Cake Pops!

Have you seen these yet? I love them! Perfect for a dessert table or even a bridal shower! I found a couple of people on Etsy that make these lovelies! I like the idea of having something you can get a couple of bites from...enough to satisfy without it being TOO much.

Source

Source

If you are more of the DIY type of person then you have to check out Bakerella! They give you the instructions on how to make these adorable pops...and I might even have to try it out - I think these are perfect!

Here are some special wedding cake pops from Bakerella but you seriously must check out the red velvet cake balls (these are the ones I want to make!!)

Hooray! We have the bonus give-a-way winner!

Thank you all for entering and sharing your GREAT ideas! The bonus giveaway winner is: Adrienne who said...I am already a follower :) These are so perfect!! I would definitely use them for our table numbers, which will include a picture of the two of us! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!!

Random.org chose your number Adrienne! Thanks for following my blog and for entering!

And the winners are....

Congrats to our two winners! I will send out an email to you to get your info!

Comment 19:
The Budget Bride said...    I blogged http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/04/freebie-friday_16.html

Comment 4:

Jessica K. said...I love the Mr. & Mrs. Swan wedding cake toppers from La Pomme- so adorable!

Just a few days left...

Only a few days left to enter our two April giveaways! The main April giveaway will close at 10pst on April 24th (that's THIS Saturday!) and the Bonus giveaway will end at 10pst on April 25th (Sunday!). We haven't had the number of entries we have been used to . If you haven't entered, now is the time!

Vintage Style Umbrellas

I am in L-O-V-E! I just found Bella Umbrella's and I am so excited to share them with you all! Since the weather here, in usually sunny southern California, has been gloomy and rainy, what a perfect thing to share with you all today! I was inspired in several ways while browsing their website! Some other great news? You can RENT these pretty parasols....yes rent! Very affordable too!

 

Here is the information direct from their blog:

Rent umbrellas you say?!? Yes, many brides rent our beautiful umbrellas and parasols for their weddings as shade or rain protection for their guest as well as fun whimsical additions to their wedding day photos. Vintage Umbrellas for Sale - We have the largest selection of original vintage umbrellas from the 1930’s – 1960’s available for you to accessories your wardrobe with. Signature Bella Umbrellas - Bella Umbrella designs its own line of umbrellas called The Signature Bella Pagoda Umbrella. It is one of the most feminine, curvy umbrellas where you can mix and match the canopy and handle colors to make an umbrella just right for you. Bella Umbrella Shop - After 8 years on the web we opened our first brick and mortar store in November, 2009. Located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle WA.

Check them out...you will for sure see the possibilities and why I am in love with Bella Umbrella's

Paper Wedding Cones

I try to limit my posts during giveaway time (so they are easier for you to find) but when I was browsing Martha Stewart I saw these really lovely paper cones and wanted to share them! I love cones! I think they are so adorable and with so many people looking for ideas to save costs on weddings - this is an easy, affordable favor! You can fill these with almost anything....almonds, Hershey Kisses, Jelly Bellies, Lavender petals, personalized M&M's or use them for your candy bar buffet. You can download the free wedding templates from Martha Stewart. Since they use crepe paper, ribbon and colored paper you can make some pretty unique cones! Print out the favor cones here. The easy instructions are found here

Speaking of giveaways....have you entered this month? I have two awesome giveaways going on right now!

Check out our bonus giveaway here Ikea frame giveaway here and our grand giveaway here....hurry! Time is running out to enter!

Hooray! It's A Bonus GIVEAWAY!

I went on a shopping excursion today to Ikea (much to my hubby's dismay! He hates Ikea and begged me not to come home with something that required 10,000 screws!). I also needed some picture frames and while I was there...I saw "them"! I couldn't resist! What are "they" you are asking? Well, they are awesome frames that would be great for table numbers, candy buffets or anything else you can think up! It's double sided - so it could have dual purposes! The opening is for a 4x6 picture and the most amazing thing? THE PRICE! They are .99 cents! Realizing that not everyone is lucky enough to have an Ikea near them, (and they are not available to purchase online - I just checked!) I bought 10 of these frames! I felt like that lady in the ad where she yells at her husband to "Start the car!"

So, here's the deal:

• If you don't already follow my blog, in order to win you must
• Leave me a comment telling me what you might use these babies for
• If you want extra entries Tweet or Blog about them (leave a separate comment for each)
• Comments close on April 25th at 10pm 
• I have another giveaway going on...if you have not entered click here!

Found this image here

T

Found this menu DIY from Ruffled

Personalized Stepping Stones

Having an outdoor wedding? Here is something fun, unique and will make for some pretty awesome pictures! Personalized stepping stones! These have many uses: Engrave wedding words on them, love phrases, names of people who are no longer with us, memorable places, etc etc! The other great thing about incorporating something like this into your wedding is that it makes a wonderful keepsake for your own home...daily reminders of your special day! Love these!

Decorate your garden with the names of family and friends. These charming stepping stones are easy to personalize with any name of up to 12 characters.

• Each stone is etched with any name, up to 12 characters
• Each stone measures approximately 11 inches in diameter
• All stones are crafted of durable cast resin for years of enjoyment
• Item cannot be gift boxed
• Sold individually

Where to get them? Believe it or not...Walmart! Yep, for $28.24 per stone and site to store shipping (free) you get a unique wedding keepsake! 

Mustaches....At Your Wedding?

Hmmm...ok! I suppose if you're a bride (or groom) that just wants to have fun, this is right up your alley!  

Mustaches On A Stick...

 

Photo Credit: Love Me Do Photography

Seems like this is a trend that hasn't gone away, but keeps gaining in popularity! I know I keep seeing posts about it so, here you go!! I found a couple of good sources if you want to buy mustaches on a stick - there is a shop that claims to be "the original" maker of mustache on a stick - they even have a copyright! These seem to be well made and sturdy:

 From Etsy seller: somethingshidinghere

Photo Credit: photos.angelicaglass.com

Perhaps you would like a felt mustache? We've got you covered there as well:

Etsy Seller: Maro Designs

But, maybe you are a DIY bride and you know this would be pretty easy to make it yourself right? Well, guess what? Martha Stewart thinks so! Yep, the wedding pro herself has a DIY guide to making your own mustache! This is a great prop for a photo booth! It is a light hearted trend that happens to show off your fun side as well! If you use these...I want pictures!

Have You Entered The April Give-A-Way?

I have been posting quite a few random things lately and if you stumble across my blog you might not know "Hey! There's a GIVE-A-WAY going on!"

I chose some fun items that made me think of Spring! French Lavender, Butterflies and Flowers! Even if you don't need a bridal bouquet...these gorgeous flowers would look great in a vase!! So, enter today! You never know...you might be a lucky winner (and I hope you are!)

Just click here to get to the give-a-way!

Hello, Cupcake!

Welcome to sweet tooth blog! Kidding, but seriously, I am finding some amazing edibles lately! Let's kick off this post by showing you some cute cupcake finds:

Cupcake Teacups? Oh yeah! Fun for a Bridal Tea Party (don't forget to check out my blog post about Tea Parties) for sure! I am loving these. Bake and serve your cupcakes right in these white teacup-shaped silicone molds! Set of 4 reusable, food-safe silicone baking cups with plastic saucers - so fun! $19.95 for the set of 4

Next up a cupcake kit that has everything you need to make and decorate dozens of festive cupcakes! This would make a fun project for the bride and maids to do together or it makes a perfect gift for anyone who loves baking! The price is $19.95 for the set and you get:

Kit includes:
14 scrumptious recipes
250 decorative cup liners in two sizes
pastry bag
assortment of piping tips

And if you are loving cupcakes as much as I am right now you must check out Bake It Pretty! This is one of my most favorite shops for all things cupcakes!

Mmm...Cookies!

I am on a cookie kick...maybe it's from all those Girl Scout cookies I have been nibbling on (have you noticed it's impossible to eat ONE?). Somehow I stumbled upon The Fancy Lady Gourmet - Cupcakes and Corsets - interesting name for a girl who makes awesome cookies (well, her cupcakes are pretty amazing looking too!) She is an artist, turned baker. She has some pretty amazing finds in the lingerie department too (Girl Scout cookies and lingerie don't mix, by the way....)

Check out these cookies from her Etsy shop:

Oh yeah...and as a bonus she is having a giveaway on her blog if you are interested! The drawing is on April 24th so hurry on up over there!

Mini Chandeliers!

Well, now here is a cute little find! Mini Chandeliers! Hmmm....imagine what you can use these for! I am excited about finding them. The description on the website says: Chandeliers are always so grand and aloof, we thought it would be fun to bring one down to size. The mini-chandelier's portability creates opportunities for fun: hang in a car, or on a tree, or in a closet, or grouped together -- a chandelier-elier, so to speak. The size of these little guys are small - hang it in a car? Oh yeah. And they come in 3 colors for $20 each!

Personalized Flip Flops!

Here is a gem, literally! I am totally loving these! You can make your own personalized flip flops! This concept comes to you from Lindsay Phillips, who created another amazingly cool flip flop you can customize called  SwitchFlops. There are so many cute designs you can choose from! You have to check this out! I have been sitting here playing with the Personalized Flip Flops...now it's your turn!

I was playing around with the Snap Shoes (which come in Flip Flop or Ballet style) and came up with these:

Bling! Bling! A Give-A-Way!

*** This giveaway is CLOSED and a WINNER selected! ***

Jumped on my web surfboard this morning and found a fabulous give-a-way from The Thirty-Something Bride. It's a GORGEOUS headband from Lottie-Da Designs. The Etsy seller is on vacation (boo-hoo!) until April 11th but you can still see quite a bit of her WOW WOW WOW bling on the Give-A-Way page! I already added Lottie-Da Designs to my favorites on Etsy and I entered the contest....! If I happen to win this pretty little headband, it will be recycled to a reader on my blog! Go enter and good luck!

Update: Just got a notice the Lottie-Da Designs is back and their shop on Etsy is now back open! Whoo Hooo!

Are you Ready? It's APRIL Give-A-Way Time!

I was waiting to hear back from a couple of people, trying to resist posting the give-a-way...but, I can not wait anymore! It's GIVE-A-WAY time! I am loving this month's give-a-way! I have already let you in on the sneak peek - the Life Mantra's Sachets from La Pomme...and I have given you clues posting about my Spring love for...purple! So, here you go all my lovely readers....

One lucky winner will receive:

• Set of Three Sachets filled with French Lavender - Life Mantra's from La Pomme. 
• 20 Small Edible Lavender Butterflies from Etsy seller Sugar Robot
• 1 - Vera Wang Purple Palette Fashion Bouquet

A runner up winner will receive:

• Inspiration Apple from La Pomme, scented with lovely French Lavender and hand stamped with the word "Life"

VERY IMPORTANT: THE NOT SO FINE PRINT

Please read this because I do not want to disqualify anyone! Comments will close on April 24th, 2010 at 10 PM PST. Due to some shipping restrictions of the sellers contest is limited to US residents only (sorry!).
The winner will be posted on my blog and contacted via email. YOU MUST RESPOND WITHIN 48hrs or another winner will be chosen!

VALUE OF ENTIRE GIVE-A-WAY: $120.00

THREE WAYS TO ENTER:

• You must choose to follow my little blog PUBLICALLY 
• Check out any of the stores listed in the give-a-way and LEAVE A COMMENT about the store you visit or your favorite item
• You MUST include an email address or some way to contact you OR check my blog within 48 hours of the close of the give-a-way and contact me otherwise a new winner will be selected
• For a SECOND entry blog about this contest and leave an ADDITIONAL comment to let me know you did that with a link to the post!
• For a THIRD entry twitter about this contest and leave an ADDITIONAL comment to let me know you did that with a link to the post! You can find my twitter page here

I will say this again, because it's so important: Please make sure you follow all the rules of the give-a-way....I never want to have to disqualify someone or pick a new winner! If you are not sure if your entry meets qualifications...ASK ME! :)

Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you do not see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Brides and non-brides may enter. Please leave your email address in your post! If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back on April 24th, 2010 for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Winner will be selected using Random.org

If you have any questions please email me at tndrhart2@aol.com


And last, but not least, all items are purchased by me and sent directly to the winner. Unless noted, nothing has been donated, given or offered to me to support these items. If a seller or merchant offers an item of theirs to be included (and many have so THANK YOU!) these items are always offered as a "Runner Up" prize.

This month, La Pomme has generously offered a Runner Up prize. THANK YOU! I love your French Lavender...reminds me of when I was in France and ahhh...the memories!!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE! Good luck!!!

Floral Perfection

FTD has a partnership with Vera Wang and I found these lovely flowers...A hand-tied bouquet of assorted lavender roses, lavender carnations, purple anemones, lavender tulips and lavender double lisianthus is wrapped with a green ti leaf. Arrives in an exclusive Vera Wang gift box. Anemones are one of my favorite flowers for weddings - they are so striking, which is why this bouquet was my favorite. The price? $60! AWESOME!

A hand-tied bouquet of lavender roses, lavender lisianthus, lavender Matsumoto asters, dark purple limonium and seeded eucalyptus berries wrapped with green exotic foliage. Arrives in an exclusive Vera Wang gift box. The price of this beautiful bouquet: $65

Another favorite flower is the lisianthus! It looks so soft and feminine! Here is a bouquet in an adorable julip cup. The price of this $60 A bouquet of lavender roses, purple lisianthus and waxflower is presented in a 5" silverplated julep cup. Arrives in an exclusive Vera Wang gift box.

The Color Purple

I love all shades of purple! I have been so excited about having Spring arrive and I keep gravitating to purple things! There are so many shades of purple - and it's a color that can work for Spring/Summer weddings as well as Fall/Winter. Another thing I simply love about purple is the abundance of flowers that are available in purple - you get such a variety and when you pair it with white and green, it's a very striking bouquet!

It's not easy to find a purple wedding gown - although some of the more expensive couture designers have some gorgeous silk gowns. In my blog I like to feature gowns that more affordable...like this one from Bonny. It's style 021 from their Spring Collection. What a beautiful gown with would be in a garden wedding! With a suggested retail price under $750 it won't break the bridal budget either (other colors are available)!

This wedding from Alfred Angelo has been around for awhile - it's a very popular dress - perhaps because you can customize the color - which I chose in a pretty Lilac. The price is around $799

Bouquets are not just about flowers anymore! A new trend popping up has been button bouquets. They are quirky and fun (although I am partial to REAL flowers). I found this gorgeous purple button bouquet called The Secret Garden Button Bouquet Green and Purple

Me and Matilda, my favorite Etsy shop for custom ties can have your little ring bearer all decked out!

Finally, I have found the most adorable hand painted Love Bird Cake Topper. I absolutely adore these!

I Heart Balloons!

I am in love with these big, huge balloons! I really think they add something to photographs! Ok, so maybe your first thought is balloons and a wedding? Cheesy. I think after you see some of my favorite photos I have collected you may re-think your position! They are FUN and FESTIVE...oh and a great photo prop!! I found an awesome company that does balloons (the big, fun colorful ones!) and they also do imprinting! The possibilities....names, date, wedding sayings...check them out: Balloons Direct

I have been on an Orange kick lately...my favorite color has always been pink! But, Orange and Pink work together...and with this picture Orange and Yellow! From my favorite wedding guru: Martha 

I did just say something about Orange and Pink right? What an awesome summer color combo! This photo and creation is from EAD Designs

This image is from Boutwell Studio - a new photographer I have found. I absolutely love and admire their creative work! They are local to me too (I heart that!).

 And this image is from Helen Carter Weddings

You don't have to think about using balloons just for the wedding day - although at this point this is something I would totally do myself! How about getting your feet wet with using balloons in some of your engagement photos? They don't have to be the big huge balloons, if you are still having some balloon issues.... :)

 Photo Credit: Anna Jarske

Photo Credit: Jill Thomas Photography