Starry Night Bridal Shower

One of my bestest friends in the whole wide world is getting married in September and the bridesmaids recently threw her a rather fantastic bridal shower (if we do say so ourselves).


Of course I was desperate to make a great looking dessert table that would feed 50 or so ladies (we can put away a lot of cupcakes, you know). Angela (the bride!) picked some great flavors for me to work with and the colors of the shower were purple, silver and black. I think it may be my fanciest looking dessert table yet. Props to Amy Atlas and her book Sweet Designs for some of my inspiration.

And even BIGGER props to my awesome dad for making me a kickass cupcake stand all for my very own. It's amazing. Times twenty.

Breaking it down....(click on the dessert names for the recipes I used)

Champagne Truffles

Angela's favorite. I had to hide extras and promise to give them to her afterwards so she would share the ones on the dessert table.

Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes. Coconut Cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing. Vanilla-Almond Cupcakes. Lots and Lots of Cupcakes.

 Color appropriate candy :)

 Key Lime Cake Pops

Good lord these were tasty. I could have eaten ten. I mixed a key lime cake (recipe) with vanilla icing, dipped them in white candy melts and sprinkled crushed graham crackers on top.

I'm officially obsessed with hand-stamping wooden utensils for parties now. I got my alphabet stamps from The Tomkat Studio. It's a cute and easy way to make something themed and original.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Tried and true - these are always popular. The best recipe and step-by-step instructions can be found on Bakerella. She rules.

 

 Cream Cheese Mints

 

 I told you every lady loves her cupcakes!

 

Such a fun day, followed by a fun bachelorette party later that evening. No pictures of that party, my parents read this blog. :)

Babies Everywhere!

This was a baby-filled weekend for me, with my little sister's baby shower AND one of my best friends brought an ADORABLE baby girl into the world.

I've been like Martha Stewart this past month getting shower stuff ready with three other ladies (Abby, Angie and Lisa) to make Betsy's shower perfect. I have to admit that we out did ourselves here, it was a travel theme (Cars, Planes, Trains, Trucks, etc) based off of their nursery. Here's a look at everything!

Invitations:

Ticket to the Party

Bring a Book Poem

Also included in the invites was a library card and envelope to put in the book you gave the baby with a little note.























Goodie Bags:

Goodie Bags

In each guest's "luggage" was  some candy, a hand-stamped spoon and a cupcake box. The goodie bag was used to take home leftover desserts and candy from the dessert table.

Spoon, Candy, Twine & Napkin

Cupcake Boxes

Hand Stamped Spoons

Luggage Tags

Decorations:

Guest Tables with Airplane Centerpieces

Diaper Motorcycle

"Dump Your Gifts" Table

Guess the Cotton Balls

Luggage Baby Crossing Sign

Dessert Table:

Finally, my favorite part!

This one wins for cutest dessert table I've ever made. Now all I want to do is outdo myself with something better! Luckily I have a bridal shower coming up that I'm baking for...

Vanilla-Almond Cupcakes

Champagne Cupcakes w/ Whipped Strawberry Frosting

Gum Balls and Chocolate Cake Balls

Almond Flavored Plane and Train Mints (courtesy of Mom)

Orange Cake Pops

Chocolate Banana Cupcakes

The whole she-bang

Dessert Crossing Sign (courtesy of Papa Rad)

A few quick side notes. I made orange cake pops for the first time ever, they taste like creamsicles. Make them. Eat them. Now.

I have the cutest pregnant sister in the world.

I think all pregnant women are cute.

All baby showers should have little kids in attendance. They are hilarious to listen to.

My dad is the best handy man in the world.

My mom is the most amazing mom and mint maker ever. All of my creativeness comes from her. No offense dad. My ability to change a headlight, check the oil and change the washer fluid in my car comes from you. All are equally as important.

Mom-to-Be and hostesses

Betsy & Missy's babies greeting each other :)

That's it! I have wedding cake balls to make in a couple of weeks, a party in June and a bridal shower in July. The excitement never ends!!!