DIY Chocolate Bowls

With summer in full bloom, what is better than relaxing with a delicious bowl of ice cream! We want to share with you a really fun way to serve it! All you need is a package of party balloons and some melting chocolate.

Blow up the balloons to the size that you would like the bowls. We tend to make them on the smaller side, they just look more dainty the smaller they are.

Melt your chocolate in the microwave at 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted. When it is completely melted let it sit for a few minutes. If you dip the balloons in chocolate that is to hot they will pop. To make a straight edged bowl just dip the bottom of the balloon straight down into the chocolate pull it up and give it a few shakes to get rid of the excess chocolate. Then set it on a parchment lined baking sheet. To create the scalloped look when you dip the balloon tip it foward then backward then side to side. Pull it straight out, shake off excess and set on parchment lined baking sheet.

Once you have the balloons dipped and set on the baking sheets put them in a cool dry place to set. Never put chocolate in the refrigerator! This will cause it to sweat. You can even let them dry overnight. When your chocolate is dried properly it should be hardened and shiny. Push the balloon away from the chocolate and then cut the top off the balloon near the tie. The balloon will deflate but still may stick a little bit, so gently pull away from the chocolate.

Arn`t they the cutest!! Use your creativity and fill them with anything you want to. We just love them as ice cream bowls! They are really pretty with fresh fruit too!



If you try these at home send us some pictures....we can`t wait to see what you use your chocolate bowls for!!

Green and White Sweet Table

Remember this fabulous sweet table that was created by Amy Atlas for a client in the Hamptons?

Well, our sweet friend Mandy loved it so much that she used it as her inspiration when creating a bridal shower for her friend! She sent us these pictures and we think she did such a fabulous job that we just had to share it with you! She prepared all of the desserts herself!

We LOVE the vanilla pudding in the shot glasses! The green ribbon and spoons are a perfect touch!

Mandy filled the green chinese take out boxes with goodies like salt water taffy and hard candies for guests to take home!

Thank you so much for sharing these with us Mandy! Check our her blog to see more of this beautiful green and white bridal shower!

Swooooooon!

Style Me Pretty never seizes to amaze us! Although, we are both already married we just can not get enough of the unbelievably stunning weddings, ideas and photo shoots that are featured on this lovely blog! But, when we came across this post I think the only word that came to our mind was SWOON!! Ohhhh, these colors and photos are just so rustically romantic!

Can you blame this beautiful model for sitting right on top of that divine dessert table!

Just look at that strikingly gorgeous gold cake and all of those delicious petite pastries! Do you see what we mean...SWOON!

This was a shoot designed by Heather Waraksa and Xochitl of Always a Bridesmaid.

Lemonade and Sunshine

We know that this has been featured on many blogs over the past week but we just couldn't resist sharing it again! This party is just so lovely and full of "rustic and charming" detail! Jess from Pen n' Paperflowers created it for her two oldest daughters...another detail we love! There are so many parties featured for little ones or adults...but what about the middle children! We just adore this quote from her blog: "I wanted the party "pretty" and "soft" to honor the young women my daughter's are becoming...but I knew there had to be a little "magic" thrown in there too to keep it young and fresh." Jess, we think you did a fabulous job and we are smitten with the detail you put into this party! We only have one request, can we be invited next time!?!

Nonpareil Magazine

We are just loving Nonpareil Magazine! It filled to the brim with brillant inspiration and tutorials! In their latest issue everything was inspired by stylish tv shows and movies. "Fit for a Queen", inspired by Marie Antionette, was swoon worthy, as were all of the other articles! But you know how we favor Marie Antionette and anything with French macarons! Take a peek at the article and see how they created everything for this gorgeous sweet table!

Oh my! Look at these macaron pop stands created by Shauna Younge...perfect! See how to make them here!

All images via Nonperil Magazine, photos by Larry Callahan

Rock Candy Chandelier

We are so inspired by beautiful things, especially when they are hand-made! Check out this gorgeous chandelier, featured on Once Wed, made out of rock candy! There are even easy to follow DIY instructions from artist Laurie Cinotto. What an amazing way to add something so stunning to your event for such minimal cost!!

images via oncewed.com

Cupcake Carnival

A while back Kimberly from attempting creative asked us to be guest bloggers for her cupcake carnival! Of course we were very excited! Kimberly is super sweet and has some really great ideas on her blog! We decided to do a giveaway of our new line of "Cupcake Couture" cards and gift tags and a French Macaron tutorial! So head on over to attempting creative and enter to win! Stay a while and take a look at all of the other guest bloggers posts!

Joyfolie

I think our jaws dropped on the ground when we came across Joyfolie’s blog, Etsy site and website! Joyfolie was formally named Mia Joie and is the business of the amazingly talented Jessica Haley! She offers unique and often one of a kind items, such as shoes, boots, clothing and accessories. Most all of Joyfolie's items are still handmade by Jessica herself, and a small staff of stay-at-home moms! They are made with environmentally responsible items, such as organic cottons and recycled rubber. If that is not enough, 10% of Joyfolie's profits go to Giving Children Hope, which is a non-profit organization that refurbishes medical equipment. We are literally smitten with all of Joyfolie's items, advertisements and Jessica herself! There is no possible way that we could even choose just one item to share with you! Visit her sites and you will be swept away to a dreamland!

Pinch, Pinch!

Well, between Kellie and I we have 4 girls! We are always planning very girly parties! So we love to see inspiration for little boy's parties! Kim, from the TomKat Studio, threw the cutest crab shack party for her adorable son Tommy last weekend! It has such a fresh, summery, nautical feel to it! Kim drew her inspiration from a Pottery Barn crab towel Tommy got as a gift a few years back. We have to admit we have a crab crush on those adorable fondant crabs crawling on the cupcakes and birthday cake!! They are so cute!! We really love those fabulous custom printed cookies too! They were made with Kim's party circle designs! The cake pops are so adorable with the red polka dots on them! Kim and her mom made them together...we love that! Check out the rest of Tommy's crab shack party at the TomKat Studio...if you haven't already!

Party Design/Styling: The TomKat Studio, Photography: Vicki Lynn Photography, Goodies: Sweeties By Kim, Custom Printed Cookies: Girly Gatherings, Fondant Crabs and Crab Cookies: Decadent Delights

We would also like to congratulate Kim on her recent feature in InStyle Magazine!

A Lovely Workshop

Our hearts are beating so fast right now! We are literally bursting! We have been waiting so long to share this and we finally can! So, as you may know we are literally smitten with Elizabeth Messina! You may have seen a previous post we did featuring our "frosted photo" cupcake flags using photographs from an engagement shoot that she did. Elizabeth, is truly remarkable! Each year she hosts an amazing workshop for the most talented photographers from around the world, called "A Lovely Workshop". This year it was held at Chateau St. Julien in France. Well, Elizabeth saw our "Ode to Paris" line of cards and gift tags and asked if we would be part of the "Lovely Gift Bags" that she sent to all of the attendees. We can not even begin to express what an honor this was...especially when the other items were from artists such as Twigs and Honey and Chewing the Cud! All of the items were amazing and it was an honor to even have our items among theirs. Today, Elizabeth is hosting a giveway of the entire gift bag on her blog Kiss the Groom. If that isn't enough, Kiss the Groom will be hosting another giveaway in the coming weeks for us!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Elizabeth! What are you waiting for, go to Kiss the Groom and enter for a chance to win that beautiful tote!!

photo credit: Elizabeth Messina

Cakes Inspired By...

With cakes the possibilities are endless! Pastry chefs are able to turn flour, eggs and butter into literal works of art! We think it is so amazing when an inspiration is turned into a cake!

This cake by Wendy Kromer was inspired by fabrics from formal shirts. Pin tucks and ruffles really do look elegant when done in gum paste and fondant!

image via: Martha Stewart

The pattern of this dress was re-created on this cake by LovinSullivanCakes.

image via: cakepower.com

We adore this Ron Ben Israel cake, created to replicate the embroidered lace from a 60's inspired dress!

image via: Martha Stewart

This stunning pink and black cake was inspired by Victorian jewlery.

image via: Martha Stewart

This Kate Sullivan cake was inspired by a Tord Boontje China Pattern.

When we saw this cake, by Liz Shim owner of Eat Cake Be Merry, for the first time, we were giddy! It is so adorable and was inspired by the ever popular letter garland! The colors are so bright and cheery!

image via: ilovelolliblog.com

Rene Caovilla was inspired by his shoe spring collection when he designed his couture confection with cake designer, Margaret Braun. (From In Style Weddings)

image via: In Style Weddings

This lovely butter yellow and chocolate cake was inspired by runway fashion!

image via: In Style Weddings

We love the simplicity of this Pretty Little Things cake inspired by this Dog n’ Bird dress.

image via: loveandlavender.com

This awesome black and white cake was inspired by this adorable bride's fabulous necklace!

image via: loveandlavender.com, cake via Real Simple