Can I tell you how in love I am with this utterly adorable construction party I stumbled across? With all this cold snowy weather we are enduring this side of the Coast, I need warm and colorful visuals .

Created by Jessica Levitt, AKA mom, sewer, crafter, and designer, she incorporates three fun colors: chocolate, pumpkin, and mustard into this mastery of work.

Jessica used lots of fabrics for decorations. The Be a Man collection and some Tot Town from Michael Miller as well as a few other construction-related ones she had added to theme.

Photo Credits: Christianne Ebel

Check out the full details of little Theo’s party and TONS of more pics here.

Not sure what side of the U.S. or country you reside on, but er-um, our historic snowstorm here in Maryland finally winded down later today. In some parts, 2-3 FEET of snow! If you live in a warm, sunshiny area, I covet you

The dig out has only begun

Tea Mail

Cute concept. A London-based tea shop will mail a Postcard Tea which includes a delicious bag of tea along with a personalized message to your loved one around the world.

Postcard Teas 50g tea with postcard, £6.oo; $10 USD.

Wood Patterned Wallpaper

Here’s to all my outdoorsy folk…Bring the weathered, outdoor look inside with the Dutch design firm Studio Ditte’s Scrapwood wallpaper. Studio Ditte copied the beauty of scrap wood to wallpaper.

Sky Planter

Designed in New Zealand this planter is turning gardening on its head. The Sky Planter allows you to look up and enjoy the beauty of plants from a unique perspective. The creators describe this as ‘A revolutionary reservoir system which feeds water gradually to the plant’s roots. This conserves water and saves you time…a simple locking disc holds the plant and soil in place allowing you to use your Sky Planter indoors, leaving your surfaces mess-free.” Who wouldv’e thunk?

Having a music themed party or event, or is the groom-to-be a huge music lover? Check out these pics using old records on the passed hors d’oeuvres trays. Your guests will love them, and it’s a nice change from your regular ol’ tired passing tray.

Came across these extra different Parisian pillows from Bonjour Mon Coussin. Check them out:

Besides chocolate chewy brownies, my next sinful weakness is cupcakes. And with just a handful of candies, a can of frosting, a ziplock bag, and some cupcake batter you’re in business with these creative concoctions below.

All Recipe excerpts from Hello, Cupcake! book by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.

And yes…these are really cupcakes

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?
Meatball Cupcakes

Check out the Full Tutorial on how to make these meatball cupcakes at The Junk Drawer.

What’s for Dinner?
TV Dinner cupcakes

Makes 6 cupcakes

Check out the Full Tutorial on how to make these TV Dinner cupcakes at Martha Stewart.

Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Cupcakes

Quick tutorial and recipe for meatloaf and mashed potato cupcakes on Bake at 350.

Slumber Party Dreamland
Sleepyhead Cupcakes
Makes 6

Ingredients
6 vanilla cupcakes baked in white paper liners
1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
Orange, yellow, and green food coloring (available at baking supply stores)
1/2 cup chocolate frosting
6 marshmallows
2 small pink jelly beans (Jelly Bellys)
2 each light pink, dark pink, yellow, orange, blue, purple, and green fruit chews (Starbursts, Laffy Taffys, Airheads)
6 mini vanilla wafers
Pink and red heart decors
2 bear-shaped graham crackers (Teddy Grahams)
Red sprinkles

Directions
1. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the vanilla frosting into a small ziplock bag, press out the excess air, and seal. Tint 2 tablespoons of the vanilla frosting each with the orange, yellow, and green food coloring and spoon into separate small ziplock bags. Press out the excess air and seal the bags. Place the chocolate frosting in a ziplock bag, press out the excess air and seal.

2. Spread the top of the cupcakes with the remaining 11/2 cups vanilla frosting and smooth. Cut the marshmallows in half lengthwise. Place 1 marshmallow piece, lengthwise and cut side down, on the lower half of one of the cupcakes. Place another marshmallow piece crosswise, cut side down, near the top edge of the cupcake to make the pillow. Repeat with the remaining 5 cupcakes. On one of the cupcakes, press the jelly beans into the frosting at the bottom edge, just below the end of the marshmallow, to make the feet.

3. Working with 2 like-colored fruit chews at a time, heat them in the microwave for 2 to 3 seconds to soften. Press the fruit chews together and roll out on a sheet of wax paper to 1/16 inch thick. Cut a 2-inch square from all but the purple fruit-chew piece and a 2-by-1/2-inch strip from the scraps. Using craft scissors with a decorative edge, cut along one side of each strip to make a zigzag blanket edge. Press contrasting colors of fruitchew squares and strips together to make the blankets with borders. Cut a 3/4-by-11/2-inch rectangle from the rolled-out purple fruit-chew piece. Cut a 3/4-inch square from the scraps of the yellow fruit chews and place on one side of the purple fruit chew. Fold the purple fruit chew over the yellow to make a book.

4. Snip a 1/16-inch corner from each of the 5 bags with the frostings. Pipe a dot of frosting on the marshmallow pillow and add the vanilla wafer, flat side down. Using the orange, yellow, or chocolate frosting, pipe hair along the top edge of each wafer. Pipe the children’s eyelids or eyebrows with chocolate frosting and the eyes with a dot of vanilla frosting, then a dot of chocolate. Pipe a dot of vanilla frosting for the mouths and add the pink or red heart decors. Pipe the teddy bear’s eyes and mouth with chocolate frosting. Pipe a tiny dot of vanilla frosting for the bear’s nose and add a red sprinkle. On the cover of the book, pipe a ghost with vanilla frosting and writing with chocolate frosting.

5. Press the blankets over the marshmallow bodies and pipe decorations on top with the colored frosting. Attach the teddy bear cookies and the book with a dot of frosting.

Corny Treats
Corn on the Cob Cupcakes
Makes 8 ears of corn: 24 cupcakes
Surprise: These kernels are jelly beans, the butter pats are fruit chews, and the salt and pepper is black and white sugar.

Ingredients
24 vanilla cupcakes baked in white paper liners
1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
Yellow food coloring
About 3 1/2 cups small jelly beans (Jelly Bellys) in assorted yellow, cream, and white colors
4 pieces yellow fruit chews (Laffy Taffys, Starbursts)
1 tablespoon each black and white decorating sugars (available at baking supply stores)
8 sets of corn holders (optional)

Directions
1. Tint the vanilla frosting pale yellow with the food coloring.

2. Working with 3 cupcakes at a time, spread yellow frosting on top of each. Arrange about 5 rows of jelly beans, close together, on each cupcake. Place the 3 cupcakes side by side on a corn dish or a serving platter. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes, frosting, and jelly beans.

3. Cut the fruit chews into eight 1-inch squares, and soften the edges slightly by hand so that they look melted. Place 1 square on top of each group of 3 cupcakes. Sprinkle with the sugars. Insert 1 corn holder, if using, in each of the end cupcakes.

Cheeseburgers for Dessert
Burger Cupcakes

View a Tutorial on how to create a Burger Cupcake at one of my faves: Bakerella or The Nibble.com.

Looking for a cute bridesmaids’ gift? Consider a Coffee Corset from Jenn Gee over at Etsy.

These coffee cup corsets are sexy, stylish, original, and a great eco-friendly alternative to the plain old cardboard sleeves. These corsets work for hot or cold drinks. Just fold it up when you are done and pop it in your purse or pocket. It can be used for cold beverages as well. There are over 200 coffee corset designs to choose from, all handcrafted by Jenn; you are bound to find one to fit each one of your bridesmaids’ style or personality.

Here are some finds:

Whatever happened to champagne and cake? A champagne reception is a budget-friendly way to celebrate. If the stress and cost of planning a dinner reception isn’t for you, put together a low-key champagne and dessert reception for your guests.

Cover a buffet table with a simple white tablecloth and stock it with champagne and sweet treats. Choose food with a similar color palette (pink, gold, and green). Goodies like chocolate, shortbread cookies, fruit, tarts, and small pastries are easy for guests to eat using only a cocktail napkin, so silverware and plates are optional.

Incorporate Ferrero Rocher chocolates and pink Hershey’s Kisses.

Poke strawberries with flag-topped bamboo skewers to make fun drink stirrers, and tie name tags to each champagne flute ensuring that guests won’t misplace their glass during the party.

No need for fussy florals. Finish off the table by filling three vases with single-stem tulips.

Strawberries poked with flag-topped bamboo skewers make fun drink stirrers, and tying name tags to each champagne flute ensures that guests won’t misplace their glass during the party.

No need for pricey florals. Finish off the table by filling three vases with single-stem tulips.

Cake stands from Farmhouse Wares

Photo Credits: Mary Swenson
Table Design: Project Wedding

There are no adequate words to describe the devastation which has recently occurred in Haiti. My heart hurts for the thousands of lives that have been lost, and for the many that are now suffering.

I had the opportunity to visit Haiti briefly in late 1994. It was a life changing experience I will never forget. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Besides the in depth poverty, I remember serene mountains, tropical weather, beautiful handcarved art and ethnic and colorful beauty.

Here are a few of my personal photos…

These are what the busy streets looked like then.

The affluent people lived above in the mountains.

This family shared a one room house with no electricity.

My personal photos are how I would like to remember Haiti…

View Fox News Video w/Wyclef Jean below…

How cute is this Woodland Critters themed baby shower. Even the stuffed animals were handmade with love. Awww…Makes me want to have a baby………………..shower all over again!

Chop up some branches from your backyard or outdoors and you’ve got stands for food labels.

Try candied pecan favors, sew muslin drawstring pouches and stamp them with a squirrel stamp carved out of an eraser.

Buy a manzanita branch and stick some felt leaves on it for the main spread.

Use Burlap Fabric for your Table Linen. And if you are saavy with the sewing needle or know someone who is, sew little birds and foxes, and let the ladies make some amazing food.

Little Wooden Peg Doll Shower Activity

Finished product

Cute wooden peg dolls here.

Consider manzanita branches from here.