Vintage Doors and Windows

I have been seeing vintage doors and windows being used as styling props for a while now. The charm and rustic feel they lend is perfect. They are also versatile, which I love. They can be used as escort card displays for weddings, backdrop's for dessert tables, or simply for decorative purposes to name a few. I managed to score 4 fabulous windows at a garage sale this summer for $3 a piece. Now I just need an excuse to use them. I think Olivia's 1st birthday will be just the occasion! Do you like this trend or do you think they are best with the old houses they came from??

Image { Elizabeth Anne Designs }

Image { Style Me Pretty}

Image { Kara's Party Ideas }

Image { Ruffled }

Image { Style Me Pretty }

Image { Jenny Cookies }

Image { Pen & Paper Flowers }

Image { Dwellings and Decor }

{ New Trend } Ombre Ruffle Cakes

I'm going to be honest and tell you that even though my daughter is only 4 months old, I'm already thinking about her 1st birthday. Obsessive compulsive, I know. I have been looking at different styles of cakes and I'm infatuated with ombre ruffle cakes!! The ombre color technique (using many shades of one color to create a faded appearance) is gorgeous and the ruffles...well, how do you not love ruffles?! Here are some images of the fabulous ombre ruffle cakes I have been saving. Isn't the first one by Maggie Austin to die for?!


{Image} Maggie Austin



{Image} Maggie Austin

{Image} Cake by Fondant Flinger via Cake Central

{Image} Eylander Photography

{Image} Cake Central

{Image} Sugar Custom Cakes

{Image} Whipped Bake Shop

{Image} Superfine Bakery

Colored Layer Cake

Have you seen the new trend of coordinating the cake to match your events color palette? These cakes are popping up everywhere from weddings to kids birthday parties, and I think they are simply fantastic! . Here are a few I have seen over the last week. Martha Stewart offers up a quick and easy layer cake recipe and frosting instructions here.


{Image} Amy Atlas



{Image} Attention 2 Detail

{Image} Martha Stewart

{Image} Martha Stewart

Lemon Meringue Pie Shots

I am a big fan of dessert shots. They are cute and offer guests an alternate portion size. I made these chocolate pie shots for my cousins baby shower last year, and they were a huge hit! I was delighted to come across the lemon meringue pie shots below on Honest Cooking. They would make a perfect light summer dessert don't you think? And, what hostess doesn't love a dessert that can be completely or partially made ahead of time?!

{ Image } Honest Cooking

Ingredients
Lemon Curd
■8 egg yolks
■3/4 cup (1,75 dl) sugar
■1/2 cup (1,18 dl or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
■zest of 2 lemons
■1/2 cup (1,18 dl) lemon juice
Italian Meringue
■8 oz (227 grams) sugar
■2 oz (57 grams) water
■4 oz (113 grams) egg whites
Assembly
■30-35 vanilla wafer cookies, crushed
■24 shot glasses (I found these plastic ones at a party supply store)



Instructions
Lemon Curd



1.Combine the egg yolks, sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice in a medium stainless sleet or glass bowl, and set over a saucepan of barely simmering water.



2.Whisk constantly until lemon curd thickens and reaches 175 degrees F.



3.Remove from heat and let cool, whisking every few minutes to aid cooling.



4.Cover with plastic wrap so the plastic touches the surface of the curd and chill for a few hours or overnight, the curd will continue to set up as it chills.



5.This can be made in advance, you can store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks or freeze.



Italian Meringue



1.Cook the sugar and water together in a small saucepan over high heat until it comes up to 243 degrees F.



2.When the mixture reaches about 230-235 F, begin whipping the egg whites in a stand mixer on medium-low speed until they are foamy.



3.When the sugar reaches 243 degrees F, remove from heat, and pour very slowly in a steady stream into the whipping egg whites.



4.As soon as all the sugar is incorporated, turn the mixer onto high, and whip until completely cool.



Assembly



1.Place a small amount of crushed cookie into the bottom of each shot glass.



2.Transfer your lemon curd to a pastry bag and pipe a small amount into each glass.



3.Top each glass with more crushed cookies.



4.Transfer your meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip and pipe a big dollop on top of each shot glass.



5.Using a kitchen torch, carefully toast each meringue top until they are golden brown. If you are using plastic shot glasses, be mindful just to toast the tops of the meringues, otherwise you run the risk of melting the plastic.



6.Refrigerate until ready to serve.

{ Featured Party } Croquet Bridal Shower

How fun and fabulous is this croquet bridal shower I came across on Ruffled?!! I love it for several reasons. The first being that it is not your typical bridal shower luncheon. I'm always impressed when people think outside the box when it comes to planning an event. Second, it is overflowing with vintage chic flair. Lastly, I LOVE croquet! I play a mean game of croquet ( and don't ever let my brother's tell you any different ;) )

Printable Hershey Kiss Labels

How about giving out some kisses. Hershey kisses!! Posh Pixel's makes the cutest customized printable Hershey kiss labels. They are darling and would work for any kind of event you can think of. You can also order matching invites, food labels, and Hershey bar labels. What a sweet detail to add to you next event.
XOXOX Tracy ( sorry I couldn't resist :) )

{ I'm infatuated with the cow print and lime green palette!! }

Incorporating Photos

I love the the idea of incorporating photos of the guest or guests of honor into the party design. Besides being a creative design element I think it adds a personal touch and makes for a great trip down memory lane. Whether your hosting a birthday party, bridal shower, wedding, or graduation party these ideas could be altered to fit your theme simply by changing the colors to compliment your event and inserting the photos of your choice. If you are mounting photos to cardstock the paper choices are endless. Michael's is my favorite place to buy paper and cardstock supplies.I could spend hours looking at paper and ribbon alone! Here are some darling ways to incorporate photos into your next event.

Hanging ultrasound tag { The Thornton Nest is Growing }
Soda Bottle Labels { Pixel Perfect Botique etsy }

Vintage Window Frame { Wedding Bee }

Photo Cupcake Topper { Dimpleprints etsy }

Photo Wine Bottle Label { Idezigns etsy }

Photo Banner { Mary had a little party etsy }

Branches with photos.... so sorry I can't remember. If you know please let me know!

Photos hanging from outdoor tree { A Blissful Nest }

Photo favor box { Bugandboo's etsy }