Happy Friday

One more day before the costumes are on and the chocolate is eaten. Here are some spooky cocktails to kick off your Halloween weekend.

Black Widow Martini

Pina Ghoulada

Screwed Up Shooters

Creepy Jello Shots

For more Halloween treats - check out Hostess with the Mostess

Feature on Tampa Bay Watch blog...

Great News! Seaside Invitations monoLOVEgrams have been featured on the Tampa Bay Watch blog. Tampa Bay Watch is located at the southern tip of Tierra Verde right before Fort Desoto in Pinellas County. This beautiful venue hosts wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as events. There is more to come on this venue as I will begin showcasing local venues and vendors in upcoming blogs starting in November. If you do book your wedding or event at Tampa Bay Watch, you will work directly with Laura McMurdock who is an absolute dear to work with. She is on top of everything which allows the bride one less thing to worry about.


I recently created custom monoLOVEgrams for Laura and her significant other Doug. They wanted something that reflected their personalities which entailed either a Celtic symbol or something to do with Doug's love of flying. I designed 4 monoLOVEgrams for her to choose from and she loved all four and posted them online. Check them out at the Tampa Bay Watch blog. While you are there check out all the great amenities this beautiful venue has to offer.

the Leaves are a Fallin'

well not really in Florida... even though its been Fall for a month now. It's hard living in Florida to really get into the fall spirit with temperatures in the mid 80's, the sun beaming down and the trees still green. It is not until the end of October with Halloween around the corner, pumpkins carved on doorsteps, and a brisk cool breeze every now and again that it starts to really feel like the Fall season. For those brides with a Fall inspired wedding, here is an inspiration board to get you into the spirit. Check back at the end of the week to see the Fall inspired pieces we create.

Frightful Cupcakes

Ever since my girlfriends baby shower when I made those adorable Cookie Monster Cupcake Bites, I have felt inspired by all things baked and these are just adorable. They are perfect for your upcoming Halloween parties and can be transitioned for any themed party. They are cute, ghoulish & easy to assemble. Better Homes & Garden featured the Frightful Cupcakes, and these are my top favorites out of the 17 featured.

The Green Goblin -

Cut or tear sour gummy straws in half and insert in the frosting. Use sour gummy rings for eyes. Place white jelly beans in each ring for the eyes and top with a mini chocolate chip. Place a green jelly bean under the sour gummy rings for the goblin's nose.

Witch's Legs -

Use black marzipan to make the shape of the witch's boots. Stick yellow mini M&M's on each boot for the buckles with frosting. Mold each boot around a peppermint sticks to create the legs. Top cupcake with coconut dyed with green food coloring. You could even change these up and make Santa Legs for Christmas.

Peek-A-Boo Cupcake

Place 3 slices of marshmallows on top of each cupcake. Place 2 small mint candies in between the top two marshmallow rings for the eyes; use frosting to help make them stick. Put a candy coated chocolate between the bottom two rings for the mouth. To convert this to a Christmas theme, you could take the same idea and create a snowman.

Little Witch

Decorate a sugar cone with green icing. Place a chocolate cookie on top of a white frosted cupcake. Stick the decorated sugar cone on top of the cookie using melted chocolate. Place 2 mini candy-coated chocolates in the frosting for the witch's eyes. Tuck the dyed coconut under the sugar cone for the witch's hair.

Frankenstein

Frost a chocolate graham cracker square with tinted green frosting, leaving room at the top for hair. Place the frosted graham cracker on the cupcake. Use chocolate frosting to make spiky hair and Frankensteins mouth. Cut a small marshmallow in half for the eyes. Dot chocolate frosting on the marshmallows for pupils. Place 2 marshmallows colored with dye on either side of the cupcake for plugs.

Spider Crawl Cupcake

Place a chocolate truffle in the middle of the frosted cupcake for the spiders head. Use melted chocolate to adhere 2 red hots for the eyes. Cut 8 pretzel sticks in half. Dip the pretzels in melted chocolate to adjoin broken sticks for spider legs. Insert pretzel sticks in cupcake around the truffle.

Fall 2009 Colors are in....

The HOT new colors for Fall have arrived.

These colors envoke a warm cozy feel; they are the perfect mix between bright loud colors of summer & the cool colors of winter.

You can incorporate these colors into your invitations through a personalized monoLOVEgram, paper choices, fonts & envelopes. Check back later this week to see ho we incorporate these colors into our new Fall designs.

Think Pink Designs

The beauty of pink is all around us this month, I've even noticed it during the football games. It's a beautiful thing to see so many people and organizations rally around such a great cause. Now-a-days most of us know at least one person who has been affected with breast cancer, which is why its more important than ever for us ladies to continue to get ourselves checked out each month. I read an article a couple of months ago that was truly tear jerking about two sisters and their struggle with breast cancer. What was so encouraging from that article was to hear about all the advancements that have been achieved over the past decade.

Below are some beautiful invitations, stationery and a monoLOVEgram that was inspired by the beautiful color pink and breast cancer awareness. A portion of the proceeds on any pink inspired product will be donated to the Susan G. Coleman Foundation.

Introducing the monoLOVEgram

I have developed a new product for all my DIY brides out there. These affordable monoLOVEgrams are the perfect touch for your invitations. Don't think you can afford the fully custom invitation of your dreams but you want something to personalize your invitation? Well with these monoLOVEgrams, the design is already set and all we have to do is change the color to coincide with your wedding & the details (name, date, location). Want a little something more? We can provide you with the paper & envelopes to make your invitations just a little bit more special. MonoLOVEgrams can also be added to our new line of personalized stationery. If you are looking for a great thank you card or a special note card to send to friends & family, then these monoLOVEgrams are the perfect fit.

If these dont quite embody your wedding theme, let me know, I can design the perfect monoLOVEgram to fit your needs at an affordable price.

Here are some examples of the MonoLOVEgrams starting at only $10!!

More can be seen on my website: http://www.seasideinvitations.com/Portfolio.html

Inspiration of the Week: Think Pink

Its been busy busy here at Seaside. I am in the midst of designing some new invitations & stationery along with some new products coming out later this month.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month I have been inspired by all the PINK I see every where I turn. Below is a Think Pink inspiration board for all you pink brides out there. Check back at the end of the week to see the designs I came up with.

Best Friends Baby Shower

Well the shower was a success. Everyone had a great time. The food was delicious, the milk & cookies hit the spot and my girlfriend got lots of fun presents for her new baby boy! Here are some pics from the shower. Check out the cookie monster diaper cake & cake pops.

Cute Diaper Cake... even the diaper's were themed to Sesame Street.

Here are the cake pops. I took the recipe from Bakerella and created my own Cookie Monster design. I used blue chocolate for the outer layer, blue sprinkles for hair, marshmallows for eyes, and cookie crisp cereal for the mouth.

And they tasted really good!! Usually when I bake it normally doesn't look or taste good but this time around I got it right. I was pretty impressed with myself. :)

Me and the Momma-2-Be!