Tomato cage Christmas Trees

I love love love Christmas and all the decorating that goes along with it. I always want Christmas tree like topiaries on either side of my front door but they are expensive!! Around $100 a piece…and I need two??? Every year I think “I’ll get them on clearance at the end of the year” and never do.

4 feet high - $124.00

So I saw an idea on pinterest that I had to try!! Turning a tomato cage upside down, adding lights and décor voila! Instant Christmas tree!!!

I had two urns that weren’t being used so I decided to put the cages into them. I covered the cages with lights (I used approx. 4 strands on each “tree”). I started from the bottom so I was sure to have a plug in at the bottom instead of the top. As I wrapped and wrapped my excitement grew and grew.

Once all the lights were on, I topped each tree with a gold star (bought at Home Depot for around $7.00) and then embellished the bottom with red ribbons (bought at Home Depot for about $3.00)

These trees look absolutely perfect on my porch!!! And all for about $20.00!!! Sure beats the $200.00 I would have had to spend at the store!

Furniture Redo -

I bought this buffet with hutch off of craigslist for $150.00!!
I loved the look of it....cutesy, country (ish) but I didn't love the color...I pictured in a deep brown....I can usually make what I picture into reality....sooooo....here goes....

buffet at the mid way point...first "coat" no varnish

buffet all done and in my eat in!!! Isnt she pretty???

Crazy for Cake Stands!!

ok, so I may not be the best at making sweet treats...cupcakes, cakes and such...BUT...I am obsessed with the cuteness and classic-ness (word?) of cake plates and cupcake stands...I wanted to do a dessert bar while hosting this Thanksgiving so I set out for all the cake stands I could find...although, they weren't as easy to find as I thought?? I assumed one trip of thrift store scouring and I would have beautiful antique cake stands in china patterns from old grandmothers who had no use for them anymore....but there were none! ZERO!!! ok, plan B..Target and Wal Mart...Target had cupcake stands...for around $30.00 which I wasn't willing to spend since I wanted several off them...I went to Wal Mart and found a glass cake stand with cover that doubled as a punch bowl...hmmm...two for one?? I'll take it...it was around $20.00 and until my fabulous dessert is placed in it, it is holding pumpkins on my fall buffet shown above right...(See it there in the center??)

So...I still needed the cool multi layered ones...A trip to my local 99 cent store solved my problem...and I have been making them so often and SO inexpensively that I am sure there are a few people who will be receiving them as gifts (but don't tell how much they cost...$3.00-$5.00...yes...that's right...Here is what you will need to make your own cake/cupcake stand.

*two plates
*527 glue
*taper candle holder



I purchased the plates and the candle sticks at the 99 cent store...the glue from JoAnn's (I think it was around $3.99??) It is really very easy...turn your first plate (which will be your top plate) upside down...remove price tags and any stickers...spread glue over the top of the taper holder, and some around the bottom of the plate...and let dry (I like to wait 12 hours) the glue says it dries in two hours..full strength in 24 - so I kind of go in the middle...or longer depending on my schedule.

Once your first plate is dry...put glue on the other side of the taper holder...and some on the plate and place on top...

Let dry and ta daaaa!!! two tiered cupcake stand.

You can also simply turn over a plate, glue on a taper holder and when turned over is a single cake stand.

I made a three tiered cupcake stand (also now holding pumpkins in anticipation for it's dessert) that I set the tapers back toward the back. I used three different sized square plates and wanted to have desserts front and center without having to reach for things in the back.

Put your own spin on it...there are many options...

                                                      More photos below...xoxo



**you can place taper holder in center, or slightly off center...if placing off center, it is best to use some sort of support during dry time***

Breakfast at Tiffany's themed Bridal Shower

Breakfast at Tiffany's Themed Bridal Shower

Recently a dear friend of mine was getting married - of course, I had to make her shower fabulous. I came up with a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme. Luckily she loved it so I went full speed ahead. I scoured and searched for EVERYTHING Tiffany blue. I soon found that ALL blue would be a bit much, blue and white too boring and predictable so I went with some black and white damask mixed with Tiffany Blue. The invites were sent and all were instructed to dress fabulous!!

As the day got closer, they were calling for rain..."NOOOO!" I couldn't have an outdoor party in the rain...especially not a fabulous one!!! I had bought a fabulous gazebo (er, carport) at Costco to shield us from sun, but I wasn't sure it would hold up in rain. Luckily there was no rain...the bride to be loved everything and we had a great time! Photos below - xoxo ; )

Table set - 

each setting had a favor box...(which I didn't get pictures of *kicking myself*) were large diamond key chains in "Tiffany" boxes.



made by the brides sister...fabulous cupcakes and candies!!





mmmmmm

 


bride with her sister and mom



"cheers"

 

everything dripped with gems!!



 



No cupcake wars for me...

sooooooooo - I consider myself pretty talented...you want flowers? I can grow them, arrange them, whatever you want - I sew a mean pair of pajamas (and dog tanks, btw) - I can faux finish walls, refinish, distress furniture - make jewelry - fix jewelry and decorate with the best of them...one thing I can't QUITE get, though...is baking...I try...But, I think the problem is all the EXACT measurements and me trying to substitute lower calorie items for yummy butter, eggs and oil...well, at least I thought that was problem. 
While browsing pinterest the other day I came upon a picture that read "skinny cupcakes...two ingredients" How hard could this be I asked myself? I quickly pinned the picture and later read through hastily of how diet soda and a box of funfetti make fabulously moist rich delicious cupcakes...I tracked the original post here:http://www.fashionmeetsfood.com/2011/11/skinny-funfetti-cupcakes.html
here this wonderfully talented blogger shows in simple steps how to make these skinny cupcakes. Well...tonight was the night...I was going to make my OWN skinny cupcakes!! Here is how it all went down...

funfetti and diet dew!! (could it get any better??)
As instructed, I added the mix and the soda, beat the lumps out and proceeded then to "check" the recipe..Well, it said to use a 1/3 cup of mix in the cupcake cups. (here's where I always jack up) so I think to myself..."why dirty a measuring cup?" so I just filled them...about two tablespoons full. So as they were baking...they started to look strange...but I thought it would all even out and I got to work on the skinny frosting....here are the instructions from fashion meets food
****

Whipped Frosting 

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) Container Cool Whip

• 1 (8 oz) or use 4 oz. Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix

• Food coloring if desired

Directions

• Whisk the Cool Whip and Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding together (and food coloring if desired) until the ingredients are combined. Be careful you don't over mix.

• Chill whipped topping until you are ready to frost the cupcakes. 

 

sooooooooo - here is what I did:

I took the pudding mix...MADE the pudding by adding milk...then went to add it to the cool whip and realized it meant add the mix TO the cool whip....NOT make the pudding then add to cool whip....

 

by this time, I am thinking of just trashing the whole thing...but I held out and when the cupcakes were done (er, the timer went off and toothpick came out clean) here is what they looked like.

 

ok...so the two in the back are not good...but not TOO bad???

So, I had set the "frosting" in the fridge hoping it would set up and be at least thick enough to somewhat stay on...

I let the cupcakes cool (which I have never done before) and then proceeded to frost them...

so, the frosting is a little runny...I learned a lesson....the cupcakes (and frosting) taste great and I may possibly have a successful cupcake blog one day...possibly....