The invites again, and oh! I added some finishing touches...

Just a little over a week until the prince's 3rd birthday party!!
And I think it's about time to start planning out my next week and a half so that I don't forget anything for this special party { smile }

I already shared the invitations that I designed for the special day with you here.  

But I haven't showed you what they looked like after I added some finishing touches, so here you go...

A few pieces of scrapbooking paper, some glue, velum paper and yarn to jazz them up.

I did a couple of versions as you can see.

It was really quite easy.
{ FYI } I got the idea for doing this from Project Nursery, you can check out their DIY tips here.

Have a great Tuesday, lovelies!

Under the big top { VINTAGE circus } inspiration

Bright colors, animals, clowns, popcorn, balloons...

and the list goes on and on of all the reasons that children { LOVE } the circus!

A Vintage Circus themed party is perfect for both boys and girls, check out the inspiration I found...

-left invite-  via HipHip Hooray

-right invite-  via Etsy shop Lora Lang Designs

DIY Zebra Cake via My Cake School

DIY Elephant cake via Prudent Baby

Decorated sugar cookies with elephants, lions, popcorn and a circus tent via Life's a Batch

Popcorn macarons, photo via Raspberri Cupcakes, recipe via Eat Show & Tell

Circus themed foods via Parents.com { these celery "boats/logs" are perfect! }

Stars and stripes circus cupcake liners via Etsy shop Hey YoYo

Striped straws also via Hey YoYo { aren't these colors like PERFECT?! }

Circus Mix striped straws and DIY flags via Hey YoYo... again.

Pastel mix cupcake liners via Sweet Estelle's Baking Supply

DIY Yarn Chandeliers via Hostess with the Mostess { bold, bright colors really make a statement }

Wow!  I think I set a record...

The shortest party theme inspiration post EVER for myself!!

If you're interested in the other Vintage Circus inspiration I've found check out my Pinterest board.

Have a great weekend, lovelies!

Made it and LOVED it!

Sunday night I finally made a recipe that I'd been wanting to try for a few months...

{ SESAME CHICKEN }

The hubby loves sesame chicken so I knew that he would be totally happy with this recipe.

This recipe is courtesy of Eclectic Recipes, get it here.

I made a couple of adjustments that you might try yourself, specifically...

I only marinated the chicken for about 30 minutes and I still felt that the chicken had a nice flavor.

I used a 1/2 cup of brown sugar for a sweeter sauce.  I added the additional sugar to the sauce after I had finished all of the steps to the sauce and it still turned out fabulous.

{ BTW-  I went for a sweeter sauce to try to duplicate the sauce that our fave chinese restaurant makes and the directions for this recipe just didn't give me the sweetness I was wanting and knew the hubby would love }

Trust me when I tell you this was delicious!!  I can't wait to make it again, it was that yummy!!

Have you tried any new recipes that you've fallen in love with?  I'd love to hear about them.

Oh and in case you're in need of some new recipes, check out what I've found with the help of Pinterest here.

Have a wonderful weekend... TGIF!!

Easter { recap }

I know.  I know.

Easter was practically a week ago and I'm just now getting around to telling you about ours...

Well, first lets start with the cookies...

I had the best intentions to make some, really I did.

I even bought the Easter/Spring themed cookie cutters that I needed, 

but the time to make them... well that eluded me.

{ Unfortunately the medical things I've had going on lately have been needing my undivided attention }

But those things won't stop me from planning and executing my little prince's birthday party!!  Which is where my focus is now!

The other thing I've got to be completely honest about is Easter Sunday...

I took the camera with us to my mom-in-law's, but for some reason I never took it out of the bag it was packed in...  major fail!

It was a wonderful day filled with family, a rambunctious almost 3 year old and yummy food!

Good news is that we took pictures the night before as we colored/decorated eggs { yay! }

And here they are...

Happy Friday, lovelies!

This cupcake baker is in heaven!

It's official, after dreaming and dropping major hints for gift ideas this last year...

The Cupcake Courier is finally mine and in petal pink!!

Transporting all of the yummy cupcakes I { love } making just got 100% easier.

No more buying packages/boxes EVERY single time I need to take these yummies to a party.

Transporting the three dozen Vanilla cherry cupcakes that I'll be making for the prince's 3rd birthday will be easy-peasy now...  thank goodness!

And in case you don't already know about all the awesomeness that is the Cupcake Courier,
here are a few of it's features...
{ you can transport up to 36 cupcakes }
{ doubles as a cake carrier, when the 3 trays are removed }
and { it comes in 5 great colors }


I found the best deal { in my opinion } at Amazon.com.  And in case you're thinking to check Ebay...  I already did that { smile } and these lovelies go for way more than they do on Amazon.
Oh... and it qualified for the FREE Super Saver Shipping!

Alright!  Enough of my rants and raves about my new "toy" { smile }

Have a wonderful Wednesday, lovelies!