SIPS :: Lemon Drop Martinis

      Hey . . .it's Cineca! 

I LOVE Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings, and I couldn't have been more excited when Laura had the chance to chat with her last week.

{Don't miss Laura's interview with Darcy...}

Darcy debuted her new party line, Summer Daisy Party, this week on OpenSky.

As I browsed through the bright & fun Daisy themed goodies...I found myself thinking,

"Self, a refreshing, lemony cocktail would pair perfectly with this party!"

This delicious Lemon Drop Martini adds the perfect adult kick to such an adorable

Summer party! Pour...Enjoy...Repeat!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz vodka (I prefer Grey Goose or Skyy)
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1 tsp sugar 
3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice (reserve lemon for garnish)

Ice cubes
Sugar to rim glass

Directions:

Fill a shaker with ice

Add vodka, triple sec, sugar and lemon juice

Shake well to make sure sugar is blended.

Pour strained liquor into a sugar-rimmed martini glass

Garnish with a twisted peel of lemon.

*To create a sugar-rimmed glass, take a lemon wedge and rub the drinking surface of the glass so it is barely moist. Dip the edge of the glass into sugar

 Guest Contributor: Cineca Keck

 

Cineca is a mommy, lover of music and traveling, and a self-proclaimed food junkie. When not experimenting with new recipes, watching cooking shows, and building tent forts, she’s a busy wedding and event planner. 

You can follow Cineca

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GIVEAWAY :: Darcy Miller's Summer Daisy Party Debut

I had the honor of chatting with Darcy Miller, from Martha Stewart Weddings on the phone last week about her new line called "Summer Daisy Party"! I want to share our conversation with you & an amazing giveaway but first, you must check out her new collection! It is GORGEOUS!

The latest floral-inspired collection titled “Summer Daisy Party” channeling the idea of summer garden parties is created for OpenSky.com by weddings and celebrations expert and Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings, Darcy Miller.

Inspired by life, her daughter's daisy birthday party and all of the special occasions we celebrate, Darcy has always thought about how to make any occasion meaningful, memorable and personable.

The collection launched TODAY on OpenSky and features everything from daisy-themed table clothes, lanterns and stationary – that can be used for birthdays, weddings and showers.

Here's a link to Darcy's entire Daisy Themed Collection 

https://opensky.com/darcymiller?osky_origin=osm&osky_source=PReyecandyevent

Daisy Punch Lid & Jars Serve your drinks in style with daisy-cut Ball jars. These come in two sizes. I like the big ones for adult cocktails and the little ones for kids lemonade. Our yellow swizzle straw fits right in for easy sipping.

DIY Decorative Cupcake Stand Kit No matter where your party is, you don't have to travel with your fine china, our cupcake stand packs flat and travels light - put it together in a few minutes and create a great centerpiece! Use the Daisy Double Edge Punch to transform this solid white cupcake tower into the perfect piece for your Daisy Themed Party.

Darcy's tip: If your cupcakes have a lot of butter, put circles of wax paper liner down underneath to avoid grease stains on your cupcake stand. 

Darcy's Daisy Lollipops When I set out to find a lollipop, I knew I needed something special, so I had this specially created for me! These adorable lollipops have pure white petals with a sweet yellow center. They come wrapped individually so you can put them on a place setting, send guests home with them, or fill a bucket or Mason jar for a pretty display.

Daisy Party Starter Kit (see table place setting) I've put together a collection of napkins, cups, flags and much more to help you one-stop shop for your very own daisy party! Your guests will be delighted by the little details on the tables such as the yellow swizzle straws.

DIY Party Favor Bundle With this kit, you'll be ready to assemble some fantastic party favors of jelly beans, sour balls, gumballs -- and we even have the bags ready for you! Let the kids have a party-duty in filling these bags with their favorite combo of theme-colored candy!

Darcy's tip: stay away from melty chocolate if you're having outdoor summer entertaining! These candies will hold up to the heat.

Eleni's Daisy Cookies Eleni creates these sweet daisy cookies which I love to put on top of vanilla cupcakes for a beautiful display on the dessert table.

You can stack your cookie-topped cupcakes on our cupcake stand from Martha Stewart Crafts (included in this sale) or simply put out plates of these cute treats for your guests to nibble.

Yellow and White Gumball Favors Have I mentioned that I love decorating with candy? These juicy gumballs and packaged for you in the tubes, ready to send home as favors, set as place settings & get creative! Use with the our (DIY Daisy Kit) to decorate these tubes with a daisy like I did!

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Isn't this collection adorable? 
I absolutely LOVE it & I am pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that daisies just happen to be my FAVORITE flower! This collection is sunny, cheerful, elegant, classy & modern all rolled up into one nice little package!

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Darcy on the phone & she is one of the most down-to-earth & 'real' people I have ever met. A real honor.

We chatted. 
About inspiration and how it comes from anywhere. A bakery window. Your kids. Anywhere. "REAL life experiences" is where Darcy said she gets her inspiration from.

We discussed details about her new line.
Her new "Summer Daisy line" & how it's so versatile & can be incorporated into pretty much ANY theme you may be planning: a birthday party, a baby shower, wedding shower, dinner party. 

We laughed.
At some of the things we have in common.

We shared stories about our daughters. 
We both have 9 year old' girls. She happens to have 3 daughters total: 9, 6 & 3 years old. But our 9 year olds, have alot in common. They are typical girls. We shared the different themes they have come up with in the past & how we have brought them to life. Her new collection is named after her oldest daughter, Daisy. 

My daughter wanted me to ask Darcy a question, (very cute of her) . . so I did: 
'What would be your dream wedding to design?'
Darcy had the same response that most of us probably would say . . . she said it was her "OWN wedding" out of all of the parties she has planned, that has been the dream to design.

We talked party tips. 
"Small details = the BIGGEST impact."  
I couldn't agree more.  

She said when she is planning an event, she wants people "to KNOW the minute that they walk in that they are at a PARTY!"
Amen to that. 

Party favor: "ALWAYS!"
Love Darcy - a girl after my own heart! =)

"Little details, .no matter how small . . . even hanging a little something from a dining room chandelier will add to the party!" 
I believe it's ALL in the details.

She told me about one of Martha's parties. 
A party that involved one of Martha's favorite past times, Scrabble, and how it's so important to connect the party with the person you are hosting it for. 

We both reuse.
Yes she is ONE of us. She said she will reuse items from a previous party & tends to hang on to the items she knows she could use at another party. She keeps some of her party items, just like us. And her husband may not fully understand her need to reuse either. But she is just like us. =)


I felt like I have known her forever - she was that sweet & wonderful to chat with. Thank you again Darcy for taking the time & we will chat again soon!


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**this GIVEAWAY is NOW CLOSED!

THE Giveaway!

So WHAT do YOU win???!!

OpenSky is letting me give ONE lucky winner one of Darcy Miller's "cupcake stands".

The GIVEAWAY runs through Wednesday night (7/25) at midnight (E.S.T.). 

Winner will be announced On Thursday morning!

Please feel free to share about the GIVEAWAY & GOOD LUCK!

THANKS AGAIN so much for being a FAN! xoxo

 

   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{DAILY DEAL} Holiday Collections

Daily Deal - Day #5 (LAST ONE)

$6.00 on HOLIDAY collections which includes THREE different ones from the SHOP

The first one is the  "Glam Halloween" collection:

 

 The second one is the "Give Thanks" Thanksgiving collection: 

The third one is the "Mod Snowflake" Christmas collection: 

ALL of these collections are on SALE in my shop for ONLY $6.00/ each.

This DAILY DEAL is valid TODAY ONLY & is the FINAL DAILY DEAL!
So head on over to my Etsy shop & pick one, all of them up!

Have you ENTERED the GIVEAWAY???

If you missed the 1st post about the GIVEAWAY, find it here, as you still have plenty of time to enter:
 6K FB Fan GIVEAWAY

{DAILY DEAL} Birthday Party Packs

Daily Deal - Day #4

SALE on selected BIRTHDAY party pack collections which includes TWO different ones from the SHOP

The first one is the  "Chevron Cupcake" Happy Birthday collection:
 

If you would like to see more info about this collection, see the post on the debut of the "Chevron Cupcake" Happy Birthday collection.

This collection regular price is $25 - 60% OFF code today = $10



 The second one is the just released "Peace, Love & FUN-do" Happy Birthday CUSTOMIZED party pack collection: 

To view the post when this collection debuted, see "Peace, Love & FUN-do" Birthday collection debut.

This CUSTOMIZED collection regular price is $40 - 60% OFF code today = $16

Today BOTH of these collections are on SALE in my shop for 60% OFF the regular price!!

This DAILY DEAL is valid TODAY ONLY!
So head on over to my Etsy shop & pick one, of even both of them up!

Go to the Etsy shop & enter 6KFB60 at checkout to get your Happy Birthday Party Pack collections for an awesome DAILY DEAL!! You will find BOTH of them in the 'birthday' folder.
**the coupon code is ONLY good on these 2 collections only & anything else added will be charged full price

Have you entered the GIVEAWAY????

If you missed the 1st post about the GIVEAWAY, find it here, as you still have plenty of time to enter:
 6K FB Fan GIVEAWAY

{DAILY DEAL} Custom Business Card DESIGN

Daily Deal - Day #3

$16.00 OFF on all CUSTOM CUSTOM Business Card Designs from the SHOP

Custom Business Card design

With this DAILY DEAL you will receive:
- ONE Custom Business Card Design for your business or for your personal use.

I will provide you with:
- 2 different designs to pick from that will fit your 'brand'

- a 1-sided business card design that is 3.5" x 2"
{**see listing for all the details}

Here are just a few of my latest DESIGNS:

A brand new custom Business Card design is on SALE in my shop for $16.00 OFF the normal price of $36 & you pay ONLY $20 for this DAILY DEAL!

This DAILY DEAL is valid TODAY ONLY!
So head on over to my Etsy shop to get one now as they are LIMITED QUANTITY!

Go to the Etsy shop & you will find the listing under 'Design Services' & the price is ALREADY reduced - just check out & I will contact you about the details! Easy peasy! 


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Have YOU entered the GIVEAWAY yet?
If you missed the 1st post on Sunday about the GIVEAWAY, find it here, as you still have plenty of time to enter:
 6K FB Fan GIVEAWAY 

{DAILY DEAL} Custom FB timeline cover designs

Daily Deal - Day #2

$16.00 on all CUSTOM Facebook Timeline Cover Designs from the SHOP

Custom Facebook Timeline Cover design

With this DAILY DEAL you will receive:
- ONE Facebook Timeline Cover Design for your business or for your personal page.

I will provide you with:
- 2 different designs to pick from that will fit your 'brand'
- a COMPLIANT FB timeline banner design that adheres to the FB rules
- a finished file emailed to you in JPG/PNG format
**see listing for all the details

To see all of my recent designs, head on over to my FB page marked FB Timeline Cover Designs & check them out!

A brand new custom FB timeline cover design is on SALE in my shop for $16.00/ each. (reg. $25)

This DAILY DEAL is valid TODAY ONLY!
So head on over to my Etsy shop to get one now as they are LIMITED QUANTITY!

Go to the Etsy shop & you will find the listing under 'Design Services' & the price is ALREADY reduced - just check out & I will contact you about the details! Easy peasy! 


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Have YOU entered the GIVEAWAY yet?
If you missed the 1st post on Sunday about the GIVEAWAY, find it here, as you still have plenty of time to enter:
 6K FB Fan GIVEAWAY 

{DAILY DEAL} $6 Back to school Collections

Daily Deal - Day #1

$6.00 on Back-to-school collections which includes TWO different ones from the SHOP

The first one is the newly released "One Smart Cookie" collection:

If you would like to see more info about this collection, see the post on the debut of the "One Smart Cookie" collection.



 The second one is the "Teacher Appreciation" school collection: 

To view the post when this collection debuted, see "Teacher Appreciation" collection debut.

Today BOTH of these collections are on SALE in my shop for 60% OFF the regular price or $6.00/ each.

This DAILY DEAL is valid TODAY ONLY!
So head on over to my Etsy shop & pick one, of even both of them up!

Go to the Etsy shop & enter 6KFB60 at checkout to get your back-to-school collections at only $6.00/ea.! 
**the coupon code is ONLY good on these 2 collections only & anything else added will be charged full price

If you missed the 1st post about the GIVEAWAY, find it here, as you still have plenty of time to enter:
 6K FB Fan GIVEAWAY

{GIVEAWAY} 6K Facebook Fan PARTY!

 

~ hello everyone ~

I am so EXCITED to get this PARTY started! Ever since we hit 6K Fans over on Facebook, I have been planning a celebration that is a little different & I sooooo hope you are going to ENJOY this party! I know I am! ;)

So what do I have in store?

THIS Giveaway!  . . . Daily Deals!!!! . . . & more!

Stay tuned EVERY day as I will post the "DAILY DEAL" for everyone - some days it may be limited quantity, some days not. But that WILL BE the FUN!!

Tuning in EVERY day for the next week to see what "deal" I have up my sleeve for you!

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THE Giveaway!

So WHAT do YOU win???!! 

For DAY #1 - we are starting the PARTY off by holding a GIVEAWAY to MY shop!

It will go for 1 week & winner will be announced on the last day of the week long celebration!

gift certificate does NOT include logo/blog design

The GIVEAWAY runs through next Sunday night (7/22) at midnight (E.S.T.). 

Winner will be announced On Monday morning!

Feel free to share about the GIVEAWAY & GOOD LUCK!

THANKS AGAIN so much for being a FAN! xoxo

GOOD LUCK!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{DEBUT} my NEW Blog Design

SURPRISE!

My latest project! MY new BLOG DESIGN!

I am so THRILLED to FINALLY debut my new design for my blog! I have been wanting to do it for sometime but I always put everyone else's work in front of what I want to do. But I figured if I am going to start offering BLOG DESIGN  then I needed to do mine as one of the firsts! 

Here is the 'before' picture . . .

And look at it now! =) Everyone say YAAAAAAAAAAY!

It's not that I disliked my old blog design but I wanted to update, streamline & clean it up as much as possible & I feel now it's getting there. I still am working on all the pages for the tabs at the top BUT I was too excited to wait.

I have a few blog designs in the works already from clients but will be posting info soon detailing the service. Feel free to email me before I post that if you like.

So what do you think? I would love to know . . .

COLLECTION :: One Smart Cookie - Back to School

I recently had someone request a collection for me to design. She home schools & was having an end-of-year party to celebrate with her moms group. So we made it happen & here it is!

This collection would also be PERFECT for a milk & cookies party . . .a BACK to school party, graduation party or ANYtime you want to celebrate how 'smart' your child is!



Introducing the . . . .

'One Smart Cookie" collection!

Here's what you get in this collection . . . 

(pictured above}

1. banner - the banner included is pennant style & says "CONGRATS" & includes our cookie character

2. tags / toppers/ circles - use for accents to your table decor - simply cut them out or use a punch, glue to lollipop stick or toothpick & done!

 

3. drink flags - comes in 2 different designs with the red gingham & the chocolate chip background - attach these to straws or toothpicks for a fun way to coordinate the party decor

4. food / drink / decor labels - comes with 2 different designs of the gingham print - each will have "one smart cookie" at the top & you have plenty of room underneath so you can write in whatever you need to label

 

5. paper pack - use for accents to your table decor - simply cut them out for what you need - around bowls, vases, mount behind the toppers, use as napkin wraps, place in frames, etc.

6. table signs - you will receive 2 different designs that will fit a 4x6 frame - one will say chocolate milk & the other will say white milk  

7. framed art - 8 x 10 print can be framed to use as decor on your table. Says "CONGRATS - You're one smart cookie!"

 

Hope you love this collection as much as I do! 

You can find it here in my Etsy shop!

As always, if you EVER have any special custom design party collection idea requests, PLEASE feel free to email me anytime & I can design one for YOU!

laura@eyecandycs.com

Have a great 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! :)