What I'm Working On

Hello, my dears!  This week has been a busy one and I'm excited to share with you one of the things I've been working on.  I've introduced a new product to the shop: party kits!  They're full of everything you'll need to put a lovely party together - invitations, goodie bags, bunting, cupcake flags and thank you cards -all packaged together in a kraft box.

There are currently four themes: circus, water, shower and woodland.  I'm kind of in love with that little elephant up there.  

Which one is your favorite?  What theme would you like to see in the future?

Pinwheel Palooza

Over the past few weeks I've been working with a client in Australia who is hosting a pinwheel party for her daughter's first birthday.  It's summer in Australia and I can't think of a more lovely outdoor party for a tiny girl than a pinwheel party.  We started with the pinwheel invitations, in a pink and orange color combination (not shown here for privacy reasons) and went from there!

There will be pinwheels in the garden, hanging from the veranda, peaking over the frosted tops of cupcakes; even miniature ones frilling up the fronts of the goodie bags.  There are 130 pinwheels in all.  I couldn't have asked for a better break from winter than working on this summery fete.

"You're My Favorite" Game Night + Printable Invitations

For Friday's birthday party I wanted to do something that was really simple and casual.  But I still needed to have some type of theme; I feel that they help party plans come together more easily and cohesively.  I decided to have the invitations say, "since he's our favorite, we're throwing him a party" and go from there.  He loves to play games, so we did a game night.  The menu was a compilation of some his favorite foods: Philly cheesesteaks, root beer, artichoke dip and brownies.

A gathering of favorites equals a guaranteed good time.  Added bonus: it was low maintenance.  I love how easily and quickly game nights can be thrown together.  I put together this fill-in variation of our invitations for you to print out and use for your next get together.  Grab a couple of your favorite drinks, some finger foods and pass these out to your neighbors or friends.  Then let the good times begin!

Baking Day: German Chocolate Cake

When it comes to birthdays I am a die-hard fan of the birthday cake.  It's tradition and we have to make one from scratch for every birthday (they're so good).  My husband, Craig, is a big fan of coconut so when I asked him what kind of cake he wanted this year I wasn't at all surprised when he said German Chocolate Cake.  After the craziest Tuesday, and a Wednesday that took a close second, I finally was able to finish his cake on Thursday, two days after his birthday.  So sad, right?  I felt awful.  Thankfully, it was worth the wait. 

We tried this version from the Bridge Street Bakery in Vermont.  Instead of three layers I opted for two just to make things a little bit simpler.  I think it still has a stunning presentation.

Here's an interesting bit of information about German Chocolate Cake: it's not actually German.  In 1852 an employee of Baker's Chocolate Company, Sam German, created a new type of dark baking chocolate.  The company named the chocolate "German's Sweet Chocolate" in his honor.  Then, in 1957, a Texan housewife sent the recipe for a chocolate cake she had made using this chocolate in to a local newspaper, calling it "German's Chocolate Cake."  It was an instant success.  Since then, the possessive has been dropped but it's still a popular recipe today.

It's really rich and decadent and Craig loved it.  I think it'll be on the menu again next November.  Personally, I always choose carrot cake for my birthdays.  What's your favorite?

Happy 29!

Today is my love's 29th birthday.  Happy birthday, honey!  Would you all wish him a lovely day here in the comments?  Thank you, thank you!

Our boy and I love him quite a bit.  Can you tell? 

 

Birthday Party in a Box

This Saturday is my brother-in-law's birthday.  He's currently serving a mission for our church so we won't be able to celebrate with him in person.  Instead, I decided to send him a birthday party in a box so he can still have a fun celebration, no matter where he is. 

Inside the box are homemade party hats, birthday candles, blackberry turnovers (he's more of a pie person than a cake lover) and a tiny ping-pong game that can be set up on a regular table.  Now all he has to do is open it, add his roommates and enjoy.

Getting packages in the mail is always so much fun.  What are your favorite things to receive in the mail? 

Lily Jane Stationery Giveaway

Good news: Nicole is hosting a little giveaway on her blog.  Stop by to see how you can help other women and win a set of my pinwheel thank you cards!

{image by me}