DIY Cupcake Stand

I found this awesome do-it-yourself cupcake stand over on Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and wanted to share since I am a lover of all things homemade and handmade.

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This was constructed of 2x4s and fabric. Isn't it great? Check out more pictures here. I also found a full set of instructions and materials needed on Elle Z Designs so be sure to check that out too if you are trying to make something similar. Did you take on any DIY projects for your wedding?

How to Have an Ice Cream Social

My husband and I recently discovered the coolest ice cream place ever called iCream cafe in Wicker Park where you can create your own custom ice cream on the spot. They have three stations:

1. Pick your base-ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet (you can also make that light, fat free, organic, or soy)

2. Choose your flavor-add one or more flavors to your base (the list goes on and on and on). If you want to have some fun, you can even add a color

3. Add your toppings

Then they whip together your creation in one of the commercialized mixers in their "factory" using liquid nitrogen to turn your base into ice cream. Very cool to watch!

If you want to recreate something like this on your own (sans the commercial mixers and the liquid nitrogen), here's how:

• Put together a station with bowls (maybe even fancy them up by using martini glasses or water goblets), waffle cones, sugar cones, and regular ol' cones
• Fill up your kitchen sink with ice and display a few different flavors and types of ice cream/frozen yogurt. I recommend a vanilla, a chocolate, and something fruity. Then maybe a variation of each (light, fat free, fro-yo)
• Put together a station for toppings. Some favorites include mini oreos, chocolate chips, caramel, peanuts, sprinkles, Reeses Pieces, fruit chunks (banana, pineapple, strawberry), chocolate syrup, peanut butter-the list is endless

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Try using stations for just anything else. A bloody mary bar, champagne party (with fun mix ins), or even a pizza party. I think interactive events are always the most successful-even if it's just something you're putting together at your home.

What's your favorite ice cream combo? Mine is vanilla with oreo. YUM!

How to Clean your Wedding Ring

When I first got engaged, I cleaned my engagement ring every other day. Even the tiniest bit of dirt can make your diamond look dingy so having a safe and easy solution for keeping your diamond sparkly is a must.

Here's what was recommended by my jeweler:

1. Use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with a mixture of 50% ammonia and 50% water. I use mine once a week and can totally tell the difference after I use it (this would also make a great gift for your newly engaged friends!)

2. After running it through the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, dry it off with a soft polishing cloth and then take a soft bristled toothbrush to lightly brush the diamonds

3. Dry it off again with the soft polishing cloth and your diamond should be as good as new

4. When not wearing your ring, either put it back in the ring box it came in or slip it onto one of these cute little ring holders:

How do you clean your ring?

JetBlue-All You Can Jet Pass-Great for Upcoming Wedding Events

Do you have out of state bridesmaids who have to fly in for all the wedding festivities? Does your mom want to help with every big DIY project you take on but flying back and forth just isn't in the budget?

Well, check out this unlimited travel offer from JetBlue. You can fly anywhere you want, as often as want between September 8th and October 8th, 2009 for just $599! There are more than fifty cities to choose from so I recommend you check it out.

Read here for restrictions.

How to Pick Colors for your Wedding

Picking colors for your wedding can be a very big task. The first purchase you make in your chosen color scheme usually means you can't change it. You're stuck. Well, if you are still looking for some inspiration for your wedding day colors, look no further.

Don't limit yourself to the inspiration boards you can find all over the net. Check out these coordinating fabric boards from Fabric.com. These are especially helpful if you want to use a few different patterns throughout your event.

Just a few of my favorites:

What is your favorite color scheme right now?

Using Tin Cans as Party Decor

I was eating at one of my favorite restaurants (Oreganos) and noticed that they use big tin cans for their wine buckets-how cool and resourceful is that? It got me thinking about how to incorporate that into your next dinner party or event. Here are a few ideas I am going to have to try:

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Or you could use them to elevate food trays, display silverware, chill drinks and more. How do you reuse your tin cans?

Now Blogging from....

Chicago Illinois! The last few weeks my husband and I spent all of our time packing up our house in Scottsdale, driving across the country, and unpacking at our new place in Chicago. We made the move to the Windy City so my husband can attend business school at University of Chicago, Booth School of Business-the number one ranking business school in the United States. Heck yeah I am proud!!! I would follow that man anywhere!

For any of you readers out there who are getting married in the Chicago or Lake Geneva area, shoot me an email and let's talk about your wedding! I will still be booking events in Arizona as well.