Is this one of the most genius candy creations ever, or what?! Something tells me these will be “popping” up at Grad parties ’round the world very soon! Bakerella… you’re a genius with the sweet stuff as always – thanks!

I was at (San Diego’s new 2-story!) Crate&Barrel last week and have to tell you that the adorable floral Alison Paper Plates pictured above are even cuter in person than they look online! Great choice for girlie graduation celebrations and backyard cocktail parties!

C&B actually has tons of other great outdoor entertaining products out right now too – several of which serve as great company for the Alison Plates, such as the coordinating Alison Napkins, bright red – and earth friendly – Preserve™ Flatware, Citronella Mini Torches, and classic Red Lantern pictured above.

Whimsy Press has a great gift wrap design called DIY Design that features pre-printed doodles on one side and room for DIY doodles on the other. This design has always reminded me of the doodle-adorned notepads and kraft-paper-covered text books from high school and college years past, and it feels like a great element to inspire a girlie graduation party theme!

On the DIY side of the wrap, you can fill in the bubbles with custom notes & doodles like little graduations hats, phrases like "Congrats!" or "2008", your guest of honor’s name, and even special messages to the Grad. Use the gift wrap to cover text books, wrap vases, create table runners, etc.

This same design also comes in double-sided, pre-cut placemats for easy table top decor…

Just add black and white plates and table linens, a simple floral arrangement, wooden numbers that read "2008", and a few pictures of your Grad displayed in modern black and white frames. Complete the party theme with pink, black, and green paper lanterns and more pictures and wooden block letters and numbers that read "CONGRATS" and "2008" elsewhere in the party.

These colorful capiz garlands are a party all on their own! In addition to working great as hanging decorations, capiz garlands are also fabulous as table decor – lay a few of them across the table to create a “table runner”, or try wrapping single strands around glass cylinder vases to create playful containers for your centerpieces! Fun colors like bright pink, lime green, and yellow are perfect for spring & summer parties… and at only $6.99 a strand, why not try them all?!

For a thoughtful touch, designate one special keepsake book and ask party guests to sign messages to the graduate on it "yearbook-style" (on the outside and inside covers). If you use a photo album as the covered keepsake "book" – you can even fill the album at a later date with actual pictures from the party!

{image from marthastewart.com}