Bunny Cakes

Succulent Gardens

This weekend, Aug 2nd & 3rd, is the National Capital Cactus & Succulent Society's *Annual Show & Sale*.  The sale is held at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.  If you have never been to Brookside Gardens before you are in for a real treat.  Last year I took the boys to the Show & Sale.  I had planned for a quick visit to say hi to my Mom (she is a member of the society) and to buy some plants.  However, we ended up staying for hours.  The boys loved seeing all the different types of cactus & succulents (I was astonished at how into the plants the boys were) and then we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the grounds.  It was really really great.  My Mom had the boys' full attention and admiration as she talked about the plants with them.  This year we are most likely going to miss the Show & Sale, but that doesn't mean you have to!  Here are some pictures of the succulent gardens I helped my Mom put together for the sale.  If you are local to DC, VA, MD I hope you can make it!

-K

China Displays

Check out these beautiful *China Cabinet Displays* by John Jacob Interiors (found via Porch Light Interiors)...I am drooling!

-K

Anniversary Sale - Stock Up Now

It is that time of year again...time for Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.  Which means it is time to stock up on Hanky Panky thongs and shoes for the kiddos.  

Hanky Panky thongs have converted many-a-booty to be panty-line (I hate that word) free.  If you are NOT a thong wearer, then now is your chance to try out the best thongs ever.  Buy a pair soon ($11.90) so you can try them out, love them and then stock up before the sale ends on August 3rd.  These are truly more comfortable than briefs (and other horrid thongs).  I really want everyone who doesn't have a pair to go out and get some...

For some reason decent shoes for kids are RIDICULOUSLY expensive and if you have to buy more than one pair at the same time it is even more appalling.  I earnestly tired to go the cheap shoe route, but the boys tore them up in no time (and then them babies needed a new pair of shoes WAY TOO SOON).  So we are back on the Puma kicks.  At least this sale makes the cost slightly more bearable.

Happy Shopping!

K

Table Treats - M&M Tubes

Alright, this is my last & final post on the boys' Uglydoll Party (here, here and here in case you missed the other posts).  Since the party was held off site at the Laser Tag place I had very little control over the decor of the space.  In general the party room was pretty bland even if you did happen notice the random "gear and splatter paint" mural on the walls.  I had planned to bring in my own plates, cups, etc. to carry the color palette and I am glad I did.  The last-minute $1 table cloths were key to giving the space some much needed cheer.  In addition to the coordinating dining gear, each place setting had an *Uglydoll M&M Tube*.  The kids loved these and there was much happy chatter about their new U&U's moniker.  I will definitely make these again for future parties as they were so easy and well received!  See down below for the how-to instructions...

Here is a look at the improved tablescape...

Every laser tag party should have at least one fun prize...

Custom M&M Tube How To:

Step 1 - Print out your design on regular white office paper and cut out.  You should be able to fit six designs per 8.5x11 sheet of paper.

Step 2 - Remove the original plastic label from each tube.  This is something the kids can help out with (you may need to help them get started).  Hint: You do not need to get every piece f the original wrapper off.

Step 3 - Using regular scotch tape, tape one end of your custom label to the tube.

Step 4 - Place a piece of double sided tape across the width of the other end of the label (on the inside).  Roll the label smoothly around the tube and press firmly on the end with the double sided tape to secure.

Step 5 - Enjoy!

So easy, right?  The hardest part is coming up with the design, but if you are like me you will probably enjoy that part the most.

-K

Uglydoll Cupcakes, Cookies and Cake

In addition to the Uglydoll softies they also have great action figures available.  As soon as I spied them I knew I had to incorporate them into the boys' party.  Initially I was going to make the boys each their own individual cake and top it with one of the action figures, but I smartly decided the cakes + the cupcakes would be too much (work).  So instead of adorning cakes I used the action figures to adorn the cupcake stand.  The tiered stand is from Anthropologie ($19.99 on sale--not bad).  

To elevate the action figures I made little platforms using lids from the frosting containers (I love homemade frosting, but most of the time I go with the pre-made varieties), a toilet paper roll and paper that I printed out on the computer so it would match the color scheme.  The platforms were easily assembled using hot glue and double-sided tape.

 

Now...on to the baked goods...the only sane way I could think of to create *Uglydoll Cupcakes* was to make iced sugar cookies that resembled Uglydolls and top cupcakes with the cookies.  I briefly toyed with the idea of making Uglydolls out of fondant, but since I have very little fondant experience I quickly dismissed the idea.  To keep things simple I limited the cookie cutters down to only three shapes and one main icing color (A was very relieved with my limited choices since she was forced into servitude for the day).  White & red royal icing were used to add additional details and then finally edible black marker was used to add the pupils and mouths (thanks to Bakerella for that tip).  Here is the result:

 

 

Lastly, on the boys actual birthday I did make a cake and used the Uglydoll action figures to decorate it.  It turned out pretty cute (& ugly)!

 

-K

P.S.  Here are the other party details: Invitations, Goodie Bags and Party Treats.

Ugly Bags - The Good Stuff

I by no means expect goodie bags or favors from any party that I (or the boys) attend, but having said that I wouldn't think of sending our guests home without one.  This is not because of any rules of decorum or some super competitive mommy streak, but because its so much fun.  Yes, I know many of you would not agree with that statement (A definitely falls into this bucket--my own sister--gasp!).  But every year I look forward to hunting/making little trinkets to send home with our guests.  

For the boys' *Uglydoll Themed Party* we went with a lime green and red color palette and bought gift bags in coordinating colors.  Then we stuffed the bags with Uglydoll Keychains (a budget buster, but I couldn't resist), a C&J selected mix of candy with custom packaging, Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape and Ugly Sticks (aka pretzel sticks coated in green chocolate and mini M&M's--see link for Martha's how-to).  The goodies bags were tied off with a label that noted: You're Beautiful on the Inside, Man! Thanks for Making Our Party a Blast!

-K

P.S.  Here are the other party details: Invitations, Cake, Cupcakes & Cookies and Party Treats.

Turning 7 - The Big (Ugly) Plans

As you may know, I have a serious problem when it comes to the boys' birthday party and as a result things tend to get overdone (Exhibit A - Pirate Party & Exhibit B - Space Mission Party).  For almost an entire year I have had the boys 7th birthday party planned in the back of my mind, but just when I was about to start executing on these long-awaited plans there was a sudden change.  After going to two laser tag parties the boys lobbied hard to have a laser tag party of their own.  Since they have always had their party at home I thought they were due for a location change.  With the new venue in place we settled on a new theme...Uglydolls!  

The boys had recently rediscovered Uglydolls one days as I was browsing through our local Paper Source.  Not only were the boys attracted to the Uglydolls' funny looking facade, but also to the quirky personalities given to each doll by their witty creators, David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim.  Even the Obamas are fans of Uglydolls...check it out!

Since Uglydolls are (thankfully) not over commercialized I had to make my own ugly invitations using images found on the web.  The colors palette for the party will be slime green with a hint of red.  Here are the invites...more on the party to come.

-K

P.S.  Here are the party details: Goodie Bags, Cake, Cupcakes & Cookies and Party Treats.