Spring Bulbs

As "I am ready for Spring" may be the understatement of 2011 thus far, I enjoy anything that hints it is in our near future... the snow in my driveway begs to differ.


Although the white stuff will be around for a few more weeks, freshly potted bulbs add a much needed pop of green + life to a tired windowsill. I plan to pot some for the window off our kitchen. These vintage tins would work nicely.


A cost-effective and environmentally-friendly DIY project, these up-cycled vintage tins are playful and fun. I love the colours and agree that they would make a perfect favour idea for a wedding or shower.


Photos and DIY instructions via Once Wed.

Sweet Touch Favours

Never one to turn down a sweet treat, I was thrilled to discover Sweet Touch Favours, made by the lovely Alexia.



Alexia creates these gorgeous personalized cookies for wedding favours or shower & stagette treats.

Her delicious sugar cookies, starting at $3 each, are baked, decorated, and packaged with you [and your colour scheme] in mind.


Each cookie is individually wrapped in a clear cello gift bag tied, with a personalized ribbon and optional tag.

. . .

Listen up Vancouver-based Brides & Party Planners...

As a Special Bonus for all C Star readers, Alexia has generously offered to include two dozen extra cookies on a minimum order of 150.

These two dozen could be in the same theme of your order or styled specifically for an earlier event [such as a shower or stagette].

Contact Alexia [sweettouchfavours@gmail.com] to collaborate on ideas for your next celebration [and don't forget to mention C Star Events].

Dangerous Chocolate Cake

Alright, this one was too irresistible not to share.

I received the following recipe via email. Although I have yet to try it, a couple friends of mine have and were not disappointed. {Forgive me, there was no author listed so I have cited the "Anonymous Chocoholic" as the creator}.

Enjoy chocoholics:


5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world ?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!






. . .

What a great favor idea for a chocolate-loving couple at their wedding or a fun take-away gift from a bridal or baby shower?

[You could put all of the dry ingredients and a recipe card in a large mug and wrap in cellophane or fabric].

{This recipe would also be perfect as a quick Valentine's dessert to share}.
Enjoy.

Favour Follow-Up.

As I was browsing the pretty colour palettes currently featured on All Things Lovely, I came across this adorable image.


{All Things Lovely}

Angie & Ryan: this retro {and very rustic} wheelbarrow would be adorable for sapling favours at your reception or envelopes of birdseed at your ceremony, don't you think?

Favourite Favours

As promised, I have compiled a few Favour Ideas for Ryan and Angela's rustic.and.romantic affair to complement their elegant bird motif.

The following are some of my favorite rustic gifts.for.your.guests...

[1].
[Once Wed]
I love this idea.
You could leave mini Mason Jars full of homemade jam, honey, or other preserves at each place setting with a thank you note or monogram.
Grape or rhubarb jelly with eggplant fabric or ribbon would complement your colour palette nicely.

A Fun Idea {stolen from a family friend's wedding}: attach a note reading "Thanks for Jamming with us".

[2].
[Style Me Pretty]
We've already discussed this idea but I think it fits too perfectly to ignore!
Style Me Pretty provides helpful DIY instructions for this adorable favor while The Knot gives insight into the traditional significance of the Jordan Almonds used here to Greek and Italian cultures.

Angie: your bird stamps would work nicely on card stock affixed to these nests.

[3].
[The Knot]
What is more rustic at a Fall Wedding than a table decorated with delicious {Okanagan} Apples?
This idea is so simple, yet I love its' effect. I have also seen it done with ripe Pears: mini 'thank you' notes were attached to the stem with ribbon. How Sweet?

[4].
[craftpudding]
Geneve's creative idea of directing more attention to the Pie Bar by compiling the homemade recipes into a booklet is quite special.
I think it would be so sweet to have each baker's hand written recipes copied to card stock and bound with twine or ribbon.

Each guest would be able to leave with the recipes for the pies they enjoyed at your reception. Yum.

[5].
[Martha Stewart]

To correlate with the bird and natural theme, packets of Seeds {wild flower or bird seeds} would be a great favour for your guests.
Martha Stewart packages seeds in adorable origami envelopes.

DIY instructions for these handy envelopes can be found here.


[6].
[Martha Stewart]

In keeping with the 'Green' theme, I think seedlings would be a wonderful way of promoting environmental consciousness [yay Hybrid]!

You could split the favors offering half the guests seeds and the other half seedlings. Also, as they have done here, you can print your 'thank you' messages on recycled or plantable paper. {Starbucks offered plantable paper with their gift cards a few seasons ago: it was really neat}.

[7]. {To Donate}

It it always a lovely gesture when a couple chooses to make a donation in lieu of favors. The following are some of my favorite charities:

1. WWF- Canada


2. World Food Programme


3. BCSPCA


4. BC Children's Hospital


5. BC Cancer Agency

There are MANY worthy Charities out there. Please let me know if you have any particular donation ideas.

I'm Stuck on These Labels

I was so excited when Jordan revealed her new business venture: Stuck Labels.


These labels are perfect for wedding favours as a personalized "thank you" message or a monogram.

On a Side Note: Jordan's business partner, graphic designer Karisa Winkel, has a beautiful wedding invitation collection.


[One of my favorite samples, the Nancy Wedding Suite, features a beautiful Magnolia design].
Images Courtesy of Oh Happy Day and Pretty Handsome Paper

If we weren't already doing a candy bar...

This favour idea found at Style me Pretty would be perfect for Ryan and Angie's bird theme. How sweet?

Gettin' Personal

Ryan and Angie are planning on including a candy bar and offering "to go" containers to their guests as favours. These containers will also double as place cards. [So clever]!

I love this idea and think they should be personalized! Some ideas on how to do this:

Personalized Stamp:

Imagine this stamp with a "thank you" message in lieu of "save the date."
Image Courtesy of Sweet Paperie.

Personalized Stickers:

Imagine this in a better "eggplant"?
Image Courtesy of Redhead Diva Paper.