{Real Party} Sparkes Family Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter Monday!

Whew, what a weekend!  We held our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday and it was so much fun! We had a great turn out and my girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  If you remember the invitation, I kept the food sweet and simple.  On the menu; chocolate dipped marshmallows, red velvet truffles (my daughter called them trump-a-lump-akins), pineapple upside-down angel food cake, peeps, and of course.... CUPCAKES!  For this event I was determined to make my own cake icing.  I've been wanting to learn how to make buttercream icing for a sometime now. Well, Jess from Party Box Design shared her recipe on her blog a little while ago and I decided to try it!  It was YUMMY!!!!  (Thank you Jess!)  I even dyed the icing pink.  :)  I was so proud of myself.  My cupcake decorating skills still need much improvement, however, I'm making baby steps!  Here are a few pictures from the egg hunt!

"Sweets" Table

My pretty cake stand!  I love it! 

Cupcake Toppers!

Mini gumball machines! 

Yummy Peeps!

Chocolate Covered Marshmallows!

Take Home Boxes!

My daughter hunting for eggs... 

Here I am, Ebony "Stuart" as I was affectionately named on Saturday!  It is very rare to get me in a picture these days, but since I have a 6 month old, I still get the wave the "it's baby weight" flag! :)

Have a Happy Easter Monday!
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The Battle of the Cupcakery: Washingtonian's Best Bites Blog

The Washingtonian Magazine is conducting their contest for the Best Bites Blog. It is actually pretty cute because they have setup the contest similar “March Madness” brackets! Well, I have been following the ‘Cupcake Cup’ bracket (surprise right) and it’s down to the Final Four!

 

• Georgetown Cupcake 

• Curbside

• Bakeshop

• Something Sweet

You know I’m pulling for Georgetown Cupcake!

  

Here is the current bracket! Make sure you vote!

 

 

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Sparkle Cupcakery

Today, I'd like to feature two things that I love....  Sparkle and Cupcakes!  I've talked about my serious cupcake addiction many times here.  I recently came across a company called Sparkle Cupcakery on Swanky Tables blog (lots of great inspiration on that blog BTW).  Since of course these are my two favorite things, I had to go by the website to take a look.  

Sparkle Cupcakery is located in Sidney, Austraila.  The shop (cupcakery) design matches the name perfectly, there is sparkle and lots of cupcakes!    They offer many different flavors and just look at the cupcake and cake stands that feature a mirrored plate.  The wedding cakes are just goregous  I swoon over those cupcake boxes that are black on the outside and mirrored on the inside!  How cool!!!!

This just makes me want to eat a cupcake right now! 
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Blizzard 2010 - What I did!

For today, I originally had planned another post but after a little thinking this came to mind. It is a little departure from my regular post but one that I hope you enjoy none the less.  Just a little peak into the life of Ebony.

It's Friday and I'm so happy to report that it is no longer snowing in Northern Virginia where I reside with my family. If you haven't heard we just had the largest blizzard this area has seen in over 150+ years!  We have about 40+ inches in our front yard!  It started out last week and just stopped yesterday.  Most of my friends know that I have absolutely LOVED being snowed in with my family.  It is just what the doctor ordered. Time to pause and stop to reflect on how wonderfully blessed I am and think about what the future hold for us.  We had our niece over with us because her mom had to work and I made a week of activities, including baking cookies, making chocolate covered marshmallows, and Valentine's Day cupcakes.  So I thought I would post a few pictures of our snow and our fun activities this week.  :)

My oldest sitting atop the snow...

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pops

*the ingredients*

* dip it*

*all done* 

*cupcake time* 

*my amateur swirls*

*valentine's day heart*

How did you spend your time snowed in?  My girls and I had a great time...AND it looks like we might be getting a little more snow on Monday! WOW!
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Petite Cupcake Stands - How Cute!

Recently, I have found and fallen in love with Rosanna, Inc.  Rosanna creates the most beautiful serving trays and dishes to showcase and display your meals, along with many other things.  The options range from whimsical tea cups to modern serving trays. I love love love to do a beautiful table design for my parties formal and informal.  Even informal parties need a little sparkle.  These little additions are sure to make a big impact.

My latest pick from Rosanna, Inc. are these oh so cute Petite Cupcake stands!  If you have followed my blog you should know that I have a serious cupcake addiction.  {Serious!} I love the idea of individual sized petite cupcake stands!  How cute!!!!

Visit Rosanna, Inc for more ideas.

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Color Trends: Purple

Purple remains a popular color for weddings and special events for 2010.  It comes in many hues and can be complimented by beautiful shades of pink, blue, and gray.  Purple is known for it's regal and royal qualities.  Yet varying shades can also be quite subtle and elegant.  Because purple has so many shades, it makes an excellent choice for any season.   Here is a little Friday "Eye Candy" for you highlighting shades of aubergine, fuchsia, lavender, lilac, mauve, and plum  

Enjoy~

Courtesy of The Knot

David Beahm Designs

I give you Preston Bailey..... 

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What's Not to Love about Vera Wang...

For all brides...what's not to love about Vera Wang...

Vera Wang is known for making some of the most beautiful wedding gowns. This Fall 2010 preview is will certainly be one to remember.  Don't miss it! 

Fall 2010 Vera Wang Bridal Trunk Show
January 21-23rd
By Appointment Only
Vera Wang Salon at Saks Jandel
5510 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD
301-652-2250
http://www.verawang.com

And guess what favorite cupcakery will be serving their delicious bite size treats... Georgetown Cupcake!  

Wedding dresses and cupcakes, my two favorite things!  Enjoy! 

Photos courtesy of:  www.georgetowncupcake.com and www.verawang.com

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Welcome to The Sparkle Spot ~~~~~~~

Welcome to "The Sparkle Spot:  Your Guide to Making Any Event Sparkle"

I'm so excited to be launching my own business and I hope I will have your support for all things sparkling!  Ever since I can remember, I've always been into party planning.  Back in the day it wasn't all so formal but the requests were, "Ebony I need you to do this party for me" or "Ebony what do you think about this?".  This is how it all started.  After getting married in 2004 I have played around with the idea of becoming an event planner and invitation designer but never had the "guts" to do it.  I came very close in 2005 but however I became pregnant with my first daughter and completely turned my undivided attention to my family.  After much thought and prayer and support from my beloved family and friends, especially my hubby, I'm stepping out on faith to follow my passion!

My philosophy is that you don't have to be rich to have a wonderful event. Everyone watches Platinum Weddings and wonders.... how can I get that! Guess what, you would be surprised at how creatively you can pull off a fantastic event that would rivel those of the rich and famous! I'm here to help my clients achieve all of their desires.  Vist my website for more information about SED!

So with that my first post is dedicated to my arch nemesis right now (because I'm on a diet), the Cupcake!  Many of my friends know about my cupcake addiction (borderline obsession) and I admit that I am a bit of a cupcake snob but what is not to love about the delicious personal size cake topped with decadent icing.  Over the past fews years, the cupcake has made a seriously comeback, although it never ever left my heart.  Looking for an economical alternative to a birthday cake or a wedding cake, try a cupcake tower with a beautiful assortment of cupcakes. I read on one blog that the cupcake was sooooooo 2009!  Well, I'm here to say... NOT!  Cupcakes are here to stay and getting better and better by the year  :)

Some of my favorite Cupcakery's in the local DC/MD/VA are:

Georgetown Cupcake - Located in the heart of the District of Columbia these cupcakes are so decadent they leave your mouth watering for more.

Cupcake Actually - Located in Fairfax, Corner, the ever changing menu and the flourless chocolate cupcake will keep you going back again and again.

Cake Love - Located all over the area started in D.C.  These can be tricky but you must must must let the cupcake set to room temparture to devour and then the icing is scrumptious...

Feast your eyes on these!

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