Sweet Treat Giveaway - WINNER!

We have a winner! We have a winner! I am doing the Sweet Treat Giveaway winner dance over here! It was a lot of work going over all the entries but, I made it! Before I announce the winner, I thought I would give you a quick run-down on the winning cupcake flavors! The top 3 never wavered throughout! I did think Red Velvet might take the lead over Chocolate but, it never did! 

• Chocolate
• Red Velvet
• Carrot Cake

So, now that you know the top three flavors I will give you another hint about the winner of the Sweet Treat Giveaway: She picked Carrot Cake Cupcakes as her favorite flavor! 

Please send me an email with your mailing information so we can get all your Sweet Treats to you! And, thank you to EVERYONE who entered! Stick around, we host monthly giveaways on things we find and love...you might be the next winner!

My Royal Wedding Recap

I will admit that leading up to the big day I wasn't that excited about the Royal Wedding. But, as the time got closer, I found myself tuning in - live feeds on the internet going (from two different sites) and the big screen TV turned on! I think, for me, the thing that I didn't like about it was that I knew the day wouldn't be "theirs". I am pretty sure that every aspect of the wedding had to be approved by the Queen. I mean really? Talk about your MIL being overly involved in the wedding plans!! After thinking about it, though, I get it and I am sure the bride and groom did as well. Everything about your wedding, if you are having a Royal Wedding, has to withstand one thing - time. This means every aspect of the wedding must be elegant, flawless and perfect. And, it was just that. Inevitably, in most weddings, no matter how much you plan, there is something that goes wrong. At a Royal Wedding, however, I just don't think that is an option. So, here are my thoughts on the big day - the things I loved and the things I thought could have been better:

Picture source: BBC Live stream still

Westminster Abbey was pretty much undecorated, other than the dozen or so 20-foot tall field maple trees arranged on either side of the main aisle. I had read the couple chose the florist for the wedding based on his ideas of sustainability and that everything used for the wedding would be replanted. Symbolically, I guess it's a nice gesture but, I personally love flowers and would have liked to have seen a little more.

Finally, we get a good look at the dress! I loved the top half of her dress! The lace is gorgeous (I do love lace although wouldn't pick it myself). There was so much speculation about what kind of dress she would wear - but, really? Was there any doubt it would be anything but a ball gown skirt? The dress was typical for a Royal Wedding and perfect for a future Queen. I am sure if she was just a typical bride getting married, her own taste wouldn't have dictated such a matronly type of dress but, marrying a Prince (who will eventually be King) it was perfect! Also, the venue you marry in, sort of, dictates the type of dress you wear and that long walk down the aisle requires a long train (maybe not as long as Princess Diana!). My immediate thought, like most other people, was that the gown was very similar in style to Princess Grace of Monaco. The lace bodice design was hand-made using a technique that originated in Ireland in the 1820s called Carrickmacross, which involved cutting out the detailings of roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks and applying them to the ivory silk tulle individually. Just having the lace hand-made is pretty awesome (lace today is done by machine). Ok, so here is my 2nd complaint and you might have guessed, based on the pictures above, that it is again...the flowers! Her bouquet is so TINY! The dress, the church, everything about this wedding is HUGE and then she has this little button bouquet! *Dislike*

 

Photograph: Ian West/AFP/Getty Images

Since I do like to be neutral on most things, though, I will say that I like the meaning behind all the flowers. Her bouquet contained myrtle, Lily of the Valley, Sweet William and hyacinth. 

• Lily of the valley means "trustworthy"
• Myrtle "hope and love"
• Sweet William - well duh! right? but it's meaning is "gallantry"
• Hyacinth means "constancy of love"

The one thing I absolutely ADORED about the wedding though, and it is a part that I think was totally them, was the get-a-way car! So cute, so young and just fun! So, the big day is behind all of us and I am sure, like any bride, Kate will have the same feelings: glad it's over but totally missing the planning and lead up! My hope for the couple, and to every bride and groom, is that I hope they remember this day and everything that led up to it and hopefully it will carry them through all the rough patches because, marriage isn't a fairytale - it's a lot of hard work - even if you do have the title of "princess".

 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Last day to enter our Sweet Treat Giveaway!

It's been a pretty exciting couple of days! Today, the Royal Wedding and tomorrow our Sweet Treat Giveaway ends! You only have until 5:00pm PST to enter tomorrow and a winner will be chosen....and I am even giddy about picking the winner! Clearly, my readers LOVE sweets...I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has entered so far! The response, actually, has really touched me, especially since I host and pay for my own giveaways, and by your responses it makes me feel like I have done a good job....so thank you to all who entered! If you are just coming here for the first time (good timing on your part!) you have just a few more hours to enter to win an amazing Sweet Treat giveaway package! You can win:

 Click here to enter now! Entries close 04/30/2011 at 05:00 PST!

Ian Stuart: Stylish wedding gowns with color

Today, I want to showcase a designer that I love: Ian Stuart. This British designer describes his bridal line as "quirky and theatrical". I think his bridal line is luxurious and stylish! There is always something different, always gorgeous fabrics, his style is definitely unique and usually you can find beautiful colors, that other designers shy away from. That is probably why I like his line so much! I've blogged about him before (here and here), discussing his amazing red gown that started the trend. This gown came out about 8 or 9 years ago but you wouldn't know it - it set the trend for colored wedding gowns and pick-up skirts, which are still popular with today's bride.

You will find his gowns available in just a few, select stores in the US, which is a shame! It would be nice to see him gain a more popular following here! He has won numerous awards in the UK, including designer of the year an amazing 5 times! 

Beautiful Bridal Hair Pieces

There is no escaping bridal frenzy this week as the Royal Wedding approaches! I am finally getting excited about it myself. I have been finding all kinds of amazing designers from England - from wedding gowns to gorgeous hair pieces and jewels (well not those jewels!) When I saw this flower fascinator I had to share - it's gorgeous!

Delivery on this beautiful Hair piece from order date 2/3 weeks or sooner. This piece will be packaged in a beautiful Alan Hannah branded gift box and dispatched by next day courier when ready to send. The item number is ME5001. I also converted the price to US dollars so the price to the US is 131.81! 

Sweet Treat Giveaway - 1 week left!

We have only 1 week left until we announce the winner of the Sweet Treat Giveaway! I have enjoyed reading all the different flavors you all love. Chocolate is still in the lead as your favorite flavor and Red Velvet is still in second place!  My daughter had a Spring Party at her preschool, which was a perfect excuse to pull out my cupcake maker and get to creating some delicious treats! I actually used two baking methods: my mini-cupcake pan (because it makes 30 at a time) and my electric mini cupcake maker (which is part of this giveaway but, it only makes 7 at a time!). I cheated and used a box cake mix and I got 72 mini cupcakes! I used my husband as a taste tester - to see if he could tell which cupcake was baked in the oven or the electric maker (seeing them unfrosted you can tell the difference. The one baked in the oven is definitely more brown!). Both passed the taste challenge! He couldn't tell the difference. So here are my Easter cupcakes!

I took some coconut and used a few drops of green food coloring and then I fastened each jellybean on with a little extra frosting. Voila!  These cupcakes are about 2 bites - perfect to get your cupcake fix and because they are mini you get SO MANY!! I hope whoever wins will share her photos with me of the creations she comes up with! Happy Easter everyone....and if you are just coming to the blog for the first time - make sure you enter the Sweet Treat Giveaway!! 

1930s Marital Rating Scale category

I saw this in my google reader and was intrigued! So...how far have we REALLY come in 81 years? I got a kick out of reading these and wanted to pass along...thank you to Blush Ink for posting this and giving me some late night chuckles!

According to this...my demerits are pretty high! (sigh)

• I am a night owl so I am always the last one in bed: **ding** 
• I can not sew on a button **ding** and I don't know what "darn socks" so it must be something I don't do **dink** 
• Soiled dresses/aprons around the house - well if they get soiled from cooking, cleaning, I do not go change so, **ding**. 
• I do wear red polish: **ding**. 
• I am completely guilty of putting my cold feet on this super warm legs! **ding** Back seat driver....hmmm let's just say: **ding**

And now it's the husband's turn:

These surveys prove that the thoughts/actions between men and women will always vary (greatly). Only 2 out of the 12 merits, on the husbands side have to do with interacting with his wife but, on the womans survey 11 out of 12 were about personal interactions with the husband! The husband also had the opportunity for 5 points on 5 questions (25 pts) whereas the wife had only 15 for her merits. On the demerit side the wife had 20 points she could potentially add to that column, while the man only had 15 additional demerits on his side! HMMMM!!

Have you ever wondered? Well, now you can take this fun little quiz from Susan Southerland to find out! Are you the savvy bride? Are you the visionary bride - the one who has planned out her wedding even before she was engaged? Maybe wedding planning has left you feeling like the Bewildered Bride or you have your spreadsheets and seating charts ready because you are the Functional Bride - take the quiz and then come back and share what type of bride you are!

Groupon + Etsy = Heartsy

Today's site of the day is Heartsy. If you like Groupon (the website where you get daily deals) and you like Etsy (the website where you get beautiful handmade items) then you will love Heartsy. Heartsy features exclusive daily deals on handmade items across the internet. Here's how Heartsy works:


1. They send you exclusive deals on handmade items. Every day or so they will email you one deeply discounted deal to use at an artist's Etsy store. Sign up to get their email.


2. Click to buy the deal. Purchase the deals with one easy click. You will receive your voucher immediately. It's that simple!


3. Use your deal voucher on Etsy. After purchasing a deal on Heartsy you receive a voucher (which is just like a gift certificate) which you can use at the Etsy store that sponsored the deal.


A couple of cool things about Heartsy vouchers:

• The voucher can be applied to shipping costs
• The voucher can be used multiple times (if you buy a $40 voucher and buy a $10 item you still have $30 left to spend!)
• They do offer a 30 day return policy

Referral program? Yup...they have that too! So, let's say I invite you (and I am!) you click this link to sign up. Once you buy your first item we get $10 to share ($5 to you and $5 to me) but it gets even better! After you buy a deal, you'll get ANOTHER unique link to share! If any of your friends buy the deal on Heartsy, using the link you shared, you and your friend each get $5 to spend in the future! That's a pretty nice referral plan!

Cupcake Update

Our Sweet Treat Giveaway is going strong! Boy, I think all my blog readers LOVE sweets! I have been keeping track of the favorite flavors you all are listing and we have a little mid-giveaway update:

Chocolate is still holding onto the lead as your #1 favorite. 

Photo credit: Martha Stewart

Red Velvet is closing in! 

With only one vote shy of tying and two votes away from taking the lead! 

Photo credit: Martha Stewart

Rounding out the top three is Carrot Cake cupcakes. 

Photo credit: Martha Stewart

The most interesting cupcake has got to be the Snickerdoodle - I love the cookies but, have never tried a cupcake! These look delicious! Check out the recipe here

Photo credit: Bakerella

We only have 12 days left until we announce the winner of the Sweet Treat Giveaway and that winner is going to get a pretty amazing sweet deal! So, I hope you enter today!

Paloma's Nest - 50% off Deal (DEAL IS GONE NOW!)

I posted about the deal at Zulily on Spanx (and their stock is going fast!) and also mentioned the deal on Paloma's Nest. I wanted to spend some additional time talking about Paloma's Nest because they are one of my favorite wedding vendors. Paloma's Nest makes beautiful handcrafted modern heirlooms and timeless gifts designed for you and your family to cherish for generations. Paloma's Nest individually crafts each item with care, pride and passion. 

WHAT DO I GET FOR $40?

This personalized dress hanger is $32.00  

Key to my Heart custom bag is $32

I Carry Your Heart with token is $28

My favorites: the ring bearer bowls. This is their signature piece! I love them all!

CUSTOM blooming branch Ring Bearer Bowl $52

CUSTOM gilded dove Ring Bearer Bowl $64

CUSTOM gold leaf Ring Bearer Bowl $62

CUSTOM heart-shaped Ring Bearer Bowl $58

CUSTOM Ring Bearer Bowl $52

CUSTOM silver leaf Ring Bearer Bowl $62

The Fine Print and how it works:

This Sale ends 4/21 at 6am PST! Don't have a Zulily account? That's ok! Sign up here!

YouR VOUCHER WILL EXPIRE ON:

August 31, 2011

STEPS TO GET YOUR DEAL

1. Purchase just like you would anything else on zulily, remember, one voucher per zulily member
2. Wait 48 hours after the event ends for your invoice. Within your invoice you will find a link to your voucher which has your unique code
3. Visit www.palomasnest.com and personalize your products
4. Enter the code found within your voucher during check out
5. Questions? zulily is here for you! E-mail service@zulily.com

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

• Limit 1 voucher per zulily member
• Voucher does not include gift certificates, tax, shipping or handling fees
• No refunds for purchased vouchers
• Cannot be used for previously placed orders
• Not transferable
• Not valid for cash back
• Cannot be combined with other zulily or Paloma's Nest vouchers or promotions
• Voucher good for one time use only, any leftover funds will be forfeited

WHERE IS MY VOUCHER CODE?

1. Wait 48 hours after the end of the event for your order to process and then go to 'My Accounts'
2. Please click on 'zulily Vouchers' on the left side bar
3. Click on the Voucher 1 under the download section
4. A page will pop up and your code will be located on the right side page

*Disclaimer: If you sign up using my link, I will get credit (and that would be super nice of you!) Thanks!  :)

Today's Super Deal - Act FAST! (SOLD OUT!)

BOTH DEALS ARE GONE NOW! 

WERE YOU ABLE TO PICK UP EITHER? 

ZULILY IS STILL A GREAT SITE TO WATCH! BE THE FIRST TO BE IN THE KNOW!

I have talked about deal sites before - one of my all time favorite sites is Groupon. Well, today I want to introduce you all to Zulily. I get their "daily deals" emailed to me and the deal to day was too awesome not to share! But, it gets even better! While I was checking out the deal of the day on Spanx, I saw another deal that had me jumping out of my seat! It was a voucher for Palomas Nest! Buy a $40 voucher for $20! But, let's start with the Spanx deal because you really need to jump on this now!


These Spanx products are all priced at 50% off! That is an incredible price. These are amazing and would work perfectly for your undergarments on the big day! I don't normally see them on sale for these prices! They are going QUICK...so act fast! Click here to get the deal!

This one had multiple sizes available...Reg $30 Sale Price $17.99

This one was only left in a size Small...Reg. $84 Sale Price $34.99

Update: This one is now SOLD OUT!

This one was only left in size XL Reg Price $46 Sale Price $22.99

Now, the other deal you should check out is the voucher for Paloma's Nest. They have beautiful bowls for your ringbearer and so many other personalized items! I will post more about this later...but, I really need to get this post up for the Spanx deal! Get them before they are gone!

*Disclaimer: If you sign up using my link, I will get credit (and that would be super nice of you!) Thanks!  :)

Sweet Treat Giveaway

*** ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED! ***

I could talk about sweets all day, every day! There are so many goodies that you can come up with for weddings - dessert bars, ice cream stations, mini doughnuts, candy bars, cupcakes and of course the wedding cake! I have been reading so many posts about all these wedding goodies that it only seems right to respect the sweets and have a special giveaway this month! I always try to come up with a giveaway that I would like to win - and this one is no exception! Here is what one lucky winner will be getting:

Mini Cupcake Maker

Makes 7 mini cupcakes ultra fast with this electric mini cupcake maker. Save time baking and cleaning up - your batch is ready in about 5 minutes and the non-stick baking tray makes cleanup a breeze. I actually own this cupcake maker and it is SO EASY to use! Pretty sweet.

From Etsy seller thebakersconfections you will get 70 mini cupcake liners to put your cupcake filling in! You get to choose the color - she has many fun colors and designs to choose from!

Now, you have your cupcakes baked we have to make them pretty! From Etsy seller OliviasPaperShoppe you will get 24 mini cupcake wrappers to dress up your cupcakes! You can choose your color and design!

From Bake It Pretty you will get a pastry bag to put your frosting in and 4 of their most popular decorating tips to make all different designs! I own this and use this all the time (not just for cupcakes)! It is so easy to make perfectly decorated cupcakes!

I really love Etsy seller craftypagan! I have blogged about her before and now I am so happy to include her handmade cupcake toppers in a giveaway! You will get your choice of 12 vintage style cupcake toppers! 

Would you choose Love or Eat Me? Mmmm! EAT ME! 

That is what your cupcakes will be saying!

So...what do you think?! Is this an amazing giveaway or what? Are you ready to enter? Then, let's get down to business. This is how you can win this Sweet Treat Giveaway:

HOW TO ENTER:

• Leave me a message telling me your FAVORITE CUPCAKE FLAVOR! To leave a comment you must choose to follow my blog PUBLICLY or leave an email address!
• 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 (I will check!)
• 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

5 BONUS ENTRIES: Grab my Blog Button and add it to your page (leave an additional post with link to let me know you did this!) and get FIVE bonus entries! If my button is already on your page just state that and you get the 5 bonus entries!

As always, you can get 8 entries into this giveaway! Yay!

(leave one comment for each item you do!)

This giveaway will end on: April 30th, 2011 at 5pm PST and the winner will be posted and contacted shortly there after! If we do not hear from the winner within 3 days, another winner will be chosen. PLEASE, make sure you leave me a way to contact you!!

What you win: 

• Mini Cupcake Maker
• Cupcake Decorator Set from Bake It Pretty
• 24 Cupcake Wrappers from Etsy seller OliviasPaperShoppe
• 70 mini cupcake liners from Etsy seller TheBakersConfections
• 12 Cupcake Toppers/Food Picks from Esty seller CraftyPagan

Value of giveaway (including shipping to winner): $91.56

This giveaway is open to US Residents only!