Tuesday Trend (On A Thursday) - Shine Bright Like A Diamond

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend...but if you can't have the real thing, then today's Tuesday Trend is the next best thing! Jewel themed crafts are popping up all over the web lately...although I like to think I started it back with my candy mold I love to use, most recently for  Valentine's Day treats.  But I'm not that vain...I don't think this post is about me.

Of course, now that I have gems on the brain, I'm thinking about Jem And The Holograms, my favorite 80's cartoon...She's truly outrageous...truly, truly outrageous! 

Anyways, I love how Design*Sponge used her mold for DIY gem pushpins.

Tuesday Tip - Bella Cupcake Couture Blog Party + $565 Baking Giveaway

When Betsy of Java Cupcake invited me to participate in Bella Cupcake Couture's Blog Party, how could I say no? Design and style cupcakes using Bella Cupcake Couture cupcake wrappers? It's a big old party featuring  all these fabulous food blogs...although I'm not quite sure I got all caught up in this, 'cuz I am far from a food blog.  But making cute cupcakes, that I know.

So our challenge; create a cupcake to match/coordinate with the cupcake wrappers we were sent, then style and display using items we already have at home. It's a partay-partay so check out everyone else's posts  for more fabulous cupcake creations...

Join The Summer Bucket List Challenge With The Happy Family Movement

Great Scott, Memorial Day will be here before you know it...and those of us with young kids will find ourselves back in summer mode. But I have just the antidote to the inevitable 'Mom, we're bored'! Check out my Today's Mama post on The Happy Family Movement's 3rd Annual Summer Bucket List Challenge.

The challenge goes live today and there are freebies and prizes from their sponsors to boot.  You can still sign up and remember,  quality time isn't about how much money you spend, but the time.

Since we are all signed up I thought I would share our bucket list for the wondrous area we live in that is the Puget Sound.

Pineapple Upside Down Mini Bundt Cakes

My Mother's Day/Birthday Tea Party was a huge success and I'm going to eventually share those photos.  One of my favorite parts were the Pineapple Upside Down Mini Bundt cakes I...wait for it...made myself!

I love Pineapple Upside Down cake, it's one of my specialties. But it's not great for tea parties...the lack of daintiness and all.  But mini Bundts topped with Lucky Leaf®'s pineapple topping...perfect!

Tuesday Tip (On A Friday) - $1000 Photographer's Dream Giveaway

Man, I'm sorry I've been under the radar with posting lately. Between Mother's Day, my birthday tea party, winding down school with projects, and working on hubby's and the boys' birthdays, it's been a little busy. But I am coming back with a bang!!

As you know, my life (and blog) became 100% better once I purchased my Nikon DSLR. The quality of my pictures is soooo much better even though I haven't learned a quarter of all its bells and whistles. One day...I'm going to take a class and figure them all out.

So of course, I jumped at the chance to hook up my readers with the same. You have the opportunity to win

$1000 Photographer's Dream 

Shopping Spree 

That's right! You can pick out anything you like from DSLR cameras to camera bags to accessories and lighting and more. Or you can opt for $1000 USD transferred to you via PayPal so that you can shop to your heart's content.

Tuesday Tip - Blue Cotton Custom T-Shirt Review

When we went to DisneyWorld a few years ago, of course we needed the requisite matching family shirts.  Alas, with the trip being a surprise planned by my husband, there was no time to order them, so I made ours  with iron-on sheets.  They were aight...but I wish we could have had real shirts.

During my research on the off-chance I would be able to find someone with an affordable turnaround time (no.) I came across Blue Cotton.  Flash forward to now and when they reached out for me to review their products, I was more than game.  They specialize in custom t-shirts and unlike other spots, you can order as many as you need, from 1 to 100. Or I guess 1,000 if you need that many.

As some of you may know, I juggle being a full-time graphic design student along with the hundred other things I do. This quarter, I'm in a portfolio class and must create a branding scheme for my future business.  I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to create a t-shirt that would work as a promotional item, something I could leave when I finish an interview and that my future staff would wearing working an event.

The beauty of Blue Cotton's online ordering is the simplicity.  The Design Studio is the brains of the operation and all you have to do is point and click. See the left hand menu? You can create a unique design or upload your own logo like I did. With orders of 6 or more you can even add sleeve print.

Pack A Picnic For Your Favorite Teacher

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! I'm sure you all have been seriously pinning some great ideas to use.  We are hosting all sorts of fun events this week like a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast and my job was to bring in a baked good.  Since I don't bake, I figured donuts are always a safe bet, but of course you know me, I couldn't just slap down a box.

May The Fourth Be With You + Free Comic Book Day

It's May 4th, also known as May The Fourth Be With You, also known as Star Wars Day.  Because of the phrase 'may the force be with you'. Get it?

I'm not going to reinvent the wheel by doing a full posting...do a Star Wars or May The Fourth search for serious SW obsessions and check out last year's post for a few (still) of my favorite parties.

I will squeeze in Cool Mom Picks' great round up of ideas like these AWESOME masks available for kids and adults.

But today is a double whammy of geek blessing because it is also Free Comic Book Day.  I'll let Hugh Jackman (squee!) tell you more...

Fiesta Friday - Mother's Day Tea Party Inspiration

Can you believe that Mother's Day is next Sunday?I'm always excited about Mother's Day since my birthday always falls near or on it. This year it's the Saturday before and I'm having a tea party! I've never had my own, but have been to countless ones so I'm really excited this year.  Would you like to see some of the things inspiring me? Of course you would.

First up, my invitations.  Because I roll like that, I have two invitations...the original idea started with these lovely macaron cards from river & bridge.  I added the vellum overlay since I refuse to try and run them through my printer.  That's just asking for trouble.

Lemony Blueberry Layered Mini Pies + Pinterest Contest With Lucky Leaf

Nothing says spring like an easy, no-bake dessert and Lucky Leaf has the perfect one for your next celebration or dare I say, Mother's Day.  It's their Lemony Blueberry Layered Pie...except I tweaked it just a bit and used mini graham cracker crusts instead.  You know I like my portions.

Tuesday Trend - Chalkboard Printables

How hot are chalkboard printables? They are everywhere and it is one trend train I can get on board with.  Here are a few of my favorites...and they are all free to download!

Mother's Day With Layla Grayce + 15-20% Discounts

Mother's Day is creeping up fast isn't it? April just flew by and now it's time to honor the special mothers in your life.  My sponsor Layla Grayce never fails in unique gorgeousness, especially for Mother's Day. Their  Mother's Day blog post is full of beautiful gift ideas, although I'm a little partial to the Antique Rose Blue tea pot.  But that could be since I'm hosting my very own Mother's Day Tea Party for my birthday since it falls on the Saturday before.  But more on that later.  

If you would like to send your mom any of the gifts from their blog post, they are offering 15% discount off with code 4URMOM valid through this Wednesday, May 1.

And if you need even more inspiration, they have a whole section called Last Minute Gifts For Mom that are 20% off through Thursday, May 2 with code WELOVEMOM and here are  some of my favorites.  Some of the LMGFM even have free shipping! 

Fiesta Friday - 1 Cake, 3 Ways To Decorate

Today's Fiesta Friday is 3 ways to make a plain cake fabulous! I have to admit, I have some serious piping skills that comes from years of making cupcakes. Alas, I cannot bake or layer a tiered cake.  So I'm always looking for ways to make a storebought cake look like I made it myself.  And yes, it can be done.  

Tuesday Tip - Starting Your Own Creative Small Business With Andie Powers

You know I'm all about girl power and starting your own business (have you check out my It Started With An Idea series?) so I'm thrilled to combine both in today's Tuesday Tip!

Remember a few weeks ago I shared my meetup with the ladies of Assemble?  Andie Powers, one half of this dynamic duo, is a small business and brand consultant at her own spot, Andie Powers. There, she offers business start-up and existing brand consultations and services for unique small businesses of all kinds, and is especially experienced in creative fields such as craft, design and art. She can help you come up with a creative plan of action for your business from the very beginning, or propose changes that may benefit your exposure and growth.

Fiesta Friday - Fiesta! Fiesta! 2013

Cinco De Mayo is in two weeks! There are so many fabulous ways to celebrate, so I'm posting this early enough for you to get the drop on your fiesta planning!

In fact, my May Better Homes & Gardens magazine that arrived today inspired this post. They are sharing a fuss-free fiesta plan with paper lantern and washi tape decor.  You'll have to get your hands on the magazine for all the details, it's not online yet.