Cake Balls! Deliciously Addicting!!!

So, today I am going to introduce you to something TRULY AMAZING! Hopefully, most of you haven't heard of these before and this will be just a great new surprise that will become one of those stock recipes that you have and use FOREVER and every time you make them, people will be completely BLOWN AWAY!!!

Are you ready...... CAKE BALLS!!! Pure deliciousness!!!

About a year ago, my friend Jessica Robbins brought these into work one day. She had them at a wedding shower and thought we all needed to experience them! BOY was she right... They were absolutely INCREDIBLE! If you like birthday cake the way I do, they were pure PERFECTION! And they were BEAUTIFUL too!

A cake ball is made by baking a cake (any kind of cake) and leaving it a tiny bit doughy... Don't cook it till its dry! Then, while the cake is still warm, you crumble it up into small pieces and put it in a food processor stirring in frosting (any kind of frosting that will pair well with the flavor of cake mix you have selected) until it is all mixed together. Once this step is done, you melt chocolate (either white, milk or dark chocolate). Then, using a melon baller or small scoop, you will create balls of the cake/frosting mixture. You will then dip the individual balls in the melted chocolate. You can then roll them in nuts, sprinkles, toffee or anything really or you could drizzle them with another type of chocolate and on wax paper to cool. They can be served as a small ball or you can also put a small Popsicle stick into them.

I am telling you... They are ABSOLUTELY delicious!

Robin Ankeny, a friend in Dallas has started her own company making Cake Balls to order, packaging them and shipping them all over the world! Neiman Marcus has even chosen to sell her products. She does a fantastic job of giving customers a great selection of delicious flavors and packages the cake balls beautifully! They are available in several different quantities and to be honest, they are pretty inexpensive for a gift that would make a HUGE IMPACT!

The reason I am blogging about these today... I think they would make a FANTASTIC wedding favor. You could just do even a box of 3-4 per person. How interesting right??? Who doesn't love cake and as I have mentioned a ton already, they are absolutely addictingly delicious! Your guests will love them and tell ALL their friends about the fantastic favor they received at your event! So, check it out! I PROMISE you will not be disappointed!!!

http://www.cakeballs.com/

This is Robin's BEAUTIFUL packaging! I am sure if you asked super nice she would even coordinate the ribbon to match your event colors...

This is Chocolate Cake dipped in White Chocolate and drizzled in Chocolate








This is Chocolate Cake dipped in Chocolate drizzled with Chocolate and topped with Toffee Crumbles! YUMMY!!!

This is a Chocolate Cake Dipped in White Chocolate with Orange food coloring and drizzled with White Chocolate. SOOOO CUTE! This could be done in lots of colors too!

This is Red Velvet Cake Dipped in White Chocolate! Great for a Wedding or Baby Shower or a wedding too!

ADORABLE!!! Great for a kids birthday party!!! LOVE THEM!!!

Chocolate Cake dipped in Strawberry Flavored Chocolate! BEAUTIFUL!!!

These are beautiful too!!! So elegant!

Here, they are shown on sticks! Aren't they great???

These are PRECIOUS TOO!!! How fun for Halloween? Maybe package them in a clear box... Or even cute for Thanksgiving?

Here is a more fancy presentation of them on sticks... Great for a wedding! LOVE IT!!!

And... How cute are these??? PRECIOUS!!!

Here's another one! These are each different and are shown with Cupcakes!

So... Cake Balls! What do you think??? Order some or if you are feeling creative, make them yourself! They are NOT hard... You will absolutely love them! Until next time...

A Kiss under the Wolf Moon!

Today, I am in North Carolina working with my client on her wedding planning... It's SUPER COLD here and we are seeing little snow fluries outside! Kind of hard to have a bright and cheery spring wedding on the brain when we are all snuggled up in blankets trying to stay warm... But, we are managing. On a romantic note, tonight is a "Wolf Moon." Apparently, it is the day during the year where the moon is it biggest and brightest! My heart aches a little because I am in a state far far away from the man that brings sooooooo much brightness and warmth to my heart but North Carolina is beautiful and its very relaxing to be on the coast!! So, make sure you snuggle up to your main squeeze and make sure you kiss in the moonlight before this big bright moon fades away... Until next time...

A Picnic Wedding - Sooooooo Cute!

I am currently working on a wedding in Willmington, North Carolina and am leaving tomorrow for the planning meeting. This couple is SUPER CUTE and is doing a really fun low-key wedding in the most GORGEOUS month in NC - MAY! She is really wanting to do something fun and out of the ordinary and is trying to be cost-conscious too! So, I have been doing research for quite a while trying to come up with something really GREAT for her! I think I have found some really fun things for her to consider this weekend... Just thought it might be fun to share them with you! When she was describing what she wanted, she said the wedding was going to be in their very luscious backyard, they wanted games and they wanted it to be really laid back!

So... I thought how fun and unexpected would it be to do a "Picnic Wedding..." So, that is what I am presenting her with tomorrow. I am thinking great blankets and pillows on the lawn - one for each couple or family... The guests will sit for the ceremony on the blankets and pillows... Once the wedding ceremony is over, the guests will move to the front yard for butler passed hors d'oeuvres... They will be similar to the ones I showed you yesterday. Fresh and organic!!! Then, guests will move back to the backyard where they will find picnic baskets with gourmet food items in them on their assigned blankets! There will be a beverage station with all sorts of juices, teas, lemonades and of course some great cocktails - all served in mason jars!

There will be lawn games setup in another area of the yard. There will also be a FANTASTIC photo booth setup with great and fun props with a clothsline hung for guests to post their pictures!

Of course, there will be a delicious sweets table... Not sure if she will want to do a wedding cake or if I will be able to sway her to do assorted fresh homemade pies... I LOVE THAT!!!

Isn't this precious??? I just LOVE IT!

Here are the many packaging options I am presenting her for the food presentation! They are all sooooooo fun!!!

These are the options I am giving her for flowers... She really wanted the wildflower look so I think she will love these!

Here are some fun options for beverages! They are all great, right??? I do these at events A LOT! They are so much fun and people just love how pretty they are!

Here are some examples of the games we will have setup. So much fun!!!


So.... We will see if she likes it. I am pretty confident that it will be a hit! The guests would love it for sure!!! Seriously.... How fun would this be! Willmington is the perfect setting for it and I think it will be great! Until next time...

Cheers to some FUN new Signature Cocktails!!!

A "Signature Cocktail" is a fantastic way to add another personal touch to your wedding! It creates something for guests to talk about and definitely to remember your wedding by. It should be a cocktail that is reflective of you as a couple. Oftentimes, the bride will have a signature cocktail and so will the groom. This will appeal to both the men and women in attendance. I typically like to print really cute signs to place in frames at the bar so that guests can read the ingredients and get excited...

The options of signature cocktails are endless... I recommend doing some research online and picking a few that sound interesting and then taking a few evenings to try them out. It's a lot of fun and is a great activity to include the groom in... You know how the sometimes feel left out! The "alcohol portion" of the wedding planning is a GREAT place to include them! They actually enjoy that portion of it!

So, raise your glasses... And let's toast to some GREAT signature cocktails!

Pink Lemonade Granita Cocktail - Love that this features crushed ice... There is an amazing sour cherry cocktail at the new Modern Steak in Scottsdale, AZ that would be sooooo good too!



Any variation on the Mojito is great too! This is a Pink Grapefruit Mojito... Love the presentation in a wood box garnished with a mint leaf and a little flag with a cute little note attached...

This is a Cheeky Rose Cocktail! This is really really elegant! I love that it's garnished with fresh rosemary... Great for the spring but could be spectacular for a winter wedding too!

Now... I am NOT a girl who likes BLUE cocktails but I had to put one down... Blue Beach Lemonade... Probably the most acceptable blue cocktail out there!

This is known as the Apple Pie! This could be great anytime but how fun would it be for a summer wedding.... Maybe even a fourth of July wedding with a flag in it...

Of course we need a beachy cocktail with an umbrella in it! This drink is a tropical punch... Could be a million things but adorn a cocktail with an umbrella and guests are BOUND to have FUN!!!

The Champagne Cocktail... A timeless signature piece! Almost as good as a strand of pearls!!! Add any fruit (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries) and it is just gorgeous and delicious!

Now... for the real thrill seekers... The Cucumber Cooler! This features sake! How fun is this???

And for the men in the crowd... How about a Ginger Mint Cocktail... This cocktail has an unexpected punch, one that is warmly welcomed by fans of spicy, full-flavored concoctions, and is sure to surprise everyone.

Of course... There's always the fantastic Mint Julep! A true southern classic! Gotta love it!

While in Aruba this past year, my boyfriend Joe discovered the "Dark and Stormy." It's a cocktail that combines Gosslin's Black Seal Rum and a Ginger Beer and is garnished with a lime! It has a spice but was still extremely refreshing! This is sure to be a crowd pleaser for all the men! And it's nice because it's something different... And, different is GOOD!

These are fun too but I particularly love the Cherry Limeade! Who doesn't have fond memories of a Sonic Drive-Thru Cherry Limeade! Add alcohol to it and you have a true WINNER!

Pretty Little Hors D'oeuvres - FRESH & FANCY!!!

Let me just say right off the bat... This was a HORRIBLE idea to blog about yummy, gorgeous delicious presentations of hors d'oeuvres at LUNCHTIME! UGH! I am working on a little project for a bride today who is looking for some fun presentations of hors d'oeuvres. This is TOUGH! Hors d'oeuvres are a really hard thing to do WELL! There are an enormous amount of options of pre-fabricated, pre-packaged, frozen, non-impressive hors d'oeuvres out there that most of us see on a VERY regular basis... Crummy crab cakes, mediocre meatballs, salty satay's on a stick, disgusting dim sum.... I think you get the point! I have to tell you... The hors d'oeuvres you choose for your party set the tone for the whole night of feasting... If the hors d'oeuvres are terrible, there are pretty much two scenarios that are going to take place.

# 1. If your hors d'oeuvres are terrible, your guests are going to hit the bar even harder than they had already planned to do to drink to FORGET the terrible food you have chosen to serve them at the event that they have taken time out of their incredibly busy schedules to attend. Thus, if you have opted to choose a "bar package based on consumption" to save money, you are looking at a MUCH HIGHER BILL! YIKES! No one wants that to happen, right? So, please... Do us all a favor and serve some delicious hors d'oeuvres!

#2. Your guests are going to be talking about how bad the hors d'oeuvres are to all of the guests around them and that is just going to create an environment where people just aren't having fun. This is bound to lead to scenario # 1 happening. No one wants a bunch of drunk people at their event because they didn't eat because the food was bad... RIGHT?

Ok... I might have gotten a little carried away with the scenarios but I can tell you that I have seen both happen numerous times and it's just not fun! Hors d'oeuvres are a great thing to impress with! They are small thus INEXPENSIVE! You can order lots of them and make your guests super happy! So, do your research or just pick some from below and you are sure to have a fun evening!

This bride specifically is looking for items that are FRESH!!! What a concept, right??? So, she asked me to do some research for her so that we can present the catering company with some options that might be things people have seen before but have a fun new little twist on them. So, here is what I found... Hope you have had lunch already... :)

Aren't these personalized wooden spoons adorable? I love these! You could use these for soooo many things and what a statement! Here we have several different caviar's served with a dollop of creme fraiche on a wooden spoon. Spectacular!!!

This is kind of a deconstructed sushi - rice, sushi and cucumber wrapped in seaweed served in a little bento box. Adorable! Also, it gives your guests something substantial but also gives them something to eat it in without spilling or making a mess - and it's cool cause it's not served on a plate! Think outside the box... PLEASE!!! It's so fun!



This is great too! A presentation served on a grilled artichoke leaf and topped the crab salad with some caviar and a little flower. GORGEOUS!!!

Ok... I absolutely love this! This is watermelon topped with Feta Cheese Crumbles and fresh mint. I can attest that this is absolutely delicious! You can also present this on a skewer, one of those wooden spoons or even just like this...

And how about caprese skewers... EVERYONE loves a caprese salad! But, it's so hard to eat when not plated! Here is the perfect option! LOVE IT!

This is lots of fun too! To the left... Three types of soup served in fall colors - Beet Soup, Butternut Squash, and Sweet Pea Soup - served in shooters! Sooo cute! Then in the center we have little loaves of bread with a dip in it and fresh vegetables in the dip! It's all about creative presentations... Such great colors!

I LOVE the mini sliders! Who doesn't love sliders... The pickle through the skewer is great too!

These little finger ring plates are pretty fantastic too! HOW FUN!!!

What a great idea of a presentation for a ceviche! Another item people love but is sooooo hard to serve. I have seen it in shooters but this is a lot of fun too!

Ok, I love this sooooo much! I of course love a good crudite just as much as all of you but I am SOOOOO SICK of its traditional presentation! So, how about this! Get little clear glass cups (you might could even use votive holders too) and fill the bottom with ranch dressing and bunch up smaller portions of the vegetables traditionally seen on a crudite and butler pass them! GENIUS!!! I LOVE THIS!!!

This is a much prettier presentation of "pigs in a blanket!" I know we all love them but how much more appealing is this!

This is a gorgeous Asian inspired crab cake! So much more appealing than the frozen ones... It's gotta be fresh or it JUST WON'T DO!!!



And, end your event with these! Butler pass little espressos with little sugar rubbed donuts hanging from the stir sticks! This could even be passed as the cake is being served. You could have a variety of flavors too... SO ADORABLE!!!

So, are you hungry? Do you want to have an hors d'oeuvres party? Are you COMPLETELY CONVINCED that fun FRESH hors d'oeuvres are the way to go.... I SURE HOPE SO!!! For all your guests sake!!! Until next time...

Bohemian Chic - Love in Nature

One of the most lovely themes for a wedding is bohemian chic. Its is all about combining vintage pieces, which hold memories and giving them new life so they can carry on building memories. Its all about romantic flowing fabrics, simple traditional flowers mixed with natural colors, natural settings and just an all-around feeling of romance in nature!

The first thing to think about for a bohemian chic wedding is the location. It should definitely be outdoors in an unspoiled natural setting. A clearing in a forest, a public park, or even a backyard could all be terrific options. Another idea would be a field alongside a river or overlooking a lake. Avoid places that are too manicured or any that feel like they are too much a part of the modern world (in other words, nothing with a view of a parking lot!).

As with any type of wedding, the bridal attire will help to set the tone. The ideal bohemian chic wedding gown is flowing, feminine, and ethereal. Fabrics such as chiffon or English net would be lovely. Look for styles such as empire waist gowns with handmade fabric flowers or petals. Soft natural colors like pale ivory or a tea-dyed shade of netting would be preferable to a bright dyed white gown. Accent the bridal gown with handcrafted bridal jewelry and a long plain veil. Bridal jewelry that is handcrafted with organically shaped elements such as keshi pearls would be wonderful, as would wedding jewelry in a color such as almond or pale rose.The bride should wear her hair in a natural looking style (which is not to say that it should not be professional styled). For long hair, style the hair into flowing waves, with the front pulled back and the rest worn cascading down over the shoulders. If short hair is more your style, a little pixie haircut would be adorable for a bohemian chic wedding. The best hairpieces will either be wreaths or little bridal headbands.

Flowers will play an important role in creating the desired effect for your wedding. They should definitely be flowers with more of a wild, uncultivated appearance. Wildflowers, flowing ivy, and garden roses would all be beautiful. For the bouquets, think about a loosely gathered arrangement of blooms with long flowing greens. Other additions could include natural elements such as stalks of wheat, berries, and seed pods. Long pretty ribbons in soft colors like mauve and sage will add to the bohemian effect.

The ceremony décor at a bohemian chic wedding should include some sort of earthy structure to serve as a focal point in lieu of a traditional altar. Imagine something along the lines of an arbor that is handcrafted with sticks and branches. Wind vines and flowers around it for the perfect frame under which to exchange your wedding vows.

A bohemian style wedding can remain chic and stylish while celebrating the natural beauty of nature. It is a terrific inspiration for the wedding design of anyone who has a love of the great outdoors and Mother Nature.

I think this is a lot of fun! I think it is very comforting! It makes me think of the south... It makes me think of my aunt and uncles gorgeous wedding at a plantation in Mississippi. I just love how warming and snuggly it feels! I think this is a great theme for someone who wants to do something really special but doesn't want it to feel like too much! I think it's perfect for the fall but could work nicely in the spring too! I love that they utilized a barn and hung huge curtains at the entrance. I love that place cards are rosemary pots and the rosemary was incorporated at the menu card too. How fun are these wood wedding invitations!

The wedding sign is great too... "Happily Ever After Starts Here..." So sweet! I love the jam jars that they gave as wedding favors - the jars read "Spread the Love" - SOOOOO CUTE! I love the reception setup too! GORGEOUS! I love the table that they setup outside and its so romantic that they hung mason jars from the trees with candles in them. Love the dandelion in a jar with a note that says "Wish!" I would love to have this at the sign-in book and allow guests to write a "wish" to the couple. Adorable! Isn't that bouquet amazing?? That was created by one of my favorite florists in Phoenix - Le Fleur Boutique! Nice work Jane and Laurie! GORGEOUS!!! I love that there is a basket of wraps because the weather was a little chilly and the basket reads, "Please take a shawl and snuggle!" Adorable!

I hope you have enjoyed this week of "theme weddings" as much as I have! I think it was so much fun! It made us all step outside of the box and really just have fun! Until next time...