Disney Cars Tablescape

I hope you guys all had a fabulous Memorial Day holiday weekend! For today's Tablescape Tuesday I thought I would share a fantastic theme fit for the opening of the new Disney Cars 2 movie. This table is awesome and any little kids dream! It comes from Treasures and Tiara's Kid Parties, found via their Flicker stream. All of the details are great, especially those tires on the table! So cute!

Photography Tips for Kids Parties

I have been so busy this week preparing for 2 photo shoots I am doing this weekend, which I am super excited about and can't wait to be able to share with you guys! So today, I thought it was only fitting to share some great photography tips to use when shooting your next event. These tips come from Rebecca Watkins of Rebecca Watkins Photography, found via Pure Joy Events.

If possible, hire a professional - You don't want to waste your time trying to get the perfect shot and missing all of the great party moments so let someone else worry about the pictures and enjoy your event. After all, that's what all of your hard work and energy went into!

Capture the details- There are a lot of details that are put into a party, and they're must have photos. Once everything is set up and before all of the kids are there, go around and take some quick photos. Especially get photos of the main/food table, shots of any work stations that are set up, banners, and the cake. Try getting different angles of the tables, and if there are small details (eg.: decorations on the cake) get in close.

Always have your camera ready- Kids are unpredictable. One minute they're perfectly fine just playing with their Star Wars action figure or Bratz doll and the next they're running over to play Rock Band. If you put your camera down even for a second, you may miss the chance to capture a smile or one of the kids running around with a Transformers mask on. It doesn't have to constantly have to be up to your face, but have it at hand.

Take a knee and get down to their level- Some of the best photos you can take of children are when you're at eye level with them.

Understand your lighting- Understand what your main light source is and in what direction its coming from. If you're out in a bright sunny day, toward the sun. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows, and can blow out the highlights in your photos and if you turn your subject away from the sun then you avoid the extreme shadows and highlights. Another option is to take them into the shade of a tree or of a house. Using the shade will diffuse the sun and make soft shadows and highlights.

Don't always center your subject- One of the most common mistakes is putting your subject directly in the center of every single photo. Mix it up a little. Split your frame up in thirds horizontal and vertical (think of tic-tac-toe) and put your subject in one of the thirds. This spices up your composition and can provide some great results.

Have fun- I think this is the most self-explanatory thing you could do. Enjoy the party (and a piece of cake).

For more great tips and tricks from Rebecca, head over to the Pure Joy Events blog!

How to Make a Wedding Card Box

One of the easiest DIY projects for your big day is to create a wedding card box that matches the decor and theme of your venue. You want to have a place to put all of your cards, without it being an eyesore! You can go as fun or funky as you want but either way, get creative! Think outside the box! (No pun intended) Wendy from Chic Productions shows you the how-to in this great video...

Horse Party Theme

I just love the simple details of this super cute horse themed 3rd birthday party I found via About.com. The cake is perfect with the mini bunting and the party food is great! Who can resist trail mix, apples, and carrots?! I love the straw detail as the table runner too. How clever! And the hobby horse craft activity is fab! This party gets a big Yee Haw from me!

Ice Cream/Popsicle Invitations

Lately I have had ice cream on the brain. Maybe it's because I'm watching what I eat lately and am sticking to 1200 calories a day (yeah, I'm crazy....I already know) but either way, these adorable invites, from For Any Occasion Cards, were just too cute not to share with you guys! Perfect for summer parties for the kiddos, these invites are crave-able! Dee-lish!

Hamburger Cookies

I can't handle how adorable these hamburger cookies are from Come Together Kids. Perfect for a summer bbq! Head here to find out how to make your own. Too cute!

Baseball Tablescape

As much as this weather seems to be teasing us...Summer is right around the corner. One of the things I love about this season is baseball, so I thought it was fitting to feature a baseball inspired tablescape, created by Rafanellievents, found via The Pink Toast.

After seeing these great pictures, I can't wait to get my first hot dog and watch my first home run in the stands! Batter up!

Lip Balm Recipe and Tutorial

After all of the problems with blogger last week I am back this week and bringing you a fun craft and activity idea for a little girl's birthday party, sleepover, or spa party. What would be more fun than making your very own lip balm?! It's easy and a great idea for a party favor! Who knows, you might even enjoy it too! ;)

Lip Balm Recipe

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons grated unbleached beeswax

5 teaspoons carrier oil (sunflower, castor, or jojoba)

6 or 7 drops essential oil

1 teaspoon honey, for flavor

Instructions:

1. Melt the beeswax and carrier oil together in the top of a double boiler, stirring to combine. Remove from heat; add honey and essential oil. Mix thoroughly so the honey does not clump.

2. To add a little color, stir in a tiny dab of lipstick with a coffee stirrer. Pour the mixture into containers; let sit 20 minutes before covering or moving. For glossier lip balm, use 2 teaspoons wax and 8 teaspoons carrier oil.

Picture and recipe from Craft Tutorials

Decorating with Masking Tape

I spotted this little project yesterday on How About Orange. This is a simple project, using colored masking tape, that will easily transform your plain white kitchenware into fantastic decor for your next event. This project is so easily customizable as well, since the last time I looked, there were so many different colors and patterns available in the masking tape section (even camo and tie dye!). And you don't even need to stick to vases or pitchers! Use on boxes, mugs, pens, picture frames, ...seriously anything you could think of! The possibilities are endless! Find out tips and the how-to here.

DIY Wedding Project: Paper Blossom Pomander

Looking for a little creative touch to add to your wedding? Or maybe just a DIY project? These adorable Paper blossom pomanders, from Fancy Pants Weddings, are fab. They would be so cute carried by little flower girls or as a cute addition to the aisle! Darling!

Supplies:

• Yellow Marvy flower paper punch
• Blue Marvy flower paper punch
• pearl headed straight pins
• styrofoam ball (size depends on how big you want your finished pomander)
• card stock in desired color
• Multi-setting glue gun
• Glue sticks

Optional:

• green florist tape
• wooden dowel
• 3 yards of ribbon

Punch a variety of large and small flowers from your chosen card stock. You can also use more than one color.

Place the pearl headed pin through the paper flower and push into the styrofoam ball.

Continue adding flowers to the ball, varying the sizes of the flowers and overlapping the blossoms so you are covering all of the styrofoam.

If added security is desired, add a small dab of hot glue, set your glue gun for stun, I mean low heat, under the flower. If you are using the hydrangea ball as a flower girl pomander I highly suggest the extra strength of gluing the flowers into place.

To make hydrangea ball into a hanging pomander:

Take 1.5 feet of ribbon and make one large loop, knotting the ends. Pin the loop into the pomander and using your glue gun on low heat setting, throughly glue the ribbon loop into place. Allow the glue to dry before moving your pomander.

Make a multi looped bow and glue it over where your ribbon handle meets the pomander.

Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

Since tomorrow is Mother's Day I figured it would be fitting to have my mom post one of her recipes for you guys. So here she is, my mom, Danielle. Take it away mom!

"Hi, I'm Ashley's mom, Danielle. Ashley asked me to share one of my favorite recipes', in honor of Mother's Day, and I wanted to select something that represented me. This recipe is more of a Fall meal but can be enjoyed year round. It's one of our family's favorites! I hope you guys enjoy and Happy Mother's Day to all!"


Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce


Ingredients:

1 16 oz. package penne pasta, uncooked
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, cubed
1 cup grated 100 % Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk (I use 1%)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
ground nutmeg to taste


Directions:

Cook pasta as directed on package. Place cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, and milk in a large saucepan. Cook on low heat until cream cheese is melted, stirring frequently. Add pumpkin and spices. Cook until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Add pasta, toss lightly. Serve topped with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. You can also add chicken or shrimp if you want. Substitute the milk, and cream cheese with low fat or fat free varieties for a lower calorie option.

Photo from Kraft

Mint Julep Recipe

It's that time again....The Kentucky Derby is here! One of the things that the Kentucky Derby is known for (besides the horses and the hats) is the drinks! One the most popular drinks served at the Derby is none other than the Mint Julep! If you can't make it to the Derby this year, this recipe will bring the Derby to you!

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, rinsed
• About 2 teaspoons sugar
• 5 fresh mint sprigs (3 to 5 in.), rinsed and drained
• About 1 1/2 cups crushed or shaved ice
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• About 2 tablespoons club soda

Preparation

• 1. With a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife, pare a 2-inch strip of peel (yellow part only) from the lemon, then cut into long, thin shreds. Cut lemon in half and rub 1 cut side on the rim of a glass (10 to 12 oz.) to moisten; save lemon for other uses. Pour 2 teaspoons sugar on a small plate and dip moist glass rim in it to coat evenly, then pour sugar into glass.
• 2. Add 4 mint sprigs to glass. With a wood spoon, crush mint sprigs with sugar to bruise the leaves and release the herb's flavor. Fill glass with ice. Add bourbon, then fill to rim with club soda. Let stand until glass is frosty, about 2 minutes. Garnish with lemon peel and remaining mint sprig. Sip julep through a straw, adding more sugar to taste.

Recipe and photo from My Recipes

Printable DIY Wedding

Have you ever heard of 'I do' it yourself? It is a fabulous little website providing printable DIY wedding stationary! And it's not your ordinary, run of the mill, DIY stationary...these designs are gorgeous! They have printables ranging all the way from invitations to favors tags to programs and covering various themes along the way. And starting at $15, they are completely reasonable too! My fave...? The fingerprint trees. After checking out all of the amazing options, head over to their blog for some other great DIY inspiration. Believe me...you'll be over there for hours!

Cinco De Mayo Tablescape

I am ready for a fiesta after seeing this great Cinco De Mayo inspired tablescape, created by Sandra Lee. The bright sunflowers add a burst of color to the table, the various potted cactus plants are fabulous as place cards, and I adore the pile of various chili peppers as the centerpiece. Plus the dishes and glasses are gorgeous. For a unique and super easy favor, tie small individual Jose Cuervo, or any Mexican liquor bottles, to the napkins with red string or twine to add a perfect touch to the table decor and give something fun for the guests to take home with them. Such a cute and creative table!