You Put The Lime In The...Cupcake? I'm In!

With the huge cupcake craze, I've never seen cupcakes like these. Bartender, I'd like to buy a round of margarita cupcakes for the house!

These fabulous margaritas were created by one of my very talented Chicago neighbors over at Oh, Sugar!
To see more of her adorable designs, click HERE or grab her margarita cupcake recipe to make your own. I could totally see these being served at bachelorette parties, bridal showers or weddings - it's the perfect way to celebrate!

...So Grab A Cup-A-Joe & Let's Get Some Ideas Flowing!

For some reason, drinking coffee helps me focus and get creative. It motivates me. Perhaps I drink a bit too much of it and need to cut down. For now, however, I continue to enjoy it...even more so that I recently broke out our espresso machine! Frothing is fabulous. Even saying the word "froth" is fun! Go on. Say it. "Froth!".

Let's take a look at what's brewing around the wedding industry and froth up some ideas, shall we?

(Love this coffee print? Get it at the Etsy shop by Pictorial Boom)

Here's what's up...

Bliss Weddings Market: Shares with us ways to go paperless when it comes to favor and gift styling. Using fabric, enjoy the Japanese art of Furoshiki wrapping! Seriously way cool. Thanks to this idea, I can finally put my old bridesmaid sashes to good use!

Isn't She Lovely: Shares with us her gorgeous wedding band she's decided upon...in the shape of a horseshoe! I don't think a wedding band can get much more unique, do you? I think this is a great idea for brides who want to show off "feeling lucky" to be marrying the man they love.

The Blissful Bride: Makes us laugh with hilarious but harmless pranks for friends and family to play at your wedding...ooooh too much fun!

Perfect Bound: Inspires us to coordinate our wedding food with our wedding colors. I'm especially loving the jewel-toned wedding palette...yum!

Sonia Roselli Esthetique: Sonia invites girls over for a bachelorette party, in her brand new Chicago shop! A perfect way to have a little fun or get dolled up before that night on the town. Let Sonia help you customize 2 of your own personal flavored & colored glosses, do your makeup via airbrushing techniques, apply temporary individual lashes and get glam, currently starting at under $100! For a little extra fee, you can get your hair styled too. Ooooh la la!

Snippet & Ink: Popular for her inspiration boards, Kathryn is also the queen of sharing discounts and cool giveaways from around the web! She also shared with her readers about my very first giveaway, a chance to win a signed copy of the book, "Intimate Weddings" by author Christina Friedrichsen! If you haven't entered yet, you have until March 4th. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting Snippet & Ink yet, do so now! Thanks, Kathryn!

ABCD Design: Introduces the idea of hosting a house-cooling party instead of a house-warming party since she's moving out of her house soon. I love it. Be sure to check out her ideas to see her plans for this awesome party idea!

Truly Engaging: Offers an extremely affordable but adorable idea for DIY wedding or shower favors. Simply print out tiny pictures of you and your soon-to-be husband or wife and cut them into circles to apply to the bottom of Hershey Kisses! For the favor tags, write: "What's Under A Kiss" - how sweet is that? So creative.

Bubbly Bride: Caroline realized that while everyone is a not cake person, most of us do love Rice Krispy Treats! What's the next best thing? Rice Krispy Treat wedding cakes...feast your eyes over a few of the ones she's featured...so yummy and well, "krispy"! Save a piece for me, please.

Prima Donna Bride: Features a Marie Antoinette Inspired Party, a fabulous idea for your bachelorette party or bridal shower! Without a wig, I bet you could just tease that hair up and hairspray the heck out of it...maybe stick some pink bows in there. Your man might think you look like Marge Simpson, but your girls will think you look ultra fab!

Tickled Pink: Offers brides loads of truly affordable wedding dress ideas...each one of them absolutely gorgeous!!! Save your dough, yo. After you're married, you might want to use that extra money to decorate your house with, if you're anything like my sister (or a million other brides, for that matter...). I mean, you could actually just save your money too...

Happy planning!

...Now That's Inspiring!

I'm in awe. Today while visiting the Totally Tabletops blog, I came across this gorgeous floral dress centerpiece, made out of real flowers! Check it out...

How fun must it be to be able to create such amazing floral arrangements?! Seriously, I get excited when I am able to arrange a vase of roses, let alone something like this! I think this would be super cute next to the gift or cake table at any bridal shower or wedding, don't you?

To see more fantabulous (yes, that's a word out of the Jaime Dictionary) tabletop inspiration, head on over to to Totally Tabletops by clicking HERE. Cheers!

...How Can You Go Wrong With These?

Something sweet, something fun, something yummy for your tum! Stuck on what to give as favors for your wedding or shower? Why not keep it simple, affordable and delicious? I love the idea of giving guests homemade chocolate chip cookies, especially when they're personalized and packaged like these:

Discovered at Stuff:

If you really want to go all out, personalize each bag with the guests' names. Or, perhaps make special sugar-free cookies for any diabetic guests...what a thoughtful way to show your appreciation and thanks!

I mean, come on - who doesn't love cookies? Compared to love and shoes of course, cookies are the next best thing! The gal who originally made these claims she can't cook - but she apparently can bake! To see how she created these lovely bags, click HERE. Happy baking!

...With Royal Touches!

Crown thine tables, my lord, with these fairytale accents from Wisteria!

Seed Pearl Crowns - Set of 3:

These are regal indeed! However, if you're on a tighter budget, perhaps think about turning this into a DIY project, using metal wire and beads from your local craft store. Get your girls together and ask them if they'd like to have a royal night of pampering first, then crafting. It'll show them that while you may feel like a princess, you definitely don't think of them as peasants!

Royal Radiance & Dainty Crown Votives - Set of 6:

Great for setting a mood, these majestic votive holders give a stunning effect! Brides on a budget, recreate this look by cutting out crown patterns using clear vellum paper...just be sure to make the crown wide enough so when the candle flame flickers, it doesn't burn down the table, or your event!

Cheers!

...With A Little Bit Of Betty Boop & A Cherry On Top!

Last week, on the Wishpot Wedding Blog, I decided to share a sweet little treat. My little sister is getting married soon, so I've officially started planning her bridal shower! To read more about my ideas for it, click HERE. It's going to be a lovely little vintage cherry themed soiree...with just a few details featuring Betty Boop (who she absolutely loves!)...I can't wait!

Here's the look I'm going for...enjoy!

(Photo credits: Red Dress Invites by Polkadot Design, Betty Boop from Betty Boop Store, Tablescape from The Knot, Cherry Cheesecake Recipe by Recipe Box By Lizzy, Cherry Tomato Salad picture from Brides.com, Shirly Temple picture from The Knot, Recipe Cards by Etsy seller SeaCreative, Chocolate Cherry from Veer, Tealight Holder and Lantern from Luna Bazaar, Love Fizz Gift Tags by Bellis Studios, Apron from The Merry Martini, Cherry Lip Balm Favors by Pookie, Ring from Etsy seller Muyinmolly.)

So what do you think? Have any other ideas I might be able to incorporate into this theme? I'd love to hear, so please feel free to comment away. For more wedding inspiration, head on over to the Wishpot Wedding Blog. Boop-oop-a-doop!

...Made Out Of Metal Favor Tins!

As many of you know, my family started a new annual tradition...the Christmas Ornament Exchange! It's such a great idea as it saves everyone money and gives people a chance to really give something special, which will be cherished for years to come. This year, I thought I'd make a couple of ornaments for my friends, too!

If you remember, earlier this year, I hosted a wedding shower for my brother-in-law and his wife. To make the favors, I used round metal favor tins which I filled with red hots, then wrapped with a black & silver band and secured with a scrapbooking brad. Being that it was a small shower, I had several favor tins left, so they really came in handy when it was time to make my ornaments!

To make the ornaments, I just popped out the plastic from the lids on the favor tins, tied a ribbon, then popped the plastic back in. I cut photos into circles to fit the shape of the tin, then popped the picture in. I used the white round stickers that came with the favor kit to place on the back of the photo and write things such as "Christmas 2008", etc.

I also made magnets, however I'm sorry to say I didn't get a picture of those. However, it was really easy, all I did was use the back of the favor tin, you know - the part that holds the candy. I placed the picture (with tape on the back) inside the tin like you would candy. I then cut old magnets from my fridge and superglued them to the back of the tin...wa-la! Instant photo magnets!

Of course other ideas started to pop in my head as I was making these. What if, for an event, you cut out 1" - 2" circles out of photos and scattered them around on top of top of the tables like confetti? Whoa, photo confetti! Too much fun. Love these ideas and want to make them yourself? Click HERE to purchase the tins online, or just go any local party or craft store. Happy crafting!

...Hobby Lobby Can Help You Rock It!

Um, can someone tell me when HobbyLobby.com became so cool? I mean, I've always been a fan - the stores are like my own personal heaven, I love them. However, I discovered just recently that not only are there stores fabulous, but there online site is too. They now offer a whole section filled with inspiration galore, including these darling DIY candles!

I'm really loving these candle decorating ideas. How simple, how adorable and how cool! Corset style candles?! Way too perfect for a bachelorette party, don't you think? Whether you use them as gifts for the bride or as decor for the party, they're just hot!

I can never get enough of black and white...it's so classy. Use these to dress up pre-wedding parties, weddings, to decorate your home or give as gifts!

Wondering how to make these? Click HERE and HERE, or just go to Project: Inspiration by Hobby Lobby for even more cool DIY ideas. Happy crafting, everyone!

…To Help You Organize & Make Your Big Day Countdown Easier!

Artist Natasha Burns has drawn up beautiful images of dresses, chandeliers, flowers and more in this lovely calendar. She also sells fun canvas tote bags, t-shirts, aprons, coffee mugs, mouse pads and other fun items with her drawings on them!

Here’s one of my favorite dress drawings, to see more click HERE.

What a delightful gift for any bride who's looking for a stylish way to keep track of vendor meetings, cake and wine tastings, pre-wedding parties and pickup appointments! This would also be great for wedding and event planners looking to dress up their office walls, or any girl who loves stylish things!

Get shopping for this and other items by the artist by heading over to her shop, "Artistic Creations by Natasha Burns". Cheers!

...By Zepol Creations!

I have a very good friend who is extremely talented when it comes to crafts and scrapbooking.  I'm excited to announce that she now sells her gorgeous personalized items at her new shop, "Zepol Creations"!  

She can create beautiful personalized scrapbook pages, scrapbooks, hanging wall letters and hat boxes with exquisite detailing!  The custom made hat box would make a fabulous card box for your wedding.  Here's an example of one of she's made, but you can ask her to design it any way you'd like:

One thing I really love about these items is that they can easily be used as home decor even after the wedding.  They also make perfect gifts for any occasion, including baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries and more!

To see more of her work or to order your own custom-made items, click HERE.  She's currently offering a discount off of your entire order for first time customers, so get shopping!

(Photo by Zepol Creations, discount offer valid as of today 10/12/08, however prices may change.)

...Can It Get Any Better Than This?

Anyone who can take my love for shoes along with my love for cupcakes and combine the two together so creatively, rocks my boat.  Take a look at these precious cupcakes, adorned with shoes, created by Cupcake D'Lights:

These shoe decorated cupcakes would make a lovely treat for any bridal shower or bachelorette party!

While I love their shoe cupcakes, Cupcake D'Lights also creates other beautifully detailed yummies which I know you'll fall in love with too.  To see more, check out their BLOG or their pictures on Flickr.

Thanks to Prima Donna Bride for introducing these cupcakes to me!