Sweet Gumball Necklaces

How amazingly delicious are these colorful gumball necklaces? I first saw this in Martha Stewart Weddings when they put together a candy themed bridal shower for Dylan Lauren of Dylan's Candy Bar. This would be a great Valentines Day or Birthday Party craft for your older girly girls!

These beautiful photos are from the talented gals of One Charming Party They also give a simple tutorial on how to make these sweet strands of sugar! You can now find solid color gumballs at most Party City stores around the country. Martha Stewart Weddings also used gumballs for a yummy party garland! So fun!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I know, I know, its been way too long since my last post. I'm still here, but have been taking some time to re-evaluate, refuel, refill, reconnect and make a few resolutions for 2012. {more on that later.}

I have mixed feelings about New Years Resolutions. What? Once a year we're supposed to vow to be a better person, more healthy and just simply more "together?" Why don't we try to achieve these same goals each and every day?

Well, because that's not realistic says the other side of me. We run around grabbing junk food and snapping at people because as a mom, I am stretched really thin. So, at least at New Years we can attempt to reinvent ourselves...even if those efforts to 'drink less wine' and 'drink more water' wear off after a few short weeks. Truth be told, we are busy people. Our minds are often times scattered with thoughts of PTA meetings, fresh lunch box selections, the expensive shirt that has a huge grape juice stain, the cars squealing tires...you know what I'm talking about.

Maybe this year will be different. Maybe I'll really make that green veggie smoothie recipe from my latest issue of 'In Style' magazine. It is supposed to make mom feel more energetic while helping her skin glow. Wow. Maybe I'll find "balance" and keep it up for the entire year! ;) Truthfully, being the mom of a 4 and 7 year old, I'll probably keep running around like a chicken with my head cut off...BUT maybe I can do that with a smile on my face and that green smoothie in a To-Go cup.

A girl can dream.
 

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Ever compare your life to someone else's? Do you ever wish your life were different? It is so easy to loose ourselves in wondering about the "what if's" and wondering how we "measure up" to some standard set by others. Comparison is the mind killer...and antidote is gratitude.

Gratitude is more than being thankful one day a year. Gratitude is about waking up in the moment and being there...really being there, and noticing what's around you.

Gratitude requires that you validate your own life. It forces you to say yes to the gift that is you. The choices you've made and the changes you've gone through...they have brought you here. Even if "here" is a place that needs a little adjustment, that's ok. There are gifts in any present moment.

Gratitude is about wisdom. People believe they are being smart if they criticize, complain and focus on the problems of the world around them. Smart? Maybe. Clever? Sure, but not wise. It is wise to focus on what makes your heart sing. It is wise to focus on, and grow the blessings in your life!

Gratitude is reminding yourself that your translation of any situation is your choice. We've all heard stories of people who have ignored others' translations of their talent, their art, their looks and their lives. These people chose their own translations and succeeded. You always have a choice when it comes to how you look at things. Choose gratitude.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving full of gratitude! :)

Jen Quirk Photography

A few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine agreed to take some family photos for us. She is so talented, and I am so thankful to have these images captured of my babies! These are just a few of her favorites from that day...

The S Family

This sweet momma is a good friend from MOPS and I was so excited to have the opportunity to spend some time with them! I loved getting to see her whole family together - and talk about beautiful! The kids were such troopers braving the cold, windy morning, you can't tell at all in the photos. I just love the way these turned out!

Swank Sweets Launches New Logo & Blog!

I am so thrilled to announce the launch of my new logo and blog! It has been a long time coming, and I am so happy with the end result! The very talented Lauren of Designer Blogs helped me design a new logo and fresh design. If you are looking for a new logo, blog design, etsy banners, etc. please check out Designer Blogs! They were amazing to work with, so talented and professional. They were kind enough to feature Swank Sweets on their blog this month, and I talk about the entire design process. Thanks again Lauren!!

Korinne is the amazing talent behind Swank Sweet Dessert Tables.

How long have you been blogging?

Since September 2009.

What made you decide to start a blog/site?
I was searching the internet trying to find inspiration for my daughters 6th birthday. My mom always threw me the best birthday parties when I was growing up, and I wanted to carry on that tradition for my children. I came across all these amazing party blogs with such talented, creative people and I was hooked! Then I found out that most of them where stay at home moms, and I was inspired to start blogging about dessert and candy tables. At that point, I had been a stay at home mom for a while and was looking for a creative outlet and a way to earn extra "mad money" to support my shopping habit. That's when Swank Sweets was created!

What was the biggest unexpected perk or bonus of your site and being online?

Bloggers are some of the most supportive, kind and generous people you will ever meet! It has been so much fun to "meet" other stay at home moms and be able to support each others endeavors. Because of blogging, my tables have been featured on HGTV, TLC's Outrageous Kids Parties, WRAL local news, and many party blogs. It has been so exciting!

What other blogs or sites inspire you?

There are so many, but I have to say Amy Atlas was the inspiration for my business. She is an amazing dessert stylist in New York who started the whole dessert table craze! Since then, I have been inspired by Martha Stewarts Weddings, Sweets Indeed, Jesi Haack Weddings, Sweet & Saucy Shop and Sharnel Dollar Designs. And I can't forget the awesome graphic designers who make my dessert tables complete! Anders Ruff Custom Designs, Love The Day,and Party Box Designs....just to name a few!

Tell us about the design makeover process? How did you choose the colors, fonts and ideas that inspire your personal brand?

My old website and blog were great and served it's purpose just starting out. However, after growing the business for a few years it really didn't represent who I am and what I do. I wanted a visual identity that would attract my target audience, instantly establish trust, and have consistency through each point of contact with my clients. It was important to me to have the logo, business cards and even something as small as the favicon in complete harmony. Turquoise is my favorite color, so that was easy, however, I had my heart set on a chevron pattern somewhere in the design. Lauren tried everything to make it work, and it was just overwhelming the entire design. My Grandfather, worked for Chevron Oil Company for his entire life, so the chevron pattern was a nod to him and my Grandmother. So, when I told Lauren about my sentimental attachment to it, she went right back to the drawing board and came up with light grey chevron behind the logo. That's when it all connected for me, and I could not be happier!

Old Logo

New Logo

How did you find / hear about Designer Blogs?

I had just hired someone to do a new logo, website and blog for me. Long story short, she ran off with my money and I nothing to show for it! Lesson learned. So I began looking online for someone new to design for me. I came across Designer Blogs through a Google search. What impressed me the most was not only the quality and style of their work, but that they had a "design queue" so I knew exactly when they would start working on my design. Lauren's communication through the process was amazing, and that was so important to me after my disappointing experience. I am looking forward to having a Facebook landing page and Twitter background designed next!



Anything else you want people to know about you or your blog?

I feel really blessed to be able to stay home with my children and do something that I am really passionate about every day. I write about all things sweet, and would love to hear your thoughts and comments!

Thank you Korinne!!
It was such a pleasure working with you and getting to know you better.

You can visit Korinne on her blog, Swank Sweets and
you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter!

Dessert Table ~ On Style Me Pretty!

Pinch me! One of my dessert tables is on Style Me Pretty today! Back in April I had the opportunity to work with the talented Erin of Erin McLean Events. I designed a wedding dessert table for her super chic clients, Krishna and Bill.  When I was brought in to the planning, Erin and Krishna had the details of the wedding and reception complete, so when I saw the creative invitations, bright-bold fabrics, and leather bird accents they would be using...I was so excited and inspired! 

Krishna, who is the owner of Pie Bird in downtown Raleigh, was very specific about the sweets she and Bill wanted on the dessert table. We had chocolate covered marshmallows from Escazu Artisan Chocolates, chocolate brownies from Guglhupfs Cafe & Bakery, carrot cake-cake pops, blueberry, raspberry and almond french macarons, chocolate mousse shooters, custom white chocolate dipped oreos to match the red damask fabric, custom blue and red bird sugar cookies, lemon bars, mini cream puffs, snicker doodle cookies, mini cupcakes and mini key lime pies and strawberry whoopie pies from Pie Bird to perfectly complete the sweets table! At the end of the night, guests took home "Sweet Endings" boxes of treats to enjoy! To see all the amazing details of this wedding, check out Style Me Pretty.

Vendor Love:

Wedding Planning and Design: Erin McLean Events

Reception: Cobblestone Hall

Photography and Video: f8 Photo Studios

Flowers: Fleurtations

Dessert Table: Swank Sweets

Paper: Mae Mae Paperie

Cake: Swank Cake Design

Leather Birds: Holly Aiken

Eat Cake For Breakfast ~ Kate Spade

The breakfast of champions...stellar advice from Kate Spade!