When using a hot glue gun for styrofoam, be sure to get the gluesticks made especially for styrofoam.  Regular hot glue will melt the styrofoam!

Looking for a special way to ask your bridesmaids and maid of honor to be part of your big day? These sweet accordion gifts can be customized to your bridesmaid's personality. They "pop" open when the lid is taken off!

Materials needed: Boxes with lids, Ribbon, Computer/Printer and assorted charms or tokens.

Step One: Measure box and layout text accordingly in a program like Microsoft Word or Adobe Illustrator. You'll want to make each one according to your bridesmaid's interests. Print it out.

Step Two:  After printing, cut out the strips of paper and fold them accordion style. Be sure to leave a little flap at the top to adhere the strip to the lid of the box.

Step Three: Attach the tokens or charms by tying or gluing them to the paper then adhere the strip to the lid of the box.

Step Four: Tie with a ribbon and voila! A special gift for your special friend.

How to Make the Pom-Poms
You'll need tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.
1. Stack four sheets of tissue. Cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle, going through all layers. Make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.
2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, slip over center of tissue, and twist to secure. Trim ends of tissue (round edges, pointed ends...... whatever you like.
3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.
4. Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure.

So many uses for these.  Pick colors that go with your decor and get creative.  For the look on the left, secure with glue on to a styrofoam sphere.  On the right, glue the pom poms on to a ring.

I admit it............ there is something comforting about opening my binder of trusted recipes and finding the perfect one!  I have a really plain, yet functional, 3 ring binder on the shelf........ Well, I posted another option a while ago and thought I would share this great gift idea (or a special something for YOUR shelf)

There is a contest underway so check out what the submissions are at Zazzle.

Personalized Plates  Free shipping right now with the code PARTY919

The selection is great and perfect for any event.  Look at a great matching napkin from Plates and Napkins.  You can arrange a theme without ever leaving your house!  And talk about Unique!!!

The latest thing past "candy bars" seems to be a Popcorn Bar.  This is an idea that can go from "black tie" to "backyard".  The limits are all in your head.


Here is a great site for directions and inspiration:
DIY instructions and more............
Have fun!  Keep in mind these are perfect for so many events:  great for little children's hands, great with your favorite sports team's logo for tailgating, makes a great centerpiece, etc.

Ok, so I laughed at the following: "When was the last time you were in the backseat of a dark Escalade or at a really posh nightclub and needed to touch up your mascara? Unless you’re on The Hills, that probably doesn’t happen to you very often, but thanks to the new Too Faced LashLight mascara, you can get the star treatment whenever you like"
Too Faced creative director and founder Jerrod Blandino has created a long-wearing, smudge-proof mascara with microscopic mirrors that bounce light off your lashes to brighten up your eyes and give you the glossiest black lashes possible. And now for the most amazing part: the wand contains two blue LED lightbulbs! That’s right, this mascara literally lights up your lashes for the most precise mascara application anytime, anywhere.
Now this is on my list and Sephora here I come........... well, maybe on-line is a better option for me!!!

The Explanation video is a simple and wonderful explanation.  A quick watch!

There is something so magical about weddings. A day that most girls spend their whole lives planning and dreaming of. I love the magic and to be honest, as a baker and cake decorator by heart, I am most excited about the cake. The smell of buttercream permiating the room is heaven to me and I am on pins and needles until it is served.

I know that most people don't view the cutting of the cake as I do. Fair enough, but when I was planning the last details of my wedding, I was sure to instruct my groom on the dangers of smashing the cake in my face. And the consequences would be BAD! That has me wondering about a referenced quote I read earlier.

"Here's what Kay Arthur wrote about the covenant meal.

You’ve received all your response cards and you’ve made your seating arrangement. How do your guests know where their table is?

Escort Cards are usually “tent” cards, which are folded at the top. They have the guest’s name and table number written on them. They are usually placed in alphabetical order on a large table at the entrance of your event hall. When your guests arrive, they find their escort card and then find their table. Depending on your choice of style, you can have formal or informal escort cards. A formal card would be written as:

Mr. and Mrs. John Martin

Table 3

An informal card would be written as:

John and Becky Martin

Table 3

Place Cards are pre-set on the tables at the seat assigned to the guest. You would have a seating chart available at the entrance of your event hall. When your guests arrive, they find their seating assignment on the seating chart. Place cards are a little more time consuming, as someone actually has to set them out on the tables prior to the start of your reception.

You are essentially limited only by your budget, your time constraints and your imagination as to your seating cards. You can have themed cards decorated with ribbons that reflect your colors; you can attach packets of flower seeds (seeds of love); the possibilities are endless! Just be sure to buy extra cards to account for any errors!

As the writing of escort or place cards is usually one of the last minute tasks that is accomplished just a few days before the actual event date, it is probably a good idea to assign this project to a close trusted friend or your calligrapher. You would need to allow at least two days to complete this project, and be available to answer any questions that may arise.

So, you just got engaged and you’re ready to start the planning process of your big day. Already pulling out your hair? Well, hiring a wedding planner can eliminate a lot of stress due for the months ahead. Maybe a wedding planner wasn’t your first choice, but here are a few reasons why putting all the labor on a professional could benefit you in the long run:

Less stress! Planning a wedding alone or with a planner will still bring some stress to your life because lets face it; this is the biggest day of your life! But planners deal with weddings everyday, therefore they know how to deal with the pressures of putting on a great affair. It’s their job, let them bring out your vision with their knowledge and expertise. Stressing over your wedding day will lead to blemishes and break outs along with high tensioned fights and restless nights. Avoid being a bridezilla and put your worries on a professional. 

If deviling your eggs isn't enough this Halloween, spider them too. Joanie Pimentel in Sunset's information technology department came up with this styling idea for a staff party last Halloween. She cuts pitted black olives in half lengthwise and nestles one half on top of an egg for the body, and then cuts the other half crosswise into thin slices to form the creepy legs.
Try a twist with this Bacon Deviled Eggs recipe?

As with everything else in life, we can glean valuable lessons about wedding planning from Seinfeld. Remember what happened when George picked out the envelopes? They were so cheap, so pathetic, that Susan licked the adhesive...and died.
You can learn from Costanza. Remember that episode where he did “The Opposite” of his instincts, reasoning that if every instinct is wrong, the opposite must be right? This is your move. We think it’s unlikely that you will accidentally murder your fiancée, but when it comes to the dreaded Thank You notes just do "The Opposite" of George’s instincts.

I love a great picture hanging on the wall.... but sometimes you want something a bit more prominent and a way to make the picture a piece of art! 
CanvasPop offers the easiest way for photographers and digital artists (whether you’re a pro or not) to print any image onto canvas.Check it out here!

Yes, you read it right! This is a recipe for Avocado Truffles. I just came back with a HUGE and ripe avocado....... Searching for recipes, I found this one (and REALLY dont know what to think)  
Here is what i read "You absolutely won't believe how delicious these truffles are until you have tried this very easy-to-make recipe. The texture of the avocados mixes wonderfully with the chocolate. But, beware, these truffles are very rich!?"  THOUGHTS?