SALE!!! 40% off Coupon for Pixie Dust Necklaces at Market1

I don't know about you, but this Thanksgiving after the turkey is eaten and all is said and done I plan to plant myself on the couch and do nothing but sip tea, wrap myself in a blanket, and watch a movie with my laptop close by.

Last year I went to the Wrentham Outlets, which open up at midnight Thanksgiving... I left home at 7:30 pm and arrived by 8 and was one of the first 50 cars in the parking lot... that changed very quickly, (if you arrive much later the back up is a miles long just to get a parking space ~ no thank you)  So anyhoo,  I was all excited about being so early and walked myself over to my store of choice to wait.... I thought maybe, just maybe they would let customers in a bit early???   NO WAY!  I waited the full 4 hours in freezing cold temperatures, I was under prepared to say the least. If I ever do this again I will take a tip from the countless teenagers who happily bustled past me, warm and toasty in their Uggs, Juicy Couture Sweatpants, and Northface jackets ~ plus hats, scarves, gloves, and coffee.  Some even brought fold up camping chairs and rolling luggage to store their purchases.  I am such a novice.
Once the stores finally opened I spent two hours attempting to shop ~ didn't really end up with much other than an extreme feeling of the need to spend spend spend ~ fueled in part by the playing of "Wizards in Winter" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra over the loudspeakers over and over and over. 
Well, in honor of my lesson learned I am offering a coupon for 40% off anything in stock in my Etsy shop.  The coupon will only be good from 10 pm Thanksgiving until noon Friday. 

And now, back to baking, two gingerbread cakes done, pumpkin/vanilla pudding and cookies to go!

New In My Shop!

It's A Zoo Out Here!!!

What could be more a perfect theme for a boys & girls birthday party than a zoo!?!  Right off the bat I can think of lots of fun classic activities such as pin the tail on the donkey or you could use any number animals such as an elephant, giraffe, hippo, etc...

I love, love, love this cake ~ isn't it just adorable!?

Jungle Animals Cake

Or, if cupcakes are more your thing, these serve as both dessert and (with the plastic critters on top) gifts for your party goers!

Zoo Animal Cupcakes

As for decor, if price is no issue you need to check out these amazing wall decals, they would look amazing, and they are removable, after the party they can go in your child's bedroom or playroom!

Visit PaintlessDeco's Shop

A bit more affordabe but just a wonderful are the following zoo animal party decorations from 62Cards



Super cute paper straws ~ I love these!



DIY Party Supplies

Printable Party Hats and more from TracyAnnPrintables

Perfect Party Favors

Who could possibly resist these fabulously cute recycled crayons from Ivy Lane Designs.

Or how about these fabulous soaps from SunBasilGarden

Cake pops anyone? Visit Cake Pop Shoppe's shop for more of their fantastic Cake Pops!

Here are just a few cute party game ideas for your little zoo!

1. Pin the tail on the Donkey (or other critter)

2. Research on the internet to see if you can get a few animals to your party for a petting zoo, such as a farm or petting zoo in your area that may have a program.  

3. Pony rides

4. Supply paperplates, paints, markers, glue, glitter, feathers, etc to your guests to have them each create their own zoo animal mask.  Ahead of time cut out eye holes and glue a large craft stick (popsicle sticks) to the bottom.

Here are some more detailed instructions should you want them!

5.  Hire a face painter ~ often times you can hire a local babysitter or artist for this task.  Have each guest painted up as their favorite zoo animal.

6. Set up a backdrop with signs pointing to the "petting zoo", hire a photographer or if you or another family member are up to it take pictures of each "animal" in the petting zoo with their face paint!

Here is a sign by TheBackPorchShoppe, this particular sign is for a wedding but she makes custom signs so picture this saying petting zoo!  I have ordered from her before and her signs are gorgeous and the best quality possible!

Leave your zoo party ideas in the comments section, I would love to hear them!

15% Off In My ETSY Shop with Coupon Code - now through midnight May 5th!

I just looked at my etsy shop and noticed that not only is it going to be Cinco De Mayo in a few short minutes but that it is my shops 2 year anniversary as well!

I would like to offer a 15% discount for any purchases made on my shops anniversary (starting now) simply type in 2YEARS as your coupon code during checkout!

Thanks so much to all my wonderful customers!

A Very Merry Un-Birthday To You!

Why wait for their next birthday to throw a fabulous party?  Instead have an Alice inspired merry Un-Birthday!  And while we are at it, let's start with the cake! 

Queen of Hearts Cake



Flowers & Fringe Cake



Perfection





Next are some adorable skirts from a lovely shop I happened across... They are also incredibly affordable so grab a few for your party guests too!

I love, love, love them... visit justkiddingboutique

Now, let's talk hats...

I think that proper tea parties hat are required, and why shouldn't they be???

Hobo Coture's Shop



Visit Amarmi's Shop



And to serve your tea...

This little tea set is a bit pricey, but it is gorgeous!

And to eat, well other than cake of course...
I would suggest serving lots of tiny fun sandwiches (which you can cut with small cookie cutter in a variety of shapes) such as;
Tuna Salad
Chicken Salad
Peanut Butter & Fresh Strawberry Jam
Cucumber Sandwiches

For "Tea" I would serve up a lovely fruit punch, I found a recipe that combines strawberries, lemonade, and tea (choose decaf for your own sake, and taste before adding in the sugar to see if you think it is needed)

Summertime Strawberry Punch


And now, on to the decorations!
These little pinwheels would look adorable tucked into tiny pots of flowers, you could have a tiny flower for each girl to bring home as a party favor.

Visit Cupcake Social's Shop

And how fabulous would these tags be on your Tea Pot, Punch Bowl, Sandwich Platter, etc...?!?!

Visit Windrosie's shop

I think that flowers are a must for your tea party, whether they be in pots or vases.  
Another decoration that doubles as a parting gift would be to have a candy buffet.  You can line up mason or apothecary jars filled with candies of all sorts, including; lollipops, peppermint sticks, gummies, nonparells, etc...  Supply bags for your guests to pick their favorites to take home. 
I would layer several beautiful tablecloths on your table, using vintage tablecloths would bring a sweet touch, as well as a varitey of fabrics to create a fun, romantic, eclectic mix. 
Encourage your party guests to come dressed to the 9's and a photoshoot would be a fabulous idea for such a decadant tea party.  Simply hang up some big sheets or large panels of fabric to use as backdrops.  You can take the photos yourself, hire a professional, or check if you local high school or college has a photography program ~ you may be able to hire a student to take photos for you.  While you will have a discounted photographers rate, the student will gain experience ~ a winning combo!

Another party favor that will be adored by your guests would be lovely garden party pixie dust necklaces.

Visit my shop

And last but certainly not least the invitations ~ here is an adorable Un-birthday birthday invitation.

Visit WestWillow's Shop

If you have had a wonderland party of your own please feel free to comment and leave your own ideas!

Thanks so much to Courtney of CMM Jewelry who submitted this party idea for my blog contest!
Her prize for winning my contest is this fabulous pixie dust/mermaid bottle!

Thank you so much to all who entered!

And the winner is.....

Stay tuned to find out, once my contest winner has created their custom creation I will be unveiling my winning post!

In the meantime check out these new Patriotic Pixie Dust Necklaces I have begun making - getting ready for summer already!

Patriotic Pixie Dust

Mini Patriotic Pixie Dust

Royal Princess Pixie Dust

Here are just a couple of examples of pixie dust necklaces worthy or your Royal Princess!

To purchase or request a custom necklace please visit my shop at www.market1.etsy.com

Breakfast On A String

What  better way to start the day than creating your own breakfast necklace?  Anticipating a day full of thunderstorms today I was prepared for making lots of crafts (a.k.a. messes) Our first was these very fashionable necklaces soon dubbed "Breakfast On A String" - I know, I know so original - gotta love the new Fruit Loops with "sprinkles" we also have regular "boring" Fruit Loops but I honestly can't tell the difference.  Turns out it was over 70 degrees all day and we spent the entire day outside so this is the only indoor craft we made and we ate the mess, so all in all it was a fabulous start to a fabulous day!

Can you tell which of my girls is early to rise and who likes to sleep in?  Riley would laze around in bed all morning if I let her! 

It's Time For A Luau!

Start with these adorable Luau party invitations!

Invitations



Add in this fabulous skirt/tank combo for the party princess.

Hula Girl Set

 If your party is for a boy I would suggest Khaki shorts and an adorable hawaiian shirt.



Flower Hair Clips

Party Food

A fabulous idea for a luau is kabobs, easy to grab hold and eat for little fingers!  A great spin on kabobs is to do fruit Kabobs and this is also a fabulous activity for party goers of all ages.  Simply leave out trays filled with chunks of fresh pineapple, melons, strawberry halves, grapes, kiwi slices, etc.  Provide skewers and your guests can make their own perfect kabobs with their favorites!

With the fruit kabobs I would serve up some bbq chicken and potato or pasta salad, simple yummy foods kids are sure to gobble up!  For beverages I woulde try out a new fun punch recipe like...

Luscious Slush Punch

mmmmmmm....yummy!

And how cute would be these adorable umbrellas that you have with customized and then print and make your own!  You can even pick your own colors!!!


Custom Drink Umbrellas



oh, and the cake...

Flower Cake



Party Decorations, Activities, and Guest Gifts


Flower Chain



Pixie Dust "Lei"



Handmade Candy Leis

For a cute twist on the standard Lei you can have your party guests create their own candy Leis. You will need lots of individually wrapped candies for this project!  Anything from Tootsie Rolls(the colored ones would be perfect) to hard candies will work.  I found instructions from Martha Stewart here.  But if you are having young children staples may not be a great idea, I instead would try tape and the the little ones can do it themselves as a party activity!

Time To Hula!

If your party guests are old enough learning to hula may be the perfect party activity to burn off some energy as well as get some laughs!

I found this website that describes the basics to hula dancing.  Another option would be to watch You Tube videos of hula lessons online or if you are able to, hire and instructor/performer for your party to teach the guest for while you sit back and relax with a Mai Tai!  Cute grass skirts can be purchased at most party supply stores and even on orientaltrading.com ($20 for 12 kiddie skirts) as well as some other cute supplies like a tropical grass skirt for your table!

If doing the traditional hula isn't your thing, how about hula hoops?!?!