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"Ever since my twelfth (birthday), I've been looking forward to my sweet sixteen." - Samantha, Sixteen Candles

Although this is not a wedding related post, I thought I would share the cupcake toppers I recently made for my cousin's Sweet 16. In honor of her birthday, her family got her a pair of beautiful Tiffany & Co. earrings so her mom (my aunt) asked us to make cupcakes in Tiffany blue. My cousin, sister and I made it our mission to make the best cupcakes we knew how. Since none of us are experts with  fondant (although we tried), we opted for creative and cute cupcake toppers, paired with edible pearls and sparkles for a professional look. We also used Tiffany & Co. boxes to create our own cupcake stand. Check them out below.

As another surprise for Alyssa's 16th birthday, I made her a 'fake ID' and presented it to her at dinner. She successfully attained her G1 (driver's permit) that day so it was perfect.

Thanks for letting me be a part of your special celebration Shorty.  Love you!

Yours Truly,

A

Holy Guacamole!

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

In honour of Mr. X's birthday, I decided to host a 'fiesta' cocktail party before we headed to Playa Cabana for the best Mexican food Toronto has to offer.  The theme was "Holy Guacamole" and I was excited for the opportunity to put together this spread. The party's main inspirations were sombreros, mustaches and well, tequila! The entire party was 100% DIY.  To start, we set up a bar which included a Champagne and Tequila Sangria (see below), a Lynchburg Lemonade (recipe below), an assortment of flavored San Pelligrino, and sparkling water with lime.  Beverages were served in mason jar glasses with red and white striped straws.  On the menu were apple and brie quesadillas served with jalepeno chutney, cheese quesadillas served with salsa, individual taco dip cups (my fave!), veggies, chips, salsa, and guacamole.  For dessert, we offered a confetti angel food cake served with whipped cream and berries accessorized by a DIY bunting and homemade vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese icing and mustache flags. It was a true fiesta and everyone had a great time celebrating the man of the hour.

all photos were taken by A

Lynchburg Lemonade
- 1 part Jack Daniels
- 1 part Triple Second
- 1 part Sweet and Sour Mix
- 4 parts Sprite soda

Champagne and Tequila Sangria
- 1 bottle dry white wine
- 1 bottle sparkling wine
- 1/2 cup agave nectar
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda
- 3 ounces Tequila (silver)
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- Sliced oranges

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate and to Mr. X for being my favourite hombre! Ole!

Yours Truly,

A

He Asked...

"I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." - Harry Burns, When Harry Met Sally (tribute to Nora Ephron)


There is nothing more beautiful (and exciting!!) then when two people find their perfect match and decide to spend their lives together.  Our friends, S and A (this could get confusing) jetsetted to Turkey for a fun-filled vacation and unannounced to S, A had a romantic proposal in mind.  On their second day in Istanbul he popped the question and the two have been living on a cloud ever since. With their friends anxious to see them (and the ring), we threw them an impromptu get together for all to celebrate.


Jenna Placey at The Investment Baker prepared the cupcakes for S and A. With creams, golds and whites as the colour palate and vanilla as the flavour of choice, she prepared beautiful and tasty treats. See the pictures below:

The Happy Couple!!

Congrats S and A!! Couldn't be happier for you two!

Yours Truly,

A

A Cut Above

Laser cutting is a relatively new technique that uses a laser to cut materials (in our case, paper).  Laser-cut products have become popular in the wedding industry and we understand why.  It helps to create an intricate, lace-like look and can be very romantic and whimsical. From cupcake wrappers, to invites, to marriage contracts; laser-cutting paper goods are magnificent.  If you love ornate details then be sure to check out these unique and beautiful examples below:

Save the Dates found at Etsy

Laser cut invite (which you probably recognize from Pinterest) - found on Etsy

Laser cut cupcake wrapper - so perfect! Found on Paper Orchid Stationery

Gorgeous laser-cut place cards found on Paper Orchid Stationery

Laser-cut ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) - to die for!! Found at Jessy Judaica

'Love' laser-cut banner found on Etsy

We love this gold laser-cut folder invite!  Found at Atelier Isabey

Let's 'cut' to the chase, we love this look!

Until Next Time,

A & S

Be Mine

"Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!" - Thomas Hood

Today we celebrate love in a variety of ways; from romantic gestures to candlelit dinners for two, to cute little heart shaped notes in the schoolyard, Valentine's Day inspires all sorts of people (and of course the chocolate and greeting card companies too) to send a touch of sweetness to those nearest and dearest.

In honour of a holiday filled with flowers and candy (two of our favourite things), we couldn't resist sharing some lovely V-day themed creations.

Some Sweet Treats...

Candy Cane Heart Cupcake found on Pinterest

Heart Candy Cookies found on Pinterest

A Valentine's day Inspired Wedding Cake found on Laced in Weddings

Love Letter Cookies for your Sweetheart from Slashfood

Single Red Velvet Mason Jars by My Sweet and Saucy


Beautiful bouquets...


Stunning Red Centerpiece found on Style Me Pretty

 

Deep Red bouquet found on Style Me Pretty

 


Red Peonies found on Pinterest

Red Rose and Coxcomb bouquet taken from Pinterest

Pretty in Pink Bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings

and wearing your Heart on your sleeve...

A.L.C Bent Nail Heart Pendant found at Shopbop

Wildfox Sparkle Skinny Sweatpants found at Shopbop

Valentino 'New Dome' Satchel found at Nordstrom

Plain Shift Dress in Red found at Topshop

Marc by Marc Jacobs Annabelle Pave Heart Earrings found at Nordstrom

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Until Next Time,

A & S

All That Glitters

"Some girls were just born with glitter in their veins." - Paris Hilton

Every girl wants to sparkle on their big day. There are many ways to give yourself that extra twinkle at your wedding; but why not take it one step further and have everything glitter! When people ask me what my colours are for my wedding, I respond 'white' but the truth is 'white with a touch of sparkle'. I know sparkle is not a colour and I more often say hints of silver, however it just sounds more fun and party-like to me.  Afterall, I want the whole room to shine!

Here are some great ways to add that extra pizzazz to your decor, sweet table, place settings, pictures and of course you!


Glitter Stars for any occassion from Etsy



Glitter Cupcake wrappers from Dress My Cupcake

Sparkle Lips Straws from Etsy

 Add some shine under your gown with these Toms

Now these Sparkle! Photo taken from Pinterest

Glitter Charger Plates in many colours found on Etsy

Let your nails do the sparkling! Photo taken from Pinterest

 Glitter Hearts to add to desserts and make into escort cards - found on Etsy

Gold Fruit Escort Cards - as seen on Delicious Magazine

Something Sparkly and Something Blue - found at Bloomingdales

Dare to be dazzling.

Yours truly,

A

All Wrapped Up

It's no coincidence that tons of cutesy lil' cupcake shops have been popping up all over the map. Whether it's a box of home baked goodness to present to a gracious party hostess, or a tiered tower served up at a soiree, cupcakes have now established themselves a sweet staple in the pastry department.

Along with the ever-growing cupcake phenomenon has come the invention of fancy wrappers. Found at specialty bakeries, craft stores, and offered by various online retailers, cupcake wrappers are an excellent way to add pizzazz to your treats!

Wedding Ring Cupcake Wrapper - Your Little Cupcake (Etsy)

Cupcakes in Tuxedos - Alice in Cakeland (via Twitpic)

50 Big Hearts Cupcake Wrapper - Maison Rabbits Paperie (Etsy)

Ivory Rose Vine Lasercut Cupcake Wrapper - Accent the Party

Snowflake Embossed Mini Cupcake Wrappers - Two Paper Pals (Etsy)

Bella Cupcake Couture Wrappers (Assorted) - Save on Crafts

Toile Cupcake Wrappers - Paper Scissors Cake (Etsy)

Love Cupcake Wrappers - Well Dressed Cupcakes (Etsy)

Pink-Red-White Lace Cupcake Wrappers - Olivia's Paper Shoppe (Etsy)

Green and Gold Damask Cupcake Wrapper - Sugar Cat Studio (Etsy)

That's a wrap.

Sincerely,

S