{REAL PARTY} Sunshine 1st Birthday Party

I just love this adorable Sunshine 1st Birthday Party that was featured on Kara's Party Ideas and planned by Lindi of Love the Day! I'm so happy to have found Lindi's blog too - she has so many creative and darling party printables in her Etsy shop! Be sure to stop by!

{REAL PARTY} A Vintage Pink Ice Cream Social

A vintage pink Ice Cream Social...now there is an adorable theme I would love to use to

plan a party! This one was featured on The Birthday Girl's blog and was submitted

by photographer, Susan Gentile.

I'm going to try to sneak some more summer parties in while I still can! Pretty soon it will

be time for fall, and there are so many wonderful seasonal things to write about!

What I love about this party, is it's so simple, and sweet, yet so full of budget friendly inspiration to help you plan your own ice~cream social; perfect for a children's birthday

party, a bridal shower, or just backyard fun for your kids and their friends!

As always, please see the original post on The Birthday Girl to see all of the talented vendors who contributed to this party!

Summertime Wedding Styled Shoot

This gorgeous styled photo shoot brought together the talents of so many amazing vendors that I admire. To begin with, Carter & Cook Event Company styled this shoot and the incredible Jessica Claire took the gorgeous photos.

The theme reflected the rustic surroundings of the location and the designers were inspired by camping, all things summer, gingham, popsicles, fireflies, fun colors, rope and various textures. So vintage, and so very elegant.

Personally, I think textures are just as important an element as color when it comes to styling a party. They both provide visual contrast which is aesthetically pleasing in the overall design.

There is so much eye candy in this shoot I could get lost in the details for hours! Just head over to the original post on Carter & Cook Event Company to see all the behind the scenes details on how this shoot came together, along with credit and links to all of the amazing vendors who collaborated on this shoot (also linked below).

Vendor Team:

Event Design/Styling: Carter & Cook Event Co.
Flowers: Modern Bouquet
Paper: Posh Paperie
Cakes: Sweet & Saucy Shop
Furniture Rentals: Found Rentals
Hair Pieces & Shoe Clips: Rachel Larraine
Hair: The Mermaid Salon, Kim Lilly
Make up: Color4Casting, Jessica Arredondo
Photography: Jessica Claire

Farm Inspired Fall Wedding Shoot

Oh I know you are going to love this next feature ~ a Farm Inspired Wedding Shoot. It's

a complete study in all things gorgeous...from the fashion to the detailing, every little bit of

this shoot is perfection! Now I know it's only first day of September, a little early to be falling into fall, but this time of year is always so exciting because I love everything about what the next 3 months represent!

This shoot has subtle details that capture that homegrown, warm, rustic vibe while remaining completely elegant. The details, including lace overlays (which would add texture and charm on top of standard white linens), flea market style mismatched glassware, the lacy babies breath, homemade pies and the glamour wedding gown create the perfect cozy vibe.

It was originally featured on Style Me Pretty and was photography credit goes to

Henry & Masci Photography. You can see more of this amazing shoot, and there are a lot more photos and details directly on Henry & Masci's blog. Also you will find credit and a link to all the talented designers that collaborated on this shoot.

Stylish Green Wedding Shoot

This stylish photo shoot found on The Wedding Chicks is so inspirational and is based around vintage literature, while incorporating green and reusable items. A perfect combination!

Photographed by Audrey Hannah Photo and Flourish Studio Photography.

It's worth heading over to The Wedding Chicks to see the development and originality of all the design elements. Everything used for this shoot was locally grown, and one of the gowns was designed with environmentally friendly fabrics. All of the decor was purchased from antique or vintage shops...in other words, nothing you see here is brand new, everything has been re-used into something beautiful without a heavy environmental impact.

Here are some other fun facts about the shoot:

*bow~tie made from old book pages

*table runner made from old book pages

*true vintage suits

*locally grown florals

*herbs ready to be planted as wedding favors to inspire new growth

*true vintage furniture circa 1920

As always, please see the original source on The Wedding Chicks to see a list and link to all the talented vendors who participated in this shoot.

Back to School Blackboard Cupcakes

These cupcakes earn top marks for sweetening even the most reluctant student's return to school.

Ingredients

• Yellow, green, and white frosting
• Cupcakes
• Red Skittles or M&M's
• Small plastic bag

• Rubber band or twist tie
• Chocolate-covered graham crackers
• White Good & Plenty candies

Instructions

1. Cover the cupcakes with yellow frosting and allow them to sit for an hour before decorating. Dab each red Skittle or M&M with a bit of green frosting for the apple's leaf, then set them aside.

2. Put a tablespoon or two of white frosting into a small plastic bag for piping. Cut a very small hole in a corner of the bag, twist the top of the bag closed, and secure it with a rubber band or twist tie. Piping the frosting gently out of the hole, write messages on the chocolate-covered graham crackers. Leave space at the bottom of the cookie, where it'll be stuck into the cupcake.

3. Cut a groove in the cupcake's frosting with a knife, then fit a blackboard into the groove. Add one Skittle or M&M apple and a piece of Good & Plenty chalk, as shown.

Source: Family Fun