So, I am currently trying to weed through the millions of cute bridesmaid dresses out there to pic the perfect ones for my special ladies. Here are just a few of the contenders. Ignore the color, I am just interested in the styles:




new at the newmans: gettin' crafty


I have a thing for gnomes. My friend Katie and I have been talking about throwing a gnome themed party for some time now. We get so excited talking about it and overwhelmed with all the details we want to include: full gnome costumes, gnome size treats, a photo taking area, costume props for people, etc. Ran across a blog called xoelle where the writer and her family all dressed as gnomes for Halloween. They all look amazing! I love the shot of them in their garden:) You can read about the whole project here. What great Halloween costumes!
The turkey one was a close second but ultimately, I think it would overwhelm Furter's small head.



With each passing year, I love Halloween more and more! This year was my 4th annual pumpkin carving party. It is always so much fun looking at dessert recipes and picking which ones I want to make for the party. I made my first attempt at an Amy Atlas style dessert bar set up. This year I made "Buried Alive" cupcakes (modified from a Rachel Ray muffin recipe), Oreo spiders and mini eyeball cupcakes. I purchased giant chocolate dipped and sprinkled marshmallows from the bakery counter at Hallmark and popcorn from Velvet Creme Popcorn (headquartered within 1/4 mile from my house!). The "Buried Alive" cupcakes were the hit of the party! The most popular question of the night was "Where did you find all those baby doll arms?" Hobby Lobby. In fact, I cleared them OUT of their baby doll arms. 
After a potluck dinner and the dessert buffet, people carved and painted pumpkin. Lauren's was my favorite: a dinosaur with a talk bubble saying "OH YEAH." Being that she lives in an apartment, it got to stay on my porch for Halloween! All in all, a great Halloween to go down in the books.
One of my bestest friends is getting married in Mexico this coming April. I have been gifted the honor of creating her wedding suite. Just finished up the save-the-dates and look forward to shipping off the little guys in the mail tomorrow morning. She wanted to do something unique and involving candy. A match made in sugarpants heaven as far as I'm concerned.

46 tiny suitcases filled with "champagne bubbles" candy will be headed toward guests' mailboxes starting tomorrow!