Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, from my family to yours!

Be safe & have fun!



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Little Miss Chatterbox Party

My precious niece wanted a Little Miss Chatterbox themed party. I instantly wanted to incorporate an 80s feel. Why not have the party at a skating rink?!

 

 

I made mouths for all the little girls to "pin the mouth on Little Miss Chatterbox".

 

 

My sister baked these adorable lollipop cookies. She attached favor tags that read "Thank You For Coming to Little Miss Emilee's Birthday Bash"

 Happy birthday beautiful Emilee. I love you so much!

 



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Grooms Cake Ideas

 

 

Having trouble getting groomie involved in the hubbub of wedding planning? If you're soon-to-be husband is like most, the only thing that interests him when making wedding plans is...you guessed it; the tastings. Get him involved with the grooms cake plans as well! Some brides like to surprise their groom with their cake ( I did!). But, if you find yourself wanting your groom to be more present in the planning process (I didn't!), then give him some creative options for his grooms cake.

 

Favorite Sports Team

Have a cake decorated like a football or baseball field.

 

Sport Mascot

A cake shaped like Mr. Met will be sure to please him! ;)

 

College Colors

Have a smaller tiered cake with his coordinating college colors.

 

Favorite Hobbies

 If he loves to fish, have a cake shaped like a boat.

 

Donut Cake

Think cupcake tree with donuts instead!

 

Occupation Cake

Is he a police officer, doctor?

 

Ice Cream Sundays

Let him have creative license over the types of ice cream and different toppings!

 

TV Show or Movie

Does he love Superman? Madmen? Incorporate that into his cake!



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Mario Themed Party

A fun theme for a little boys' birthday party is a Mario Brothers party! Here's how you can achieve the look successfully:

You can purchase this package: HERE

Package Includes:

• 25 Cupcake Toppers
• 20 Favor Tags
• 1 Birthday Banner
• 1 Small ( Ex. "____ & Yoshi's Island" Banner
• 2 Large Framed Customized Signs (Ex. "Welcome to ____ Party!" , "Thank You For Coming to ____ Party!" , etc.)
• 1 medium Framed Customized Sign (Ex. Monogram)
• 25 Straws "Yum!"
• 20 Customized Invitations



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What to Bring With You on Your Wedding Day

 

You absolutely will need to pack a little emergency kit for your wedding. Plan for the unexpected! Most good wedding planners keep one of these kits in their car at all times! I'll share my emergency kit that I bring to give you a little insight on what is good to plan for.
 

• Tylenol
• Panty Hose
• Clear Nail Polish
• Tide Pen
• Bobbi Pens
• Double Sided Tape
• Lots of Pens
• Sharpie
• Extra Envelopes
• Boom Box with EXTRA Batteries
• A CD of Wedding Music
• Deodorant
• Baby Powder
• Tums
• Baby Wipes
• Power Bars
• At Least 10 Water Bottles
• Extension Cord
• Mouth Wash
• Perfume
• Lotion
• Flats
• Hairspray
• Band Aids
• Portable Fan
• A Couple Disposable Cameras
• Umbrella
• Corsage Pins
• Floral Tape
• Imodium (you don't want to know)

Don't forget to enjoy your wedding day! Hopefully this list can calm an unexpected mishaps!
 

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Circus Themed Party

Looking for a cute themed party for your little one?

A circus themed party is such a cute idea for a boy or girl! For months, I have been dying to put together a circus themed party package. My aunt mentioned that my adorable little cousin was having a circus themed birthday party, so I gladly volunteered any help she may need. This is what I came up with:

 

 

I hope he has the best birthday a precious little man could dream of!

 

You can purchase this party package: Here

 

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Bridal Shower Ideas

Find yourself planning a bridal shower, but have no idea where to begin? I've put together a few of my favorite bridal shower themes

 

-Lingerie Shower. Every guest beings a pair of (new) underwear for the bride that they feel matches their personality & she gets to guess who got them for her!

 

-Cooking Themed Shower. Each guest brings their favorite (printed out) recipe for the bride to put in her recipe book so she can brush up on her wifey skills. A lot of caterers host these type of events where they teach everyone how the pros cook! Super fun & interactive.

 

-Afternoon Tea Party. Everyone comes wearing their tea party gear (gloves, hat, etc.). Tea sandwiches & small desserts are served. A fun reason to dress up!

 

-Painting Party. A lot of art studios host art classes for parties. Have some champagne, while an instructor teaches you how to paint! The best part is that everyone leaves with their own piece of art they created themselves!

 

-Spa Party. This is my personal favorite! You can create a spa environment in your home or go to the spa. Everyone gets pampered to the max for the day, while sipping moscato! The bride will definitely thank you for this one!

 

Good luck! Don't forget to have fun while planning! :)

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Cowgirl Themed Birthday Party

Thinking of a super cute & girlie cowgirl themed party for your little one? Here's how to make the look work:

 

 

You can purchase this package: HERE

 

The package includes:

• 25 Cupcake Toppers
• 20 Favor Tags
• 1 Birthday Banner
• 1 Small "Watering Hole" Banner
• 2 Large Burlap Covered - Framed Customized Signs (Ex. "Hey Y'all! Come On In!" , "Thank You For Coming on Down!" , etc.)
• 1 medium Burlap Covered - Framed Customized Sign
• 25 Sandwich picks "Yum!"
• 20 Customized Invitations

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Snow White Themed Party Invitations

I just dropped my big girl's birthday party invitations in the mail. This is the first year that she has really had a huge input on her birthday party, and she is proving to be more and more like her mother! I'm not sure if I should be worried! The other night before I put her to bed she told me to make sure I make her party "fancy". I hope these invitations are fit for a princess:

 

 

I used a free printable from www.weddingchicks.com

 

I'll be sure to follow up with pictures of her "fancy" party! ;)

 





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DIY Cupcake Toppers

I think a cute topper can really dress up a cupcake and tie together the whole theme of an event.

Here's a tutorial on how to make your own!

 

                          

Print out whatever logo or initial you want on white cardstock.
Punch out the writing with the smaller punch.
 

 

 
With the double sided tape, apply the smaller paper on top of the larger shape.
 

 
Place a dot of hot glue on the back of the larger paper and apply the toothpick.
Place a piece of double sided tape on the back of this paper, near the toothpick.

Stick an additional paper on the back to give it a uniformed look.

 

Viola!

 



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Most Inexpensive Wedding Flowers

 

Flower expenses can really add up when planning your wedding. If you are looking to cut costs & don't know where to begin, consider these floral choices:

 

• Carnations
• Gerber Daisies
• Roses
• Lavender
• Cornflowers
• Gladiolus
• Baby's Breath & other fillers
• Daffodil
• Mums
 

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Amazing Guestbooks

 

There are so many fun ways to get creative with your guestbook. I also must say, I don't like to only have a guestbook at a wedding. I always recommend guestbooks at birthday parties, anniversary parties, bridal showers, etc. There are so many ways to make your guestbook a personal memento to remember the occasion by.

 

Recipe for Success: Get a recipe folder & hand out recipe cards for the guests to give their advice on success. This would be great at a cooking themed bridal shower or a graduation party.

 

Thumbprint Tree: Frame a large tree & have guests leave their thumbprint with their signature. This way you have your first piece of art as newlyweds!

 

Polaroid Photo Album: Put sleeves in a photo album. As each guest arrives, have them take a photo of them self, write their name & a little note! It would be so much fun to look back on.

 

Signature Art: This could be any object that holds semblance to what you are individually or as a couple. For example, if you both are water lovers, have your guests sign an oar. You can then hang it in your home!

 

A List of Favorite Memories: Each guest gets a card to write their favorite memory shared with the person being honored. I love this idea for birthdays or retirement parties.

 

Puzzle Guest Book: Each guest signs a puzzle piece. I think this is great for a couple that loves board games, or a child's birthday party!

 

Time Capsule Guestbook: Have guests leave kind, loving words for a designated anniversary or birthday to be read.

Signature Quilt: Have guests sign a square of fabric, with a little note, and after the wedding sew them together! You have an amazing quilt to remember your special day while you snuggle up!

 

I hope this inspires you to get creative with your guestbook!



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Candy Themed Birthday Party

Looking for a cute & different theme for your sweetie's birthday? Host a candy themed birthday party! Here's some ideas of what it could look like:

 

 

You can purchase this package here:  Here

 

The package includes:

• 25 Cupcake Toppers
• 20 Favor Tags
• 1 Birthday Banner
• 1 Small "Grab Something Sweet" Banner For A Candy Bar
• 2 Large Framed Customized Signs (Ex. "Welcome to ____ Sweet Party!" , "Thank You For Coming to ____ Sweet Party!" , etc.)
• 1 medium Framed Customized Sign (Ex. Monogram)
• 30 Straws
• 20 Customized Invitations



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Biggest Mistakes Brides Make on Their Wedding Day

I love to save a buck more than most. When planning a wedding, while sticking to a budget, you really need to make smart choices. The tricky thing is; most people have never planned a wedding until they find themselves engaged. It can really be a recipe for disaster if you try to save money the wrong ways. I'm going to share a few ways NOT to try to save money.

Most brides think that hiring a planner is a great expense to cut. The reason that planning your wedding yourself can actually cost you more is; the planner has a repor with these vendors and can usually negotiate prices. Also, they will know little tricks of the trade you can use to save big $$$.

Sometimes brides get a little too crazy with the DIY, including with the flowers. The thing with assembling your own flowers is, you can't buy from a floral wholesaler at a discounted price, because it requires a license. This can mean that you will be spending a lot more than hiring a professional.

I've been hearing a lot about couples using their ipod instead of hiring a DJ. This makes me crazy!! To run a successful wedding day, you need an MC (Master of Ceremonies). You need to be able to have that non-emotionally invested person keep the itinerary flowing. You also need all the events ie toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. to be announced so that your guests know what's going on.

Hiring a friend that takes great photos may sound good in theory. Truth is, your wedding day will pass faster than any other day in your life. You want to make sure that an experienced professional captures every moment. In the end, it's all you're left with.

I hope this helps any of you on a budget. I hate to see brides pay more for a lesser quality of a wedding! Best of luck!!



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Food & Drink Bars Are IN!

 

One trend that's popping up everywhere is food and beverage bars. This is such a fun idea and can really go beyond the candy bar. It's a great way to wow guests. Here are some ideas to spice up your wedding or event with food and beverage bars:

 

• Iced tea bars. Serve different berries for guests to infuse into their tea.
• Ice cream bars. Have different flavors and toppings for guests to create their own sunday.
• Mashed potato bar. Serve assorted shredded cheeses, green onions, bacon bits, sour cream, ranch, etc.
• Macaroni and cheese bar. Serve chopped meats and veggies.
• Baked potato bars. This idea is similar to the mashed potato bar.
• A Chili Station. Serve hot chili in soup wells and serve different garnishes like cheese etc.
• Pasta bar. Serve several different types of short pasta & alfredo, marinara, pesto etc.
• Hot chocolate bar. Serve marshmallows, crumbled cookies etc.
• Coffee bar. Serve different flavors of syrups and creamers.
• Grilled cheese station. Serve assorted cheeses, meats and veggies for your guests to choose from.
• Taco/nacho bar. Serve tons of fixins' & assorted tortillas for guests to make their own yummy  creation.

Enjoy!

 



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Top 10 First Dance Songs

 

Having trouble choosing your first dance song? It's a very important decision & requires a lot of consideration, since it's your first dance as husband and wife. I've come up with a top ten list of nontraditional first dance songs.

 

1. Adele- "Make You Feel My Love"
2. Cat Powers- "Sea of Love"
3. Joshua Radin- "Baby You Got What I Need"
4. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
5. Ingrid Michaelson- "The Way I Am"
6. Jack Johnson- "Better Together"
7. Bright Eyes- "The First Day of My Life
8. Death Cab for Cutie- "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"
9. Coldplay- "Green Eyes"
10. Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat- "Lucky"

 

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You're Engaged...Now What?

Congratulations on your engagement! This is such a happy time in you life. It's also a time in your life that you may find yourself in unknown, and at times, overwhelming territory. Don't be afraid!! I'm going to provide you with a list of the first things you should do that will make your planning process much less stressful.

 

 

 

First thing's first; establish a budget. This budget is for EVERYTHING; dress, rehearsal and all the little things you may not think about. Have plenty of wiggle room in the budget for when something unexpected comes up, because it will (alterations, event insurance etc.)!

 

 

Next thing you need to do is arrange a consultation with an experienced wedding planner. The most common, and biggest mistake couples make, is trying to save money by skipping the planner. You may be surprised to find out that a wedding planner will actually SAVE you money! They have expert negotiation skills that will save you big time with vendors! Luckily, most planners offer one free consultation if that calms your nerves. :)

 

 

Now the bride and groom must discuss the top 5 things they have to have for their big day. This is likely going to cause some serious compromise! If your budget is limitless than you can skip this step!

 

 

Once the "top 5" is discussed and settled, choose 5 things that you would love to incorporate into your wedding, but aren't deal breakers. This is where the wiggle room money is useful! Again if that budget is limitless (lucky!), just write a list of everything your heart desires.

 

 

Next, you will decide on a "theme". Decide if you want a casual or a black tie wedding. Decide what colors fit into this feel for the "theme" to be cohesive.

 

 

Once you figure out these first five steps, with the help of your wedding planner, things will fall into place much easier!

Good luck & Congratulations!

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