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Sunday, June 30, 2013

{FOLLOW ME} on Bloglovin!



Ok, okaaaaayyyy . . . . I am super duper LATE to this party but hey - I remembered at least. Which in my book, is a step in the right direction - lol.
You may or may not know, or you may have just forgotten . . . as of Monday July 1st, Google reader will no longer be around. Like in bye-bye, c ya later!  Soooooooo . . . if you have been following me through Google reader you are gonna have to make a switch. A couple ways to never miss a post because c'mon . . .why would ya? ;)

First up, there's Bloglovin. It's hip. It's easy. And it's what I am using. I LOVE it as it imported my reading list right from Google reader.  Total SCORE! Love when a program does the work FOR you! Boom! Done!
Some of the things I love about it is the fact that you can check out all your fave blogs by most recent feed, or simply click on a certain one to see ALL of their posts. You can also "like" it, share on Facebook, Twitter, etc. with great ease!

If you want to ADD a new blog to your list, just simply type the name in the search box & it will find it for you & then hit the 'follow' button to add. 

Just click below to follow me:
Follow on Bloglovin
Another option, is to just follow me by email or you can do BOTH! Then all of my posts will be delivered straight to your inbox.  Just enter your email address in the sidebar where it says. "subscribe via email" & your all set!

Quick & easy - thanks for following! ;)


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

WEDDING :: All AMERICAN red, white & blue Inspiration Board


Hello everyone & welcome to "Wedding Wednesday"!


red, white and blue, patriotic wedding, flag, stars & stripes, blue bow tie



 ::  bride  ::  cake  ::  brownie bites  ::  boutonniere  ::  bow tie   
::  pompoms  ::  snow cones   ::  candles  ::   straw flags  ::  cocktail

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Today I am bringing you some All-American RED, WHITE & BLUE wedding eye candy just in time for the 4th of July!!! Time to celebrate with a patriotic vibe & honor our great country!
Celebrating with the traditional colors of our country can be fun & there are a ton of ideas that you can do. From a backyard BBQ with snow cones & sparklers to a more traditional party with a 3-tier cake & cocktail hour!

Have you ever planned a party with this color scheme? I have & it does make for a great trio of colors for your next party or event. You can guarantee these colors to set the tone for fun! 

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Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!


Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop
 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

{HOW-TO} Make a Grass Skirt Garland

     

How-to Make a grass skirt garland!

This is the PERFECT garland for your summer luaus & is so SIMPLE & EASY to make! Now this was one of those ideas that just "hit me" when I was out purchasing supplies for a party & it just comes together (kinda like 'magic' - heehee) I don't know . . .  I think it turned out pretty cool - what do you think?


Supplies you will need & the "how-to":
1. head on over to The Dollar Tree & pick up 1 pack of red 'goodie' bags
& 1 pack of blue 'goodie' bags 
(they came 10 in a pack so I figured that would be plenty long enough)
2. while you are still at the Dollar Tree pick up an extra grass skirt to use specifically for this garland
3. the 1st thing I did was, using my paper hole punch, punched holes in both sides of the paper bags towards the top . . .say about an inch down
4.get out that glue gun & fire her up!
5. I printed out the 4" circles from the Americana Luau collection,
cut them out & glued them to only about a third of the bags 
(you decide how many you would like & then print the appropriate amount)




6. I then took the 'extra' grass skirt & a pair of scissors & determined how 'long' I wanted the 'skirt' to be hanging off the bags . . .I believe I did about 12 in. & then just cut that length off the skirt to glue to the bags
7. open up one of the paper bags & turn it upside down, run the hot glue gun all around the edges (on the inside bottom) & adhere the grass skirt pieces until you achieve the 'look' you want
** a couple tips on this - you WILL get your fingers glued.
I would advise doing 1 side at a time with the gluing as if you are like me, I had to be particular as to lining up the pieces of the 'skirt' just so! =)
8. continue gluing the 'skirt' to the bottom of all your paper bags until you have done them all
9. I used just a long piece of white curling ribbon to "thread" through all of the garland bags (where you put the hole punches) until they were all hanging on the ribbon
10. that's IT! Again . . .a FUN, festive-looking DIY decor that was $4


Want to see MORE pics from this party? Check out the Americana Luau we had for Memorial Day - such a fun idea!

What fun party decor item have you come up with lately? 
Are you having a luau this summer? I would love to know . . .


Friday, June 14, 2013

RECIPE :: Cookie Crumble OREO Cupcakes

Oreo cupcakes, cookie crumble cupcakes, red cake stand, polka dots


Today I am bringing you a DELISH new recipe that we made at our house this week! My daughter wanted to make some cupcakes for her dad & chose these! She calls them Cookie Crumble OREO cupcakes!


Oreo cookies, cpolka dot cupcake liners, vanilla frosting, how to make
 

Here's the recipe for Cookie Crumble OREO cupcakes:

 Ingredients:
~ 2 1/4 cups flour
~ 1 tablespoon baking powder
~ 1/2 teaspoon salt

~ 1 2/3 cups sugar
~ 1 cup milk
~ 1/2 cup butter, softened
~ 3 teaspoons vanilla
~ 3 egg whites
~ 1 1/2 cups crushed Oreos + more for decorating cupcakes
~ 1 16oz. container of vanilla frosting

ingredients for Oreo cupcakes, making cupcakes, baking cupcakes

 


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 24 muffin cups pan with liners.
2. Combine flour, baking powder & salt in large bowl; stir in sugar. Add milk, butter & vanilla; beat with electric mixer at low speed for 30 seconds. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Add egg whites: beat 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cup of crushed Oreo cookies. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min.
4. Frost cupcakes & decorate with additional crushed Oreos.
5. Eat up! ;)

**Makes 24 cupcakes

making cupcakes with your kid, fathers day cupcakes, recipe for kids


My daughter baked these herself along with decorating them & she did a FAB job! It was a FUN day of baking & we all get to eat yummy cupcakes this weekend! Win-win!

On a side note, I shot all of these photos with my I-phone to see if there was a HUGE diff. over using my 'nice' camera . . . hmmm . . whatcha think? I'm thinking sometimes using the ol' I-phone is (if I must) isn't so bad hmmm? ;)

red cake stand, Oreo cupcakes, polka dot liners, oreo cookies recipe



What dessert are YOU making for an upcoming event? Maybe you can make these for your next celebration coming up. Let me know what you are baking up this weekend . . . 



Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!


Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop
 
Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

RECIPE :: Summer Fruit Tart COOKIES

how to make fruit tart cookies, summertime, sugar cookie recipe, fruit


Summer Fruit Tart Cookies



Hello . . .it's Erin and I know what you're thinking....Fruit tart? Blah!  Well, my friends, this is not your average fruit tart.  I just didn't know what else to call it since Yummy-Sugary-Fruity-Creamy-Cookie Deliciousness was too long.  

They are actually a cross between a fruit tart and a fruit pizza.  You've seen the fruit pizzas with cream cheese spread on a sugar cookie topped with chopped fruit, right?  Fruit pizzas were the inspiration for this dessert but my kiddos don't like cream cheese (still not sure what planet they're from) so I had to think of something else.  Naturally, my mind wanders to heavy whipping cream and sugar.  I didn't say these were Diet Summer Fruit Tart Cookies. :) 

sugar cookie, icing, sliced strawberries, fruit pizza, blueberries, summer cookie



These are kid approved and husband approved, which in my house, is a tough crowd these days.  My hubs, who claims he isn't a “sugar cookie kind of guy,” loved them.  I know you will too!

strawberries, blueberries, sugar cookie, fruit tart cookie recipe, summer



Begin with your favorite sugar cookie recipe or your can use store bought dough.  I love the no fail recipe from The Decorated Cookie.  Cut the dough into desired shapes, bake and cool.  *It helps if you chill the dough on the cookie sheet after you cut them out so that they keep their shape in the oven. 

fruit topping, sugar cookie recipe, whipping cream, ice the cookies
 



For the sweet cream and fruit topping you will need:



2 cups heaving whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding

4 tablespoons sugar (1 tablespoon reserved)

Berries or fruit of your choice



Combine the whipping cream, vanilla, pudding mix and 3 tablespoons of sugar into a mixing bowl and blend with an electric mixer until cream is fluffy (about 5 minutes).  Pipe or spread the sweet cream onto the cookies.  Add desired fruit and sprinkle with remaining sugar.  Devour.  Repeat. 



*The pudding helps the cream stay fluffy and not fall flat after you add the fruit.  You can adjust the amount of sugar in the cream to your liking.



Have a wonderful summer!
 
how to make fruit tart cookies, strawberries, blueberries, sugar cookie


Guest Contributor: Erin Heflin



I have always had a passion for all things creative. I can honestly say however, that I never thought my creative passion would lead me to baking and decorating cookies.  Before I started making cookies I was always a “brownie out of a box” kind of girl.  My husband would attest to that.  :)  

 It wasn't until I fell in love with the idea of decorating cookies that I really took an interest in baking and learning more about good ingredients, etc.  I now love to bake cupcakes, cakes and cake bites too.  

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to create something that makes other people happy.  I am looking forward to sharing some fun things with you!



You can follow Erin


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

WEDDING :: TURQUOISE Inspiration Board


Hello everyone & welcome to "Wedding Wednesday"! 


cake, wine glasses, gifts, flowers, turquoise heels, macarons, placemats


 ::  cake  ::  shoes   ::  macarons  ::  stemware  ::  placemats   ::  favor boxes  ::    escort cards   ::  flowers    ::
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Today I have some TURQUOISE wedding eye candy for you!!! Summer is here. Time to plan summer vacations. Time to take it to the BLUE waters! This color is so versatile!
 It's JUNE and it's summer so when I think of summer weddings, I immediately think of blue and all the different shades of blue that make for a gorgeous wedding! Right now turquoise or teal or a variation of this color is HOT HOT HOT & not going anywhere anytime soon. I LOVE this color & I think you will too (if you don't already)



You will find there is A LOT ideas & tones of this color and it makes a great color for your next party or event. Personally, I have a summer party planned and this color is just ONE of the colors I am using in a trio I have planned. Stay tuned for more on that.  ;)

 



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Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!


Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop
 
Looking forward to seeing you again! :)


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

{FREEBIE ALERT} Free Summer Bucket List Download




It's SUMMER BREAK here as I made mention to in this post so that means LOTS & I mean LOTS of SUMMER FUN for the KIDS!

One tradition I started a couple of years ago, is doing a Summer BUCKET LIST. It's great to have your kids list the things that they would "like" to do. Does it mean they get to do it all? Well no, but it's a good way to see how you can come up with some creative ways to maybe hit most of them. Make those memories happen the best that you can - they will LOVE it!

Most of the freebies out there list suggestions or activities to do with your kids but I found NOTHING to make my OWN list! So alas . . . a new FREEBIE for you was designed! Here you go, enjoy your summer with the kids! ;)





This print is sized at 8 x 10. Print it out at home or take it to a printer for a larger size.


Just download your "SUMMER Bucket LIST" & Enjoy!!

 
**by clicking & downloading this subway art you ARE agreeing to the RULES & copyright guidelines below! 

 
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RULES for FREE DOWNLOADS:


  • Eye Candy Event Details printables are designed for your PERSONAL USE only. Please do not re-sell, re-distribute, or claim them as your own.
  • I encourage you to share with your fans, friends, on your blog and all I ask is to PLEASE, {be kind} & post/ tag a link back to this website so I know who's enjoying them. Thanks - I appreciate it! =)
  • And PLEASE do NOT remove the copyright mark - thanks!

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ONE thing I ask from you . . . .you got a FREEBIE from me so please,  
become a fan of my FB page, Eye Candy Event Details, here or leave me a comment & follow my blog.
 Just let me me know that you downloaded this FREEBIE or just simply say hello. Let me know what you thought of this freebie! ;)




So HOW will you spend it? A couple things on OUR list are: building a sandcastle at the beach, trying a NEW recipe every week this summer, planning a back-to-school party with her friends to simple things like . . .  a baking day, craft day & flying a kite!
What is something on YOUR list? Please comment below . . . .





Monday, June 3, 2013

The Perfect Way to Show Your Love This Father's Day!

Searching for the perfect way to recognize dear ol’ dad this Father’s Day? Sure you can surprise him with an expensive set of golf clubs or a new 75” TV, but there’s nothing more meaningful than giving that special man a touching Father’s Day card. And don’t just settle for the highly impersonal, humdrum department store fare. Instead, give your stationery a boost of style and sentimentality by going with a sweet piece of correspondence that you can completely customize with your own tender photographs and messages. And whether you choose to make your Father’s Day card touching, silly or a little bit of both, dad won’t be able to hold back his joy when he lays eyes on that heartfelt card you made entirely by yourself.













If you want to see even more fabulous Father’s Day cards or adorable greeting cards like the ones above, be sure to check out all the dazzling and customizable designs at Treat.