{Recipes} Pumpkin Pound Cake

{via Sing For Your Supper}

Fall is officially here {although it does not feel like it in sweltering Houston} and I have been itching to make all sorts of yummy fall goodness! My mouth has been watering at all of the delicious recipes floating around Pinterest. Over the weekend, I baked this Pumpkin Pound Cake from Sing For Your Supper blog and I thought it was delicious! It was dense and moist and not too sweet. Better yet, it was a cinch to make!

{via Sing For Your Supper}

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pound Cake

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves and pudding mix; add to egg mixture alternately with pumpkin, beating well after each addition.

Transfer to a greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-6o minutes (depending on your oven) or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. Remove from pan and cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serves 12-16.

{Trends} Natural Backdrops for Dessert Tables

{The Party Dress}

Dessert tables are still extremely popular which I am so happy about! I mean, who does not like to see an entire table full of desserts when they walk into a party?! Fabric covered backdrops are still a fabulous way to incorporate your party colors and theme, but I have noticed a new "backdrop" popping up and it is so pretty and inviting...using nature as the backdrop!

Look at all of these gorgeous dessert tables and you will see how pretty nature can serve as your backdrop!

{Celebrate at Home}

{Party in Style by Elle}

{Little Sooti}

{Sweet & Saucy}

{La Belle Parties}

{Elizabeth Ann Designs}

{Ruby Ju}

{Party On via Amy Atlas}

{Love and Lavender}

Personalize Your Party with Monogrammed Sweets

{image via Bump Smitten. Party by Tara Guerard}

There is so much to love about a monogram! It's one of my favorite ways to add a personal touch to any party. Placing the guest of honor's initials on the dessert is a fun and pretty way to personalize your party. Here is a collection of some of my favorite monogrammed desserts. Enjoy the prettiness!

{image via Martha Stewart Weddings}

{image via Sweet Ambs on Etsy}

{image Gumdrop Cookie Shop}

{image via Things That Sparkle}

{image via Dayna Smith}

{image via Little Birdie Secrets}

{Real Parties} A Perfectly Pink Princess Party

My good friend, Nesi (see the Monkey See, Monkey Do party she planned last year), recently planned an adorable pink princess party for her daughter Madeleine who was turning 3. The party was full of sweet and girly details! A few of my favorite vendors, Kelly of WH Hostess, Cakes by Gina and the floral department at Whole Foods (Woodway) helped make the party extra special.

{Photography by My Girl Photography}

Kelly designed the cutest centerpiece sticks along with other pretty paper goods...

I love how Nesi "sprinkled" crowns and jewels along the table. It was an inexpensive way to make a nice statement!

Desserts tables are still the rage, so Nesi put together a pretty table with lots of delicious treats. I love the 3 foot balloons as the backdrop which were inspired by the dessert table queen, Amy Atlas.

The cake was GORGEOUS as you can see! As usual, Cakes by Gina did an excellent job!

The party was actually a joint birthday party with Madeleine's cousin, so they of course shared the cake.

Kelly's centerpiece sticks made the table pop and Sue B Sweets made the delicious and beautiful cookies.

And what would a princess party be without a visit from a "real" princess?! Sleeping Beauty made an appearance and the girls loved every moment with her!

The sweet birthday girl!

Thank you, Nesi, for sharing Madeleine's party with us!

Sources:

Photography - My Girl Photography

Paper goods - WH Hostess

Cake- Cakes by Gina

Flowers - Whole Foods Woodway {ask for Gail!}

Cookies - Sue B Sweets

White vases - Ikea

{DIY} Invitation Wooden Number Keepsake

Today I have an easy and fabulous tutorial to share with you! Amanda of My Mommie's Favorite Finds loved her sons' birthday invitation so much and didn't want them to end up at the bottom of a memory box. So, she created this adorable keepsake! As told by Amanda...

Invitation Wooden Number Keepsake

Materials needed: invitation, wooden numbers (or letters), scissors, paint brush and Mod Podge

Step One:

Place the wooden number (or letter) face down. Then, center the invitation.

Step Two:

Turn the materials upside down and trace on the back of the invite.

Step Three:

Cut and apply a layer of Mod Podge on the number.

Step Four:

Place the cut invitation down to match what you traced. Patch with leftover invitation pieces to fill missing spots on the numbers.

Step Five:

Once the number is covered, add another coat of Mod Podge. Let it dry and it's ready!

Here is a picture of the CUTE invitation! I can see why Amanda wanted to save it!

Here is a sneak peek of some of her party goods. The party is next weekend and I can't wait to see her creative touches!

Sources

Invitations - AbGaynor

Project materials - Hobby Lobby

{Friday Finds} Candy Apples & Weekly Round Up

{image via With This Ring}

I am dreaming of fall weather and planning fall get togethers in my head. I love entertaining in the fall and the upcoming holiday season! When I stumbled upon this Candy Apple Bar on Pinterest, I just knew I had to share with with you! How fun would it be to set up a station where guests can make a candy or caramel apple and top the apples with an assortment of yummy toppings?! Granted though, this would probably be a total mess. Sounds like fun though!

Wow...I have still not adjusted to the new schedule of PreK! Nick has adjusted, but poor momma over here is not used to early mornings, no naps for Nick (which mean no afternoon computer time for me) and being so tired at night, I crawl into bed much earlier than I have ever in my life. BUT, I am loving this new school adventure, meeting new friends and most importantly, seeing Nicklaus love his new school!

Weekly Round Up

Kelly Lyden from The Party Dress and WH Hostess had two Amy Atlas moments this week! I am smitten with her cheery sunflower table she created for her mom's 60th birthday celebration!

This clothespin decoupage tutorial on Cake popped up at the right time for me! This is a small project I have been planning to do for an upcoming party and now I have the perfect DIY instructions to follow.

Did you see the adorable Luau party by Anna and Blue Paperie?! You don't want to miss this one! Candy Skewers are becoming increasingly more popular and Stefanie provided a simple tutorial on how to make them at home.

I have always wanted to 'host' a baby shower by mail. This recipe shower (all done through the mail) on Toast and Laurel is chic and fun and is a fab idea if you and your friends and family live in many different cities!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!