Winter Pastel Inspiration

Pastels normally elicit visions of Spring and Easter. But pastel colors can also work in the Winter. Give some of these Winter pastel ideas a try at for your next party.

Icy Blue Dessert Table

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Pastel Candy Canes

Source: miobello.tumblr.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Vintage Pastel Christmas Table

Pastel Tableware

Source: momwaldsplace.blogspot.com via Teri on Pinterest

Winter Cookies

Source: flickr.com via Laura on Pinterest

Pastel Dessert Table Doughnuts

Source: toriejayne.blogspot.com via Matheson on Pinterest

Pastel Christmas lights

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Sissy on Pinterest

Pastel Balloons in Varying Sizes

 

Source: brit.co via Patricia on Pinterest

Stumped on why pastels work so well in the Winter? If you look carefully, pastel colors can be found everywhere in nature during this time of year...

Wintery Scene

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net via MEETeyewear on Pinterest

Kids Party Inspiration-Polar Bear Theme

In the third installment of my Winter Party theme ideas I'm focusing on cute and cuddly Polar Bears! Check out all of the inspiration I found:

Cakes and Cookies and Cupcakes OH MY!

From Top Left: 3 Tier Cake, Polar Bear and Bunting Topper Cake, Icy Blue Layers Cake, Polar Bear Cake Pops

 

Cinnamon Polar Bears, Polar Bear w/ Scarves, Polar Bear Luv

 

 

Rock Candy Icicle Cupcake, Polar Bear Cupcakes

 

 

Keep em beary entertained with these fun crafts

 

Polar Bear Cup Craft, Polar Bear Plate Craft

 

 

 Beary Cool Decorations

 

From Top Left: Ornament Hot Air Balloon Bears, Northern Lights in a Jar, Sock Bear, Polar Bear Party Hat

 

 

What do polar bears eat?

 

Polar Bear Food

Treat of The Week-Cowgirl Cookies

I got this amazing recipe from Bakerella. I actually made the "in a jar" version of theses cookies give away as Christmas presents last year. But the recipe is sooo good I decided to make some to put in a care package for my boyfriend's son who is going back to college this week (and for myself). They make amazing gifts in a jar or just as homemade cookies.

I keep a few a of these treat boxes around cause you never know when you might need to put together a quick gift. Line the inside with tissue paper and secure with a pretty ribbon.

Diet Suicide Victim

I’m participating in a biggest looser contest at my job where the winner takes home a $120 pot of money. That’s not really why I’m dieting, I’m always trying to lose weight, the money is just a nice incentive. But this afternoon, after my 280-calorie healthy choice lunch, I got the hankering for smoothing sweet (nothing new). Since I had to drop something off in the basement (which is where the snack machines are) I took my wallet with me and stopped by the snack machine on the way back to my office.

Now I know snack machines are usually not a dieter’s friend. But I’ve been tracking my food intake carefully and I knew I’d had a light caloric breakfast and lunch so I figured I could spare a sweet snack. Standing in front of the snack machine (Jeopardy tune playing in my head) it all came down to Peanut M&M’s or a honey bun. Hmmmm, decisions, decisions! Went for the honeybun…it’s been a long time since I had one. Got to my desk and about half way through the honey bun I look on the back at the nutritional info and daaaaayyyuuum! 590 freakin’ calories!!!! I mean c’mon!

It’s not like I didn’t know honey buns weren’t healthy but Geez Louise…I could’ve had a big mac and some fries (or even peanut M&Ms which by the way were $0.10 more than the jumbo calorie bomb I ate but that’s a whole other subject). Of course I didn’t see that it was a jumbo honey bun when I bought it; it looked regular sized to me (but maybe that’s just cause I’m greedy). Well, like I said, I was only half way done with it but after the initial shock I was so disappointed in myself already that I just scarfed down the rest of it along with my guilt. I kinda understand how bulimics feel because I wanted to get it out of me so badly…but I hate the feeling of vomiting, that plus I’m already overweight so no sense in starting yet another issue I will just have to overcome.  I just want to say:

Dear Mrs. Freshley’s Honey Bun people,

YOU SUCK!

Sincerely,

Diet Suicide Victim

Pomp and Circumstance, Galas and Balls

Washington is a great place to be around inauguration time…especially if you like lots of pomp and circumstance. It’s a pretty big deal around here. The upcoming 57th Presidential Inauguration is drawing big crowds, although not the history-making event that drew 1.8 million people in 2009, still the city and surrounding areas are all abuzz with preparations for the event. Tickets have been sold out for weeks, good luck getting a hotel room for a reasonable price, city residents are putting rooms up for rent on craigslist for ridiculous sums of money, public transportation systems are preparing to operate for 22 hours on inauguration day and some museums along the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route are even offering special packages for viewing the presidential inauguration…like I said, it’s a big deal.

At least 46 inaugural balls and galas will be held in honor of the Presidential Inauguration throughout the DC area in the next week! However, the official inaugural balls are usually by invitation only because they’re the only ones the President, Vice President and their families make an appearance at. President Barack Obama is drawing an A-list of performers for his inaugural festivities, and the massive official balls are expected to draw more than 40,000 revelers.

 Photo by CharlesDharapak, AP

With so much talk of grand balls and galas I feel like I’m living in a Disney movie taking place in 17th Century France, lol. Well, this got me thinking…what exactly is the difference between a ball and a gala? From my party and event planning experience I know they are often used interchangeably. So I did some research and it turns out that there is a difference.

Originally, a formal ball was always private, by invitation-only, and usually also restricted by social class. Gala events on the other hand, are festive and open to the public, although it is generally restricted to those who buy a ticket. Today however, many balls have become ticketed events open to the public, rather than invitation-only. Modern usage additionally associates most gala events with marketing or fundraising for charity.

Regardless of what you call them, they’re basically a prom for grownups. And just like prom I think everyone should experience at least one in their lifetime!

 

Source: http://www.helium.com/items/2286787-difference-between-a-gala-and-a-ball

Kids Party Inspiration-Snowman Theme

Time for part 2 of my Winter-themed party ideas. I'm dedicating the month of January to sharing some of my favorite cold weather party inspirations. This feature is all about Snowmen. Check out all of the cool Snowman-themed Party I've scoured the web to find:

DECOR

From Top Left: Snowman Chandelier, Winter Wonderland table, Snowman Garland, Snowman Fridge, Snowman Chair Cover, Snowman Ornament Centerpiece.

FOOD

 

I was amazed by the variety of healthy snowman-themed food options out there!

 

From Top Left: Juice Boxes, Snowman Cheese Ball, Snowman Sandwich, Beef Stew with Snowman Mashed Potatoes, Cheese Cube Snowmen, Snowman Potato Soup, Snowman Bagel, Popcorn Cups, Punch Bowl, Pizza Bagels, Banana Slices on a Stick, Snowman Milk Glasses, Melted Snowman Water Labels.

 

TREATS

 

From Top Left: Pull Apart Snowman Cupcake, Snowmen Pretzel Sticks, Mr. Melty Cookie, Snowman Smore, Snowman Sundae, Snowman Shots, Snowman Cakepops, Snowman Candybar Favors, Snowman Cake, Snowglobe Cake, Pieces of Coal, Snowman Hats, Snowman Cake, Snowman Dessert Table, Snowman Cupcakes, Doughnut Snowmen.

 

INVITATIONS

 

From Top Left: Bright Snowman Party Design, Whimsical Snowman Invitation and Decorations, Personalized Photo Card, Jolly Snowman Invitation.

 

CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

From Top Left: Snowman Snow Measuring Stick, Indoor Snowball Fight, Flowerpot Snowman, Sock Snowman, Pin-The-Nose Game, Snowman Cookie Decorating.

 

I hope you found some inspiring snowman ideas for your next Winter shindig. If you have a snowman project you'd like to share leave your link in the comments below.



Coupon Organization

Have you made resolutions to be smarter about money matters in 2013? I know I have. One of the little habits I want to adopt is using coupons to save money on groceries. But one thing I’ve learned about New Year’s resolutions is that you gotta start small and keep it manageable otherwise your enthusiasm and good intentions tend to fizzle out before Valentine’s Day.

While I don’t want to become a serious couponer, I do want to find a way to stay motivated to clip, organize and remember my coupons at the store. I think if I had an effective organization system for coupons, I would be much more likely to use them before they expire and be able to find what I need quickly at checkout. So I started looking up information about couponing and thought I'd share some pretty nifty coupon organizers I came across.

Here is a coupon organizer that clips to your grocery cart for super easy access. It comes in different colors and patterns.

glowgirl16 on Etsy



The Couponizer features a handy coupon stacker which helps make organizing coupons fast and easy.

militaryavenue.com

 

Now this looks like a serious coupon organizer. Labels, color coding, pockets, calculator…the works! 



Mrs. A's

This Coupon Clutch is really a 2″ three ring coupon binder in disguise to look like a designer tote.

Frugal Diva Frenzy

These colorful organization labels by InktreePress are great to help keep everything neat, and best of all they’re free!

worldlabel.com

 

Do you have good couponing tips or know of any great couponing blogs. Share your links.

Looking forward to saving money in 2013!