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Archive for: May, 2011
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May 31, 2011
What Inspires Me: Flowers
We’re starting a new series today called “What Inspires Me.” In this series, you’ll get a peek of what gets me excited when I’m looking for inspiration. As you will see as this series unfolds, inspiration for me can come from anywhere. Today we’re starting with flowers. Let’s face it…who isn’t inspired from a gorgeous bouquet of flowers? They can brighten anyone’s day. Living and working close to New York City’s flower district provides a…
May 31, 2011
The Celebration Shoppe Giveaway Winner
Thank you to everyone who entered to the contest from The Celebration Shoppe. The lucky winner will win 20 custom print invitations, 20 thank you notes, and the printable collection of their choice ($75 value). The winner is…… Michelle. We will be sending you an email shortly.…
May 27, 2011
Cherries on Top Round Up – Happy Memorial Day!
Image via Amy Atlas. Memorial Day is here this weekend and it is the “official” start of summer in the United States. When I was a kid, I always knew that summer was around the corner when I started seeing cherries at the market. There is something about seeing those first cherries of the season that always brings a smile to my face. Instantly, I kick into summer mode and want to make summery desserts. …
May 26, 2011
Tea Party Guest Dessert Feature
We’re a little behind this week with posts because of our book project. We’ll be back to update you on what has been going on behind the scenes, but in the meantime enjoy this beautiful guest feature from Janelle and Samone from Cake Ink. This party was held on a lovely homestead called Eynesbury Estate, which is just outside Melbourne. Janelle and Samone created this vintage tea party in honor of Mother’s day, but the…
May 24, 2011
Art Party Guest Feature {& Giveaway}
We are loving this new Art collection from Kim Byers of The Celebration Shoppe. The new collection was inspired by Kim’s assistant’s daughter, Emma who loves art. This perfect palette collection includes custom invitations, thank you cards, table décor, printables, custom cookies, and a monogrammed shirt for the birthday child. The colorful desserts at this party were so fun. Paint ball gumballs, paint buckets containing large marshmallows rolled in sprinkles, rice krispie paint brushes. The…
May 23, 2011
Milk and Cookie Bar Guest Feature
It is hard for me to believe that the school year for my kids is almost over. This year just flew right by. Stacy from Scrumptious Swirls sent us this table that she created for her daughter Emma’s end of the school year party. Stacy said she was inspired by our Back to School feature in Parents Magazine. Using the theme “Smart Little Cookies”, Stacy created a milk and cookie bar that spells out YUM! …
May 21, 2011
Behind the Book – Photo Shoot & More
Above you’ll see scattered crafts and supplies from Michaels and baking supplies from KitchenAid. I know I was supposed to be on here yesterday with part II of my small business tips, but we had another few days of shooting this week for our book so I’ll get that post up next week. You all left so many wonderful comments about my tips and I’m so glad that I can be helpful for any…
May 19, 2011
INTERVIEW WITH THE INTERN: Design & Style Intern Natalie
I’m going to start to give you a peek inside of AAE and introduce you to some of the people who are on my team. First up is Natalie, our fantastic Design and Style Intern. Natalie has been on board for almost six months and I swear it feels like she has been a member of the team for years. Her style and work ethic are stellar, and she also happens to be very witty…
May 18, 2011
Constructing a Party Guest Dessert Feature
Being a mom of two boys, I have to admit that I get extremely excited when we get great submissions about boy parties. A couple of weeks ago, we showed you this post from the ladies over at Spaceships and Laserbeams. This week, we are featuring this fabulous boy party from Marissa at The Princess and the Pirate. Marissa styled this terrific table for her son’s 3rd birthday party. The yellow and black color palette…
May 17, 2011
Behind the Scenes – Dreamers into Doers Mentorship Talk {Plus My Best Small Business Advice Secrets}
Scroll Down For My Mentoring Advice for Small Businesses… Several months ago, we received the most lovely and thoughtful letter from Dawn Menon of Bees Knee*s Parties. Dawn is a member of the Dreamers into Doers Community and she was planning the Community’s Tri-State division’s monthly meeting. For some reason, when I saw this email, this request just spoke to me and I knew I wanted to do it. My business manager Lisa {aka Commander…
May 16, 2011
Lifestyle Crafts Giveaway Winner
We received over 275 entries for the the giveaway. The winner of the Letter Press Machine from Lifestyle Crafts is {drumroll}…Hillary. Congratulations. You will be receiving an email from us shortly. …
May 16, 2011
Butterfly Guest Feature
Scroll down for all of the beautiful pictures! I adore this butterfly guest dessert feature that Nicole of Tradewind Tiaras created for her daughter Niamh, whose nick name is Tykki-dyw, which means “butterfly” in Cornish. Because butterflies are so beautiful and graceful, it is something we often see incorporated into party design. You’ll see below that Nicole is one talented lady, as most of this butterfly party {including all the desserts and that fabulous cake…
May 13, 2011
Lace and Embroidery Guest Dessert Feature
My heart melted when I saw this submission that was sent to us by Truc Luu of the San Francisco Blog Treats. Truc created this sweets spread for her Goddaughter’s Christening in Norway. The inspiration came from the beautiful lace/embroidered gown that the baby wore at the christening. Although the details were subtle, the lace/embroidered theme is on the border of the tulip planters, the cake, and the lace dress cookies. The elegant and romantic…
May 12, 2011
Attention Crafters: Amazing Giveaway!
We have a fantastic giveaway for you guys today! Lifestyle Crafts is giving away an Epic Combo Kit (retail value $169.99) to one lucky winner! If you are not familiar with this kit, it is an easy-to-use die cut and letterpress machine. For all of you crafters (even novice), this fun tool can help you make your own letterpress cards, invites and decor at home. Check out the deets here to see all of its…
May 11, 2011
Sunshine and Citrus Guest Dessert Feature
Today, we are bringing a little sunshine to your day by way of Amy and Brianna from The Savvy Moms Guide. We are finally starting to thaw out in NYC. It has been a LOOOONG winter. So when we saw this post, we truly felt like Spring had sprung. The colors bounce off of the page. Every Spring, Amy and Brianna host a planting party to welcome in the new season. They plant citrus trees…
May 10, 2011
Behind the Scenes – Ronald McDonald and Icing Smiles Event
Above – Here I am with Kate Sullivan and Tracy of Icing Smiles. I told you guys a little bit last week about the event we worked on with Icing Smiles and The Pinwheel Project for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. Today, we are sharing with you some of the pictures from that amazing day. I truly feel blessed that I was a part of it. When Tracy from Icing Smiles reached out…
May 09, 2011
Sweet First Birthday Guest Feature
I was swooning when we received this submission from Melanie Mauer. Melanie took these beautiful photographs of a birthday party that was created by Elizabeth of Lovely Little Parties in Kentucky. Elizabeth created this table for a little girls first birthday. Elizabeth combined the always fail-proof stripes and dots combo with a feminine pink and yellow color palette. She also brought in ruffled and pleated accents like the ruffled curtain, pleated silk linen, and ruffled…
May 06, 2011
Happy Mother’s Day {and Mom Arleen’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake!}
I talked a lot about heroes this week here and here. Since we’re on this heroes theme this week, it seems appropriate to end the week with a post about Moms right before Mother’s Day. I personally gained a deeper appreciation for my mom after I had my own kids. It is so rewarding, but not always easy! Working moms or moms who have their own businesses have that additional challenge {see my post on…
May 05, 2011
Derby Guest Feature
I always get excited when the Kentucky Derby is around the corner. The hats, the fancy suits, the southern hospitality and traditions. It is all very exciting. My husband is in Kentucky a lot and I had the pleasure of attending my first Kentucky Derby with him {with fun hats and all} in 2004. I was pregnant as ever with my first son, but I was determined to get on my fancy suit and hat. …
May 04, 2011
Sweet Talk with Kate Sullivan
Last week, I posted about the event that we were doing for the Ronald McDonald House in conjunction with the organization Icing Smiles. We became involved through Kate Sullivan from LovinSullivanCakes. As you know from yesterday’s post, I have been thinking a lot this week about heroes. A hero is a person who has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model. Kate is just one of those people…
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Great Finds: Hunger Games Cookies March 23, 2012
If you have read The Hunger Games, then you understand the phenomenon surrounding today's opening day of The Hunger Games movie. Last year, someone recommended Hunger Games to me and I read the trilogy within a few days. Our friends at Eleni's turned Katniss, Peeta and Gale into sweet treats. { Read More } -
S’mores Day Roundup August 10, 2011
Photo credits above: 1) Frozen S'mores 2) S'more Cakelettes 3) S'mores Tarts S’mores may be the one kid’s treat adults feel no shame in eating. Whether you spent your childhood summers in front of a campfire or in the middle of the city, that gooey chocolate sandwich is nostalgia in dessert form. { Read More }