{My Creations} Baby Girl Elephant Shower!

 

I have to say that these have been one of my favorite cookie projects so far!  Our friends just welcomed a beautiful little girl, Gianna, into their hearts and home.  And she is BEAUTIFUL!  

{Events & Parties} Extreme Makeover Home Edition VIP Tent-Airs October 16th!

 

I CANNOT believe I can finally share this news with you!!  EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION landed in Orange County, NY back in late August--and the episode is AIRING THIS SUNDAY, October 16th!  And guess who was asked to design the VIP are on the set?!  ME!!!!  Oh, I have been bursting to share this news with you...but let me preface with this, there is no way to describe how amazing this show, this project, and this amazing team of volunteers was.  I can never watch the show the same way again.  This blog post, is dedicated to all you amazing individuals...

{Recipe} Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Drizzle

 

It was a gorgeous fall morning.  You know that perfect fall day where it's incredibly sunny out, but the crisp air makes you grab your favorite (yet seasonably abandoned) hoody?!  Ahhhhh...the best feeling!  My little nephew, Anthony, had a sleepover at Aunt SarahBeth and Uncle Tommy's house the night before, and we were all set to make Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (a recipe I stumbled on, which I'll get to in a minute).  So, little man and I ran to the store to pick up a few ingredients...but to my dismay...

{Party Inspiration} Grown-Up Cake Batter Themed Birthday Bash!

 

{clockwise from the top left Honey Crumb Cake Studio, Wendy McClenton, Miso Cakes, and Sweet Grace Cake Design}

I am so excited about today's entry.  Let me start by saying that I'm the FIRST one who will salivate over a cleverly structured theme party...in fact, it's kind of my thing :)  And there are 5 gagillion (yup, count 'em) ways to do it tastefully for even and adult birthday party!  BUT, there are those few people who might be hard to pick a theme for.  Or maybe, you're just looking for a simple, yet super fun idea to build your adult birthday party around.  SO, here's the brainstorm of the century...ready...use the centerpiece of any birthday party as the theme!  What would that be?!  THE CAKE!!!

{Recipes} I LOVE fall!!!

 

Hello all!  I have missed you all so terribly.  I'm so excited to finally be back posting...especially about my favorite thing--fall time!  I needed this little bit of joy this week.  I don't like to get personal in my postings, but felt the need to tell you why the long absence. 

{Decor} Paper Lantern Love!

 

 This is such a perfectly timed post!  I am IN LOVE WITH LANTERNS!!!  If I could use them to decorate every venue I work in, I think I just might.  Hence the reason I'll be using them for a HUGE design project I'm doing next week (can't say much, but more details on that soon)...

{Events & Parties} Vintage Baseball Memorial BBQ

 

Hello all!  I couldn't head to bed tonight until I posted an entry from this past weekend's "Vintage Baseball Memorial BBQ"...I had mentioned this in the preview post for this party, but this event couldn't have meant more to me personally.  This gathering was the honor my grandfather's best friend and teammate, Max, who recently passed away...

I'm BACK! SUCH exciting things happening...

 

Happy Monday, everyone!!  I promise you I didn't abandon you...I am officially back!   Did you notice the picture above?!  As you can see, my absence has been VERY productive, so I hope you can forgive me...check out my new logo!...

{Preview} Vintage Baseball Memorial Fundraiser--Beer Cupcakes!

 

(courtesy of attentiontodetail.blogspot.com)

I am so super excited about the current party I'm working on...and loving the above 'inspiration picture'.  Sadly, my grandfather's childhood best friend recently just passed away.  They were "baseball buddies" up until several years ago.  BUT, the beautiful thing is that my grandparents are now honoring him with a Memorial BBQ fundraiser on August 7th...and guess who's styling it?!  Yup!!...

{Party Inspiration} Amazing (and affordable) Shower Brunch!

 

I saw this post yesterday, and could NOT stop obsessing about it!  I'm not even talking about the decor (which was set up for a super modern bride), but the FOOD...oh the food...is stunning/amazing/so chic...but affordable!  I am constantly looking for ways to host an unbelievable party, especially a shower, yet stick to a budget (I just heard many of you sigh with relief..yeah, I get it...I've been there!)...

{Wedding Wednesday} My Completely DIY Wedding!

 I'm SO excited about this new addition to the blog (yes, I know I get excited a lot, but it's only because I LOVE sharing all of this creativity with you).  I've been talking to so many brides, and spent so much time researching for my OWN wedding, that I've decided to commit every Wednesday's blog post to weddings!...

{Party Inspiration} "Glamping"!

 

There could be no more perfect post than this one for summer.  Now, I LOVE camping...my husband, not so much.  But NOW, I think I might be able to convince him after he sees this party!  The very talented Elisa Stone of One Stone Events is called "GLAMPING"...*gasp* It means "glamorous camping"...

{Sweet Treats} Chandelier Cake Inspiration

 

(made by Liz Russell at Cake Lady Cakes, via artisancakecompany.com)

As everyone knows, I LOVE chandeliers!!!  After all, it's the logo for "Cheers"!  Mix that with my love of creative baked goods, and his post has my heart going pitter-patter =)  I stumbled across the blog for Honey Crumb Cake Studio and they got it SO right...

{My Creations} Christening Onesie Cookies!

 

I am SO excited to announce that I am officially adding custom cookie designs to my list of party design services!  Cookies are the PERFECT touch to any party or event...they are available in ANY shape, colors, for ANY occasion!  So, in light of this, I thought I'd share my latest creation with you!  These cookies were super special because they were for my ADORABLE nephew, Anthony's, baptism yesterday...yay Anthony!

{Free Printable} Tutorial on MILKaholic Shower Milk Bottles!

 

I KNEW that the MILKaholic Baby shower was so stinkin' cute...and I KNEW I had to share it with you...but I didn't know that it would be one of the highest hit posts on my blog to date!  Looks like you all loved it as much as I did =)

So, Carrie Selman of Half Baked was so kind to share her tutorial to learn how to make these cutie patootie bottles, AND give us the FREE  printables to make the labels!  Head on over to her blog to get the juicy details!

Cheers,

SB

{Party Inspiration} 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' Birthday Party!

 

I all but jumped up and down when I saw this party from Hana Lynch Photography...I have been DYING to do a themed birthday party based on a children's book, and 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' happens to be one of my favorite...love...

 

What I love most about this party is that every little detail was brought to life.  All of the foods the caterpillar eats in the store appeared on the buffet table...

 

...and how adorable is this cake?!  

Check out the rest of these adorable details below...what a great way to keep these classic stories alive...

 

 

And with my career in education, I can only IMAGINE how many stories I could use to design my next party...I've got the itch! =)

Cheers,

SB

{My Parties} Click. Grand Opening Pictures!!

 

Yay!  I've been waiting to share this post with you for what seems like forever (not really, only 2 weeks) but that's only because it's special to me...and that's because it was a VERY important night for my friends, Jackie and Matt over at Click. Photography.  I was SO proud of them the night of their Grand Opening, and even more so that they let me design it!  As you know, we have history (see it here!).  I'm so excited to have these pics up for you...that's because it shows off the incredible talent of the incredible photogs...

{Party Inspiration} Touches of Red, White, and Blue

 

It's official...school is out for the summer!  And only one more week until the Big BBQ!  As promised, here's a few more touches to add to your 4th of July party...

{Party Inspiration} Milkaholic Baby Shower!

 

I'll admit, I love all things cute and chic, but I am SUCH a modern decor girl.  And let me say this about this Half Bakes Milkaholic Sip and See...when it is my turn for a baby shower, this would be my dream party (ahem...are my friends and family reading this?!

{Party Inspiration} Here's Comes the 4th of July!

Well, the countdown is on!  I can't believe it, but next week is finally Independence Day...bring on the BBQ =)  So, I thought it would be great to "sprinkle" my blog with tons of party ideas I've found to use at your celebration!