Ombre has taken the wedding + event (and fashion, and interiors..) trends by STORM! It’s a fabulous color fading that is quite fun for parties, especially pink girl’s birthday parties like this chic party by Ashley Ramirez of Eighteenth Avenue Events. As Ashley described, “Instead of going with a young kid themed party, this ombre pink variety mixed with gold accents made this one year birthday look classy. The overall theme of the party was pink ombre with lots of balloons. The invitations were printed on balloons that the guests had to inflate to read (while their little one got to play with the balloon at home). The extra balloon invitations were blown up all over the floor inside the house of the party, as well as a variety of balloons all throughout the house in the many shades of pink.”

We are smitten with the balloons and have loved seeing them used more and more in parties lately! Just look at that sweet girl’s smile above? Happiness! Celebrating with darling parties is all about making memories and this party is certainly going to be a cherished memory. Ashley shared more party details below…

“As you entered the party, you were greeted with a bar that held hanging decor of monthly photos of the past year of Brooke’s life, gold framed photos from her one year photo session, as well as a three foot handmade Number 1 cut out with pink ombre tissue paper covering the entire number. As you began to walk through the house, you noticed the balloon invitations blown up all over the floor leading you to where the party was. The party mainly took place outside, thank goodness for GREAT weather that day. It is not a birthday party without a cake and dessert bar…The entire a dessert bar was set up outside with gold linens, a photo of the birthday girl from her smash cake photoshoot, and framed with pink ombre balloons. All the desserts were pink, including the large ombre cake, mini ombre cakes, pink cherry pretzels, pink dipped rice crispy treat pops, number 1 ombre lollipops, pink waffers, pink sixlets, strawberry brownies, pink lemonade, and fruit cups with strawberry watermelon and raspberries. 

For the activities we had bubble machine set up, outside playground, a trampoline, as well as a coloring station inside therefore all ages of kids could enjoy. The favors reflected our activities were small boxes of crayons and bubbles tied together with a metallic slap bracelet.

Eighteenth Avenue Events created this budget friendly, one year birthday party, photographed by the talented Allie Rae Photography.”

CREDITS + RESOURCES: Event Planner: Eighteenth Avenue Events | Photographer: Allie Rae Photography | Lollipops: Vintage Confections | Custom Chalkboard Sign: Moulage Collection | Balloon Invitations: Fast Balloons | Paper goods/supplies: Shop Sweet Lulu & The Tom Kat Studio

You can find more cute pink party ideas here on Sulia: Mini Cones | Pink Fairy Party | Pink Flower Petit Fours

You might remember this sweet giveaway we hosted recently! Well, Milo Paper is back, and it’s all about DAD this time! Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16th so be sure to pick out something he’ll love like a Men’s Notebook + iPad Cover! We’re thrilled to share the Men’s Notebook Collection from Milo Paper! I know my Dad is always so busy so a “guy-worthy” notebook to keep it all organized is a great Father’s Day gift! I use my Milo Paper notebook daily, and I’m always receiving compliments on how fabulous it is!

See the entire Men’s Collection

These Men’s Collection notebooks are ideal for taking notes on the go with style.  A very portable 5×7 size with 50 sheets, are light to carry and are great for meetings at the office.  With a variety of colors and monogram options, these Men’s Collection notebooks are the perfect gift for men that want to stay organized!

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Join me TONIGHT for a fun Pinterest Party with Jenny Raulli from Bloom Designs Online and Jenny Dixon of Craft That Party and enter below to win a copy of my new book Frostings (will ship July 1st, the day it releases)! All the details of the party are above, and yes, you read that right! Tori Spelling will be joining the group of bloggers to share her creative ideas too! So hop on by tonight and gather up some sweet ideas for summer entertaining. Plus, some of the other gals listed above will be hosting fabulous giveaways too so you could win big!

 Enter to win below!

Chillin’ and Grillin’ Pinterest Board

• Join us Wednesday, May 22 at 9pm EST/6pm PST and watch our hostesses pin their favorite summer entertaining ideas. We hope you will re-pin your favorite ideas, add comments, and look for special prize pins!
• Prizes will be pinned during the hour. Click on the prize pins and you will be taken to the site to enter a Rafflecopter drawing.

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Duck Dynasty is my favorite show. No, I’m serious. I literally own it on DVD and have a hot pink Duck Commander t-shirt. I embarrassed my husband by hauling him to Bass Pro just so I could get a Duck shirt. Obsessed. So when Megan Wilson of Cattle and Cupcakes sent us pictures from a recent Duck Dynasty Party she hosted, I was totally head over heels in love. A Duck Dynasty party? Why didn’t I think of that? How fun for viewing parties or just a funny summer shindig. This makes me “happy happy happy”, y’all! Be sure to scroll to the bottom for the menu, favors, etc. It’s a Party, Jack!

DUCK DYNASTY PARTY FOOD

What’s a Duck Dynasty party without some good ol’ “Grilled Frog” (aka grilled chicken), “BBQ Duck” (aka BBQ Chicken), and “Squirrel Sausage” (aka sausage balls). On the sweet side, there were cupcakes and “dirt cake”. Lemonade and Si’s Sweet Tea in Mason Jars were the perfect beverages!

Decorations were of course - CAMOUFLAGE to the max! Camo blanket, table accessories, and duck decoys. There was even a a copy of the original “duck call” patent by Phil Robertson. Plus, Duck Dynasty printables pulled the whole party together!

Guests enjoyed Duck Dynasty trivia + a “Mallow Dog Eating Contest” complete with prizes! Favors included burlap bags with S’mores kits inside. How perfect?

CREDITS + RESOURCES: Submitted by Cattle and Cupcakes | Printables: BisonBleu | Decor: IzzyJ | LoveBug Gifts | AmandaKrueger | PatentPrints

“When Everly first said she wanted a Beyonce party, I was a little bit stumped. I wasn’t sure how to do a party that would be appropriate for her age group. I sat with the idea for a few days, Googling Beyonce and learning a little bit more about her. I noticed that she was going to have a cover on the March issue of Vogue, once I saw the spread, the ideas starting flowing! I decided to “recreate” the photo shoot with Everly, and use the Superbowl Halftime Show as inspiration for decorations. There was a lot of glitter!!! I went with a mini-mogul approach, and focused on the ways in which Beyonce has been a positive role model by including motivational quotes.” – Jessica Bender

MORE PARTY DETAILS + MENU

“I designed the invitation to look like an oversized concert ticket. I used a photo of Everly, taken with inspiration from Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter World tour promotional posters. I made beverage labels, toppers, and popcorn boxes; even custom gift bags with a “House of Everly” logo (inspired by the House of Dereon). The swag bags had “Everly 4″ mixed CD’s, with the cover inspired by Beyonce’s 4. There were also Everly 4 pencils, and of course some bling; custom made rings by Little Wren!”

When Everly saw the party room, her face lit up, and every late night design, or craft session was immediately worth it!

PARTY MENU: Vegetable sceptres, Fruit star kebabs, Birthday cake, Mini cupcakes, Apple crisp push up pops, Candy and caramel popcorn, Louboutin Cookies, Halo cakes (mini angel food cakes), Ring cakepops, Macarons, Blueberry lemon loaf, Grammy lollipops Beverages: orange pop, apple juice, water

CREDITS + RESOURCES: Party Design, Graphic Design: Jessica Bender | Photography: Jessica Bender Photography and Kim Kalyn | Press Printing: Metropol Print Shop | Ribbon + Washi Tape: Michael’s Crafts | Flower stems supplied by: Poppy’s Floral Art | Rings: Little Wren | Pencils: Oneup Designs | Cupcakes and Ring Cakepops: Serena’s Sweets | Cake: Schur to Please Wedding and Speciality Cakes | Cookies: Marcia Sedola | Macarons: Bon Macaron | Popcorn: Kernel’s Popcorn | Lollipops: Whirly Pops | Location: Gordon Head Recreation Centre

For more party food ideas, try this hot pink glitter fudge over on my Sulia acount!

How to Host a Cheese Judging Party

• Cheese Varities: This is my #1 because you can’t host a cheese judging party without a variety of fantastic cheeses. I chose several of my favorite Cracker Barrel Cheeses including baby swiss, jalapeno, extra sharp cheddar, and aged reserve. They’re award-winning and full of flavor so your guests will truly love them. Other faves to add? Blue cheese, feta, and brie! 
• Judging Stations: Give each guest a judging station. I used simple slate boards to hold the cheese along with a few accompaniments like dried pomegranates, arugula, pecans, honey, and crackers. These additions help cleanse the palate. Be sure each guest also has a glass of wine to sip along too.
• Be sure each guest knows the types of cheeses so they quickly judge away at their faves. Create a list or label them with toothpicks and little flags.
• Cheese judging is an art so make it easier on guests by providing them with a copy of the “Cracker Barrel Tasting Square” below. Click here to download the the PDF.

Here is a brief introduction into more detail of cheese styles by moisture. Most of my choices fall into the medium category but I encourage you to include cheeses from all 4 columns to give guests a wide variety!

Every cheese judging party needs a score sheet! This one divides choices by points and makes it very easy to determine the winner. I love all the details and room for comments.

I truly had a fabulous time judging away at the cheeses. What came out on top? The Aged Reserve by Cracker Barrel. It’s full of flavor without being overwhelming. It paired well with all the accompaniments including the wines. It’s rich and distinctly sharp with a clean, tangy dairy flavor. Tasty! Host your own cheese judging party and see which cheese comes out on top for you and your friends!

Disclaimer: I’m working together with Cracker Barrel Cheese to bring a variety of cheese recipes + party ideas to you. Though I am being compensated for my time + effort, the opinions above are my own. 

I recently asked one of my best friends: “What is your favorite dessert?” to which she aptly responds “just one?!“. That’s why she’s my bestie. Anyway, she replies with Tres Leches Cake! Yum. However, that doesn’t fly too well and since I am seeing her this weekend, I decided to make her some dulce de leche cookie bars instead. Close enough, right? Right. They’re super easy (they use refrigerated sugar cookie dough) and completely totally melt-in-your-mouth ooey gooey good. Whip up these bad boys for friends, neighbors, coworkers, whoever. Good luck giving them away though, they’re at the top of my fave recipes list now. They’re certainly not the perfect, every-one-looks-the-same type dessert. Embrace the ooey gooey, y’all!

 Happy Weekending, friends!

Hosting little tea parties was one of my favorite things to do as a little girl. There is just something so perfect about sipping tea and eating yummies. This darling garden tea party was designed by Lauren Haddox Design. Sweet Emery’s birthday party is one to remember! Lauren styled the party with Emery’s grandmother – Mimi- who designed all the floral arrangements. How speical! And they’re so gorgeous. The sweet little party gals even wore garden hats. Cute! Lauren shared a few details with us:

“As guests arrived, they walked through a deco mesh butterfly arch. We hung tissue pom poms and honey comb balls from tent and had little white tables set for tea. The girls sipped pink lemonade from a variety of china patterns. They were served finger sandwiches, veggie cups and fruit kabobs. Cake balls, petit fores, and chocolate covered rice krispy treats were served for dessert. This is a great age for arts and crafts. It was so cute to watch the girls create cupcake wrapper flowers and watercolor butterflies. A white lace garden hat sat on each chair for the girls to wear during the party and take home with them as a favor.”

I’m so ready to host a little tea party now! And another thing I love? The colors! You don’t have to pick 1 or 2 colors. Parties can be colorful just like a flower garden – and it’s still so gorgeous! I also love the fabric tablecloth that really adds lots of pops of color and fun to this sweet tea party birthday! The party activity - creating cupcake wrapper flowers and watercolor butterflies - was also perfect for this age and gives the kids something to take home from the party!

Happy Birthday to Emery!

Party Submitted by Lauren Haddox Design

I’ve been “all things ice cream” lately so when I saw this itty bitty mini cones (seriously, so tiny and cute), I knew I had to whip up a little dessert idea with them! I’ve actually never made cake cones. So I thought this was the perfect chance for me to try them out and make a cute little mini treat.

Place your mini ice cream cones in a mini muffin tin. Excuse the fact that mine looks like it has been around the block a few times. It has. I call it “loved”. Anywho, they fit easily down in there. Preheat your oven o 350.

Then we stop and look at this cute sign (I got it at Swoozies during my book signing in Atlanta last year). Isn’t it cute? So cute.

You make the batter (use your fave chocolate cake or any other flavor) and fill each cone 2/3 of the way full. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Once they are done, they look like this (above). Don’t worry if some puff up more than others. No big deal.

Then when they cool, you pipe them! I mean, do those not look just like little ice cream cones? This couldn’t be easier either! No serious dessert talent needed. I used a round tip to frost mine but you could use a bag with the corner snipped for a similar look. You can make any frosting you fancy. I highly recommend this book for Frostings ;)

Here’s a picture to show just how teeny tiny they are!

So tiny.
Sprinkles are always a must. I used some pearly sprinkles that I bought here. They have a slight shimmer to them which is fun! You can use any sprinkles that your heart desires though.

Then they need their sprinkle bath.

Want to see the inside, huh? Here it is! In all it’s chocolatey cake glory. These little guys are SO DELICIOUS! I personally love the fact that you can customize it too. Pick your favorite cake + frosting pairs.

Easy peasy! I used the mini cones made by Joy. I found them at my regular grocery so be on the lookout next time you’re in the market! And see more ice cream ideas over on my Sulia account here + here!

Hot Fudge
Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Sauce
Strawberry Fruit Topping
Mixed Berry Fruit Topping
Cherry Fruit Topping
Rainbow Sprinkles
Chocolate Sprinkles

My personal fave is the hot fudge sauce. It can be microwaved right in the bag which is genius and makes for easy clean-up. And Oh my word. So delicious. And of course – SPRINKLES - because it’s edible confetti and who doesn’t like that?! You’ll love trying them all with your family + friends. I also love that they are made with real fruit and no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. Just the good stuff! Breyers Toppings will be available May 2013 in Wal-Mart, select Target and grocery chains nationwide.

Think you’re a Sundae Savvy Mom?

Then we want you on the Breyers ® Toppings Sundae Savvy team! Calling all Internet-savvy moms with a taste for making the best treats out there — we want you on our Sundae Savvy team.

If you love ice cream, toppings and other kid-pleasing snacks, simply fill out the form on www.breyerstoppings.com/savvy-moms to be considered.

Select savvy moms will receive a bunch of our Breyers ® Toppings to sample and to share. Then, you can post your recipes, suggestions and more to your social media pages — which we’ll also feature on our website. We’re looking for 25-30 Sundae Savvy Moms to be selected between May 21 and June 30, 2013. Think you have what it takes? Tell us why on www.breyerstoppings.com/savvy-moms. The Sunday Savvy Mom promotion will be live on Tuesday, 5/21!
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You might have seen our little news here, and I’m over-the-top excited that the feature went live on Martha Stewart Weddings! When the editors first contacted me, I was completely ecstatic. Create and style a project for MS Weddings? Of COURSE! The project features the hues from this spring’s issue – cornflower blue + melon orange. Very pretty and perfect for spring. I decided to come up with a sweet little dessert favor idea that could be used for everything from bridal shower favors to wedding favors. They’re simple and can be adjusted to fit any bride’s color palette.

The treat is a coconut orange truffle nestled down in a cute frilly little flower treat holder. All “DIY” and super easy. Get the recipe + DIY details right here on Martha Weddings!

Hope you LOVE it! :)

ENTER TO WIN A GARNISH GIFT CERTIFICATE BELOW! 

Garnish also publishes a magazine that is full of even more fabulous ideas! You’ll want to check out these pages for so many party + celebration ideas. Visit the magazine here! I’m loving the glitz + glam of this Spring’s issue!

How adorable are these darling goodies? I love the kraft box kit in the bottom left above! I used a similar idea with kid’s toys at my rehearsal dinner as we had lots of little ones. It was so great to give them their own little “toy box” and they stayed very busy! I also love gable boxes for boxed lunches, favors. etc. Cute striped straws?! Right here!

How cute are these ideas?! I love the beverage containers. They’re perfect for brunches, baby showers, etc. You can personalize anything with labels or tags! Another favorite of mine are the soup/ice cream containers. I adore these for anything from mini cookies to candies too! 

Now it’s time to win! We’re giving away $25 shop credits to 4 lucky winners + you can enter directly below in the giveaway widget. Easy peasy!

Follow Garnish on Twitter | Follow Garnish on Facebook | Follow Garnish on Pinterest

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SO excited to share this EXCITING new shop that has opened up from my dear friend Kori Clark of Paper & Pigtails. Kori has helped me with more projects than I can even name (from the logo for Spiced to my Rehearsal Dinner). She’s a total party rockstar and someone I truly admire. This graphics shop idea has been in the works for a bit so I’m SO EXCITED it’s open! Are you a blogger, party designer, crafter, photographer, or stationery designer?! Bookmark her shop, y’all! You’ll come runnin’ back because everything is so gosh darn cute.

For me, I always wonder “how do I get a cute little banner across my photo” for a blog post or “I wish I had a silhouette of a mason jar” for this project. Done! Easy! See a sampling of the darling ideas below…

We asked Kori what inspired her to open the graphics shop: “I have been creating digital illustrations for over 12 years, and all of that time I spent looking for “outlets” where I could use my graphics and illustrations. I used them in photography templates, logos and marketing, party printables, and more…just so that I could keep drawing them. This past fall I realized that the graphics and illustrations themselves have been the heart of my freelance business all along, so why not let them become the outlet? With so many amazing designers, bloggers, photographers, crafters, and DIYers out there that have the knowledge and programs to create their own designs, that I wanted to add to their tool box! As a designer, I loved finding small font websites, where they had a certain style of typography. I knew that when I was looking for something in that style, I could find it quickly on their site instead of looking at the big sites. I wanted to create a similar site for graphics and I am really thrilled to see it come to life!” — Kori Clark

The categories are so great for all types of uses! I love the sweets, treats, & baking (obviously) :) They’re truly all great for jazzing up photos, creating a craft project, enhancing a holiday photo, you name it!

VISIT KORI CLARK GRAPHICS & ILLUSTRATIONS

Follow me over on Sulia for other tips for bloggers including delicious recipes!

Summer is on the horizon and that means one thing around here: SUMMER PATIO PARTIES! Ok, let me rephrase. Patio is where I’m doing my summer parties but backyards, beaches, poolsides, parks, you name it! It’s time to heat up the grill and enjoy a summer celebration. We all need a few go-to party food recipes in our collection for those last-minute gatherings. I keep Alexia Sweet Potato Fries in my oven on a regular basis for easy recipes like this one. BBQ Sweet Potato Nachos. My husband is now requesting them on an almost-daily basis. They’re that good. More importantly, they’re easy!

The best part? You don’t have to turn on the oven because that’s the last thing we all want to do when the summer months are here. You can make these bad boys right on the grill – from frozen! YEP! We have the step-by-step pictures below. (1) Make a tin-foil tray by topping a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil with another piece that has been crumpled. Then fold the bottom layer on all edges to form a tray! Spray with nonstick cooking spray. (Easy peasy! 

HOW TO MAKE FRIES ON THE GRILL

1. Preheat gas grill to medium (400 to 450°F).
2. Create foil grilling tray using two sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil (see pictures above).
3. Arrange food in a single layer on foil grilling tray. Place tray on grill. Close Lid.
4. Cook to desired color and texture turning one or twice during cooking time. (Potatoes/Fries = 20-25 minutes and Onion Rings = 15-20 minutes)
Note: Food must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.  Every grill is different; adjust time and temperature as needed.

This post has been sponsored by Alexia Foods as part of the Alexia Tastemaker Program, but all opinions expressed are my own. You can find info + coupons here!