Are you purchasing cupcakes at your next event? How much did those tiny cakes cost you? I’ve heard of cupcakes start at $1.75 each up to $4.50 each!

Well, it is said that the gourmet cupcake craze has reached its limit.

According to the Wall Street Journal, it reported that “”The novelty has worn off,” says Kevin Burke, managing partner of Trinity Capital LLC, a Los Angeles investment banking firm that often works in the restaurant industry.”

The Wall Street Journal took a closer look at Crumbs Bake Shop, a New York based gourmet bakeshop selling cookies, cupcakes and cakes in an array of flavors and concoctions. Crumbs projected that sales will decrease; much lower than anticipated.

Some blame Hurricane Sandy, others say that people just aren’t going to the bakeshop everyday and frankly, people can bake their own cupcakes. With shows like Ace of Cakes and Cupcake Wars, people are more inclined to bake their own little treats.

Another argument is there are many small- and home-based businesses that are popping up and selling cupcakes. With little capital and business knowledge, and a dash of creativity, many people started to create their own little bakeshop. Therefore, the industry has expanded and the market is saturated meaning that in order to increase sales, demand has to increase or the competition must quickly gain a large market share in the industry.

However, many people disagree.

Working in a party rental company, you meet a lot of momprenuers and people who started their own part-time job as an event planner, caterer and pastry chef; all who have full time careers in another field. Pastry chefs and event planners both agree the cupcake craze is here to stay! They receive many orders (myself included) for cupcakes at their next event. People are not purchasing one large cake for their event anymore. People like to have a variety of colors and flavors to share with their guests.

Whether you agree or disagree, one thing for sure I will enjoy some home-baked cupcakes tonight!

To read further into the end of the cupcake craze…click on the links below.

Wall Street Journal Online

Fox News Online

Visit our Pinterest Board on all things cakes & cupcakes here!

As clients come in, both wedding planners and the “do-it-yourself” brides, all tell stories of dramatic, romantic, and funny stories of the couples’ engagement and how they got here, wedding planning!

With so many shows on TV nowadays, about the ups and downs of wedding planning; whether you are bridesmaid, maid of honor, or the bride herself, you may tend to wonder “Is she …” or “Am I a bridezilla?” or “Are we moving too fast?” Or, the family is taking over your wedding, like that famous line in the movie Our Family Wedding, “…their wedding, our marriage.”  You may relate to all these blushing brides or you may just think you will never act like that.

One thing for sure, after those three magic words ”I Love You” it doesn’t take long to fall in love and start on the journey to wedding bliss.

In case you were wondering how you stack up against other brides below is a cool infographic on some stats like length of engagement, honeymoon locations, wedding colors, and more. Do you agree with the majority? Or do you dare to be different?

I found a great video on how to decorate a dessert bar. You can use these tips and advice to decorate your dessert and cake table, and what the heck! you can also use these tips to decorate your food and drinks table, gifts table and more!

A lot of the items shown in the video can be bought at your nearest party supply store or if you are the do-it-yourself type you can make these items for a fraction of the cost (although, it will take a lot of your time!)

You’ve got to check this out…the new Vera Bradley Collection from Tiny Prints.

You know Vera Bradley for their colorful bags, totes, luggage and more. They are known around the world for their dazzling colors, playful patterns and stylish designs.

In case you don’t know about them, here is a little about Vera Bradley:

Known for its lively patterns and vibrant colors, Vera Bradley was founded by longtime friends, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller. While traveling together in 1982, the friends noticed a lack of attractive luggage for women. Using their love of colors and patterns as inspiration, Barbara and Patricia decided to design and produce a line of quilted-cotton luggage, handbags and accessories. Thus, Vera Bradley (named after Barbara’s mother) was born. Now Vera Bradley is happy to expand its stunning designs into the world of stationery. The Vera Bradley Collection for Tiny Prints is perfect for anyone who loves floral prints, playful patterns and dazzling color.

Now, you can buy stationery with Vera Bradley-inspired designs from Tiny Prints. Check out some of the awesome designs below.

They have many Vera Bradley designs to choose from for baby shower invitations, birth announcements, thank you cards, and address labels.

Plus, if you order by Tuesday, March 26, you can get 20% off your entire purchase at Tiny Prints. Just use the code 20MARSW by 11:59pm PT on Tuesday to save 20%.

Check out their entire collection and make your stationery as dazzling as your bags. Check it out here!

Stylish and always customizable wedding stationary, such as: Save the Dates, Wedding Invitations, RSVP cards, Thank you cards and more!

Free Shipping With Wedding Paper Divas - Limited Time Only

Free Wedding Website – All year

Tiny Prints

Free Shipping with Tiny Prints – Limited Time Only

Tiny Prints Sitewide Sale: 20% off your entire order - Now through 11:59pm PT March 26, 2013

So have you picked out that special Valentine’s Day card for that special someone yet?

If you have not (or if the one you picked out isn’t all that special), I’ve got a tip for you.

Visit Treat and make a personalized Valentine’s Day card. Like now.

Here are some of their most popular cards for him and her.

valentine card for him

valentine card for her

valentine card

Classroom Valentine Cards by TinyPrints

Valentine’s Day is almost here!

If you have children in elementary school, you need to check out Tiny Prints’ Classroom Valentines.

If you are not familiar with Tiny Prints, these are the best cards you can buy. And you can completely customize with your child’s pictures, your own text, and text and fonts that you choose.

If your kids are too young, too old, or non-existent, Tiny Prints also has great customized photo gifts and Valentine’s Day party invitations, and their sister company, Treat has some aweome personalized greeeting cards.

Here are the most popular cards. If you order by January 30 and use the promo code 20JANSW you can save 20% on your entire order!

kids v-day card

kids v-day card

kids v-day card

1. Free Folded Card : customize by selecting the colors on the cover

2. Free ” I Like You” Tags : business card size; perfect for gift tags. customize be selecting background color, text color and more

3. Happy Valentine’s Day Gift Cards : insert a lollipop or a pencil. DIY instructions on site with 4 different color options

5. Valentine’s Day Tags & Tiny Envelopes : have your little ones make their own cards and envelopes

Since so many people are getting engaged this time of year, we wanted to share some save the date card etiquette and some of the newest save the date cards from Wedding Paper Divas.

After you are engaged, one exciting step along the wedding planning process is your engagement photo session. It is great to have an engagement photo shoot because it allows you to get to know your photographer better, bask in all your love, and the photos are perfect for a photo save the date card or save the date magnet.

After you are engaged and have shared the news with your close friends and family it is time to send out your save the dates. These are sent out in advance to notify for your guests of the upcoming wedding and give them time to make travel plans, especially if you are planning a destination wedding or holding the wedding on a holiday weekend.

You should send your save the date cards around 6 months before your wedding and if it is a destination wedding around 8 months prior to the wedding.

Since you are sending the save the date before the wedding invitation you have the opportunity to be fun and informal, even if your wedding is going to be a formal event. This is the chance to show your true personality and creativity and have some fun along the way!

The most important thing to remember about a save the date card is that it shows your guests they will also be receiving a wedding invitation and will be invited at a later date. Etiquette states you cannot send a save the date card to someone and then not invite them to the wedding. Make sure you have time to work on your guest list before sending out these cards so no one will need to be “uninvited.” If you are not completely sure who will be on your guest list you can send your save the date cards to only your very close friends and family that will be attending for sure and later on send the wedding invitations to the other guests. This will ensure you are not committing yourself to any but your most important guests.

Here are some of the newest save the date cards from Wedding Paper Divas. Which one is your favorite?

It’s time to buy your holiday cards, invitations, and more.

Just in time for the season, Tiny Prints is offering 30% off everything on their site. Custom holiday cards, Christmas cards, Hanukkah cards, holiday party invitations, custom photo gifts…you name it, it’s on sale for two days, today, Monday November 26 and tomorrow, Tuesday November 27.

Just use the promo code CB12 when you checkout to get this great deal.

If you have used Tiny Prints before, you know how incredibly awesome they are. If you have not, you are missing out on the best custom cards, invitations, and gifts. Their site is super easy to use and you can customize everything. You write your own text, upload pictures, and make everything uniquely you!

There will never be a better time to buy from Tiny Prints and this sale ends tomorrow at midnight Pacific Time, so check them out today.

Treat 30% Off Treat Card Club Packs

For one day only, you can save up to 60% on Treat greeting cards with the Treat Card Club.

For Cyber Monday, if you use the code CYBERTREAT, you can save 30% on their already discounted card packs.
You can literally do all of your holiday greeting cards with Treat, and make each one of them completely personalized!

What is the Treat Card Club?
It’s a really cool way for you to get major discounts (Up to 60% off on Cyber Monday) and save a ton of time at checkout by pre-ordering greeting cards in bulk.

Here are the Cyber Monday Prices:
18 Card Pack: $1.39/card, 60% Off Regular Card Price
12 Card Pack: $1.57/card, 55% Off Regular Card Price
6 Card Pack: $1.74/card, 50% Off Regular Card Price

The more cards you send, the more you save with the Treat Card Club.

Treat offers three card packs (6, 12 or 18 cards) which provide significantly greater value (personalized card) and lower cost per card than what you could expect to pay for a generic greeting card at retail.

You can use the cards in your packs to create and send any card from the Treat collection any time you want. And, redemption of cards can be applied during any current or future card purchases. Once you use up all the cards in the pack, Treat makes it easy for you to replenish your card stock if you’d like.

Treat’s card plans take the hassle out of buying and sending cards, and they make it super easy, crazy fun, and totally personal to create a card for someone special. Treat takes care of the rest.

So check them out today to take advantage of this amazing deal.

Another Cyber Monday Deal!

You can receive 35% off iPhone Cases by using the coupon code CYBER1126 during checkout. This offer expires on 11/26/12 11:59 pm . So hurry while supplies last. Check it out here.

I have no idea where the time went! I just realized Thanksgiving is about one week away and I have to put my first Thanksgiving together! I know how stressful it can be to plan a party but it’s even more stressful planning a Thanksgiving dinner (I wonder why?). The best way to avoid the stress and headache is, well, by planning!

Planning an event, even a family dinner, may seem like a daunting task but it does not have to be. Even if it is last minute, like me!

1. Budget

Know your limit! I heard of people spend so much money on Thanksgiving dinner that it adds onto their holiday debt! (remember, Christmas is right around the corner!) So how do you come up with a budget? There are several ways:

1. Try to reflect on last year Thanksgiving dinner. What did you buy? What did you throw away? What are some things you did not used…was it worth spending all that money?
2. Create a list of the necessities vs the wants. By creating a list of the items you absolutly need; you’ll be more inclined stick to your shopping list and avoid any impluse buying.
3. Also, knowing how many people will show up can help you guesstimate how much food you have to purchase (and make) to keep them satisfied throughout the night.

2. Menu

Are you having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner? Want to try a new recipe? Frozen or fresh turkey? Once you have an idea on what you want to serve on the dinner table the next step is to ask, “Is it doable? Can I do this myself? or will I need help?” Chances are you’re going to need the help. Ask your guests to bring side dishes, desserts, beverages, wine, whatever…the point is you don’t want to look like a mess on Thanksgiving Day. Take all the help you can get!

Click here for Thanksgiving Menu Checklist

Click here for Holiday Checklist

3. Decor

Spent all your money on the food…don’t go crazy with decorations. Use what you already have in the house. Something as simple as a vase filled with apples is a good Thanksgiving centerpiece. Use up those candles that have been in the closet for months. Buy a pine cone wreath for your front door or just ask your children to make paper turkeys, the ideas are endless…just be creative!

4. Extras

Are you having one too many guests at your home and don’t have enough plates to pass around. Of course, you can rent dinnerware and flatware from us, we offer classic dinnerware designs to compliment your grandmother’s treasured silverware. Need table linens to upgrade your decor, we can provide that too. Click here for our holiday packages or visit our catalogue to see what we offer.

Expecting kids on Thanksgiving? Set aside a kids table, complete with paper cups & plates, and crafts to keep them busy throughout the night. Click here for Kids Thanksgiving Crafts.

Of course, everyone knows the guys will be glued to the TV to watch football. Therefore, set aside an galvanized ice tub filled with their favorite beverages and maybe if your feeling extra generous you can set aside finger foods nearby the TV.

Whatever you decide to bring your family together, there are so many ideas out there to help bring that extra pop during your Thanksgiving dinner. Check out our pinterest board to get you started.