A sprinkle of love (Baby shower)

A close friend of mine is having a little girl in January, and though she didn't want a big shower, her friends and I decided we needed to at least have a little sprinkle of love for the little one.

We decided to have the sprinkle shower at a local restaurant. That way we could enjoy the party, while letting them take care of the food, and more importantly the cleanup. I did bring a few handmade touches though, to make it a little more personal.

I made some flower arrangements for the tables. We ordered pink roses and were surprised to see they came with lilies and astromelia too. They were perfect little arrangements to adorn the tables.

I had to make cupcakes, of course. Since the mom-to-be is a huge fan of my cupcakes, I knew I had to create a new flavor for her shower. I decided on raspberry white chocolate, vanilla cake with raspberry filling topped with white chocolate buttercream and I topped them off with a fresh raspberry. They were delicious, light and not overly sweet. And I finally used my pink cupcake sleeves. They were the perfect cupcake decoration for the shower.

I brought some fabric with me to help decorate the room. I used the pink and green to give the cupcake table a little touch of girly-ness. I also added some flowers to this table.

I wanted to make a little favor for the guests to take with them, and I thought my smores pops were a great idea. Just adding a little ribbon made them perfect for the occasion.

It really goes to show how a few little handmade touches can turn even the most ordinary into something really special.

I know the mommy-to-be loved the little sprinkle we gave her. It was so nice to be able to spend some time among friends celebrating the new little one that will be coming soon.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

I have wanted to go to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for a while. I had a trip planned last year, but never quite made it. With my annual Disney World pass this year I knew I had to go. And my tummy thanked me for doing it!

Kris, Eddie and I headed out to Epcot at about 5ish. We were glad we did, cause we avoided having the sun beat down on us on that hot day. Our first stop was the craft beers booth. Eddie and Kris both got a beer sample, I'm not really a beer girl, so I passed. But I did have a taste of their beers and they were good.

We got our passports and checked out what we wanted to get next. I had heard great things about Brazil, so we went there. I had the crispy pork belly with black beans. The pork belly was my favorite dish I had. I can't wait to go back and get it again.

They also had a sparkling Moscato. I love me some Moscato, and adding bubbles to something only makes it better.

Then we were off to Argentina. I got the grilled beef skewer with chimichurri and boniato puree. The beef was good (though it wasn't churrasco), but the boniato puree was great. It was so yummy, kinda like mashed potatoes, but different in the best way.

The sun began to set, and we kept walking around checking out all the countries. Eddie had a Kefta pocket (which was really good, the spices were amazing), but I don't have a picture of that. Luckily, I do have a picture in Morocco for some ambiance.

We also stopped in Japan for a california roll. I know not really, really Japanese, but it was fresh and so yummy.

We kept walking around, and finally got to my favorite country. You guessed it, France!

I got the Boeuf Bourguignon. It was so tender and the sauce was delicious and had a taste of red wine. I also got the Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush. Unfortunately it wasn't too sour. It was very sweet and I would have been better off with some wine. But it was frozen, so it was refreshing on that hot night.

We kept heading around the world and stopped in Canada. Kris got the "Le Cellier" Wild Mushroon Filet with Truffle Butter Sauce. I had a taste and it was delicious, so tender, and the mushrooms were amazing.

At this point we were stuffed and really hot, so we headed back to the house. It was a delicious time to spend at food and wine, and I can't wait to try even more things when I head back.

Next time I'll be at Epcot Food & Wine Festival will be after the half marathon. It's so crazy to think that! But I know all that delicious food and wine will be a great reward after all that running.

Cowboy dessert table

I was asked to handle some decorations and the dessert table for a cowboy themed 50th birthday celebration. I was more than excited to do it, and was super psyched to make the desserts that they ordered from me.

They ordered some brand new flavors. First the rocky road cupcake. It's chocolate cake, stuffed with marshmallows and walnuts, and topped with a roasted marshmallow.

Then, for a vanilla based cupcake, we had the strawberry shortcake cupcake. It's vanilla cake, with strawberry filling and topped with a whipped buttercream and a fresh strawberry.

I also made brownies, both with and without nuts. (I make my brownies chewy!)

They also ordered s'mores on a stick. It's just like a s'more, but without the mess. It's a marshmallow dipped in Hershey's chocolate (gotta keep it authentic!) and then rolled in graham cracker crumbs.

I set up my desserts along with some other desserts brought by the hostess. Then I put out all the dessert labels. I just think the labels really bring a dessert table together. Plus it makes it easier for everyone, since they can see what they are having.

I also helped set up the rest of the part including making flower arrangements and setting the tables with the favors and bandana napkins. The party had a real cowboy/country feel.

I was so excited to help out with this party and dessert table it gave me the chance to delevop a few new recipes and set up a fabulous table full of yummy goodness.

What do you usually grab at the dessert table?

Florida Blog Con

A few weeks ago I went to my first Blog Con. I attended FL Blog Con in Orlando. As soon as I saw tickets opened up I got one. And I was very glad I did.

The theme was "Aiming for Awesome" and if we didn't have our sights set on being awesome, they sure are there now.

I learned tons about making my blog work and making it even better. I heard talks from people all over the blog world from comedy to fashion, fitness to DIY.

Here are a few tidbits of what I learned at FL Blog Con:

• From Pat Williams (keynote speaker): "When your greatest talent intersects with your greatest passion, you've hit your sweet spot."
• From Katy Widrick: first impressions are important.
• From J's Everyday Fashion: It is possible to do it.
• From Julie of The Little Kitchen: Create a tribe. It's all about building relationships.
• From Adam Avitable: Don't be afraid to be yourself.
• From Katie of Katie's Cucina and Sew Woodsy: Charge what it's worth.
• From Pam of Marketing Nutz: You are the media!

I also got to meet some great Florida bloggers. It was nice to talk to people that actually "get" this whole blog thing. It was tons of info to take in, but it was all so worth it. I feel like I have so many awesome ideas now, I just need time to make them all happen.

FL Blog Con also had great sponsors and tons of goodies throughout the day. There was coffee from Barnies (though a little cafecito instead of just American coffee would have been great!) And thesr was also lunch from Bahama Breeze. After all the sessions ended there was also a great after party right in the Full Sail backlot. It was great to be able to listend to some cool music, have some food and drinks and best of all, yummy cupcakes.

I can't wait til next year, so I can learn even more and meet more cool bloggers. A big thanks goes out to Bess and the whole planning committee, for putting together such an amazing event!

Picture taking

I spent the weekend in my role as picture taker. My friend Kristina asked me to take pictures of her 20th high school reunion for her. It was a weekend full of events, and I think I was able to get some pretty good shots. Here are a few of them.

The reunion weekend started with the welcome social on Friday night.

It was held in downtown Orlando, at a bar called Ember. The bar had a great vibe and was a great way to start off the weekend.

The next day was time for the family picnic. Everyone brought their kiddos to come play and have fun in the park.

Did I mention the picnic had a make your own ice cream sundae bar? It was perfect on that hot summer afternoon.

Then, Saturday evening was the night of big reunion party. They displayed tons of high school memorabilia. It was so funny to see all the hairstyles.

The party was held at the Orlando Museum of Art. What a stunning and unique venue. And the party was a total hit.

The planning committee really did a great job putting the whole weekend of events together. You could see that everyone had a great time.

Did you go to your high school reunion?

Handmade wedding: Julie & Steve

My good friend Julie got married last weekend to the equally awesome Steve. I couldn't be happier for them! The wedding was held at a local park and was beautiful. Julie crafted her heart away and made almost every single one of the decorations (even the buttonieres). It came out beautifully and she made a gorgeous bride.

 The favors were "Happily Ever After Jam"

It was a great afternoon with friends, food and lots of love all around. I want to wihs all the happiness in the world to the brand new Denbo family!

Grandma's birthday hat party

I'm back in home and I can't wait to share all of the pics and stories from my trip. I'm currently sorting through and editing my over 1000 pictures, so the Paris posts (yes, multiple posts) will be up starting later this week.

But first, I want to share all the fun we had at Grandma's birthday party on Sunday. Grandma's birthday was actually on August 27th, but since I was in Paris, we had the party once I got back.

Grandma mentioned a little bit ago that we should have a hat party. So Mom and I ran with the idea and decided to throw her a southern-style ladies luncheon birthday party, hats required. We decorated with a floral theme, and instead of traditional pink, we used the colors teal, lime and lilac.

apparently the dining room fits 20 people

As everyone arrived we started out with some champagne punch and homemade cheese straws. They were both so yummy and a made a great little appetizer.

Grandma's sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces and grandnieces came to the luncheon, there were 20 of us. They came in their hats and looked totally fabulous. We all chatted as we drank punch and munched on the cheese straws. Then, we all sat down for lunch.

For lunch, we served a southern menu of fried chicken, smashed potatoes, veggies, salad and cornbread. We also had big pitchers of lemonade to quench everyone's thirst.

I love seeing all of the hats!

For dessert I served up some of my Super Easy Peach Cobbler. I made a way bigger batch (2 large pans worth, actually). I topped the warm cobbler with vanilla ice cream. It was a total hit, everyone loved it.

There was great food, great people and tons of laughs. We all had a wonderful time and got to share with family all while enjoying a delicious lunch. Grandma loved that so many people were able to come celebrate with her.

Mom and I love to throw a party, and were so happy to have this one for Grandma. Finally, here Mom and I are with the birthday girl.

Felicidades Abuela!!