BIG Changes here at Simply Stunning Ideas!

... Starting with the name.

I'm working on starting up my own event planning and design business and know that soon I'll be trying to launch a web site. I just love blogging so much that I thought I should keep it rolling with the new business - after all, the whole reason I started blogging was to ensure that I can keep my attention focused on events for longer than a couple of weeks.

As you may have already noticed, I'm making some switches to the Simply Stunning Ideas blog. I'd love for my readers to continue following me in my journey of starting my own small business. I've got a lot of work to do to start up this hopefully prosperous business - but trust me, I'm willing to put in the time and effort!

I'd love to hear feedback from my readers on the new blog. What would you like to see more of? How's the new layout work? What sites do you use to make your blog look sassy?

I promise to keep the same type of content posted on my blog - there's so many creative bloggers out there, how could I not?! I'll try to post on my new journey as well! :)

QUESTION FOR MY READERS: Eventually I'd like to change the web site from http://simplystunningideas.blogspot.com to http://ckevents.blogspot.com... but I want my followers to still be able to follow - will switching that in blogger URL make it so you have to start over?! Any information will be greatly appreciated!!

Cookies for a Cure

I know these photos I'm about to show you were made for breast cancer awareness, but really, they could be baked and sold for any type of cancer (ahem... like Multiple Myeloma... see my previous post). I just love the cookies and cupcakes!

Love, LOVE these cookies! The cancer ribbon design with "hope" and "cure" written on them. Too cute.

You can buy these little cute cookie cutters online and make some of your own (I definitely will be purchasing one!)

How cute are these little cupcakes?!

These cookies were made for an event called "Cut for a Cure". You can find more bakery goodies (for all kinds of events) made by Tesoro Cookies on Flickr by clicking here.

Maybe that's what I need to have... a bake sale? Or I could sell those cute little cancer ribbon cookies to raise money. Oh the possibilities.... and the decisions!

Team Barbie

As some of you readers may already know, my grandmother was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is a form of bone cancer, this past January. Since then she's had many doctor appointments, many tests and many treatments. Because her body's been taking these treatments so well, she hasn't even had to do any chemo! What a blessing!

I did some research and found that there is a "Race for Research" 5K run/walk event being put on by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), a non-profit organization that helps raise money to fund Multiple Myeloma research. Because my grandma has been so incredibly brave with attempting to overcome this disease, I've decided that I'm going to toughen up and run this race! I've never ran a 5K before - and to be completely honest, I'm not a very good runner. But if she can brave through cancer treatment, I think I can brave through a 3.1 mile race!

With that said - I've registered to be a participant for the event... which means I've got to get myself in the gym and training!!! I'm trying to put together a team to represent my grandma, Barb... our team name? Well "Team Barbie" of course! So far our team includes myself, the boy, my sister and my brother-in-law.

I plan to make t-shirts for each group member of Team Barbie. To help raise additional money for MMRF I'm hoping host a small fundraiser and to sell some logo space on the t-shirts. I've never hosted a fundraiser before... so if you have any suggestions - PLEASE let me hear 'em!

If you're interested in placing your logo on a shirt, please contact me! Or if you're interested in sponsoring "Team Barbie" in the MMRF Race for Research, click the link here. For t-shirt sponsorship information, please email me at simplystunningideas@gmail.com.

Who doesn't love a chocolate covered strawberry?

.... especially one that is made to look like a baseball! (Are you sick of all my baseball related posts yet?!)

I saw these on the fabulous Grin and Bake It blog and just had to share with you the cuteness of these delectable treats!

Seriously - don't they just look amazingly delicious? Curious how they were made?

What you'll need:

- Strawberries

- White Chocolate

- Red candy melts

Instructions:

1. Dip your strawberries into the melted white chocolate. Let dry.

2. Pipe two thin lines of white chocolate on each side.

3. Pipe the red lines to create a stitched looked over the previous piped white lines.

Voila - you've got Chocolate Covered Strawberries that will be a "grand slam" with all your baseball moms! :)

Adorable cupcakes for a baby shower

Flickr has some amazing photos from parties on there. While gradually looking for inspiration for my sister's baby shower, I searched for cupcakes. Below is some that I'm keeping as inspiration.

I came across these photos of cupcakes that would be perfect for any baby shower (especially the one I'm throwing for my sister in a few months)! I love the little pacifier's - they're so adorable! Both the small pacifier's and the embossed baby carriage "coins" are made of fondant.


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What about a little onesie? I love the sparkle on these.

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I liked these next ones because they don't involve using fondant - which means they're actually cupcakes I might be able to make!

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Here's some super cute baby face cupcakes!!! I love the details - rosy cheeks, nose, ears, eyes - and of course the little hats!

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Have you made or seen some baby shower cupcakes that just "wow" you? I'd love to see them!

Cool Cookie Cutters!

I love, love, love the Sex and the City series (which means I'm loving all the party posts out there from the latest movie being released!). While perusing the 'net for a martini glass cookie cutter for a bachelorette party I'm helping plan, I came across a set of "Sex and the City" cookie cutters.

This cute set includes 6 pieces - a tube of lipstick, the Statue of Liberty, a purse, a martini glass, a stiletto heel and a little black dress.

Seriously, how cute would all these be at your next Sex and the City party? These could also be used for a girls night in/out party or a bachelorette party!

The set can be found on CheapCookieCutters.com for $22.95 plus shipping.

Real Party: An Ice Cream Social Baby Shower

I saw this baby shower a couple of months back on Polkadot Prints and remember thinking to myself, "jeez, I wish I had someone to plan a cute baby shower like this for." Well, guess what - now I do! Here's the second baby shower of my weeks of featured baby shower inspiration.

I choose this one today because my sister read my blog earlier and saw the ice cream cones from one of my earlier posts and told me how delicious they looked!

Here's the invite that started the whole design of the party (all the stationery, invites and other printables were made by Jordan of Polkadot Prints)

I loved the "BABY" letters in the grass-filled tins as the table background.

All the toppings you need for your ice cream sundae!

The cute little cups that coordinated with the rest of the printables used throughout the party.

More of the table - don't you love how everything kept with the blue, pink, tan and white theme? So clean and cute!

What do you like on your ice cream?

Galvanized tins were used throughout the table as well.

This was probably my favorite part - little onesie cookies! Decorate your own and take it home as a favor!

Decorated onesie favors!

Here's an overview at many different aspects of the party - sprinkles, cookie dough, pink lemonade, cherries - so adorable!

I loved every aspect of this party! I especially love that it wasn't to "babyish" - it's not your typical baby shower theme. And after all, unless you're lactose intolerant, who doesn't love some ice cream? :)

If you're interested in reading more about this party and seeing more photos, click here.

Real Party: Lakers-inspired 40th Birthday Party

I came across this gorgeous 40th Birthday party on Calligraphy by Jennifer's Facebook page. It's just stunning. I'm not a huge basketball fan (or a Kobe fan, but to each their own I guess!), but the colors and detail of this party definitely caught my eye (hey - they are Minnesota Vikings colors, too!) This is a beautiful way to display purple and gold together elegantly!

If you're not a fan of Calligraphy by Jennifer on Facebook, head over and check her out - she's got beautiful pictures of parties and her work is terrific!

Such a cool cake!

I thought the decor was done beautifully!

Although this was birthday party for a male, there were a lot of flowers and candles utilized throughout the decor.

Beautiful table scapes.

Matching menus in purple and gold.

light appetizers... yum!

I loved this picture, so I just had to share!

I love the look for flowers floating in water with a floating candle on top (I did this for my cousin's surprise birthday party - although, my flowers were fake!)

See - didn't I tell you how this was so great?! What a beautiful way to encorporate the man in your life's favorite team, while still executing it in a elegant way.

Summer Cocktails

Are you looking for a delicious and fun-looking cocktail to feature at your next summer get-together? I came across this yummy looker on Marie Claire's Chic Summer Cocktail recipes. If you're looking for some good recipes, be sure to check it out!

This drink is called Swamp Water.

What you'll need:

- 1 1/2 cups of vodka

- 1 cup Midori

- 2 cups sour mix (Lemon-X)

- 2 cups pineapple juice

- 1 cup Sprite

Mix all ingredients together. Drizzle some grenadine over the top. Add some cute little alligators (or other sea creatures!). ENJOY!

mmmm... Fruit!

So, whaddya know - I come back from vacation and what happens - I've gained a couple of pounds! Ugh! So while I'm making myself get into the gym, I've also decided to try eating healthier... after all, you know that delicious produce is in season and ever-so juicy and delicious!

To make sure I start eating healthier, tonight I cut up a pineapple and strawberries and picked some grapes. What a good afternoon snack for tomorrow at work (instead of my Swedish Fish candies that I've become so obsessed with lately...) I also cut up some celery and threw it in a baggie with some carrots. Nothing like MAKING yourself eat healthier after putting the time in cutting it all up, right?!

Any-who, I saw these delicious fruit kabobs online. Don't they look tasty! I think I'm going to try these babies out when we head to the cabin we rented in a couple of weekends - what do you think?

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I thought the watermelon in the shape of hearts was soo cute! I'd really like to try making those cute flowers that you see in the Edible Arrangement fruit gifts! You know, the ones with the pineapple shaped like the petals and a cantaloupe round for the middle. The fruit used for these kabobs included red seedless grapes, cut pineapple, a clementine orange, strawberries and watermelon.

Do you have some recipes that would be great for a cabin weekend? I'd love to hear them and surprise our friends who are joining us!

Summer Party Tips

It's official - it's been a BEAUTIFUL weekend and although it's not technically summer, it's sure starting to feel like! Here are a few summer ideas that I found that could helpful when planning your next summer get-together - whether it's a small barbecue with the family or a large party with a bunch of friends.

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Hand stamp menu items so guests know what they're about to indulge in!

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Fill a small tin with fresh flowers and use them as a tablecloth weight! (PS - Target has some cute tins right now in their dollar section!)

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Keep those pesky bugs out with closable food jars at your next picnic or barbecue.

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Having an outdoor ice cream social? Premake these amazing-looking ice cream cones! It's sure to be a hit with your guests (young and old!)

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Make these cute butterflies for your straws to dress up your guests drinks!

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How cute are these holders for the ice cream social party!? I just love it!

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Make a name in bottle for the place cards at your next event!

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How cute are these leaves as coasters? What an awesome idea!

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Do you have a bunch of left-over napkins from other events? Use them as shown above! What a great way to recycle!

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Use moss as a centerpiece at your next event!

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I just loved how this looks! What a great centerpiece idea!

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If you're having a bonfire, or going camping, dress up your smore's sticks with cute shapes!

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Dress up your summer votives (or citronella candles) with cute scrapbook paper that coordinates with the color scheme or theme of your party! Little extra details like this will really stand out to your guests!

What tips and ideas do you have for hosting a summer get together?