Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Sometimes, you just would like to celebrate! Celebrating virtually can be free and all you need is your iPhone. It can also be fun. I downloaded two free apps, Photoshop and EZ watermark. Below are 8 steps to making a rainbow and shamrock profile picture!

1. Pick image you would like to decorate!

2. Choose effects on right upper corner.

3. Choose Rainbow Effect!

4. Choose save to album!

5. Select image in EZ watermark!

6. Push down arrow.

7. Select another image such as this one I took off of a napkin.

8. Place on image where you would like, choose how dark you would like the image, and save.

Upload to your favorite social network platforms and enjoy! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Matt had to have an Angry Bird Birthday. Now that we are traveling so much and I am working a full time job being pinched for time and stressed to the max put me to a cake decorating dilemma.

This is what I can up with for an Angry Bird Birthday. It was so easy and most of it I pre-made and froze.

Step 1: I always mix icing and blend icing outside of packaging before decorating. I strongly feel this gives me more spread per my cake!

Step 2: If I know a birthday is close, on a day I have energy, I make cupcakes and cakes. I wrap really well and freeze!

Step 3: To make the angry bird pig I cut ear shapes out of the cupcakes and flattened a cupcake to make a more nose “like” shape.

Step 4: For the icing, I made a rigid pattern. When in a hurry I do not even try to make things smooth. I used the edge of the knife to give texture.

Step 5: With remaining icing I added extra green to give depth to the inner ear of the Angry Bird Pig. I also just used black icing via tube and white icing that was put to the side in the beginning.

The day went off without a hitch. The cake actually was not near enough so I ordered primary colored cupcakes to feed our 20 “something” guests. The day was a success and most important our 5 year old had a fantastic angry bird birthday themed birthday party!

You love kids! You enjoy them so much that you can’t imagine not having them around on your Big Day, right? But how much are they really going to dig being at your wedding? Well, that depends largely on you. With just a little foresight and some thoughtful planning, you can make your wedding reception a fun day for even the littlest wedding guest – and keep the grumpies and meltdowns to a minimum.

Time of Day For Your Wedding Reception

This is a biggie. If you know that kids will play a part in your special day,
then you should most likely forgo the wedding reception that doesn’t even get started until past little Austin or Emma’s bedtime. A happy kid is a fresh kid. Sleep deprivation and the overstimulation that comes from a big party are not a good combo. Hold your wedding in the morning or afternoon to minimize this issue.

Wedding Reception Formality

We’re not saying that you can’t have a white tie, ultra-formal event and invite
children. But we’re not suggesting it. After all, very formal affairs require scratchy, stiff clothes and shoes and fancy hair. And heaven forbid they drop chocolate cake on that $2000 dress!

Tone down the formality, and the kiddoes will likely be more comfortable in cotton and ballet slippers. Their smiles will be sweeter, too.

Consider the Reception Décor.

Keep in mind all of those little hands when you’re preparing décor and centerpieces. Rows and rows of lit candles in crystal holders may seem like a good idea, but, well. You get our point.

Consider faux tea lights in pretty holders to approximate the look of candles. You may want to ask your florist about arrangements that don’t feature toxic flowers as well…just in case.

Foods for Little Hands

If your reception will feature food, be sure that you have a few options
for toddler palates. Pate and brie? Not such popular options with kiddoes. Fresh fruit and vegetables, mild dips for both, finger sandwiches, and crackers will round out the hors oeuvres table nicely for the under-10 set. Ask your caterer to have a child’s option available for a sit-down dinner.

And consider having a special sweets station for children as well – cookie bars, wedding cakepops, and a wedding cupcake tower would all be awesome (and hip!) options for your little guests.

Be Accessible During the Reception

Chances are, if there are children at your wedding, it’s because you really love them, and they really love you. Can you imagine how excited they will be to see you looking so special and pretty? Although it’s tempting not to let sticky fingers and jam-smeared faces within a ten foot radius of your unsurpassed gorgeousness, make time to get down to their level and
spend time with the tykes, sparing a hug, a squeal, and a pat just for them. They will feel super-special as a result, and will likely take the day away as a special memory.

Crafts, please!

“Idle hands are the devil’s playthings.” True enough. So we SUPER suggest
having a craft or activity for children to work on at the reception, or a play area that’s just for them. Keeping them occupied with something special that they can take home and remember the day by will make for happier children, happier parents, and a more radiant you.

This can be something as simple as a coloring sheet, or something more involved, like these nifty special day kits, which feature stickers and a keep sake photo frame. Having a close friend to help with the craft is a good idea, too.

A Place for Quiet Time or to Run Around

Regardless of your best intentions, kids will be kids. We think it’s a really great idea to set aside a couple of areas apart from the reception for parents to take children who might need a little break from the excitement. Mommies especially will appreciate a quiet place that would be private and suitable for napping and/or nursing.

In addition, consider a wide open space where children can run around a bit, without being scolded for unruly behavior. After all, you’re feeding them sugar. They are going to have excess energy
to burn.

With a little thought and attention, you can make your wedding reception a special time for every guest, whether they are three or ninety-three. Thinking ahead and planning just a little will ensure that you (and everyone else) will be all smiles on your special day.

Brooke Fehr manages and contributes to A Wedding Cake Blog, a beautiful corner of the internet devoted to all that is Sweet and Pretty and Wedding.  Author of “Creating a Fabulous Wedding Reception” eCourse, Brooke spent several years working in the culinary arts, before deciding to marry her love of food with her background in writing.  She is a wife and mom to two small children as well.
http://aweddingcakeblog.com

Elizabeth knows the social media space, enjoys it, and has a passion to help promote people and products she believes in. She has worked with numerous companies and celebrities to help brand their products and make their services known. Below is just a limited amount of work she has accomplish over the last year. If you would like a copy of her resume or would like to know how you can work more in depth with Elizabeth Norton feel free to email her at info@ElizabethNorton.com.

High Impact Action with Social Media

Today Show: Real Housewives of DC

 

Al Rocker in the Plaza (with fellow bloggers)

 

KathyLee Giford

Elizabeth is WebTV host, Let’s Read Together, which is now syndicated every Tuesday at 7pm in all time zones on MomTV in the United States. Has taken her stage experience and transformed it to making a tradition in the home of watching a storytelling together and encouraging that the best story teller is the one who’s lap you sit on, your mom. At the end of each show she challenges each child to read to each other. This is all part of a literacy campaign and purpose that is close to her heart.

Her first show was featuring book author Kristie Finnan.

 

• FOOD NETWORK WORK

 

Adam Gertler

Host Dawn Sandomeno with FOOD network star Marcela Valladolid

Duff Goldman- Ace of Cakes

• Fitness Industry

Elizabeth was included in a promotion event that Nintendo planned by RoleMommy.com hosted by JIllian Micheals. The event promoted the new workout wii game that was to hit shelves the next month. In a combined effort for http://CapeMayMoms.com, Nick Elisano (a local fitness expert) came as a correspondent for the fitness event and Elizabeth got his personal take on the fitness aspect of the game.

Jillian Micheals

 

• Fashion Industry

Robert Verdi with "Getting Gorgeous"

___________________________________________________________________________

Elizabeth is an active community member of Collective Bias and is part of the advisory board social fabric team. Elizabeth’s involvement in Collective Bias is exciting. Collective Bias, a start up company that is trail blazing the world of marketing and connecting consumers, social media personalities, and corporations both big and small to each other.

__________________________________________________________________________

When Jakks Pacific asked Elizabeth to review a product another idea came to mind and Jakks jumped at the idea.

Elizabeth, in a dual sponsored event, promoted the lovely vacation town of Avalon, New Jersey (where she is from) Golden Inn and Cabbage Patch combined presented an event to over 10 bloggers from as far south as Washingthon and Northern Pensylvania.

The adoption ceremony which included an interactive story time, a wonderful menu prepared by the Golden Inn, and much more with be remembered and talked about for many years to come.

 

____________________________________________________________________________Elizabeth’s social media experience has landed her as a consultant and sound board for many companies. One company in particular company, Genesis Today, counted on her social media opinion on a voting panel on the Genesis of a Great Idea Campaign for their next step in the virtual world. As part of this process, Elizabeth was flown to Austin, Texas and took part in an education class about the brand products, history and health. On the final day, She deliberated on 5 finalist’s presentations and cast her vote.—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-Colgate called upon social media to help with their 2010 ring in the new year with a Wisp Kiss Campaign. Elizabeth was happy to represent Philadelphia and counted down in the new year and then counted an attempt to break the guinness world book of records of the most couples simultaneously kissing.Held at the Constitution center she mixed and mingled while promoting Colgate amongst much romance in the air.

It was amazing opportunity to use word of mouth, live tweeting, and a live web stream with New Years Nation to say the least.

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About the author: Annie Shultz, a blogger, lives in Kansas with her 3 kids, 4 years old and under. She blogs at MamaDweeb.com about parenting, family products and blogging basics. She loves to chat on Twitter (@mamadweeb) and on her Facebook fan page (facebook.com/mamadweeb) about her daily, crazy life! This is her story on how she threw a Wizard of Oz Birthday Party.

WIZARD OF OZ BIRTHDAY PARTY:

Living in Kansas, a very popular birthday party theme is the Wizard of Oz. I prefer parties to be simple, and this can lead to some very fun and easy ideas!

MENU IDEAS:

To keep the theme obvious you can choose to label the food if you want.

1. Tin man’s heart sandwiches

2. Ruby red strawberries

3. Munchkin grapes
Or you can go with a “fiesta” menu:

1. Yellow brick burritos (super cheesy)

2. Brainless Tacos (DIY taco bar)

3. Emerald city Enchiladas (green sauce)

WIZARD OF OZ CAKE:

Beginner cake makers can pick up a Wilton doll cake kit and make Glenda for a dazzling centerpiece. Then just put themed toppers on cupcakes to feed the crowd.

Keep an eye on sales at craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby. You can usually pick up some “Dorothy” wicker baskets for a low cost. Then fill these with party favors of your choice!

1. Sunflower seeds packets (older children)

2. Skittles (taste the rainbow)

3. colorful toys

4. Wizard of oz coloring pages and crayons

BIRTHDAY GAMES: 

1. Follow the Yellow Brick Road -

Play just like musical chairs. Put sheets of yellow construction paper on the ground in a circle. Put a number on each sheet. Tell children to walk on the paper and when the music stops (play Wizard of Oz songs) draw a number. The child standing on the winning number gets a prize..

2. Pin the tail on the Lion
3. I’m Melting!

If it is warm outside, enjoy this water balloon game! Pair children up. Tell each pair to face each other and stand 1 foot apart. Then, they begin tossing the balloons to each other and take on step apart after each toss. The goal is to see how far apart they can get before they drop a balloon and splash their feet!

Above all, just have fun! A party should always be more fun than work! Enjoy!

There are tons of card companies across the web but I am delighted in sharing information on PICABOO’s new Christmas line. I was hoping to actually show you my own Christmas cards but the season is quickly approaching and I wanted to SHARE with you this AMAZING deal with you. To celebrate their NEW holiday collection! Here are “just a preview” of some of my favorites!

Here is the deal! If you buy 25 cards, you will get an additional 25 cards free. If you buy 50 cards, you get 50 cards free. Isn’t that awesome!!!! (just check out twice) The promo GREAT-EN and it does expire at 11:59 PT 12/1/11 so ORDER SOON!!!

To see the whole collection visit Christmas Card’s Collection.

The PICABOO’s Collection features over200 designs for Christmas, Hanukkah, party invitations, and a non- ‐denominational invites and greeting cards. From over two dozen designers from all over the world, you can choose from many card designs that are flat, folded, portrait and landscape designs. Flat cards can be
ordered on any of the five paper options while folded cards can be ordered on any of the three paper options.

Another feature of the new Collection is that customers can now create cards with as many photos as they want. (I am excited about that because I am looking to share pictures from the whole year not just season ones!)

The more creative and crafty customers want to become they are assured they are truly getting a custom design.

The picaboo line is described to have a fresh, modern, eclectic, and unique feel. I am excited to say that the Christmas cards that will be coming from my house will be like no other.

Planning for a Doctor Suess birthday was one of the easiest birthdays I have planned yet. I loved it and my son did too. Need tips on How to Decorate for a Dr.Suess Birthday Party? Hopefully these Dr. Suess will help. We had a blast making this blast party.

1. The colors were kept simple. Red, (known to the Party Planning Professor as the most used color for decorations because it goes with everything adding money value) We also used white and black.

2. We decided that we would have a no helium birthday party. (another way to save money) We used double sided tape, blew up the balloons, curled the ribbon tight and kept them short. THE KIDS NOR THE ADULT had never known. We also took the double sided tape and hung balloons upside down with fishing line. I imagine if balloons were in Suesville they would be upside down and at first you thought they were just floating.

3. We used Red Christmas table clothes as banner swags from curtain to curtain. Think about Valentine’s Days and Christmas decorations.

4. We also found a bunch of over the hill party supplies to incorporate the black table cloth, balloons, and napkins that were placed every other.

5. We set books up around the cake and I was sure that we were pretty lucky with our birthday cake. A friend made it. It was fantastic, We made the cake the focal point on a cheap throw away table cloth as a center place.

We were delighted and most important the birthday boy was. . The house set a Dr. Suess mood.

Do you have decoration tips for a Doctor Suess birthday party? We would love to hear!