Quick NYE glam

For a mom of two, getting glammed up with two kids at home during the day is almost an impossible task. So while I was scouring Pinterest for some ideas, it was the nails that caught my attention. So my super quick glam idea for this year? Glittery nails. Doesn't sound so inspiring, but take a look at these two pictures and you'll see why I'm sold. I dipped into my daughter's glitter stash for this one. It was a low budget big impact quickie.

Happy New Year!

Photo 1 from limecrime.tumblr.com

Holiday Poinsettia Ball

As I pulled out all my holiday decorations, I started realizing that my holiday decor really didn't match my tree colors of silver, white, blues, and purples. This year I couldn't bring myself to put out non matching decor (maybe a little OCD, I know). So to add some holiday cheer to my living room without spending serious cash on new decor, I grabbed some on hand material and made a quick trip to the DollarTree.

White poinsettias were the perfect addition to compliment my tree. So with a four pack of wiffle balls from the DollarTree, I was able to make this hanging flower ball. I have always loved the way these look at events, but they really do look beautiful as decor too!

I will have the super easy tutorial for these up tomorrow!

Enjoying the Tree Lighting from Home

I would love to dive head first into the throngs of people squished together trying to see the Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City. I did it once. When I was 16. And I was one a side street with no view. Still, I was so excited to go and just be there freezing my butt off with some great friends.

I wish I could bottle that excitement and open it every year right about now. So many people around me are too busy to enjoy it or would rather ignore it completely. Before I would just go with the flow, slightly disappointed with the lack of merriment from everyone. But I have two little girls now and their excitement is all I need to get everyone involved. I am thrilled!

Since tonight is the Tree Lighting in Rockefellar Plaza, I've decided to make a small night of it and start the festivities early. Here are my ideas for tonight and some extra ones you might enjoy:

Decorate the house: Use up all your left over ornaments. I've put all of mine in baskets and vow to use all of them tonight and finish decorating so I can relax for the rest month and enjoy the view from my living room. I'll post some pictures of how I used up the ornaments that didn't make it to the tree.

Have a holiday drink: I haven't made the coquito yet, but I recently snagged my favorite peppermint mocha coffee creamer that reminds me of the much more expensive Peppermint Mocha Latte from Starbucks. Something about a fresh pot of coffee with that peppermint taste makes me feel like it's Christmas.

Make some smart ass sugar cookies:  I have some sugar cookie dough waiting for me in my freezer and tonight feels like the night to break it out. Check back tomorrow to see my inspiration for the smart ass cookies and hopefully my finished product!

Hopefully tonight will be nice and relaxing! Enjoy the tree lighting!

Dollar Store Holiday

I was browsing the Dollar Tree for some DIY projects and look what I found! Modern, cute napkins- perfect for the holiday party I swear I am having this year!

DIY Gift Packaging - Newspaper

If you're in a serious jam and need some gift wrapping an hour ago, don't over look the newspaper. At first, I wasn't too keen on the idea of using newspaper, but after I actually pulled it out and started searching, I found some ideas that made me a little happier about it.

1. If you're going to use newspaper, look for an article the person reveling the gift would like. Not that they're going to read it, but I like an article that uses words that might be relevant rather than a depressing article on a cheery gift.

2. If your gift is small enough, find a great image to wrap it in. This idea is my favorite because it probably looks the best.

3. Add a bow! The more elaborate the better, but any bow will do. It adds a nice touch to an otherwise simple wrapping.

Here are some of my wrappings:

What is Sweet This Week (11/4/11)

With the crazy week I had, I am surprised I was able to get anything done! I have proven to myself that I am getting better at multitasking or maybe that I've finally learned how to accomplish what I want (babysitter for the kids - check!). Either way, the end of this week I found myself with time to browse for eco-friendly, upcycled gift packaging.

It was all the bows I had seen in one day that really had my attention. Everywhere I looked there were bows, and they were just too cute! From the beautiful bow studs that Jennifer Lopez wore to the DIY up-cycled bows made from magazines and newspapers, my addiction for the day lead me to some simple bow jewelry.

So I came out with bow dangle earrings, bow stud earrings (my favorite), and the gift bow necklace. I think everyone will be getting one of these for the holidays!

What's sweet this week! 10/28/11

I love the smell of fall. Pumpkins, apples, it all smells so good to me. After stocking up like a crazy woman on pumpkin spice, apple pie and creme brûlée candles (all that have been put to great use!) I was left with these great tins. As a collected of jars and avid repurposer, I automatically started reusing them as storage for my supplies. But it wasn't until I packed some jewelry for a craft show that I realized these would make great trinket and gift boxes. And so begins another project. I spent a good portion of the end of this week playing with ideas and trying out different designs. The biggest obstacle so far has been getting the height of the cupcake using only repurposed materials. Instead of using a styrofoam top, which is neither Eco friendly or sturdy enough to withstand the poking fingers of my girls, I opted for shaping a page from an old magazine to create the base. It definitely has its own obstacles, but I was able to make it work! What do you think of these trinket tins? Is there a design you would like to see?

GIVEAWAY!

This week we are giving away this pair of our handmade, eco-friendly, flower earrings! To enter, just click here and send us an email with your name and email address before Sunday at 11:59PM. We will contact the winner Monday morning! Have a great week!

Tuna can crafty!

I love upcylcing. My husband hates it. So I am kind to him and automtically recycle my tuna cans. But deep down I am always trying to think of a use for them that would transform them in a way that doesn't look like a reused cat food tin. It's not easy, but Dollar Store Crafts has found the best tuna can conversion I've ever seen. Using it as a base to a backyard torch is a great idea, especially for this time of year! I'm thinking citronella tea lights from AC Moore are in order. It definitelly has my wheels spinning and my eyes searching for items I can use with this idea.

Click here to find the how to.

Picture from dollarstorecrafts.com

DIY Scratch Off!

I love everything that's DIY and easy. So when I saw this idea in the new Martha Stewart Wedding magazine, I knew I would now be on the hunt for an excuse to try this out. While it may be time consuming for your save the dates, I can think of million other uses for this scratch off idea - a small birthday party favor, a game card, a personalized birthday card, Valentine's day coupon card... I need to stop!

Get Martha's template and instructions here.

Ice cream sandwich quickie

>> Nothing says summer to me like ice cream. I love grabbing a quick bite here and there to satisfy my inner child, especially after a hot day. I quickly made these after a long, hot day of selling at the Columbus Farmers Market in New Jersey. Needless to say, they were devoured as quickly as they were made!
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Memorial Day Drink Parasols!

Happy Memorial Day everyone! To add a little fun to what is probably your final day before returning to work, here is the parasol template from our Patriotic Polka Dot Party Set. Print, cut, and drink!

Get the Patriotic Parasols now!

ENJOY!

Flea Market Fun!

Last weekend, despite the rain and the cold weather, Dulce Detalle Designs made its first appearance at a local flea market! It was a great first start and I can't wait to head back. We started with some jewelry, hair accessories, and of course, cupcakes! Check out our ice cream cone cupcakes and orange soda cupcakes!

Birthday season's over!

With my two daughters' birthdays falling one month apart, February to April is a pretty crazy time in my house. I am always a little relieved but also a little sad to have finished another year of the most special birthday parties in my life. I am already planning next years!

I have a habit of biting off more than I can chew, a habit that I am trying to manage. This year I chose an Alice in Wonderland tea party for my oldest daughter and a carnival theme for my youngest. It was exhausting in the best and worst ways. Each time I start a little earlier, it gets a little easier, and I get a little bit more sleep. The biggest lessons I have learned are:

1. Narrowing down early will save me time. I have a million ideas, but at some point I have to stop looking and start planning and get down to business. Forcing myself to say STOP keeps me from wasting precious time.
2. You really can't start prepping too early. The earlier I start, the more little touches I can actually get done.
3. Set up early, so I have time to deal with what I didn't expect.

4. Sometimes you can't set up too early. Setting up tents for my daughter's carnival birthday seemed like a good idea until we got a crazy storm and the two tents cracked under the strong winds. Some things just can't be done in advance. NOTE: Having run through the building of the tents earlier made it a breeze the morning of and probably saved me an hour of figuring it out.

Here are a few pictures from the parties. You can find more on our FaceBook page. Enjoy!

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I baked these cupcakes and made the toppers using a marshmallow fondant recipe I had found a while ago. It is so yummy and easy to make! Not bad for a first time fondant!

These are tissue paper flowers that decorate the apartment. 

 The bright and colorful lanterns that hung over the table.

 I printed a few of my favorite quotes and framed them for the party.

The birthday girl in her Alice inspired tutu with hand-sewn belt.  

I had to include the drink me and eat me tags somewhere!

THE CARNIVAL

Cotton candy cupcakes that tasted oh-so-good! Everyone loved them!

My birthday girl!

What to serve at a sweet pink carnival? Pink lemonade!

I spray painted tin cans to make the inexpensive version of the game fit in with my colors and look just a little nicer. I also though of wrapping them with paper, but this was my favorite idea.

Spray painting the Corona bottles for the ring toss made the games look like they belonged together at the party and not in the recycling bin.  I wrapped dollartree bracelets in ribbon that matched my colors.

Handmade pinwheels were so easy and one of my favorite details. They lined the driveway into the backyard.

The birthday girl having fun with some hula hoops.

"Accept this empty jar!"

This section could be called reasons why my husband should not complain about my jars. It all started back in 2009 when I was planning our wedding on a small budget. After spending hours upon hours of browsing through wedding porn and reading about budget saving strategies, I learned a ton about repurposing. I couldn't help but realize that all the jars I had been recycling could be put to better use in about a million different way. And so began the jar hourding. And my husbands complaints. Needless to say, he was not thrilled with me saving every baby food jar (our girls are now three and one), pickle jar, totmato sauce jar...you get the idea. So I figured that as long as I put them to good use, he can't complain about them!

So here is the beginning of another section: jars! I know, I know. Sounds pretty lame to someone who doesn't think about saving their jars. But I'm hoping this section will convert you non jar-savers.

I almost passed out the day my husband for the vintage glass Ball jars in our attic. We ended up using the Ball jars for our wedding centerpieces and I am constantly pulling them out for every single occasion. These are the easiest jars I have to use everyday because they are so beautiful. Even the grocery store carnations look beautiful in them. Thanks for the flowers mom!

Simply Served Delicious: Breakfast finger food!

With two kids on the run at home, I love using finger foods whenever possible. Maybe it's because I feel like I'm always eating on the run or because bite size food always looks good, but I'm constantly looking for new ways to "minisize" everything!

Simply Served Delicious: Lunchtime!

So I was a little disappointed as the morning came to a close. I was just getting into the "get stuff done" frame of mind when 12:00PM came around, and it was time to make lunch. Since I was already in the right mood, I decided to finally start a project I have been thinking about a lot recently. As a mom of two little girls and a small business owner, I don't have as much time as I would like to spend cooking, baking, and experimenting. That being said, I also have an obsession over serving food in beautiful ways. (I couldn't bare to part with the Bon Appetit magazine last night at the checkout counter).   

So here it begins: Simply Served Delicious! Simple, easy to make everyday food served in interesting ways. I hope that as I go I will somehow find ways to experiment with new recipies and ingredients, but for now, you'll see ingredients you probably use everyday. I hope this gives you some inspiration to add some sweet details to your everyday life!

Here is my daughters lunch for today. Mini circle peanut butter sandwiches, apple fries, and a glass of milk (OK I drank the milk!). 



Mmm Spicy Mayo! (Skill level: Insanely easy)

In one of my Food Network binges, I was watching Giada De Laurentiis make a yummy Cailfornia chicken sandwich. The sandwich was pretty easy and basic, but what stuck in my mind was the spicy mayo she made.

To make a custom flavored mayo in about a minute, just add cayenne pepper to about a tablespoon of mayo. Add the cayenne pepper little by little until you find the right spiciness for you.

This is the easiest recipe I have ever used, but it is always a huge hit!

 

An Impromptu Lunch (Stress free please!)

I never pass up the chance to celebrate something or at least add a little flare to the day, so I'm always looking for quick and easy ways to do this. I finally got to try some of my ideas out when I made a last minute lunch date with a good friend.

The best thing I ever bought for my kitchen are the white dishes I own. Along with a set of square white dinner and salad plates, I also have an all white sushi serving kit from Crate and Barrel that has proved to be more versatile that I ever could have imagined. These white dishes can serve as a base for just about any and every event from small and informal lunch to a full course dinner with the family.

My husband hates (sorry there is no nice was to put it) my collection of baby food jars and tin cans. So every time I get to break them out and use them I feel better about my hoarding habits. Here I served up regular mayo along with a spicy mayo that took seconds to make (check out my next post for the how-to). An old crushed tomatoes can was lined with wax paper to serve up some potato chips for our lunch. The makeshift tray for the extras is a square shadow box from The Christmas Tree Shop that cost me $5 and has definitely been worth the cash. When it's not a tray, its decor and I love it as both.

All in all I think it took me about 30 minutes to get everything together, including chopping up the chicken that was left over from the night before. With two little girls at home, that about all I can spare during the day, and it was definitely time well spent.

A Wonderland Invitation

I can say without any doubt that it is easier to design something for someone else than it is to design for myself. It's easy when someone can show you what they like or don't like, or at least have some idea. But I'm a Gemini, and true to my sign, I can never make up my mind. By the time I sat down to work on the Alice in Wonderland invitation for my daughter's third birthday, I'd had image after image of inspiration in my head and trying to mush them all together into a design I was happy with wasn't easy. I didn't want something I had already seen, but I wanted it to fit into the Wonderland theme and design for the party. Finally after a few frustrating hours, I was able to find the direction I wanted the design to head in.

And so here it is! A Wonderland Invitation - now to finish the entire printable set to create a truly unique, non-commercial Alice in Wonderland party...(someone pass me a glass of wine!)

It's a Snow Day!

If you're like me in the Northeast, you're probably waiting for the next snow storm that is coming tonight. More snow - I know. I remember complaining a couple of years ago about a quiet winter. Now, we can't go a whole week without snow. I've already been snowed in at home, almost snowed out of New Jersey, and have basically taken to life of a bear and been hibernating inside (not so bad for getting some work done though!).

So instead of wallowing in what will probably be another day of shoveling and hibernating, have some fun and enjoy the day. You can download the Dulce Detalle Designs printable party set for free from now until tomorrow, February 1, 2011 from our website.

And remember - if it's true that February is typically the most snowy month, we have a few more snow days ahead of us!

You can also find this set in our store Etsy!

A Trip Down South

There was no better way to start my year than with a visit to my sister (and partner) for a week in her new home in Georgia. It is funny for me to remember a time when it seemed like we had nothing in common. My sister and I are seven years apart, and for what seemed like an eternity to me when I was younger, I thought we would never be friends. Who knew that all that would change in just a few short years. After a few years of getting older, being pregnant together twice, and realizing that despite our very different looks (you wouldn't think we were sisters until we opened our mouths) we are one in the same.

It was exciting to sit down with her in person and talk about the year coming and all the ideas we have. First up was listing, promoting, and selling our what we had started on last year.(Check out the Snow Day Printable Party Set) That would me bringing back the jewlery she had been working on, grabbing the jewlery and accesories I had already been working on, and finally getting off my butt and taking some pictures! No excuses this month.

Along with getting our Etsy shop to what I call a "Happy Place", the website (http://www.dulcedetalledesigns.com/) needs some serious adjusting, not to mention updating. Add in a little Facebook and Twitter with some early projects (Alice in Wonderland and Night at the Musuem birthday parties coming right up!) and my plate was already looking full. But that's what January is for - setting our goals insanely high so we can pass out trying to reach them. I've already accepted that no matter how long I want it to take, it will take longer. With that being said, I am honestly 90% excited, 10% anxious about what's to come, and not the other way around!