Simply Served Delicious - Mini French Toast!

There is no shortage of mini ideas for brunch. One of my favorites is this super easy french toast idea. One slice of bread gives you four of the adorable servings. Add a pinch of syrup to a small, clear glass or plastic cup and you are all set to go. No fuss, no mess, and you can hold it in one hand!

image via prettytastythings.com

Face Painting for a Cause

Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in two Light the Night Cancer walks in New Jersey. I offered face painting for all the kids and adults, and in return I saw some serious love. I met one young girl that couldn't have been more than 7 come out with her parents to support a child in her school that had been diagnosed with cancer. Her face painting request? A survivor ribbon. But maybe the most touching was the group of boys that asked for Spider-Man faces with pink and purple ribbons, most of them for their moms. Their moms were there with them and were survivors of breast cancer among other things. These young kids have already felt the affects of cancer, whether directly or indirectly. Their bravery at such a young age is remarkable. They are more thankful to have their parents than most are at forty, and I can only hope to take a piece of that with me after being part of these two inspiring events.

Never too many scissors

A few weekends ago, I went on a scissor binge. I'm not sure how it happened, and I couldn't stop myself from letting it happen. There I was, looking at the 10 pack of scissors for $6, and somehow they ended up at the counter.

I guess when I really think about it, this doesn't come out of left field. For the past, well, 8 months (plus some) I've been using this very old, not so great pair of purple scissors. I've hurt my hands more than a few times and regularly curse them when cutting anything other than a very thin piece of paper.

It is possible I overdid it. Now 10 scissors seem like a lot, but can you ever really have too many scissors?

My oldie scissors (still not throwing them out) and the newbies!

It's National Golf Day!

Even if you don't play golf (like me) you probably like cupcakes! I'll take any reason to eat a cupcake.

Here are some adorable golf cupcakes for National Golf Day!

My favorite! A golf cupcake in a cone!


http://designdininganddiapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/IMG_1899.jpg


http://mainmadecakes.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/cimg0960.jpg

This one is great if you're doing them yourself!


http://food-fun.wisconsinfood.com/.a/6a00e54f0ac1a688340168ebff3f44970c-320wi

Name Your Car Day?

Really? There's a day to name your car? I can pretty much guess that this one was thought up by a man. But I do swoon over car themed parties since I have yet to add a boy to our clan. I love these fuel water bottles, and what better way to have fun than with box car races? Decorating your own car is an extra fun perk for your party and easy on your pocket!

http://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/5944186/il_fullxfull.192317510.jpg


http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/parties/FF0801PARTY_3.jpg

It's World Vegetarian Day!

Today is World Vegetarian Day, so I thought I would share a little veggie love. 

Veggies are always an affordable hors d'oeuvre option for any special event, but when it looks like this, no one will ever know you saved. Presentation is everything, and taking the extra time to present these simple veggies in an elegant way is time well spent. It doesn't need to be complicated. A clean, simple design will take your food budget far.


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And for your next informal get together or kid's party, I am in love with these individual veggie snack cups. Easy to grab and keep on mingling, they're a healthy snack option that people will come back for. Want to add a little more pizazz? Try some different flavored dressings on the bottom and set out a food card to identify the different flavors. 


http://cdn.indulgy.com/Cc/tH/NX/104075441358564550fplsqbk2c.jpg



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Growing Pains

The definition of busy is involved in often constant activity. I guess that would be an accurate way to describe how I've been lately. It's been a good type of busy here at Dulce. With Etsy orders picking up, festivals and shows in overdrive, prepping for the holidays, and super cute kid parties, balancing all these has been more than interesting.

Without a doubt, my biggest growing pain has been shipping, and that stinks! I want all our orders shipping out as soon as possible because I am one of the most impatient people I know! So I spent a few minutes (maybe a little longer) whining about my woes. Then I grabbed a glass of wine and thought about how to make it better. Enter AHA! moment. 

Meet my new DYMO postage mailer, my new best friend. With this, printed postage from the computer, and my InstaRate calculator I hope to solve our shipping woes!

For the entire month of October if your order doesn't ship on time, I will offer a full  refund and you can keep your order.

Thank you all!

It's National Talk Like a Pirate Day

Today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day! So if you're walking around, talking like a pirate, that's pretty cool. And if you're not so comfortable talking like a pirate, you can throw a party like one with these adorable pirate invitations!

Enjoy your day! Arrrgh!

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Happy New School Year!

It's September and the start of a new school year. Even though I have one more year before my little one goes off to kindergarten, I have always loved this time of year. I get all excited about back to school shopping, and this year I even bought some things. Who can resist 1 cent spiral notebooks?

TO kick off your school year and give you an idea you can use all year round (I'm thinking those bake sales they love to do!), here is a super cute chalkboard cookie tutorial!

And while I love peanut butter cookies, I have always loved a simple Martha Stewart sugar cookie recipe I found years ago. I mix up batches and freeze them so when I am ready to bake some cookies, the mix is all set to go. You can use any cookie recipe with this and any kind of chocolate.

I am definitely trying these!



http://www.celebrations.com/content/edible-chalkboard-cookies?/TOTD2367

Is it too early for Halloween?

It's almost the end of August, and this morning it was 64 degrees out. Summer is almost over! But by now, the heat is getting to me, and I am dreaming of fall. So here is a little Halloween inspiration. It's not too soon - before you know it, we will be making costumes and planning parties.

I absolutely love these Halloween candles wrapped in vellum paper. For these, you can use the DollarTree hurricanes or square glass candle holders. Print your favorite black Halloween design on some vellum paper, wrap, and you're set to go. After Halloween, save your vellum sheets to reuse next year and come back here to see more uses for your glass candle holders!

http://abcnews.go.com/images/GMA/ht_gma_halloween_candles_091023_main.jpg 

Finally on to Hunger Games

I finally saw The Hunger Games last night, and my brain wanted to burst with all the party ideas that came to mind as I was watching. The movie is amazing and filled with such different scenes that you could go in just about any direction with this theme. From the districts to the capitol you get such a different setting that boy, girl, grown ass adult or teens can find a great platform for a party.

So here is our growing Pinterest board for a Hunger Games party here.

I am dying to get my hands on a Hunger Games party, and to prevent my husband from having an adult Hunger Games party, let me know if you are interested in one!



image via alishbrandon120410.blogspot.com

{Favor} Thursday - Sparkling Send Off

It doesn't take much to take sparklers from the generic box to great packaging for night time send off. Don't have enough time for labels? Simply cut long pieces of paper and slide in your sparklers for a package that looks thought out but really only took a few minutes. You're sending your guests off for the night with these, or giving them out to be used before the leave. Either way, it will be the last thing they remember from the night, so the extra few minutes is worth it! (And who doesn't love playing with sparklers?)

http://pinkcakeplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC_0353.jpg



http://www.giverslog.com/giftguides/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/sparkler-favors-you-are-my-fave.jpg

{Foodie} Wednesday - Watermelon Pops

How easy are these watermelon pops! Less messy than using your fingers, a smaller slice with a popsicle stick make dessert as easy as, well, popping a stick in it. This requires little to no time, can be done beforehand, and you could easily delegate this one to a younger helper - all pluses in my book!

Now what else can I stick on a popsicle? The wheel are turning...

http://party-wagon.com/storage/kids_party_wagon_blog_pics/bike%20wash%20watermelon%20on%20stick.JPG?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1338520461989

{Decor} Tuesday - Don't forget the stairs!

If you're hanging out in your backyard, then you know people will be in an out and in and out and in and out...I think you get the picture. If people spend as much time visiting your stairs as they do in my house, then don't forget a little accent! I love these beaded lanterns, and wish I had seen this earlier so I could have given it a shot with some large jars. But as always, jars are always a great choice, and stuffed with candles will light the way at night.



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{Stationary} Monday - Firefly Tags

So it's Monday and the weather has been pleasantly cooler. There is no need for the AC and the windows open at night keeps us nice and cool. Again, I am reminded that fall is almost here. A little panicked, I grabbed my summer bucket list to see what I may have missed, and catching fireflies is one of them! Good thing I have my arsenal of saved jars (there is always a purpose for them!)

If you are planning on hosting a final summer party, you may want to save a few jars and lids. Attach a simple label like this one here and break out your jars as it starts getting dark. I would say the kids will love this one, but I think the adults will have just as much fun!


http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/06/firefly-jar/firefly-jar-m.jpg?300:300

{Stationary} Monday - Flip Flop Invites

With August already half way through, I am trying to cram in as much summer as I possibly can before the cooler weather hits. When I looked at the 10 day forecast this morning, I felt the summer panic- no days hitting 90 degrees, and a few days of 70something weather. In July this would have been a relief, but in August it's a little reminder that our warmer days are dwindling down. So now I am 100 % focused on finishing the summer with a bang.

So today's DIY stationary idea is for anyone throwing a final summer hoorah. I love these flip flop invites for the summer, beach or no beach. And while these below are wedding invites, I would opt to use these flip flip invitations for a birthday party or summer get together.

Happy Monday!


















justforinvites.com

freshweddinginvitations.com

It's National Book Lover's Day!

Today is National Book Lover's Day! Here are some great ideas for the book lover in you:

My absolute favorite! These little kids book cupcake toppers are amazing, and I am already thinking of a way to use them soon.


http://www.amelialyon.net/lola_003.jpg

I've seen these library card save the dates before, and I still love them. This one especially looks authentic with the worn edges and different colored date stamps, which makes it way cooler. 

http://fierceandnerdy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/savethedate-0namesleft.jpg

And for the modern book lovers, a simple Save The Date.

http://rlv.zcache.com/library_book_save_the_date_invitation-p161308787137327271bh8fs_400.jpg

It's National Lighthouse Day

Today is National Lighthouse Day, and as I searched for images I seriously thought about just skipping over today. Not that I don't love lighthouse, because I do. I just couldn't find the right image for this blog - until I found this image. 

Immediately I fell in love with this invitation and envelop duo. Alone, the invitation is simple but together with the lined envelope it's memorable. 

Enjoy!

 

http://www.serendipitybeyonddesign.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/deposit-lighthouse-and-vintage-map-wedding-invitation-(lake-superior)-01.jpg

It's National Watermelon Day!

Today is National Watermelon Day! Top off your water melon slices with these free toppers! Enjoy!


Get the toppers here.

{Foodie} Wednesday - Build Your Own Boxed Lunch

I have always loved the idea of boxes lunches. Call me a sucker for mini and individual size anything. Yes, I save the mini ketchup bottles from hotels (you know they're too cute!).


If you're planning on doing your own food for your wedding or party, you definitely want to consider this build your own boxed lunch idea. While this is not the quickest DIY project, it is a project that will save you big bucks, and that makes dedicating the time to do it right worth it. 


What unifies this set up is the packaging of each boxed lunch item. Taking your items (sandwich, chips, cookies, utencils) out of commercial packaging and putting it in your own packaging makes this boxed lunch wedding worthy. Buying bulk and packaging your own also saves you more. 


Brown packaging with a pop of color like the bands here brand your event, making it your own. Need a quicker way to brand your event? Print your own stickers and seal the bags with them. I love using brown paper packs, but you can also use a vellum or wax paper, which also looks great.





Plastic cups get an upgrade when they're grouped in a great basket. So does a simple homemade pasta salad when it's served up like this. And who doesn't love a healthy size slice of watermelon?


images from juliesfoodlove.com


Happy Wednesday!

{Decor} Tuesday - Fabric Banner

How sweet is this fabric garland? I love this idea for your little ones' birthday parties. It's a  simple tear and tie project that replaces your typical banner. Mix different fabrics with different styles of ribbons for a bigger pop.


 With a stylish banner like this behind your cake table, you can keep everything else simple and let your banner shine. 

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/fabric-garland-tutorial.jpg

{Stationary} Monday - Ice Pop Paper

It's almost August and I can feel the summer almost coming to an end. Almost. Before summer winds down, it has to heat up. Ice pops are a daily part of my kids diet when the weather gets too hot to bare. Here is a great ice pop paper idea for any summer event. 


For any summer wedding, I love these unexpected ice pop program. This can easily be changed around and be a great summer birthday party or barbecue invite. Print your own, add a popsicle stick, and you're all set!



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5519456924_61c2a8070e.jpg



http://jesseeubanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Lauren-and-Jeremiah-Wedding-Program-Mockup.jpg

It's National Cheesecake Day!

It's National Cheesecake Day! Enjoy some yummy cheesecake or make these no bake cheesecake pops! 



http://cleverpinkpirate.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/cheesecakepops3-1024x685.jpg

It's National Lasagna Day!

Today is National Lasagna Day, so I thought I would share my favorite way to serve up lasagna - mini style!

The mini food trend for events is still going strong and doesn't appear to be going anywhere. If you're looking to serve lasagna because you love it or because you can make it yourself, why not try serving mini sizes. These are easy to bake in cupcake trays, easy to eat with your fingers, and easy to impress your guests with their adorable presentation. 

image from www.kevinandamanda.com


Check out one great recipe at Kevin and Amanda here.

{Foodie} Wednesday - Fruit Ice

Earlier this month Rachel Ray had what has to be one of the best and simple summer ideas I've seen. Prepping for the Fourth of July, she cubed some watermelon and stuck them in the freezer. A little while later she had watermelon ice cubes. Using the frozen fruit instead of ice cubes keeps your drinks from being diluted and adds a little flavor.


If you're serving up water this summer, this is an easy way to add a little kick to it. Cut and freeze the fruit beforehand, and you won't spend time the morning of your party worrying about it. The dose of color turns a plain pitcher of water into table decor. Stuff your pitcher and watch your guests drink and eat it all up.

What am I going to do with this? I plan on making some fresh sangria and adding frozen fruit to chill it. I'm betting there won't be much left!

http://bestfamilytraditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/fruit-in-water.jpg

http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/recipe/ss_R068372.jpg

{Decor} Tuesday - Paper Fans

You may not think of a paper fan as being quality decor for an event. You made them in grade school and tossed them as quickly as they were made. Who would think that these inexpensive paper fans could make a big style impact when done right - in clusters!


If you are looking for a super easy, inexpensive, and eye-catching decor project, give these a try. You don't need massive amounts of these fans to make a statement. A large size frame filled with these can take a simple sweets table from "how nice" to "damn!". Smaller frames with 3-5 smaller fans can be used again to unify the decor on a buffet style food table or your guest tables.


You can find an array of colors and styles at your local craft shop. Have fun, and mix it up when your picking your paper. If you stick with your colors, mixing patterns will make it look like you spent hours planning it out. If you're as indecisive as I am, give yourself 5-10 minutes to pick out the paper styles to keep from over thinking it.


Here is a great paper fan tutorial from Blue Cricket Designs here.


Image from party.tipjunkie.com.

{Stationary} Mondays - Summer Placecards

I love this beach chair and umbrella seating card (from marthastewartweddings.com) for any summer event, but especially for those beach events. This is an easy way to make a statement with your cards and the materials are fairly inexpenive. Print your cards up, bend slightly, attach a drink parasol to each with some glue, and your cards are set for a great display. A shallow tray with a small layer of sand is a great setting for these cards, or you can use a sand colored tablecloth to keep the beach feel. 

{Foodie} Wednesday

When you're planning your own event, food and drinks can be a little overwhelming to think about. From picking what to server, figuring out how you'll make it, finding the time to make it, and then finding a way to serve it up can be enough to make you shut down mentally (I did a few times thinking about my own wedding!) But choosing to do your own food and drink doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. 

Every Wednesday we'll have a new idea to inspire you on your food and drink DIY projects.

Today's inspiration is this colorful drink bar set up. I love pour your own drink bars, especially if you're planning an event or wedding on a budget. You can premake the drink mixes - which means you won't have to do that one the day of, you can buy your own alcohol and don't need to pay for a bartender - which means you will save, and the set up is beautiful - which means you'll wow your guests. Because really, when was that last time you saw a bar that had as much character as this set up here? 

Casual or formal, this idea can modified easily to fit for any occasion, season, or budget.

 

http://photos.weddingbycolor-nocookie.com/p000011266-m111087-p-photo-297500/wedding-lemonade.jpg

Enjoy your hump day!

{Decor} Tuesday

It's Decor Tuesday! Let's make a day for DIY event decor. I hope that Tuesday's will give you some inspiration for your own event and help you take DIY up a notch.

I took this image from an old Victoria's magazine of my mother's. When I first saw it, I instantly thought these tiny jars with single flower stems would make a great centerpiece gathered together, then a great favor to take home at the end of the night. 

If you are going for a lower centerpiece, a fuller style will keep it from looking sparce. Adding a couple stems of a fuller flower to a grouping of smaller jars should do the trick. It's quick to do if you're doing other aspects of your big day yourself, which means you won't spend hours cursing out your flowers before you've gotten to enjoy them. The smaller size makes them easier to store and transport. 

image from theknot.com

If you have the time, painting your jars in your color or even in white can add a glamorous touch to the simple jars. If you are sticking with white or ivory linens, the pop of color from these glass jars centerpieces is a great visual addition to the table. 

image from bridesmaid.com

Keep it simple and beautiful!

{Stationary Monday}

Welcome to stationary Mondays! I have always loved DIY projects, and today starts a new focus on the blog: DIY events. Every Monday, we'll feature a DIY stationary idea for you to use for your wedding, birthday party, or special event. 


To kick off Stationary Monday (lets hope I find a better name for this day soon!), I am starting with an old Martha Stewart idea I just used for my daughters' birthday invitation. 


If you're printing your own invitations, which is becoming more and more popular - even for weddings - adding an extra touch will quickly elevate your invitation status. Lining your envelopes with a great pattern or colored paper is a quick, easy to assemble, and high style way of presenting your event. 


Using craft paper is always great, but it can get costly once you get into cutting to the size of your envelope and the number of sheets you need. A great alternative to a lining paper is wrapping paper. You can find any style of paper in just about any color at local stores like Target, or your can order online for an even bigger selection. The roll will take your farther than craft paper, and if you grab extra, you can use it on other accents to pull everything together.


Here is a picture of the Mermaid and Pirate invitation I just did. This lining was scrapbook paper purchased on clearance for 15 cents for a 12" x 12" page.

I love this image from marthastewart.com where she mixes similar patterns for different style envelopes. Using different patterns in similar color will give you the freedom to get creative and not worry about getting enough of one style. It's a great DIY saver, has great design, but most people will think you're super creative!

A Little Rockstar for a Little Cousin

A couple of weeks ago, we did an impromptu party for my little cousin. I love how now I can pop a custom banner and toppers out of thin air!

I would have loves to do a full blown party from this theme- a party rock birthday.

These Rockstar cupcake toppers were. stuck in the frosting without any toothpicks. Simple and fun!