Tuxedo Cake Pops

Asa and I tried out Bakerella's cake pops for the Oscars.  We hadn't made them before and they turned out great.  Although they are really really sweet! White chocolate coated cake and frosting!  I'm not a white chocolate fan - but they are definitely fun to make!

(We used bats from our halloween sprinkles for the tie, and I piped melted white chocolate for the buttons.)

Inspiration Board: Aqua, Orange, and Red

Inspiration for spring wedding flowers with aqua, red, and orange.

Enjoy the Oscars!

(picture from sheekshindigs.com)

We're doing a pretty casual party - it just comes up so fast after Valentine's, amidst a bunch of birthdays and we're not die hard fans so I tend to be last minute!  Sometime I'd like to go more all out - maybe next year... 

I'm a big sucker for cookie cutters!  

(picture from pizzazzerie.com)

Maybe then we'll make the stacked oreo cake (from Martha Stewart - takes ~20 oreo packages!) but we wouldn't be able to eat it all. (this would make a fantastic groom's cake by the way!)

(from Twig and Thistle)

Real Weddings: Lisa and CJ Professional Shots

We've landed in the middle of a ton of snow and hazardous road conditions which means Asa and I are not going to the craft store for fabric or the grocery store for butter.  So instead of the project I'd intended to do here's some pictures I never posted.  These are some of the professional shots, taken by Meredith Frazier, of Lisa and CJ's flowers.  All roses - enjoy!

Wedding Music: Recondita Armonia sung by Bray Wilkins

Wedding Planning: Martha Stewart On-line Wedding Expo

Head on over to Martha Stewart Weddings to register for their online bridal expo!  These are always full of fantastic ideas and it's free - win win!

Sunday Waffle Bar Brunch

(The only shot I got of the table and this was before we loaded it up!)

Yesterday after church we celebrated my sister in law's birthday with a brunch at our place!  We did a waffle bar with eggs benedict.  The nice thing about waffles and poached eggs is that it doesn't take up a lot of time baking the day before (and friends brought the toppings) but it does mean last minute busyness with people manning various stations.  

My husband manned the sausage and english muffin toasting, my sister in law did the egg poaching, my mom whipped up amazing scones, and I did the waffles so it all worked out. Thanks for the help!

I had leftover hearts cut out from my paper heart garland (which was still hanging up) and I used those for labels and the color scheme: pink/yellow Februaryish.

I was thrilled to find a number of these bottles at Ross (cheaper than IKEA even! IKEA carries these too if you're looking.)

The aperture setting was all messed up on my camera and I didn't notice while I grabbed these between cooking waffles.

The birthday girl - making perfect poached eggs!  (Sorry for the lack of pictures.  We were too busy eating.)

Recipes: 

Hollandaise - Alton Brown - fantastic! added a little extra cayenne.

Buttermilk Waffles - Cooks Illustrated - also great, tripled it no problem

Oat and Whole Wheat Waffles - Martha Stewart (used normal buttermilk - good!! we used the mango sauce as a base, cooked it slightly, and added spices and honey; nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon)

Shout Out: Bray Wilkins, Tenor

I have to give a shout out to my brother in law, Bray Wilkins!  He's a fantastic tenor (and sang the processional at my wedding by the way - one of the favorite details about my wedding! I'll try to post that at some point and get my sister to post about the importance of your wedding music selection.) Anyhow he's launched a facebook page where you can hear some of his work - so head on over and check it out!

Real Parties: Baby Girl Shower

While I'm on the topic of baby girl showers - my friend, Hope, threw this shower (back in Virginia) for her friend's baby girl!  (sidenote: She also painted that purple tree you see hanging in the background!)

For an activity she had them paint plain white onesies!  Such a fun idea - way to go Hope!

Real Parties: Baby Girl Shower

My friend, Kate, threw this fun shower with diy details for a friend of hers and her new baby girl!

She added pink and white bunting all over the table- (I love mini bunting!) - great work Kate!

Nursery Inspirations: Teal/Aqua and Yellow

We've been playing around with paint chips and I'm pretty sure I want to go with a yellow, aqua, and pink accented nursery for the baby girl. We'll see - I'm also in love with some of the grey and pink combos out there! Although I've got to decide realtively soon - we're coming in on the final count down - 13 weeks to go!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you all have fun plans!!
 I get to arrange flowers and my little guy gets to watch Toy Story- pretty perfect Valentines for the both of us!

I featured burlap wraps and antique flowers this year.

DIY: Valentines Paper Heart Garland

I needed some quick Valentines decor so I did a paper garland out of hearts.  It's basically the same as the round paper garland I did for Christine's baby shower - just with hearts! (It took a little longer than the round garland since I don't have a heart hole punch - but still, all in all, less than 30min.)  And I got to test out the sewing machine my husband got me for Christmas! (Works like a charm!  More on the sewing machine when I've learned more about it.)

Sorry the pictures are so dark - the lighting was bad and I was snapping them really fast before dinner.

Bridal News: Google for Weddings

Google's launched a whole wedding tool!  Wedding website, planning tools, etc.. I've barely glanced at it - but I love google for everything else so I'd guess this would be a HUGE help for brides.

Let me know what you think/if you like it!

Valentines Day Toothbrush Notes

Twig and Thistle has some fantastic ideas for Valentines Day (did you see the fruit stickers!?) - and the free pdfs to go with it! Just an easy way to say, "I love you!" Here's the link. Of course - this is so easy you could make it yourself without the pdf too.

Wedding Attire: BHLDN

I'm really excited to see this new line of wedding attire!  In line with Anthropologie's aesthetic - it has to be good!  Unveils February 14th.  Head over here for a sneak peek.  Honestly, doesn't it make you want to get married all over again!?

Logos School Fundraiser - 30th Birthday

Logos School celebrated their 30th year and that became the theme for their annual fundraiser.  When we met and I saw the invitation and birthday theme we decided to go with tons of color and a classic birthday party; presents, hats and all!

(invitations done by Hannah Grieser)

(over 220 attended - centerpieces of presents were Logos School gear, party hats were the place card holders)

(tissue balls, 30 swirls, and leaf streamers)

(birthday cakes made by volunteers for the live auction)

strawberry grapefruit punch (recipe to come)

(silent auction tables)

the fundraiser was very successful - a huge thanks to all the helpers/volunteers/workers involved