I had planned to wait and share this Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread by The Healthy Foodie till Summer but I couldn’t wait. If you are like me you tend to start planning for Summer parties early so hopefully this serves as inspiration.

The presentation alone is enough of a reason to try this Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread. It would look lovely displayed on a buffet table or on its own as an appetizer for a small gathering. If you don’t have time to make the Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread itself you could still mold a soft cheese, like goat cheese, into the shape to get the same effect.

You can find the full recipe and instructions for this Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread by The Healthy Foodie by clicking here.

photo credit: the healthy foodie

Ever since I can remember I have loved Peeps. I saw this idea for Peeps On A Stick on the blog Your Homebased Mom. They are really easy to make too! Peeps On A Stick make adorable table decorations or place settings for your Easter table. They would also look really cute sticking out of an Easter basket. Or you could hide them around the backyard by sticking them in the grass and planters for kids to find during their Easter Egg Hunt. This photo features the chick Peeps but the bunny Peeps work too! The possibilities are endless with this inexpensive Peep idea.

photo credit: yourhomebasedmom.com

Next time you are throwing a birthday party consider making these Confetti Balloons. These balloons just scream celebration and are super easy to make! You can find step-by-step instructions at Kojo Designs by clicking here.

photo credit: kojo-designs.com

Wouldn’t these make adorable table decorations for Easter? These cheerful centerpieces were originally used for decorations at a pajama party but I think the concept translates nicely for Easter.

Recreating this look should be easy. All you have to do is fill the jars with fruit loops and bubble gum and add the tulips. This would make a great last minute Easter decoration too if you are in a bind!

I was so inspired by these centerpieces that I came up with a slight variation that I will try this Easter. I am going to make three centerpieces  like the bubble gum one featured in the center. I will fill two jars with yellow bubble gum and one jar with pink bubble gum. Then I am going to finish off the centerpieces using pink and yellow tulips. I think the color combination will add a wonderful Spring feel to the table.

photo credit: blog.amyatlas.com

If only I had known that SPRINKLES could be a birthday party theme! I wish I could go back and tell my two-year-old self to beg for a party themed around my first love… sprinkles.

I am so impressed that Kojo Designs was able to create a whole party inspired by sprinkles. They turned a concept into an adorable party and every detail incorporated the creative theme. You can check out cute photos from this party by clicking here.

I just adore this idea and have decided for my next birthday I will have a sprinkles themed birthday party… with sprinkles inspired cocktails of course!

photo credit: kojo-designs.com

For those of you who know me, you know just how much I love sprinkles. And for those of you that don’t know me to this extent… when I go to those “serve yourself” frozen yogurt shops they have to replenish the sprinkle jar after I leave. I put sprinkles on ice cream, cupcakes, and have been caught on multiple occasions eating a spoonful of sprinkles out of the container.

Alright, getting back to the point of this post… I love this idea of tossing sprinkles instead of rice at your wedding ceremony or honeymoon exit. They are easier for birds to digest and will add the perfect pop of color. You can set up decorative bowls filled with sprinkles and add a sign saying “sprinkle the happy couple with love” or something to that effect. You could even order the sprinkles in your specific wedding colors. I will be doing this at my wedding… unless I manage to eat them all first.

My only concern is that the colored sprinkles might dye the white wedding dress… anyone know if that happens?

photo credit: bridalmusings.com

This photo is from my dear friend Madison’s wedding. She looked stunning on her wedding day, every detail was done to perfection, and this cake made a lasting impression on me.

There are so many spectacular variations of the traditional wedding cake but this is one of my favorites. This wedding cake embodies simple elegance. The real flowers are so meticulously placed around the cake and each layer is emphasized by a thin navy ribbon. The minimalistic frosting detail adds depth to the cake’s smooth white frosting. The yellow rose petals around the base of the cake add just enough presentation value without taking away from the beautiful edible masterpiece. This photo does not properly translate how breathtaking the cake was in person. Simple perfection!

On March 5, 2013 the San Francisco Bay Bridge will be lit up by 25,000 white LED lights. The Bay Lights was inspired by the Bay Bridge’s 75th Anniversary  and will be the world’s largest LED light sculpture. The lights will span 1.8 miles wide and 500 feet high. It is eight times the scale of the Eiffel Tower’s 100th Anniversary lighting. The Bay Lights will be shining from dusk until 2:00 a.m. for two years.

Pretty impressive right?! Here is my favorite part… in an effort to reach their fundraising goal you can “buy” a light. On the Bay Lights website you can pick the exact light you would like to “buy” and for $50 it is yours to name and dedicate to whomever you like. Remember in the movie “A Walk To Remember” when he buys her a star? This is like the more tangible version of that!

For $50 you can be part of San Francisco history and know that your light is one of thousands contributing to the world’s largest LED light sculpture. I purchased one in honor of my grandpa who passed away this year. I find comfort in knowing that his light will shine bright in the sky over the city I call home.

If you are interested in giving the gift of light by “buying” a light or just curious about the Bay Lights click here.

photo credit: Lucas Saugen

I would like to formally invite you…

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, you will have the opportunity to hear author Andrea Wulf talk about her latest book, “The Founding Gardeners.” “The Founding Gardeners” was featured on the New York Times Best Seller List and the New York Times called it an ‘illuminating and engrossing new book.’ The event is hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution Presidio Chapter, an organization I am involved with, and invited guests are welcome to attend. Please see more information below about the location and time of the event.

This beautifully illustrated talk looks at the lives of the founding fathers and how their attitude to plants, gardens, nature and agriculture shaped the American nation. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison regarded themselves foremost as farmers and plantsmen and for them gardening, agriculture and botany were elemental passions, as deeply ingrained in their characters as their belief in liberty for the nation they were creating. In a unique retelling of the creation of America, award-winning historian Andrea Wulf will show how plants, politics and personalities intertwined as never before.

Event Details:

Location: Winfield Scott Campus of the Claire Lilienthal School

3630 Divisadero Street (corner of Divisadero and Beach), San Francisco, CA 94123

Time: Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00 p.m.

Check out this adorable nautical Sailboat Onesie! The sailboat is made with different colorful fabrics and the small wave is made with blue and white pinstriped fabric. Together all the fabrics create a cheerful nautical look. This Sailboat Onesie is handmade by Kaity Beth and would make a wonderful baby gift. You can purchase this handmade nautical onesie by clicking here.

photo credit: etsy.com