Second Birthday Party Project #4 - Cake

Wednesday I showed the Minnnie Cupcakes made for The Boss' party.  While most of my family LOVES chocolate cake, the Mr. prefers vanilla cake with chocolate icing.  In an effort to make everyone happy I did both!  In doing both I ended up with 12 chocolate cupcakes, 12 vanilla cupcakes, one vanilla and one chocolate round cake.  I decided to use the cakes to make a Minnie face.

I cut the chocolate cake into ears and added them to the top of the vanilla cake.

Next, I iced them to keep them in place (sorry this picture ended up blurry...you get the idea).

Mr. D helped with the construction of the face and even made me some pink icing!

At one point I considered leaving the cake just as Mickey, since he is Minnie's best friend, but decided against it since The Boss loves Minnie so much.  Mr. D jumped in and quickly built me a bow!

Finished product; chocolate ears with chocolate icing, chocolate bow with pink cream cheese icing, vanilla cake face with vanilla icing, and Minnie's hair line is vanilla cake with chocolate icing.  Every combination to meet every cake desire.

Second Birthday Party Project #3- Cupcakes

The cake is a huge part of any birthday party, and I must admit I lack creativity when it comes to this detail.  Last year my sister iced my cake for me because the idea of icing it stressed me out.  This year I saw some cute cupcakes online and decided to try them.  Cute Minnie Mouse Cupcakes, yes please!

This was a super easy project.  Our family loves chocolate cake so I used chocolate cupcakes and iced them with cream cheese icing turned pink with food colouring.  I used white chocolate chips to mimic Minnie's dress.

Next, I made bows to top the cupcakes, and used the tops of oreo's as ears.  I wanted just the tops so I brought in a specialist...my husband!  When watching tv we often share an oreo (or two or three).  I eat the tops and he eats the bottoms with the icing.  So he is a pro at carefully separating the tops from the bottom.

Icing on, chocolate chip dots placed, ears in, and bow topping it off!  Simple yet adorable!

Second Birthday Party Project #2 - Party Hats

If you remember my party hats from last year, you remember that I added a little flair to them.  All the little girls had Baby Girl bows on them.  This year I again swayed from the traditional party hat.  Don't get me wrong, EVERY party needs a party hat, but it's time to be a little more creative!  I have always loved Minnie ears, we even tried to buy them for The Girl for Christmas but they were sold out, so...I made her one!

I started by collecting my materials.  I already had most of the materials so all I purchased was the headbands from the dollar store.  Each set of ears therefore cost me $1 to make.

I started by cutting the ear shapes out of some foam I had and then covering them with black satin I had.  I sewed the satin leaving one end open to insert the foam.  I removed the sequence flowers then glued the ears to the headband.

Next, I cut two squares from the poke-a-dot material and sewed the wrong sides together.  I left a small whole open and then flipped the material right side out.  I trimmed the edges, ironed and then top stitched it all the way around.  Once the squares were completed, I loosely stitched through the center and cinched it tight to make the bow.

I glued the bow on between the ears.  They aren't perfect but The Boss didn't care.  She LOVED them!

The Boss and her cousin are hams.  At Two years old they know how to strike a pose!

My poor nephew, he is always stuck with the two girls.  For him, I made a Mickey hat.  I cut two ears out of black scrapbook paper and glued them to a red party hat for him.  He seemed please and was more than happy to pose with TWO Minnies!

Second Birthday Party

Yesterday we were able to celebrate The Boss. 
It was wonderful!
Here are some of the highlights! 
Many tutorials to follow.

Sweet Bachelorette Party

Today I was working on our guest bedroom/ office since my Mother-in-law is coming to stay with us for a week, but then I had to take The Girl to the doctor for two immunizations which totally traumatized me.  So I am currently taking it easy trying to get my blood pressure back to where it should be.  This awesome bachelorette party made me smile though so I thought I would share it with you. 

My friend Tara and I have grown up together, and while life has taken us on different paths we always seem to find a way to re-connect.  

Our friendship started in elementary school, Tara is a year younger than me so we were in different classes but our Mom's served on committees together and we rode the same school bus.  

When it came time for high school we went to different schools but we connected while working at the same retail store in our mall.  

Tara eventually switched schools and went to my high school.  

We then reconnected when I saw her walking the halls at the university I went to...sure enough Tara was going to go here too, so we met for coffee and served together on a volunteer committee at Laurier. 

We have connected over Facebook (who hasn't) and more recently through blog land (another reason I love blogging).

She has married the love of her life and followed him out to California and back while he finished his schooling.  They just returned to the Toronto area and not a minute too soon.  Tara's brother is about to get married so Tara and her sister threw their soon to be sister-in-law a 50's Vagas Glamour Bachelorette Party!  If you can't go to Vagas (definitely on my bucket list) this is the next best thing.  Check out their cute decor!

The banner hanging over the fireplace was made by Tara.  She saw them in a store for $6 a piece and new she could make them for cheaper.

Tara also writes a blog called Cupcakes Coast to Coast where she rates cupcake stores throughout her travels.  Her blog will make your mouth water.  I don't doubt for one moment that these were inspired by her travels.  They are are adorable and look delicious!

Tara's sister Britt is super artsy so she made these water bottle labels base on my tutorial here.  I think next time I need covers I might call her.  Look at how awesome these are.  They put my little e's to shame!

Here are the party hosts in their 50's Glam! Tara is on the right and her sister Brittany is beside her.  Do you kinda wish they were your sister-in-laws?

To see more pictures of this cute event or to follow the adventures of Tara and her Hubby check out The Sylvester Scoop. 

If you make something based on a Cheeky D in Heels tutorial I would love to see how it turned out!  Email the pictures and a bit about your project to cheekydinheels@gmail.com.

Party Invitations...Check!

It is officially birthday month and The Boss' big day is only 20 days away...well 22 days, depending on whether you are counting her birthday or her party.  My love for Etsy continues with the design of The Boss' Birthday invitations.

And now that the invitations are printed and in the mail...

let me introduce you to Fernanda of Thirty One Designs.  

Her shop is named "Thirty One" after the amazing Proverbs 31  describing the woman, wife, mom, and successful business woman that she admires and longs to model her life after. So appropriate being Mother's Day weekend don't you think?  She is creative, talented,  AND  we share the same Birthday!  She's been in business since 2008 and has over a thousand happy clients.  After telling her about this blog she generously offered a free design from her store for one lucky reader.  Here's how you can be the next winner.

1. MANDATORY You must be a follower of Cheeky D in Heels. (Leave a comment)
2. Visit Thirty One Designs and come back here and tell me your favourite design. (Leave a comment)
3. Like Thirty One Designs on Facebook.  If you don't win Facebook friends get a $1 off anyway! (Leave a comment)
4. For two entries blog about this great giveaway including a link back to Cheeky D in Heels and Thirty One Designs so others can participate and come back here and post the link to your post. (Leave 2 comments)
5. Bonus 5 entries for purchasing something from Thirty One Designs and tell me about it. (Leave 5 comments)

*Please post a comment for each step and include your email address so I know how to get in touch with you.  Feel free to disguise it. (ex. cheekydinheel(at)gmail(dot)com)

The contest runs from Today until Monday, May 13, 2011. 

Ready for Spring

We are soooooooo ready for spring, but living in Canada means we are only days away from Spring or our next snow fall.  We have had a couple of really nice spring days but the wind still seems a little chilly, hence why The Boss is still in her hat (which is getting too small, but I refuse to replace this close to spring) and mitts.  We have even had a gorgeous day followed by a snow fall.  I try to not get too excited for the warm weather and sunshine, but ever since getting back from Florida I really can't help but wish for spring.

Spring is one of my favourite times of year.  It is normally filled with bridal showers for the brides being wed in the summer, Easter and in my case Babies.  This time last spring was filled with babies.  It was like we were barn yard animals.  The spring hit and there was a baby born once a week for about two months solid.  With all these babies being born our spring this year has been filled with first birthday parties.

I posted last week about my nieces party and with that over it's time to focus on The Boss' party.  Like I have said before, I've been planning this day since the day she was born.  I have a list as long as my arm with the projects I want to complete for her party.  So, with only 7 weeks left until her party I need to get down to business.  I thought if I published my To-Do list publicly it would not only keep me accountable to complete a project a week BUT it would also help you all get excited for her party as well.  I know...you're all planning your outfits already.  It's the second biggest event next to the Royal Wedding.

Here's the List with visuals:
Invitations

Birthday Hats

Birthday Girl Outfit- Don't have my materials yet.

Birthday Banner

Goodie Bags (Can't post a picture until day off...don't want to ruin the surprise)

Cake/Cup Cakes

Food- Not a clue...still thinking about this...I do want to do a candy bar though!

Birthday Gift

 

Am I missing anything?

Hope you are enjoy some spring weather wherever you are!

Come Join The Party

Welcome to all Ultimate Blog Party visitors! Thank you so much for stopping by!  One of the things I love most about the blogging world is the social network, and what better way to network than a party!  While we are on the topic of a good party, this party is definitely my style these days.  Sitting on my bed, in my Lulu's, between laundry and cleaning the house during Baby's nap time...I call that a good party!

I am a Mommy to a beautiful 10 month old Baby girl (I refer to her as The Boss on the blog...it only seems appropriate).  Her arrival took us a bit by surprise but I can honestly say my life has never felt as complete as it does with my baby girl.  But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I am Canadian and my husband is American.  We met in Virginia at school.  After dating for nine months we got engaged and married nine months later on July 12, 2008.  We lived in Virginia for a year as a married couple before we moved to Canada to be closer to my family.  Shortly after we got here we found out that we were having a baby.  The Boss was born May 26, 2010 turning our two into three.

 We currently live in Canada but my husband is from Florida so we make frequent trips to see the family.

I am currently on the tail end of my maternity leave (thank you Canada for a full year off) and will be returning for work at the beginning of June.  I love being a Mommy and no longer think as an individual but as a Mommy first.  The Boss has so much personality and I love watching her grow and develop.  My passions include shopping, decorating and DIY. 

So now that you've partied with me, go and party somewhere else! Please leave me a comment letting me know you were here, along with a link to your blog as well.   If you want to join the fun, and haven't already, just drop by 5 Minutes for Mom and add your blog, Facebook page or Twitter to the linky and follow the directions to join in the Ultimate Blog Party.

Be sure to check back here tomorrow as I will be posting a great baby girl tutorial and a GIVEAWAY!

Spring Party

This weekend my niece turned one and my sister and brother-in-law hosted our family and friends to celebrate their baby girl.  They had a butterfly theme which went perfectly with the time of year.  My sister used bright colours and fun decorations to make her special day perfect.

 The beautiful host...my Sister with her Pottery Barn inspired Butterfly Mobile

Here's the Pottery Barn version...$89.99

...and my sister's. 

Isn't it amazing!!!!  She used scrapbook paper from the dollar store, fishing line and a twig.  

They looked adorable and were a hit with the kids!

I helped create these Martha Stuart inspired centre pieces.  We followed this tutorial for the flowers and then my sister added butterfly pictures she had taken at a butterfly conservatory.

The birthday girl had the perfect dress for her party too.

Finally, could this cake be anymore perfect?  My Brother-in-law is a chef, and this cake tasted as good as it looked!

Happy Birthday Baby Abby!