DIY- Dahlia Flower Brooch

A wonderful handmade gift idea for Mother's Day! Make this gorgeous felt dahlia brooch with an easy tutorial from Megan Reardon on Holidash. It even has a secret pocket in the back that can hold a picture or message. Sooo cute!

Meringue Message Cones

I love this idea! These meringue message cones would be great for birthday parties, bridal or even baby showers! I adore the pink & brown color combo.

You'll need sugar cones, meringue cookies and chocolate chips for the treat (all which can be store bought. Woot!) Pretty paper & nonpareils for the messages.

Another idea... think of the ice cream cone as packaging for favors. Replace the message and nonpareils with other "treats" like M&M's, gummi bears, skittles, etc. Get all the details at BHG

Party Planning In Progress

My little assistant & I are working on a fabulous party for next weekend! Lots of pink & green polka dots, orchids, butterflies and candy (oh my!). More details to come soon!

Have a great Sunday!

Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth day, I wanted to share this incredible pedal-powered roller coaster called the “Skycycle”. Could this be the future of green amusement parks?

I think it's funny that the side-by-side tandem pedal-powered carts have seat belts, and a cute little pink basket. They don’t have any frightening loops like other roller coasters, but the fact that you can stop at anytime and look around would absolutely terrify me.

The coaster looms over the city of Kurashiki, Japan.

Photo credits: www.treehugger.com

Since you're able to go as fast as your legs will pedal, you could potentially get stuck behind the bike in front of you and taunt them. Or better yet, be the one in front and not be able to cycle up the first incline.

Pretty amazing!

DIY Rose Cuff Bracelet

Mother's Day is right around the corner and this pretty rose cuff bracelet would make a perfect gift for those special momma's in your life! So versatile, it would look great paired with a tee and jeans or dress & heels! Get the instructions over at Ruffles And Stuff

Flowers are nice...

but handmade is nicer...

so why not give her both?!

DIY - Sea Glass Candy

What a sweet idea!

Growing up in a beach town, I have fond memories of collecting sea glass. So I was delighted (and a little nostalgic) when I saw a recipe for sea glass candy. I immediately wanted to plan a beach party just so I could make these as favors! Get the details at Intimate Weddings.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tins with paper cups or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Make a well in the center and add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 1/3 full with the batter and top with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Serves: 24

Recipe Credit:All Recipes - Photo Credit: I Am Baker

May 27th can't get here fast enough!

What a perfect excuse to plan a get together with girlfriends! I have so many fun ideas for a pre-movie party, it's hard to narrow them down. Details to come soon...

White Chocolate Blueberry Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature

1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pure almond extract

3 1/2 cups flour

1/8 teaspoon creme of tartar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt; then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and roll shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a cookie cutter of choice. Place the cookies on an ungreased sheet pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Melt some white chocolate and then just added it gently on top of the cookie. Then place the fresh blueberries on while the chocolate is still wet. Recipe credit: I Am Baker

From Bib to Wall Art - Preserving Memories

When our daughter was born, we were given a sweet little monkey pajama & bib set. I adored it so much, I bought it in every size. I was crushed when she finally outgrew the last piece.

But... I held onto the bib, hoping one day I could create something with it to remember those first wonderful months.

Then one day it hit me. I grabbed a blank canvas and painted my own rendition of the bib (adorned with a sweet felt flower embellishment).

I love how it turned out!

She now has a fun new piece of art in her room and I preserved a special memory close to my heart.

Homemade Lemon & Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

As the temperature is starting to rise, these frosty homemade treats will provide some tasty relief on a hot summer day!

Ingredients:

3 cups Greek yogurt

1 to 1 1 /2 cups sugar (to taste)

1 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir together until the sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate the mixture for a couple of hours until it is thoroughly chilled. Freeze in an ice cream maker per manufacturer's instructions.

When it has reached the consistency of soft serve, you can either scrape into a container and freeze overnight, or divide among popsicle molds and then freeze overnight. You can swirl the raspberries into the mixture before you freeze the yogurt. If you are making popsicles, you may want to cut the raspberries into pieces so you don't have large frozen berries in the pops.

Note: If you have those miniature Dixie cups, they are the perfect size for making little popsicles. Just pour in the churned base, insert some wooden sticks, chill in the freezer, and the next day you'll be able to peel off the paper and enjoy - hopefully under a warm summer sun

Recipe credit: dessertfirst.typepad.com

Chocolate Party Spoons

Create these fabulous chocolate party spoons from Delicious Delicious Delicious. A fun addition to a sundae bar or serve them to guests with their coffee! Yum!

Fish in a Bag Soap

How cute are these little guys?

I've been wanting to plan a carnival party for my daughter & her friends. These would be great prizes for the ping pong toss game.

It's also a fun gift idea, inexpensive & rather simple to make! Get the tutorial from Cap Creations

Lace Earring Frame

So girly & such a creative way to store your earrings! Get all the details from Trey and Lucy at UCreate

Chocolate Toffee Maple Bacon Cupcakes

To know me, is to know how much I love creating yummy treats with bacon! These chocolate toffee maple bacon cupcakes are delish! The flavor combination is incredible. It's hard to go wrong with chocolate and toffee, but then add the salty, smokiness of the bacon and it takes it these cupcakes to another level.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temp
1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs, room temp
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup high quality unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/2 slices cooked bacon cut into chunks
1/3 cup chopped chocolate covered toffee

Directions :

350 degree oven

1. Beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2 Add egg and beat until well combined.
3. Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small sized bowl and whisk to combine.
4. Measure out the milk and vanilla and stir to combine
5. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.
6. Gently fold in the bacon and toffee chunks.
7. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 1/2-2/3’s full. Bake cupcakes for about 22-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

8. Frost cooled cupcakes.

9. Top with a piece of maple sugar candy or crispy bacon.

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:

2-1/2 packages of Philly cream cheese
1 stick butter
5-8 cups sifted powdered sugar
~1/4 cup maple syrup

1. Bring butter to room temperature by letting it sit out for 1 or 2 hours.
2. Sift powdered sugar into a bowl or onto parchment.
3. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
4. Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar and maple syrup. Beat until combined.
5. Add more maple syrup and confectioners sugar until you get to the flavor, consistency, and sweetness you like.

Serves: 20

Recipe Credit: Cupcakeblog.com

Ice Cream Cupcakes

Yum! These little goodies are quick and simple to make! The cake is baked inside the cone and the best part... they are less messy (love!) to eat than traditional cupcakes! The key to making these look fabulous, is the distribution of the frosting. These look just like soft serve! Get all the details from House of Hepworths

April Fools Tasty Treats!

Have some fun today with April Fool food pranks. Cook up some tasty surprises for your family!

"Sushi"

Pound cake, flaked coconut, swedish fish candies & fruit leathers.

Get the all the details here

"Fish Sticks & Peas Dinner"

Sugar wafer cookies, corn flakes, green taffy candy & strawberry jam.

Get the details from Family Fun

"French Fries & Ketchup"

Breadsticks sprinkled with sugar and strawberry jam.

Get the recipe details Family Fun

"Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwich"

Vanilla pudding with red food coloring and toasted slices of pound cake with "cheese" tinted icing. Photo via Flickr

Have fun today!