in the spotlight

  • Cherry Baby Cakes Recipe

    Get the recipe for these adorable, bite-sized “Cherry Baby Cakes” + more tempting cupcake ideas from BHG!

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  • “Berry Sweet” Grapewood Centerpiece

    Looking for a fresh take on the typical floral centerpiece that doesn’t cost a fortune? Grapewood branches to the rescue!

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  • Candy Buffet Lollipop Display

    Create a very “YUMMY” candy-themed centerpiece for your Valentine’s Day party! Get all the details here…

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  • Oh-la-la Centerpiece Idea

    Add a splash of romance to your Valentine’s Day table or lingerie themed bridal shower with this sexy new “vase corset”!

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  • M&Ms: Creative Valentine Recipes

    From adorable Ladybug Cupcakes to Raspberry Almond Chocolate Crepes, check out these fun ideas for sweetening up Valentine’s Day with m&ms!

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9 Feb

Romantic Red, Black & Lace {Part 1}

categories: bridal shower ideas, centerpiece ideas, valentines day

romantic valentine's day centerpiece ideas

Looking for an easy way to add romance to your Valentine’s day table? Just add ribbon & lace!

Here are a few examples I mocked up recently to demonstrate how just a little lace & ribbon can give a simple vase, pillar candle, or tablecloth a romantic vibe that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day (or a sexy lingerie-themed wedding shower!).

There are 3 kinds of lace pictured in these examples – a wide black style with a scalloped edge, a fun red style with rhinestone detailing, and a narrower black velvet style. All of them were purchased at Joann Fabric & Crafts. (Lace styles will vary based on what’s available at your local fabric stores.)

romantic valentine's day centerpiece ideas

Example #1

In the example at the very top, a band of black lace is wrapped around a white ceramic vase filled with pretty red ranunculus, which have a soft, feminine look to them. The flower arrangement is displayed on a square white tray lined with black velvet scrapbook paper and decorated with red satin ribbon & velvet lace.

For the finishing touch, these cool red acrylic tea light holders from Social Couture were placed in each corner of the tray and embellished with adhesive-backed red craft rhinestones (which are super easy to add/remove).

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This next arrangement is one of my favorites: Read More…

8 Feb

SURPRISE GIVEAWAY: Cambria Cove

categories: fabulous gift ideas, reader giveaways, valentines day

gift ideas - cambria cove giveaway

The gorgeous online shop Cambria Cove is back with another fabulous giveaway for HWTM readers! This week they’re offering up a generous $250 Shopping Spree that a very lucky someone will get to spend however they like at CambriaCove.com!

If you’re not familiar with Cambria Cove yet, click here to browse their fabulous collection of gift ideas for all sorts of occasions… each of which comes with it’s own “story” and looks especially pretty when packaged up in CC’s elegant signature gift box.

gift ideas - cambria cove giveaway

Because Valentine’s Day is coming up this weekend, I thought it would be fun to feature some holiday-appropriate favorites today… for example this stunning Red Floral Umbrella, which would go quite well with the cool Candy Apple Red Rolling Tote (pictured at top), don’t you think? Read More…

5 Feb

Simply Stated: Love in Bloom

categories: Simply Stated, bridal shower ideas, wedding ideas

pink and gray wedding party inspiration board

Love is in the air! On the lookout for some inspiration for spring or summer bridal showers? Check out my “Love in Bloom” inspiration board posted today over at Real Simple, featuring this gorgeous new Plum Blossom partyware collection that I’ve fallen in love with myself. =)

5 Feb

“Big Game” Entertaining Ideas & Boboli

categories: food and drinks, super bowl party, theme parties

boboli pizza super bowl recipes

Being a big football fan myself, (and the wife of an even bigger football fanatic/son of a former NFL player), I was super excited when Boboli reached out to HWTM to collaborate on some “Big Game” entertaining ideas!

You can check out my party tips over at BoboliFootball.com, a football entertaining hub that’s loaded with game-day recipes, a downloadable football party guide, and more great stuff… Read More…

4 Feb

Vase Corset: Oh-La-La Centerpiece!

categories: bachelorette, bridal shower ideas, centerpiece ideas, valentines day

valentines day bachelorette party centerpiece

I’m in love with this new “Vase Corset” from Social Couture what a fabulous way to add some romance to your Valentine’s Day table – or some “oh la la!” to that sexy bachelorette party or lingerie-themed bridal shower!

The black velvet vase corset ($15 ea) is available in 3 different ribbon colors: red, black, or hot pink. Here’s a peek at the chic black-on-black version: Read More…

3 Feb

Lovely Valentine’s Day Dessert Buffet

categories: food and drinks, food presentation, valentines day

valentine's day dessert buffet

Need some inspiration for your Valentine’s Day party dessert table? Check out this latest dessert bar creation by Amy Atlas… which can only be described as absolutely pink-a-licious!

Goodies included: a macaron tower (so cute!), ruffled buttercream cake and cupcakes, pink favor boxes tied up with pretty satin ribbon, and lots of pink candy! For a nostalgic feel, Amy also included strawberry milk in “Be Mine” glasses.

valentine's day dessert buffet

The lovely bubblegum pink, light pink, & pale gray table (which was created for a segment on Better TV) featured a “Key to My Heart” theme, which was played up through the adorable key-topped cupcakes and “Love is the key to my Heart” candy bar wrappers. Read More…

  • BadaBadaBaby
  • Quirky Bird Designs
  • Project Wedding
  • BadaBadaBride
  • Gifts Define
  • Magnet Street Weddings
  • The Celebration Shoppe
  • Hello Lucky
  • Busy Bee Lifestyles
  • Royal Design Studio
  • Shades of Light
  • The Puppet Store
  • Storkie Express
  • Sumo Cookies
  • Urban Design Studio
  • Home Reach
  • Flats Belly Wraps
  • Operation Shower

recipe box

  • French (Pineapple) Martini
  • Ramp & Watercress Soup
  • Asparagus Mint Prosciutto Wraps
  • Fudgy Mocha Pistachio Brownies
  • Read More

wish-list

  • Personalized Melamine Plates
  • Joseph Joseph Salad Server
  • Wine and a Flat Iron Cocktail Napkins
  • Squeeze Juice Glasses
  • Waffle Cone Sundae Glasses