Little black dress says... {for november}

 

 1} plan a "friends giving" dinner!
invite your friends over thanksgiving @your place, everyone bring a dish! you can make it a ritual for every year.

2} Bake fall flavours to bring to your next gathering- pumpkin, molasses, oatmeal.. oh my!

 

3}  Make a fall soup from scratch, pumpkin with walnuts would be delicious!

4} Get crafty! for cheap! Toliet paper pumpkins?! YES.
No glue gun, no sewing required. SIMPLE,  CUTE + FESTIVE.

 

xoxo lbd gals

Wedding Gift

I decided to get a little creative with my gift to Courtney & Danny for their wedding.  I really didn't want to give just cash and a card, but something that was a bit more thoughtful and infused with their personalities.  So, I made a Honeymoon Gift Box/Basket including all useful items they could use on or before their vaca to Hawaii.  I knew they were going away about a week after their wedding and I thought if I could help a little bit by making their life easier with a few bare essentials & then some - it would go a long way.  The thing about this gift is that you can customize it to the couple and what you know about their personalities, which is really cool.

So first, I got a basket (which they can reuse for something else) at Target.  Then went to the travel aisle where they have everything in mini sizes, so I picked up some tylenol, suntan lotion, almay makeup wipes, aloe, and body wash.  Then I got a bunch of snacks: doritos, cliff bars, nuts, candy, gatorade, gum, etc.  I then added some reading material, a $25 gift card to iTunes and a $25 gift card to Starbucks.  I then personalized it by ordering customized aluminum water bottles on Etsy labeled Mr. Curley & Mrs. Curley by OneOfAKindWeddings.  I knew they would be doing lots of activities in Hawaii so figured they needed to be well hydrated!  To add the final touch I ordered luggage tags displaying Mr. & Mrs. on the front and their names and phone numbers on the back by Swanky Press. Lastly, I gave a card with cash in it for whatever they wanted to use it for on their trip!

By One Of A Kind Weddings

By Swanky Press

Completed basket!  Just add tissue paper to spice it up and put in a bag!

Gifts for the bridesmaids

 We recently were honored to be a part of our sister's wedding this September as maid (Cassidy) and matron (Caitlin) of honor!  We are also very thankful for the lovely bridesmaids gifts from our sister, Courtney, who has such great taste - so we HAD to share!  The gifts were thoughtful, will be but to plenty of use, and very beautiful... see for yourself!

 1) Robe by Plum Pretty Sugar
           All of the girls recieved different patterns & colors and wore them while we were getting our hair and makeup done.  Great idea - so it was easy to get ready and then slip on our dresses with no fuss!

cotton fabric so easy to wash 

All of us in our robes :)

 2) Bracelet by JCrew

           Courtney gave each of the girls a pearl bracelet with diamonds from JCrew that went perfectly with our dresses.  Don't have exact picture, but JCrew has beautiful pieces in their regular jewelry section here & their bridal jewelry here

Very similar style bracelet of the one we were gifted

 2) Gold Havaianas - Sold at many retailers, Nordstrom being one: Havaianas
           I think this is one of the best flip flop brands ever, so we know they will be put to good use!  (I've already worn mine multiples times!) Most of the bridesmaids kicked off their heels at the reception and put on their Havianas so they could get down to dancing.  Again, GREAT idea for gift.

Note: Make sure you have an idea of bridesmaids shoe sizes

So thanks to Courtney we all received useful and beautiful items that we used the day of the wedding and will be used after! (which I think are TWO important things when deciding what gifts to give to your gals!)

Cupcake Brownies

Dear Dessert Lovers,

If you haven't tried this already ..do so next time you decide to make brownies!

My mom started making brownies in cupcake pans with chocolate chips years ago and I have not made regular pan brownies ever since!  These little guys are super delicious, dense, and taste like a corner piece in every bite.  One box makes about 12 cupcakes.  Just make brownie mix as you typically would, add chocolate chips, bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes...and VIOLA! 

cheers,

Cassidy

Easy Apple Pie Recipe

So I just was craving apple pie today and said "Hey, why not whip one up!?"  This recipe is so easy - just follow the steps below!  

note: use 5-6 granny smith apples and purchase two pie crusts for top layer!

April Fool's Day Fun

Have some creative fun this April Fool's day with your friends, family, and co-workers by tricking them into these little treats!  All actual recipes are found on this site: party pinching

Enjoy!! ;-)

Cookie Pizza

Cheeseburger sliders made with golden oreos

Mini Chili crocks made of pudding topped with jelly beans and orange coconut

Vanilla cupcakes topped with butterscotch for the yolk and black sprinkles for the pepper - and a side of gummy bacon!

Sheperds pie!?  Nope...just some chocolate rice crispies, peas & carrot candy and marshmallows

Shrimp Mocktail anyone!?

Try giving these wings to a hungry man...  Made all out of rice crispies covered in brown sugar and tangerine glaze!

Practical Favors

So, here are a few wedding favor/bridal shower favors that I absolutely love!  They are practical and will actually get used, rather than miscellaneous junk that just looks pretty :)

Mini Olive Oils
 

Handmade olive oil bottles that I came across on Etsy.  I don't know about you, but I use olive oil for EVERYTHING!  How adorable and practical! |olive oil favor|

Cupcake Mix To Go

I also found this on Etsy too!  You can buy them already made |makes six cupcakes| OR make your own!  Then add tag  displaying directions.  |cupcake mix|

Mason Jar Love

What about the good old mason jar?  Its uses are endless - create an edible favor like in the photo above or maybe your favorite recipe with the ingredients inside, or perhaps homemade jam?  So many possibilities!

Packaged Coffee

Ground Coffee wrapped in brown paper with slight embellishement of couple's style/personality.  Who doesn't love coffee?!?  I think I'm going to use this for my wedding!