LIFE IS A SWEET CELEBRATION!

They say if your dreams don't scare you, then they aren't big enough. Well, let me just tell you that I am scared to death BUT the excitement far outweighs the fear!  

It's happening ~ the storefront is just about ready to open. We are thinking within the next 3-4 weeks! Inventory is on it's way! 
We will be offering everything from balloons, paper party goods, party favors, unique gifts, bulk candy, coffee and every baked good you can imagine~cookies, squares, cupcakes, parfaits, cheesecakes, tarts, whoopie pies, cream puffs......and the list goes on!

I obviously love what I do and am so excited about all of the products that will be available to you. 
I can't wait to get the doors open and share it all with you!    

About five months ago, this is the space that was looked at for a potential cupcake and party shop. Great space, great location and a great couple (aka landlords) that allowed us to lease it. 

(My kiddos checking out the space. Josh, my brother in law, helping us start the construction AND he did all of my wiring) 

At that time, it was a partnership and named Dessert Divas. 

Lots of changes and lots of hard work later, I am going forward as the sole owner of this wonderful space! I decided to go back to Laugh loud Smile big because one~my daughter came up with the name on her birthday, two years ago when I started my whole online party goods gig and two~because I love it!  I have worked to grow this name and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here! 

I would be wrong in saying I am the 'sole' owner ~ we'll call it family owned. Both in dollars invested and sweat equity. The kids have been wonderful through this whole process as they have truly spent hundreds of hours hanging out while 

Mom and Dad work. 

But the hard work, late nights and lack of weekends has truly paid off! That former tae kwan do studio sure does look good in pink and black! 

Our close family friend, John, has been such a blessing through this whole process! My husband, Scott, fell this winter and dislocated his elbow. John spent weekends on our sofa after long weeks at work as an engineer. 

He helped finish off the kitchen, build the counter, the center display and so much more. I am forever grateful! 
It's pictures like these, Jacob asking asking a million questions as John works, that make it mean even more! 

 Scott, with the help of John and Josh.....has done an amazing job! 
Between his, Josh's and John's hard work, the kitchen was approved and ready to produce some deliciousness!! 

(is that a word? if not, it will be after you visit our shop!)

When I realized I was on my own, my first call was to my aunt for help. 

I know that she is an amazing baker, has catered in the past and did I say...AMAZING baker?!?!  She said she would do whatever she could to help me out! 

(yes, many of you that I have done parties for, know her as the Cream Puff Lady!)

Well, guess what ~ she does so much more!!! Beautiful....and yep, delicious! 

Well, the more we talked it seemed like a great idea to have her join me at the shop. My aunt and I have always had a special relationship!  She is an amazingly sweet person and just an incredible baker! The kitchen is hers and I can't wait for you all to try her creations! 

(Many of you have....and guess what???? Now, you don't have to wait for her cream puffs!!!  lol)

 

Meet my aunt, Cindy, LAUGH loud SMILE big's new Pastry Chef! 

(yes, she is going to kill me for putting her picture up! :-)

Be sure to follow us on facebook for all of the updates on our opening date, giveaways, daily dessert menu and free goodies! 

  

.......because life IS a sweet celebration........

Baby Rollins' Dr. Seuss Baby Shower

When I met with Sherry, the Grammy-to-Be, a few months ago, at the diner ~ yes, the diner has become 'the meeting spot' til the shop is ready ~ I thought we might talk about a banner and a few toppers! 

As she pulled out her computer and notes, I knew this shower was going to be amazing! She showed me all the pictures and sites she had bookmarked on Etsy, Pinterest & Google.  Sherry, Trina, the other Grammy-to-Be, Briana & Claire, the Aunts-to-Be had been busy planning away!

The theme is such a great one ~ immediately puts a smile on your face! And there is so much inspiration and so many possibilities! And believe me, these families had thought of it all! 

After our meeting and determining how I might fit into their grand plan, all I saw was red, white and Dr. Seuss blue! 

My job was simple ~  a banner, a few balloons and some desserts! The rest was under control! 

Sherry told me she would send me a few pictures of the things they were working on. 

I received a picture of this amazing diaper cake that Trina had made!  
I was in awe!  Awesome, right?

Then I received this picture text of the gerber daisy centerpieces Sherry and her daughter, Briana were working on!  This picture does not do them justice ~ they were so vibrant! Brightened up the entire room! 

They thought of every detail ~ look who was at the door to greet everyone! (Did I mention that Lacey is a school teacher? Think her classroom is going to think she won the Dr. Seuss lottery!) 

 And upon entering, the guests were greeted with a diaper lottery, guest book and the incredible diaper cakes/creations. If the guests wanted to enter a diaper drawing, they brought a pack of diapers and had the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the Waterfront, a local restaurant. I love this idea!

And I just have to include a back shot of the Horton Motorcycle diaper cake by Claire.  These diaper creations were amazing!!

Lily, Lacey's little sister, Aunt-to-Be, was quite the helper....between the balloons and coordinating the cotton candy, gumballs and licorice...she was the best! 

They had planned on a food table and a dessert table so we kept the desserts simple ~ pretzels, cake pops, marshmallow pops, cream puffs and some candy! 

Ohhh, but the cake was not simple ~ check this out ~ a close family friend, Pam Burgess, made this great centerpiece for the dessert table!

As I started working on tags/labels for the table, I remembered Sherry mentioning that Lacey & Jake, (Mom & Dad-toBe) were keeping their baby boy's name a surprise. The whole family all had their own names for him ~ Fabio, Rico, Owen, Hudson, PBR (Paul Bunyon Rollins).... ~ I thought it might be fun to include that bit of fun on the toppers! 

Briana helped me with some fun names for the desserts. They fit perfectly! 

And Trina did an amazing job with the food table and all of the fun play on names!  

Mom to Be was completely surprised! They got her there on the premise of a wrestling banquet for the superstar Uncle-to-Be wrestling coach. Jake, Daddy-to-Be, brought Lacey to the shower ~ look at her reaction!  

Did I mention, these families had covered every detail? The most amazing little brother, Evan, agreed to be the Cat in the Hat and surprise everyone in the middle of the shower! I hear he was a huge hit! 

Of course, the Cat in the Hat had to try the green eggs! 

Trina made this awesome wrestling teddy bear for Baby Rollins! 

Baby Rollins' Mom and Dad 

You can tell by all of the smiles that it was amazing day with family and friends and wonderful memories were created! 
It is so much fun to be a part of such a wonderful celebration! 

A Sweet, New Venture

It all began....with a cupcake and a topper!

Okay, okay...I won't be that cheesy! But it really did! Heidi, from Sabrosa Cupcake Co and I started talking about a year ago.  She was placing orders for toppers non-stop! I thought it would be fun to try her cupcakes, they had to be good, right? She was certainly busy! So we ordered some for Shauna's party ~ absolutely delicious!! 

The orders continued and the friendship began. We always said "Someday, we've got to do something!"  

Heidi and I kept doing more and more work together. It was all making sense. 

To have cupcakes, candy and favor goods in one location...would be heaven to be a part of and a wonderful convenience and experience for the community! 

A few phone calls later and Heidi and I were looking at a location ~ couldn't be better! 

Alright, so it's not looking like a Cupcake/Candy Shop just yet but give it a few months and some splashes of hot pink and black.....

I mentioned that the location couldn't be more perfect, right? Yes! Those are the two schools through the trees....there will be a little pathway through for my kiddos to walk each day after school! (With some friends, of course!)  

Oh...did I forget to mention this is located in Rockport, the town we are moving to soon and that will be where the children will go to school! And Heidi lives close by, as well! 

We met with the owners....and we knew it was meant to be! Carolyn had previously owned a scrapbook store (yep, a fellow paper lover) AND she had visited DC Cupcakes, Sprinkles....yep, a cupcake lover, as well! She has been a wonderful motivator. 

In her words "You have to go out on a limb~that's where the fruit is!" A true believer in going after your dream! 

Heidi texted one evening 'Dessert Divas ~ what do you think?' Loved it! We wanted something with some sass. Something fun but letting people also know what we were about. This covered it and we went with it! 

Logo and website are in the design process.

Heidi and I are super excited about this opportunity! Timing is good and location is great. We love what we do and are a perfect fit! We will be offering cupcakes, custom desserts each week, a wall of candy, huge assortment of containers for both favors and dessert bars (hence the name 'Dessert Divas') and also offer that as a service for your event, as we are currently doing. 

And yes, I will continue my online business of custom paper party goods. I will also offer those same items in the store. This will be amazing for me ~ to have more space to work in. A true studio.

We will also have a coffee bar and tables for both parents and kiddos to enjoy their treats and visit. And we have been asked by many about parties...we will be offering some fun cupcake decorating parties and seasonal gatherings! As well as, story time, girls night out with wine/cupcake tastings and I am sure as many other events as we can dream up! And, of course, after school specials! 

Kitchen equipment, candy bins and product are being purchased. Awnings are being designed and with a text every 15 minutes, Heidi and I are designing the whole interior!!! And loving every minute of it!! 

(example of the pictures I send Heidi...from Home Goods...good thing we have unlimited texting!) 

She'll ask 'where did you see that?' My response "In the back of my car!"

We are a few months out in opening the store. We have the build out to do and are taking our time in getting things together. This is a dream come true for both of us and want to do it right! And at the same time want to maintain the businesses we have each grown on our own. 

We have set up a page on Facebook and will share events that the Dessert Divas work on through the holiday season! 

We will also take you through our adventure of opening 

The Dessert Divas ~ Cupcakes, Candy & Custom Party Goods!! 

4th of July Photo Shoot

Dawna, a close friend, emailed last week and asked if I had any ideas for a 4th of July photo shoot for her granddaughters, Arianna and Rachel.  Did I have any ideas ?!?!?!?  

Shauna and I were having a Girls' Day so we started baking....and going through all of the props in 'my room'.  I sent Dawna a few teaser pictures of what we were coming up with...and 48 hours later....the little models arrived and the photo shoot began!  

I had just downloaded the printables above from Shindig with no specific purpose in mind....just loved them!

 Meet the models, Rachel and Ari!

 

In the middle of the shoot, it looked like it might be too shady on the deck....so we moved it to the front lawn.  After a few spilled milks, tumbled cupcakes and models ready to be done....the photo shoot continued! 

 I used the printables on my little jars and added gumballs for favors for the girls. And, of course, Shauna had fun with the kiss stickers. 

 What a fun morning........