Hostess with the Mostess®

The original Cirque du Bebe Baby Shower featured lots of electric blue & yellow, but this theme would be fabulous in a bright pink & yellow palette too!

For those of you that would like to host this theme in honor of a new baby girl, I created new versions of the custom prints & party signage with all of the blue areas swapped out for hot pink.

You’ll find downloadable versions of each of the different PINK party signs below - including framable prints in 4×6/5×7/8×10, a 22×28″ poster, drink menu, place cards/buffet labels, and paper patterns for wrapping vases, embellishing party favors, etc. Please read the Important Note at the bottom of this post before downloading. (To download the BLUE versions instead, click here.) Read More…

Want to host your own Cirque du Bebe Baby Shower? Many of you have asked about this, so here’s a little something to help you get started…downloadable versions of all the prints & signage from the original party!

The files include: framable prints in 4×6/5×7/8×10, a 22×28″ poster, drink menu, place cards/buffet labels, and paper patterns for wrapping vases, embellishing party favors, etc. Please read the Important Note at the bottom of this post before downloading. (To download the PINK versions instead, click here.) Read More…

I’m absolutely in love with the October cover of Living this year… partially due to the fact that I’m in the midst of planning a Woodland Forest baby shower for a friend and loving all things toadstool right now, but this is also just such a clever idea – and something I personally haven’t seen done with pumpkins before. It would make such a cute tablescape for Thanksgiving, too – or really any sort of Fall party!

Here’s a peek at some more highlights from this issue of Living… starting with a few extremely crafty face masks:

This next shot is pretty clever… “incognito” birdwatchers! Read More…

Sam Zien – known to most as “Sam the Cooking Guy” – and his super-fun cooking classes are a local favorites here in San Diego, but you can also get a taste of him on his Discovery Health show (nationally), his own show (certain markets), and in his first cookbook – Just a Bunch of Recipes.

He also recently hooked up with Fresh Express to help promote their new line of Seasonal Salads, and hosted a little get-together at his house last week to give a personal demo of what you can do with these salads… delivered in his signature funny, laid-back style of course!

{photos courtesy of Shawna Parks}

Sam whipped up 3 different types of salads, which we happily taste-tested: steak & goat cheese, spicy grilled shrimp, and a Mediterranean spinach salad with roasted tomatoes (plus a fabulous Pesto Pizza appetizer!). All of the recipes were quick & easy, featured minimal dressing – and, most importantly – tasted super DELICIOUS!

Here’s the full recipe for the Steak Salad (pictured above). Read More…

In continuation of the Pink Party series, here’s another centerpiece idea that’s both simple & chic. Swap out your favorite flowers and paper patterns to customize this idea for your own party!

Here are all the DIY details… Read More…

The special Halloween Tricks & Treats issue of Better Homes and Gardens that’s currently on stands is totally packed with the TONS of great ideas for Halloween! I picked up a copy this weekend and was instantly smitten with several of the ideas – especially the Gothic Gala (great adult party), Magic Show (cute kids party), and Eeerie Edibles articles.

5 favorites from Eerie Edibles are pictured above and below. Are these Cockeyed Cuckoo sandwiches adorable or what?! Made from meatballs and marinara atop ciabatta rolls, plus cream cheese & black olive “eyes”, sweet pepper “beaks” and “brows”, and snipped chives or shredded carrots for the “feather tops”. Genius!

This Spooky Stew is super cute too… individual servings of shepherd’s pie topped with whipped potatoes piped into the shape of a ghost. Green caper “eyes” add the perfect finishing touch! Read More…