bake sale

Oh so cute bake sale from the bird and the berry (that qualifies as a party, right?).

cupcake birthday

This 8th birthday party is adorable! The girls became 'cupcake chefs' for a couple of hours. First, they went nuts decorating their own apron with fabric markers. Once they were finished, they headed over to a cupcake decorating station. Each girl had their own gigantic cupcake to polish off however they wished. For the full rundown and sources, head over to Amanda's Violet Hours.

60th birthday high tea

I love this high tea birthday from Olive & Joy.

heart cupcakes

Very sweet heart cupcakes from Better Homes and Gardens (via save the date for cupcakes).

j'adore...

...these cupcake holders from Australia's details, details. If only I could find these in the States! Anyone know of a source?

update: readers saved the day (as usual!) and located these exact cups at Bake it Pretty (see comments section) here in the US. Thanks, everyone!

little red car party

Another brilliant, beautiful party from the dynamic duo at scissors paper cake. Perfect for that little speedster in your life! (I'm already inspired for Gram's birthday next year, if his current obsession with vehicles continues). I love how they took the checkered race car flag pattern and used it throughout the party. It feels so cohesive without being too 'theme-y.' And of course I think the red and blue color combo is great- a chic take on 'boy' colors without being too primary. Love, love, love!

scissors paper cake (+ safari party)

Two favorite people I've discovered since entering the blog world is Nathalie of Imprintables and Naomi of Hello Naomi cupcake fame. Their creativity always blows me away!

Nathalie recently shared that she discovered Naomi via this blog, so now I am even more partial to them. Of course I have to share their most recent venture with you... a new business they created called 'scissors paper cake' in which they handcraft everything for your party. Amazing stuff, as shown above for a 2 year old's safari-themed party. You lucky Aussies can enjoy their creations, but the rest of us will just have to admire from afar!

neviepiecakes

I am definitely smitten with the latest creations from neviepiecakes. Sadly for me, the uber-talented mum, Natasha, is from Britain - but I am definitely admiring (and being inspired) from afar.

a favorite flickr baker

I've located yet another flickr baker who creates divine cookies and cupcakes. Officially obsessed with: Oh, Sugar!

baaa

Very cute sheep cupcakes right here.

beautiful birds

birds + cupcakes = perfection

More party photos from Chelsea right here.

nashville spotlight...new in town (kind of)

Melodie first spotted this cupcake place in February...I'm anxious to try them out. Sounds like they've got the best deal going in town ($1.50/cupcake)! Great write-up here.

rad cupcake liners

I'm really digging the vast selection of patterned cupcake liners in LayerCake's shop!

everything old is new again

Yet again- I've spotted something this week that I though was a 'new' concept, but has in fact been around for decades. A cupcake tower/cake spotted on a 1960's cookbook- who knew?

cupcakes on the brain

Of course I usually don't go too many days without cupcakes on my mind...but today I'm feeling particularly celebratory (celebrate = cupcake), since we just moved back into our house! Just 8 short weeks later... (damn insurance company).

Anyhoo- these delights from Trophy in Seattle have me ready to hop on a plane and cross country.

needing a pick-me-up (thank you, naomi)

I'm really needing a pick-me-up after the dreadful news that Domino is folding. I don't know why I am taking it so hard- but for me, this is really signaling that the economy is in awful shape. I know that sounds so stupid, but we have been very fortunate not to have anyone laid off in the family, so this is the event that is making it 'hit home' for me. If I were to choose one magazine to curl up with during any downtime I might have, it would be Domino. I've always hoarded each of my issues and poured over every single page. Why, why, why will magazines like US Weekly and People go on, but my dearest Domino fold?!? This is starting to explain for me why I received two copies of Lucky (last month and this month), even though I don't subscribe. I hate that policy of replacing with another mag, but not given a choice. But I digress...

On to these beautiful shots from flickr favorite Hello Naomi. If birds, flowers, ladybugs, owls and cupcakes don't lift the spirits, then I'm in real trouble.