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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Hoop it Up!!

I would simply feel so disappointed with myself if I didn't keep you up on the wedding trends that are sweeping the nation.  With all of our artistic brides out there DIYing it all over creation to create the wedding of their dreams, it can't come as a surprise that little elements of crafty goodness would pop up on the radar along the way, and these lovely embroidery hoops are no exception!

I know, I know what you are thinking . . . an embroidery hoop done the wrong way could look exactly like you let your sweet little grandma do the decorating for the big day.  But just take a look; with the right fabric and placement, these little tools of the trade could provide just the sort of whimsical element you have been searching for . . .


A first impression is everything!


Dessert Table delight . . .


Hanging little lovelies give your guests the perfect conversation starter . . .


Vintage lace never looked so good . . .


Now you could never guess that I adored this color combination, right?



Already had your wedding and crying in your afternoon tea because you just discovered you LOVE embroidery hoops?  No worries!  Check out these other fabulous ways to get your hoop on . . .

Visual stimulation for that darling little baby in your life . .


Or supplies in your office could be transformed into a piece of art . . .



Clever, clever, clever and just so pretty too!  Hope your week is going phenomenally . . . you are over halfway through it . . . HOORAY!! Photobucket

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tutorial Tuesday: Cake Batter Martinis...YUM!!!


Oh what to do when you're wrapping up an evening meal with friends and you have to make the ever-so-difficult choice of a piece of cake or an after-dinner cocktail?  Why combine them, of course!!  I am LOVING these delicious Cake Batter Martinis from Cosita Bella...so much fun and so pretty & frivilous too!!  You truly cannot go wrong with a combination like this!

CAKE BATTER MARTINI

Ingredients:
~ 1 oz. Amaretto
~ 1.5 oz. Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka (or cake flavoured if you can find it)
~ 1.5 oz. Creme de Cacao
~ 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
~ 1 oz. Heavy Cream
~ Frosting
~ Assorted Sprinkles (nonpareils shown here)



Directions:
1.) Using your finger, coat the rim of your glass with frosting – make sure not to miss any spots!

2.) Dump sprinkles on a plate and press glass rim into sprinkles, pressing to adhere.

3.) Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 30 seconds.  Strain into glass and enjoy!


photos courtesy of How Sweet it Is

Aren't they simply fantastic?!  Dessert has never been such a good time!! Photobucket

Monday, February 27, 2012

St. Patrick's Day Delicious: MIni-Guinness Cupcakes!!

Can you believe it is almost March already?!  And you know what this means...St Patrick's Day is fast approaching.  And just in case you are looking for a fun recipe to bring to the office or whip up for your Shamrock Shindig that is sure to inspire an Irish-type of chuckle, well look no further!

These yummy cupcakes from Sugar and Charm will fill all of your friends, guests, or co-workers with a bit o' leprechaun mischief and make for the perfect conversation starter too!  See for yourself . . .



St. Patty's Day Mini-Guinness Cupcakes:


Ingredients :
~ 1 Cup Guinness Extra Stout
~ 1 1/2 Sticks Unsalted Butter
~ 3/4 Cup(s) Unsweetened Chocolate Chunks ( I used one 4oz unsweeted Ghirardelli bar)
~ 2 Cup(s) All Purpose Flour
~ 2 Cup(s) Sugar
~ 1/2 Tablespoon Baking Soda
~ 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
~ 2 Large Eggs
~ 3/4 Cup(s) Sour Cream

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.) Bring stout and butter to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil.
Add unsweetened chocolate chunks to hot stout/butter mixture. Whisk until chocolate melts. Turn heat off and let cool.

3.) Add sugar to chocolate mixture and whisk to combine.

4.) Sift flour, baking soda and salt.

5.) In a stand-alone mixer with a whisk attachment, combine the eggs and sour cream on medium speed.
Add stout-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and combine on medium-low speed until incorporated.
Slowly add flour mixture in thirds to chocolate mixture with whisk attachment. Scrape the sides with your whisk to make sure you get all the dry ingredients combined.

6.) Place mini cupcake papers in mini pan and divide batter into cups evenly. Fill about 2/3 of the cup.
Bake for 8 minutes and do not over cook or they will turn out dry.

7.) Let cool on wire rack before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients: 
~ 1 Cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
~ 2 1/2 Cups Sifted Powder Sugar
~ 1/4 Cup Milk
~ 1/2 Whole Scraped Vanilla (I left this out though ;))
~ 1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
~ 1 Cup Guinness Beer

Directions:
1.) In a sauce pan, simmer Guinness on low heat for 10-15 minutes, until stout becomes reduced and a little thicker in consistency.

2.) In a stand alone mixer, cream butter for 1 minute.  Slowly add powder sugar in thirds, alternating with a little milk each time until mixture is creamy.  Add vanilla extra and vanilla beans

3.) Slowly add reduced Guinness a little at a time. Taste test to desired flavor. You may or may not use all the Guinness reduction... I did!

**Quick Tip
~ Make sure to beat the frosting on high until it's thicker and smooth. At first my frosting started to curdle, especially when I add the beer, but it just needs to be whipped on high to become fluffy again.
My beer never became a thicker consistency, but I still used it and it worked great.
Undercook the mini cupcakes because they will continue to cook when you take them out of the oven. If
you cook them too long they'll be dry!

Isn't that fun?  Hope you have a fantastic week!!
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Friday, February 24, 2012

Oscar Night! Festive Popcorn Cupcakes . . .


Every year the Oscars just sneak up on me!  I am contently going about my 'getting ready for Spring' business when POOF, out of the blue, here they are.  And just about every time I say, "The Oscars are THIS weekend?  Already?!"

Now living in Los Angeles, Academy Awards night is no small deal...and what better way to celebrate the most glamorous night of the year than with these adorable popcorn cupcakes?  And even more fantastic?  There is a free printable below for your cupcake wrappers from http://ewehooo.blogspot.com so you are nearly halfway there already!!!


Movie Popcorn Cupcakes

Ingredients:
~ baked cupcakes
~white icing
~ a bag of mini marshmallows (white or pastel yellow and white)
~ yellow food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1.) Frost the baked cupcakes with white icing. To create each piece of "popcorn," cut one mini marshmallow in half and squish the two pieces back together into a whole mini marshmallow, pinching firmly. Pile the finished popcorn onto the frosted cupcake.

2.) For a buttery look, either dilute a drop of yellow food coloring in water and brush it on with a clean paintbrush or mix pastel yellow marshmallows in with the white.

3.) Download the free template below & cut out your wrappers!

4.) Wrap the band around the cupcake and secure with tape.







And now for your FREE printable (from Ewe Hooo!)
d e s i g n s


Quick, easy, affordable, and so much fun!!!!  Hope you all have a wonderful & glamorous weekend!!! Photobucket

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Perfectly Pretty Party Inspiration: 'Let's Go Fly a Kite'!

Ahh, lemonade stands, flower ice cream cones, and now kite flying at it's DIY finest....apparently somebody over here at Juneberry Lane is in the mood for Spring!!  I am all about stepping back in time and enjoying those precious memories of days gone by this week, and today is no different...which is why I love the thought of a 'Let's Go Fly a Kite' or 'Love is in the Air' theme to your special day, birthday party, or baby shower!!

So full of warm, carefree days and so easy to think of loads of DIY projects to make this party a memorable one...I have a little feeling you are going to see some brand new party invitations in our Juneberry Etsy Shop very soon!  But first, take a look at a little inspiration . . .

Gorgeous handmade, floral fabric kites . . .

(photo courtesy of ShopRuche.com)


Invitation thoughts . . .



Pretty party favors . . .


Loving a banner & these kraft colored beauties . . .



(above two images from http://asubtlerevelry.com



And I simply adore the idea of recycling old clothes for the party . . .



My absolute favorite . . .  Kite cocktail sticks!!!


Ahhhh, the possibilities are endless...as are the gorgeous fabrics & decorative papers that you can find to make your big day beautiful!!!   Stay tuned for more DIY kite magic, coming your way very soon!!! 
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Married in Maine; A Barn-Chic Celebration of Color!

 As we head on into the warm weather, I love to think forward to the sunny days ahead!  This bright & beautiful wedding in Maine, brought to you via 100 Layer Cake and featuring the lovely bride & groom,  Ruth & Ed, is just the perfect way to add whimsy & joy to your afternoon, and a touch of playfulness to your special day . . .



Loving those pretty-in-pink heart-shaped balloons . . .



No one can resist retro straws and tissue poms . . .


Seating cards full of color!!


And turquoise chevalier chairs, oh my!





Musings from the bride & groom . . .


"In the months leading up to our wedding, there were days we loved thinking about and planning our wedding, and there were days when we were so overwhelmed and convinced it would be an epic stress that we seriously considered skipping town and heading for a Vegas chapel. Then something incredible happened…we loved everything about our wedding! For the first weekend in months, the weather in southern Maine was sunny, warm, and dry. Thanks to spring’s late arrival, our favorite flowers that were supposed to be out of season for our wedding we’re actually IN season. The dozens of DIY elements we were weeks behind on finishing were somehow completed on time (thanks to our army of helpers in the 11th hour). And our vows which were being written and re-written up until a few hours before the ceremony came out funnier, more poignant, and more lyrical than we ever could have imagined. In a word…perfection!"

FABULOUS VENDORS:


Photography: Corbin Gurkin / Wedding Dress: Claire La Faye / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade  / Reception Dress: BHLDN / Hair and Makeup: Chhoeun Thiv of Akari  / Groom’s Suit: J.Lindeberg  / Groom’s Shoes: Florsheim by Duckie Brown  / Groom’s Shirt: J.Crew  / Groom’s Tie: Brooks Brothers  / Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill  / Event Planning & Design: Meagan of Maine Seasons Events  / Catering: Jennifer of 111 Maine / Florals & design: Judy of Flora Fauna / Rentals: One Stop Party Shoppe / Music: Simon of The Remixologists  /  Videography: Zach Boyce  / Wedding Cake Topper: The Small Object  / Save the Dates: Bride and Groom / Invitations: Jason Sposa

Barn Chic!!!  You can't get much more fun than that, right?  I just love it when a couple isn't afraid to bring on the color!!  Happy Wednesday! Photobucket

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Spring Party Inspirations: A Vintage Lemonade Stand! (and a bonus printable!)

Incorporating fun & fabulous events from childhood into your big days and parties never gets old.  The adult guests will squeal with delight and feel like kids again when they see a set-up that reminds them of hot summer days of their youth . . . and these Old-fashioned lemonade stands are just the ticket!

What's even better?  You can modernize the precious past time by adding in unique twists on the traditional lemonade recipe...and give your friends & family a new memory to treasure for years to come.  Take a look . . .






And check out these delicious flavors . . .

LAVENDER LEMONADE 

(photo and recipe found HERE (just sub the lavender) and courtesy of innbrooklyn.wordpress.com)

RHUBARB LEMONADE

(photo courtesy of delish.com and recipe found HERE)

Possible favors, if you will . . .



Those lovely floral stunners are from Amy Moss of Eat Drink Chic.  You can download your FREE printable tags right HERE! 

Now you are getting jazzed for summer, right?!  Hope your 'short' week is off to a wonderful start!!!
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