Friday's Fabulous Five {Kids' Valentines}

Friday's FABULOUS FIVE is baaaaack! 

Happy Friday!

My kindergartner is all excited to hand out Valentine Treats this year so I've been rounding up some cute ideas! Here's FIVE fun treats for the school kid crowd...

Now at our school, sweets are not allowed so this "non sweet" Valentine from Disney's Family Fun is perfect! Plus it encourages kids to write...something the teacher will appreciate!

Another great "non-sweet" Valentine is also perfect for the boys! This fun one from The Crafting Chicks also includes the {free printable}!

But if you are looking for some sweet Valentine treats, I'm in LOVE with this fun Fortune Cookie Valentine from Martha Stewart. The cookies are felt but the treats are real!

For some cool rockin' Valentines, I love this Pop Rocks idea from A Small Snippet! She has also provided the {free} printable tag as well!

And finally, I adore this next idea that uses a picture of your child. Not only would this idea from Funky Polkadot Giraffe make a fun class Valentine, but it would be pretty cool for the grandparents as well!

So there you have FIVE FABULOUS Valentine ideas for the kids! 

I hope you have an awesome weekend!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Pumpkin Desserts}

Happy Fabulous Friday! 

I've started planning our Thanksgiving menu and it's getting me excited!!! I always start planning the desserts first! Among some other goodies, there is of course going to be a pumpkin dessert, but I want to try something new instead of the classic pumpkin pie. I'm hoping there won't be a mutiny over it if I make one of these delicious recipes I've found...

Pumpkin...cheesecake...and throw in some Heath bars!! This recipe sounds like a winner all around. Take a look at this mouthwatering recipe for Layered Pumpkin Pie Toffee Cheesecake from Our Best Bites! 

Now you know you can't go wrong with a recipe from Paula Deen! I love how pretty this Pumpkin Roll Cake looks! I have no doubt that if it's Paula's recipe, it will taste as good as it looks!

I love small individual portions of dessert. It makes me feel like I haven't eaten a whole lot, even if I wolf down 3 or 4 of these little cuties! How pretty are these little Pumpkin Praline Trifles from Bakers Royale? Love them!

And since we are talking cute little mini desserts...how about these mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Caramel Pecan Topping from Tidy Mom! So adorable and so delicious I'm sure!

And finally, I'm going to bring it home with a pumpkin dessert that includes two of my favorite ingredients...chocolate & salted caramel! I am DROOLING over this Pumpkin-Orange Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust and Salted Caramel! That title is quite a mouthful and I'm sure this dessert would be a mouthful too....of DELICIOUSNESS!

I hope these yummy recipes got you excited to whip up Thanksgiving dessert! 

Hope your weekend is FABULOUS 

& full of LOTS OF SUGAR!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Halloween Party Food}

Happy Friday! Halloween is a little more than 2 weeks away!! If you are planning a Halloween Party then I have some super FABULOUS ideas for some party treats!

As I've mentioned many times, I LOVE food on a stick, which is also so kid friendly. So of course I love these adorable Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops from Nothing but Country! These would not only be a cute treat to serve, but a fun party activity too!

Some more fun on a stick...how about these super cute Mummy Cookie Pops? They are made from Oreos & featured on How Does She? Love them!

These little Funny Bones are made from pretzel sticks, mini marshmallows & white chocolate! So fun!!! You can find the recipe at Epicurious.

I know Halloween is all about the sweets, but it's good to have some actual FOOD at the party too! I love how clever these Sand Witches are!! The complete how to can be found on Fiskars.

Finally, you need something to wash down all the party treats with. This Ghostly Glass of Milk is just the perfect thing! I just love  these cute ghost glasses found on Sheek Shindigs!

There you have five party treats 

to help make your Halloween Party FABULOUS!

Hope your weekend is full of spooky fun!!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Halloween Wreaths}

Happy Friday! I've been seeing so many great Halloween party & decorating ideas out there lately. Since it's halfway through September, I'm gearing up for Halloween decor. Which I put up on exactly October 1st ;) 

There are a number of FABULOUS wreaths out there and I want to share some of my favorites.

This wreath is perfect for all you chevron lovers out there! I especially love the bats!! You can get all the tutorial details from the always creative Tatertots and Jello.

I really love the Boo bunting on this wreath from Pretty Ditty! She not only includes the printable Boo banner, but a Happy Halloween as well.

Candy corn is one of those LOVE them or HATE them kind of candies. I happen to LOVE them!! But even if you don't love eating them, you gotta admit they are fun to decorate with! Like with this fun wreath from How does she?

I really love how purple & lime green have evolved into being  Halloween colors! I think they really liven up the more traditional orange & black palette. Which is one of the reasons I love this cute rag wreath from Sassy Sanctuary. Plus that EEK is just too cute!

But even orange & black can look fresh & modern when you incorporate fun patterns like polka dots, damask, stripes & houndstooth! Which is exactly what Stacy from She's {Kinda} Crafty did with another one of her fabulous ribbon wreaths! And I LOVE those two adorable masked spiders!!

There you have FIVE FABULOUS Halloween Wreaths to get your creative juices flowing this weekend! 

Happy Weekend and I hope you 

get your craft on and have a great one!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Football Party Apps}

Happy Friday! Yesterday marked the official start of the NFL season! Whether you are THE FAN in your home or your significant other is, chances are you are thinking about throwing a football party.

So today I'm sharing five awesome appetizers for your next get together.

Now what football party would be complete without buffalo chicken? But how about instead of messy wings, you make these finger friendly Buffalo Chicken Bites from What's Cooking Chicago? Perfect party food!

Or how about serving your chicken wings in dip form? I am loving this Cheesy Hot Wing Chicken Dip from Living Locurto!

For something a little different than your buffalo style chicken, try these Chipotle Chicken Tostada Bites from Apple a Day. I love pretty much anything on a tortilla chip!

One of my favorite sandwiches of all time is the classic BLT. I am also a sucker for any food served on a stick. So these BLT Bites from Never Enough Thyme are most definitely making an appearance at my next gathering!

And as long as we are talking party food on a stick...let's take a look at these super yummy Pizzas-on-a-stick from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes! These would be a hit with the grownups and kids alike!

 Five Fabulous Party Apps that would be perfect for your upcoming party! 

Hope your weekend is

 a fabulous one full of fun!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Pumpkin Treats}

Alright...I know it's only the 1st of week of September. I know that the official beginning of fall isn't until the 23rd. I also know that in many parts of the country (especially here in Florida) it isn't going to feel like fall for another month and a half, maybe two. 

But this fall loving girl can't help but dream and long for the days when it will be cool enough to open my windows and maybe whip up some of these delicious & fabulous pumpkin treats!

I'm drooling over these mini pumpkin cheesecakes from the Picky Palate. Oreo crust, pumpkin cheesecake, caramel drizzle and what??? Pumpkin Spice Hershey's Kisses??? I've never even seen these, but you better believe I'm going to find them just to make this!

I've yet to try making whoopie pies, but I think these will be the first ones on my list! Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Marshmallow Cream Filling. I mean seriously...how could you NOT love these?

I love cookies, but a cookie with yummy frosting is extra awesome! I have to try these Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting.

Pumpkin bread is one of my favorite holiday treats, but I love the extra yum of cream cheese on this Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread. I think it would make a great gift as well!

Now I do love pumpkin pie, but I've never had pumpkin cream pie. But something tells me after seeing this recipe for Mini Pots of Pumpkin Cream Pie from The Crafting Chicks, I'm gonna love it! Plus, how absolutely adorable are these little individual pies in the jar? What a great little take home for your guests after Thanksgiving dinner.

Five Fabulous Fall Treats!
 I hope they get your mouth watering for 
all the wonderful holiday goodness that lies ahead. 
Have a fantastic weekend and I hope it's one full of yum! 

Friday's Fabulous Five {Back to School}

Next week my sweet baby girl heads off to Kindergarten! I seriously cannot believe it is happening and now truly understand what they mean when they say "in the blink of an eye". I blinked and now my baby is leaving...

But luckily, there are all kinds of inspiring ideas out there to help make heading to school the memorable and fun event it should be! I'll still be crying thank you very much...but I'll still manage to make the first day special :)

Here's Five Fabulous Ideas to celebrate your child's first day of school!

I LOVE the idea of taking a picture of your child every year on the first day of school. But I love the idea of having a ready made sign for them to hold even more! You can find these cute ones at I {heart} Nap Time for every grade.

A first day photo is a fab idea most definitely, but how about capturing what's inside their little heads too? I love the idea of editing your photo to include your child's faves! This idea and photo is courtesy of Zoot.

I've seen many printable lunch box notes out there, but I really want to be able to share my own sentiments with my daughter. That's why I love these lunchbox notes from Picklebums. They are super cute, but leave room to write something more personal!

This next idea isn't actually a "First Day" idea, but still a great "Back to School" one! Since I'm am completely new to the whole school routine, I know I'm going to need some ideas to help keep us organized. And if it can be cute too, then I'm all for it! How adorable (yet practical) are these Dry Erase Clipboards found on Design Dazzle? 

Finally, you might want to start your relationship with the new teacher off on the right foot...say with something a little sweet? It can't hurt right? ;) Love this cute "Smart Cookie" idea from the girls at eighteen25. Head over there for the free printable to make your own!

Five Fabulous ideas to start your school year off right! I hope it's a great one for you and your kids and I hope all the 1st time mommies like myself have a box of tissues handy. 

Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Beautiful Cakes}

I love cake! No...I really mean it...I LOVE cake! The subject sits at the forefront of my brain regularly...new recipes to try, techniques to learn...and of course thinking about the next one I get to eat! While I enjoy decorating cakes, I am in awe of some of the amazing ARTISTS who create such unbelievable sugar works of art.


I'm not talking about cakes shaped like skyscrapers or that shoot fireworks or anything along those lines. Don't get me wrong, it takes a lot of talent to turn an edible medium like cake into a full fledged STRUCTURE. But what usually takes my breath away are the delicate things of pure beauty. Like these fabulous ones...


I find my tastes lately leaning towards the girly side and so I'm all about ruffles right now. These fondant ruffles have my heart especially going pitter-patter. 

The fondant is so unbelievably delicate that it almost looks like paper...incredible! This is from the amazing Maggie Austin Cake in Washington, DC.

Also from Maggie Austin Cake is this ombre style ruffle. I love the gradual color fading and am once again in awe of how delicate these ruffles are. 

I love so many things about this next cake...the color, the stencil, the flower...just perfection! The stencil is so flawless that it looks like lace. Courtesy of Cake Ink.

I love this gorgeous white rose covered cake. These incredible sugar flowers are the creation of the great cake icon Sylvia Weinstock and the photo is courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Amazing works of art can certainly be created out of fondant, but that doesn't mean that an all-buttercream cake can't be just as delicate and gorgeous. I love this flower covered cake for it's complete sense of romance. Courtesy of the very talented i am baker. 

Five fabulous, amazing, breathtaking cakes to start your weekend! I hope it's a cake-filled one ;)

Friday's Fabulous Five {Crafts}

Happy Friday! Time to showcase some FABULOUS DIY ideas that are calling my name. So many great ideas...too little time :)

I'm a little bit crazy about spray-painting right now. If I had a whole day to myself, I would probably spray paint every brown thing in my home a new color.  That's part of the reason this first craft is so fabulous. The other part is that it's just a great idea!

Shanty 2 Chic takes an boring inexpensive frame and turns it into a fabulous one! I love how adding the clip makes it so easy to update pictures! Check out the fantastic picture wall using these great frames.

I love the colors of this next adorable craft...a Framed Bow Holder. The pink frame and the colorful ribbons are so fun, that I wouldn't even care if I ever hung bows on it at all! I actually love it just as an art piece. Find the complete how-to over at Honeybear Lane.

My home office/creative space has been undergoing a revamp for months now...one painfully slow piece at a time. I'm really loving this next craft because it is the coolest mouse pad I think I've seen and I totally want to make it for my desk! It's made using corkboard, paint and a stencil. You can find the how-to over at Better Homes and Gardens.

There has been this huge trend in making crafts using paint chips. I have to wonder if the hardware stores have been stocking these suckers like mad lately. But you know I will be snagging a few for myself soon :)

Like to make this pretty Paint Chip Mobile. Even though there are no official babies in my home, I think this would look beautiful in my big girls' room. Complete directions on the Dollar Store Crafts. 

I love how cheerful and fun this rainbow colored chip paint garland. The garland is the centerpiece of one of the happiest walls I've ever seen. Go check out the complete post over at Little Bit Funky.

That's FIVE FABULOUS CRAFTS to get your weekend started! I hope you make it a great one!

Friday's Fabulous Five {Cupcakes}

Is it Friday already??? My how this week has flown! Time for another installment of Friday's Fabulous Five!!

It's no secret that I love to bake and while I love to make & decorate cakes, for some reason I don't often make cupcakes. I plan on trying to squeeze in more "just for fun" baking in the coming months (before the holiday frenzy begins).

Here are five fabulous cupcakes that I really want to try!

My absolute favorite candy bar is Snickers and any recipe that includes caramel is a winner. So for me, this Snickers Cupcake via My Baking Addiction is pretty much perfection!

And while we are taking innocent cakes and stuffing them full of deliciousness...how about a little cookie dough in there? I can't wait to try this yummy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake courtesy of Kevin {&} Amanda.

What do you get when you combine bananas, custard cream filling, vanilla buttercream, chocolate sauce and fun sprinkles? A gorgeous Banana Split Cupcake that's what! This fun creation is courtesy of Bakers Royale.

I happen to love chocolate malt (Whoppers are another candy favorite of mine) so these Chocolate Malt Cupcakes are definitely on my "to try" list. And I love the adorable straw...such a fun presentation! This treat is courtesy of The Winsome Girl.

I've had my eye on this next unbelievable cupcake since I first saw it on Martha Stewart's site. But when Bakerella broke it down for us...I just knew I had to attempt it. These Hi Hat Cupcakes are stunning, gravity defying, YUM! 

There you have it, five fabulous cupcake ideas to get your weekend started! I hope you have a great weekend full of love & plenty of sugar :)