohemian-glam-birthday-party-teepee-black-white-polkadot

After looking at these photos of Mila’s first birthday party that Jessica shared with Momtastic, we decided 1-year-olds can have just as chic and as fabulous a birthday party as adults. Mila is one lucky little lady because her mom, Naysha Lopez, planned one dreamy bohemian glam first birthday party for her special day. It’s worth viewing all the photos.

We don’t know about you, but we want that silver pouf, dream catcher and teepee to be at our next birthday parties too…and we won’t be turning one. Special memories for a beautiful family! Happy Birthday Mila.

birthday-teepee-black-white-toddler-picnic-pouf-cupcake

{photos via Corinna Hoffman Photography}

cereal-ously, the possibilities are endless

Honey Nut Cheerios. Life. Frosted Flakes. You name it, my family likes it. Though cereal is not an everyday occurrence in our house, for me, it’s been a weird craving lately. All I want at 3 in the afternoon is a bowl of Nature’s Path Organic Flax Plus Pumpkin Raisin Crunch with a large handful of raw pumpkin seeds and chia seeds added to it, and then Soy milk to top it off. Yummy.

So, I got to thinking…cereal is such a favorite childhood treat/snack/meal, and it’s a favorite among adults too – so the possibilities for cereal being incorporated into other areas of our life have to be abundant {and fun}?! I was right. Here are 10 ways to use cereal…other than in your bowl.

You can throw a party, like this fabulous one at Million Dollar $mile Celebrations

You can make it your menu items…literally…just like JacOlyn Murphy.

You can make jewelry like Armelle did here.

Cereal can be a prop in an invite like this one from Mer Mag.  

It can be the most adorable favor ever. You can buy the tubes here at Lola Loves A Party on Etsy.

And just when you thought it wasn’t for grown-ups or done in a vintage manner, think again. This couple featured on Wedding Chicks had a great cereal bar.

 Off Beat and Inspired shows us how to upcycle cereal boxes for lovely gift tags.

Cereal can be edible decor on dessert too, like these adorable sunflower cupcakes by Skip to My Lou.

And, let’s not forget cereal bars. This take on cereal bars, Blueberry Pecan Cornflake Bars by Momofukufor2, looks delish.

Before you throw the cereal box away, it can be re-used in such a clever way, a gift box…and its as easy as wrapping a standard boxed gift with wrapping paper. Learn more at Spoonful.

{images via Million Dollar $mile Celebrations, Jacolyn Murphy, Armelle, Mer Mag, Lola Loves A Party, Wedding Chicks, Off Beat and Inspired, Momofukufor2 and Spoonful}

all you need is love

I always love when my beautiful friend Leigh calls me and says, “Jenna, I have a party idea … can you help me with invites, favors, and water bottle labels?!?” I love getting calls like this! Especially from Leigh, because I know when she throws a party, she does it right to the very last detail, and she does a beautiful job. It is so fun for me to be creative and help people plan a party with the papers they need to make it happen.
From the party planner and bride’s friend, Leigh:
Rachel and I have been best friends since our sophomore year of high school, so I was truly honored to host her shower, with the help of Liz and Kisa, and be a part of her upcoming wedding day. Since Rachel’s shower was only 2 days after valentine’s day, February 16, I thought I would do an ‘all you need is love’ theme for her.
We used design and paper from Fleur de Lis for the invite, water bottle labels, candy bag labels, gift bags (I had a ‘ring scratch’ game, and the 3 people who won received a bag from Fleur de Lis filled with napkins and a candle.
Guests enjoyed strawberry punch in mason jars, a mimosa bar (I didn’t take photos of that…ugh!), and brunch. I had each guest fill out the card about Rachel and  put them all in a book and presented it to her at the end of the shower. I ordered all her engagement photos for the shower and used frames from Michael’s and placed them throughout the house. Obviously, the candy station was the most fun.
 

VENDOR LOVE
invite, water bottle labels, candy bag labels and gift bags: Fleur de Lis, a paperie
cupcakes: Mulberries

{images via Leigh, party hostess}

Owl Cupcakes and Home Decor Ideas

This fall, owls are not just in trees. I’ve found those big eyes staring at me everywhere. I’m not one that has been drawn to owls in the past. Never disliked them, but never really liked them …until now.  

1. owl soap dispenser, claylicious via etsy {$30}
2. swoop or salad bowl set, modcloth {$26.99}
3. golden apple orchard LED owl candle, pier1 imports {$14.95}
4. ceramic owl planter, piggy bank or lantern, fruitflypie via etsy {$39.99}
5. owls digital clipart, scrap world 2010 via etsy
6. owls on a branch kids lamp on pink base by oopsy daisy, sweet retreat kids {$138}
NOTE: Target got in on the owl action too recently with this patch owl lamp for $60
7. wooden owl frame, urban outfitters {$18}
8. owls of the british isles wallpaper, anthropologie {$148}
9. night owl welcome mat, urban outfitters {$34}
10. owl warm and cozy mug, modcloth {$17}
11. owl cookie jar, west elm {$39}

For a little something sweet to go along with today’s post, check out these adorable owl cupcakes from one charming party.

{images via urban outfitters, claylicious, fruit fly pie, anthropologie, west elm, pier1, sweet retreat kids, scrap world 2010, modcloth, one charming party}