Want a REALLY cute idea for wrapping up treats for celebrations, picnics, or food gifts?

I'm just loving how easy it is to take a cupcake liner (or cupcake wrapper - whatever you want to call it) and add a little bit of creative fun to any dessert presentation.

The liners provide an easy way to add a quick splash of color AND they make it convenient to "grab and go" - so they are perfect for dessert tables, bake sales and

SUGAR | Rainbow Sprinkle Surprise Pops

I'm excited to announce I'm one of the newest members of the The TomKat Studio Design Team!!
I couldn't be more thrilled to be able to share fun, creative ideas using the darling party supplies in the TKS Shop.

I'm sharing my first official post today, Rainbow Sprinkle Surprise Pops, over on The TomKat Studio Blog.  

Join me there to find out what the surprise is hidden inside each of these adorable frozen treats and what you'll need to recreate these simple desserts!

I really love how the Rainbow Dot wood spoons I shared earlier really finish these off!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'm happy about joining the TKS Team.
Not only have I been working with Kim in different capacities over the years from designing custom silhouettes,  hosting Pinterest Parties and contributing to her Holiday Gift Guide...

I've also been using the cute party products and craft supplies from Kim's shop for some time and I love sharing what I create with them. This new collaboration was a no-brainer for me. Ha!!

Here's a quick round-up of just a few of the other TKS Party Supplies and ideas I've shared here:
Cupcake Sprinkles
Hot Cocoa Bar Preparations
Styled Hot Cocoa Bar
Sweet Treats
Valentine's Day Inspiration
Mini Banana Pudding Dessert Shooters
Simple Shirley Temples
Game Day Banner
Cookie Exchange/Bake Sale

SNAPSHOTS | Summer Ice Cream Cones

Making time for Ice Cream is top priority during the Summer...

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

After Ella's playdate with her Build-A-Bears the other day...

my three girls and I headed out for some cones...

1. Ella with her upside-down chocolate ice cream cone in-a-cup (with sprinkles) - the only way for her to enjoy an ice cream cone without ending up wearing an "ice cream shirt"

2. Ema and Ella - a sweet "sister picture"

3. Clara with her usual chocolate swirl waffle cone - giving me the look of an irritated teenager that says "hurry and take the picture before it melts, MOM!"

4. Ella chowing down

5. Pretty Ice Cream Sprinkles

6. Clara can't keep up with the heat - it's dripping faster than she can lick

7. Ella finishing up.

8. Ema and Ella - all done with their frozen treats and ready to get out of the heat!

9. Ema's standard vanilla/chocolate swirl on a standard cone. (we thought it looked cool licked all the way down like that)!

Make some time this weekend to grab a frozen treat...

in any of these forms you love best...

Frozen Custard

Gelato 

Ice cream

Frozen Yogurt (fro yo)

Slurpie

Sorbet

Milkshake

Popsicles

Italian Ice

You get the idea...

Photograph your favorite, a new flavor you've tried or your even the "usual"picks of your loved ones.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

It's been soooo hot...

the girls were zapped of energy by the time their cones were finished!!

And for those of you who were wondering...

I did NOT partake of the ice cream...

on THIS particular day anyway! *wink*

RECIPE RADAR | Pretty Popsicles

What's Summer without popsicles? Am I right?

I've got homemade popsicles on the brain, people...
to the point of almost being completely distracted by the variety of combinations I can't wait to try!

Right now I'm full-focused on collecting some fun popsicle molds to create some masterpieces.
Again, almost to the point of obsession.
Stopping at every store I THINK might carry popsicle molds...
Searching online...
Contemplating scouring thrift stores for some vintage Tupperware molds...
Yeah.
Obsessed.

While I continue my obsession search...
here are a few delightful popsicles I've been inspired by.
They are so beautiful...I'm almost certain you'll be left with a "pretty popsicle brain freeze"!

What' even better?
Not only are they lovely to look at...
the flavor combinations sound refreshing and they aren't loaded with added sugars and junk!

Lemon and Wild Strawberry Popsicles - by Bird's Party

(click the "READ MORE" button below)

GOOD THiNGS | Bananas over bananas

Over the Summer...
something happened.

In my search to reach for healthier snack alternatives...
I became obsessed with bananas.
I thought I'd share with you what I refer to as...
My "Banana Evolution"...

It all began with these...

Green Smoothies

After including  lots of green smoothies for my breakfast or lunch...

I started noticing my thirteen year old daughter snacking on something interesting...

The frozen banana halves I had stocked in the freezer for my smoothies.

She just wrapped some plastic around the cold, frozen banana and ate it like a popsicle.

She swore they tasted just like ice cream so I had to try it. YUM!

Which then inspired these...

Banana Popsicles

I decided to add a stick to fresh cut bananas and then freeze them...making them an official popsicle.

Shown here using rods from The Pastry Pedestal™

Which led to the ultimate treat

Soft Serve Banana Ice Cream

Frozen Bananas + Food Processor = Banana Ice Cream

Variations of this ultimate treat quickly evolved...

Soft Serve Banana Nut Ice Cream

Frozen Bananas + Blender  topped off with Honey + Walnuts = Banana Nut Ice Cream

(see how the blender creates more of a creamy outcome vs. the firmer version from the food processor).

Soft Serve Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Frozen Bananas + Blender + Peanut Butter = Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Topped off with a super simple homemade raw chocolate syrup:

2 TBSP Agave Nectar + 1 TBSP cocoa powder

Can it get any better than that?

A whole food, simply made yummier by freezing it.

I love it.

SUPPLIES NEEDED (Makes 1 large serving or 2 small servings)

• 2-3 frozen bananas (sliced or cut into chunks prior to freezing)

• Food processor or blender

Optional: Toppings 

INSTRUCTIONS

Using a blender or food processor, add 2-3 frozen bananas.

Blend for a few seconds until bananas reach a creamy, "soft serve" ice cream consistency.

Sprinkle with nuts, fruits or raw syrups to keep things nice & healthy. *wink*

Serve immediately.

TiPS:

Using a Blender - you may want to put the bananas in the blender and let them thaw for a few minutes prior to blending.

                                 Your results will be more creamy than "soft serve". Still delicious.

Using a Food Processor - I prefer the consistency of the ice cream I got using my super mini food processor.

                                               It's more of a true soft-serve ice cream. 

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to discover such a simple, healthy,  FUN snack alternative.

I hope you'll be inspired to try it out yourself.

I'm working on perfecting a "fall" flavored version.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

Make it a great week, friends!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

The Peanut Butter + Banana version is my absolute favorite.

But then again...we all know I have a weakness for peanut butter. *wink*

Lots of fun things coming up...

Including a FUN giveaway announcement!!                                      

iNSPiRE | The Party Dress Magazine - Summer 2012

The next three days mark the very last days of school this year for my girls.
I'm sure some of you have already...
• expressed heartfelt gratitude and final farewells to some fabulous teachers, faculty and staff members
• participated in end-of-year parties
• attended an awards ceremony (or two)

and perhaps even...
• shed a few tears during milestone graduation ceremonies...
from kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school and perhaps even college.


Well wipe the tears away...
Summer is here!!!
It's time to get focused on how to make it magical!
Whether you are looking for some much needed "lazy days of summer"...
or if you are looking for some clever ways to keep busy...
Check out some of my favorite images from the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine...
you're sure to spot something you'll be inspired by to help make your summer memorable...

The Party Dress Magazine • Summer 2012

Sponge Waterballs by Casi Densmore-Koon of CupcakeMag

Snow Cone Cupcakes by Melissa Johnson of Best Friends for Frosting

Ice Pops by Charynn Olsheski of Two Sugar Babies

Flavored Ice Cubes by Kelly Lyden from the WH Hostess + The Party Dress

Festive & Fun Drinking Straws by Casi Densmore-Koon of CupcakeMag

Star Watermelon Pops by Kelly Lyden of WH Hostess + The Party Dress

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes by Tori Spelling

View the entire issue of the magazine in digital print
or order a printed version of it right here.


Other fabulous contributors and features included in the Summer 2012 Issue include
Jeff Peabody & Jennifer Billingsley, Honeycomb Events  |  Lynlee Beckett, Lynlee’s Petite Cakes
 Kathy Wolfe, Kathy Wolfe Photography |  Katie Nguyen Wells, Petite Social
 Leoni Jena, Just Call Me Martha  |  Jenny Steffens Hobick, Everyday Occassions

I hope you're inspired to get the summer started right...
I know I am!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

First on my list of things to try will be those snow cone cupcakes.

I can totally see those displayed on The Pastry Pedestal...can't you?

And yes...I'll be doing the wooden spoons as well!! *wink*