Early Christmas Presents

This week I was beyond excited and so honored to open my inbox and see an email from
                                                                    THE
Kate Landers.  I don't know if you have ever looked at her blog,  but every single one of her parties are beyond gorgeous.  The attention to detail and special extras make me long for an invitation to a party like this.  They are such an inspiration when planning my own parties.

So, this week, she featured two of my parties,  Finley's first birthday party (Sweet Shop) http://katelandersevents.blogspot.com/2010/12/childrens-parties-of-2010-part-i.html  and my Crafty Kids Christmas Party  http://katelandersevents.blogspot.com/2010/12/childrens-parties-dessert-tables-of.html

Check out both of my parties and get ready to drool over some of the other ones too.  Gorgeous!

Sweet Baby Boy Shower

Having all girls and all pink all the time at my house made planning for this shower even more fun!   It isn't often that I get to plan a party for a sweet baby boy and I loved doing this for my good friend.  We called it a "shower" but it was a day of pampering for the mom to be and all of our friends.  We had wonderful food, martinis and mommy-tinis and even a mashed potato bar with lots of fun toppings!    All the ladies got mini massages and manis/pedis.   It was a wonderful day!

Finley's Sweet Shop

How many times do we say to ourselves, "Wow, time is really flying by?"  This year, I have said that so many times and really meant it.  As we get closer to Christmas, I begin to realize that my three little girls are going to be celebrating their birthdays in less than a month.  The twins are going to be four and my sweet baby is going to be two years old.  How did this happen so fast?

Last year, I did two separate birthday parties on consecutive weekends for the girls.  I was tired and I know all my friends and family who had to come over to our house two weekends in a row were tired too.  But, I feel like every child needs their own first birthday party and I wanted that for Finley.   This year, in just about 3 weeks, we are doing a combined party for all three of them.  It's going to be Vintage Circus and oh so girly.   I have been planning this party for almost 8 months now and I just can't wait to see all my ideas come to life.  And I can't wait to post pics of the day!

So, just because I am getting really excited about their party next month and also because I am a little nostalgic about my babies growing up, enjoy these pictures from Finley's Sweet Shop last year.  

Featured on Catch my Party

This week I was totally honored and absolutely thrilled when Jillian from Catch My Party asked to feature my Crafty Kids Christmas Party on her site.  She features the most amazing parties and I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing and talented group of ladies.  Thanks so much Jillian!!
http://blog.catchmyparty.com/2010/12/10/trends-kids-christmas-parties-on-catch-my-party/

Our first annual Crafty Kids Christmas Party

This week I hosted the most adorable kids Christmas party for my twin daughters and their pre-school friends.  We celebrated the holidays with 18 kids and their mommies, lots of amazing food, a beautiful dessert table, some really cute Christmas crafts and a surprise visit from Santa himself!  Everyone had an amazing time and watching the looks on those little ones faces when they saw Santa walk in was priceless!

Printables by Amanda at Shindigs to Go

Food by Wegmans and me!

Cupcake ornament inspiration from Bakerella

More Cuteness from Amy Miller

i have posted about Amy Miller Designs before but with Christmas just around the corner, i had to post about this giveaway again!  she is giving away two of her mini cupcake ornaments!  they are so cute, i mean really, they look edible!  i don't know how she does it!  make sure you sign up!
http://mybabyfaves.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-just-got-sweeter-giveaway.html

Thank You!

with Thanksgiving just around the corner, i have started to reflect on all that i have to be thankful for.  today, i am so thankful for all of my "fans."  it has been a super busy first month and that is because of all of you.  thank you so much for supporting this dream of mine!   here is a FREE set of my Thanksgiving printables for you to download and do something crafty with!  send me pics of how you use them!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/41751866/Thanksgiving-Printables

Holiday Cards

when i first opened my shop, i never thought things would be going so well that i would be ready to offer any holiday designs.  well, i have had requests for them and have just started putting a few ideas out there.  working on about 5 or 6 more to post later this week.  what do you think?  honest opinions!!

Another Fab Giveaway

everyone who knows me knows that cupcakes are my absolute favorite dessert ever!  so, when i stumbled across this giveaway today, i knew i had to share it will all my lucky friends and family.  race right over to www.thebakingsheet.blogspot.com and comment on her post for a chance to win her new  book, 1000 ideas for decorating cupcakes, cookies and cakes. It looks amazing!

Whoo's Having a Baby

owls are my sweet daughter preslee's favorite animal.  when she moved into her own room and got a big girl bed she picked out the owl bedding from pottery barn kids and has since had to have every single accessory that they make.  i think they are just so cute!   just finished this design tonight.  wouldn't it be perfect for a sweet baby girl shower?

and matching party circles too!

Amy Miller Giveaway

everyone loves giveaways especially with the holidays right around the corner!  i stumbled across this one this morning hosted by glory ofwww.glorioustreats.blogspot.com.  you must check it out!  amy miller designs are amazing and she has not disappointed with her cupcake christmas ornaments.  they are adorable!  i entered and if i don't win, am still ordering for christmas gifts.  these are too cute to pass up!

Pumpkin Patch

my good friend Jill, emailed me this week about doing some pumpkin/halloween party decor for her daughter, Charlotte's birthday party this weekend.  first of all, let me say that i LOVE fall birthdays.  all three of my girls birthdays are in january and we are stuck inside for all the festivities.  fall birthdays have the greatest weather, gorgeous colors to work with and so many fun ideas!  ok jill, i am jealous!!

here are the cute pumpkin cupcake toppers, water bottle labels and birthday sign i made for charlotte.  can't wait to see how they coordinate with all of your other party ideas!

My First Order

to say that i am excited is an understatement!   i have had to pinch myself all day.  i just got my first order for invites and party decor from a real customer, not my family or friends!  woo-hoo!  i just can't believe it.  it's from a mom in dallas, texas who saw my site on Facebook through another friend of a friend.  she contacted me to help her design her sweet little girl's first birthday party.  she wants to do a cupcake theme and we know that i LOVE cupcakes so that was an easy idea for me.  here's the first draft of an invite i am working on for her.

Rock and Roll

my nephew alex is the funniest little kid.  he is as sweet as ever, but has a little "edge" to him. when my sister in law jamie asked me to design rock star invitations for his 5th birthday party, i thought perfect!   and alex didn't want a "sweet" invitation, he wanted the full on rocker!  so that is what i did for him.  aerosmith, eat your heart out!

i can't wait to see all the pics from the party

Following Your Dreams

hi there!  if you are reading this, you are probably my friends or family or maybe you have just stumbled across my site while looking for something related to cupcakes.  i have finally, after talking about it for months decided to follow my dream and start my own company.

in the pages of this blog, you are going to read a lot about all the ups and downs of a new business, my full time job as mommy, lots of great recipes, diy ideas and hopefully loads of crazy cute party supplies!

the inspiration for cupcakes and lemonade started with the birth of my twin daughters in 2007.  when i was planning their first birthday, i knew that i wanted to do something spectacular to celebrate the first year of their lives.  they were mine and drew's miracle babies and nothing short of the most amazing party would do for them.  i was so disappointed when i started looking for just the right invitation and other touches to make the party special.   so, i decided to design my own.   now, you must know that i have zero experience as a graphic designer and everything that i know or don't know, is all self taught.  i am still learning so much and have so much more to keep learning!

planning parties, party decor, and hosting events has become a passion for me.  i think i follow too many party blogs to even keep up!  i LOVE pink, polka dots, gingham, and anything toile pushes me right over the edge!

after having the twins, we went on to have a third sweet little girl.  my beautiful baby girls, preslee, mason and finley are not only the inspiration, but the motivation behind my company and they even were the ones to name it.  we were playing tea party one day and i asked them their favorite things.  they immediately both agreed, "we love cupcakes and lemonade."  well, there you go!  these girls are just like their momma!

so, with that said, i hope you come back and keep following my blog.  i plan to have new designs up soon and definitely many more by the first of the year.   thanks ahead of time for all your support!!